Tomorrow will be the last time the chancellor brandishes the budget red box outside number 11 before the election. Will there be any surprises inside . It is the eve of what is probably the governments last set piece before a general election, and speculation over tax cuts surroundsjeremy hunts budget. I asked rishi sunak ally, the former minister liam fox, whther it was time to unfreeze Tax Thresholds. Well, if i had my choice and if i were the chancellor, tomorrow that is what i would be doing. Well be asking labours Shadow Minister For Industry and decarbonisation whether a Labour Government would change the fiscal rules in order to cut taxes . Also tonight. It looks like its going to be a pretty Super Tuesday for donald trump, so can anyone or anything stop him in his tracks on the way to the republican nomination . Music the latest production at the birmingham rep. After Birmingham Council cuts its Culture Budget to zero, is austerity for the arts coming to a town near you . Well
Moving closer to russia, which happened after coups in neighbouring burkina faso and mali. Later, leaders from the 15 countries that make up the Economic Community of west african states, and the eight leaders from the west African Economic and monetary union, will meet to discuss their response. Brandon kendhammer is politics professor at Ohio University and expert on politics in west africa. Hejoins us now. Thank you and welcome to the programme. What is your take on what we are witnessing in niger right now . Right now . Good morning. I think what right now . Good morning. I think what we right now . Good morning. I think what we are right now . Good morning. I l think what we are witnessing right now . Good morning. I. Think what we are witnessing is likely the consolidation of any Military Regime. Enough time has passed now that we have a general sense of who was in charge or who would like to be in charge and while we have seen a fair bit of International Response at this point,
Has killed at least one civilian and wounded five. Officials said the missile hit an education centre. Earlier on President Putin spoke at the annual Navy Day Parade in st petersburg, the same city he was meeting african leaders. There was a flotilla of ships present and the russian president gave a speech in which he said the russian navy baguette that 30 new battleships and thanking naval trips for their services and the love of the motherland. Lets take a listen to some of putins speech. Translation patriotism is at the core of the particular Neighbour Culture which helps them fulfil the tasks and evokes pride among our people in the strong fleet. This pride proves that the people of russia can hold the power on the seas. Today, the Russian Fleet is solving the tasks of National Policy and increasing its strength. This year alone, 30 new battleships are joining the navy one of which has been named after a glorious seafarer and it is great that we have this tradition to give the name