Plus: First African leader on US state visit in 15 years, and world's youngest male painter ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. Five top figures in the Russian military and defence ministry have been detained in the past month on corruption charges. Steve Rosenberg explains what prompted the purge. In Mexico, Will Grant reports on intensifying threats and violence against political candidates ahead of the 2 June election. From Kenya, Barbara Plett Usher looks at the significance of President William Ruto's US state visit - the first by an African leader in more than 15 years. Finally, we're introduced to a very talented toddler. | |
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED | What to make of Putin's military purge |
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| | In a recent reshuffle, President Vladimir Putin replaced his defence minister of 12 years, Sergei Shoigu. Credit: Reuters | The list of top Russian officials detained on corruption charges just got longer. The two men arrested on Thursday - senior defence ministry procurement official Vladimir Verteletsky and Lt Gen Vadim Shamarin, deputy chief of the army’s general staff and head of the Main Communications Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces - bring the total to five, for now. |
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| | Steve Rosenberg, Russia editor |
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| What's the significance of these arrests? | When one top defence official is arrested in Russia, that’s interesting. When five senior defence figures are handcuffed in less than a month, that’s more than a pattern. It’s a purge. | Why is this happening now? | Last year, President Vladimir Putin sided with his military chiefs when Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin called for their replacement. But the Russian president is averse to acting under pressure. He won’t be told what to do. That doesn’t mean Mr Putin won’t act - but at a time of his choosing. | Are more people in the firing line? | It isn’t clear is how far this purge of the Russian military will go, or how many more senior figures will end up behind bars. | | | Maj Gen Ivan Popov: The former Russian army commander who raised concerns about the country's high military casualties in Ukraine has been detained on suspicion of large-scale fraud earlier this week. War in Ukraine: A Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine, has killed at least seven people and injured several more, according to local authorities. Kyiv's challenge: Endemic corruption is hindering Ukraine's war efforts against Russia. | |
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| 'The most violent campaign ever seen' | | Cinthia Juarez is running for office after her friend, a gay rights activist, was murdered on the campaign trail. Credit: BBC | The western state of Guerrero is the most dangerous place in Mexico to look for votes ahead of the 2 June election. Around 200 public servants, politicians and candidates have been murdered or threatened in the lead up to the vote, with more than 50 victims in Guerrero alone. |
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| | Will Grant, Mexico and Central America correspondent |
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| | With her colleague murdered and the investigation into his case essentially shelved, Cinthia Juarez is well aware of the risk she’s taking by running for office in his place. But the small, fiercely determined woman, who is also a leading gay rights defender in her community, says she refuses to give into fear.
"Politics is the only way we have to raise our voice, the only way to turn Acapulco back into the thriving port it once was,” she says. She took the BBC canvassing around some local businesses with Evodio Velazquez. A former mayor of Acapulco, Mr Velazquez says he’s endured threats his entire political life. |
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THE BIG PICTURE | Biden rolls out the red carpet for Ruto |
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| | | Kenyan President William Ruto is the first African leader in more than 15 years to make an official state visit to the US. Credit: EPA | Two years ago, US President Joe Biden welcomed African leaders in Washington and assured them he was “all in” for the continent. Yet, he did not keep his promise to visit Africa. Analysts suspect welcoming Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House is an attempt to make up for it. |
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FOR YOUR DOWNTIME | Bear necessities | Tunnels and bridges can help grizzly bears follow their own paths. | |
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And finally... in Ghana | A common refrain among modern art sceptics is "a four-year-old could do that". What about an 18-month-old? Such is the feat of Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, a toddler who has been recognised as the world's youngest male artist. Ace-Liam has already sold 15 of his abstract pieces and has been on exhibition in a museum in Accra. Take a look. | |
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