Trump 2.0, Is this a sure comeback?

In spite of facing three indictments, his popularity remains unshaken, positioning him ahead of his Republican rivals just before the inaugural presidential primary debate this week. This occurrence amplifies the significance of yet another crucial election for both America and the world

His primarily white conservative backers are motivated by profound anger, suspicion, and resentment toward the Democrats, along with their socially liberal and internationally liberal stances. Trump’s political missteps and legal troubles seem to have little effect on them. In fact, they interpret his indictments, including allegations of attempting to defraud the US government to retain office after losing the 2020 election, as part of a conspiracy engineered by the Democrat-controlled deep state.

Barring any major surprises, Trump seems destined to secure the Republican nomination by the middle of the upcoming year, setting the stage for a face-off against President Joe Biden at the year’s conclusion.

The election appears to be the incumbent’s to lose. In addition to maintaining a lead in the national popular vote, he holds a stronger position in the battleground states he carried in 2020, such as Georgia and Arizona. There’s also the potential to overturn states he lost, such as North Carolina.

However, numerous factors could put Biden at a disadvantage, including concerns about his advanced age. In recent months, doubts regarding his fitness for office have surfaced repeatedly.

The looming prospect of Trump’s return to the White House, wielding the powers of a global superpower, is a palpable reality causing significant anxiety and agitation. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among liberals not only in the US but also across Europe and beyond. The fear is that an embittered and vengeful Trump, still in denial over his previous electoral defeat, might take drastic actions with the immense authority of the American presidency.

It appears that Trump is observing the political maneuvers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has sought to enhance his authority through “judicial reforms” since regaining leadership. There are reports indicating that the former president plans to consolidate his power upon re-assuming office. This could involve reducing the autonomy of federal agencies, employing domestic military forces, and cracking down on his critics.

Trump seems poised to steer the United States away from its liberal trajectory toward a more autocratic approach, mirroring Netanyahu’s actions in Israel. The robust system of checks and balances in the American constitutional democracy might face a severe challenge from Trump and his alliances with white nationalists and evangelical conservatives. Notably, the US Supreme Court, featuring a majority of conservative justices, could offer a sympathetic ear, given that Trump appointed three of them.

Just as he systematically rolled back many of the global achievements of his predecessor, President Barack Obama, Trump’s return could entail dismantling the progress made by Biden in various policy domains, including climate change, trade, nuclear proliferation, relations with Russia, Europe, and the Middle East.

During a potential second Trump term, the likelihood of striking a new nuclear agreement with Iran or reaching urgent accords on climate change would diminish. Expectations of substantial reductions in public spending for social protections and renewable energy expansion would also rise.

As president, Trump would likely take swift action regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, claiming he could resolve it within “24 hours.” Speculation suggests this could involve cutting US military aid to Ukraine to hasten a resolution favoring Russia.

This potential scenario has unsettled Europe’s allies in Washington, who have strongly supported US efforts against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They fear that appeasing Russia might weaken NATO, embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin, and compel them to explore alternative strategic solutions independently of the US.

Moreover, European centrists and liberals worry that a Trump victory in 2024 could catalyze a cascade effect throughout the Western world. This could bolster populist right-wing leaders in countries like Hungary, Poland, and Italy, while also emboldening far-right factions in elections across France and Germany.

Should these events unfold, America’s foreign policy agenda would inevitably weaken, particularly in its approach to countering the rise of China—a key foreign policy concern shared by both Trump and Biden. An empowered Russia, a frayed NATO, and a divided Western alliance would hinder Trump’s ambitious attempts to curb China’s economic and strategic influence.

Surprisingly, Beijing might not object to Trump’s return to power. This is due not only to his divisive style as an illiberal populist leader willing to discard US global responsibilities in favor of assertive rhetoric, but also because he would be less inclined or capable of utilizing democratic pretexts to promote American interests over other autocratic nations.

While Trump has threatened stringent measures like imposing a 48-hour ultimatum on China to abandon its alleged “spy base” in Cuba, such brashness has proven ineffective in the past. This includes dealing with China’s increased military and strategic strength during his presidency, as well as addressing nuclear programs in smaller nations like North Korea and Iran. Trump’s aggressive rhetoric has even failed to sway regimes like Bashar al-Assad’s in Syria.

Biden’s foreign policy approach, while not without its shortcomings, is viewed as imperialist, interventionist, and at times hypocritical. Nonetheless, the alternatives presented by Trump appear even less favorable than Biden’s globalist inclinations. These alternatives encompass a reckless emphasis on America-first hypernationalism, overt racism, disregard for environmental and climate concerns, disdain for multilateralism and shared values, and an overall bleak worldview.

A world shaped by Trump’s principles is one that rational individuals would be reluctant to embrace.

The Court of Appeal has lifted a suspension order that was issued last month, which had halted the implementation of the Finance Act 2023. The decision to lift the suspension came after Treasury CS Prof Njuguna Ndung’u presented his argument that the government was losing half-a-billion shillings daily due to the freeze.

A panel of three judges at the appellate court made this decision, pending the resolution of an appeal filed by Prof Ndung’u. The CS approached the appellate court through Attorney General Justin Muturi, stating that the government stood to lose approximately Sh211 billion during the current financial year if the freeze continued.

Prof Ndung’u expressed concern that the freeze would make it challenging for the Kenya Kwanza administration to carry out the 2023/24 budget as planned. Some projects would need to be suspended if the government couldn’t generate revenue as proposed in the Bill.

The three judges, namely Justices Mohammed Warsame, Kathurima M’Inoti, and Hellen Omondi, ruled that the Finance Act has a 90-day life span, beyond which the next budget cycle begins. They emphasized the interdependence of the Finance Act and the Appropriation Act, where the former facilitates revenue generation, and the latter deals with expenditure. Without the means to generate funds, expenditure on budgeted items would not be possible.

The judges acknowledged that Prof Ndung’u had estimated revenue generation of Sh211 billion at an average daily rate of Sh500 million. Though the actual figures were disputed, it was evident that revenue collection was expected with the activation of the Act.

Prof Ndung’u urged the court to lift the order, which had been extended by the High Court on July 10, as the government had to resort to borrowing to fill the revenue gap for its operations. He argued that the absence of saving provisions in the Finance Act 2023, coupled with the repeal of certain provisions of the Finance Act 2022, affected revenue collection and disrupted services that had already been budgeted.

In their ruling, the judges emphasized that tax is a continuous and annual mechanism. Overpaid taxes and levies can be refunded to the public when making subsequent tax payments. They also stated that the court had the option to suspend specific provisions of the Act with irreversible effects, rather than imposing a blanket suspension.

Furthermore, the Appropriation Act, enacted in the context of the Finance Act, remained in place and was not under constitutional challenge. The judges asserted that considering the substantial and irreversible public interest in the matter, the trial judge would have been hesitant to suspend the entire Act had they taken it into account.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an advisory to foreigners planning to travel to Kenya, as they are currently facing challenges with electronic visa applications and processing. These issues are suspected to be linked to a recent series of cyber attacks carried out by a Sudanese hacking group.

Despite initially attributing the problems to a “technical issue,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s statement comes shortly after the ICT Cs Eliud Owalo confirmed that government websites, including the E-Citizen platform hosting the e-Visa application, had indeed been hacked. The Sudanese hacking group, known as Anonymous Sudan, is believed to be responsible for targeting these websites.

In response to the cyber attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret, particularly for the inconvenience caused to foreign travelers who are unable to submit their e-visa applications through the affected E-Citizen portal. As a temporary solution, the government has advised that travelers will be issued visas upon their arrival at all entry points in Kenya. Additionally, airlines have been informed to allow passengers destined for Kenya to board flights without the e-visa requirement during this period of disruption.

To address the situation and ensure continued service provision despite the cyber attack, the Kenyan government is actively working on implementing new technological approaches. They have sent a memo to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kenya, assuring them of their commitment to resolving the issue and maintaining service standards.

The cyber attack itself has caused significant disruption, with various government websites, such as E-Citizen and Kenya Power, along with private companies’ facilities, experiencing downtime since July 24. This has impacted services such as driving license and passport applications, birth certificates, business registrations, marriage certificates, and certificates of good conduct for Kenyan citizens.

The Sudanese Anonymous group has claimed responsibility for the attack and stated that it is in response to comments made by Kenyan President William Ruto regarding the situation in Sudan, where violence has led to numerous casualties. However, the group has not provided specific evidence of the alleged Kenyan government involvement in the Sudanese conflict.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ communication was sent to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kenya, urging understanding and patience during this challenging time. The Kenyan government remains committed to resolving the cyber attack’s impact on service delivery and ensuring the safety and convenience of foreign visitors to the country.

Putin announced on Monday that Russia will step in to replace Ukrainian grain shipments to Africa after Moscow’s withdrawal from a deal that allowed safe passage for the grain. In a statement published on the Kremlin’s website, President Vladimir Putin reassured that Russia would continue its active efforts to supply grain, food products, fertilizers, and other goods to Africa.

“I want to assure you that our country is fully capable of taking over the responsibility for providing Ukrainian grain to Africa, both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis,” Putin stated.

The dispute arose when Moscow’s military operation led to the blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports with warships, which was resolved temporarily by a UN and Turkey-brokered agreement signed in July 2022. This agreement allowed crucial grain shipments to resume. However, Russia exited the deal recently, citing dissatisfaction with the lack of adherence to a related agreement that would have allowed the export of Russian food and fertilizers.

Following Russia’s decision, the African Union expressed regret over the termination of the grain export deal. Humanitarian groups have raised concerns about Africa’s heavy reliance on grain imports from both Russia and Ukraine.

It’s important to note that this week, Russia is set to host the second Russia-Africa Summit and Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, as per the Kremlin’s schedule.

In the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Kenya created a historic moment, showcasing the prowess of its sportswomen and men, and claiming an impressive haul of four gold medals, four silvers, and two bronze medals. Among the exceptional Kenyan athletes who brought glory to the nation was Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon. Her outstanding performance in the women’s 1500m race secured the gold medal, making her an Olympic champion and putting Kenya on the global map.

Faith Chepngetich first burst into the limelight back in 2010 when she displayed her talent in the World Cross Country Championship, securing an impressive fifth position. Since then, she has consistently demonstrated her abilities by participating in various prestigious events such as the World Youth Championships, London Olympics, Diamond League, and Rio Olympic Games, among others. Throughout her career, Faith has earned several gold and silver medals, solidifying her position as one of Kenya’s most accomplished athletes.

Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon’s profile summary

• Full name: Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon
• Date of birth: January 10, 1994
• Place of birth: Bomet, Kenya
• Hometown: IIten
• Current residence: Eldoret
• Nationality: Kenyan
• Marital status: Married
• Spouse: Timothy Kitum
• Birth sign: Capricorn
• Age: 27 years (as of 2021)
• Parents: Samuel and Linah Koech
• Daughter: Alyn Chepkor Kiprono
• Height in feet: 5 feet 2 inches
• Height in Centimeters: 157 cm
• Weight in lb: 93 lb
• Weight in kg: 42 kg
• Profession: Athlete
• Famous as: 1500-meter athlete
• Athlete code: 14413305
• Coach: Patrick Sang

Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon’s bio

Born on January 10, 1994, in Bomet, Kenya, Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon’s age was 27 as of 2021. She hails from the Kalenjin tribe, and her mother’s name is Linah Koech, while her father’s name is Samuel Koech. For her high school education, Faith Kipyegon attended Winners Girls High School in Keringet, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County.

As for her siblings, Faith is the eighth child in a family of nine children. Among her siblings, she has an elder sister named Beatrice Mutai, who also serves as her training partner. Beatrice Mutai is known for excelling in the 10km and half-marathon events, and she showcased her talent by winning a bronze medal during the African Cross Country Championships held in Cameroon.

Career

Ever since she was a young girl, she harbored a profound passion for athletics. At the tender age of 14, her Physical Education teacher assigned the class a 1km race, which she completed in 20 minutes. This marked the beginning of her journey towards a professional athletics career.

In 2010, she made her debut on the grand stage by participating in the World Cross Country Championships, competing in the women’s junior race. Despite being a newcomer, she managed to secure an impressive fifth place individually, while also contributing to her team’s victory, earning them the gold medal.

The following year, she returned to the World Cross Country Championships held in Punta Umbria. This time, her determination and hard work paid off as she clinched the gold medal individually, and once again, her team emerged victorious with another gold medal.

A few months later, she showcased her talent at the World Youth Championships, where she competed in the 1500m race. Undeterred by the competition, she delivered a remarkable performance and earned the prestigious gold medal.

Since those early successes, she has continued to participate in various world athletics events, consistently delivering impressive performances. Her career has been adorned with numerous accomplishments, and her records speak volumes about her dedication and skill.

Here is a glimpse of her remarkable career records:

• 2012 :1500 m gold medal
• 2012: 1500 meters gold medal
• 2013: Gold medal (junior race)
• 2013: 1500 m 5th position
• 2014 : 4×1500 m gold medal
• 2014 : 1500 m gold medal
• 2015: 1500 m silver medal
• 2016 : 1500 m gold medal
• 2017: 1500 m gold medal
• 2019 : 1500 m silver medal
• 2021 1500 m gold medal
• 2023 : She broke 3 world records 1500, 5000 and 1 Mile

Throughout her journey, she has remained an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating that with passion and perseverance, one can conquer the world of athletics.

Is Faith Chepng’etich married?

Yes, Faith Chepng’etich is a happily married woman. Her husband’s name is Timothy Kitum. Faith values her privacy and chooses to keep her love life away from the public eye, so there are no specific details available about how they met or when they got married.

As for her children, Faith Kipyegon, the Olympic gold medalist, is a proud mother of one child. She has a daughter named Alyn Chepkor Kiprono, who was born in June 2018. As of 2021, her daughter is three years old.

Faith Kipyegon’s beautiful Home

With her astounding net worth, Faith Kipyegon leads a life of opulence, embracing a luxurious lifestyle befitting her success. For avid followers of this exceptional athlete, the curiosity about her dwelling is natural.

Nestled in the picturesque town of Eldoret, Faith’s stunning abode stands as a symbol of her accomplishments and happiness. Alongside her beloved husband and daughter, she shares the beauty and comfort of this elegant dwelling. Notably, the residence holds a strategic location in close proximity to her training camp in Kaptagat, enhancing her dedication to her sport. Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon’s prominence in the women’s 1500m race is unquestionable, as she has risen through the ranks to claim the title of champion and secure the coveted gold medal. As her career continues to ascend, the young and immensely talented athlete remains a driving force that consistently places Kenya on the world stage with her awe-inspiring performances. A bright future awaits her, with the promise of continued global excellen

In response to President William Ruto’s recent actions, former President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a strong statement. Addressing the withdrawal of his family’s official security, Uhuru expressed that while he is willing to sacrifice his security, he demands to be treated with respect.

Regarding the alleged police raid on his eldest son’s home in Karen, Uhuru called on the Kenya Kwanza government to refrain from targeting his family members, urging them to leave them alone. He found the withdrawal of security for his mother, former first lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, highly suspicious. The guards who had been protecting her for nearly five decades were abruptly withdrawn under mysterious circumstances.

Despite his silence thus far, Uhuru emphasized that it should not be mistaken for fear. He made it clear that he stands firm and unafraid, challenging anyone who intends to come after him. In the face of these developments, he condemned the incident and announced his intention to pursue legal recourse to address the matter.

“I have chosen to entrust this incident to my legal team,” he asserted. By seeking legal measures, Uhuru intends to protect his family’s rights and hold those responsible for the actions accountable.

By the Star Newspaper

Uhuru confirmed the raid and told the government to keep off his family.

The police are said to have carried out a search to establish if he is in possession of any weapons including firearms.
Dozens of Police Officers have raided the residence of former Pres. Uhuru Kenyatta’s eldest son Jomo in Karen.

The police are said to have carried out a search to establish if he is in possession of any weapons including firearms.

M-Pesa, the East African mobile money service, is now under full ownership by two of Africa’s largest telecoms companies.

Safaricom, based in Kenya, and Vodacom, based in South Africa, have acquired the stake previously held by UK telecoms operator Vodafone. Vodafone had been a longstanding stakeholder in M-Pesa since its initial launch in 2007. Although the service has predominantly been associated with Safaricom over the years, Vodafone had earned license fees from its usage. However, with the recent change in ownership, Safaricom and Vodacom will now have complete control over M-Pesa’s products, brand, and future plans.