US Kills Iraqi Militia Leader

Hi Global Recap readers,

The Middle East conflict is getting more heated, as the US steps up its military game by straight out killing an Iraqi militia leader.

The stock market also seems to agree, with the share price of Lockheed Martin, a US weapons contractor, rising while the rest of the market declines.

🌐 Around the world:

• 🇺🇸 US kills Iraqi militia leader.

• 🛳️ Houthi drone boat explodes near US Navy.

• 👸 Danish queen’s last ride.

• 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 The largest prisoner exchange since the war began.

• 📷 Devastating: Before & after photos of the Japanese earthquake.

Let’s get into today’s news.

🚀 US Kills Iraqi Militia Leader

The US military confirmed that it carried out a drone strike in Baghdad on Thursday, killing a high-ranking Iraqi militia commander and three others.

• Target: Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, also known as Abu Taqwa, was allegedly behind attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria.

• Affiliation: Abu Taqwa was the deputy head of operations in Baghdad for Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, an Iran-backed Shi’ite militia group.

• Reactions: The Iraqi army condemned the strike as an “unprovoked attack.”

• Context: The strike comes amid rising regional tensions over the Israel-Hamas war and the push by Iraqi officials for US-led coalition forces to leave the country.

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🛳️ Houthi Drone Boat Explodes

A Houthi drone boat loaded with explosives detonated in the Red Sea on Thursday, but failed to harm any US Navy or commercial ships nearby.

The US Navy commander described it as a “failed attack.”

• With the Houthis’ constant aggravation of conflict in the region, it is only a matter of time before the US has to step up its response to prevent further inflation and loss of its power over the region.

• Remember, the US has presidential elections in 2024. The last thing Biden wants is a comeback of inflation and the world belittling the US.

• Regarding shipping costs, we are already seeing a huge jump in prices.

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👑 Queen’s Last Ride

Queen Margrethe of Denmark bid farewell to her people on Thursday with a royal carriage ride through Copenhagen.

The 83-year-old monarch will abdicate on Jan. 14 after 52 years on the throne, making way for her son Crown Prince Frederik.

• Reason: The queen cited health issues and the need for a smooth transition as the main factors for her decision.

• Legacy: The queen is widely popular and respected in Denmark, where she boosted the monarchy’s approval rating from 42% in 1972 to 84%.

• History: The queen is Europe’s longest reigning monarch and the first Danish ruler to voluntarily step down in nearly 900 years.

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🇺🇦🇷🇺 Largest Prisoner Exchange So Far

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged over 200 prisoners of war in a breakthrough for the ongoing conflict.

The swap was hailed as the largest since the war began in February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine’s eastern regions.

• Numbers: Russia released 230 prisoners in exchange for 248 prisoners from Ukraine.

• Mediator: The United Arab Emirates played a key role in facilitating the humanitarian exchange, according to Russia.

• Promise: Ukrainian President Zelensky vowed to continue working to release all detained Ukrainians.

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Japan

Before & After Photos of the Japanese Earthquake

Monday’s colossal 7.6-magnitude earthquake shattered Japan, leaving homes and families in ruins. Despite relentless search efforts, the fading Golden 72 Hours dims the survival hopes of those still trapped.

⏰ Golden 72 Hours. Emergency experts believe that after 72 hours, the survival rate of a person in a disaster scenario is “5%-10% or less.”

🏠 Catastrophe. In a city called Suzu, as much as 90% of houses are thought to be destroyed by the quake, according to its mayor Masuhiro Izumiya.

Here are some photos of other areas:

🌐 Opinion

Do you think criticism against Gay had racism at the root of it?

Result:

• 10%: Yes

• 80%: No

• 7%: Not sure

• 3%: I have another idea…

Surprisingly, a few people who voted “yes” concur with the plagiarism claims but suspect racial bias in the scrutiny.

• The fact is, we don’t know whether the probe was initially racially charged. The suspicions are subjective.

• Yet, it led to the unveiling of Dr. Gay’s plagiarism, prompting Harvard to demand rectifications, thereby implying their agreement with the findings. This is objective.

So this brings up an interesting question:

• What deserves condemnation? The alleged racial bias or the confirmed plagiarism?

I guess it boils down to one’s priorities. If racial justice tops the list, even a suspicion of racism might eclipse the act of plagiarism, and vice versa.

There are of course no right answers - only differences in priorities.