A Russian state-owned television channel has a new weekly current affairs program devoted to President Vladimir Putin. aired on Sunday night, stressing the Russian president's work to address various crises and stay in touch with ordinary Russians. The Kremlin has consolidated its control over television stations since Putin came into office in 2000, and Putin's activities traditionally receive wide coverage on news programs on state television. Still, a weekly show devoted to news events as seen through the work of Putin is something new for Russia. The Russian leader's approval ratings sharply declined in July after the government proposed raising the ages for pension eligibility the previous month.

Source: ABC News September 03, 2018 13:46 UTC