a string of suicide bombings leaves dozens dead in damascus as arab league observers enter syria to try and work out a peaceful end to the country's internal conflict. just days after the pullout of u.s. troops the iraqi government plunges deeper into a political crisis following a bombing way back claimed more than seventy lives. and big brother is coming he could be in your british taxi human rights activists fight the surge of surveillance cameras which are now to be installed in every taxi in the city of oxford they record not just video but audio as well.

mary warm welcome to you on karen tara thank you for joining us over forty people have been killed and more than one hundred wounded after a double suicide blast rocked the syrian capital it's the first incident of its kind since the uprising began in march authorities say al qaeda is responsible for the attack this comes as the first group of arab league observers arrives to try and work out a peaceful solution to the country's conflict russia supports this mission but the u.s. and its allies have blocked a u.n. security council statement in favor of the observers moscow's envoy to the u.n. expressed regret over the west's refusal to cooperate. this is straightforward text god isn't a commendation and support and appreciation of the efforts of the arabic and a pretty straightforward. expression of attention that it will help to put an end

to whelan's unfortunately i can tell you that a number of members of the security council objected to hold up this is a little strange and of the difficulties we encounter in working on the security council because when we try to do something positive will inevitably be met with all sorts of concerns about balance why didn't you include this why didn't you do that and it brings us to two to square one in the entire conversation the arab league observers mission to damascus policy syrian membership the organization being suspended but jordan based professor and journalist. thinks the league should be lecturing another arab country talking about reforms in syria especially when this kind of talk is coming from out of gulf states where. even the constitution of . our freedom of the media or the are that i to organize and political parties or organizations so this is this is just nonsense i mean when when someone who

lacks the very basic tenets of democracy is preaching to syria or other arab states that are in the pendant or somewhat untie imperialist about democracy which that's what the senators said we are going along with our reforms on our agenda and our time and we we need to see what those states have in the way of reform before they start preaching to us about reform this is obviously. an sos and say that has been instigated by night so and it's cronies and the outer world. syrian government troops allegedly gunned down hundreds of civilians this week the west is pushing for an end to the crackdown but refuses to acknowledge that the opposition is also armed that's despite a legion of army deserters now fighting against president assad as artists are further reported from syria international monitors are in for a tough job trying to put

a peace plan into action. so the advanced arab league team is now in damascus they have of course to pave the way for the observer mission that is expected at the end of the month they're going to be looking at the government's promises to implement that peace plan now of course many people here in the country extremely skeptical about whether or not any real change is going to come from that arab league observers mission entering here a big concern is whether they're going to be able to cover enough rounds to get to the places where the colds and try to conflict is actually happening now that's been a real problem here in the country was we've been here for the past week actually getting to these areas accessing these people that are on the ground where the armed conflict is breaking out has proven extremely difficult but getting accurate information and verifying it full stop has been a major challenge we visited the city of homs and there you can hear the gunfire

ringing out in the distance but ahead of the arab league team arriving here in the country we've heard very harrowing reports of violence breaking out of civilians that in fact they seemed if anything to being creasing of course putting around two hundred people having been killed in the past three days and as the conflict continues what we are seeing is this becoming both sides seemingly increasingly increasingly bloody certainly that team of observers are really going to have their work cut out for the everyone is going to be very much are you paying this some form of change can now be a vote about that this is going to be an important step in the right direction but do remember it is of course just one step in many many more that are going to need to be taken before you see the situation here in syria coming down. coming our way this hour the latest edition of our special feature focusing on two thousand and eleven thomas talks about the extreme grief and pain that he witnessed when

covering the plane crash that killed the entire lokomotiv hockey team. i remember we were out at the scene when it was pouring down rain it was in the middle of the day we saw this one player in new jersey walking with two of his friends in this moment of shock in this very rare and very well moment that was very special that he shared some of his feelings and his thoughts with us in a time when he was just processing what was going on. witnesses. to history in the making. testimony. ten stories that shapes two thousand and eleven on our t.v. . and baghdad a crisis talks between iraq's political leaders were canceled on friday following a dispute in which prime minister nouri al maliki was blamed by the opposition for the recent violence money came in while a shiite has called for his sunni dip deputy saleh luck to be sacked this follows

an attack on thursday where seventy two people were killed and nearly two hundred injured in a series of blasts across baghdad the atrocity the us troops pull out by just a few days the u.s. administration insists it left behind a stable country nine years after launching the invasion but joseph kish or a writer for the world socialist thanks the latest flare ups in the region are a product of the occupation. this was not about you know securing iraq and giving it freedom it was about securing resources and in the process. so sectarian tensions devastated the entire society and this is really the product of that you have different factions of the iraqi elite who are battling over power over control over resources including particular oil contracts and threatens to

unravel into a civil war that conflict the violence in iraq is very much a product of the occupation itself and you know that's really the source of the crisis facing iraqi politics and iraqi society i mean look at what what does occupation has produced over one million people killed by some estimates thirty five percent of iraqi children. living doll is orphans just nation of infrastructure the entire society has been scarred by this occupation by this war. now it's time to take a look at some of the major events that shaped the year of two thousand and eleven through the eyes of r.t. correspondents who covered them today we focus on the fatal plane crash that wiped out the entire locomotive level hockey team and to russia sean thomas shares some of the thoughts and memories that didn't make it into his previous reports.

you were hearing it on the radio in fact in the taxi on the way to work you know they were they were listening to it when everybody was it was just hitting them the gravity of what happened but. this was much bigger than a plane crash it was much bigger than russia it was a worldwide event. as you got to jaroslava you felt that the personal connection of everyone in the town to the team. there was anger. frustration. there were tears. the outpouring of support from everyone in the place flowers and picture. and stuffed animals and light candles in front of the stadium where. it was just amazing to see such an outpouring of support.

every season. we were seen and it was pouring down rain in the middle of the day my glasses were just. as soon as we finished our live shot we saw this. with two of his friends moment of shock in this very. very special that he shared some of his feelings and his thoughts with us when he was just processing what was going on. the entire community rallied around this team and speaking to the individual members of the community the fans the people who really felt like they knew every single one of these players. it's the most serious loss of my life like losing family. they were like the graphic images

in covering this story. images of the plane. of. the actual crash site one of the survivors who. was one of the stars of the team. that he passed away just taking the hope. the desire. players really rallied and were on the ice the very next day. after the plane crash while there were funeral services and while there were rallies there were players on the ice ready to rebuild the jaroslav a locomotive team so that there could be a team in the future and that was an inspiration. every day right up to the new year will bring you more personal reflections from

our correspondents who've covered the year's biggest stories and if you can't wait you can also watch them now on our web site r t dot com also online research irony it's the stuff blockbuster movies but this is a real scientists may have accidently developed the ultimate bio weapon in search for a formula to cure the flu. turkey has accused france of genocide during the colonel up occupation of algeria this comes after the lower house of the french parliament approved legislation making it a crime to publicly deny the turkish genocide of armenians in the early twentieth century the bill imposes a forty five thousand euro fine and a one year jail sentence for offenders but still needs to be approved by the senate turkish protesters took to the streets of on kada and a stumble to voice their anger over the legislation turkey has already recalled its ambassador from france and halted all military ties with paris more than fifteen

countries have recognized the slaughter of around one point five million armenians as genocide but turkey denies the claims turkish prime minister at the dawn said the bill is an example of how racism and anti muslim sentiment has ingolf to europe and france care good laying out a professor of political science at paris western university thinks france's move is just a way of scoring political points. first of all you have to realize that it's a build going through the lower house. and then it has to go to the senate. most probably it would not go to the senate before the presidential election and maybe it would die out you know all the ins so little belittle game is played by various political parties. there is historical debate genocide is not going down there was a genocide and there's also the political games being played by various parties do you get the you know i mean invoked in the french elections every nation has to investigate its crimes in the past but establishing historical truth is the work of

the story and it is not something that should be done and established by law you better watch what you say especially if you're set to ride in an oxford taxi authorities and the british city have decided to install an audio and video surveillance system in every cab by two thousand and fifteen but u.k. activists are outraged by the decision calling it a staggering invasion of privacy and claim people's rights will be violated artie's laura smith has more. in oxford surveillance cameras everywhere and now in a city council scheme taxis will become the latest targets of state bugging operations over the next few years license cabs will be required to install equipment monitoring both driver and passenger it's a fact of life in towns and cities across the u.k. that you'll being watched wherever you go on the high street in shops on public

transport the surveillance along this stretch of street will only record images but the systems in taxis will record sound to effectively eavesdropping on the conversations of private citizens who fear for their security late at night or reassured others see it as a staggering invasion of privacy i think is good idea i think it will make people feel a bit safer it's amazing and pretty same advice you have to talk enticing just like chatty friends and not be recorded you've got to get. a lot of pressure on people. day and night recording will stop when the car engine switched on and end thirty minutes after it's turned off the council says footage will only be available to police for ongoing investigations i don't believe that it will be. let's remember this is not someone's front room this is not some of his bedroom

this is the back of a taxi with a driver in the front seat who will be able to overhear any conversation but you're having with a passenger or someone on fire previously campaigners on the other hand can't understand how the council can justify this and accuse them of refusing to hand over statistics on taxi related crime. threats which exist that requires them to record not just video but the conversation of. passengers we simply don't accept that the first is greater toward everybody recorded indiscriminately rather the for example a panic button system big and see how it treats everybody as potential criminals. treating everybody. and while the council says it has the support of cap is many at the local firm object to the blanket approach if people.

going to be. moving towards. whoa that is you know for me. but city council doesn't think it's going to have any trouble pushing this measure through but prissy campaign is see it differently they're launching a complaint with an independent data protection body to try and stop what they see as the further creeping encroachments of the state's prying eyes and ears into innocent people's lives laura smith. that's the main news for you this hour i'll be back with the headlines in just about ten minutes time now as sort of calls is coming to town the moscow team takes an inside look at the final preparations for a unique christmas and russia's capital stay with. us

. hello welcome merry christmas like. the christmas

holidays it's a long. race in here but still some people everything. including that one crucial. the good old. tree. and the new year period. this happens much later as christmas in the country's most widely celebrated on january the seventh. day the first christmas. as a more important holiday and is the day when. presidents. it was. fifteen years ago. christmas day will. be. here

seoul. expecting a lot of customers here christmas day. you buy a tray the choice is online companies shops and. temporary warehouses like this one for the demand. when it comes to choosing a christmas tree as it's called in russia people are increasingly divided between those who want for comedians artificial tree. to have the genuine one each has its own. an artificial train is much cheaper i can be wheeled out of the year and doesn't drop needles on the floor. artificial trees are in fact dangerous be used to decorate streets offices but not hundreds when you play such a train it might release some dangerous chemicals while authentic pine in furniture is produced natural antibacterial substances which can help kill. real fur trees if grown especially christmas environmentally friendly choosing a tree can be

a great fun family occasion coming in all shapes and sizes you know two real ones are of the same the problem now is transporting it back home and great work outs and then comes the fun part the decoration. time for christmas shopping now and there are hundreds of last minute places to shop in moscow for markets to discount stores all price ranges covered however if you want a grand christmas experience take a look at this next location the do department store. the spectacular fountain centerpiece has been covered by a huge model of a christmas carousel the cherry on top of the cake is a gigantic slide with children of all ages and enjoy. everywhere you look all decorations christmas trees impressive garlands festive

silhouettes and sparkling lights. well talk about the makeup of this place that's about six in the run up to christmas and the new period is going to set a quota all the stops we got in the decorations this year situated right next to red square it was the best place to get into the festive mood all simply have a watch there's even a christmas band if you. d.c. band members dress in a typical because shoes that represent the russian father christmas jed narrows playing out soviet russian and international christmas hits he creates a wonderful atmosphere and visual feast to shop as he passes by. we have on a group or from using from various countries here at groom to create

a special festive atmosphere for all shoppers we want to wish everyone happiness health and wealth in the new year. is certainly one of the most glamorous stores in russia what else can you expect from a mall that stands right next to the kremlin known for its expensive shops a display of decorated trees the source of being set up the she's being designed by luxury a popular brand such as christian dior at a mass of quito is very interesting how a fast ornament can look so different there are some great designs here. shopping for the ones you love is a great thrill although not for your wallets. bags in hand i'm full of the festive mood moscow during the holiday season never fails to impress if it's a real winter wonderland experience here was this is the place to come. moving on and what major focus of activities or occasions i was mentioning in the

russian capital. one of the most sought after productions in the country is the performance of the not kaka ballet at the bolshoi theatre. written at the end of the nineteenth century by the outstanding wishing composer peer through tchaikovsky the ballot has been performed in the bolshoi stage for decades tickets for the show on the as eve are sold out months in advance and prices on the black market could be as high as thousands of dollars a true new year is true. for those who are not lucky to get to the thirty first december there is another quite popular way into the new year. in fact celebrating the holiday with family and friends at home is a widely followed tradition in russia several hours before the clock strikes midnight people start creating various dishes with salad being among the highlights the president addresses the nation on t.v. everyone raises a glass of champagne and makes

a wish of criminal charges. while some prefer to watch the fireworks and celebrations on at others professor venture to moscow's red square full of thousands of excited muscovites tourists and this is his it's application to meet in. the heart of the russian capital. there are various films around the world that have become associated with the festive season in russia is the romantic nineteen seventy five comedy called the irony of fate or enjoy your bath title yes. it's based on the similarity of houses in the soviet times how many people across the country lived in similar blocks main character travels from moscow to st petersburg by mistake and finds. just like the sound the musical many people in the west millions of russians watch this film and have to the decades. arriving at our final location although moscow's

ever changing restaurant scene is busy throughout the whole year it's clear things are certainly stepped up for the various holiday periods special fiends nights best events celebrity gatherings elite parties and decorations. and at the top of smolinski a new restaurant called white rabbit aims to be the highest flier in the new flock of moscow restaurants that have taken to the skies. you know one thing i love about living in a swanky developing rest. seriously is now one of the best in the world and over the past six years that i've lived here a whole range of spectacular eateries have opened and closed it now seems that many of them are battling it out against each other to become the highest and most glamorous the entire city. views of the capital's skyline offering incredible images of high rises. on the.

impressive to say the least. views of course. prices but it's christmas. celebrate in the restaurants casual atmosphere. at home. is the ideal. christmas. turkey. it's very tasty an aromatic served. with cheesy cream crunchy parsley and white truffle oil. christmas in. public who celebrated much of the twentieth century but now with the festivities turns fifty the first. it's clear the whole country is. huge. and whether you rejoice in

a christmas merry. capital is one of the leading cultural hotspots in the world. a fantastic choice of events and attractions and didn't use the experience. of christmas in moscow though since an. incredible. fortunately that's that's how we have left on this week's program i'll see you again at the same time next week for me and the rest of the crew goodbye a very merry christmas.

welcome to the future new year's wishes on technology updates next generation places made from super strong cultural lightweight building materials was helpful with the help of nuclear isotopes a cleaner planet seems to be a revolutionary way to get rid of our growing man kills and a long list of known russian invaders. the central. on the money with the business of russia is busy. here in bygone days dogsleds were vital to get around. but today they're more leisure than lifeline.