With Vladimir Putins opponents in exile, in prison or dead, like outspoken Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny, putins victory is practically certain. If mr putin serves out the full six year term hes likely to win, hell become the longest serving russian leader since catherine the great. Over the next half hour we will look at the impact of the election for those in russia, ukraine and around the world. But first, we start our coverage with this report from our russia editor, Steve Rosenberg in moscow. Russias democracy is the best in the world, the kremlin says. And at Polling Station 38 in moscow, we found a choice of candidates and plenty of voters. Democracy in action, right . Not quite. Realistically, only one man can win this. Vladimir putin the man whos been on russias political stage for the last quarter of a century. Vladimir putin faces no serious challenger. His fiercest rivals are in exile or in prison. Not that this woman, whose son is fighting in ukraine, wants any change a
Catherine the great. Over the next half hour we will look at the impact of the election for those in russia, ukraine and around the world. But first, we start our coverage with this report from our russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, in moscow. Russias democracy is the best in the world, the kremlin says. And at Polling Station 38 in moscow, we found a choice of candidates and plenty of voters. Democracy in action, right . Not quite. Realistically, only one man can win this. Vladimir putin the man whos been on russias political stage for the last quarter of a century. Vladimir putin faces no serious challenger. His fiercest rivals are in exile or in prison. Not that this woman, whose son is fighting in ukraine, wants any change at the top. Of course i voted for putin, she says. I trust him. But not everyone who came out today was actually voting. This, one of a string of attacks on Polling Stations across russia. They are unprecedented. After chaotic scenes here. An arsonist is detained. A
Manchester city could meet arsenal in the semifinals of the champions league. First, city will need to beat real madrid and arsenal, bayern munich. Good afternoon. The Chancellorjeremy Hunt says the Conservative Party good afternoon. The Chancellorjeremy Hunt says the Conservative Party is absolutely transparent about the donations it receives. But so far the party has neither confirmed nor denied reports its been given another £5 million by the businessman frank hester, on top of the ten million hes already donated. Mr hester has been widely accused of racism after allegedly saying the mp diane abbott makes him want to hate All Black Women. The tech boss apologised for making what he said rude comments about her. Heres our Political Correspondent hannah miller. Learning to use a camera on a visit to the university of sunderland, the chancellor and Prime Minister cant escape the glare of scrutiny over donations to the party. This week, they said that comments made by one of the conser
Were on the floor and the tear gas is coming. We need help. We wont be able to stay in this. Im here with about 20 people, including my daughter. We need help. My city, freetown, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and a mountain range. The natural landscape is beautiful. But i think freetonians are beautiful, too. People who deserve a lot more than theyre getting. Weve had war. Weve had corruption. And then we had ebola. Now were fighting for democratic freedoms. Ive been mayor of freetown for the past five years, during which time my party has been in opposition. I promised i would work to Transform Freetown. I know i can do more because ive spent five years with my hands tied behind my back, with investigation after investigation. And the government is the one that took me to the acc, Anti Corruption commission, to parliament, did a special audit. My tenure has been marked with probably the highest level of intimidation and harassment that any politician in recent years has experienc
From new york. Today on the program, the knesset votes to take away a key power of the Supreme Court. And as Benjamin Netanyahu urges calm, the nations Political Center and left erupt in anger. Ill talk to the New York Times tom friedman and with Emily Bazelon about the legal issues. Then, the secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on the good news and the bad news from americas Southern Border. Finally, did President Putin or gain power after prigozhins failed mutiny . Ill ask russian journalist in exile mikhail zygar. But first, here is my take. The Mystery Disappearance of chinas Foreign Minister is a timely reminder that the future of u. S. China relations about be determined not just by american policy, and what is happening domestically in the United States, such as the president ial election campaign, it will also be shaped by developments in china. Which at this point are opaque but troubling. From what outsiders could tell, china is reverting to a mild era style of