CNN 2008-03-03

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Hi, everyone, I'm Asieh Namdar at the cnn.com newsroom in Atlanta; here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

 Returns are coming in from Russia's presidential election and the results are not a surprise. Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's handpicked successor has a commanding lead over three underdog candidates. Even with just a small percentage of the votes counted, the Election Commission says he's garnered¹ 66% support. Official results are expected tomorrow.

 Venezuelan President Hugo Chaves has sent troops to his country's border with Colombia and ordered the closure of the Colombian embassy in Venezuela. Chaves is apparently² reacting to Colombia's joint³ operation in Ecuador that resulted in the death of a top rebel leader.

 The next four Presidential contests are just around the corner and the stakes are incredibly high for the Democrats⁴. Senator Hilary Clinton and rival Barack Obama are fighting for every vote in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island. Each of those states holds contest Tuesday.

 Meanwhile Mike Huckabee heads toward Tuesday's face-off against rival John McCain with an endorsement⁵ from the "Dallas Morning News". The paper described Huckabee as a progressive conservative with a pastor's heart.

 And a New York landmark⁶ back in business after a 400-million-dollar face lift, the Plaza⁷ Hotel first opened in 1907. It reopened yesterday after a three-year extensive renovation⁸. The posh new Plaza includes apartments and over 280 rooms. Staying there won't be cheap though, the rooms start at one thousand dollars a night.

Those are the headlines this hour, for more on these stories and other news of the day, CNN is your source on line, on TV or when you are on the go.