Campaign begins for Russia's presidential election

Campaigning officially started on Monday for Russia's presidential election in March, in which President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win a fourth term that would keep him in power until 2024.Russian government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta published a resolution adopted by the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, scheduling the election for March 18.Putin, who was first elected to the presidency in 2000, is widely expected to sail to victory, cementing his status as Russia'