R Praggnanandhaa: India chess prodigy takes on Magnus Carlsen in World Cup final
Earlier in the tournament, India's Praggnanandhaa had defeated the world's second and third ranked players.
2023-08-22 14:49
Prigozhin makes first appearance since Russia exile in video seemingly from somewhere in Africa
Mercenary group Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has shared his first video address two months after he launched a failed coup attempt against Vladimir Putin. Mr Prigozhin on Monday appeared in a clip, toting an assault rifle and wearing military fatigues, likely shot in Africa in which he claimed he is recruiting “strongmen”. The video was shared on Telegram channels affiliated with the Wagner group, as Mr Prigozhin said the mercenary group was “making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free”. “The temperature is +50 (122 degrees Fahrenheit) – everything as we like. The Wagner PMC [private military company] makes Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa – more free. Justice and happiness – for the African people, we’re making life a nightmare for Isis and al-Qaeda and other bandits,” he said in the video. He then said Wagner is recruiting people and the group “will fulfil the tasks that were set”. In the background of the video, pickup trucks and other people dressed in fatigues could be seen. A telephone number was displayed as well for those who wanted to join the group. The Independent could not verify the date and exact location of the video, but Mr Prigozhin’s comments and posts on Telegram channels have hinted that it was shot in Africa. According to the Russian social media channels affiliated with the mercenary leader, the Wagner leader is recruiting fighters to work in the continent. He is inviting investors from Russia to put money in the Central African Republic through Russian House, a cultural centre in the African nation’s capital, they suggested. Mr Prigozhin was last seen in a video in July shot in Belarus shortly after his attempt to stir mutiny against the Kremlin failed, sparking speculation that he was taking refuge in the Russian ally nation as part of a deal to broker peace. He was later photographed on the sidelines of a Russia-Africa summit in the Russian city of St Petersburg. There is no official announcement of his current whereabouts. But one of the most prominent sites is the Central African Republic, where Wagner’s troops for hire have been active and accused of committing gross human rights abuses. Till June this year, the Wagner leader and his mercenary fighters, comprising mostly prison convicts, spent months fiercely fighting Ukrainian soldiers in the eastern region, mostly Bakhmut. Mr Prigozhin staunchly criticised Russia’s military performance and the top brass of the Russian defence ministry before he called for an armed uprising on 23 June to oust the defence minister and marched from Ukraine toward Moscow with his mercenaries. The hours-long mutiny ended after a deal was brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, following which Mr Prigozhin agreed to end his rebellion in exchange for amnesty for him and his fighters and permission to relocate to Belarus. Before moving to Belarus, Wagner handed over its weapons to the Russian military, part of efforts by Russian authorities to defuse the threat posed by the mercenaries. Read More ‘Wagner is victim of its own brand name’: How much of a threat does mercenary group pose in Belarus? Wagner mercenaries issue a chilling message on Poland’s doorstep: ‘We are here’ Belarus begins military drills near its border with Poland and Lithuania as tensions heighten Wagner tracker: Charting Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mercenary group through the Ukraine war Drones, military confusion and cracks in Putin’s authority: Ukraine’s push to sow discord in Russia’s ranks
2023-08-22 14:25
Cambodia parliament endorses strongman Hun Sen's son as new PM
(Reuters) -Cambodia's newly elected parliament endorsed four-star military general Hun Manet as prime minister on Tuesday, completing a historic transfer
2023-08-22 14:25
Voter fatigue edges out optimism as Zimbabwe holds 2nd general election since Mugabe's ouster
A general election Wednesday in Zimbabwe is crucial to determining the future of a southern African nation endowed with vast mineral resources and rich agricultural land
2023-08-22 14:23
UK’s Slower-Than-Expected Borrowing Gives More Room for Tax Cuts
UK government borrowing came in below official forecasts in the first four months of the fiscal year, providing
2023-08-22 14:22
Who won Sean O'Malley vs Aljamain Sterling? Tristan Tate congratulates 'champ' for UFC bantamweight title victory
Sean O'Malley defeated Aljamain Sterling via second-round technical knockout to win the bantamweight title
2023-08-22 13:58
From MLK to today, the March on Washington highlights the evolution of activism by Black churches
The March on Washington of 1963 is remembered most for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech
2023-08-22 13:57
Is Rihanna's baby a boy or a girl? Internet left confused after conflicting reports emerge
Several sources revealed that Rihanna's second baby was born on August 3 in Los Angeles and that their name starts with the letter 'R'
2023-08-22 13:56
Judge to consider whether Texas can keep oversize buoy barrier on US-Mexico river border
A federal judge is set to consider whether Texas can keep a floating barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border
2023-08-22 13:48
How to watch Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis? Boxing match's date, time and press conference details revealed
Logan Paul informed fans that his contract with Dillon Danis has a pull-out clause in case the MMA fighter backs out again
2023-08-22 13:29
Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra returns to a politically divided Thailand after 15 years of self-exile
Thaksin Shinawatra, the ousted fugitive former prime minister of Thailand, returned to the country Tuesday for the first time after more than 15 years in self-exile, reintroducing a towering and divisive figure at a time when the kingdom's often fraught political scene is in a fresh state of flux.
2023-08-22 13:27
Thaksin Returns From Exile After Deal With Former Thai Foes
Back in 2008, the last time Thaksin Shinawatra stepped foot in Thailand, he was adored among the nation’s
2023-08-22 13:24