The Southern State has long been a deeply conservative, republican stronghold. If the special Senate Election there has gone to a democrat, it would be the first time in a quarter of a century, and it has National Implications it could put at risk the slim republican majority in the senate. Looking into political history of alabama, it is extraordinary that this is even. Absolutely. This is a deeply red state in the deep south which it thought would not normally have thought twice about returning the republican candidate to the senate to succeed Jeff Sessions but those allegations of Sexual Misconduct conduct levelled against rory moore have turned everything on its head and have given a democratic rival, doug jones, everything to play for. The polls closed just over an hour ago and it is officially too close to call according to the news outlets here in the United States. The democrats have been working hard to get out the black vote in birmingham, asi get out the black vote in birmin
Close to call in alabama. These are the live pictures from montgomery. We are expecting the republican roy moore to come out. He is still slightly ahead in the counting of the democrat royjones. Mr moore has tried to brush off allegations of Sexual Misconduct. Alabama has long been a deeply conservative republican stronghold. If the special Senate Election there has gone to a democrat, it would be the first time in a quarter of a century and has national implications. It could put at risk the slim republican majority in the senate. That would make it harder for that would make it harderfor mr trump to do what he promised in his election campaign. This is a deeply read state in the deep south, which you would have thought would have normally not thought twice about returning the republican candidate to the senate, to succeed jeff sessions. But those allegations of Sexual Misconduct levelled against the republican candidate roy moore have turned everything on its head and have given the
In next years elections. His political rival is barred from standing. Counting votes in a light various president ial election liberias president ial election, where former footballer of the year is seeking the top job. And the former leader serving a long prison sentence for human rights abuses and corruption asks for forgiveness after receiving a president ial pardon. Im aware that the results produced by my government were well received by some, but i recognize that i let others down. To them i ask forgiveness from the bottom of my heart. And english footballer harry kane smashes a 22yearold record for most goals scored in a calendar year. Hello, and welcome to bbc world news. A group of russian electors have formally given their support to Vladimir Putin as a candidate in next years president ial election. Mr. Putin is seeking a fourth term in office and will run as an independent this time. He still needs 300,000 signatures before his nomination is confirmed. On monday, putins mai
Welcome to bbc news. A british woman has been sentenced to three years in prison in egypt after being found guilty of smuggling drugs into the country. Laura plummer, whos 33 and from hull, was arrested in october when 300 tablets of the painkiller tramadol were found in her suitcase. Daniela relph reports. Laura plummers family and friends say she is naive, not a criminal. But today the 33 year old shop workerfrom hull is beginning a three year sentence injail in egypt. Her mother, roberta, and her egyptian partner, omar caboo, have been at court to support her during the hearings this week. Laura plummer had been travelling to the red sea resort of hurghada to visit omar in october when she was stopped by the authorities. In her suitcase were 290 tramadol tablets, a painkiller which is legal on prescription in britain, but banned in egypt. She said the tablets were for her partner, who suffers from severe back pain, but she was arrested and has been held since then in a communal cell
Or because they promote extremism. Mrjohnson said in some of the cases debate is being stifled. A new regulator, the office for students, is to be given powers to uphold free speech. Emily unia reports. Jo johnson wants universities to open minds, not close them. He has criticised the practice of no platforming, when student unions and other University Groups ban speakers with what are seen as offensive or unacceptable views. Its vital we uphold this principle of legal freedom of speech because it is the real underpinning of how we progress of society, how we deepen our stock of knowledge, how we remain innovative and ultimately how we also resist injustices, how the rights of minorities to stand up and be counted and not suppressed are upheld. The minister wants young people to hear and challenge controversial opinions, a view shared by the vice chancellor of the university of buckingham. Universities must be about letting dialogue and debate happen, not suppress. If you suppress peop