There is some mist and fog and a few showers around this morning. They will give way to a dry and decent with sunny spells. Later, some rain in Northern Ireland. Details coming up. Good morning. Its monday, 18th march. Vladimir putin has claimed victory in russias president ial election. Without any serious opposition, a fifth term was seen as inevitable. At least 80 protestors have been arrested across the country for vandalising Polling Stations. Foreign secretary David Cameron hasjoined other western governments in shunning the result. He said, this is not what free and Fair Elections look like. Our russia editor Steve Rosenberg reports. Foeradimir 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 Leader A
The International Energy agency has revealed that lng now makes up 35 of europes energy supplies, not far off the 40 contribution that russia made before it was sanctioned over ukraine. Joining me now is ben mcwilliams, whos an Affiliate Fellow at bruegel. Thank you very much for being with us today. What are your concerns about where gas prices could go if these workers do indeed strike . This is certainly a concern, but to be clear up front, nothing comparable to last year. The position we are in is that, as you mentioned, as russian Pipeline Supplies have been cut over the last 12 months, the eu and uk have become more dependent on liquefied national gas. Natural gas. Australia typically supplies asia. If it were cut to asian consumers, we would see asian consumers turning around and looking to qatar and competing with european buyers there, which would in turn have some Knock On Effect on prices. As it had last week, 40 increase from around 30 to 36 euros just nothing like close to
England decide what to do with Interest Rates. The current uk base rate 5. 25 . But after we found out that wages, on average, are rising at their fastest level now in 20 years, could we see another rise in september. Joining me now is kallum pickering, whos the Senior Economist at berenberg bank. With your predictions, what are you thinking you will see here today . I you thinking you will see here toda . ~ , today . I think we might be surprised today . I think we might be surprised a today . I think we might be surprised a little today . I think we might be surprised a little to today . I think we might be surprised a little to the surprised a little to the upside but it not should not make much of a difference, the Bank Of England expecting 6. 8, markets expecting 6. 7, if it came at 6. 9 i would not be surprised because Petrol Prices rose over the month but it should be a big versus last month because the energy price comes down in the monthjuly. This should be another step down i
Spells and showers, for scotland and Northern Ireland that is what you have, sunshine and showers. All of the details later in the programme. Its monday the 14th of august. Officials in hawaii say they expect the number of casualties to rise significantly as a result of the wildfires. 93 people are known to have died, with hundreds still missing in maui. Questions are now being asked about whether Early Warning systems were used or if they malfunctioned. The states Attorney General is conducting a comprehensive review. Our correspondent Sophie Long Reports from hawaii. The fire left more than a city devastated, and charred black buildings behind. Existential questions hover about the emptiness. How can you rebuild from this . What will exist here in the future . A congregation there without a church gathers in a coffee shop to share their pain. It used to be my house. I wept, but weeping is not. God gave us tears. There are so many questions that remain without answers. Why did one sur