AFRICA AND RUSSIA ARE NATURAL ALLIES - PUTIN. (PHOTO).

Image
 Africa and Russia are natural allies - Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin courted dozens of African leaders at a Russia-Africa summit that wraps up Thursday as he seeks to bolster Moscow’s clout across the continent. Speaking during a meeting in the Kremlin on the second day of the summit, Putin said that “Russia and Africa are united by truly strong bonds of friendship and close partnership.” “We are natural allies in building a multipolar, genuinely democratic world order, free from diktat and double standards and based on respect for the norms of international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter,” Putin said, AP reported. He mentioned Moscow’s support for the African nations’ anti-colonial fight during Soviet times. “Russia has always been and remains committed to seeing African nations defend their sovereignty, achieve steady growth, and strengthen their economies and social sectors,” the Russian leader said. “We stand ready to continue working...

FLORIDA EXECUTES 17TH DEATH ROW INMATE OF THE YEAR FOR 1988 MURDER. (PHOTO).


 Florida executes 17th death row inmate of the year for 1988 murder

Florida on Thursday carried out the execution of Richard B. Randolph, 63, who was convicted of the 1988 rape and murder of a convenience store clerk, marking the state’s 17th execution this year—a record for Florida—and the seventh execution of a military veteran in 2025. Randolph was put to death via a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke and was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. EST.

Randolph had been sentenced to death in 1989 by an 8-4 jury verdict for the killing of 62-year-old Minnie Ruth McCollum in Palatka. The Florida Supreme Court rejected his final appeal without explanation. His attorneys had argued that Randolph, who was orphaned and abused by his adoptive parents, received inadequate legal representation at trial and that his chronic autoimmune disease, lupus, could cause extreme pain during execution. Court filings included a doctor’s report warning that the lethal injection would have caused him to “essentially drown in his own blood,” but the state’s high court dismissed the claims as untimely.

According to court records, Randolph broke into a Handy-Way convenience store on Aug. 15, 1988, intending to rob his former workplace. When McCollum confronted him outside, he assaulted her repeatedly, strangled and stabbed her, and raped her before stealing her car and confessing later that day. McCollum died six days later from her injuries.

As Randolph was executed, protesters held a candlelight vigil. Advocates cited his abusive childhood, alleged inadequate trial representation, and his reportedly rehabilitative behavior during more than 30 years in prison, noting that he had studied his faith, mentored other inmates, and maintained a clean disciplinary record. Groups opposing the death penalty condemned the execution, saying it reflected a lack of belief in redemption and hope.

Randolph’s execution makes him the 44th death row inmate executed in the United States in 2025.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE NEW OONI OF ILE-IFE,WILL NOT EAT THE HEART OF THE LATE OONI-PALACE CHIEFS.

SHAKIRA COVERS WOMEN'S HEALTH MAGAZINE,APRIL ISSUE.

AMBODE,SOYINKA & OTHERS AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF LAGOS AT 50 YEARS ANNIVERSARY AGAINST 2017.{PHOTOS}.