Ukraine Behind Cyberattack?

Hi Global Recap readers,

Earlier today, I was scrolling through X, watching everyone freak out as the stock market crashed—then boom, nothing. The screen just froze on the loading animation.

At first, I figured it was either:

• My internet being trash (again)

• Or fintwit losing its mind (unlikely, but okay)

But Elon Musk has other ideas. 👇️ 

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Ukraine’s Behind X Cyberattack?

Elon Musk just confirmed that the outage was caused by a cyber attack.

X deals with cyber attacks all the time, but according to him, this one was on another level.

The Attack

As rumors circulated that X's mass layoffs from years ago were responsible for the outage, Musk quickly stepped in to set the record straight.

According to him, the real culprit was a “large, coordinated group and/or a country.”

The Culprit

Later, in his interview with Larry Kudlow, Musk revealed that the attack came from “IP addresses in the Ukraine area.”

Now, there are many possibilities:

• IP addresses can be spoofed, meaning the attack could have been staged to look like it came from Ukraine.

• If that’s the case, Russia could be behind it, using the attack to stir up division.

• Or, it really was Ukraine.

• Some people have other theories as well.

Anti-Tesla Protests

Recently, there has been a string of protests at Tesla sites around the country.

• Colorado: A 40-year-old woman attacked a Tesla dealership five times, using Molotov cocktails and spray paint, and attempted arson.

• Boston: Over 6 Tesla charging stations were set on fire.

• Oregon: A Tesla dealership was shot at, with seven bullets damaging cars and windows.

• New York City: Nine protesters were arrested inside a Tesla showroom.

These attacks are either just “trending” or the work of a coordinated group. The latter isn’t far-fetched, considering multiple allegations against various groups supposedly funding protests.

That said, proving coordination is tricky. It doesn’t take much—just funding a few key people can be enough to rally genuine critics of Elon Musk.

Soros & Hoffman

Elon Musk thinks Democrat megadonors George Soros and Reid Hoffman are funding these protests.

LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman shut down these allegations, insisting that Musk has no one to blame for the protests but himself.

Conclusion

Is Ukraine actually behind it? No one can say for sure.

Some news outlets are running with the headline that “Elon Musk doesn’t have any evidence.” But come on—whether you like him or not, how can anyone seriously claim that the owner of X doesn’t have access to the IP addresses behind an attack that took down his own platform? 🤦🏻

Right now, it’s all allegations with little concrete evidence to back them up. And unless something new comes to light, we’re not likely to get a definitive answer anytime soon.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Anti-Israel Leader
Faces Deportation

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, has sparked outrage and protests, with critics accusing the Trump administration of targeting free speech.

• What’s the issue? He has publicly voiced support for Hamas and Hezbollah. Just to clarify, Hamas and Hezbollah are both designated as terrorist organizations by the US.

• Here’s a link to an article written by his group, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), showing their support of the orgs.

Arrest and Deportation Threat

Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, was arrested in New York City. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims he led activities linked to Hamas.

• Khalil is a green card holder, and critics are using this as a defense against his deportation.

• However, US State Secretary Rubio has something to say about that:

• Khalil is currently detained in Louisiana.

• His lawyer argues the detention is illegal and politically motivated.

• That being said, a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation while legal challenges are reviewed. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Trump’s Crackdown on Protests

President Trump has warned that Khalil’s arrest is just the beginning of a broader crackdown.

• Trump said that protesters supporting Hamas or Hezbollah are “terrorist sympathizers.”

• The administration is pulling $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University.

• Civil rights groups argue this is a misuse of immigration enforcement to silence dissent.

What Do You Think?

• Supporters of the move argue that it was long overdue. While everyone is entitled to their own beliefs about any organization, if that group is designated a terrorist organization by the state, the government has the right to take appropriate action. Freedom of belief comes with the responsibility for actions.

• Critics argue that this move validates their claim that Trump is a "fascist" and see it as a direct attack on freedom of speech. They contend that restricting actions based on ideological beliefs sets a dangerous precedent, one that undermines democratic principles

🇨🇦 CANADA
Ontario Hits Back at Trump

Ontario just turned up the heat in the trade war with the US, slapping a 25% surcharge on electricity exports. Premier Doug Ford isn’t holding back, especially with Canada now under new leadership with a fresh Prime Minister.

The Big Move

Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford announced a 25% hike on electricity exports to the US, targeting states like Minnesota, New York, and Michigan.

• The surcharge is expected to rake in CA$300,000–CA$400,000 daily.

• Ford warned he might cut off electricity entirely if the US escalates.

Why Now?

This comes as a direct response to President Trump’s trade war, which has already seen Canada impose tariffs on American goods like orange juice and motorcycles.

• Trump recently postponed some tariffs for a month, but Ford isn’t buying it.

• “It needs to end,” Ford said, blaming Trump for the chaos.

The Fallout

Ford estimates the surcharge will add about CA$100 to affected Americans’ monthly bills.

• He expressed sympathy for Americans, saying, “I feel terrible for the American people who didn’t start this trade war.”

• Ford also criticized Republicans for staying silent, calling it “a shame.”

What’s Next

This comes as Mark Carney, a seasoned banker and crisis manager, is stepping into the spotlight as Canada’s new prime minister, replacing Justin Trudeau. It will be interesting to see how Carney and his party navigate this “trade war” with the US.

• Carney secured a landslide victory, winning 85.9% of the vote in the leadership race.

• Carney is expected to call federal elections soon, as he doesn’t hold a seat in Parliament.

🇸🇾 SYRIA
Violence Erupts in
Alawite Heartlands

Syria is reeling from its worst violence since Bashar al-Assad’s ousting last year, with government loyalists accused of horrific field executions in Alawite regions.

The Bloodshed Unfolds

The violence erupted in Alawite strongholds like Latakia and Tartous, as armed men loyal to the Assad regime clashed with Syria’s new government forces.

• At least 642 people have been killed, including scores of civilians.

• Eyewitnesses reported “widespread field executions” by Assad loyalists.

• Videos show armed convoys heading to the affected areas, with chilling threats against Alawites.

Civilians Caught in the Crossfire

The brutality has left families devastated, with many civilians targeted despite having no ties to Assad.

• A 70-year-old history professor and his wife were killed in their home.

• A mother of three lost her mother and two brothers to the violence.

• Residents described the attacks as a “battle for purification.”

Government Response

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa condemned the violence and vowed accountability.

• He called for national unity and urged Assad loyalists to surrender.

• Committees have been formed to investigate and support affected communities.

A Troubling Pattern

This violence raises questions about Syria’s new administration, which has tried to distance itself from its jihadist past.

• Critics argue the new rulers are as brutal as the Assad regime.

• However, President al-Sharaa claimed that his extremist past was a folly of his youth.

Trump’s Comments

Now, many of Trump’s past comments are resurfacing, where he warned about the dangers of recklessly arming opposition forces in foreign nations to overthrow leaders the US doesn’t approve of.

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES
Duterte Arrested

Do you remember former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte? He’s the one who encouraged vigilantism, promising to overlook anyone who killed members of drug cartels.

At the time, many in the country praised this approach, seeing it as necessary while the country battled drug gangs, but critics condemned it for fostering lawlessness.

It wasn’t just traffickers he targeted—his rhetoric also extended to drug addicts:

The Arrest

Duterte was arrested at Manila’s airport after an Interpol warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) following his return from Hong Kong.

• The ICC issued the warrant over alleged crimes against humanity during his presidency.

• Duterte had previously stated he was ready to face arrest.

• His former legal counsel called the arrest unlawful, citing lack of access to legal representation.

The “War on Drugs”

Duterte’s anti-drug campaign was his signature policy, but it came with a heavy toll.

• Officially, 6,200 suspects were killed in police operations.

• Activists claim the real death toll is much higher, with thousands of extrajudicial killings.

• Many victims were impoverished drug users listed on official “watch lists.”

Political Fallout

The arrest has sparked debates about justice and accountability.

• Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 to avoid scrutiny.

• Rights groups have long accused his administration of systematic executions and cover-ups.

• The current government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has cooperated with the ICC investigation.