The Guardian: Vladimir Putin secures record win in Russian presidential election
Putin wins 76.6% of vote with 67% turnout amid accusations of vote rigging and monitor abuse
Vladimir Putin is set for another six years in power after winning a record victory in Russia’s presidential election, despite opposition activists highlighting a number of cases of vote rigging.
Final results released on Monday morning showed Putin had won his fourth presidential term with 76.6% of the vote, his highest score ever.
The total number of ballots cast on Sunday for Putin, who has spent 18 years as Russia’s most powerful politician, exceeded 56.2m in overnight counting. That was a record total, even discounting the nearly 1m votes he gained as a result of the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria war: Afrin looted by Turkish-backed rebels. Turkey-led forces comb Syria's Afrin after ousting Kurds.
Kurdish fighters vow to fight Turkey army after Afrin withdrawal. Kurdish fighters vow to fight Turkey army after Afrin withdrawal.
Turkey warned over military offensive in Syria’s Afrin.
In Damascus, Syrians pray Ghouta offensive will end shelling nightmare.
Bashar al-Assad visits army in Eastern Ghouta as strikes continue.
Iraq establishes National Oil Company.
French consulate worker accused of smuggling arms to Palestine.
Mohammed bin Salman: Only death can stop me from ruling.
ASIA
N. Korea 'in talks to free US detainees' as diplomacy escalates.
Kim Jong-un has committed to denuclearisation, says South Korea.
Report: North Korea imported large amounts of diamonds, wine, cosmetics.
China promotes foreign minister, names new defence chief amid military expansion. China's Congress names key economic and defense officials in Cabinet reshuffle.
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi cancels Lowy Institute lecture.
China throws sinking Brunei a lifeline.
Japan PM Abe denies involvement in school scandal cover-up.
S. Korea prosecutors seek arrest of ex-president Lee.
New Caledonia to vote on independence from France in November.
AFRICA
Egypt military says 36 jihadists, 4 soldiers killed in Sinai.
S.Sudanese flee only to find unrest across the border. Living across the front lines in South Sudan.
AU launches ambitious bid for world's largest free trade area.
Lake Chad: 'Rate of its shrinking is getting faster'.
Italy seizes Spanish rescue boat that defied Libyan threats.
Zimbabwe stolen funds amnesty: Millions still to be returned.
After 2017 election, US poised to fight fake news - in Kenya.
Drought-stricken Cape Town counts the cost.
EUROPE
Putin calls for Russian unity after landslide election victory.
Russia election: Muted Western reaction to Putin victory.
Salisbury spy poisoning: Vladimir Putin rejects claims as 'nonsense'.
Kremlin's demand to Britain: Show proof of poisoning or apologize.
Russia: West just angry over advances in Syria.
Russian spy: EU offers solidarity over Salisbury poisoning case.
Brexit: Michel Barnier says draft transition treaty mostly agreed. The UK and EU agree terms for Brexit transition period.
AMERICAS
US gets tougher on Russia; new sanctions, accusations.
Trump tweets raise fears for Mueller but White House says he's safe. White House says Trump isn’t considering firing Mueller.
White House: Jeff Sessions' job is safe.
Austin Police chief: 4th bombing shows ‘different level of skill’.
Venezuela town issues own currency amid cash shortages.
6 months after Mexico quake some still camp outside homes.
For Puerto Rico, the return to business as usual is slow.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Jailbird jihadists, a security threat for Europe.
Voice chat app Zello turned a blind eye to Jihadis for years.
US tells Pakistan: Do more to wipe out terrorism.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
EU, US lawmakers scold Facebook, Trump-linked Cambridge Analytica.
German Economy Minister Altmaier warns against trade war ahead of trip to US.
Snowden: Facebook a ‘surveillance company’ that collects and sells user data.
