TikTok Dances To Help Hamas

Hi Global Recap readers,

As I was preparing to write today’s newsletter, a thought crossed my mind:

“It’s been a while since I last posted a meme… Should I kick things off with one today?”

But then, I saw this and backtracked. 👇

🛜 Social Media
Tik-Tok Dances To Embolden Terrorists?

What’s your reaction to this? It’s pretty shocking, isn’t it?

When I first saw this making the rounds online recently, I was torn:

But then it hit me, the truth of the matter isn’t the point. The real issue is that we’re even considering its validity. That we’re in a place where we have to ask if it’s true shows just how much our standards have plummeted.

✍️ Answer

Let me put you at ease: This is not real. It’s a satire.

A satirical news outlet, Cinch News, once published an article with the headline, “Here’s 5 Tik-Tok dances you can do to help Ukraine fight Russia.” This was back in early 2022.

The headline, however, stirred up quite a bit of outrage among social media users, because they didn’t realize it was satire.

As time went on, this concept caught on, and others started parodying it - satirizing a satire.

🔁 Now

Even now, plenty of folks online are still scratching their heads over the meme, wondering if there’s any truth to it.

🇨🇦 Canada
Canada’s Had Enough

🔘 Designation: Canada has officially branded Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. It’s a major step that’s been brewing for a while, and it’s got some serious implications.

• This means a no-go for many Iranian officials wanting to visit Canada.

• The IRGC isn’t just any group; it’s a big deal in Iran, with a hefty military and political presence.

🔘 Impact: Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, has alerted Canadians in Iran that they may face the danger of being detained without clear reason after this recent declaration.

🔘 Background: You may think this is a snap decision, but it’s not. It’s been on the table since a tragic incident in 2020 when a plane was shot down by the IRGC.

• The tragedy killed 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents of Canada who were onboard.

🇻🇳 Vietnam
Putin Visits Vietnam, Following North Korea

Vietnam is making headlines with a high-profile visit from Russia’s President Putin, amidst global tensions and strategic partnerships.

Are they walking a tightrope?

🔘 Diplomacy: Putin’s visit to Vietnam follows his North Korea visit.

• It signifies a potential shift in global alliances, as he seeks support following sanctions over the Ukraine conflict.

• Putin met with Vietnamese leaders, aiming to strengthen economic and strategic ties.

🔘 Defense: Arms and energy talks are likely on the agenda, given Russia’s history as a major weapons supplier to Vietnam.

• Vietnam maintains a delicate foreign policy, engaging with major powers like the US, China, and Russia.

• The visit underscores Vietnam’s role in regional security and its importance to US Indo-Pacific strategy.

🔘 Relations: Vietnam’s foreign policy is a balancing act, fostering relations with both former foe the US and traditional ally Russia.

• The US and Vietnam recently elevated their partnership, reflecting growing trade and shared concerns over China’s regional influence.

• Vietnam is cautious to not appear overly aligned with Russia, especially concerning the Ukraine war.

But as for Putin, the two countries he’s visited thus far are:

• North Korea

• Vietnam

They are both of course communist countries.

🇫🇷 France
Unspeakable Crime

In the heart of Paris, a horrific crime has shaken the nation: a young Jewish girl, just 12 years old, was brutally raped.

Why did this happen?

🔘 Tragedy: Three French teenagers have been arrested for a heinous act against a 12-year-old Jewish girl.

• The victim reported that during the attack on Saturday, she was raped by the boys who also threatened her life and subjected her to antisemitic insults.

• The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Nanterre has expressed agreement with her account.

🔘 Perpetrators: The attackers were aged 12, 13, and 14.

• They were all arrested.

• One of them was allegedly the girl’s ex-boyfriend who wanted revenge for her hiding her Jewish heritage from him.

• Following the assault, the culprits cautioned the victim against notifying the authorities and extorted 200 euros ($215) from her.

🔘 Response: France’s leaders are taking a stand.

• Macron has urged schools to hold discussions on combating racism and antisemitism, aiming to root out hate speech that can lead to such barbaric acts.

• Education Minister Nicole Belloubet has expressed her horror at the crime, emphasizing the need for a united front against such “barbarism.”

🔘 Justice: The legal system is now in motion, with two boys charged with aggravated gang rape and related crimes. The third boy is in a special education program for his role in the attack.

• Protests have erupted outside Paris City Hall, demanding justice and highlighting the surge of antisemitism in France since October 7.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Bet On Election Date And Find Out

The UK’s political scene is buzzing with a scandal involving bets on the election timing.

🔘 Arrest: A close protection officer for Rishi Sunak was arrested for allegedly betting on the election date.

• The Metropolitan police confirmed the arrest for misconduct in public office.

• The officer was part of the elite unit guarding senior ministers and the royal family.

🔘 Investigation: This comes a week after Prime Minister Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide, Craig Williams, placed a £100 ($127) bet on a July election three days before the date was made public.

• This led to the Gambling Commission probing bets made by Craig Williams, Sunak’s aide, and others.

• The Commission has asked bookmakers to review all substantial bets on the election date.

🔘 Response: Downing Street is silent, but the Liberal Democrats demand a full inquiry.

• Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader, insists on investigating the potential misuse of insider knowledge.

• The Crown Prosecution Service will decide on any charges related to the misconduct.

This is such a wild story that it makes me question whether I am living in a simulation. Is this just a careless bet, or something more nefarious?

But if Williams had insider knowledge, why just a £100 bet?

🇿🇦 South Africa
Ramaphosa’s Inauguration

South Africa’s political landscape is shifting.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been inaugurated for his second term, vowing to steer the nation into uncharted waters with a coalition government.

🔘 Coalition: The African National Congress (ANC) didn’t win outright, but they’re still in the driver’s seat. They’ve teamed up with their long-time rival Democratic Alliance (DA) and others to keep the government’s engine running.

• This coalition is a first for South Africa, marking a significant turn from past political practices.

• The ANC won 40% of the vote, losing 70 seats in the parliament. This is a rather large drop of 17 percentage points.

🔘 Challenges: President Ramaphosa is juggling a lot. He’s got to bridge deep divides, boost the economy, and keep everyone happy – from coalition partners to the people on the streets.

• He’s warned of “toxic cleavages” and “incipient social fragmentation” that could shake the nation’s stability.

• South Africa is currently grappling with economic disparities, unemployment, and social unrest.

• The new president’s policies will be closely scrutinized for their impact on these areas.

🔘 Opposition: Not everyone’s on board with this new direction, however. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, born from former President Jacob Zuma’s influence, is calling the inauguration a “farcical” event and has vowed to resist the coalition’s policies.

• They’re rallying a counter-coalition, ready to challenge the government in the streets, courts, and parliament.

It’s a pivotal moment for South Africa.

The choices made now could either propel the country forward or risk losing the progress made since apartheid’s end.