Weekend of Fires

Hi Global Recap readers,

Over the past weekend, fires broke out worldwide, consuming buildings and people.

• China is celebrating while its citizens run from toxic fuel dropping on them.

• Putin’s accusing the US of taking part in a recent attack.

• Pakistanis are burning a tourist because somebody alleged that he burnt the Quran.

But that’s not all. 👇

🇨🇳 China
Toxic Rocket Fuel Dump

China’s latest space venture has sparked a mix of success and concern. A satellite launch aimed at studying cosmic explosions was successful, but its aftermath caused a stir for the people below.

🔘 Launch: China’s recent Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) X-ray Telescope launch was a tale of two stories.

• While the satellite successfully reached orbit, the falling booster created panic as it exploded near a residential area.

• Residents were seen fleeing for safety as the booster, carrying toxic substances (hypergolic fuel), crashed back to Earth.

🔘 Achievement: Despite the mishap, Chinese authorities are celebrating.

• The satellite, a joint project with France, is set to advance astronomical discoveries, focusing on gamma-ray bursts.

• This collaboration marks a significant step in China’s growing space exploration capabilities.

🔘 Progress: China’s space ambitions don’t stop there. They’ve also reported moving moon rock samples from the far side of the moon, a feat that could make them the first to do so.

• If successful, the return of these samples around June 25 would be a historic achievement for China’s National Space Administration.

• As expected, people are asking questions about NASA and the US’ space ambitions. Is NASA falling behind?

🇷🇺 Russia
Synagogue and Church Enflamed

The serene Sunday in Dagestan was shattered by gunfire targeting a synagogue and a church, leading to a fiery scene and casualties.

At the time of writing, 19 people are confirmed dead, with 15 of them being police.

🔘 Location: Dagestan is a republic of Russia. The population is mostly Muslim, with a Christian minority, and an even smaller Jewish minority.

🔘 Outline:

• On Monday, the National Antiterrorist Committee (NAC) of Russia reported that armed militants launched attacks on two Orthodox churches, two synagogues, and police officers.

• Governor Sergei Melikov of Dagestan pointed fingers at Islamic “sleeper cells” operating under foreign direction, although he did not provide any additional details.

• In the past, Dagestan has witnessed several Islamist attacks.

🔘 Derbent: In the city of Derbent, automatic weapons were unleashed on two places of worship - a synagogue and a church.

• The synagogue was severely damaged, becoming engulfed in both flames and smoke.

• Tragically, a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest at the church had his throat slit before the church itself was set ablaze.

🔘 Makhachkala: Not long after the incidents in Derbent, militants targeted a police station in Makhachkala, as well as a Russian Orthodox Church and a synagogue.

• They were subsequently tracked down and neutralized by special forces.

🇵🇰 Pakistan
Tourist Burnt For Blasphemy

🔘 Incident: In Swat District, a popular tourist destination, locals accused a tourist of blasphemy, leading to his torture and eventual death at the hands of a mob.

🔘 Details: The deceased tourist was reportedly a Muslim tourist from Punjab, India.

• His name was Mohammad Ismail.

• He was visiting a popular market in the city of Madyan.

• Somebody screamed, alleging that Ismail had been seen by them burning Islam’s holy book, the Quran.

• A mob started beating him in response before the police attempted to manage the situation by apprehending the tourist.

• However, a furious crowd stormed the police station and brutally assaulted the detainee. The assault continued until he died, after which they set his body on fire.

🔘 Aftermath: The district police chief reported multiple injuries and the arrival of police reinforcements to calm the tensions.

• This isn’t an isolated case; blasphemy allegations in Pakistan often lead to mob lynchings.

• The country’s blasphemy laws impose the death penalty for insulting the Quran or Islamic beliefs.

• However, no official executions have occurred, with suspects languishing in jail due to trial delays.

🔘 Reform Calls: Human rights groups, both domestic and international, are urging Pakistan to reform its blasphemy laws.

• They argue that these laws are misused for personal vendettas and to intimidate religious minorities.

• Critics point out that the fear of retaliation prevents fair trials and justice.

🇮🇱 Israel
Elderly Man Murdered, Car Burnt

🔘 Attack: An elderly Israeli man was brutally murdered in his vehicle in the West Bank city of Qalqilya on Saturday.

• Muchtar, a 67-year-old from Petah Tikva, succumbed to his wounds after being transferred to an Israeli ambulance by medics from the Palestinian Red Crescent.

• The medics managed to extract him before the car was set ablaze.

• In response to the incident, the IDF swiftly deployed a large military force to Qalqilya.

🔘 Investigation: Authorities are probing the shooting, initially treated as a potential terror attack. Yet, the possibility of criminal motives hasn’t been ruled out.

• The victim’s presence in Qalqilya raises questions, as Israelis are generally barred from entering areas under Palestinian Authority control.

🔘 Context: This tragic event follows a police raid in Qalqilya just a day prior, resulting in the deaths of two Islamic Jihad members.

• The raid thwarted a planned attack, showcasing the ongoing tensions in the region.

• The past months have seen a significant number of arrests and casualties on both sides, reflecting the intense security situation in the West Bank.

🇮🇱 Israel
Investigating IDF’s Controversial Conduct

The spotlight is on Israel’s military actions in the West Bank city of Jenin, raising questions about the treatment of Palestinians and adherence to international laws.

🔘 Incident: A video from Jenin shows IDF soldiers strapping a wounded Palestinian man to a vehicle’s bonnet.

• Identified as Mujahid Azmi or Fayyad, the footage has sparked an investigation by the IDF, which admits the act does not align with its values.

• The UN special rapporteur condemned the act as human shielding, a serious violation of international law.

🔘 International Response: The UN has been vocal, with special rapporteurs calling for investigations into the treatment of Palestinians.

• Allegations of torture and inhumane treatment in Israeli detention centers have surfaced, demanding attention from global human rights groups.

• Both sides, including Hamas, are accused of mistreating captives and significantly inflating the number of “Palestinian casualties” by including the deaths of Hamas terrorists.

🇷🇺 Russia
Russia Accuses US

Are we getting close to Russia attacking the West?

The tension in Crimea has now reached a boiling point with a recent attack that’s stirring up international controversy.

🔘 Attack: Russia is accusing the US of orchestrating a Ukrainian missile strike on Russia-occupied Crimea, resulting in civilian casualties.

• The Russian Defence Ministry claims that US-supplied missiles were used in the attack, which allegedly killed four people, including two children, and injured 151.

• The missiles, known as ATACMS, were reportedly intercepted by Russian air defenses, with one detonating mid-air.

🔘 Reactions: The incident has sparked outrage among Russian public figures, with the Defence Ministry stating that US specialists provided the flight coordinates based on spy satellite data.

• This has led to claims of direct US involvement in the conflict.

• Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, but the international community largely views it as Ukrainian territory.

🔘 Aftermath: Russia vows to respond to the attack, while high-profile individuals like Dmitry Medvedev and Patriarch Kirill condemn the strike.

Will this bring the US and NATO to direct confrontation with Russia on the battlefield?