It is God who determines all human actions. Everything about a man is predetermined.

The redeemed do not choose God, it was God who chose us. Jesus says:

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16).

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call on My name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’” (Isaiah 65:1).

Even repentance is a gift of God. (Acts 11:18). If it is not divinely granted, we cannot repent.

Paul also echoes all this:

“It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9:16).

As a result, the elect is God’s workmanship:

“Created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).

Fatalistic Responses

When Samuel gave Eli the dire verdict of God that his house would be judged severely for the sins of his sons, Samuel resigned to his fate. He said:

“It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” (1 Samuel 3:18).

Job also accepted the providence of God. With the loss of his children, his wealth, and his health, he said:

“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21).

Since God is the Judge behind everything, Jeremiah asks:

“Why should a living man complain?” (Lamentation 3:39).

David also reaches the same conclusion. He says to God:

“I was mute, I did not open my mouth, because it was You who did it.” (Psalm 39:9).

Therefore, Peter counsels us:

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.” (1 Peter 5:6).

No Free Will

If man has free will, then God cannot be God. God does not control everything if a man can act independently of God,

However, God tells us in the Scriptures that He alone controls everything. He says:

“I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” (Isaiah 49-10).

God does not just know the end from the beginning. He determines the end from the beginning. Everything has a cause, except God. God causes everything to happen.

Where does this leave the man? Man is simply an instrument of God.

Programmed Man

God does not give man the latitude to do what he wants. It is God who determines all human actions. Everything about a man is predetermined:

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11).

If man has free will, our prayers cannot even be answered. Have you ever asked God to give you a favour with someone? How can He answer this prayer if the man has free will? To answer, God must overrule whatever free will he has. But the truth is that he has none.

Have you ever done something good and thanked God for making you do it? Jesus says:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

How can one do that? How can we make sure our actions glorify God and not us? The answer is simple.

Whatever good we do; the glory belongs to God anyway. Doing good does not arise from man’s free will. We only do good because God causes us to do good. If God does not cause us to do good, we will never do it.

God Control

When Israel went astray, God was behind it. Isaiah asks God why He made that happen when He could have prevented it:

“O LORD, why have You made us stray from Your ways, and hardened our heart from Your fear?” (Isaiah 63:17).

According to the psalmist, who writes under God’s inspiration, when the Israelites sinned, it was because God’s judgment affected their will. He says to God:

“You make us turn back from the enemy, and those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves.” (Psalm 44:10).

God withheld Abimelech from committing adultery with Sarah, Abraham’s wife.” (Genesis 20:6). But He did not prevent David from committing adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. It was God who moved David to sin by numbering Israel. (2 Samuel 24:1).

Only God can stop a man from sinning. Thus, Micah expresses to God the confidence that He will ultimately:

“Subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19).

Indeed, David makes it God’s responsibility to keep him from sinning. He prays:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14).

We only do what God permits or allows. The Bible shows conclusively that:

“God frustrates the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot carry out their plans.” (Job 5:12).

Solomon acknowledges that:

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1).

When the Israelites were in Egypt, God turned the Egyptians against them:

“He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal craftily with His servants.” (Psalm 105:25).

But when He sent them into captivity, He made their captors treat them with compassion:

“He also made them to be pitied by all those who carried them away captive.” (Psalm 106:46).

While in captivity, He made a promise to Israel that now also applies to all humanity in the New Testament of Jesus Christ:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Human Disposition

Paul says:

“It is God who works in (us) both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).

David concurs. He says it is God: “who performs all things for (us).” (Psalm 57:2).

God controls how we feel. He determines our inclinations. This is evident, for example, in God’s guarantee to Israel:

“(Nobody will) covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.” (Exodus 34:24).

God caused the Egyptians to give their articles of silver and gold to the Israelites on their departure from Egypt. (Exodus 11:3).

If we are sad, God is the cause. When the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul:

“A distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.” (1 Samuel 16:14).

If we are happy, God is also behind it. David acknowledges this. He says to God:

“You have put gladness in my heart.” (Psalm 4:7).

When it serves His purposes, God makes us like some people, and He makes us dislike others:

“God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.” (Judges 9:23).

We only pray to God because God enables it. Accordingly, the psalmist makes a request to God for His enablement:

“Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.” (Psalm 80:18).

 CONTINUED

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We recently asked married people in the BuzzFeed Community to share secrets about marriage they'd never say out loud. Here's what they had to say:

1. "Taking intentional time apart. My husband makes himself scarce one night a week so I have time to myself to do whatever I want. He always goes away for a big ski trip with his friends. I think it's important to have time apart and miss each other but also get away from each other. We plan to spend the rest of our lives together, and to do that we can't always be together."

—Krystal, Oregon

2. "You don't have to change your last name."

—daisyswierc
3. "Never quit dating each other. Very ill from cancer, he insisted on having dinner out for our 40th anniversary. It turned out to be the last time. Be thoughtful with little surprises. Be courteous, even in the tough times. It's you and him against the world; not against each other. Be vulnerable. Let your significant other see your tears and tender heart. Keep your confidential conversations between the two of you. Most of all, if true love leads the way, everything else falls into place."

—bluejester57
4. "It's not the big things that drain you the most. It's figuring out dinner every damn night."

—BJ, California
5. "Love comes in waves and that's how it goes during the long haul. Sometimes you have to brace yourself and ride out the low points. It takes a real commitment, but the highs outweigh the lows if you keep working at it. Still in love after 43 years!"

—silvercat673
6. "Marry your best friend!"

—Ray
7. "You're not going to like your partner from time to time. You might not even think you love them, and this can last months. The drudgery of life, children, work, and stress can destroy your emotions, cause arguments, and make you forget why you're even with this person in the first place. It happens, and it doesn't mean the marriage is over. Be honest with yourself and your spouse, give each other some grace, and go to couples counseling if you need to."

—anewfan2018

8. "Marriage is like climbing a mountain. When one of you starts to slip, the other grabs their hand and pulls them back up! Always be there for each other."

—Anonymous, Omaha, Nebraska
9. "Remember that your partner is human and allowed to make (reasonable) mistakes. As their partner, they're looking to you for support and love. No matter how pissed off you are, show grace. Who knows, one day you may make a mistake and need their support."

—Anonymous, Arizona
10. "I'd say this out loud but it takes effort! You have to try every day to show that person you love them, speak their love language, communicate, be thoughtful and considerate, and be honest. If you go on auto-pilot, you're going to have problems."

—Leah, Colorado
11. "My husband doesn't know…I can't stand my in-laws. Why tell him? They are his parents and he loves and respects them deeply. I also want my children to have a close relationship with their grandparents. So, I treat them how I'd want my future son or daughter-in-law to treat me — welcoming, supportive, and loving. It's a good one for my husband to never, ever know."

—Anonymous, California
12. "Marriage is hard work. After being together for 30 years, with four kids and two grandkids, you need to relearn how to be yourself, no longer as a parent or grandparent. Learn new things keep yourself 'alive,' and learn how to thrive independently. You won't always be a couple so learn how to be solo. Who knows, it might make you attractive and alluring to your partner again."

—MomSedSo, Illinois
13. "Pick your battles. Don't sweat the small things. Compromise on everything but don't compromise your self-worth."

—Tim, British Columbia, Canada
14. "You can do all the work on yourself and heal yourself alone. You can feel the best you've ever felt and then meet that one person and be on top of the world. Always make sure it's someone willing to be there through the hard times. Someone willing to work on themselves, with you as a couple, and who also allows you to grow and change. The secret they don't tell you is that there are only some things you can heal in a relationship. You'll find this out when your chosen partner finds and pokes the most painful parts that still need to be healed. If you've chosen well, they will support and help you as you move through the final phase of your healing journey."

—Anonymous, Kentucky

15. "If there's a large age gap, make sure you can both relate to each others' friends. My husband is 17 years older than I am. I didn't realize how awkward it could be to mingle among folks his age or older, and him to mingle among my friends my age or younger. We might have a 25 to 30-year age gap between our friends and yes, we're adults, but generationally there are times that we don't all get each other. As a result, our friend circles have shrunk. And if you think making friends as an adult is hard, try finding a couple with a similar age gap."

—Rachel O., California
16. "When you are married long enough and maintain an open, honest dialogue with your partner, you can discover some things in the bedroom that you never thought you would enjoy. Over the years, my wife and I have gotten wilder and wilder with the things we would like to try in bed. It's the kind of stuff you would never tell a girlfriend or boyfriend of no significant time, the kind of things that you are afraid to be judged over. So, the sex does not always die in marriage. Stay honest and open with each other, and it can get incredible to a level you never expected."

—Antonio, Florida
17. "Respect is possibly more important than love. But, you can't learn or fake respect, so if you don't have it for each other, just don't get married. Fighting (defined as saying something to hurt the other person) is stupid. Disagree like mature adults and talk it out. If you think someone has to 'win' you aren't ready for marriage. You don't have to share everything just because you are married. It's OK to have separate blankets, toothpastes, etc."

—Luke, Texas
18. "Wait! Wait until you're at least 30. I say that because you'll be established. Not just financially, but also spiritually, mentally, and politically. You change so much in your 20s that you don't become who you are until 30. I love my husband. We've been together since high school. We got married when we were 23 and 24. Who we were then is not who we are now. It can be so, so hard and very conflicting at times. If I had this advice, I honestly would've waited."

—Mrs. T, Maryland
19. "There might be times you aren't 'in love' with your spouse, and that's OK. Remember why you chose to be together, keep making that choice, and it comes back better and stronger."

—Anonymous

Buzzfeed

Finidi George has stepped down from his role as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

The 52-year-old gaffer confirmed his resignation via WhatsApp chat with TheCable on Saturday.

Finidi’s exit from the role comes a few days after the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) announced a plan to appoint a foreign technical adviser for the team.

The former Enyimba FC manager managed only two competitive games as the Eagle coach since his appointment in April.

He led the team to a 1-1 home draw against South Africa in his first game and a 2-1 loss to the Benin Republic in the second game. Both matches were 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The latest string of performances condemned Nigeria to fifth in the qualification group, having previously drawn against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

The uninspiring results stirred adverse reactions from Nigerians, particularly on social media.

John Enoh, minister of sports development, then summoned the NFF bosses over the losses to “give cause why there mustn’t be consequences for the disappointment caused both government and the generality of Nigerians”.

The NFF had said the appointment of the foreign technical adviser will be done in the “coming weeks.”

The Cable

• As Sallah approaches, Nigerians, particularly the Muslim faithful, will be struggling with record-high inflation, which has driven up the costs of rams, tomatoes, bags of rice and other food items.
• A Nairametrics market survey shows that ram prices have nearly doubled since last year, and staples like tomatoes have also seen big price hikes.
• These rising costs make it hard for families to afford traditional Sallah celebrations. This year, many may be bracing up for what could be the most expensive Sallah in over three decades.

Nigerians are bracing up for the most expensive Sallah holidays in over 30 years as prices of essential food items such as rice, tomatoes and ram hit record highs.  

Nigeria is currently experiencing its highest inflation rate in over 30 years with food inflation notching a near 40-year high. 

The country has not had things this bad in decades.   

For most Nigerians, the Muslim Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) festive period is a time of vibrant celebrations, hearty food sharing, and generous gift-giving within their neighbourhoods.  

The homes of the Muslim faithful and local mosques come alive with the traditional slaughtering of the Ileya ram, a cherished part of the festivities. 

This year, however, Sallah might be remembered as one of the most expensive ever, thanks to a severe economic downturn and soaring inflation, which have driven up the prices of rams, tomatoes, rice and other food items across the country. 

For instance, Bakare Akinyele, speaking to Nairametrics, highlighted the challenges he faces in purchasing the Ileya ram this year.  

Akinyele, who supports two wives and six children, usually buys both a ram and a cow to celebrate with extended family and friends. 

“It’s going to take a miracle to get my hands on the traditional Ileya ram,” he lamented, noting that prices have surged past N300,000 in Lagos.  

Bakare considered sourcing a ram from the far north or north-central regions, but the cost of transporting the livestock—now exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies—would match or even exceed the prices in Lagos. 

For him, the dream of having both a cow and a ram for Sallah is no longer feasible. This year, he’s settling for just the essential ram, scaling back his usual grand celebration and limiting the guest list. 

“I’ve managed to save enough for the ram, but the cow is out of reach now, priced at over N1 million. We simply can’t afford that,” he said. 

A recent market survey

The troubling story of Akinyele is far from an isolated case; it echoes the harsh realities of today’s market. 

A recent survey by Nairametrics in Lagos and Abuja revealed a staggering 200% increase in livestock prices over the past year, fueled by food inflation, subsidy removal, and other economic pressures. 

In Lagos’ bustling Agege abattoir, vendors and butchers paint a grim picture. Rams that once sold for N100,000 to N150,000 now command prices between N300,000 and N400,000, marking a sharp 150% surge. 

Dare, a seasoned seller, gestures towards a medium-sized ram. “Last year, this would have gone for N100,000. Now, I can’t sell it for less than N300,000. It just doesn’t pay,” he tells Nairametrics. “Everything has gone up.” 

The story is much the same for tomatoes and bags of rice.  

In an Abuja market, a basket of tomatoes goes as high as N120,000 to 150,000.  

Ibrahim, a dealer in the pepper and tomato business, told our correspondent that a basket of tomatoes in this season can go as high as N200,000 “Most people can’t afford these things anymore,” he admits.  

Last month, the same basket would have gone for N40,000 or even less.  

Similar trends were observed in Lagos’ Mile 12, Igando, Iyana Iba, and Ayobo markets when it comes to the price of other foodstuffs.  

A bag of rice now sells between N79,000 and N90,000, depending on the type of rice one is purchasing.  

The same was observed when it comes to a paint bucket of garri which was sold for around N600 last year but is now selling between N3,800 and N4,200, with an increase of over 400%.  

Low Patronage Deflate Market Morale 

Meanwhile, Nairametrics found that not only buyers but also sellers are feeling the pinch this festive season.  

Typically, ram sellers eagerly anticipate this period as a peak time for business.  

However, this year, enthusiasm and morale seem markedly low. 

Ridwan, a seller in Lagos, shared his concerns with Nairametrics. “By now, customers ought to have been flooding this place. You should have seen them in numbers. But I guess the economy is touching everyone,” he lamented. “We hardly sell four or six rams per day here now. Believe me, it’s like the season is not yet upon us.” 

When asked about the reasons behind the spike in livestock prices, Ayodeji, another livestock dealer, pointed to the soaring cost of feed. “First, it’s the feeds. In 2023, a bag of feed for cows and rams was just N7,000. Ask anybody—they’ll tell you. But now, we buy it for about N20,000 to N22,000,” he explained. 

The combination of higher costs and decreased customer spending is creating a challenging environment for both buyers and sellers as the festive season approaches. 

High Food Inflation Dampens Festive Celebration 

According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food inflation in Nigeria is above 40%,making it extra difficult for many to purchase food items. 

In a recent survey done by Nairametrics, a price of basket of tomatoes was priced as high as N150,000 in May while it sold for N40,000 in April.  

“Inflation is malignant to any economy,” Olufemi Idris, a Lagos-based economist said. “Until something is done about the high cost of food production, the malignancy will eat deep into the pocket of anyone, whether you’re celebrating Sallah or not.”  

For the president of All Farmers Association, Ibrahim Kabir, who spoke to our correspondent in a phone conversation, the problems are multifaceted. But more specifically, government interventions particularly for farmers have been remarkably low.  

“The federal government needs to invest more in farming. Whether it’s livestock or crops, the most important thing is capital. Once farmers start getting low-interest loans, they will have more money, more resources to grow their farms,” Kabir said.  

Nairametrics

Seplat Energy is pursuing a swift conclusion to its $1.28 billion acquisition of ExxonMobil's Nigerian shallow water oil assets, it said on Friday after being notified that NNPC had halted a legal challenge to the deal.

State oil company NNPC had challenged Exxon's sale of the assets to Seplat, saying it had first right of refusal. The deal was further held up by regulatory issues.

"Seplat Energy commends the open cooperation and progress achieved by all stakeholders, and will diligently engage (with) all key stakeholders, including the government, in progressing towards a swift completion of the acquisition," a Seplat statement said.

An NNPC spokesperson was unable to provide immediate comment.

Analysts have said that the Exxon-Seplat deal would inject much-needed capital into Nigeria's oil industry, potentially leading to improved output. It would also signal to investors that similar deals, such as Shell's asset saleto Renaissance in January, are likely to gain regulatory approval.

Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer, relies on crude oil for more than 90% of its foreign exchange and half its budget. However, output has declined in recent years owing to underinvestment and theft.

Oil majors operating in Nigeria, including Shell and TotalEnergies, have been exiting their onshore shallow water operations to focus on deepwater drilling operations.

Reuters

The Federal Inland Revenue Service says it is dropping the tax charges against Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance.

Confirming the development, Dare Adekanmbi, the agency’s spokesperson, said the federal government “is dropping charges against the two individuals sued along with the cryptocurrency firm, Binance”.

“Please note that the charges are being dropped against the second and the third defendants in the matter,” he added.

A federal high court in Abuja discharged the two executives on June 14, after the FIRS confirmed the appointment of Ayodele Omotilewa as the firm’s representative — with FIRS filing a fresh charge listing the exchange as the sole defendant.

Speaking in a statement on Friday, Binance said the development illustrates that Gambaryan is not a decision-maker at the cryptocurrency firm.

“We are relieved that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has served and filed amended charges today, resulting in tax charges against Tigran Gambaryan being dropped,” the statement reads.

“Further illustrating that Tigran is not a decision-maker at Binance and does not need to be held in order for Binance to resolve issues with the Nigerian government.

“We await the court’s ruling on this, discharging Tigran from this matter completely.”

Binance also commended the FIRS for their diligence and professionalism throughout this process.

The company said the situation unequivocally demonstrates its commitment to resolving the issue with the government transparently and cooperatively.

Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa; were detained by the Nigerian authorities on February 28.

Although Anjarwalla escaped from the custody of the office of the national security adviser (ONSA), both executives, alongside Binance, were charged by the federal government for tax evasion and money laundering.

On March 25, FIRS filed a criminal charge against Binance for “tax evasion”.

According to the service, the move was to uphold fiscal responsibility and safeguard the economic integrity of the country.

The lawsuit, designated as suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, was said to “implicate Binance with a four-count tax evasion accusation”.

On May 17, the FIRS filed an amended four-count charge against Binance Holdings Limited and its executive, Gambaryan, on alleged tax evasion.

The matter drew the attention of lawmakers in the United States who accused the Nigerian government of taking Gambaryan, “hostage”.

In response, the federal government said due processes were being applied in the ongoing trial of Binance.

The Cable

The federal government has declared Monday and Tuesday public holidays for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Aishetu Ndayako, permanent secretary in the ministry of interior, announced the public holidays in a statement released on Friday.

In the statement, Ndayako said Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, congratulated the Muslim faithful at home and abroad on the celebration.

She added that the minister also urged the Muslim faithful to continue demonstrating the spirit of peace, kindness, and sacrifice exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

He also appealed to them to continue praying for Nigeria’s peace and stability.

“The minister reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians,” the statement reads.

“He further enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to support, cooperate, and join hands with the president in his sustained efforts to diversify the economy and progressively accelerate the pace of the nation’s economic recovery.

“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to the nation’s children.”

The Cable

Hamas' armed wing says Israeli airstrike killed two hostages in Rafah

Hamas' armed wing al-Qassam Brigades said on Friday that two Israeli hostages held in Gaza were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Rafah a few days ago.

The group, in a video posted on its Telegram channel, did not release the names of those said to have been killed or provide any evidence.

The Israeli government "does not want your hostages to return, except in coffins," the al-Qassam Brigades statement said.

Israel rescued four hostages held by Hamas in a hostage-freeing operation in central Gaza's al-Nuseirat on June 8. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said more than 250 Palestinians were killed in the raid.

The war in Gaza erupted when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel has responded with a military assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Israel says its campaign is intended to eliminate Hamas as a threat and free the remaining hostages.

** Israeli jets strike targets in Lebanon after missile barrage hits northern areas

Israeli jets and artillery hit targets in southern Lebanon on Friday after dozens of missiles were launched towards northern Israel, the military said as an escalation in cross-border strikes continued for a third day.

Warning sirens sounded in border areas in northern Israel in the late morning as about 35 missiles were fired from southern Lebanon into the area around the border town of Kiryat Shmona.

Television footage showed damaged buildings and cars as well as brush fires in several locations caused by strikes or falling debris amid heatwave conditions.

Warning sirens sounded and emergency services said teams were active in several areas but there were no reports of any casualties.

In response, the Israeli military said its artillery attacked launch sites operated by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon and Israeli jets also hit Hezbollah infrastructure in the areas of Odaisseh and Kfarkela.

The Israeli military has exchanged regular fire with Hezbollah forces across the border in southern Lebanon ever since the start of the war in Gaza in October.

Israeli strikes have killed more than 300 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon - more than in 2006, when the sides last fought a major war, according to a Reuters tally. Around 80 civilians have also been killed, the tally says. Attacks from Lebanon have killed 18 Israeli soldiers and 10 civilians, Israel says.

Neither side has appeared to wish a wider conflict, but there has been growing worry that the steady intensification of strikes could push the situation out of control with the risk of a wider conflict in a region that has already seen direct exchanges between Israel and Iran.

The latest salvo came after an Israeli strike killed a senior commander from the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, drawing the heaviest bombardment of northern Israel since the start of the war in October last year.

Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes on both sides of the border, creating growing pressure to resolve the stand-off, but diplomatic efforts have so far proved fruitless.

On Friday, the Israeli military said fighter jets and anti-aircraft systems had intercepted 11 of the 16 drones launched by Hezbollah against Israel in the past 72 hours.

"The Israeli Air Force is continuing to operate at all times to thwart terrorist activities and protect Israel's skies from any threat," it said in a statement.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russia was ready to withdraw from southern Ukraine – Putin

Russia was open to withdrawing its troops from Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions early in the Ukraine conflict on the condition that Kiev agreed to an uninterrupted land connection between Crimea and the mainland, President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday.

Speaking at a meeting with the country’s senior diplomats, Putin revealed that in early March 2022, as Russian troops were advancing into southern Ukraine, a senior foreign politician representing the West proposed mediating the conflict between Moscow and Kiev. While Putin did not name the leader, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev identified him as then-Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

According to the Russian president, Bennett asked officials in Moscow at the time why Russian troops were operating in Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, given that their stated goal was to help Donbass.

Bennett was told the decision to send Russian troops to those regions was made based on the plans drawn by the General Staff, which sought to bypass heavily fortified Ukrainian positions in Donbass, Putin explained.

According to the Russian leader, when Bennett asked whether Russian troops would remain in Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions after the end of the conflict, Putin said he was open to the idea of pulling them back to their bases.

“I replied that, in general, I do not rule out that Ukraine will retain its sovereignty over these territories, provided that Russia will have a solid land connection to Crimea.”

Putin noted that to secure the guarantee, Moscow and Kiev would have to sign a legally binding “servitude” agreement, a property law that ties rights and obligations to the ownership or possession of land.

The deal would then have to be finalized with the involvement of the UN Security Council, as well as local citizens and the Russian public.

However, when Bennett traveled to Kiev to present Moscow’s proposal to the Ukrainian government, it was rejected, and the Israeli leader was branded a Russian sympathizer, Putin noted.

Now, this proposal is off the table, given that Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, along with the two Donbass republics, voted to join Russia in public referendums in the fall of 2022, Putin stated. “There can be no talk of violating our national unity... This question is closed forever and beyond any debate.”

At the same time, Putin signaled that Moscow was ready for talks with Ukraine on the condition that Kiev fully withdraws its troops from Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions and abandons plans to join NATO. But the proposal has been rejected by Kiev, which insists upon returning the country to its 1991 borders.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Putin demands more Ukrainian land to end war, terms swiftly rejected by Kyiv

Putin sets out most detailed conditions so far to end war

Offer comes ahead of Swiss peace summit

Ukraine rejects Putin's conditions as 'a sham'

Says Putin's terms amount to accepting defeat

President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over the entirety of four provinces claimed by Moscow, demands Kyiv swiftly rejected as tantamount to surrender.

On the eve of a conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited, Putin set out maximalist conditions wholly at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine, apparently reflecting Moscow's growing confidence that its forces have the upper hand in the war.

He restated his demand for Ukraine's demilitarisation, unchanged from the day he sent in his troops on Feb. 24, 2022, and said an end to Western sanctions must also be part of a peace deal. He also repeated his call for Ukraine's "denazification", based on what Kyiv calls an unfounded slur against its leadership.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters that Putin's conditions were tantamount to proposing that Ukraine admit defeat and sign away its sovereignty.

There was "no possibility to find compromise" on the basis of what Putin had proposed, he said.

The timing of the speech was clearly intended to preempt the Swiss summit, billed as a "peace conference" despite Russia's exclusion, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy seeks a show of international support for Kyiv's terms to end the war.

"The conditions are very simple," Putin said, listing them as the full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russia claimed the four regions, which its forces control only partially, as part of its own territory in 2022, an act rejected by most countries at the United Nations as illegal. Moscow also seized and annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014.

"As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO - on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations," Putin said.

"I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations."

Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in the third year of the war. Ukraine says peace can only be based on the full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity.

The weekend summit in Switzerland, which will be attended by representatives of more than 90 nations and organisations, is expected to shy away from territorial issues and focus instead on matters such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has said the gathering will prove "futile" without Russia being represented.

EXISTENTIAL QUESTION

The maximalist nature of Putin's conditions appeared to reflect his growing confidence in Moscow's ability to impose its own terms, with its forces gradually advancing in recent months.

Putin said "the future existence of Ukraine" depended on it withdrawing its forces, on it adopting a neutral status, and on beginning talks with Russia, and said Kyiv's military situation would worsen if it rejected the offer.

"Today we are making another concrete, real peace proposal. If in Kyiv and in the Western capitals they refuse it as before, then, in the end, it is their business, their political and moral responsibility for the continuation of bloodshed," Putin said.

"I repeat, our principled position is the following: the neutral, non-aligned, nuclear-free status of Ukraine, its demilitarization and denazification."

Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected such language since the start of the conflict, describing it as a false pretext for an imperial-style war of territorial conquest. Ukraine says any demand for its demilitarisation or future neutrality would expose it to further Russian attacks.

Putin said arrangements for ending the war would need to be set down in international agreements.

"Naturally, this also presupposes the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia. I believe that Russia is offering an option that will make it possible to actually end the war in Ukraine," he said.

Putin was speaking in the same week that the United States hit Russia with yet another wave of sanctions, announced a 10-year security pact with Ukraine - seen as a potential precursor to eventual NATO membership - and reached a deal with its Group of Seven allies to use interest on Russian assets frozen in the West to back a $50 billion loan to Kyiv.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the message to Putin was that the West would stay the course: "You cannot wait us out. You cannot divide us," said Biden.

RT/Reuters

Whether you’re going on an extended trip or just heading to work for the day, there are things you may (or may not) do when you leave that can actually compromise your home’s safety.

“[Some] actions, or lack thereof, can significantly increase the risk of a burglary by providing information or access to potential intruders,” Gene Petrino, a retired SWAT commander and co-founder of Survival Response LLC, told HuffPost. “By addressing these vulnerabilities, you can regain control and better safeguard your home against unauthorized entry and possible theft.”

From posting real-time location updates on social media to leaving your key under the front door mat, we talked to home security experts about what they don’t do — and what they do instead — to protect their own homes while they’re away.

1. Posting your real-time location on social media

“[I would never post] that I’m going on vacation, out for the night, to a Taylor Swift concert, etc.,” said Rebecca Edwards, safety expert at SafeWise. “Don’t let the world know your every move.”

She referred back to “Bling Ring,” when celebrities posted on social media that they were at an awards show or on vacation, and teens broke into their homes when they knew they’d be empty.  

Posting pictures of your vacation is safer to do once you return home instead of in real-time updates, advised Kirk MacDowell, home security expert at Batten Safe.

“If you’re going out of town and you want to see friends, social media is fine if it’s person-to-person,” he added. “But I really wouldn’t blast out that you’re going away.”

2. Forgetting to lock windows and doors and turn on the alarm system

“It’s shocking how often people do this and the number of burglaries … that take place because the burglar could just walk through the first door,” Edwards said.

While double checking that your front door is shut and locked may seem obvious, it’s also important to secure entry points we don’t think about as much, like second-story or basement windows, according to Petrino.

“Unlocked or open windows, especially those that are hidden from street view, can be easily accessed, allowing intruders a quiet and discreet way into your home,” he said.

If you do have a security system, make sure it’s armed when you leave the house. Also, adding contact sensors to your windows allows you to conveniently double check if they are open through an app on your phone, Edwards noted.

3. Taking the same route every time you leave home

“By maintaining a predictable routine, you allow observant intruders to plan a burglary around your schedule, knowing exactly when you won’t be home,” Petrino explained. 

He tries to change his routes and times when he departs and returns home to prevent potential intruders from identifying his daily schedule.

4. Leaving tools and ladders out

If ladders or tools are out in the open, this can attract burglars, according to Edwards. Not only could burglars be tempted to steal expensive tools, but they could use them to break into your home. 

Since people often forget to lock their second-floor windows, someone could use a ladder to climb through a top-floor entrance, MacDowell explained. If you do keep ladders outside your home, make sure they are locked up and not easily accessible. 

5. Keeping the porch light on during the day

“If you don’t normally have the porch light on all day and night, suddenly having it illuminated nonstop is a sign that the home may be unoccupied,” Edwards pointed out.

Instead, you can set your lights on timers to give the impression the house is occupied. MacDowell particularly likes Z-Wave or Wi-Fi compatible systems that allow you to turn your lights on and off remotely. You can even set the lights to turn on and off after a particular “event” occurs. 

“Somebody walks up to the front door and rings the doorbell … five seconds later a light comes on inside the home,” he said, noting an example of how you could set things to happen.

6. Letting mail and packages pile up

“I never leave signs that my house is unattended, [like] leaving the mailbox overflowing,” Petrino shared.

MacDowell said he always notifies the post office to put a hold on his mail delivery while he’s out of town. Arrange for someone to stop by to clean up any unexpected brochures or papers that may have been left by your door. And don’t forget to pause subscription services, like newspapers or meal kits, Edwards added.

7. Neglecting lawn care and snow removal

If snow is piling up on your walkway or the grass isn’t mowed for a noticeably long time, this can signal that the house is empty. “An unattended property is a more attractive target because it reduces the risk of confrontation and increases the time burglars can spend undetected,” Petrino said. Hire someone or ask a friend to help water plants, mow the lawn, rake leaves, or shovel snow.

8. ‘Hiding’ a key under the mat or flowerpot

“These common hiding spots are well-known to burglars,” Petrino said. “If an intruder finds a spare key, they can enter your home quickly without the need to force entry, making it less likely for neighbors … to notice something amiss.”

Edwards suggests giving your spare key to a neighbor or friend or using a smart lock with a code. Smart locks are particularly secure because they expire and can be changed, and you won’t risk losing your house key.

9. Leaving your car parked in the same visible spot

“I’ll … ask a neighbor, friend or family member to use my car if it’s parked on the street or in front of my home to give the impression that I’m still coming and going,” Edwards said.

MacDowell parks his car in the garage and tells his neighbors they can park in his driveway while he’s gone, which gives the impression that someone is home.

The bottom line: Make your home look secure and as normal as possible.

Security measures like cameras, motion-sensor lighting and high-quality locks can make your home less appealing and accessible to burgers, according to Petrino. 

Edwards advises making your home go through the motions it normally would even when you’re away. For example, use a smart security system to turn on and off connected devices (like lights and the TV) and have a friend check on the house every couple of days.

“[Do what you] can do to give burglars the impression that your home is occupied [and] that it’s secured,” she said. This increases the odds that “they’ll skip your home and move on to something that seems easier to target.”

Buzzfeed