Shooting your own people

Hi Global Recap readers,

Happy weekend, as usual! It feels like we just started our new year’s newsletter, but here we are at the end of January. For our Asian readers, happy upcoming Lunar New Year to you as well.

Today, I’ve got a lot of clips to share with you, including:

• Someone advising on how to warn illegal immigrants of nearby ICE deportation officers.

• Footage of a massive drone attack in Russia.

• Hamas terrorists shooting fellow Palestinians.

• An illegal Haitian gang member cursing about Trump, while praising Biden and Obama.

I’d also love to hear your thoughts on something, so if you have time, please take part in the poll below! 👇️

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Massive Drone Strikes
Hit Russia

Ukraine's SBU and SSO have launched massive drone strikes on key Russian facilities, causing significant damage and triggering fires and airport closures.

The strikes targeted the Ryazan oil refinery and Bryansk's Kremniy plant, both crucial to Russia's military operations.

Ryazan Oil Refinery

The Ryazan oil refinery, a major supplier for Russia's military, was hit hard by the drone strikes.

• The refinery processes 17 million tons of oil per year.

• Fires broke out in at least three tanks and spread to the workshop housing the hydrotreating unit for diesel fuel and aviation kerosene.

• Local residents reported over 50 explosions on social media.

Bryansk’s Kremniy Plant

The Kremniy plant in Bryansk, which produces microelectronics for missile systems, was also struck.

• The plant manufactures components for Topol-M missile complexes, Bulava missiles, S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, and more.

• A fire broke out at the facility, with videos showing the plant engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

Moscow and Saratov

Drone activity was reported in Moscow and Saratov regions, with air defenses intercepting several UAVs.

• Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed multiple UAV interceptions.

• In Saratov, residents reported hearing around seven explosions, with air defenses active in the area.

Airport Operations

The drone strikes led to the activation of the "Carpet" plan at Russian airports, halting operations.

• Moscow’s Domodedovo and Zhukovsky international airports temporarily suspended operations.

• Flights at airports in Kazan, Samara, Penza, Saratov, and Nizhnekamsk faced restrictions.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Hostage Swap Underway

Israel and Hamas are gearing up for the next round of hostage and prisoner releases under the Gaza ceasefire deal.

CeaseFire Terms

The ceasefire deal includes several key terms.

• Hamas will release four female hostages on Saturday.

• Israel will release over 100 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

• Israeli forces will partially withdraw from central Gaza to allow displaced Palestinians to return home.

Hostage Details

Among the four women to be released, some are Israeli female soldiers abducted on October 7, 2023.

• Problem for Israel: In order to have these hostages reunite with their families, it must free Palestinians serving long prison sentences for deadly attacks.

Crucial Weekend

This weekend is a critical test for the agreement.

• Hamas will provide information about the remaining hostages.

• Approximately 94 hostages remain in Gaza, with dozens presumed dead.

• The hostages include Israeli soldiers, male civilians, women, and Thai migrant workers.

• Israel has long demanded to know which hostages are still alive after over a year in captivity.

CeaseFire Impact

The 42-day cease-fire began last Sunday.

• Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinians jailed by Israel.

• Both sides will discuss terms for a longer ceasefire during the pause.

Mixed Reactions

• Israelis experienced euphoria over the release of three female hostages but were tempered by scenes of Hamas terrorists parading through Gaza.

• Meanwhile, Gazans celebrated the ceasefire—relieved the months of bombardment had ended and convinced they had “won.”

War Background

The war began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

• The attack killed roughly 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage.

• Israel's military campaign in Gaza killed at least 45,000 people, according to local health officials.

Hamas Killing Palestinians

There’s a circulating video of Hamas terrorists shooting Gazans, allegedly because these individuals were suspected of aiding Israelis.

• Critics are asking: Where are the “Free Palestine” supporters condemning this injustice against their own people?

• Rebuttal: But Israel’s critics argue this is nothing compared to the overall destruction they’re causing to Gazans.

But does this justify shooting your own people?

What’s your take?

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump's Deportation Flights Begin

President Donald Trump's administration has kicked off a massive deportation campaign, using military aircraft to send immigrants back to their home countries.

The first flights have already taken off, marking the start of what the White House calls the largest deportation operation in history.

First Flights Take Off

The initial deportation flights have begun, with immigrants being loaded onto US Air Force C-17 planes.

• Photos released by the White House show people in restraints boarding the aircraft.

• Two flights to Guatemala were completed overnight.

• Over 500 "illegal immigrant criminals" have been arrested, with hundreds more set to be deported.

Military Involvement

The US military is playing a significant role in this operation.

• An additional 1,500 active-duty soldiers and Marines have been deployed to the border.

• Military aircraft, including C-17s, UH-72 helicopters, and C-130 cargo planes, are being used in the mission.

Executive Orders in Action

Trump wasted no time in signing multiple executive orders related to immigration and border security.

• On his first day in office, he declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.

• He directed US Northern Command to seal the borders and maintain security.

• Currently, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst criminals plaguing neighborhoods.

Viral Clip

Here’s a viral clip of an illegal Haitian gang member with 17 recent convictions, saying:

📊 Poll
Illegal Immigration

I’ve been wanting to ask you all for your thoughts on illegal immigration, especially since we’ve got a solid mix of political views here.

But before that, here’s a clip of someone showing how to tip off illegal immigrants about nearby ICE deportation officers:

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Another North Korean
IT Worker Scam Busted

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted 5 people (two North Korean nationals and three North Americans) for a scheme to trick US companies into funding the North Korean regime.

The Conspiracy Unveiled

The indictment reveals a complex conspiracy involving North Korean nationals posing as foreign workers.

• Jin Sung-Il and Pak Jin-Song, the North Korean conspirators, used fake identity documents to secure IT contracts with US companies.

• Three US-based co-conspirators, Pedro Ernesto Alonso De Los Reyes, Erick Ntekereze Prince, and Emanuel Ashtor, facilitated the scheme by installing remote access software on company laptops.

• This scam ran from April 2018 to August 2024.

• North Korean workers earned up to $300,000 each year from just one job.

Financial Impact

The scheme victimized at least 64 US companies, generating significant revenue for the North Korean regime.

• Payments from ten companies alone amounted to at least $866,255 over more than six years.

• The conspirators used their own companies as fronts to invoice victim firms and funnel payments to North Korea.

Legal Consequences

All five are charged with:

• conspiracy to damage a protected computer,

• mail and wire fraud,

• money laundering, and

• transferring false identification documents.

The two North Koreans are additionally charged with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, facing up to 20 years in prison.

Growing Threat

North Korean cyber operations are becoming more sophisticated and widespread.

• Security firms report an increase in intrusion incidents linked to North Korean IT workers.

• Some schemes even involve deepfake video technology and automated voice translation to deceive employers.

Previous Indictments

This isn't the first time North Korean workers have been caught in such schemes.

• Last year: Prosecutors charged an Arizona woman and four others for helping North Korean workers get jobs at more than 300 US companies.

• Security training firm KnowBe4 was also a victim of one of these schemes.