UK ninjas

Hi Global Recap readers,

Have you seen the latest trend of turning photos into Studio Ghibli-style art? It took off after OpenAI released its new AI image generation capabilities, and now people are transforming classic photos into Japanese animation-style images.

Here are some examples:

So, when I first saw "BREAKING" news about the UK banning "ninja swords," I thought it was just a meme. But nope, the Prime Minister confirmed it. 👇️

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Ninja Swords: Banned

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a ban on ninja swords, sparking a range of reactions—from ridicule to support.

What do you think?

The Ban Announcement

Starmer took to X to confirm his promise to ban ninja swords by this summer. He framed it as part of his crackdown on violent crime, saying, “When we promise action we take it.”

• The announcement follows his earlier statement in January 2024 about targeting these “lethal weapons.”

• The move is part of a broader effort to address knife crime, which Starmer described as being at “epidemic levels.”

The Tragic Backstory

This law is named after Ronan Kanda, a 16-year-old boy who was brutally killed near his Wolverhampton home in 2022.

• His killers, just teenagers themselves, had bought ninja swords and a machete online the same day.

• Ronan’s mother, Pooja Kanda, has been campaigning tirelessly since his death, saying, “We believe ninja swords have no place in our society other than to seriously harm and kill.”

What the Law Does

Ronan’s Law is part of a broader Crime and Policing Bill aimed at tackling knife crime.

• From August 1, ninja swords will be banned, with penalties of up to six months in jail for private possession, increasing to two years later.

• Selling, making, or importing these weapons will also be illegal.

• Retailers will be required to report suspicious knife purchases to the police.

A Step Forward?

The law also introduces stricter penalties for selling knives to children and bans other dangerous blades like zombie knives.

• A surrender scheme in July will allow people to hand in weapons without penalty.

• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the law a tribute to Ronan, saying, “His killers should never have been able to use these weapons.”

Social Media Backlash

The internet, as expected, had a field day with this.

• Some are wondering what’s next—will cars be banned too? After all, vehicle-ramming attacks have become disturbingly common across the EU.

• Others mocked the ban, with comments like, “At last, Britain’s nagging Ninja problem has been solved.”

• Critics argue that the real issue isn’t the weapons but the deeper societal problems—things like fatherless homes and lenient crime policies, among other cultural issues—that fuel violence in the first place.

This is the same kind of debate we see with gun bans:

Support

But of course, plenty of people back this ban, arguing that machetes and kitchen knives have fueled violent crime in the UK, believing that restricting these weapons is a necessary step to curb street violence and protect lives.

Here’s one example of such violence:

📊 Poll

🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS
Stabbing Chaos in Amsterdam

Speaking of stabbing, a horrifying stabbing spree in Amsterdam’s bustling Dam Square left five people seriously injured, including four international tourists. The suspect was swiftly detained thanks to a brave civilian.

Attack Details

The attack occurred on a busy shopping street near Dam Square, where a knife-wielding attacker targeted random victims.

• Five people were seriously injured: two Americans, one Belgian, one Polish, and a Dutch teenager.

• The attack lasted several minutes before a courageous passerby managed to step in and stop the attacker.

• Paramedics rushed to the scene with ambulances and even a trauma helicopter.

Victims Identified

The victims span a wide age range and hail from different countries.

• A 67-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man from the US.

• A 73-year-old woman from Belgium.

• A 26-year-old man from Poland.

• A 19-year-old Dutch woman from Amsterdam.

No Answers, Just Questions

Why did this happen? Nobody knows yet. The attacker’s motive? Still a mystery.

• Police suspect the attacker targeted victims at random.

• Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema expressed sympathy for the victims and promised clarity soon.

Recent Concerns

Sadly, this isn’t Amsterdam’s first encounter with a stabbing spree.

• Just last year, the city faced several stabbings tied to mental health issues.

• Amsterdam even set up a hotline for people to report unusual or erratic behavior.

🎬 YOUTUBE
YouTube Is Paying Creators
$64M Per Day—Here’s Why

YouTube just announced something huge: it’s paying creators $64 million per day.

🤔 Why? Because it simply doesn’t have enough creators. That’s why you’re seeing more small creators on your homepage—even videos with fewer than 1,000 views.

Why This Matters

YouTube is pushing new and smaller channels harder than ever. If you’ve ever thought about starting a YouTube or faceless channel, now is the time. But we know starting a channel isn’t easy—there are a million questions.

Get Our Free YouTube Bootcamp

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What You’ll Learn:

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• Strategies for making content without showing your face

• The key to getting YouTube’s algorithm to push your videos

This isn’t an evergreen course—it’s a live training with limited spots (just 100 people). If you’re serious about starting your channel, sign up now before spots run out.

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🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Putin Proposes Temporary Ukraine Administration

According to Russian news agencies, Vladimir Putin has floated the idea of a temporary administration for Ukraine to pave the way for elections and peace talks.

Putin’s Proposal

Putin suggested a temporary administration for Ukraine under the auspices of international bodies like the UN and the US.

• He claims this would enable democratic elections and a government “trusted by the people.”

• Putin also praised US President Donald Trump’s efforts to engage directly with Russia, contrasting him with his predecessor.

Ukraine’s Response

Unsurprisingly, Ukraine isn’t buying it.

• President Zelenskyy has dismissed any claims of illegitimacy, citing martial law as a barrier to elections.

• He’s accused Putin of wanting to prolong the conflict rather than resolve it.

The Bigger Picture

This proposal comes as the war drags into its fourth year, with devastating consequences.

• Russian forces currently control about 20% of Ukraine, with Moscow declaring four regions annexed.

International Reactions

• European leaders are pushing to strengthen Ukraine’s military and explore a “reassurance force” for a potential truce.

• However, when EU leaders met in Paris on Thursday to discuss plans for supporting Ukraine, they all agreed that Ukraine needs a "reassurance force." However, aside from France and Britain, no other countries have pledged troops so far, leading to doubts about whether this plan will actually take off.

🇸🇸 SOUTH SUDAN
VP Arrest Sparks Civil War Fears

South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, has arrested his vice president, Riek Machar, triggering fears of a return to civil war in the already fragile nation.

Arrest and Immediate Fallout

The arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar was announced by his party on Thursday, claiming it threatens the 2018 peace deal.

• Machar’s bodyguards were disarmed and detained.

• Gunfire was reported in the capital, Juba, hours before the arrest.

• Several embassies urged citizens to leave South Sudan while flights remain available.

Historical Context

This isn’t the first time tensions between Kiir and Machar have led to violence.

• Their rivalry sparked a five-year civil war in 2013, displacing a third of the population.

• The 2018 peace deal ended the war but left key provisions, like integrating Machar’s forces into the national army, unfulfilled.

Ethnic/Political

Kiir and Machar hail from rival ethnic groups, the Dinka and Nuer, which have clashed over land, politics, and resources.

• Recent attacks in opposition strongholds, including airstrikes, have escalated tensions.

• Kiir’s recent government shake-ups, including firing two vice presidents, have alienated political elites.

Regional Instability

South Sudan’s turmoil is part of a broader pattern of conflict in the Horn of Africa.

• Neighboring Sudan is caught in its own civil war, with spillover effects.

• Ethiopia and Somalia face insurgencies, while Eritrea and Chad are militarizing their borders.