We hear how Ukrainians under Russian occupation are being forced to vote for Vladimir Putin.  Also on the programme: a former hostage who was taken by Hamas on 7 October and held captive for 54 days. And, four months after the general election took place, why has Gert Wilders been unable to become Prime Minister of the Netherlands, despite winning the most votes? (Photo: President Putin of Russia in a crowd of supporters. Credit: Getty Images)

Russia's stage-managed election

Interviews, news and analysis of the day's global events.

News

The ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas made by US President Joe Biden has received mixed reactions in Israel. The opposition has backed it but the two leading right-wing ministers have threatened to pull out of the coalition government if there is a deal.  Mexicans will go to the polls this Sunday after a violent campaign. We hear from Professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera in Mexico City; And cybersecurity expert Lisa McKee explains the consequences of the recent Ticketmaster data breach. (Picture: Protesters demand release of hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

President Biden’s plan for a ceasefire sparks division in Israel

South Africa is set to be governed by coalition after the ruling ANC loses its majority. With most results declared, the party has around 40%, its worst result for thirty years. It's now preparing to launch coalition talks with its rivals.  Also in the programme: a new saliva test for prostate cancer; and Boeing prepares for its Starliner launch to the International Space Station (Picture: First-time voter in Kwazulu Natal dons a green and black MK party t-shirt. Credit: BBC)

South Africa set to be governed by coalition

President Biden has called on Israel and Hamas to accept a new proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza. He said the three-phase approach - approved by Israeli officials - would initially involve a six-week ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. In his first response, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the war would only end with the elimination of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities.  Also in the programme: Donald Trump has confirmed he'll appeal against his historic criminal conviction, in a tirade that included attacks on the judge and his political opponents; and South Africa's governing ANC loses its parliamentary majority - so what's gone wrong in the thirty years since it swept to power amid a wave of optimism. (Image: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House on 31 May 2024. Credit: Reuters/Hockstein)

Biden outlines new Israeli proposal to end Gaza war

The US presidential election campaign has moved into uncharted territory, after the Republican presumptive candidate Donald Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records. The former president's criminal conviction does not prevent him from running - even if he's sentenced to jail. President Biden's campaign said the threat Mr Trump posed to America's democracy had never been greater - and the ballot box was the only way to keep him out of the White House. Many Republicans say the trial was a travesty of justice, and Mr Trump himself has claimed he is a political prisoner. Opinion polls before his conviction had the two candidates locked in a tight race.
 
Also in the programme: Germany joins the United States in saying it will allow Ukraine to use its weapons for limited strikes inside Russia; we'll hear from Moscow and from Kyiv.
 
(Photo: Former US President Donald Trump gestures to the media and the crowd outside Trump Tower after a jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in his criminal trial in New York, 30 May 2024. Credit: Peter Foley/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Trump rages at verdict as he's found guilty in historic case

President Biden has reportedly given the go-ahead to Ukraine to use its weaponry on targets within Russia as NATO foreign ministers meet in the Czech Republic to discuss the issue. We ask a NATO foreign minister what's changed.  Also in the programme, we hear from Mexico ahead of this weekend's elections; and world-record breaker Sophie Holmes shares her remarkable story of running 36 marathons in as many days. Photo: A Ukrainian soldier fires a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops in Kharkiv region, Ukraine Credit: REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy

Russia's stage-managed election

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