Today we're talking about Russia's election, a major change to how realtors are paid,

updates on two of former President Trump's trials, and other top news for Monday March 18th.

Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the poor over today.

Here's the verse of the day.

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Proverbs 12.3.

Let's get started with some espresso shots.

Nearly 70% of eligible voters turned out from Friday to Sunday to vote in Russia's election in which President Vladimir Putin had no viable challenger and easily won his fifth six-year term.

The United States says the election was neither free nor fair.

Supporters of Putin's late critic Alexeiei Navalny, staged a noon against Putin protest,

sending a swell of thousands of voters to polling stations around noon.

Encouraged by Navalny's widow, the protest pushed Russians to vote against Putin, invalidate their ballot,

or leave in silent protest.

At least 74 people were arrested over the weekend for acts of dissent, like pouring

antiseptic dye into ballot boxes and throwing Molotov

cocktails.

If he serves out this term, Putin will overtake Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin as the longest serving leader of Russian territory in 200 years.

Just as many Americans view the outcomes of foreign elections with a certain level of detachment,

Christians view earthly political outcomes as secondary to the campaign of our eternal home,

where we hold our truest citizenship.

2 Corinthians 5 19 and 20 says God has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us.

...