Hello and welcome to newsday. We start with russia, where president putin has hailed his predicted victory in russias president ial election, saying it would allow the country to become stronger. He had been the only serious candidate and now has a 5th term in office, after a landslide 87 of the vote. But there was defiance in the form of large queues at some Polling Stations in russia heeding the call of allies of the late Opposition Leader, Alexei Navalny who urged people to turn out to spoil their ballots or to vote for any other candidate. Mr navalny died suddenly in a penal colony in russia last month. At least 80 protesters were arrested. His widow Yulia Navalnya cast her vote at Russias Embassy in berlin. There were protests held and queues to vote in a number of other countries. In london there was a line a mile long outside the russian embassy. From moscow heres our russia editor steve rosenberg. For Vladimir Putin, six more years in the kremlin. Russias president is sounding more confident than ever. Translation whoever might want to intimidate us, whoever might want to suppress us, our will and our conscience, they have never been able to do it, and never will. Then, mr putins first Public Comments on the death ofjailed Opposition LeaderAlexei Navalny. Translation you may be surprised, but a few days before mr navalny died, some colleagues of mine told me there was an idea to exchange him for certain people in prison in the west. You can believe it or not. I said, i agree, even before he had finished talking. But what happened, happened. Election results on russian tv, not a hold your breath moment. The winner, by a mile and a half, Vladimir Putin. What an incredible level of support and unity around the figure of putin, he says. And a powerful signal to the west. But in this race, Vladimir Putin was, from the start, unbeatable. There were other candidates. But no serious challenger. Potential rivals here are swiftly removed from the political stage, forced into exile or put in jail. And elections, tightly controlled by the kremlin. But if they couldnt win, mr putins opponents could at least protest. And they did, in many parts of russia. Opposition figures had called on russians to flood Polling Stations at midday, to vote against putin, or spoil their ballots, a symbolic protest against the system. We were here. Ive never seen queues like this before at a russian polling station. Before his death in prison, Alexei Navalny had backed the protests. It took courage to come. The authorities had warned that large crowds at noon would be viewed as illegal gatherings. Ivan, not his real name, told me why he had come. It was important for me to see the faces of other people who would come here today, and to see that im not alone in my political views. And that there are a lot of muscovites and other people who believe that russia can be another country, with another future. For now, therell be no change in the kremlin. This election was never about would Vladimir Putin win or wouldnt he . Elections here are designed to ensure he wins, and wins big. From the outset, for the kremlin, this vote was about creating the impression that mr putin has a mandate from his people, not only for war in ukraine, but also for what hes doing at home, transforming russia into an increasingly militaristic society, in confrontation with the west. But across town, muscovites continue to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny, the man who had wanted to be russias president. Here, a ballot paper. In place of putins name, navalny� s. And this message hes the candidate we wanted. Steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. It means probably more oppression at home and more confrontation with the west. Im joined now by amy knight the former soviet Russian Affairs specialist for the library of congress, and author of seven books on russian history and politics. Another six more years of putin, whats your biggest takeaway from this unsurprising result . Well, my biggest take away is exactly what people predicted. We know how russian elections work and is simply, there were no opponents on the ballot and also, russian people referred a steady stream of propaganda in favour of the government and in favour of putin and i think its not surprising although i would say, i think we in the west should realise that this victory of putins and the amazing turnout of over 87 of the vote thus far has gone to mr putin and i think it is the performance patriotism, in a way. I dont think that mr putin should be as confident as he is because he is facing a lot of problems. Have we got a sense of what ordinary russian� s think about putin . We saw some acts of defiance in steve rosenburgs report, but is there much support for an opposition . No and sadly, a lot of it, most of the opposition is abroad and it is difficult for an Opposition Leader to gain a following within the country from abroad and this is the reason why Alexei Navalny decided to go back to russia after he was poisoned even though she knew he was facing a lot of danger and i think the real weakness comes less from the real weakness comes less from the vocal democratic opposition that is mainly abroad and more from the dissatisfaction among the population and rank and file russians and the political elite which will arise in russia does not continue to do well on the battlefield in ukraine. Putin made a huge point in urging voters to come and participate in the president ial election and made a big point of saying that their patriotism was needed in russia was having an facing difficult times and he really tied his election to were in ukraine and if things do not go well, i need basically the support well, i need basically the support we have seen in the huge turnout in favour of Vladimir Putin might not last. What will the result mean for putin . We have seen, and by the way, i do think it is very interesting that mr putin, president putin mentioned Alexei Navalny for the first time in your speaking to reporters after the initial results came in just now and i think its interesting that suddenly, he decided to mention Alexei Navalny. And she could, some of the service he could barely suppress a smile when talking about how Alexei Navalny was unexpectedly died in their planning on exchanging him for a Prisoner Swap with the west and this was all very disingenuous on Vladimir Putins part and he and his colleagues in the kremlin orchestrated Alexei Navalny� s murder and that gives them a great deal of satisfaction but again, ithink a great deal of satisfaction but again, i think we can expect more repression in the short term and i think the biggest problem now for Vladimir Putin is that there really is a shortage of soldiers on the battlefield, no matter what the generals say, it seems it will be necessary for president putin to call for a new mobilisation of soldiers. And i think this is what could really cause a huge amount of dissatisfaction among the population because remember, in september 2022, when he had the mobilisation of 300,000 russian soldiers, there was a lot of unhappiness and a lot of discontent among the public and i think we need to focus more on but the effect will be on the masses, the effect will be on the masses, the russian masses. The effect will be on the masses, the russian masses. Thank you very much and will the russian masses. Thank you very much and will leave the russian masses. Thank you very much and will leave it the russian masses. Thank you very much and will leave it there the russian masses. Thank you very much and will leave it there and much and will leave it there and pointing out that Vladimir Putin has denied any involvement in the murder of Alexei Navalny. Author and now, some of the days other news and to the middle east. The german chancellor, olaf scholz has said his country Cannot Stand By and watch palestinians Risk Starvation in gaza and called for a longer lasting ceasefire. Gazas Hamas Run Health Ministry says 61 palestinians were killed overnight, including 12 members of the same family whose house in Deir El Balah was hit. Medical sources say most of the victims were women and children. This girl has been speaking about her cousin who was killed. Honestly, what do they want from us . There are no more kids in gaza. If you want to rebuild gaza, we need many years. Look at the house is destroyed, we do not love hamas and have no relation with them. Nothing is shes dead. Only her dresses left, this is the best gift from her. Speaking after talks with Benjamin Netanyahu injerusalem, mr scholz said he had shared his concerns with the israeli Prime Minister over what he called the � terribly high costs of the war in gaza. We Cannot Stand By and watch palestinians Risk Starvation. Thats not us. That is not what we stand for together. Much more humanitarian aid is needed continuously, reliably. I shared my concerns with the Prime Minister. That provision of aid from israel into gaza and the conditions for distribution must be urgently and massively improved. And finally, we need a hostage deal with a longer lasting ceasefire. I know how difficult it is to reach an agreement with the hamas terrorists, but we understand the Hostage Families who say after more than five months, the time has come for a comprehensive hostage deal for saving those who are still held captive. Mr netanyahu said israel would not leave Palestinian Civilians trapped during its planned Military Operation in the city of rafah in southern gaza, where more than a Million People are taking refuge. I assured chancellor scholz that our goal in eliminating the remaining Terrorist Battalions in rafah goes hand in hand with enabling the civilian population to leave rafah. It is not something that we will do while keeping the population locked in place. In fact, we will do the very opposite. We will enable them to leave because our consideration for reducing and minimising civilian casualties has guided us and will continue to guide us in the future. Meanwhile, israeli families of the 130 or so hostages are urging the government to do a deal to release them before it is too late. Our Senior International correspondent orla guerin spoke to one mother about the agonising wait for her son, who was taken when hamas attacked israel on october 7th. As soon as i turned my phone on, two consecutive messages came in that had arrived at 8 11 from hirsch. The first of the messages said, i love you. And the second one immediately after said, im sorry. This is rachels, 23 and much missed. This is rachels son, 23 and much missed. Here he is in happier times with his parents. The american israeli is still a hostage in gaza. Five months on, his mother still in anguish. Every morning when i wake up, i make a concerted effort and say to myself, now pretend to be human. So that i can get up. And try to save hersch, my son, and the other remaining 133 hostages. What i want to do is lay in a ball on the floor weeping. But that wont help them. Hersh was caught up in this horror when a Music Festival became a Killing Field on october 7th. He sought refuge with friends inside a bomb shelter. But hamas was at the entrance, throwing in grenades. Allahu akbar he was last seen surrounded by gunmen, his left arm blown off, as hamas loaded hostages onto a truck. Do you believe you will get him back . I really do. Hope is mandatory. And i believe it. And i have to believe it. That he will come back to us. Thats what all the families cling to, the belief that their loved ones will be back. They keep protesting, keep pressuring the government to do a deal. A sombre count in hebrew of every day the hostages have been held. Rachel wants an end to the agony and not only for israelis. I feel that so many people are suffering, notjust those families of the 134, but there are thousands and thousands of gazan innocent civilians in gaza who are suffering. There is so much suffering to go around. And i would love for our leaders, all of them, to say, were going to do what we have to do so thatjust the normal people can stop suffering. Everybody� s going to have to give in. Theres no perfect scenario. And we need the suffering to stop. Around the world and across the uk. This is bbc news. Sir ed davey has told Liberal Democrat activists at the partys Spring Conference in york that they have the opportunity to make the forthcoming general election a once in a generation event. He accused both the tories and labour of Tinkering Around The Edges of the challenges facing the country and called for all parties to come together to tackle issues like social care for the sick and elderly. The m25 between junctions ten and 11 has re opened after being closed all weekend to demolish a bridge and install a new gantry. The Daytime Closure of the motorway which is one of the countrys busiest stretches was unprecedented. National highways says the work was finished eight hours ahead of schedule. And an artwork that appeared overnight on the side of a building near Finsbury Park in london has prompted speculation that it might be by the world famous graffiti artist, banksy. A mass of green has been painted behind a cut back mature tree to look like foliage, with a stencil of a Person Holding a pressure hose next to it. Youre live with bbc news. After weeks of deadly violence in haiti, police say several gang members have been killed in an operation to clear roadblocks and seize weapons in the capital port au prince. The United Nations estimates 350 thousand people have been displaced by the unrest, adding to an already complex political and Security Situation. Our Central America correspondent will grant is one of the first journalists to be able to get into the country and reports now from cap haitien where many displaced people have been heading. Cap haitien suffers from almost all of haitis deepest problems grinding poverty, chaos, disorder and corruption. But, crucially, not gang violence. So its becoming the main safe haven for people forced to leave the gang controlled capital, port au prince. Another bus load arrives, having run the gauntlet of a dangerous journey. It took us hours longer than it should, as we had to reroute around the gang checkpoints and there was gunfire, says this passenger, who was clearly shaken. Phanel pierre made the same journey six months ago. Its almost impossible to pull yourself from poverty in haiti. Phanel managed it. But becoming a middle class businessman made him a target. The gangs destroyed his business, ransacked his house and tried to kidnap him, and in the process plunged him and his family back into poverty. Translation this isjust 296 of the life i used to live. Infact, im not living. Im just existing. The longer the power vacuum in haiti continues, the worse the humanitarian emergency here becomes. In turn, more and more displaced people will flock to the city of cap haitien In Search Of Refuge from the violent gangs that have such a tight grip on the capital. One of haitis main gangs has released a slickly produced video, currently circulating online. It shows a well armed militia, a group prepared to take on the haitian state and any International Force which might be deployed here. While the Security Situation is that of a failed state, so are the politics. We have violence in haiti. Uri latortue was the head of the senate and is currently under us sanctions for alleged links to Drug Trafficking and gangs. Thats something he denies, and points the finger of blame at his opponents instead. The Government Works with the gangs, and this is the problem. The gangs become another institution of the state. And in this situation, police cant do anything. Amid the worsening crisis, the Us State Department has laid on a Charter Flight for americans to leave for florida. Several dozen took up the opportunity to flee. However, thats a luxury most haitians arent afforded and must seek a safer place inside haiti instead. Will grant, bbc news, cap haitien, haiti. In newsjust in, japans coastguard said today that north korea fired whatcould be a ballistic missile. No other details are immediately available bit its something we are keeing an eye on because south korea is currently hosting the third � summit for democracy� aimed at discussing ways to stop the erosion of rights and freedoms worldwide. 2024 has been called the biggest Election Year in history, with more than 60 countries, representing nearly half the world s population, going to the polls. Despite a potentially Record Number of people casting their vote these elections are taking place against a backdrop of authoritarian regimes in many nations. For more on the � summit for democracy� in south korea i� m joined now by, peter lee research fellow, at the Asian Institute for policy studies. What will be at the top of the agenda at this summit . Hello, steve. The summit, the summit started hello, steve. The summit, the summit started under hello, steve. The summit, the summit started under 2021 hello, steve. The summit, the summit started under 2021 of hello, steve. 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But we saw some sunny spells emerging such as here in nottinghamshire and there� s more sunshine on offer as we head through monday it� s a similar looking day. For the vast majority of us, it should stay dry, some low cloud, mist and murk to begin with, but then it will brighten up quite nicely. But overnight there are some Weather Fronts just gradually clearing eastwards. A lot of the showery rain is starting to fizzle out on the easterly track. And this is how we� ll start off the day on monday. Temperatures between five and eight degrees. It� s a cooler start than yesterday morning across much of england and wales. But still temperatures in mid to high single figures so mild for the time of year. Lots of dry weather around these areas of cloud just pushing further eastwards, the rain fizzling out. A lot of dry weather, some sunshine, clouds thickening from the west as we head through the afternoon. And there will be some rain across Northern Ireland for the second half of the day, too. A brisk south westerly wind blowing, particularly for irish sea coast. And it� s still mild, it� s warm but not quite as warm as on sunday, perhaps temperatures between 11 and 16 Degrees Celsius. And there� s more rain on monday night. It� s just dragging its way further eastwards as we head through the night and into tuesday. So tuesday we� ll see this front Sinking Southwards and eastwards bringing more cloud across east anglia, the far south east of england. Showery outbreaks of Rain Pushing Eastwards across scotland. But for many central areas there� ll be some bright spells and perhaps a scattering of showers, too. It� s turning cooler now in the north and the west. But still, that mild air hangs on further south and east, 16 Degrees Celsius here. And you can see that quite nicely On The Air Mass chart here with that milder feeling air, still the south westerly wind, colder feeling, conditions taking hold across the north and the west. Now, as we go through wednesday, we� re going to start to see this wave develop on this front, and that� s going to bring us perhaps some further outbreaks of rain, but still a lot of uncertainty regarding just where this rain is likely to be. It could clear away from Eastern Scotland towards the end of the day. And i think many northwestern areas could stay largely dry, too. Look, it� s still very mild across the south east of england, 17 Degrees Celsius, perhaps here. As we go through thursday though, we� re likely to see some more rain, especially in the south of england and wales. And it could turn a bit colder by friday. Bye bye. This is bbc news. We� ll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, as newsday continues straight after hardtalk. Welcome to hardtalk. I� m stephen sackur. Wherever there is war there is Human Suffering in gaza. Israel� s relentless Military Offensive triggered by that murderous hamas attack of last october the seventh, has killed more than 31,000 people and left two million in urgent need of food, water and shelter. There are other wars, other humanitarian emergencies also crying out for an international response. From ukraine to sudan, ethiopia and beyond. My guest is jan egeland, secretary general of the norwegian refugee council. Are aid agencies overwhelmed in a world seemingly incapable of protecting the vulnerable