there for a little while now we're going to see vladimir putin the current prime minister along with. getting a good ninety's of got off the cuff in the communist party and let him eat and also from the liberal democrats who sort of gave me an order from a fair russia and the independent candidate because put all her off now with these names are the ones that be pushing for the top spot in russia the role of the president and say this is something we're expecting the electoral commission to to rubber stamp in the tree the next few moments those those will be the names that should appear on the ballot paper so with those five candidates in the running yeah how's the presidential race shaping up then with just over a month left until the vote. well is not long to go now the candidates have been going about joining up support in their own way you have to realize that four of those five do actually have their current jobs in office to do they are well thought to be approved is the prime minister the rest of the leaders of their respective political parties to help or or could all of this the the the only

candidate who doesn't currently hold office he's been well what we've seen from those kind of is that do you hold office is not to me prince but he must be going about his job as prime minister he was in siberia a few days ago in his hometown of st petersburg today. not so much campaigning as they say is really going about that role of being the pm we have seen as amy how brutal the only kind that doesn't currently hold office he's in siberia at the moment trying to show his face and press the flesh amongst those who perhaps maybe don't know who he is the the billionaire owner of the new york new jersey nets is is someone a familiar face in moscow and st petersburg he's going out to the the far east of this all of the far east of the siberia to try and show his face there to make sure he can talk support as for the other candidates we've seen. that image and also given the lib dems and so to the middle of a russian speaking in the duma just behind me to say they are the leaders of their respective bomb. killing of support in their own way as is. from the communists so

it is starting to slip into next gear is we approach the election on the fourth of march day of course we have a lot more on that as we do approach election artie's peter one of the night from moscow thank you. now the third day of the world economic forum is getting underway as the business elite prepare to tackle the global financial crisis and attempts to restore economic confidence the future of china and the regimes expected to dominate today's agenda along with other vital issues parties on this to report. it's day three of the world economic forum but things are certainly not slowing down if anything they are continuing to get more into the problems the economic problems that really are the ones that are a focus of the globe and if the people here we will of course given that here a lot more on the eurozone crisis this is really something that has cast a cloud over this entire forum with it being the headache for the global economy as

angela merkel pointed out in her remarks probably quite fit only when this forum opened up but will also hear on a number of other issues we will hear about politics there will be discussion of the arab spring implications we'll hear from the prime minister of tunisia we'll hear from the presidential candidate egypt all about what the arab spring means for those economies and also for investment we'll also hear more on emerging economies and on the big guys we'll hear about china's economic outlook why is there pessimism with an economy that's expected to grow nine percent it's a great question we'll see what they come up with and also a number of russian participants will speak about the global energy outlook financial competitiveness and also the future of eurasia so those are some of the things that we're going to hear on the official agenda but do not forget at davos there is a whole other agenda which is what is happening on the sidelines and in private meetings and in private parties bilateral meetings for diplomats business meetings

for any kind of executives or people trying to get investment whether it's a charity or a state or country so this is a lot of what goes on here we'll keep you posted on how this all unfolds on day three but for now from the world economic forum in davos switzerland i'm laurin leicester. indeed and to get more on the business deals that are being conducted the world economic forum for a financial update that's coming up in just a couple minutes. one of the leaders of the international terrorist organization. was killed in russia's north caucasus region the shift. this morning during a counter-terrorist operation. is known for carrying out multiple attacks across the north caucasus national anti terror committee confirmed that the insurgent killed was the head of the largest underground militant sect in the republic the shootout between the government forces and the militants lasted several hours say two other insurgents were also killed in exchange. for some other world news in

brief for you now this hour the u.s. plans to cut one hundred thousand troops in its bid for a small lead a military structuring to pass for hundreds of billions of dollars worth of cuts over the next ten years it will still leave there the u.s. military larger and stronger than it was before the wars in iraq and afghanistan the government will continue to spend around eighty eight billion dollars a year on combat operations in afghanistan tensions in the country are still high as the taliban counters western troops often leading to civilian casualties. syrian rebels have clashed with troops in a town just north of damascus two hundred people were detained by security forces as they graded homes looking for weapons in suspects in the town of. provincial governor hopes for a sheet a ceasefire with a ten month revolt against present ourselves creeps closer to damascus un is later

today expected to discuss the syrian crisis which has claimed one hundred five thousand lives. and to new york now where details of a shipment containing sixty kilos of cocaine seized last week at the u.n. headquarters have just been released a package marked with fake united nations insignia a shipped from mexico through cincinnati. spokesman says the u.n. or anyone to take it at the headquarters will be intended recipients officials believe it was the bundle of tents or drug traffickers trying to ship into the u.s. . now it's crossover to business desk and joint career. thank you carrie hello and welcome to business here in r.t. thanks for joining me we continue with our coverage of the world economic forum from doubles russia's second biggest bank has announced plans to push ahead with its privatization in the coming months bt shares are extending gains after they

jumped over five percent on thursday following this news now for more details we're can cross live to davos where we're joined by v. tes chief executive post and. unrelated thank you for joining us on the program you've announced that we to be could you and sell new shares in the coming months can you give us some details of that as to what sort of stakes you're planning to issue and how much you're hoping to raise. well let me make it quite clear to be successfully privatized temper sound so the government shares last year was the only government to actually who managed to do it last year was very successful for . we had around three billion dollars net profit and we at the moment have adequate capital of course of expected the substantial part of these profits will be recapitalized after general meeting all shareholders in june

so at the moment we are not desperate for new capital we are not having any need to plan to do this but. we are developing very quickly. grew by fifty eight percent thirty five while getting growth and the rest is through acquisitions so we are planning to continue the growth off at least of all twenty percent for this year so it means a certain stage we might need a new capital about i would not say that is something which we plan as we have no particular that we have a forthcoming elections and the point of the new government and normally investor was not ready. to buy shares before elections so so you were talking to some potential investors in davus right now on this. yeah i mean we are always talking to investors we're keeping our relationship with existing the best as we look for more years and we will be following the situation very closely

also had to add that or better bond because also you know planning for the period is ation as they didn't do it last year so we also have to check with them what are their plans so it's not something on the immediate future but i would like to see even when markets are opened for the opportunity and my argument is if we're developing further then the stage we might be not just privatizing the existing shares of the government but seeking new capital and still do you think the timing is right i mean the markets are still far from settled are you expecting some some quick and pull through the market market market is still very bad there's no cause and negotiations on the greek debt which is taking place today and yesterday and of course the market is very nervous expecting good or bad news the market doesn't know yet so i think that is not the right timing for any placement today if you

were saying that last year was successful for your bank. how do you expect the bank to perform in two thousand and twelve. well last year was successful for beauty but also for the russian banking sector in general you know the loan book grew by about twenty percent for for the russian banking sector and there was a record profit pool for russian banks this year i think the growth would be more the route. and but on the other hand we see a substantial improvement of m.p. else for example last year we decreased from eight point six percent to six point eight percent and no less about six percent so we expect there will be further decrease of m.p.'s in russian banking sector need to be and we expect a stable growth together with the russian economy which expect that at least three

three and a half percent growth in g.d.p. for this year ok well we wish you all the best on that course and head over the bank you to us from dallas thanks very much thank you very much and that's all we have time for in this edition of business a business update but join me in about fifteen minutes for more.

that recap now of our top story. shocking revelations in an already troubled post gadhafi libya human rights groups accuse the military of torturing detainees to death of a mystery internationally is it winning the alarm and doctors without borders wasn't pulled out of the city of misrata from protesters atrocitus. poland witnesses further protests against the government signing of an international anti piracy pact designed to enforce intellectual property rights activists on the streets saying the agreements minors act infringe on the internet freedom of the

top online censorship. on their wrong considers banning oil sales to europe preempting the ease decision to stop importing oil from the country in july but as war rhetoric against tehran escalates in the west ordinary americans voice their opposition to any possible military confrontation. next the latest edition of moscow out today with an italian twist. absolutely beautiful welcome to florence and the famous potter vacuo bridge on this

week's program we'll be continuing our exploration of russian culture and influence abroad from famous people who live here to current russians who live and work in italy and who wouldn't be happy here with glorious swing to sun sensational food and often culture overload the beginning of the nineteenth century saw a number of russian wealthy families moved to tuscany italy has always held a special attraction for russians many sort of it's are these the cultural center of the world and with its breathtaking architecture food and style it gets you thinking there may be some truth in that today dozens of tall companies offer excursions by plane and bus loads of russians advice every week. the famous landmarks such that one murder possibly can bridge in a fancy museum it goes without saying that everyone will be impressed on the first visit here. so it's amazing here we are especially impressed that despite so many tourists the city is still clean quiet safe and relaxed no yes.

without you is just be living in florence for nine years and in my experience russians like not only the architectural and cultural beauty of the city but also enjoy shopping here a lot he specially fanatic good receiver ideas that at that i want to make is the hometown of michelangelo and to the venture they spent a lot of time living and working in this region of italy the art and culture that. and have created and contributed influenced many outstanding russians came to florence for inspiration and stayed here for a while for bush there are many ways talented and skilled italians enriched russian cultural life and vice versa over the centuries italian architect a huge influence in the design of moscow and st petersburg. one of the other great things about florence is the shopping. pastime of many russian tourists prices are lower here for designer goods than back home although this next looks us pretty

well it might be better not to look at the price tags. here in the main shopping street of florence you can find a design a boutique a brand that was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century by a russian noble family reestablished in two thousand and eight it's now an international company based in france with several stores in italy. owned by the russian mobile all go about these three of the russian fashion they will ever see reads like an exciting novel the story of the brands you could say is part of russia's heritage and history. founded in paris in one thousand twenty four by prince philip you suppose and his wife marina the niece of the last person thought nikolai the second and says she clothing range was old european and american customers but the prince had

a little business sense and two years after the nine hundred twenty nine the street crash ruined his most prosperous clients do you suppose it was forced to shut up shop. almost eight decades after the original house has very close stores are still going to has restored the branches for glory. to our next location now and in a city known as the cradle of the renaissance surrounded by terra cotta roofs a cluster of onion domes each topped with a tall cross is certainly not what you would expect to see in the florence skyline less than a mile from florence is to most these brightly colored domes of a different lines marked the surviving history of russian immigration to italy and florence the russian orthodox church of the nativity of christ's. for. the old.

there's been a russian orthodox church on the site since ninety three built by the russian community in florence time this is something to consider will damage over the years but was restored several times elegant and exotic in matches the city's cultural heritage perfectly reflecting in the true architectural style of seventeenth century moscow today the church is popular with orthodox worship as from all over tuscany. the church in florence houses many historic relics of the russian orthodox church including works by both russian and it's how you artists it's on the market you can't miss in florence and it's a place that brings the local russian community closer together and welcome addition to christian life in tuscany. over here most of the congregation of our church consists of people of many nationalities including russians ukrainians

georgians greeks italians serbs and bulgarians this church is the first big orthodox cathedral that was built initially then more cathedrals and sun removed and a very period and only five years ago a big church in rome was built that. tchaikovsky the demi the family to c.s.t. a real russians with a strong connection to italy. twenty minutes outside the city will match with beautiful scenery vibrant colors. but what has this park got to do with russian culture. to answer that question let's meet this week's guest. great to meet you thank you very much for your time nice to meet you while we here in this beautiful and i guess of the question this place is called par dellec a sheen and there are many beautiful alleys here one of them in fact where we're

standing right now is named after dusty of ski he spent a year in the city and it was said to be one of the happiest times and as. live. came to florence with his young wife and they found out here that they were going to have a baby and the couple stayed in the city while she was pregnant just to also finish then over the eaters here so she left a remarkable trace in the history of this city. and it's not just the esky who lived tchaikovsky's but on this life there are many russian influences here in florence to simulate tchaikovsky spend seventy years in florence and composed quit of space here enjoyed florence a lot there whether architecture art and the many museums the famous director took or ski also leave here in the nineteen seventies and eighties then there was joseph brought ski but turner who has not been to florence to go up to the model it seems that many russians love it so but one particular florence there's nor about this

place the city is not too big and not too small and its historical center is packed with everything one might fancy museum goers admirers of their nations and art lovers is perfect for everyone also those who are into fashion are excited to come here not to mention those seeking good food and wine. well thank you very much for your time and enjoy your time here florence. moving on and what other locations in florence are connected to russia one of the most beautiful palaces is still officially named so brutally after a noble russian family who owned it the nineteenth century it was pulled by count to me to be truly a senator and the director of the hermitage also the god son of empress catherine the great palace also contained brutally impressive library which she started to put together in italy to replace his previous collection of books which were lost in the great fire of moscow in eighteen twelve. the brazilians were not the only

wealthy russian family who made an impression in florence much of the city are also connected. the demeter family there are squares villas and monuments in honor of the family members who lived in florence in the nineteenth century and the family emblem can even be seen on the front of the dromo basilica of st mary the flower as it's officially cooled when money was needed to restore the cathedral princedom it off donated a large sum as his contribution was so great the florentine governess thanked him by putting the emblem right next to the main entrance. many russian artists traveled all lived in italy in the previous centuries and the country is still an inspiration for many of their works far from classical but rather unusual controversial contemporary art is displayed at a russian art gallery in the center of florence. actual wish to vision is good you know and galloway has existed for several years now and now we're working on a new concept. we want to showcase work which would combine art blind and sound and

would affect as many senses as visitors as possible they want to share that or it can be not only a visual treat little say heal a person because it will function. florence is full of captivating stories and legends connects to many corners of the world. one local met is that if you rub this bourse snout and put a coin in its mouth you will return to florence at some point in your life and know he doesn't really like to has poor rubles christian and italian share many similarities the culture of the two countries is very classical based and complementary in many ways both have a rich history incumbent's a long tradition of excellence in every aspect of arts and design. and from modern christian french fashion houses to cranes all throughout churches cheap away at the russian connections you can find in italy and you'll be amazed at the results. he

did call florence the city of dreams he certainly. a point but unfortunately that's that's how we have left on this week's program i think that's the end of our exploration of russian culture here in italy i'll see you again at the same time next week we'll be back in the russian capital to tell them from me and the rest of the moscow our group. close. to the truth this month chunks by particles that make up the fabric of the universe find what you're looking for in the deep siberian forests prevent a fire with the help of lasers in fibers pull out your tablet of

a new gaming religion and let the inventor begin all of that here in nova severe sputnik knology on stage here on r.g.p. we've got the future covered. more news today violence has once again flared up. these are the images the world has been seeing from the streets of canada. china operation to rule the day. for. russia would be soon which brightened if you knew about song from feinstein

freshened some. news for instance on t.v. dot com. wealthy british style seinfeld's america has moved on to the such. that it is not the. markets why not scandals. find out what's really happening to the global economy in the cause a report on. shocking

revelations in an already troubled post gadhafi libya as human rights groups accuse the military of torturing detainees to death and just international is ringing the alarm and doctors without borders has already pulled out of the city of misrata in protest that neutral cities. poland this is further protests against the government signing of an international anti piracy act designed to enforce intellectual property rights but activists on the streets say the agreements known as an actor with a range on an internet freedom to online censorship. under iran considers banning

oil sales to europe preempting the decision to stop importing oil from the country in july but as war rhetoric against tehran the space collates west marine americans watched their opposition to any possible military confrontation. well time now for sports with to mature. follow the sport or not see thanks for joining us this hour coming up in the boats are. sharp of the. russian and fellow russian that will do battle for the australian open title and the winner will become the world number one. made sea worthy of a final run for a little bait eternal rival called the federal in the last four. and

bouncing bagged in a lot more still recovering from my freshman defeat by beating up logic polis in the cake shop. so let's start with the hot cold so there are certain open where my rare sharapova has advanced into the women's singles final after beating well down what's up at the in the last for the twenty four year old russian needed over. the czech opponent wraps up a six two three six six four victory in the decisive match russia's. ranks. so much to beat back in a grand slam final stage moving in before a few years ago here. it's nice to get that far again after losing quite couple of years so you know i mean it's hard to me and i'm playing some moments just results and has been the last.