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
Substances over a relatively short period of time is just inexcusable and frankly those around her, if they have broken any rules or mistreated and abused her in this process, they absolutely need to be held accountable. To football and the last eight teams remaining in this seasons European Champions League now know their route to the final with the Quarter Final and semi final draws made earlier today. The tie of the last eight sees 14 time european champions real madrid against the defending champions Manchester City with the the winner facing either arsenal or Bayern Munich in the finalfour. The other two ties see Paris Saint Germain take on barcelona, with the winner taking on either Atletico Madrid or borussia dortmund. In the Europa League the favourites liverpool will take on italian side atalanta with the winner coming up against either benfica or marseille in the final four whilst theres an all italian Quarter Final as ac milan take on roma, and bundesliga leaders Bayer Lever
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
it is topsy-turvy live news event kind of day. case in point, in a matter of about two minutes, we expect to hear from president biden. he will address the nation live on a number of topics, not the least of which is the abrupt stepback our country took today away from fairness and progress toward intolerance and discrimination. the conservative supreme court ruled 6-3 in favor of a colorado web designer, an evangelical named lori smith who refused to work on same sex weddings. the court said that the first amendment protected her from punishment. and it is a turning point decision that will flip the state of equal protections on its head and allow business owners to likewise evade punishment under similar laws in 29 states. and in the longer term, it could again signal a threat to the landmark decision of the 2015 case establishing the case of same sex couples to marry. and if you are wondering of the same sex couple, what they are doing, after being denied basic human decen
6-3, the new numbers reshaping american life. the lead starts right now. 40 million americans will not get the student loan forgiveness president biden promised them after the supreme court rejects his plan. and the president says it is unforgivable. then a key ruling on lgbtq rights and freedom of speech involving a wedding website designer and the state of colorado. what it means for anti-discrimination laws across the country. plus as millions of americans plan to take to the roads and skies this holiday weekend, a look at what cities are experiencing turmoil after days of delays. and welcome to the lead. i m abby philip in for jake tapper. today we begin with our law and justice lead. at moment now president joe biden will address the nation after the supreme court today issued two major rulings. one that blocks president biden s student loan forgiveness program rejecting a program that would have delivered debt relief to millions of americans. and the other ruling th