A group of prominent, controversial influencers made a visit to Russia this summer.

They included Andrew Tate, Candace Owens and British far-right anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson. They argue that Russia is upholding the traditional conservative values they fear are in decline at home.

It is certainly an image Vladimir Putin is keen to project. Two years ago Russia set up a special “shared values” visa, which makes it easier for Westerners to move to the country if they align with its supposed ‘traditional spiritual and moral beliefs’.

Russia claims thousands of Westerners have applied.

We speak to the BBC’s Dan Hardoon, whose documentary ‘The Russian Dream’ follows Westerners who have moved to Russia, and to Russia expert Mark Galeotti, host of the podcast In Moscow’s Shadows.

Listen to Dan Hardoon’s BBC documentary, ‘The Russian Dream’:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-russian-dream/id73802620?i=1000773196519

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Hundreds of people have lost their homes and thousands more have been evacuated from the path of extreme wildfires in and around Spokane, in the US state of Washington.

Officials say it’s currently the biggest wildfire emergency in the United States, and among the worst disasters in the city’s history.

Washington’s governor Ben Ferguson said he’s spoken with President Trump, who, he says, expressed concern about the situation.

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About 49000 migrants have crossed into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in the last 24 hours, officials …

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It began with a fear familiar to millions of young Indians: if the examinations that determine their future cannot be trusted, what can?

Weeks later, tens of thousands of young men and women tried to march on India’s parliament. Police responded with tear gas and baton charges. Thousands more have returned to the streets in the days since.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement, which started out as a meme on social media, born out of anger over repeated examination paper leaks, quickly became India’s biggest student mobilisation in years.

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Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian targets have ramped up in recent months, as Ukrainian air defences are increasingly tested.

At least 17 people were killed in the Kyiv region overnight in a large-scale attack, with dozens more injured.

But did you know many of the weapons inflicting the damage include components made in Western countries including the US, UK and Germany?

The Security Brief’s Mikey Kay, a former Senior Officer in the British Military, explains.

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