Report: Failure by US, NATO to prepare for war against Russia is down to military leaders, Pentagon officials, defence contractors and politicians

Report: Failure by US, NATO to prepare for war against Russia is down to military leaders, Pentagon officials, defence contractors and politicians

In the years between Russia’s 2014 seizure of Crimea and its 2022 invasion, for example, repeated warnings from top NATO commanders and from officials who operated or supervised US munitions plants went largely unheeded. They advised their governments, both publicly and privately, that the alliance’s munitions industry was ill-equipped to surge production should war demand it. Because of the failure to respond to those warnings, many artillery production lines at already-ancient factories in the United States and Europe slowed to a crawl or closed altogether.

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Nigerian novelist Wole Soyinka calls Trump a nerd, ‘consummate liar who studied, understands American psyche and right chord to tweak’

Nigerian novelist Wole Soyinka calls Trump a nerd, ‘consummate liar who studied, understands American psyche and right chord to tweak’

Soyinka said Nigeria has had one consummate liar, but said he is just a copycat besides Trump. He said: “We have had one here also, but he is just a copycat beside Donald Trump. If you want to find out what is going on, look at all the many lies of this fellow called Trump. So many lies. But I don’t want to go in that direction. Let’s just remark it and move on.

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Ageism becomes focal point in US presidential election as septuagenarians fortify Biden’s White House race

Ageism becomes focal point in US presidential election as septuagenarians fortify Biden’s White House race

Polls have shown older Americans are more likely than younger people to have a favourable view of Biden and are less likely to say he should withdraw to allow another candidate. But even among older people, Biden faces steep scepticism.

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President remains defiant despite calls on him by more Democrats to drop out of the race

President remains defiant despite calls on him by more Democrats to drop out of the race

The divide among Democrats stood in sharp contrast to the scenes that played out this week at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where former party rivals united around Trump, who accepted the Republican nomination in a rambling speech that featured his familiar mix of grievance and bombast.

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It’s a reshuffle: Kenya’s President Ruto stirs fresh anger after retaining six old ‘folks’ from dismissed cabinet

It’s a reshuffle: Kenya’s President Ruto stirs fresh anger after retaining six old ‘folks’ from dismissed cabinet

Demonstrators have been calling for a fresh start accusing the former ministers of incompetence, corruption and displays of opulence amid the high cost of living.

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With military as Rwanda’s main exportable ‘goods’, world looks increasingly weary of Mr 99 Per Cent, Kagame

With military as Rwanda’s main exportable ‘goods’, world looks increasingly weary of Mr 99 Per Cent, Kagame

Indeed, many foreign powers still appreciate Kagame’s ability to transform post-genocide Rwanda into what he and some of them like to characterise as the ‘Singapore of Africa’ – an effective state worth sacrificing some democracy and liberty for. Kagame has taken full advantage of such international approval, making himself a reliable partner of the global, particularly Western, community. He has achieved this largely by deploying his comparatively efficient army.

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Majority of Democrats are switching to Kamala Harris as chances of Biden’s re-election dim

Majority of Democrats are switching to Kamala Harris as chances of Biden’s re-election dim

Black adults – a key contingent of the Democrats’ coalition and a group that remains relatively more favourable to Biden than others – are more likely than Americans overall to say that Harris would do well.

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President Ramaphosa hails South Africa’s coalition government as united and tackling poverty

President Ramaphosa hails South Africa’s coalition government as united and tackling poverty

Cyril Ramaphosa’s address began what South Africa calls “the seventh administration” — just the seventh government to be formed since the country was freed from the racist system of apartheid in 1994 and people of all races were allowed to vote.

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Trump rebrand: Republican presidential candidate recounts shooting details but skips policy details

Trump rebrand: Republican presidential candidate recounts shooting details but skips policy details

Inside the Milwaukee arena, Donald Trump was “an American folk hero” and “strong commander in chief,” alive because of a “miracle.” To the left, he remains a threat to democracy, with authoritarian designs.

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State, court clash over youth uprising in Kenya as organisers call for ‘camping’ in Nairobi’s central park

State, court clash over youth uprising in Kenya as organisers call for ‘camping’ in Nairobi’s central park

Kenya’s High Court in Nairobi suspended the police order until a case filed by public interest litigation group Katiba Institute was heard and ruled upon, the court order said.

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