>> to persecute someone who told the truth. >> edward snowden speaks out about the witchhunt on fellow whistleblowers, as wiki releases the first information in months. the world against so-called frankenfood, hundreds taking to the streets in protest of the gm giants, monsanto. and u.s. politicians acre over the budget, and the government shutdown continues.

a cancer patient is among hundreds being denied treatment because of the deadlock in washington. >> it is a matter of life and death, not a matter of inconvenience. we need to straighten this out. >> live from our studio center in moscow, this is rt. the video has surfaced of a wanted man, edward snowden. he was shown walking out of the airport after he was granted asylum in russia. this is a after and nsa operative was given an award for intelligence. we have the details. >> the nsa whistleblower was

very passionate in talking about the problem of government surveillance in the united states. he said the issue was not any specific spying program, rather the relationship between united states and the american people, seen as increasingly coming into conflict with democratic values, and they also lashed out against the whistleblowers, talking about misplaced priorities. >> our relationship with the government, where we have an executive that is unwilling to prosecute, who lied to congress, but they will stop at nothing to persecute someone who told them the truth. >> these were marks were made at a ceremony right here in moscow at an undisclosed location. and this award was presented to him by a group of prominent

american whistleblowers and former government officials. they join rt for an in-depth discussion on thursday. this is the first time we have been able to catch a glimpse of snowden after a silent. we saw him back in july, and there have been questions about the state of those who worked with him, and, of course, that is a worry that was expressed by the wikileaks founder julian assange. >> as we know, the newspaper was rated. a formal investigation, a formal terrorism investigation has started up. correct there you have it, julian assange describing a difficult climate for whistleblowers and those who help them. meanwhile, we are told that he has no regrets about what he did and believe it was the right decision. >> it has been an eventful week

for edward snowden, between reunited with his father and receiving the award. you can stay updated on the latest developments on the whistleblower. people around the world are venting their anger at genetically modified food producer monsanto. it is said these could be a danger to humans, even resulting in death. they were looking at influence in safety research and monopolizing the industry. room australia to europe, hundreds of cities across six countries have witnessed demonstrations. in the u.s., thousands have joined marches, many of which are still underway. our reporter is in washington with the latest for us. >> across the u.s. coming many took art in the second organized march against the agricultural giant monsanto, rallying against

the company using genetically modified organisms and trying to raise awareness about its practices. some told us that even though the government is shut down, monsanto lobbyists are busy at work. they were holding anti-gmo signs, and we were looking at what exactly genetically modified foods are. the protest began with activist going into worse restorers and retailers, trying to raise awareness about controversial insecticides which affect the nervous system and which have reportedly been linked to deaths. they then made their way to the white house, and all sorts of activists, even young children, organic armors, caterers, chefs, so all lot of people, even veterans showing up to talk about the dangers, and they then began to march and made their

way to the imf, the world bank, and eventually to the opposite is in washington, and ec, and across los angeles, portland, and denver, orlando, just to name a few, cymer role -- similar situations, and there was organizers who were saying this is just the beginning, that momentum is going to pick up and continue their fight against the gmo giants, monsanto. reporting live from washington,rt. >> activists are protesting against the potentially harmful products, they say it has effects. we take a closer look.p>> approl processed foods contain genetically modified organisms. gmo is an acronym that knows

it's notoriety. a multinational corporation, generating criticism revolving around the safety of its products and the growing monopoly over the world food supply. >> they are able to patent the genetically modified seed, so they can only lease the seeds and cannot save them. >> there are dozens of health risks associated with the consumption of modified foods, and the majority of americans have campaigned for the gmo foods to be labeled, just like these organic fruits are labeled, but so far, the will of the people has been silenced by monsanto. according to a website, the company spent nearly $6 million lobbying federal lawmakers and the payoff game this year with the passing of the so-called monsanto protection act.

it gives companies immunity in lawsuits pertaining to the reduction and sale of genetically modified seeds. >> at the table rather than farm to table. >> the agriculture giant will recently -- recently for just a company that serves climate data. 100 $30 million. it was not a problem for monsanto, which grew to billions in revenue last year, but there were fears about modified foods that came along, and monsanto is already in business. it helped to bring agent orange and terminator seeds to the market. it was used during the military situation in the vietnam war. the effects are still being felt today. vietnam says some children have

suffered some birth defects related to the herbicide. the current practices have ignited protests around the globe. millions are taking to the street. and there are genetically engineered products, or not selling them at all. rt, new york. >> they claim that operations like monsanto pressure governments worldwide to get their products on the market. >> these are raising awareness about the issue and bringing awareness not only about monsanto but other chemical companies that have become major agribusiness on capitol hill. we see an overwhelming influence in governments, and that has to do with money. the top 53% of seeds are owned

by just a handful of the major agribusiness chemical companies, and they have tremendous influence in politics and millions upon millions of dollars to spend to assure that their products get sped through reviews, and, for instance, not labeling genetially modified foods. >> there is more online, and there is also analysis waiting for you. and still ahead this hour, the panic attack. claim is moved that the deadliest civil war in syria has left people without food and supplies. plus, a new book is published. it lists the worst places in the u.k. and the number one place you do not want to be if you are in britain. that is coming up, after the break.

>> the news continues here on rt. the u.s. illustration is in deadlock about raising the debt limit. president obama is calling for a long-term solution. here is what the white house has to say. >> this is the only way to extend it, as part of the budget negotiation process, which would put us back in the same position we are in now.

>> meanwhile, the government remains in shut down. there are workers on unpaid leave. this was for the health care program known as obamacare. some are being denied treatment. some have summed this up to rt. >> 200 people are trying to get into nih each week, and it is a matter of life or death. it is not a matter of inconvenience or irritation. we need this treatment. >> michelle was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare form, and after chemotherapy, she applied for additional treatment at the national institutes of health, but the government shutdown took effect. we asked michelle what she would like to say to those politicians in washington, whose bickering set off the deadlock.

>> i have heard incidents where this is just a game, and i would like to say it is not a matter of win or lose. please listen to the people and know that it is affecting so many in need of help. >> negotiations on afghan security have left john kerry with a lot to celebrate. washington wants to take the lead in running counterterrorism missions after 2014, with bases around the country. from the executive intelligence review, he says they are likely to meet closer -- to move closer to their neighbors. >> he will not be the president in 2014.

and he wants an agreement from the united states that they will defend them. after we have been in afghanistan, this left the country in no better shape. no policy for the future of afghanistan. right now, they are increasing growth, this is during the period of the occupation of the west, and therefore, this is more than before the invasion started. as i was saying, it would lie with the leadership, and this would go with this phil road corridor, and that includes the countries of iran, india, pakistan, and this would be an different approach to the

policies that have been there for years. >> since 9/11, america has had increased security, but it does not necessarily make people feel safe, and terrorists around every corner. that will be in about 10 minutes from now. >> a flight from d.c. to orlando hosted what can only be described as a terrorist dry run. take a look. >> crew members say that shortly after takeoff, a number of middle eastern men caused commotion, and they say one of the men ran from his seat. he made a hard left and entered the bathroom for a considerable length of time. >> the reason stories like this gain traction in the first place is because of fear, and by that,

i mean anybody who looks brown, and to prove my point, what really went down. >> this is amazing. >> i think you get the idea. >> and that is coming your way in about 10 minutes from now here on rt. and buckingham palace and saint halls cathedral. britain's worst town, according to those identifying the 15 least desirable locations. the man behind the accolade on why it did so badly.

>> it is a drizzly, dreary, dingy day, typical op over whether, which makes it a perfect day for me to tell you that london has been voted the worst area in the u.k., despite the fact that within one miles radius is the parliament, westminster abbey, and other very famous landmarks. this links the 50 worst places to be in the u.k., and i do not know how. london, i can think of the 10 worst places. >> there are all kinds of criteria. having your nose jammed into

somebody else's armpit for a long. keeper of time, it is, in fact, that the center of london has been hollowed out and only millionaires can afford to stay there or doctors can, and there is also a lot of anger from london with the banking crisis, which is all centered on this, and we are told that subsequently, only london really seems to be getting benefits, and there is the housing bubble. it is made to make them laugh. it does aim to provoke some anger and getting people to think about how we treat them and how we live. we start a serious conversation. >> it is easy to see on a day like today why london may not be everybody's idea of paradise. visitors from the outside say it is incredibly expensive to

visit. the transport system is not very reliable, and people are very rude. it might just be possible for london to pick up its behavior in the next 10 years and become not quite so awful. >> reporting from the city quite literally under a cloud. online, we have got some stunning video, including this. >> holy smokes. >> the good news, the driver of the truck managed to get out just minutes before a train smashed into it. you can check out the full video and find out exactly what happened and where. plus, on rt.com, some things that could've been snooped on by the nsa, and one wants to challenge an internet giant in court.

>> talking about edward snowden, some believe he is a hero, and others believe he is not. >> he wants to be truthful to the american people, that he believes and loves his country, america, so strongly. i hope that if i have the urge to do the same thing --

>> coming up, 22 minutes past the hour in the russian capital, and time now for our world update. a cyclone has hit eastern india, battering its coastline with heavy rain and winds, causing hundreds of thousands to move in land in search of shelter. and the indian ocean is considered a hot spot for such cyclones, killing thousands of people previously. and dramatic pictures of operations in the mediterranean. a boat carrying african migrants sank off the coast of sicily on friday. as you can see, the majority on board were rescued and transferred to land by maltese ships. and there was another situation where people drowned.

and finally in our world update, hitting the syrian capital of damascus, killing an eight-year- old girl. one of the shells went by a nearby school. and chemical weapons inspectors are staying there. about 1000 tons of toxins by 2014. and meanwhile, with international strikes against serious now on hold, and this has always been one of the main arguments for russ stern states to intervene monetarily. we went to see what life is really like in damascus. >> we have been able to make progress on the issue. on the humanitarian issue. >> echoing across the west.

>> this is on track to be the biggest humanitarian crises. >> this is building into the one of the great humanitarian crises on the face of the planet. >> no, this is not true. we have enough food. >> tens of thousands are churned out each day. the machine is working six days a week. >> there is enough for another 15. >> shoppers say in the two years, there have never been any shortages. >> our warehouses are always full. >> they were shocked to find

local stores are full. >> i thought there would be nothing. nothing to eat. fruit, bread, vegetables. >> most people are going about their daily routine. there are hardships to pick it in the press. but one it comes -- when it comes to shortages, lines like this articulating at gas stations around the country, caused by sanctions imposed the united states and the european union. the very countries that are calling for humanitarian intervention. >> the syrian people need intervention, even for the small things they are using for their own objectives, like bread. >> the psychological war, the

battle of perceptions over reality is likely to be fought for as long if not longer than those taking up arms. damascus. >> i will be back him and the new steam will be back with you in just over half an hours time, and as promised earlier in the program, stay with us if you can.