when christmas has come for the millions of orthodox christians about that. if you intend open celebrations by attending additional midnight nights. next we explore rome with a russian flavor as we take a look at their cultural connections. hello and welcome to the program from architecture to music russians have been fascinated with italian culture for centuries and today they come here in the tens of thousands in search of everything from fabulous fashion to the world of italian cuisine so joining a lot of andrews as we explore various locations connected with russia one of the

most historic and beautiful cities in the world right. the colosseum is one of the main symbols of the roman empire it stands proud in the city after almost two thousand years actually called the floppy to be fitter it was given the name of a colossal statue of nero that was later destroyed beneath the hundreds of tourists from all over the world including many russians the glorious history architecture food style and the climate are all reasons why rome a superior especially with modern day muscovites. i live in moscow and i think that roman moscow have many things in common and are really great cities street in rome full of history coming to all my life it's really an eternal city i enjoy an impressive architecture. it is this is a nation with a witch and the nation history and many russians are very much into history they

like to study it and that's why they like rome so much i was born and grew up in most cases and when i first came to rome more than ten years ago i had culture shock i was so impressed with its magnificence and its history over the. the largest country in the world. share many similarities as they both made a huge impact on the global and culture scene the last few centuries especially. appreciation of the cultural importance and today both countries creative worlds flourish because each of those influences showcasing classical music literature and art. moving on and to the i mean shaped domes of the church of st catherine of alexandria the history of the compound goes back to the nineteenth century when the proposals put forward to building an orthodox church in the italian capital there are only a few russian orthodox cathedrals to route italy and this is the largest and most

traditional looking also rocks church in rome. the russian cathedral abroad is not just a church it's a russian house in a way people come here not just for allegiance reasons but also to spend time together and communicate in their native language just something that you miss a lot in a foreign country. inside you can see various bits for icons and worlds by tell you a machine must is from the inside you never realize that the building is brand new . this church opened in two thousand and nine located on a hill not far from st peter's it's mobile designs and bright interior is a striking say the least as a new place of worship and run hundreds of russians from the nearby areas come to various religious services here and the building also acts as

a social outlet for the community. the outdoor space above the chapel offers a necklace and view of the city. this is also home to a large selection of bells and whenever rang the sensational sounds can be heard around the city. tronics location now and welcome to hotel door to see a glittering five star hotel that blends classic italian style design and innovation . its name suggests ties to russia. as its name to the many members of the russian imperial house. building it is impressively situated between the piazza del popolo and the spanish steps of

the prettiest upscale shopping areas. as they say location is everything. has. to fall from your old. images. from the field. to from. having enjoyed a recent make over the hotel to the sea is a hotel in the elegant grand metropolitan tradition despite some one hundred twenty two rooms getting thirty three suites. and impeccable standards of personal service . the russian elite come here in droves. situated on the sixth and top floor of the highlights of the hotel is the suite named after the popular. cargo for. business or pleasure hotels or c. also has several conference rooms and banqueting several of which bear names such

as the full the ellis stadium the roman. whose and to find out more about the russian connection with the stunning hunt let's meet this week's guest. great to meet you great to meet you in this wonderful hotel tell me where did the name come about well being this hotel. was in the nineteenth century. called the view. because of many of actually to visit broome were staying in these. so we we kept a name to see in. the region on the beatles here and it seems that rome is a very very popular place for visits is very much more than ever very much so and. growing year by year and i hear that the hotel's very popular with. celebrities

russian politicians and hollywood a listers as well very much very much many both russian and local hollywood celebrities have chosen to come to the scene since since the. year the very beginning when we opened in two thousand we hosted all the movie are from the ocean's eleven no shot. here with. well i think i would spend time thank you. thank you very very much. to the jury's terrorist dogs now and you can see why despite the setting use of popular with hollywood a listers was a modest spin your in the seventeenth century now is a celebrated meeting point for the high profile guests from the shows and tourist sees restaurants is open in the garden and summer months.

in the bushes i wouldn't be surprised welcome to the secret garden situated at the back of the hotel go to see this green getaway is lush and spectacular in every possible way the ones at this location is popular with russian and international jetsetter in the winter you can enjoy a drink outside here but is if you can afford it no protests. moving on and there are many russian influences and connections in rome collection of russian icons has been put on display and one of the main sites of rome the stone angelo council the exhibition consists of almost fifty icons which were handpicked by italian old images from the collection of the private moscow museums showcasing religious art your actions on display representation i come painting the fifteenth the twentieth centuries. the cafe greco is a historically. six eight the venue to see many celebrity visitors as its

guests whose autographs drawings and personal belongings are now displayed at the café international artistically often came to the venue including lord byron nature and russians such as sherlock and. it's said that right in the collide google especially likes the cafe and spends a lot of time there writing his famous dead souls novel. the jerry thomas speakeasy project is a secret location in central rome for a whole selection of special russian themed cocktails are created in a very italian atmosphere of the bar you can find quite surprising drinks inspired by russia the team has created a special cocktail menu called twist on a classic number three from russia with love in the heart of rome you can be served with such cocktails as the kremlin flip floppy hats are also meeting red square in italian and said petersburg delight.

wondering around the city's site should be surprised what you might bump into in the park available gazey a situated two monuments that were erected to on a russian writers the statue is of writer nikolai gogol the second is dedicated to alexander pushkin that was in belgium the year two thousand. created by a russian sculptor. it was presented to the villa borghese the state by the moscow government as a gesture highlighting cultural achievements. roam as one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world as a popular tourist destination it's clear why millions come here trevi fountain here for example office the perfect photo opportunity but quite often it's the small influences and nuances that make up the subtextual soul and roots of the city and with the cultural connections italy has to russia it only helps calm. ate a cold drink of creativity elegance and style.

was an incredible city full of fortunately that's the time we have left on this week's program i'll see you again at the same time next week and sell them for me and the rest of the crew from the magnificent trevi fountain here in rome but by now. one stream cascading from mom slopes to view is miss mancini. but this beauty brings deaths and a speed of more than four hundred kilometers per. step in the long run on. this is our time. to reclaim the american dream and reaffirm that

fundamental truth that out of many we are one that won't we breed the we hope to me the american dream is to live in peace and prosperity and freedom and a government under socialism is not a government of free. i'm free. to. have very motivated out cross the country who are activists who are willing to fight for what they think is right for themselves but the fact is forty four per cent. we are crowding. property around and i think it's spread by

it's cutting our heart. it's making real democracy. all but impossible. lose.

american troops now out of iraq concerns are mounting over what's being left behind it's proving deadly for journalists who are being silenced and even tortured by police for speaking out against the government. a suicide blast targeting a police process that killed twenty six people in syria's capital has worsened tensions between the opposition and government leaders blame the attack on terrorists the protesters finding it increasingly hard to claim they're just peaceful demonstrators. christmas has come for millions of orthodox christians around the globe those who follow the julian calendar open celebrations by tending traditional midnight masses. and sports news next with and you father.

hello there thanks for watching and these are the headlines scarred take the out right lead to make a child after beating rivals atlanta in a seven goal thriller. plus olympic countdown russian president dmitry medvedev visits before next month's test events for the twenty fourteen winter games. and the top seeds charge into the semifinals in kat's hours rafael nadal i will pass russian me tell you. but we'll start with some other ice hockey news because russia have failed to retain their world junior crown the under twenty squad losing in the final to sweden by a single goal in overtime in calgary forward mika's abang is getting a vital go in the extra period that both sides failed to find the net in normal

time this only the second time sweden has been crying junior world champions although on a brighter note for russia forgive gainey has not solved was named the tones most valuable player hosts canada the finland four nil in the bronze medal guys. well in russia scarse and petersburg have taken that right lead at the top of the k h l standings and the losses she is men edged out his former side and stand on the road for three it was a back and forth game just outside moscow with the sides trading quick goals throughout finnish defenseman yani iscar made it all to atlanta with less than seven minutes to go the scars swedish top score attorney mortensen grabbed the winner just a minute later it was his fourteenth goal of the campaign and gives three point lead over crack in the title last and have not lost on the trot after scholes that beat them in the previous guy. tried to get in the replay last time

because we know we played really well at home you know on looked like they were a little tired but today they came. and said guns blazing it was a lot harder to show now. now there are just over two years to go before russia's first ever winter olympics in sochi and president dmitri medvedev has urged constructors to make sure new venues are ready in time for a major test event due to start next month medvedev inspected the sites on thursday including the krasnaya polyana ski resort it is set to host a world cup leg on the alpine skiing circuit in just over a month's time with snowboarding and freestyle eventually a month later rushes second bobsled track is also set to be unveiled in late february around seventy percent of all construction work for the games has been completed according to officials. downturn is there have been a few surprises that the season opening event with rafael nadal spearheading the top seed charge into the semifinals of the cattle open the spanish world number two

overcame a battling mico usually in straight sets however the seventh seed russian put up a fight after losing the first set six four and having a poor start in the second he did break nadal and then had a couple of chances to mount a comeback but failed to exploit them into rivet form especially at the net and he won the second set six four for the match. in the semi's hilmi number four seed gael monfils the often flamboyant frenchman came at an easy win against an error prone viktor troicki this hit the net and saved the first set before sending the ball far and wide to match point just down sixty six three the final school to many teams. and defending champion roger federer shrugged off the pre-match back pains to labor past and this therapy of italy the swiss master did storm into a three love lead right away and took the six three but crumbled in the second to

first trail five one and then lose it seven five however federal court is going back together in the decider to stun seppi with a forehand winner into the. to take the final say six for better or not you know twenty one in a row to keep alive his hopes of a fourth title. just like last year federal pay joe will free to tsonga in the semi's the third seed frenchmen steamrolling spaniard lost in just over an hour to tsonga hitting back with flair everything he was lesser known to offer and won it six two six one. while in brisbane is a similar success story for the big names there so far top seed andy murray beattie cypriot and his doubles partner marcus to dart a sixty sixty and even showed off a bit in the final set. straight when he told me to the last ball was you'll simone will face alexander told goal pull off in the other semi. one. point to go through what.

i needed to move to the. very wrong. promote an opportunity through. a point. in football match the city will be without play ziyang kolo toure a for sunday's f.a. cup clash with manchester united the pair have been told they must report to the ivory coast's training camp this weekend ahead of the africa cup of nations ivory coast coach france was a wee deciding to follow fee for rules which allow call ups two weeks prior to the tournament it means arsenal will also lose striker genius man city coach or burning man cheney says yaar tories absence on sunday could be an issue for his team. in that we can ever program you can have a problem because the ai is an important player for us. we call is different because we have great defenders and if we are lucky we don't

that we injury. i don't feel that we can have a big problem with that event but with me three that we have a big problem for some parts and that we have all the tools james and nigel. well also expected to join the ivory coast training camp is a band striker seen a troll right he's been a sensation since joining the russian prime a league side at the start of the season so it is a good chance then to look back at his twenty eleven and the time he gave us a chat and sunny cross into. he is still a piece strong and he's from a very kills didier drogba no but it could well be his there me twenty year old last seen at all in this season the two metre three centimeter tall forward became commands most expensive ever blair following management down but their school with whom he spent two years at couche in romania. the bone is

a team that wants to develop and make a significant breakthrough in this transfer took place because of the trust in him i know and respect a lot on the my transfer was his idea to help me grow and develop my career. and it seems like that risk became dissatisfied with the results of the team so far as could one see me and him one eye on the europa league while trialware has become one of the most dangerous players among the burns who are storing six balls and making three assists nowhere says he is already used to living in exotic russia and is enjoying his time. and i'm sure you know i mean by that often when i go to my national team my teammates ask me a lot about football in russia but the first questions are about the cold weather and racism about them but i tell them guys don't worry these both aspects are fine it's even harder in press and dog and africa they fully rushing for them because of me and sisco's so you do do be up playing here so they are all very interested in

the russian premier league. with the growing ambitions of the cross in their side that does player in the league doesn't want to stop progressing as his long term dream of helping direct and plainly english premier league is still beyond his reach but producing good performances in russia could become the stepping stone in his career and i don't want to say russia's top flight is of a good standard and can help you get to the top european leagues primarily the morning england which a popular throughout the world and to ensure as aspiring my favorite player is drugs and i enjoy watching the. english premier league meanwhile again to get rid of their reputation as a yo yo and with bitter asking in the dugout and on the field the greens could become one of the surprise packages on the russian premier league this season. in other football news barcelona midfielder says he hopes manager pep guardiola

will remain at the club for many years to come he and his teammates took part in an open training session for fans on thursday before visiting a local hospital but they also had time to speak to the press and respond to reading this it could be guardiola as last season at the nou camp i said well i guess we should all it would still not just a season after season be able to last longer not only for the wellbeing of your team but also for the wellbeing of everyone concerned in the club i wish you would become one so alex ferguson at you so much to be noted that it's clear that the perp will be one military decision. on the new gulf for the new gulf season on the european tour has got underway its local favorite thomas aiken he leads the twenty twelve africa open at the moment the honor of hitting the first ball though of the new year fell to south africa retief goosen here and he finished the day in second along with compact jack-o. both carded a sixty five a shot behind first translated thomas aiken here he grabbed five birdies and two

eagles to go nine and overall to the right lane. finally rain and snow in the end these have forced organizers to cancel friday's stage of the dakar rally while it is the top of the standings after thursday's shortened stage in argentina the day belong to poland stop all of its it was fastest in the jeans to claim his maiden stage victory moving him into second overall behind defending champion stefan pattern and so the frenchman was third fastest behind american robby gordon while another french minister were to break the motorbikes catch a great he is now nine minutes ahead of defending champion mark o'mara and the overall standings gerrard to rue leads the way in the trucks division where russian . nicholai has been disqualified for breaking race regulations he was fit so that is always sports

a bit later. mission . critical three. for a charge of greed. greed. greed. greed. old freeboard video for your media project free medio dog r t dot com.

more news today violence is once again flared up. these are the images the world

has been seeing from the streets of canada. trying to corporations rule the day. silenced for siding with protesters journalists in iraq report brutality and torture for speaking out against the government raising the over what screen left behind after america's withdrawal also. gave me. a graph you know would be against that he against the old city of people a suicide blast targeting a police bus kills twenty six people in the syrian capital but the opposition finding it hard to claim that just peaceful protest has. its christmas joy for millions of orthodox christians around the day as those who follow the judean kind of this sort of break jesus. and we do.