Much of what to expect in the Russian President’s fifth term in office was covered in his inaugural speech on 7th May 2024. President Putin didn’t mince his words about his resolve to overcome the obstacles placed by the West, promising his people victory in the current “difficult” situation. A day before his inauguration, Putin ordered his military to conduct the first-ever publicly announced drill involving tactical nuclear weapons, ostensibly to respond to France’s and Britain’s suggestion that their advanced weapons or troops could join the Ukraine war. His praise of the military as “heroes fighting for their motherland” indicates that the 71-year-old leader will press on the eastern Ukraine front, downplaying sanctions and threats from the West. Nonetheless, he was clear that Russia did not refuse dialogue but blamed the U.S., U.K., and E.U. for trying to contain his country’s development agenda instead of seeking cooperation and peace. Indeed, Putin has had a hard time dealing with the West, most of whom discredited his election and boycotted his inauguration. However, Putin has seen this coming for a long time and has since sought to strengthen alliances with other like-minded countries like Iran, Belarus, South Africa, North Korea, India, and China. In fact, he’s expected to visit the latter this month, his first trip since being sworn in for his fifth term. International partners will be crucial for Putin as he seeks to boost the economy and victory in the Ukraine war. Iran and North Korea have fearlessly provided hefty amounts of drones, missiles, ammunition, and other weapons, while Belarus has become a part of Russia’s war strategy. This influence is expected to solidify even across Africa, where Russia has won admirers for presenting itself as a defender of traditional norms. In March, the Head of the US Africa Command warned Congress that Russia is increasing its economic, diplomatic, and military influence across Sahel, Maghreb, and Central Africa, wooing nations that used to look to the West. With the Wagner Group Mercenaries already deployed in Mali and elsewhere, Putin can confidently look to the future with Russian interests, security, and priorities at heart. However, Russian citizens have little to expect as geopolitics overshadow their concerns. Unfortunately, they have little say since Putin has cracked down on any form of dissent and passed laws to ferociously deal with anyone discrediting his administration or the military. Although he has promised his people a prosperous future, the cost of living may rise as he seeks to boost the required amount of defence. He’s also likely to take unpopular steps, such as pressuring more men to join the military and raising taxes to fund the war. Generally, Putin has proven unpredictable in his resolve to portray Russia as formidable in geopolitics. His efforts so far seem to pay off in Ukraine and influence across the globe. Unfortunately, it might take longer for ordinary people to have their issues at the top of the agenda in his forthcoming 6-year tenure.
How To Avoid Facebook Marketplace Scams in Kenya
In recent years, online shopping has become trendy. Most people prefer buying things online because of the convenience. Some also believe buying something online is cheaper than in physical shops. As a result, there has been a rise in the number of platforms where sellers and buyers can meet. Among the popular places is Facebook. The Meta-owned platform has a section called “Facebook Marketplace,” where you can search for whatever you want to buy. The best thing is that you can filter your search based on your location and budget. But when discussing online shopping, we can’t forget to mention “Online theft and scams.” The Facebook marketplace has become a place where some scammers find solace. So, as a Kenyan Facebook user, what is the best way to avoid marketplace scams? Read on to find out. Why Facebook Marketplace Scams Are Becoming Rampant Facebook has a large user base, making it attractive to scammers. Additionally, some people don’t know how to verify whether the sellers are genuine. Scammers have mastered ways of appearing legitimate in the eyes of innocent Kenyans. As such, the platform keeps becoming home to scammers and unknowing Kenyans fall for their scams frequently. When are You Likely to Get Scammed on Facebook While it’s possible to get scammed anytime, most Facebook scammers target peak hours when people need particular items. For example, most Kenyan parents will likely get scammed during their back-to-school periods. That’s because they need to buy their children’s school items, and Facebook Marketplace might be the best place to find them cheaply. Scammers can also take advantage of a limited supply of some items. For instance, most people were looking for sanitizers and masks during the pandemic. Sometimes, there would be a limited supply, thus creating an opportunity for scammers to pretend they are selling them online. How to Stay Safe From Facebook Scams in Kenya Detect Facebook marketplace scams Scammers keep using new tactics and changing them quite often. So how can you stay safe from them? Avoid items whose pieces are too low compared to their market value, even if they are second-hand. It could be a way of trapping you so you can lose your hard-earned money. Be wary of sellers who post with very new profiles. They may be using pseudo-accounts to hide their identity. Avoid paying for items you have not seen physically. The scammers are only after your money; paying them before seeing the item would make you a victim. Choose secure payment methods. For instance, you can use escrow until the seller delivers the product. Report any suspicious activity. It will help you and others stay alert and avoid falling for scams. These are just some of the things to do. You need to be keen when buying things online via the Facebook marketplace. So, stay vigilant always to avoid becoming a victim.
Open Plan Kitchen Design: Is It Worth It in Kenya?
If you grew up in a Kenyan home, you will agree that many things in terms of design have changed in recent years. Thanks to innovation, even the technology used has changed. If you are building a home today, you will have many options, from how you want your house roof to appear to how you want each room to be. Whether it’s a rental or retirement home, you can now choose an open-plan kitchen or an old-designed one. The fact is that this kitchen design has sparked a debate. Some people who value privacy feel that the open plan design might not favor them. On the other hand, those with a sense of change believe it’s the way to go. This post will help you determine whether the design is worth it in Kenya or is just a normal hype that will die suddenly. Let’s find out What Is an Open-Plan Kitchen? Open kitchen with a bar Open-plan kitchen design is a unique style that breaks the barrier between rooms. The open layout combines the kitchen with other house sections, like the dining and living rooms. You might think that the open-plan kitchen concept is new. However, it has existed since the 1990s, and people are continually embracing it. It’s unlike the old-fashioned closed kitchen design, where walls separate rooms. Why is Open Plan Kitchen Gaining Popularity in Kenya If you are a typical Kenyan, you will agree that Kenyans love trendy things, and so does the open-plan kitchen concept. The first reason is that an open-plan kitchen makes the space look larger. Incase you are building your house and want to maximise your space, an open kitchen design would be the best thing for you. It also allows for an easy flow of traffic in the house. As with a closed-off plan, you won’t be bumping into each other or walls separating the rooms. If you love light spaces, the open kitchen style is a great deal for you. It allows more natural light into the house. Additionally, an open-plan kitchen design looks modern, thus adding more value to your home. Why Aren’t Some People Embracing Open Plan Kitchens Yet? Open kitchen with a wood floor As much as the design makes a home look perfect and modern, an open-plan kitchen might not favour your house if your kitchen gets messy frequently. Your family might be fine with the mess in the kitchen. However, it might not be appealing when you have visitors, and the kitchen gets busier. Additionally, open spaces produce noise. That’s because there are no walls to block the sound, and if your family members are all in, there are always a lot of activities going on, thus encouraging sound. Is It Worth It? Apart from the few drawbacks, an open-plan kitchen is an amazing design you might not regret implementing. So, whether you are planning to build a new house or remodel your current one, an open-plan design is an option you should pay attention to.
3 Smart Tips and Strategies for Investing a Financial Windfall
First, a financial windfall refers to an unexpected or sudden influx from sources such as the lottery, inheritance, or lawsuit settlement. Most people tend to be excited upon experiencing a windfall, as the amount of money obtained is huge. Although this money can be life-changing, it is prone to certain perils. For instance, you might end up misusing your newly found wealth unawares. To avoid such scenarios, you should invest wisely to enjoy more returns in the long run. In this article, we shall take a closer look at some of the smart tips and strategies you should consider when investing a financial windfall. Read on. 1. Develop a Plan Once you experience a financial windfall, you might develop irrational behavior such as spending the money carelessly, giving it away to your friends, hoarding it, etc. This can be detrimental as you might not eventually get the value of the windfall received. To be safe, develop a plan on how you will utilize the money in 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years, depending on the amount received. Some of the things that you should consider when making a plan on how you intend to invest the money include: Whether you are working or in retirement Where you live Your passions and desires in life. All these facets will help you develop a good plan for investing a financial windfall. If you need to improve at making financial plans, hire an expert to help you out. With a good plan, be sure that you will not have the luxury of misusing the money received. 2. Contribute to Your Retirement Plan If you are in formal employment and have experienced a financial windfall, you should contribute a fraction of that money to a retirement plan. By committing some money to your retirement plan, you can be sure that you will be well-cautioned financially once you leave the workplace for good. Time idea of investment Even if you stay at home, you can trust that you will be able to pay your bills well and maintain the lifestyle you used to lead pre-retirement. If your employer contributes a particular amount to your retirement account, make a similar contribution so that you can maximize your investment. 3. Invest in an Asset That Generates an Income For You When it comes to purchasing assets, there are many options you can explore. From a piece of land to a personal car, you can consider many options. Depending on your preferred asset, it might generate an income or be a liability to you. Picture of money in a jar To be safe, invest in an asset that gives value while serving or meeting your needs. Moreover, the asset should be something that you have always wanted so that you can guard it jealously. Finally, something that can hold or appreciate in value in the coming years can be a good choice. Final Words Whether you have experienced a financial windfall from a lottery or won a lawsuit, you should invest that money wisely. The good news is that the tips mentioned above can help you make wise investment decisions and get the most out of your financial windfall. Consider the ideas mentioned above, and you will not regret it.
Prepare for More Hardship!: Kenya and the East Africa Region Should Expect Food Shortages and Disease Outbreaks Due to the Ongoing Floods
With the ongoing torrential rain and floods causing the deaths of hundreds of people, ruining infrastructure, and sweeping away farmlands, Kenya is preparing for a potential shortage of food. Kenya and its neighbors, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, have been experiencing rainfall stronger than usual due to the El Nino. The raging floods have swept away villages and buildings, and now residents in those countries should prepare for more hardships. Kenya, especially, has bore the brunt of the rain and floods. So far, according to President William Ruto, at least 210 people have lost their lives. According to government data, by the end of April, over 4000 heads of cattle have died. Additionally, an estimated 28,000 acres of farmland have been destroyed by the floods. In more alarming news, nearly 300 small businesses in the country have also felt the wrath of the torrential rain. The government has sprung into action and set up temporary camps for the displaced people. Cases of conflict over grazing land amongst the pastoral communities hard hit by the flooding are also on the rise as people jostle for scant resources. Kenyans have also been warned about animals such as Crocodiles and Hippos, as they are likely to be in the flooded areas. Some aquatic animals have escaped their enclosures in museums and national parks. The floods have destroyed water sanitation plants and waste disposal systems, leading to fears that water-borne diseases could break out. For example, the 2019 floods caused by El Nino led to a cholera outbreak. The floods have also led to the formation of pools of stagnant water. Such pools offer an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed and could cause a malaria outbreak. According to health officials, even before the rain started pouring, the East African countries were already grappling with malaria and measles outbreaks. Tanzania, the leading producer of food in the region, has already recorded a significant dip in productivity. In addition to disease outbreaks and a looming food shortage, the torrential rain has caused massive damage to roads and bridges. As a result, many areas are now totally inaccessible. The adverse weather patterns have also led to a spike in mental illnesses, as many people try to come to terms with the deaths of loved ones, loss of livelihood, and their possessions getting lost in the floods.