Putin Victorious, Gangster Says Critic
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin coasted to an easy victory in the elections held over the weekend. With virtually no credible opposition to challenge him, he won on the back of a voter turnout of over 74%, well above the 67% figure of the 2018 election (which he had also won handsomely). Putin promised to make his country “stronger, more effective”. His critic called him a gangster.
North Korean Sabre Rattling
North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the waters off its east coast to register its protest over the visit of US Secretary of State Blinken to Seoul. He is attending a democracy summit, but Pyongyang sees that as a provocation. Last week Kim Jong-un North Korea’s leader, had indulged in some sabre rattling as the US and Seoul engaged in military drills. State-run media had shown him atop a tank, addressing troops and being applauded by his adoring generals.
Trump Threatens Bloodbath
US presidential candidate and the Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has warned of a “bloodbath” if he isn’t elected in November. He said Nov. 5th is the most important day in his country’s history and if he didn’t get elected, he was doubtful if there would be another election. Trump was in Ohio campaigning for his party’s Senate candidate Bernie Moreno. President Biden posted his response on X:
Israel Sending Team For Qatar Talks
Israel is readying to send negotiators to Qatar for talks on a ceasefire in Gaza. Reports said the cabinet is meeting to decide on the mandate of the delegation, since the ceasefire offer includes exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. A second vessel carrying food aid is preparing to leave Cyprus for Gaza following the same route of an earlier vessel two days ago. Aid agencies have reported difficulties in accessing north Gaza.
Elon Musk Building Satellites For US Intelligence
Reuters reports that Elon Musk-led SpaceX is developing hundreds of spy satellites for a US intelligence agency as part of a contract worth $1.8 billion. The contract was signed three years ago for the Starshield satellites operating in low-earth orbit that would support US ground forces. Starshield will track objects on the ground and share data with the US military and intelligence. Apparently, no one can hide once the satellites are fully deployed.
