PUTIN REMAINS UNCHALLENGED AS HE LEADS RUSSIA FOR FIFTH TERM

May 8th 2024

By Adejide

PUTIN REMAINS UNCHALLENGED AS HE LEADS RUSSIA FOR FIFTH TERM

Vladimir Putin continues as the President of Russia for the fifth term after winning a stage election out rightly in March.

He officially began his fifth tenure with cautious inauguration ceremony. His victory is no surprise with most of his opposition candidates either dead, jailed or barred from running. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Russia top military hierarchies on Tuesday in Kremlin. The US and many European nations refused to send representatives after disregarding the election.

Russia President, Vladimir Putin

US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller said “We certainly did not consider that election free and fair, but he is the President of Russia and is going to continue in that capacity”. Putin was brought to power through electoral process in 2000 and he said his election proved “Russia is becoming a democratic state”. Twenty four years after, Putin remains the President and he has been able to extend presidential term limit from four years to six years.

Putin’s first election was deemed free and fair by the US embassy in Moscow after winning 53% of the vote in 2000. Moving to March 2024, he won by 87% of the vote. The US remarked this figure as “farcical”.

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ISRAEL DETERMINE TO WIPE OUT HAMAS COMPLETELY

IDF vow to steady Rafah operation until Hamas is completely wiped off from the southern city and Gaza Strip.

More than 50,000 Gazans have left Rafah to unknown destination due to Israel evacuation order. Whereas, Israel airstrikes have killed 27 people including nine children in Rafah since Monday in the quest to dismantle Hamas stronghold. Everything being equal, negotiation is expected to resume on Wednesday with Hamas representatives arriving in Cairo. All parties expect the Israel delegation to come in for official agreement anytime soon.

Palestinians continue to depart the eastern neighborhood of Rafah

The whole world is raising concern over a full-blown famine, displacement of more than a million people and a potential genocide with the Rafah operation. Consequently, the United States paused shipment of weapons to Israel amid fears of full scale military operation. Also, aid agencies are raising volume against inability to supply humanitarian packages through the Egyptian border.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong said on Wednesday that the full military ground operation in Rafah would be devastating.

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PROTESTERS ASKED NETANYAHU TO SIGN DEAL AND SAVE WHO IS POSSIBLE

On Wednesday morning, Israeli protesters blocked Ayalon highway in central Tel-Aviv while they demand the release of hostages held in Gaza. This is an effort to increase the pressure on Israeli government to sign the release deal.

The Protesters were made up of dozens of females holding a big banner showing “save who is possible to save” as they unleash clouds of orange smoke. This lasted for 20 minutes before been dispersed by security operatives.

Israelis block the Ayalom high way Tel-Aviv during a protest calling for the release of hostages

The demonstration was fueled with disappointment from the collapse of the deal during the weekend. Obviously, many were not pleased with the refusal of Israeli government to sign the deal stating the proposal fell short of core demands. Hopefully, negotiation will restart on Wednesday as reported.

There is speculation going around that Israel has accepted the deal but PM Netanyahu cleared the air that it is propaganda intended to double cross IDF in Rafah where Israeli military are on limited operation.

Israel and Hamas are expected to meet with mediators in Egypt on Wednesday for a ceasefire deal which will see hostages and prisoners been released in phases and possible ceasefire.

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CIVIL WAR SUBJECT PEOPLE TO GRASS AND PEANUT SHELL IN DAFUR, SUDAN

World attention is needed in Sudan where civil war has cut off lives and displaced many. The only survivors had no choice than to feed on grass and peanut shell as starvation is pounding hard on them.

Since April 2023, Sudan have been embattled with civil war which is caused by conflicts between the Sudanese Army and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces(RSF). It quickly escalated into bloodshed, casualties and displacement of many Sudanese. The world is exhausted with war issues between regions, states and constant demonstration.

Newly arrived refugees from Sudan cook foods over fire outside their makeshift street

South DAFUR has become a dead-end with no regard whatsoever for aid officials. Last Thursday, two drivers of the International Committee of the Red Cross were killed and three others were seriously injured. There have been a series of arbitrary killings, razing of entire villages and attack from airstrikes in the area. More than 36000 have fled their homes in recent weeks and 34 people killed within two weeks.

The border between Sudan and Chad is shown on April 25

Detailed information shows more than 8.7 million people including 4.6 million children have been displaced by the war in Sudan and 24.8 million people need assistance. At least, 1.7 million people within the region are experiencing emergency level of hunger. Sadly, deliveries of food supplies in Dafur have been irregular due to endless war attacks.

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SIX DEAD, EIGHT INJURED IN SYDNEY STABBING SPREE

A 40-year-old man stabbed six people to death and injured eight others including a nine month old infant at a busy shopping mall in Sydney, Australia.

Four women and a man died at the spot while another woman passed away at the hospital whilst receiving treatment. On that fateful afternoon, police were invited to Westfield Bondi Junction following reports of many people being stabbed. Onlookers described the scene as panic and the moment that had people hide in shops.

A police walking by to ensure safety at a mall in Sydney, Australia after stabbing incident

The suspect was shot dead at the scene by a senior police inspector after the offender raised a knife at her. As it is, there is no element of terror motive but the investigation is ongoing and will last for days to know the reason behind the attack.

The officer that killed him was viewed on social media live video performing CPR to those injured. Australia PM Anthony Albanese name the officer a “hero”.

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