Stop breathing, okay?

Hi Global Recap readers,

Congratulations on making it this far through the week. We’re just a few days away from the new year—hang in there!

But don’t get too carried away… or even breathe too deeply.

🫢 Apparently: according to a resurfaced article, your breathing is contributing to global warming. So, hold off on exhaling any methane or nitrous oxide.

Control your breathing, okay?

🇩🇪 GERMANY
Should Refugees be Asked to Leave Now?

The fall of Bashar al-Assad has sparked a heated debate in Europe about the future of Syrian refugees. With nearly a million Syrians in Germany alone, the question of whether they should return home is now front and center.

Celebration in Berlin

Syrians in Berlin celebrated the end of Assad's rule with joy and hope.

• Thousands of Syrians took to the streets in Germany after Assad boarded a plane to Russia on Sunday.

• The political reaction in Berlin was swift, with calls for the return of Syrian refugees.

Political Reactions

European politicians are divided on the issue of Syrian refugees returning home.

• German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser expressed hope for refugees to return and rebuild Syria.

• Several European countries, including Britain, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Sweden, suspended asylum proceedings for Syrians.

• Austria announced preparations to deport Syrians whose asylum claims fail.

Mixed Feelings

Syrians in Europe have mixed feelings about the prospect of returning home.

• Anas Aboura, a Syrian curator in Hamburg, emphasized the importance of Syrians deciding when and how to return.

• Many Syrians have integrated into European society and are concerned about the sudden push for repatriation.

Legal and Social Implications

The legal and social implications of repatriating Syrians are complex.

• Courts in Europe are likely to prevent deportations to unsafe situations.

• The influx of Syrian refugees in 2015 fueled the rise of far-right parties in Germany.

• Germany's upcoming elections have intensified the debate on migration policies.

📊 Poll

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
Yoon Faces Impeachment Again

South Korea's political drama is heating up as President Yoon Suk-yeol faces another impeachment vote over his controversial martial law declaration.

Impeachment Vote

Lawmakers are gearing up for a crucial vote on Saturday to decide Yoon's fate.

• The vote is set for 4:00 pm (0700 GMT) on December 14.

• Two hundred votes are needed for the impeachment to pass.

• The opposition needs eight defectors from Yoon's People Power Party (PPP).

Opposition's Plea

The opposition is urging PPP lawmakers to support the impeachment.

• Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called for lawmakers to protect the people, not Yoon.

• To be fair, I don’t believe they are protecting Yoon. This appears to be a power grab, with the party aiming to rule collectively with presidential authority. Yoon himself suggested stepping down from his presidential duties and delegating them to the party.

Legal Consequences

Even if the impeachment fails, Yoon could still face legal repercussions.

• Yoon's actions are considered "insurrectionary acts undermining the constitutional order."

• Legal responsibilities under the Criminal Code cannot be avoided.

Public Sentiment

Yoon's approval rating has plummeted, and public support for impeachment is high.

• Yoon's approval rating is at 11 percent, according to a Gallup Korea poll.

• Seventy-five percent of respondents support his impeachment.

Defiant Stance

However, Yoon remains unapologetic and defiant despite the growing backlash.

• In a televised address, Yoon vowed to fight "until the very last minute."

• He accused the opposition of being in league with communist foes.

Arrests and Investigations

The fallout from Yoon's martial law declaration continues to widen.

• A military commander and top police officials have been arrested.

• Arrest warrants cite "risk of destruction of evidence."

Public Outcry

Protesters from all walks of life are demanding Yoon's ouster.

• Demonstrators include K-pop fans, retirees, and blue-collar workers.

• Protesters are fighting for the restoration of democracy.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Prince Andrew's Chinese Spy Advisor (?)

Prince Andrew's business adviser has been accused of being a Chinese spy and banned from the UK, adding another layer of controversy to the disgraced Duke's life.

Spy Allegations

The adviser, known only as Andrew's "close confidant," has been accused of espionage.

• The unnamed adviser is believed to be a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

• He allegedly worked for the United Front Work Department.

• British officials consider his access to the royals a "serious breach of national security."

Immigration Ban

The adviser has been banned from entering the UK following an investigation.

• The ban took effect immediately from March 2023.

• The adviser lost his appeal against the UK government's decision on December 13, 2024.

Royal Connections

The adviser's relationship with Prince Andrew raises eyebrows.

• He was invited to Andrew's birthday party in 2020.

• He also received an invite to join the royals at their Windsor estate.

🇸🇾 SYRIA
ISIS Comeback Fears Rise

The ousting of Bashar al-Assad has left US-backed Syrian forces on edge, fearing an ISIS resurgence. With Assad gone, the power vacuum could spell trouble.

Prisoner Concerns

The fall of Assad has stirred anxiety among US-backed forces.

• Travis Timmerman, an American, was freed after seven months in a notorious Syrian prison.

• Thousands remain missing, with efforts underway to locate them.

• Rebel-led leadership wants to keep ISIS prisoners behind bars.

ISIS Prisoners

The prison in eastern Syria holds thousands of ISIS militants.

• Guards are tight-lipped about the exact number of inmates.

• Prisoner Hadi Alamelhud, a former doctor from Canada, regrets joining ISIS.

• Alamelhud claims he never fought for ISIS and wants to return to Canada.

Family Camps

US-backed forces also hold ISIS fighters' families in camps.

• Around 6,000 women and children are held at the al-Hol camp.

• Security is deteriorating as news of Assad's fall spreads.

• Some detainees remain unrepentant about their allegiance to ISIS.

US Military Response

The US military is taking action to prevent an ISIS resurgence.

• Airstrikes have targeted ISIS hideouts in Syria.

• The goal is to stop terrorists from exploiting the regime's collapse.

🇫🇷 FRANCE
Macron’s New Prime Minister

President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Francois Bayrou as the new prime minister, hoping to calm the stormy political seas.

But will it?

New Appointment

Macron's choice is a seasoned politician with a centrist touch.

• Francois Bayrou, 73, was named prime minister on December 13.

• He is the founder of the Democratic Movement political party (MoDem).

• Bayrou has run for president three times and is the mayor of Pau.

Political Crisis

The appointment comes amid a political crisis that has left Macron's authority hanging by a thread.

• Former prime minister Michel Barnier resigned after losing a no-confidence vote.

• Barnier's government collapsed trying to pass a 2025 budget with $62.9 billion in tax hikes.

• Bayrou must now form a government and pass a budget through a divided parliament.

Opposition's Stance

But, it won’t be a smooth ride for the new Prime Minister. Bayrou faces a tough crowd in parliament, with opposition from both the left and the right.

• Jordan Bardella of the National Rally party said there won't be an automatic censure motion against Bayrou.

• Marine Le Pen, a prominent French political figure, urged Bayrou to listen to the opposition to build a reasonable budget.

Budget Battle

The clock is ticking for Bayrou to pass his budget.

• He must pass the budget before December 21 to avoid a government shutdown. Just imagine, after all this debacle, the government shuts down.

• If the deadline is missed, a "fiscal continuity law" could keep the government running at 2024 spending levels.