News

Putin claims strong Russian election victory despite claims of rigging

Published

2 years ago

September 11, 2023

Russia concluded regional and municipal elections on Sunday, drawing international criticism for holding the votes, particularly in regions annexed from Ukraine.

Despite allegations of vote rigging and Ukraine’s condemnation of Moscow’s attempts to tighten its grip on these territories, the elections delivered strong support for President Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party.

The Council of Europe, Europe’s foremost human rights group, labelled the week-long vote as a blatant violation of international law. Kyiv, along with its allies, deemed it an illegal effort to strengthen Russia’s control over regions in Ukraine’s south and east.

In Russia and the annexed regions, the election results underscored the Kremlin’s message that Putin is the foremost guarantor of stability.

However, competition was limited in these regions as strong candidates, including some from the main opposition Communist Party, were blocked from running by authorities.

Stanislav Andreychuk, co-chair of Golos, a voter rights’ group designated as a “foreign agent” by the Russian government, reported instances of vote rigging in various parts of the country, characterising these elections as lacking authenticity.

Opposition candidates faced detention, vandalism of their vehicles, and even military draft notices being served to election observers.

The Kremlin has consistently maintained that Putin enjoys widespread popularity in Russia, citing opinion polls and numerous election victories as evidence of free and fair elections.

Notably, all significant legal political forces in Russia, including opposition parties, maintain a level of loyalty to Putin and his policies, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

United Russia won every provincial governor’s race it participated in across the country.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a close ally of Putin, was re-elected with more than 75% of the vote, despite virtually no opposition.

Critics argue that elections in Moscow are susceptible to manipulation due to the electronic voting system, which they claim is impossible to audit. Similar systems have been introduced in various other Russian regions.

These elections have further strained Russia’s relations with Ukraine and drawn international condemnation, raising concerns about the state of democracy and political competition within the country.

News

Grok continues generating sexualised images despite new safeguards

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok faces scrutiny for generating non-consensual sexualized images despite new safety restrictions.

Published

1 hour ago

February 4, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok faces scrutiny for generating non-consensual sexualized images despite new safety restrictions.

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is still producing sexualised images of real people without their consent, even after new restrictions were introduced by X following public backlash.

A Reuters investigation found the chatbot continued generating explicit imagery despite warnings about the vulnerability of the subjects involved, raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness of the safeguards.

While officials have cautiously welcomed recent changes, the findings have reignited debate around AI accountability and user safety on social media platforms.

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News

Peter Mandelson investigated by police over alleged Epstein information leaks

Scotland Yard investigates Lord Mandelson for allegedly leaking information to Epstein; PM Starmer vows to revoke his peerage if guilty.

Published

1 hour ago

February 4, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Scotland Yard investigates Lord Mandelson for allegedly leaking information to Epstein; PM Starmer vows to revoke his peerage if guilty.

Scotland Yard has confirmed it is conducting a full criminal investigation into allegations that Lord Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein while in public office. The probe centres on potential misconduct and whether any information was deliberately shared.

Police say a successful prosecution would require clear evidence that Mandelson intentionally passed confidential material to Epstein. Investigators are currently assessing whether the claims meet the criminal threshold required to proceed with charges.

Officials are also reviewing the full scope of Mandelson’s interactions with Epstein during his time in government, as pressure mounts for answers and accountability at the highest levels of power.

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News

U.S. downs Iranian drone near USS Abraham Lincoln as Gulf tensions rise

U.S. jet downed Iranian drone by USS Abraham Lincoln amid rising tensions; Iranian boats threatened U.S. tanker, risking misjudgment.

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. jet downed Iranian drone by USS Abraham Lincoln amid rising tensions; Iranian boats threatened U.S. tanker, risking misjudgment.

The United States has shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions. The carrier was operating roughly 500 miles from Iran when the drone moved closer, despite efforts by US forces to de-escalate the situation.

A US Navy F-35C fighter jet launched from the Lincoln intercepted and destroyed the drone mid-air, with officials confirming no damage or casualties. The incident highlights growing concerns over military brinkmanship in one of the world’s most volatile waterways.

With an increased US military presence in the region, analysts warn that even small miscalculations could trigger a wider conflict as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify.
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