Vladimir Putin is set to secure another six-year term as Russian leader this weekend in a vote the Kremlin says will show society is fully behind his assault on Ukraine.
In power as president or prime minister since the final day of 1999, Putin has quashed all forms of opposition and dissent, exerting a level of domestic control that ensures the result is in no doubt.
Victory in the March 15-17 contest will allow him to stay in the Kremlin until at least 2030, longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the eighteenth century.
The poll comes at a time of high confidence for the former KGB agent.
Russia’s troops in Ukraine have chalked up their first battlefield gains in months.
And Putin’s most strident critic, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic prison colony last month.
Though Putin is blasted as a pariah in the West, the Kremlin says the vote will show that Russians at home are unified behind him and his offensive.
“He has no rivals at the moment and cannot have any,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last year.
“Nobody can realistically compete with him,” he said.
‘Important elections’
Despite the ceremonial undertones, the Kremlin takes the electoral process seriously.
Moscow has poured resources into a campaign designed to whip up enthusiasm for Putin.
The president has toured the country and was filmed flying in the cockpit of a supersonic nuclear bomber, burnishing his tough-guy credentials.
“These elections are very important for the Kremlin,” Chatham House fellow Nikolai Petrov told AFP.
“It is needed to demonstrate that Russians overwhelmingly support Putin” during the military offensive, he said.
The Kremlin is aiming to secure a higher level of support for Putin than in his previous four election wins.
In 2018, official results showed he got 77.5 percent of the vote.
Even with no real competition, that contest was marred by widespread accusations of ballot-stuffing, fraud and forced voting.
This year Putin will officially face three other contenders — Kremlin-approved candidates designed to give a facade of competition.
Anti-Putin politician Boris Nadezhdin was blocked from standing after tens of thousands of Russians backed his surprise bid to run on a pro-peace message.
‘No doubt’
The Kremlin had previously allowed a liberal candidate to run in what analysts once called Russia’s “managed democracy”.
Now the term they use is “autocracy” — or “totalitarian”.
Ballots will also be cast in the four Ukrainian regions Moscow claimed to have annexed in 2022, as well as the Crimean peninsula, seized in 2014.
Moscow is no longer worried about trying to present the vote as a legitimate democratic exercise to the West, or even Russian society, Petrov said.
“The most important thing… is that political elites should not have any doubts that Putin is really supported by the vast majority of Russians,” he said.
Less than a year after an aborted mutiny by mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin will want to show possible rivals and successors that Putin is secure on his throne.
From exile and behind bars, Russia’s remaining opposition figures still hope they can spoil the procession.
They want anti-Putin Russians to form huge queues outside polling stations on the final day of voting.
Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, says the show of dissent could spook Putin.
The Kremlin appears unfazed.
“We will hold the kind of elections that our people need,” Peskov said earlier this month, dismissing those who describe the vote as neither free nor fair.
“We won’t tolerate any criticism of our democracy. Our democracy is the best.”
AFP
Ghana Rejects MTN Financial Support For Victims Of Xenophobic Attacks In South Africa
The Government of Ghana has declined a GHS20 million donation offered by MTN Ghana to support Ghanaian victims of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying it has already made adequate financial provision for the evacuation and reintegration of affected citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press statement issued in Accra on Wednesday said it had become aware of media reports indicating that MTN Ghana was preparing to donate GHS20 million to Ghanaian victims of the attacks.
According to the ministry, the reports appeared to attribute the announcement of the intended donation to an interview granted by the MTN Board Chairman, Dr. Ishmael Yamson.
While acknowledging the gesture, the government said it had decided not to accept the financial support.
“The Government of Ghana commends MTN for the offer, however, we respectfully decline,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the John Mahama Administration had already made adequate provision for the ongoing evacuation and reintegration of Ghanaians affected by the attacks.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that the Mahama Administration has made adequate provision for ongoing evacuations and reintegration of Ghanaians and is therefore unable to accept this offer,” it said.
The ministry further disclosed that the government’s position had previously been communicated directly to MTN’s leadership during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), on August 14, 2026.
“This position of the Government of Ghana had earlier been directly conveyed to the Board Chair and CEO of MTN when they called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on August 14, 2026,” the statement said.
The government, however, stressed that it remained committed to providing humanitarian assistance to Ghanaians being brought back from areas where they faced danger.
“Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana remains fully committed to current humanitarian evacuations and reintegration financial support for every Ghanaian brought back from harm’s way,” the ministry said.
It also pledged to disclose the total expenditure incurred on the evacuation exercise after its completion, describing the planned disclosure as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that it will present to the general public a comprehensive account of the total cost of evacuations as soon as the exercise is concluded, in the interest of transparency and accountability,” it added.
The government also sought to reassure international businesses operating in Ghana that it would continue to support their operations irrespective of their countries of origin.
“Government will continue to create the best business ecosystem for all international brands operating in Ghana to succeed, irrespective of which country their businesses originated from,” the ministry said.
It added: “The welfare of all Ghanaians remains our utmost priority.”
The government’s decision comes amid concerns over the safety and welfare of Ghanaians affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with authorities undertaking evacuations and reintegration efforts for citizens brought back from harm’s way.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government’s existing arrangements were sufficient to cover the humanitarian response, making it unnecessary to accept the proposed MTN donation.
Earlier in July, fresh diplomatic tensions emerged between Ghana and South Africa after the Ghanaian government reportedly declined to host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a planned state visit, citing concerns over the reported killing of a Ghanaian citizen and alleged xenophobic attacks against its nationals.
The decision follows the death of 40-year-old Bashiru Isak, whom Ghana says was killed during demonstrations associated with renewed attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa on June 30, 2026.
Officials in Accra said the postponement of the visit reflects Ghana’s growing concern over the security of its citizens residing in South Africa. They maintained that ensuring the safety of Ghanaians abroad must take precedence over high-level diplomatic engagements.
President Ramaphosa had been expected in Ghana during the first week of August for a state visit aimed at reinforcing the longstanding relationship between both countries. The visit was also expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on bilateral cooperation and concerns surrounding attacks on foreign nationals.
US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags across the country to be flown at half-staff for one week following the death of country music legend Dolly Parton.
Trump made the announcement on Tuesday, August 25, as tributes continued to pour in for Parton, who died in Nashville at the age of 80.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest country singers, and far beyond, ever, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6 p.m. Rest in peace, Dolly! The world loves you. President Donald J. Trump.”
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on social media.
The Tennessee-born singer had a career spanning seven decades and became one of the most influential figures in country music, while also establishing herself as a songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman and philanthropist.
Although Parton generally stayed away from political controversies, she had previously disclosed that she turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice during Trump’s first administration.
Speaking to the Today show in 2021, Parton explained her decision, saying: “I couldn’t accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn’t travel because of the COVID,”
She added: “Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics, so I’m not sure.”
Parton devoted much of her career to charitable causes, including childhood literacy through her Imagination Library programme, which has distributed millions of books to children.
She established the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 and later created the Dolly Parton Scholarship for students from her home area of Sevier County, Tennessee.
She also supported communities affected by disasters, including donating funds to victims of the devastating East Tennessee wildfires. In 2017, she donated $1 million to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Parton was recognised across the music industry for her extraordinary career. She was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recorded 25 No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
She also received 10 Grammy Awards from 55 nominations.
An official statement released following her death described the impact of her life and career.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
A United States District Court in Manhattan has nullified the Donald Trump administration’s policy suspending the processing and issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, including Nigeria.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, U.S District Judge, Jeannette Vargas, described the January directive by the State Department as patently unlawful and said it exceeded the statutory authority of Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
The policy, which took effect on January 21, had barred immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries on the grounds that they posed “a high risk for becoming a public charge” and relying on U.S government cash assistance.
Affected countries are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen.
President Donald Trump had early in the year, published a list of welfare dependent rates among immigrants, noting that about 33.3 per cent of Nigeria immigrants households received some form of public assistance.
According to the directive, older or overweight applicants can be denied, along with those who had any past use of government cash assistance or institutionalisation.
But delivering the judgement, Judge Vargas, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, held that the suspension ran afoul of federal immigration law, which expressly removed authority over consular processing of immigrant visas from the Secretary of State.
“The policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant, represents a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme,” she wrote.
The suit was filed by immigrant rights groups, Catholic Legal Immigration Network and African Communities Together, alongside U.S citizens sponsoring family members and visa applicants from the affected countries.
The State Department had, in a cable sent to U.S missions in January directed consular officers to refuse applicants whose visas were “print-authorized” but not yet printed.
It said the suspension was part of a full review to ensure the highest level of screening and vetting and to prevent foreign nationals from exploiting U.S welfare systems.
“Applicants from these countries are at a high risk for becoming a public charge and recourse to local, state and federal government resources in the United States,” the cable stated.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, had defended the move, saying: “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generousity of the American people.
“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
President Trump has, since returning to office in January, pursued an aggressive immigration crackdown aimed at improving domestic security.
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