DW: Vladimir Putin wins Russian presidential election with more than 70 percent, exit polls show
Vladimir Putin has won the Russian presidential election, according to initial exit polls. While officials have reported strong turnout, Putin's political opponents claim there were numerous electoral violations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin won a landslide re-election victory on Sunday, garnering more than 70 percent of the vote, exit polls showed.
An exit poll by pollster VTsIOM showed the incumbent president had won 73.9 percent of the vote.
The former KGB spy has won about a three-fourths of the 50 percent of the votes counted, Russian media reported, citing Russia's Central Election Commission data.
Addressing his supporters at a victory rally in Moscow, Putin said the election result was a recognition of what had been achieved in the past few years, despite difficult conditions.
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MIDDLE EAST
Thousands more Syrians flee their homes as two battles rage.
Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army capture Afrin city. Turkish forces and Syrian allies drive Kurds from Afrin.
Rebels in Syria's eastern Ghouta discussing ceasefire with UN – statement .
Syria's Assad visits troops in battle-scarred Ghouta.
Iraqi lawmaker warns of “plots to expand U.S. military bases” in Iraq.
Israeli military destroys Gaza tunnel, underground military complex.
Israeli forces raid village of driver who killed two soldiers.
ASIA
Chinese president Xi Jinping re-appointed with no term limits.
China anti-corruption chief Wang Qishan named Xi Jinping's deputy. China's Congress reappoints Premier Li Keqiang and names new anti-graft watchdog.
China confirms anti-graft official’s position on military’s ruling body as war on corruption heats up.
North Korea's Kim 'taking stock' of Trump meet: SKorean official. South Korean diplomat says Kim has ‘given his word’ on nukes.
North Korea to meet informally with U.S., South Korea in Finland.
North Korean diplomats discuss denuclearization in Stockholm. Sweden, North Korea talks end, may help pave way for Trump-Kim encounter.
Taliban suicide bomber targets foreign contractors in Kabul.
Opium production in Afghanistan reaches record high.
ASEAN: Malaysian PM condemns inaction of Aung San Suu Kyi over Rohingya 'suffering'. Myanmar's Suu Kyi pressed on Rohingya crisis at ASEAN summit.
Aung San Suu Kyi: lawyers seek prosecution for crimes against humanity.
Sri Lanka violence: Nationwide state of emergency lifted.
AFRICA
Mauritius: Ameenah Gurib-Fakim resigns over credit card scandal.
Sierra Leone presidential poll set for Julius Maada Bio and Samura Kamara runoff.
Egypt election: President Sisi's re-election looms as contenders arrested, withdraw from the race.
Burundi sets May 17 for vote on contested reforms.
UN mission in DR Congo urged to play stronger role in polls.
Nigeria skips African summit in blow to free trade deal.
Somalia clans secure peace with death sentences and hefty fines.
UN backs 'free, fair, credible' July elections in Zimbabwe.
EUROPE
Russia election: Vladimir Putin wins by big margin.
UK finance, power and water on highest alert as threat of Russian cyber reprisal grows.
Russia spy poisoning: Czechs angrily reject Russia claims.
Spy poisoning: Russia stockpiling nerve agent, says Johnson.
UK lawmakers suggest postponing Brexit in committee report.
Kurds in Germany march against Turkey's 'massacre' in Afrin.
Merkel defends surplus as US threatens trade war.
Catalan independence: Puigdemont moots Swiss model 'attractive'.
AMERICAS
Donald Trump attacks Mueller's 'biased' Russia inquiry.
Republican lawmakers concerned by Facebook data leak.
Republican senator expects Trump to pull out of Iran deal: CBS.
Paul Ryan sold shares on same day as private briefing of banking crisis.
Peru president says he used offshore firm to legally avoid U.S. taxes: audio.
Maduro challenger shakes up Venezuela's presidential vote.
Canada: Saskatchewan would support Alberta's decision to turn off oil taps.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Syria: Al-Qaida and IS increasingly lose territory to Assad.
Militant threat emerges in Egyptian desert, opening new front in terrorism fight.
US vice president tells Pakistan to do more to combat terrorism.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
U.S. tariffs, China trade tensions overshadow G20 finance meeting.
US crude exports becoming bigger presence in global oil.
Investors in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies face hefty tax bills.
Tesla boss in line for mega-pay deal.
