Would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. Vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. There are three other candidates on the ballot paper, but his most vocal critics, his fiercest opponents, are either in exile or in prison, which kind of helps you to win what we expect to be a landslide. There have been reports that Public Service workers have been strongly encouraged to come out today on day one of this election, to cast their votes. I mean, there are so many things to say about this election. Vladimir putin dominates the airwaves, dominates the screens, on russian television, much more than any other candidate. So it will be no surprise, i think, when he is eventually declared the winner. Here in the uk, the conservatives are under fresh pressure over ties to a party donor at the centre of a racism row. The party has refused to confirm, or deny, reports that the donor has reportedly given more money to the party, than was known public
Hello, and welcome to unspun world here at the bbc s headquarters in central london. In this edition is now the moment when the russians turn the tide in ukraine. It is russia making its size and resources count. Its russia that can throw more men at its fight. Haiti, arguably the worlds most ungovernable country, erupts yet again. The Security Forces in haiti are clearly in a situation of disadvantage against these gangs, who now control big sections of the capital, port au prince. And will the oceans one day be navigated by Ships Without A Single Human Being On Board . Future vision of lots of Companies Looking into this to have, say, a captain sitting there on land in charge of multiple ships sailing the oceans Around The World. Things arent looking at all rosy for ukraine at the moment. The days when Russias Armed forces were slow, clumsy and predictable have gone. Theyve upped their game. And the huge advantage russia has in manpower and industrial might has started to tell. Ukrai
Left cyprus three days ago and is carrying 200 tonnes of food supplied by an american ngo. Teams from the ngo in gaza have built a floating jetty to unload the cargo. Food and basic supplies are desperately needed in gaza, and the Israeli Police force is deploying thousands of officers acrossjerusalems old city for ramadan s first friday prayers at the al aqsa mosque, with tensions high amid the war. Lets go live now to anna foster at damascus gate. Welcome to eastjerusalem, this is damascus gate, you are talking about the first friday prayers of ramadan which have passed peacefully. There was really tight security, all the streets were closed by Israeli Soldiers and police. They were only allowing worshippers from certain demographics, there was nobody here between the ages of ten and 50. A huge number of people come here for the first friday prayers and we have seenin the first friday prayers and we have seen in previous years violent clashes in this area and because of that addition
If no candidate wins more than 50 in the first round. But with many of mr putins opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that Vladimir Putin will be re elected without the need for that second ballot. Our russia editor, steve rosenberg, is following developments in moscow. Vladimir putin has been in power a long time, right, 25 years almost as president or Prime Minister. And hes expected to win a fifth president ial term. Now, this whole event, this three day event, which starts today, is being presented by the russian authorities almost as a celebration of democracy. The kremlin just a few days ago described russian democracy as the best democracy in the world. Critics of the kremlin would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. Vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. There are three other candidates on the ballot paper, but his most vocal critics, his fiercest opponents, are either in exile or in prison, which kind of helps you to
Pictures are from vladivostock. And lets bring you some pictures live from a Polling Station in moscow. Now, there is the potential for a run off vote if no candidate wins more than 50 in the first round. But, with many of mr putins opponents unable to run, it seems inevitable that Vladimir Putin will be re elected, without the need for that second ballot. Our russia editor, Steve Rosenberg has more on the issues surrounding this election. These days, when Vladimir Ovchinnikov paints russia, the result is very dark. From a mountain of skulls and a dictators ambition. To this russias war in ukraine likened to stalins terror. The 86 year old artist had taken his anti war message onto the streets of borovsk, graffiti ing, stop the war. All these paintings were scrubbed out and vladimir fined twice for discrediting the russian army. But he continues to speak out against the invasion of ukraine. Translation i believe that this is a crime against the territorial i integrity of a neighbouring