colonel gadhafi is pulling out all the stops to regain control of his country with fresh air strikes being reported american and british forces are on standby but locals fear the intervention will do more harm than good. conflict in reports and confusion coming from libya with the public unsure of what is happening meanwhile dozens of people have been killed in fish fighting and hundreds more injured join me for an update in a few moments from the changes in the libyan border.

egyptians are struggling to cope with their newfound freedom some are still celebrating others are demanding further change to make sure which scares tourists away costing the country millions of dollars in revenue. also reporting this fifty eight years since the death of joseph stalin but decades on his legacy still divides opinion speaks to a man who went from hero to labor camp prisoner the new role of the soviet leader. live from our studios here in central moscow this is r.t. with twenty four hours a day opposition strongholds are under attack as monarch gadhafi makes a major push to regain control over strategic parts of libya the fierce fighting has reportedly left seventy killed and three hundred wounded meanwhile two u.s. warships have departed their base in the mediterranean as part of

a military buildup around libya amid fears over possible intervention well it has put a smear is on the chin is in libyan border the latest fighting has left many wondering who is actually in control of the country's key areas what do we know about the situation across the border where you. well on saturday the libyan leader moammar gadhafi launched a fresh military offensive he's trying to retake some of the towns he's lost in the past eighteen days of fighting there were some seventy people killed those are the latest reports we're receiving and more than three hundred people injured with reports of its strikes and live ammunition and growing fears that libya is descending into civil war most of the fighting is seen to the east of the country around the town of zawiya which is some thirty kilometers from the capital tripoli and also in the oil rich port of north now in mustang of the latest reports there suggest that rebel leaders are in control slowly making their way towards the

capital city of tripoli in zawiya itself at drawn the gadhafi forces launched an attack they fired mortar shells they used machine guns and throughout most of saturday heavy fighting happened to their villages what we have from the rebel leaders themselves is that they remain in control inside of the town and we're hearing from government forces are bearing control around the perimeter now this is an important town because it is so close to the capital and if the rebels are able to maintain a presence there they will have a better chance of attacking tripoli it is interesting though that some of the pictures we're showing you here on our t.v. have actually been distributed by the gadhafi regime it's really trying hard to present its version of events it's using these pictures as proof that its forces are in control in most of these towns in the east it's very difficult to tell from these pictures in fact who is in control on the ground but it certainly is indicative that in addition to the fighting on the ground it certainly is a fight in the media and information war in terms of who is in control of what now

many of the media in europe and in the united states has been supporting the rebels there have been editorials in major american and european newspapers actually calling on the waist to support the rebels and attack gadhafi the latest word we hearing is that the western need. he is trying to portray the duffys forces as a losing and the opposition forces as winning but as you can see from these pictures it certainly is not clear who has the upper hand the gadhafi officials themselves are accusing western media of bias they say that some of the reporting is simply incorrect for example in earlier reports that gadhafi was firing on his own people and they are at pains to put across their point of view and say that their forces are in fact winning it is interesting to note their foreign journalists have actually been banned from entering libya since the attacks and the protests began so it's very difficult to get some kind of independent information out from there and also analysts who are putting forward the opinion of the western

media is so empty gadhafi because he has taken such a strong stand in the past against western interference in developing countries a poor u.s. you k. forces are now on high alert ready to step in at any moment according to reports now what does the the possibility of foreign intervention mean to the people you've been hearing from there. well the latest word from the british government is that it is confirming that it is considering and is on standby to deploy its forces within twenty four hours it says that these forces will be used for humanitarian and evacuation purposes and not for any kind of military intervention the latest word we have from the u.s. is that its two warships have left crease and according to a statement they issued they are part of the military buildup around libya now it's not clear exactly where they're heading but the suggestion there certainly does seem to be libya they have four hundred u.s. marines on board we also know that two american planes have landed in tunisia they

are reportedly very portable here for humanitarian efforts but people here are questioning this whole thesis of this whole argument that this international interference is for humanitarian purposes people here i'm talking to very worried that it's a convenient excuse for some kind of military intervention from countries abroad we also know that france and the united kingdom are putting pressure on the united nations security council to make a decision on a no fly zone that certainly is something that libyans here do not support as i found out when i spoke to people around the border this is the road out of libya but it's also the road a bit lines the pockets of hundreds of libyans who make their living selling fuel in tunisia fourteen times the price they paid back. the libyan leader after your work. on libya long live gadhafi let him stay in power for life

and as much as some may supported afy other libyans despise the united states. well the moment when i called the u.s. will not answer libya what rights they have they don't have a good. laugh and it is libyan for days he's been trying to get to the canadian side of the border to check up on his family who on the other side you know some of them have been injured the answer he says is not with foreign intervention. people libyan people they don't care was. another. guy really i mean like so much in libya the foreign nations seem to be giving a little concerned to what libyans themselves actually want a debate for a no fly zone is continuing and u.s. warships are sailing not far from the libyan coast there really come help libya not to be based help libya for the world so does the world this is probably. if the u.s. russia and other countries case involved in this time it seems like this used just

by ensuring the people here are against foreign involvement they know well the crisis is often paid for so-called humanitarian assistance history has shown that many children aid in any war zone is more often than not only disguised military aid during the war in bosnia it was discovered that u.n. trucks delivering aid were in fact transporting military equipment in afghanistan the very weapons america gave to the taliban in the early eighty's came back to haunt the u.s. army following its two thousand and one afghan invasion so it's no wonder libyans whether they support gadhafi or not are united on one issue they want the world and america in particular to stay out of the roof is policy r.t. . on the chin asean libyan border. well as the threat of u.s. intervention in libya looms closer some experts believe for action is now virtually imminent radio host stephen lemmon told me earlier that washington is directing the

crisis. the so-called cotton ball rolls are called old proposition for soldiers i bet lee these are individuals groups where there are a listed by america enlisted by enlisted maybe by france or of the western nations primarily you where's secondarily written to one desperate to put another one in this place and the libyan people i must say are a lot more savvy than americans are because they know what you wish in an engine meaning it's doing know what humanitarian means when america says we need to do this for you it has nothing to do with humanitarian aid nothing to do with democracy nothing to do with doping the people is to colonize them exploiting them steal your resources grew as the of people colonized the country by one means or

another even to be rid of the patient or read he's afghans no war. or set up a puppet go over who controls and call it out as a bad way but it's two weeks away in libya. well meanwhile in egypt crowds are calling for the death penalty to be handed to their former interior minister as he stands trial for corruption in cairo the country one of the first to erupt in popular protests the still reeling from the uprising off the president hosni mubarak was forced to step down in february and as obvious a kind of boycott reports life for many egyptians may be even harder than before. loading on freedom after decades of protest abstinence egyptians are tasting their newly found liberties still unable to get enough of with. even the resignation of hosni mubarak's close associate as prime minister one of the key demands of their position didn't take the steam out of their three squares rally in fact the number of ten c.

to residents seems to be getting even higher now as lee has been camping on the square for three weeks formerly a special needs educator she quit her job to be here and so far has no intention of looking for a new one we're going to stay here until all the demands of been met the demands are being met one by one but it's still the process is taking longer than expected the revolution is not yet over but it's already becoming a brown street vendors who paddled mubarak's portraits just two months ago have mel switched to the revolution in more a billionaire. a lot of people love revolution everyone wants to be a part of the largest selling world. means liberation in arabic i think the need for a square has become a focal point in anding mubarak's autocratic rule yet a few profiteering vendors notwithstanding the egyptian revolution comes at a high cost tahrir square is packed with protesters again only now instead of

resignation demands they're chanting celebrator slogans. the revolutionary intoxication about totally natural is costing each of millions of dollars every day branded as a symbol of free egypt cream square stands in a stark contrast to another egyptian attraction the slave build pyramids the rhine crowds have scary the way visitors lost revenues already exceeding one billion dollars usually a speech on military day before is a problem. is. facebook's afters a problem. many people here don't believe that kyra protests will significantly alter their life prospects for them freedom costs with their ability to feed their families that for now remains far from certain the business is growing very slow at the moment we have almost like five four seven percent of the clients and most of

them are coming from middle east none coming from europe it's not that they don't support their revolution they're just the first to discover it's bittersweet taste and to realize that revolutionary intoxication is almost always followed by a headache it's not like an artsy cairo we come from the russian capital a little later in the program ortiz close up to shows you a different side to one of the all the cities in russia. how people spice things up in the winter sports put yellow slobo on the map for the top tourist destinations have all the details for you in just a couple of minutes. but first fifty eight years after his death servant leader joseph stalin remains one of the most controversial political figures in history aboard an odd lies by some in his despised and scorned by others stalin that the country to victory in world war two but through the heroes who helped him do it into labor camps his preferences are of

a reports of his legacy and of hitler and the need a mussolini joseph stalin some of history's most notorious dictators who for years were adored by the people of their countries the cult of personality phenomenon has intrigue historians and psychologists alike. the simple sounding question of how one person exact situ influence over millions still does not have a simple answer. this is something that remind me of the stockholm syndrome in a way where. after you have been kidnapped processes by some bad person you start loving you the law is not the true law but it's a way to save yourself. to keep your balance ok

the circle people's father ruled the country with an iron fist and despite the terrors persecutions and executions he was almost worshipped. by the turn a soviet union entered the second world war stalin's personnel cult was at an all time high men and women all across the country were willing to lay down their lives for only believing that bravery and ultimately victory apparently them stalin's approval. there was twenty three when he returned home from the battlefields having survived dozens of attacks partisan missions and months in captivity he was proud to be coming back alive prompted a compilation of what comrade stalin had asked if. i remember being much for a small lottery instead of the local women were all standing on the street throwing things that i was doing and show things of stalin's bandits that's what they called the court isms and i remember feeling that sort of pride because being all leaders

bend it somehow it was close to him and we all wanted that but i had that feeling for a long time until i set things straight. in one hundred forty if there was accused of being a traitor and sentenced to twenty five years in a labor camp the charge was simple he survived captivity which to stan's mind meant he had sold out his country for his life no proof was necessary after three months of torture there was ready to sign any documents whatsoever. with their i refused to sign a so-called confessions with all the torture they would of me but then they said if you don't sign it will bring your parents here and i can let them go for this week so i agree a few months later i was on my way to the polar region in the real labor camp. eight years later and have returned home and the new secretary general of the soviet union denounced alan's personality called the man who had twice been named time magazine's person of the year had all his carefully sculpted glory taken away

. to this steve stoute evokes mixed emotions with his actions still being debated ensuring in some respect his personality cult still survives. catchiness are about r.t. not. on us time for other news making the headlines around the world at this stage of the day israeli soldiers used tear gas and smoke grenades against female palestinian protesters in an attempt to disperse them dozens of women along with international activists demonstrated in more than jerusalem calling for an end to the israeli occupation and i spoke activists say they were inspired by calls for democracy at the top autocratic leaders in egypt tunisia. the italian prime minister is a backer only troil facing alleged corruption charges persecutors claim that berlusconi is media and park which is television it's using offshore companies as part of attack storage is one of four trials that the italian leader is currently linked to including paying an underage prostitute the sex and abusing his power he

denies all the allegations. a shocking amateur video has emerged showing the brutality of the continuing political standoff in the ivory coast seven was shot dead while many of others were wounded on thursday pro-government forces opened fire at a rally against the incumbent president back but he's in to step down oftener than this election result he says at least three hundred sixty five people have died since. well as promised the latest now in our special series of travels across russia we're heading across to this time it's an historic city that's where our focus is and we've already seen it's historic architecture and culture but one thing we didn't talk about is its fascination with sports well arty's lindsey france want to check out how the region's landscapes are not just great to look at but to ride on as well. i everyone's going crazy for sports in the yarrow swaddle region of russia just ask the roster of professional

athletes speeding through the international ski federation's cross country world cup at germany a center winter sport and leisure situated on the pier steam banks of the volga river are poland's olympic gold medalist just schmoke pass the other women the first day of the races i know this is are going to race. conditionals but the feel of the classic but i feel split with the next was the men's phrase valentino tennis call by herself the first female cosmonaut was blocking the finish. in this area it's a great event of course i'm going to women steam to be even better than a tease but they did perform well we have a very glad for russia with over four hundred children enrolled here there are no offers the average middle class russian a chance to realize their dreams as a sportsman and offers the foreigner a chance to see this place what it really is. locals wanted to be the

new winter destination one that will fill the surrounding restaurants and hotels just as booking this this is a front desk of the city thousands of people come and spend their time here every year and we're short we expand opportunities because this will inevitably affect the number of people who can go in for sports in general and be in for winter sports and can secure. not far away in the historic march and city of pledge festivities are just getting underway to celebrate the winter during a season when most cities are pretty quiet these people are making a party of it not to buy new episodes that are all you know i've been i swimming for thirty years i love it there is no need for any of the home feel how to say no widespread no days. of massive down on the volga river powered moscow with buttresses they threw out world war two a collection of churches greek tourist spots on their first stop from moscow from the church of john the baptist to the church of prince dimitri on blood built in

commemoration of young prince dimitris gruesome death of fifteen ninety one the place is steeped in tradition but it has a way of breaking out of that shell back in time and now between the skiing and the snowmobiling which they were kind enough to teach me there waiting for a good burn the end of the world cup races a frightful wind storm the summer of two thousand and ten knocked down ninety percent of the surrounding forest locals retaliated by stacking the fallen wood twenty two meters high then registering it in the guinness book of world records they'll burn it into a massive bonfire after the final race now that is competitive sportsmanship in the jaroslav movie jim lindsey france r.t. . almost come out with more than andrews is on the way shortly but for that dimitris here with our weekend edition of the business news.

welcome to business our team is good to have your company this week the russian business community and supported a resolution on the issue of how t m k b.p. could participate in arctic exploration together with b.p. and what's next but b.p. shareholders have decided to postpone a decision so their next meeting and paris on march twelfth meanwhile prime minister putin said he was quote unaware that he could lay claims to participating in the project this is the first time the russian prime minister has commented on the widely discussed conflict between the russian british joint venture that b.p. but he added that he had every right to join such projects. those regions that we have a lot according to which all shelf exploration has been intrusted to rosneft and gazprom if team g.d.p. of the suitable conditions of corporations in either of these two companies why not amused. and blood from north capitol says flex its muscles during the upcoming

meeting. has to pay some dividends and part of this is the evidence. and they truly do believe because b.p. is a partner of fifteen thousand. may use the giver the new. tool to push b.p. to make a decision in conjunction with arctic explorer and project i don't think it's necessarily going to happen but that's what probably be the most powerful tool in the hands of. shareholders to press be deliberate decision on this. ruble is steadily strengthened over the past weeks largely due to rising oil prices but need a light bulb goes a from b. to b. capital predicts the russian currency could retreat towards the end of the year when the looming elections weigh in on investor confidence in our forecast for the end over the years twenty nine point three so very close to sortie but we think

that. i would for. make or will be in the second half of the year on the break off all these. political uncertainty for elections. right here's a closing picture for saturday's session in moscow trading was on as it's a working day out of the long weekend use of the public all day country on my six end of the session but there was not much movement as volumes were. triggers and the fact that global investors were on the weekend the outstanding performer of the session was mining company net still it was up three percent at the close that's several investment banks gave a positive outlook for the stock energy shares were positive as west texas crude rose another two in our dollars by the end of friday's session on tension in libya meanwhile telecoms were looking weaker than the market overall the week was pretty strong. high correlation to the market activity relative to the

escalating price of oil right now as well as increased correlation to the overall futures which have been rather volatile as well we've seen some rather pronounced movements especially in the blue chips as a result of these widespread price weeks or months of some of the more liquid means second cures overall turnover has been are understandably decimated and we do expect for this this trend with a month or more liquid names to be rather pronounced going forward into next week. the world's largest bellamy and producer roussel rejected north nichols offer to buy twenty percent of its shares for twelve point eight billion dollars but you must look at the more a bank says roussel c.e.o. tycoon alexander pascoe is not about to cede his stake while metal prices are enjoying high levels but since we believe the prime reason for him meaning a shareholder of neural sneakily is that. is highly bullish on the current commodity cycle so therefore we believe for as long as the middle prices will have

been strong the soul is likely to be as a shareholder in the rules however because we also believe that new rules will be generating a lot of excess cash this year and next year so therefore they'll have. a buying bag of shares from also as one of the very few opportunities which would actually create therefore i believe that there is a good chance that mary visit the dogs and well this the russian investment holding system is in talks to sell twenty five percent of oil giant best left to india's oil and natural gas corp the deal estimated at around two point three billion dollars could already be sealed by the end of march earlier it was reported in g c have long been considering a stake in yet when i am participating in the arctic will feels that the russian company acquired the rights to last year the indian state company already has a stake in russia's settling in one or the gas project in russia's far east. that's all from the business team for now the headlines are next on our team to stay with us.

the. camaraderie. can't come.

from. the big . we will. bring you the latest in science and technology from around russia. the future air coverage. in. the needs. and the radio in day in intensive no number for the fire as he goes on display in their costs. most dangerous. radiation that exists in the nature. of our cars

in the vicinity of known differentiated so that produces so much many changes including pantsuit leukemia. arising out of the immune system. you don't have to have a college degree going to have to pay for an education to understand that if you spread radioactive materials all over somebody's backyard that you've got a problem. wealthy british style seinfeld's. and. markets why not scandal. what's really happening to the global economy in the kinds of reports. in some pieces for the cheese available in. your old grand hotel emerald small cocoa.