| | | | | | | Hello. Russian President Vladimir Putin has won a fifth term in office, in a process described as neither free nor fair by those observing it from afar. Steve Rosenberg explores what is on the agenda of Russia's longest serving leader since Joseph Stalin. In Haiti, Will Grant speaks to a man who lost his business due to gang violence. Finally, BBC Future shares tips on how to improve your sleep, and we've taken a peek at St Patrick's Day celebrations around the world. |
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| | | | Top of the agenda | | A victory over no credible opponent |  | | Mr Putin said he would prioritise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in his victory speech. Credit: Getty Images |
| | Vladimir Putin has claimed an 87% majority in presidential elections that confirm him in power until at least 2030. The three other candidates had all been rubber-stamped by the Kremlin as any credible opposition was wiped from the political landscape, either ending up in jail, in exile or barred by the election commission. Supporters of Mr Putin’s chief critic Alexei Navalny, who died in a penal colony last month, took part in "Noon against Putin" protests in a number of Russian cities and at overseas polling stations. At least 80 protesters have been detained across Russia for "acts of vandalism" at polling stations. | | • | What's next for Russia: Mr Putin can claim a popular mandate for the war in Ukraine and for the direction in which he's leading Russia, writes Steve Rosenberg. | | • | Ukraine war: Russia's defence ministry reported destroying dozens of drones in several regions across the country, while in Ukraine officials reported a barrage of drones and missiles strikes against Odesa. | | • | Follow live: Germany's foreign ministry has called the vote in Russia a "pseudo-election" as world leaders react to Mr Putin's re-election. Get the latest. |
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| | | | | | | AT THE SCENE |  Cap-Haitien, Haiti | | A country in crisis | | With a surge of gang activity having plunged Haiti into chaos, those fleeing violence in the capital Port-au-Prince have sought refuge in Cap-Haitien, a coastal city in the north of the country. |  | | Will Grant, Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent |
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| | Phanel Pierre made the treacherous bus journey six months ago. It's almost impossible to pull yourself from poverty in Haiti, yet Phanel managed it. But becoming a middle-class businessman also made him a target for the gangs. They destroyed his business, ransacked his house and tried to kidnap him. In doing so, they plunged him and his family back into poverty. "This is just 2% of the life I used to live," he laments. "In fact, I'm not living, I'm just existing." |
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| | | | Beyond the headlines | | Leaving death row behind |  | | Those imprisoned in San Quentin's death row spend nearly all of the day in their cells. Credit: Getty Images. |
| | California's San Quentin prison currently has the largest death row in the US. Governor Gavin Newsom plans to transform the facility into a rehabilitation centre, moving the 533 death row inmates to standard prisons across the state. Madeline Halpert heard about their hopes and fears. | | | | |
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| | | | Something different | | Best sleep ever | | A guide to having a restful slumber, according to science and historical tricks. | | |
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| | | | And finally... | | From Tokyo to Chicago via, of course, Dublin, Irish communities across the world celebrated St Patrick's Day on 17 March. Take a look at the various parades, and let us know if you sported your best green outfit and joined the celebrations. |
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| | | | | | In History Newsletter | | The past comes to life through the BBC's unique audio, video and written archive, each Thursday. | | |
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| | | | More BBC newsletters | | • | Football Extra: Latest news, insights and gossip from the Premier League, weekdays. Subscribe. | | • | Royal Watch: The full story from royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, every Thursday. Subscribe. | | • | Tech Decoded: Timely, trusted tech news from global correspondents, twice-weekly. Subscribe. |
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