the u.n. general assembly prepares to vote on an arab resolution putting blame for violence in syria solely on the government that's amid fears the country might soon plunged into sectarian chaos. a fresh wave of downgrade streets across the struggling euro zone and six nations get their debt rating all this while greece faces further valid hurdles from the e.u. despite its latest harsh austerity plan. and russia's military predicts the west

might decide on a military strike against iran before summer as clowns gather over tehran following israel's accusations that the islamic state was behind monday's attacks on diplomatic personnel. it's five pm here in moscow this is r.t. coming to your life and he said now with our top story this hour the u.n. general assembly could soon vote on a new draft resolution on syria which is believed would put all the blame for violence on the country's government saudi arabia and qatar drew up the tax in a fresh bid to pressure the syrian president the move follows the recent double veto of virtually the same document by russia and china at the u.n. security council artie's an associate churkin of is following developments in new

york. this meeting has definitely lasted the entire day we've been hearing speeches from dozens of countries that started early in the morning and of course this comes only a week after a double veto from russia and china blocked in the arab and western backed resolution on syria at the security council so what we saw as an attempt from the saudi arabia and qatar to go to another body of the united nations and attempt to find some kind of decision there even though the general assembly does consist of over one hundred ninety members we have to keep in mind that it's not nearly as powerful as the security council because whatever decision comes out of the general assembly is by no means binding it's only seen as a recommendation by the rest of the international community and what's key here is that the text of this suppose address aleutian that the general assembly will be voting on voted on has not even been circulated yet we're hearing about it's going to be pretty much the same document that russia and china vetoed and russia's and

china's problem with the text was that it seemed biased to the countries saying that it only named to the syrian government as the main cause of the conflicts going on on the ground in syria but not the armed groups and that's something that continues to be a major sticking point the recognition of two sides to this conflict by the international community because the effort to end violence should come with negotiation attempts involving all syrian forces including the government and the opposition in order to start the talks the countries that have an influence over the opposition groups who went to him now have been unwilling to commit should exert their power. we've been hearing all of these countries make speeches today see it saying that the syrian government is committing atrocities so really this is another opportunity for those who do support regime change on the ground to send out criticism towards the syrian government many experts are saying really that the fact that this symbolic diplomatic gesture is being attempted at the united nations doesn't really mean much because any sort of document is not going to help stop the

crisis on the ground unless it pushes for a cease fire so many are saying that should be a priority prioritized at the general assembly these days and not just you know a lot of words of criticism. but there is opposition say the rebellious city of homes has come under some of its heaviest shelling yet from government forces and rebels claim around four hundred people have been killed and several days of intensified assault but the syrian authorities blame violence on armed terrorists operating in the city with al-qaeda now adding to the increased turmoil in the country there are fears syria could soon plunge into sectarian chaos for reports. predominantly christian town of million in the syrian mountains it's even here in this. place and the signs of the rising conflict that is tearing apart much of the country right now creeping in and the sense of foreboding hangs heavy.

to this area much longer fear let's say we speak to the nuns at the ministry they tell us about the towns preservation of the ancient language and like their cherished tongue they hate the fine balance of religious beliefs in the country can be kept even in these difficult times we have been living here with all people regardless of their religion in peace for a long time. back in the center and damascus is known as a melting pot of religions south allawi sector a minority in the country but despite making up around just twelve percent of the taito population and always have occupied elite positions in the government and the military for decades and now there are fears that resentments among the majority muslim sunni sacks could or ups the country that until this crisis breakout was religiously diverse as the tolerance now the can increasingly polarized genuine

fears i just worry that these divisions that my laid his a sectarian tensions being further exploited have been staked by the emergence of an al qaeda videotape cling for holy war overthrow the assad regime violence is just not going to end we see it happening and iraq neighboring iraq sectarian violence that is catastrophic and nobody is reporting on that the reporting on syria and they're not focusing on the potential problems that syria could lead into another iraq on the streets through an increasingly desperate population has called for help in whatever form it comes as long as it stops the violence there's little time for them to think about long term sick carrion rests was many of the more worrying about daily survival anyone or. we are ready to hear or to see anyone over there so for this regime yes only one in syria right now the split still largely remains along political lines but there's concern that as this

increasingly bloody conflict continues it could turn into a sectarian one as well south r.t. damascus syria. but staying in the middle east police in bahrain have fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters trying to occupy a landmark square in the nation's capital it's happened on the eve of the one year anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising in the gulf kingdom on monday hundreds of protesters marched through manami to mark the revolt that was crushed by security forces mideast expert to rico lee told r t there's a huge difference in how some world powers treat suppression of protest in the region. those countries which are regarded as as though we're still stooges of the west basically you know are criticized regularly very rarely do we have coverage it's not just the gulf states and in particular it is also going to increase like yemen was brutal dictatorial present to prison former president is

going to be in the united states receiving medical treatment and no reporting is taking place from a yemeni there were demonstrations in saudi arabia a few days ago which got very little coverage of course the so these have no democracy at all it is probably the most undemocratic concretely there are who are much much more undemocratic even libya was no one talks about this because it's a useful country it has always lived elsewhere the west starts to mention in bahrain was greenlighted by the united states which is very strong in their principles and they crushed the our pricing and they were brutality so until brutalities which i dealt with in a different way and now the problem in bahrain is that seventy to eighty percent of the population feels it has no representation whatsoever and yet nothing happens on

this front at all. but we continue to monitor the situation in the mideast region and you can find more expert analysis on that on our website r.t. dot com. the debt ridden a year has suffered another blow from ratings agencies moody's has downgraded the debt rating of sixty five states including vulnerable portugal italy and spain it comes as the bloc struggles to prevent greece from default by offering balance in return for more austerity but aren't his jacob grief reports more and more greeks feel the measures will only make things worse. the system on the seach m.p.'s drowned out the pleases. tens of thousands of demonstrators masters in short passing another round of unpopular cuts. the results proved incendiary. got protests turned violent as protesters including fringe and

a kiss clashed with police again leaving their mark on athens. a day on this is the remnants of public anger but glass isn't the only thing that's been broken as governments past increasingly unpopular austerity cuts he could be left asking who can they trust serve their interests the measures are very very tough part of the poor people especially and this is the reason that we feel. it today and i think more measures have been taken and they're it's not going to work in the end if he'll be another bill people you know bad and. our our hope for the best but i don't see it coming. under pressure from brussels berlin and the international monetary fund the greek government has cut more jobs and slashed funding for the nation's pensions a minimum wage but current policy appears to mainly expose those most vulnerable to crisis conditions is a mindset some feel is doomed to fail we already have destroyed the whole

generation of young people and their dreams destroyed. the sabian infrastructure of the whole country we know that it is. a piece there that we have now signs that these illegal or old news. we cannot continue like that because the policy that the government is following actually increases the day instead of finding a solution at the heart of activists claims is their assertion that they've known austerity for the best part of five years now and that time taxes have risen incomes have. but the country's deficit only seems to grow and in this austerity cycle is something sought by an increasing number despite the more the government warms will follow but what is a bad about our political system is the break up the idea exactly even more. people

buy these thirty or four. years they are going to come the only way out of this point is the default default is good to be good for us but there's going to be a better solution than the so slow death for now relative calm has returned to the streets of athens smashed buildings have been patched up the signs of damage swept away but the simmering discontent hasn't been and was forced medicine appears to bring nothing but pain many are continuing their call for terms of treatment jake agrees r.t. athens well despite greece passing its harshest austerity package yet there's no guarantee it will get more bailout cash there are still conditions and france needs to fulfill and quoting making written assurances that they agreed measures will be implemented but international consultant author adrian she says the country is locked in a vicious circle. are bankers that stupid that they always make the mistake of

lending too much money and are governments that stupid that they take loans much more than they can pay back or insist is this part of a model where like shylock's pound of flesh pay ability of the solver and there is a later used to control the entire country and it's so sad to see the same sickening scene time and again protesters taking to the streets they are repressed by the police who tear gas they throw stones somebody gets injured hundreds get into somebody's always ends up getting killed and i always figure that it's the poor people on the street fighting the police who are also poor and i always wonder if there are a cigar smoking perched on the fiftieth floor board room looking down of these horrific scenes and just laughing at it all. but later today we'll bring you a unique take on europe's debt crisis in the kaiser report the full program coming up for you at fifteen thirty g.m.t. . here's some images from athens is that from two thousand and nine two thousand

and ten two thousand and eleven or two thousand and twelve can you tell the tour gas by any other year is still a sweep the greeks approve tombstone austerity deal with troika so we see over and over there's a great deal there is not a great deal there's a great deal there's not a great deal you. on again off again there is a deal now there were german were cruising were trying to milk you dry and still the elegant marbles but the u.k. already stole them. in other news china has promised to help resolve the eurozone debt crisis but it's made no specific promise to invest in a european bailout fund meanwhile chinese vice president xi jinping is the in the u.s. to meet with top officials there including his counterpart joe biden for more on

china's relations with the west and this visit we're now joined by saying two from the center for international monetary research at bremen university thanks for being with us on the line from beijing it seems beijing is offering some support but not yet all out support backed by hard cash how likely is it that beijing will invest in the european bailout. well you know some of your old of course he says the still to cheer read of many people talking about the chinese help before a rescue all for your old crossways person i was seeing if you were open carry except carry the provided to the right preconditions for chinese. rescue farms i think. on the side that we have we have provided some fall in the for the rest of your own crisis for example i think of the european union issue of the recall the

study of. markey calling me for china and opening up before his or for the market of chinese investments in you'll add or soul and we'll take measures you should take more measures to prevent the protectionism in us than time to trade for two chinese the rest of the traders so i think right now all the future dependence by that's rolls nations will be to your china has the stones mean a very munchie in these years and so i think china. will provide help to size rights conditions on the order so we be nieve germany and the front of the particular law and european countries have enough resources to assure they are programs if only. rights concerns are smaller rescue for example for greece even for spam and. right just to expand on that china is of course europe's

largest trading partner given that you touched on this certainly beijing will feel it has to help prop up its e.u. partners otherwise the chinese economy would suffer as well. well yes your euro you saw the biggest destination for chinese exports and this was her first off nice year chinese export has declined quite quickly and you came to do so china also you well taken measures to a halt to a steamy able to get the message of demand to make up the declining export demand yes of course of the export of the still very important before maintaining the song economic growth in china bots i think we must have a mutual benefit a policy of. fact it was so many people talking about so-called the chinese for european debt crisis we all be nieve year old has. resources to are

sort of proud of the whole waiver we won't provide help. you you'll can provide to mutual benefits for us china i think. i'm standing for by that's road user shaped by europe and the china let's move now to vice president paying a visit to the us he's there now u.s. and china on a fast track to becoming the world's superpower this is curtailing washington's dominance over the asian pacific might this be behind the u.s. decision to strengthen its military in the region. yes i think that mr she said we say to us ice of are important to with because mr she's a key member of charity but the man he will be needed hey we'll replace the president who next our president and the party chief of china so he's understanding . the u.s.

relationship is a very it were important for the future developments of outside the u.s. or british into right now many people are talking about increasing pris and saw for us an asian every year is to contain the right seeing all for china and out of hands to qantas has a much more mutual dependence in almost every year of supposed to in trade investment and. areas so i think we owe. it to us so how so us people which are. a corporation and understand first are a corporation particular we must intense by a natural strategic mutual trust between china and on the u.s. so we chased every cave factor for promoting. the first our cooperation between two countries so right on they certainly had some nice understanding in terms of

also teach us strategy in pacific and or so about the rice and call for china so i think mr xi we'll have a very intensive discussions that we've. also with us of president obama and us uk a members often either shape to how to show the. promotes the relationship to the country's course the word. deputy director of the center for international monetary research and ram university thank you very much for being with us live from. beijing this hour thank you. well as international pressure on iran mounts russia's military has assessed the probability of a western strike against the islamic republic as being high concerns of pending military action grew after israel blamed tehran for two bomb attacks on its diplomatic staff on monday peter all over is following developments. the chief of

staff of the russian armed forces said on tuesday that he thinks a plan for a western attack on iran could be in place by the summer of this year and he's basing that statement on the fact that since the arab spring started a year ago russia has been monitoring the area of the wider middle east very closely enough to looking at the findings from that monitoring this is what he's come up with now and this comes just a day after two israeli diplomats were targeted with car bombs in the capitals of georgia and india now the bomb in georgia was able to be defused however in india that car bomb exploded very very close to the residence of the prime minister of india and injured several people now israel was very very quick to point the finger of blame for those attacks at tehran despite terror experts looking at the findings and coming up with saying no there's pretty much no evidence that it was behind those attacks this is all really part of the ongoing blame game between tel of the

terror and the iranians claim that the israelis have been behind a two year campaign of assassinations on their nuclear scientists well on tuesday in bangkok what we've seen is a rainy unmanned taken into custody by police after an explosion two explosions in bangkok injured several people there now israeli media very very quick to point the finger of terror towards that iranian man who's being detained there so this is all part of as i say a blame game that's ongoing between tel of eve and terror on a waiter we hear about the pitfalls of the u.s. approach to dealing with iran from brian bakker a member of the answer antiwar coalition here's a taste of that interview coming up next hour. the u.s. says they're not carrying out regime change but in fact everyone who's watching knows that indeed is the u.s.

policy to create pressure on iran carry out overt operate covert operations economic sanctions and now these new sanctions are not really even a like the old saying is they are saying to the rest of the world if you dare do business with iran central bank if you buy iranian oil which constitutes half of iran's g.n.p. if you have any business with iran whatsoever you will not have access to american banks to american corporations to the american market this is in fact a blockade. but taking a look now at some other news from around the world a radical muslim cleric with alleged links to al qaida and said to be bin laden's right hand man has been released from prison on in the u.k. extremist preacher abu qatada has been locked up for sixty years but last week the tribunals world he should be free but his officials say he poses a threat to the country's security but attempts to deport him back to jordan to

face terrorism charges have been blocked by the european court of human rights. the body of the late pop star whitney houston has arrived in her home state of new jersey you have a moral service catchable for they are this week dozens of fans gathered outside the funeral home hoping to catch a glimpse of her casket it's still unclear what caused huge since though some have speculated drowning or a drug overdose she was forty eight years old. now is the latest from the world of business with kareena with our two. welcome to business the south thanks for joining me are also the world's largest diamond miner a buyout put myself fourteen percent stake in an i.p.o. the flotation of the state owned company may take place in the second half of this year you evolve bank says that the stock will be a unique opportunity to invest directly into the diamond business. from the company

in north korea to attract money from the market. probably the i.p.o. for old also is a question of which is a chatroom in russia overall the size of the is going to be a one billion dollars it will give floored comparable to the russian metals and mining stocks are usually after a public offering companies for becoming more transparent more will say friendly to the public overall and to investors. well in terms of business and business development that will change. let's take a look at the markets now exchange rates first the euro is trading lower against both the dollar and the ruble that's after being down in early asian trading due to rating downgrades by moody's the move by the rating agency also weighs on the ruble which is seeing moderate losses against the u.s.

currency oil's next prices are up hovering around a one month high that's after the austerity plan approval by the greek parliament and tighten sanctions on iran futures climbed over two percent after companies in control of more than one hundred tankers said it would stop loading cargo from iran . european stock markets are mostly higher this hour after a gallon of german investor confidence unexpectedly posted its first positive reading since may that spurred investors to take on more risk however a rating agency moody's not two notches off spain's sovereign debt rating cut its outlooks on the u.k. and france to make it. and here in russia markets are in positive territory with of my six half a percent let's check the index movers on them isaac's. here's a little color that's up nearly one percent of the company plans to invest twenty nine billion dollars in field development in the caspian sea by two thousand and twenty five bt bank reversed early losses it is now adding over one percent they.

truck make a come out of the young man again is this hour rumors has made a deal with that. russian crops where mother nature has once again thanks tricks just a year after a severe drought the country's plantings are facing a cold test. stand up i shall have. up the whole of the crops may have been damaged by the extreme cold weather say worried farmers it's lead germany france and poland are also risk from sustained low temperatures which of minus thirty three in some polls that is expected to skyrocket prices for things like bread week futures have been of the ukraine and russian government warned they may limit exports to guarantee the mystic supply both countries are usually big exporters of grain global we proceed eleven percent in the second half of january alone we will russia's top or never received because the suspended load at its

grain terminal several times of the black sea froze over for the first time in thirty years a drought from july to november last year had already weakened crops ahead of russia's than one company says fifty percent of the country's great crop could be damaged by heavy winds and the worst weather in a quarter of a century first. show one in three great finds have already been lost well that's all for this hour but don't forget you can always find more the stories on our website r.t. dot com slash lists.