Worst Mass Shooting

Hi Global Recap readers,

When you hear “worst mass shooting,” you’d probably think of the US.

But not this time.

As tragic as it is, with the US being infamously linked to mass shootings, today it happened somewhere else.

Sweden.

🇸🇪 SWEDEN
Sweden's Deadliest
School Shooting

Sweden faced its worst mass shooting today when a lone gunman killed ten people at Campus Risbergska in Örebro.

The Catastrophic Day

• The attack occurred at Campus Risbergska, an adult education school.

• The gunman is among the dead.

• Six people were taken to the hospital, five with gunshot wounds, and four underwent surgery.

Shooter

Online sources are identifying 35-year-old Rickard Andersson as the shooter, sharing the photo below as his image.

This is allegedly him. But since it cannot be verified, please take it with a grain of salt.

Police Response

Authorities are investigating the attack and emphasize the early stage of the probe.

• The gunman was not previously known to the police.

• No gang connections or terror motives are suspected.

• The exact death toll is still being determined.

Eyewitness Accounts

Terrified students and staff recount the harrowing experience.

• One eyewitness, Andreas Sundling, 28, heard “three bangs and loud screams” and sheltered in a classroom.

• Many students had left campus after a national exam, which may have reduced casualties.

National Impact

The shooting has prompted reflections on safety and gun violence in Sweden.

• In recent years, Sweden has seen an increase in deadly gang-related shootings.

• Prime Minister Kristersson has called for an investigation into how this horrific event occurred.

• King Carl XVI Gustaf sent his condolences to the victims’ families and praised the emergency services.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump’s Instructions:
“Obliterate Iran”

Well, now it’s clear what would happen if Iran tried to assassinate Donald Trump.

In his latest statement, he made it clear—if he or any US leaders are targeted, he’s left orders to “obliterate” Iran.

Trump’s Tough Stance

Trump made the announcement after signing an executive order.

• The executive order reaffirms applying maximum pressure on Iran.

• Trump emphasized the desire to work out a peaceful deal but maintained a tough stance.

Blame Game

Trump didn’t hold back in blaming former President Biden.

• He also criticized Biden for not threatening Iran with obliteration during his tenure.

• Trump cited Biden's “lack of intelligence” for not making such threats.

Nuclear Concerns

It doesn't stop there—Trump also voiced concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities.

• He claimed Iran is “too close” to developing a nuclear weapon.

• This statement came ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

🌍️ WORLD
Bird Flu
Pandemic Possibilities

I’ve been ignoring all these bird flu articles, which seemed to be popping up here and there every now and then. I just thought writers were fear-mongering for clicks and reads.

But then it hit me—wasn’t it about five years ago that the same thing happened with COVID-19?

The COVID Connection

Remember the days when we didn’t know how Covid spread?

• Lidia Morawska, an “air quality expert,” suspected it was airborne in February 2020.

• Despite her warnings, it took the World Health Organization two years to acknowledge this.

• Some believe that bird flu might become the next airborne threat, much like COVID-19.

Bird Flu: The New Concern

Now, five years later, scientists are shifting their focus to bird flu.

• In 2024, 66 people in the US were infected by the H5N1 strain.

• The Department of Agriculture found cows could pass H5N1 to humans, possibly through milking machinery droplets.

The Pandemic Potential

But what scientists are really worried about is H5N1 going airborne and becoming the next pandemic if it gains the ability to spread from person to person.

• Flu experts are tracking changes that might make the virus airborne.

• Tiny droplets in shared spaces like hospitals and restaurants could carry the virus.

Current H5N1 Concerns

H5N1 is infecting more animals in the US, including cats, which might get infected from raw milk or pet food.

• A Texas dairy worker’s virus showed a mutation that aids replication in airways.

• This virus infected 30% of ferrets exposed to airborne droplets.

Historical Lessons

How do influenza viruses spread? The debate has been ongoing for a century.

• In 1918, the H1N1 strain killed over 50 million people worldwide.

• Some cities treated it as airborne, requiring masks and open windows in schools.

Early H5N1 Findings

H5N1 was first detected in wild birds in China in 1996 and has since spread to millions of birds and some humans.

Yes, it’s China again.

• Most human infections occur from handling sick animals.

• The virus caused fatal lung infections but didn’t readily spread between humans.

📊 Poll

Knowing what we do now about COVID-19 and the impact of lockdowns, mandatory vaccines, and social distancing—could you handle going through it all again if your government enforced it?

😬 As for me, I don’t think I can do it again. It’s not about opposing any measures, but mentally, I just don’t think I can handle going through it all over again.

🇨🇳 CHINA
Trump Doesn’t Care

After Trump hit Chinese imports with tariffs, China fired back with its own against the US.

What’s Trump’s response? “That’s fine”

US President Trump declared he's in no rush to chat with China's President Xi Jinping to resolve the latest trade war drama sparked by his new 10% tariffs on Chinese imports. China's response? A mixed bag of tariffs and investigations, hinting they still want to negotiate.

China's Calculated Moves

China's tit-for-tat retaliation involves targeted tariffs and a keen interest in engaging Trump in talks.

• Targeted tariffs include a 15% levy on US coal and LNG, and 10% on crude oil, farm equipment, and specific vehicles.

• Capital Economics estimates these tariffs affect about $20 billion in annual imports, compared to the US's $450 billion hit on Chinese goods.

Google and Sanctions

But that’s not all. China is also starting an anti-monopoly investigation into Google—putting several other US companies on notice.

• Alphabet's Google, PVH Corp (Calvin Klein), and Illumina are under the microscope for potential sanctions.

• PVH expressed “deep disappointment,” while Illumina emphasized compliance with all laws.

Export Controls on Metals

China also said that they are imposing export controls on crucial metals, affecting electronics and military equipment.

• Tungsten, critical for various industries, is among the controlled exports.

• A 10% duty on electric trucks could impact Tesla's Cybertruck.

Trump

Is Trump putting on a poker face, or does he really not care?

• He nonchalantly said, “That's fine” when asked about China's countermeasures.

• Conversations with Xi are seen as key to easing the tariff tensions, similar to recent talks with Mexico and Canada. Who will budge first?

Broadening Tariff Targets

On the topic of tariffs, besides Canada, Mexico, and China, Trump also hinted at potential tariffs on the European Union.

🇬🇱 GREENLAND
Greenland Announces
March Election

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, has called for a general election on March 11.

The campaign is set to spotlight Greenland’s bid for:

• independence,

• economic growth, and

• international relations.

Election Announcement

Prime Minister Múte Egede announced the upcoming election at a press conference on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

• The election date is set for March 11, 2025.

Focus on Independence

Independence is a hot topic as Greenland looks to chart its future.

• The campaign will center on Greenland’s aspirations for independence.

• Voters will weigh in on the island’s relationship with Denmark and the US.

Economic Development

Greenland’s fragile economy will also be under the spotlight during the campaign.

• Economic policies and development strategies will be key discussion points.

• If Greenland were to gain independence, it could tap into its vast resources like oil and minerals to attract more foreign investment, making the region much more prosperous.

US Interest

Then there’s Trump and his push to buy Greenland. Maybe that’s why Greenland’s parliament is considering a ban on foreign political donations.