The recent relocation of Wagner chief Yevgeniy Prigozhin to Belarus has raised concerns among world leaders and intelligence officers.
CIA Chief William Burns asserts that this tentative truce between Putin and Prigozhin is merely a strategic maneuver to buy time while the Russian leader contemplates his revenge plan against the rebellion leader.
Burns describes Putin as someone who believes in serving revenge cold and considers him the ultimate apostle of payback. Hence, it is highly unlikely that Prigozhin will escape further retribution. This sentiment is reinforced by US President Joe Biden, who suggested there could be a risk of Prigozhin being poisoned, advising him to be cautious about what he eats and even humorously mentioning the need for a food taster.
Despite the recent revolt led by Prigozhin, Russia’s domestic security agency, the FSB, surprisingly dropped the criminal investigation into the uprising with no charges against him or other participants, despite several Russian troops losing their lives in the clashes.
This leniency contrasts with instances where Russian journalists, protestors, and political rivals have faced harsher consequences for lesser offenses.
Putin is shaken
Prigozhin’s bold march and challenge to Russian leadership have shaken the government, with some Kremlin observers speculating that senior military officers may have supported his push for the ouster of high-ranking defense officials. Others suggest that these officers adopted a wait-and-see approach to gauge the uprising’s outcome.
The Wagner mercenary boss had hoped for solidarity from senior army officers and believed he could find support among certain groups within the ruling elite.
While investigations are ongoing, some military bloggers have claimed that investigators are examining whether certain officers had aligned with Prigozhin during the uprising.
FILE PHOTO: Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia’s Wagner mercenary force, speaks in Paraskoviivka, Ukraine in this still image from an undated video released on March 3, 2023. Concord Press Service/via REUTERS
One notable figure, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who had strong ties with Prigozhin, is rumored to have been detained, but it remains unclear if he faces any charges or his current whereabouts.
Additionally, border guards and pilots are being scrutinized for potential involvement or failure to halt Wagner’s convoy as it entered Russia from Ukraine.
There is no doubt Putin is furious with his former friend. But a tsar does not remain a tsar unless he’s willing to silence a problem, no matter the cost.
Spotify’s 2023 Wrapped has dropped prompting listeners to review their top artists, genres, and songs of the year.
Many are taking to social media platforms to share their listening trends with family, friends, coworkers, and even other fans on the internet.
While Apple Music, a rival platform, has its own year-end campaign—it hasn’t quite ignited the same online response.
Seth Schachner, the Managing Director at StratAmericas and a former Sony Music Executive joins Veronica Dudo to discuss. #Spotify #music #Apple #AppleMusic #SpotifyWrapped #streaming #featured #IN AMERICA TODAY
Coles and Woolworths, two of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, are about to face a Senate inquiry that aims to scrutinise their market dominance and business practices.
The inquiry’s parallels with a past New Zealand investigation highlight the growing concern over the duopoly’s impact on consumers and smaller businesses.
The Senate inquiry, set to begin next month, comes as a response to mounting public pressure and allegations of anti-competitive behavior in the grocery sector.
New Zealand example
Similar concerns led New Zealand to conduct its own inquiry into the supermarket industry back in 2019, resulting in recommendations for increased regulation and transparency.
The central question here is whether Coles and Woolworths wield too much power in the Australian market, potentially stifling competition and limiting choices for consumers.
With the New Zealand example as a cautionary tale, many are wondering if this inquiry will result in meaningful changes to the Australian grocery landscape.
Elon Musk has thrown a verbal jab at former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, declaring her political campaign as “dead” on X.
The unexpected comment from the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has ignited a new wave of discussion within the political sphere, leaving many wondering about the implications for Haley’s political future.
In a tweet that garnered significant attention, Musk criticized Haley’s recent policy stance, writing, “Nikki Haley’s campaign is dead on arrival if she continues to ignore the urgency of climate change.
We need leaders who prioritize the planet’s future.” The tech mogul’s remarks come as Haley, a prominent Republican figure, has been exploring the possibility of running for president in the upcoming election cycle.
Musk’s statement has reignited the debate over climate change within the Republican Party, with many conservatives emphasizing economic interests over environmental concerns.
This raises questions about whether Musk’s endorsement or critique could influence the GOP’s stance on climate issues and potentially impact the 2024 presidential race.