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Polls close in Russia’s three-day election
Russians voted on Sunday at the end of a three-day parliamentary election widely expected to favour the pro-Putin United Russia, following a crackdown on Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s movement
Polls closed in Russia’s Far East city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on Sunday (September 19) – marking the end of a three-day parliamentary election expected to favour the ruling United Russia.
That’s after a sweeping crackdown that crushed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s movement and barred opponents from running.
A victory for the pro-Vladimir Putin party will likely be used by the Kremlin as proof of support for the president.
That’s despite malaise over years of faltering living standards.
State pollsters say United Russia faces a ratings slump – but it remains more popular than its closest rivals on this ballot, the Communist Party and nationalist LDPR.
Among those voting on Sunday was fashionista and TV personality Sergei Zverev.
He’s standing for the Russian Ecological Party – but says he does not believe he can be elected.
“I’m telling you – nobody will elect me, they won’t let it happen. They won’t let them elect me. I’m exhausted by courts already. They will elect the others, not me.”
Navalny is serving a jail sentence for parole violations that he denies.
His allies have been barred from running after his movement was banned in June as extremist.
The Kremlin denies a politically-driven crackdown and says individuals are prosecuted for breaking the law.
Navalny’s allies also encouraged tactical voting – amounting to supporting the candidate most likely to defeat the ruling party in any given electoral district.
United Russia holds nearly three-quarters of the outgoing State Duma’s 450 seats.
Last year that dominance helped it pass reforms allowing Putin to run for two more terms as president after 2024
Reuters.
News
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.
Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.
Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.
Proliferation Risks
Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.
Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.
The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.
The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.
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US–China trade talks are a handshake, not a deal
Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Presidents Trump and Xi extend their tariff truce in an informal meeting, with US cuts and Chinese promises on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX cautions this is unofficial and deeper issues between the two super powers remain.
#USChina #TradeTruce #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #Soybeans #RareEarths #UnofficialDeal #TickerNews
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Markets cautious as rate cut hopes fade
Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.
Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.
Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.
#Markets #Fed #InterestRates #Inflation #TechStocks #CapitalMarkets #TickerNews #Economy #FinancialUpdate
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