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Putin to not attend funeral of Yevgeny Prigozhin

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, the enigmatic figure at the helm of a powerful Russian mercenary group, was quietly laid to rest on the outskirts of St. Petersburg on Tuesday. 

His burial came six days after a baffling plane crash claimed his life, marking an end to a life of dominance and controversy.

The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin would not be in attendance at the funeral.

Contrasting with the flamboyant persona he cultivated while alive, Prigozhin’s funeral unfolded in an understated manner, away from the prying eyes of the media.

The ceremony was in stark contrast to the audacious self-promotion that had characterised Prigozhin’s reputation, both in Russia and internationally, for his ambition and ruthlessness.

A terse message on his press service’s Telegram channel announced the private farewell: “The farewell to Yevgeny Viktorovich took place in a closed format. Those who wish to say goodbye may visit Porokhovskoye cemetery.”

The fatal plane crash, which occurred on August 23, claimed Prigozhin’s life along with two top Wagner group associates and four bodyguards. The Embraer Legacy 600 private jet they were aboard crashed to the north of Moscow, with the circumstances surrounding the crash remaining shrouded in mystery.

Tragically, Prigozhin’s death came exactly two months after his brief uprising against the Russian defence establishment, which posed one of the most significant challenges to President Vladimir Putin’s rule since his ascent to power in 1999.

Images and footage released by Reuters on Tuesday depicted Prigozhin’s resting place adorned with flowers in the serene Porokhovskoye cemetery. Law enforcement officers and members of the Rosgvardiya national guard were observed in the vicinity.

A cemetery staff member shared details of the restrained ceremony, noting that only 20 to 30 friends and family attended, and the entire event lasted a mere 40 minutes.

In an unexpected development from Washington, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made a bold assertion regarding the potential involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Prigozhin’s demise. She stated, “We all know that the Kremlin has a long history of killing opponents. It’s very clear what happened here.”

The clandestine nature of the funeral precluded it from becoming a large-scale display of support for Prigozhin, a polarising figure who garnered a degree of admiration within Russia for committing his forces to the most intense battles during the Ukrainian conflict. He was also known for openly criticising the Russian military and leadership.

Leading up to the burial, admirers had assembled impromptu memorials adorned with flowers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other locations.

The Kremlin vehemently denied claims that Putin orchestrated Prigozhin’s demise in retaliation for the mutiny staged in June.

After months of brazenly criticising Putin’s top brass and openly condemning their handling of the Ukrainian war, Prigozhin seized control of the city of Rostov in late June.

His forces downed multiple Russian aircraft and advanced menacingly toward Moscow before halting their progress just 200 km (125 miles) from the capital.

What initially painted Prigozhin as a traitor who might plunge Russia into civil war eventually led to a negotiated resolution with Putin to defuse the crisis.

The day following the fatal crash, Putin conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and acknowledged his long-standing acquaintance with Prigozhin, dating back to the tumultuous early 1990s.

Putin characterised Prigozhin as a man marked by a challenging destiny and notable life mistakes, while also acknowledging his business acumen.

Prior to the uprising, Prigozhin humorously suggested that he should be known as “Putin’s butcher” instead of “Putin’s chef,” a nickname derived from his catering company’s contracts with the Kremlin.

Despite his loyalty to Putin, Prigozhin openly criticised Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, even going as far as to suggest he should be executed for his perceived betrayal.

In the wake of Prigozhin’s demise, Putin issued an order for Wagner fighters to pledge allegiance to the Russian state—a step that Prigozhin had contested due to his resentment towards the defence ministry’s handling of the Ukrainian conflict.

Genetic testing confirmed the identities of all 10 individuals who lost their lives in the plane crash, which included two pilots and a flight attendant.

Earlier on Tuesday, the funeral of Wagner logistics head Valery Chekalov took place at another cemetery in St. Petersburg.

Attendees included numerous individuals identified as Wagner mercenaries and employees from Prigozhin’s expansive business empire.

A Russian Orthodox priest presided over Chekalov’s burial, offering prayers and swinging a censer as mourners came forward to pay their respects.

With Prigozhin’s passing, uncertainty looms over the future of his substantial business empire, encompassing mercenary operations across various African countries where he secured significant mining agreements for precious metals and diamonds.

His influence also played a role in advancing Russian security interests in competition with global powers like France and the United States.

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Rate cuts ahead? US stocks bounce as inflation cools

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Investor sentiment is improving as fresh data out of the US and Australia shifts expectations for central bank action.

Stronger-than-expected labour market figures in Australia have raised questions about whether the Reserve Bank will move ahead with a rate cut next week. While the RBA has signalled it is watching data closely, the resilience in employment may force a delay.

Meanwhile, in the US, softer inflation data has lifted hopes that the Federal Reserve could cut rates later this year. That news helped spark a sharp turnaround in US equities, with the so-called “sell America” trade now unwinding as buyers return to Wall Street.

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Trump’s $600B Middle East Deal: What It Means for Global Stability

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President Donald Trump’s four-day Middle East tour during his second term has sparked global attention, locking in a monumental $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia. From AI to defence, space to energy—this economic pact is reshaping U.S. foreign policy.

In an unprecedented move, Trump also lifted long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria after meeting its new president, raising eyebrows among traditional allies.

Ticker News anchor Veronica Dudo speaks with Erbil “Bill” Gunasti, former Turkish PM Press Officer and Republican strategist, to break down the implications for national security, global diplomacy, and the path to peace in Ukraine.

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Trump’s AI deals raise concerns over China ties

Trump’s AI deals in the Middle East spark division over national security risks and concerns over China ties.

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Trump’s AI deals in the Middle East spark division over national security risks and concerns over China ties.

In Short:
Trump’s AI deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE are causing internal conflicts in his administration over US national security. Officials are concerned that American technology supplied to the Gulf could ultimately benefit China, leading to calls for enhanced legal protections.

President Donald Trump’s recent AI deals in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are causing internal conflicts within his administration.

Concerns are rising among officials, particularly China hawks, about the implications for US national security and economic interests.

Agreements include shipments of vast quantities of semiconductors from Nvidia and AMD to the Gulf states, prompting fears that American technology could ultimately benefit China, given the region’s ties with Beijing.

While the accords include clauses to limit Chinese access to the chips, some officials argue that further legal protections are necessary.

Critics, including Vice President JD Vance, have suggested that maintaining US dominance in AI is crucial, and shipping chips abroad might undermine that goal.

Supporters of the deals, including AI Adviser David Sacks, argue the need for American technology in the Gulf to deter reliance on Chinese alternatives.

Despite this, internal discussions are underway to potentially slow down or reassess the agreements due to ongoing national security concerns.

Conversations have also included proposals for a significant chip manufacturing facility in the UAE, which many officials deem risky due to China’s influence.

Additionally, worries persist about G42, an AI firm in Abu Dhabi, which has historical ties to Huawei.

The agreements with Gulf countries promise to enhance their technological capabilities while necessitating careful oversight to address US security priorities.

 

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