Terrorist Attack in Germany

Hi Global Recap readers,

Just days before the holiday, Germany was hit by a terrorist attack.

The investigation is still in its early stages, so a lot of details are up in the air, with many news outlets even speculating.

That being said, I took a look online to see how people were reacting, but instead of prayers and support, all I saw were blame games and labels being thrown around:

• Some in the anti-Israeli crowd are calling the attacker a “Zionist” and “pro-Israel, anti-Islamist.”

• Others are calling the perpetrator a far-right AfD-supporting terrorist.

• And there’s talk that the mainstream media is trying to hide his identity.

With the weekend ahead and Christmas just around the corner, I hope we can all take a moment to pray for the victims in Germany and for those suffering from wars everywhere.

🇩🇪 GERMANY
Christmas Market Terrorist Attack

A joyful evening at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, took a horrifying turn when a car rammed into a crowd.

And it was no accident. This incident sparked outrage not only for its brutality but also for the mainstream media’s handling of its coverage.

But is the criticism warranted?

Here’s what I could gather about it:

Lone Wolf Attack

A dark-colored BMW crashed through barriers and drove straight into shoppers at 7:04 pm local time (Dec. 20).

• The attack resulted in two fatalities, including a small child.

• Almost 70 people were injured, with 15 in critical condition.

• The suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, was arrested at the scene.

Arrest and Background

The suspect’s name is known to be Talib Al-Abdulmohsen.

And below is his supposed X account, where he openly talks about murdering Germans.

The suspect, who has lived in Germany since 2006, was practicing medicine in Bernburg.

• He was granted asylum in 2016 as a political refugee, despite being wanted in Saudi Arabia for terrorism and human trafficking.

• Known for his work with asylum-seekers, he was a respected figure in the Saudi exile community.

• Authorities confirmed he acted alone, with no further danger to the city.

Reactions and Condemnations

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and expressions of solidarity.

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his thoughts for the victims and their families.

• Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the attack “atrocious” and offered support to Germany.

• The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as “heinous” and stood with the victims.

Investigation Ongoing

Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack.

• The suspect’s mental state and political views are being considered.

• No explosive devices were found in the suspect’s car.

• Security experts believe the suspect may suffer from psychological issues combined with political radicalization.

Mainstream Media

Associated Press posted an article on social media, saying that “a car has driven into a group of people…”

• Many criticize that this implies that “a car” drove by itself, not a person.

• This is akin to one saying, “a gun shot a group of people.”

• People are saying that this is to protect the Saudi, previously asylum-seeker, minority.

What do you think?

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
House Passes Funding Bill

As expected, the House of Representatives managed a last-minute save to avert a government shutdown. The bill, which excludes Trump’s demand to raise the debt limit, now heads to the Senate.

It wasn’t quite an 11:59:59 PM decision, but close enough.

Last-Minute Drama

The House passed the bill on Friday evening, hours before a potential shutdown.

• The bill passed with a vote of 366-34.

• It approves government funding for three months.

• The bill includes $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion for farmers.

• The bill was a slimmed-down version of a previous bipartisan accord.

Trump's Influence

President-elect Trump and his allies played a significant role in the bill's journey.

• An initial bill was tanked by Trump and his allies on Wednesday.

• A later bill approved by Trump failed on the House floor Thursday.

• Trump has stayed silent on this latest measure, which many House Republicans saw as a tacit sign of approval.

Speaker Johnson's Optimism

House Speaker Mike Johnson was optimistic about avoiding a shutdown.

• Johnson bypassed regular House procedures to get the bill straight to a vote.

• He assured that the government would meet its obligations for farmers, disaster victims, military, and essential services.

The bill now heads to the Senate and then to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Sending UK Troops to Ukraine

The UK is stepping up its game by considering deploying troops to Ukraine for “training purposes.”

Is this how we slowly walk into a broader war?

Training Boost

The UK is all in to help Ukraine train its soldiers.

• During his recent trip to Kyiv, Defense Secretary John Healey announced plans to deploy British troops to Ukraine.

• The goal is to “help them motivate and mobilize more recruits.”

• This move aims to tailor training to better fit Ukrainian needs.

Healey detailed his intentions to The Times.

Five-Point Plan

Healey laid out a comprehensive plan to support Ukraine.

• The plan includes training, weapons, and financial aid.

• The UK aims to enhance its international leadership on Ukraine throughout 2025.

Financial Support

The UK is not just sending troops; it’s also sending cash.

• An additional £225 million in military equipment is on its way to Ukraine.

• This includes £92 million for the navy and £68 million for air defense equipment.

Political Reactions

The move has sparked various political reactions.

• Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev criticized The Times for its coverage. He called the editors of The Times “mangy jackals.”

• UK officials dismissed his remarks as "desperate."

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Russia’s “duel”?

Russia launched a missile strike on Kyiv following Putin’s taunting challenge to Ukraine’s Western allies.

Missile Barrage

Russia unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles on Kyiv early Friday.

• At least one person killed and 12 injured.

• Five ballistic missiles fired from Bryansk and Voronezh regions.

• All five missiles were shot down by Ukraine’s air force.

Putin’s Challenge

Putin mockingly challenged Ukraine’s allies to a missile “duel.”

• During his year-end news conference, Putin proposed a “high-tech duel” with Western air defense systems.

• He suggested targeting Kyiv to test the defenses.

Zelensky’s Response

Zelensky responded to Putin’s remarks with a post on X, calling Putin a “dumbass.”

Damage and Impact

The missile strike caused significant damage in Kyiv.

• Debris-strewn streets, buildings with blown-out windows, and burned-out cars.

• Heating cut off in one district, affecting hundreds of residential buildings, medical institutions, and schools.

Retaliation Claim

Russia claimed the attack was in retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on Kamensky chemical plant in Russia’s Rostov region.

• Plant produces fuel for Russian missile systems and explosives.

Cyberattack

But not only that, Russian hackers also carried out a significant cyberattack on Ukraine.

• Targeted Ukraine’s official online registry for legal documents.

• Ukrainian Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna confirmed the attack and ongoing recovery efforts.

High-Profile Assassination

The missile attack followed the assassination of a high-ranking Russian general.

• Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical defense forces, was killed in Moscow.

• Ukrainian domestic intelligence service, the SBU, claimed responsibility.