Russia’s Putin sets two records in landslide election victoryMarch 19, 2018 - 10:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian president Vladimir Putin won re-election after securing some 76.65% of votes with more than 90% counted on Sunday, March 18. 55 million Russian citizens voted for Putin in a widely expected outcome, with the overall turnout standing at 67%. Putin has thus set two records in the history of Russian elections after winning the vote by the largest margin of victory with the biggest number of ballots cast in his favor. None of the seven candidates who ran against him posed a threat, while opposition leader Alexei Navalny was barred from running. After the majority of the ballots were counted, Putin thanked voters for their support at a victory rally and said Russia had a great future ahead of it provided its people stayed united. His nearest challenger, Communist Party candidate Pavel Grudinin, got just 11.82%, while nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky got 5.68% . Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |