feeling scenes of celebration as well as protests as bloodshed putin always russia's presidential race over two hundred held by police for refusing to disperse after a moscow rally. warmongering rhetoric intensifies a senior u.s. lawmaker calls for airstrikes against syria while we look at political reforms underway in the country also. the money comes to preventing iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon i will take no options off the table president obama promises his support to a pro israeli lobby in washington refusing to rule out galchen of force against iran which israel has been frightening.

thanks for being with us two o'clock here in moscow on charon taraji but i think at a point since presidential victory has sent the tens of thousands of russians on to the streets and both to celebrate and to protest against the outcome of the vote thousands rallied in the center of moscow for fair elections but police said two hundred fifty were arrested when some refused orders to disperse after the demonstration was due to end let's not talk charges are you seeing a shift. police say tell us more about what happened. but first it really reminded over all the rallies which have been held in russia for the past three or four months since december parliamentary vote only that this rally was not as big as usual still around twenty thousand people gather. yes where there was

a general feeling that. was not a surprise to anyone in the crowd still they were there to contest the results of the election to protest against prime minister directly and to stand for fair elections in russia this was just as i said pretty much as usual with the opposition leaders talking to the crowd including the third place presidential candidate because it was also there to address the protesters at some point one of the protesters said that he would not leave the square until putin steps down several hundred people in fact followed his school after the most of the crowd the thousands of the people left this quest still several hundred left there in a sitting protest one of the all the operating fun turns in the middle of the square the right police as far as one to stand asked the people to leave the square to vacate it because the time they had sanctioned for this rally was running out the rally was officially over by then the people refused to go enough to almost an hour of talks between the police and the protesters the right police had to

forcefully remove them from the square we understand that two hundred fifty people were detained in connection with this rally but later all of them were released only paying a small fine for any misconduct or violation of the of the procedure of holding this particular mass rally aleksei referring to at the end type of protesters but a lot of those were happy that who won and they also went out to the streets to bank. certainly some proportion of those happy for putting on his victory gather he had my national square where i'm standing right now around fifteen thousand people were here but this was not like a political rally just a kilometer from the at the. this was more like a celebration party with pop stars singing from the stage and people cheering. who managed to get this overwhelming victory in fact this seems pretty much the mind of twenty four hours before that on sunday night when the station's close then prime minister the president elect arrived here personally and greeted the crowd and

thanked them in a very emotional manner for enabling this overwhelming victory in the first round making a second round runoff on march the twenty fifth completely impossible now you mentioned earlier what about the other candidates how did they take the outcome of the pope. three of the four candidates in fact recognize the result of the vote and congratulated him personally at the meeting with the prime minister except for the grant of the leader of the communist party the second place candid with seventeen point two percent who refuses to acknowledge to recognise the results of the election still believes that you. must be held he held in fact a small rally around three hundred people of central moscow clearly is the most important aspect of this meeting with bush and other candidates because i was. basically acknowledge the fact that we will be willing to launch his own political party and said that the united russia and prime minister himself will be willing to

cooperate with me and his opposition party if he eventually decides to launch this new movement among these events shows. the opposition in russia is very much it's a coin with two sides on the one hand we have is willing to hold dialogue with those in power on the other hand we have radicals like very popular willing to ask this conflict where how the opposition. will be hate and what dialogue will they have have with the authorities we are certainly get to see the latest we've heard is that the opposition is contemplating another march through the streets of moscow another rally in the streets of moscow on saturday may in the march the tenth but it's still unclear whether they will be able to organize it with the authorities parties alexander scare in moscow thank you alex a. current affairs journalist richard spencer says russia has much more diversity in its opposition than america. i think there's

a lot more healthy opposition in russia and there is the united states at least from what i can see you know i mean the united states again you'll have some a lot of arguments of left and right about some hot button issues and things like that but i don't think there's really the diversity to use the word that so popular in america in america that you find in russia and russia of all sorts of parties you have a communist party you've ruled a kind of pro-capitalist liberal party you have nationalist party you don't get really anything like that in united states we have in many ways a. maybe you could say in my article or a prevention or a really narrow structure in united states there actually seems to be other perspectives in the russian national political debate that are simply absent you know. i deem important victory was widely expected not only in russia but internationally too but american media was keen to report alleges voting fraud even

before the ballot itself our correspondent in washington guy next to ken tells us the reaction across the atlantic to the decision made by the russian people. even before the election the american audience were primed to believe that the presidential vote in russia had to be a fraud is this one going to be worth it when the west would call a free and fair election. it seems highly unlikely that it will be a free and fair election in our sense of the term and that is martians made their choice when you have the results of russia's presidential election before a single vote was cast the unequivocal view of these international observers is that this was not a genuinely fair democratic contest that meets international standards. let me put victory was confirmed not just by the vote results but even before that quite meijer opinion polls as well the focus of some media on rampant fraud or

stolen elections seems to leap out of the equation the vast majority of russian voters would be trees but i didn't witness their next president if you look at how western let's look at russian opinion there's a tendency to ignore i don't know in community opinion so support for putin is ignored which is genuine i don't know if it's quite as overwhelming again as the election results when it but it's it is large and sincere i think it's easy for westerners to ignore things like that because they don't really fit in the narrative very easily and there was an unprecedented monitoring of the elections in russia with cameras in all polling stations and almost the muley in washes volunteers to observe the vote certain violations have been reported they are being investigated the question some ask is why would we didn't try to rig the vote when opinion polls before the elections clearly indicated that he had sixty plus percent support it's very possible to put himself in order any of us stuff but there are supporters or people as a long tradition in russian. culture and history of people underlings trying to

please people further up the chain of command so it's perfectly plausible that people look you know magistrates or governors people in charge of the civic reasons they want to impress people for the blind by demonstrating how strong support for putin was in their area so without the necessity of any input from the center people can take decisions on their own that they do in order to please their bosses unlike the media and the reaction of the white house to congressional elections was more reserved think congratulated the russian people with their elections and said washington looks forward to working with the president elect and urged the russian government to look into the reports of violations but when it comes to the media coverage here it's not just about reporting on certain irregularities which absolutely should be covered but it's fine perception is being created whole vote was a fraud no matter what the majority of russians say and it casts a shadow not just on the future president but also on those who voted for him i'm

going to check on reporting from washington our people. from the u.s. to the u.k. let's now talk to dr marcus foth the editor of the u.k. current affairs politics first during his election campaign putin has been promising to continue building a stronger russia now the balance of foreign pressure how will moscow's international ties change with him at the helm. without a tell the president president elect putin's picture in sunday's election. really continue russia's position on the global arena as a strong player something that was lacking in the one nine hundred ninety s. as a result of the out and recklessly implemented policies of the pro-west and boris yeltsin so we can continue to see from russia under vladimir putin is a strong russia seeking out influence around the world and been a global player as indeed the united states is as in the u.k.

and as in the front seats as well and backs that's the greatest seen in the eyes of western powers of law to be approaching because ideally what they would like to see in many western capitals washington and london in particular is a weak russia a compliant russia russia is dependent on not only i.m.f. so the fact that there could have been. issues of electoral fraud in sunday's presidential elections in russia. is not really it's not really the problem for many western statesmen because no political system in the world electoral system in the world is perfect let's forget let's not forget in the two thousand presidential elections in america large parts of the african american community in florida which prevents it from voting so no electoral system is perfect but the fear the concern in the west is that russia under vladimir putin and for the forseeable future not

be that weak russia but the world saw in the ninety nine cities what western media has been largely critical of putin's decision we see in that time and time again his decision to stand for president and his election campaign now he's been elected and the focus has been on the protests how long is this attitude going to continue . well i mean the protesters in moscow and some in other parts of russia they are insightful to protest and that's in shrines in the russian constitution. but the western media takes its leads from western governments where in the world there's a country which the west has a problematic relationship with and providing that countries in a geostrategic lee important part of the world it will start to demonize that governments because it seeks regime change it wants a pro western governments concept and of course western media picks up on merits and starts the whole process or accusing. the leader of that country to be our best

sports. you know a murderous tyrants which of course doesn't conform to reality so for example british media are promoting these little pratap. singh. looking a pretty tame when the elections fairly and back at bats in conjunction with what the british government sustain at the moment but as i said just now the issue really isn't about which the elections were fair or not you which they were it's all about vladimir putin what he's done for russia in the last twelve years since he's been at the helm of power in the kremlin and very briefly what course you think putin will take during his third term as president how far will he try to placate the opposition while continuing on with his own agenda. well. the opposition are entitle woods. it's to express their opinion but let's not

forget three of the four candidates that stood in some place presidential elections have met with latino puts in have accepted the results. in regards to what's called president elect roots and will take without a doubt the economy will be its focus needs to be diversified russia cannot keep a line on oil and carrots and one possibility that the russian government may need to explore the supply of water to china china has been urging the russians to do this through a longtime china as a shoot to kill filter of russia as an abundance of water and if russia somehow can divert its rivers which are close to the chinese border southward into china then russia could be on to a winner there so without a doubt everything hinges on the russian economy and that will mean a strong russia at home but also a strong russian ruble free about all the time we have dr marcus nobles editor of

the u.k. current affairs politics first thank you thank you. while the presidential election is a serious issue there's always room for some fun as you can see next. to a secret location some unconventional moments that polling stations filmed by web cameras intended to monitor the voting process but which captured a lot more besides. senator john mccain has called for airstrikes and the military campaign against syria the first u.s. lawmaker to do so this statement comes as international pressure on president assad increases with more sanctions imposed on the regime meanwhile red cross aid house reached two parts of the city of homes where civilians are caught between government forces and the armed opposition parties maria is following developments for us. former presidential candidate john mccain has become the first senator to

publicly call for a u.s. led military strike on syria to and eleven months long conflict here in the country so after copies of mccain's speech have him telling the senate that serious crisis has reached a decisive moment and the only realistic scenario to preserve innocent lives is with military add power we're also hearing from the free syrian army here on the ground that it's waiting for foreign weapons to arrive earlier it confirmed it had received weapons and anti aircraft missiles from u.s. and french sources meanwhile the regional media reports that more french officers have been detained in the city of homs that's become a center of the conflict between the authorities and the opposition here in syria and they're now being held in every hospital where we have been receiving information earlier that more than one hundred french paratroopers have been detained in the city of towns on the ground political efforts to find a way out of this conflict are in full swing. the need for democratic change

pushed the syrian people to the streets last march a year on pro-democracy slogans and mostly forgotten and political reforms passed almost unnoticed wrongly. claims a member of the baath party whose almost fifty year rule was ended by the country's newly implemented constitution he believes syria is going through a historic transformation. the country's billion stagnation for a long time and multi-party seems to move finally pave the way to competition development and do this new syrian. opposition and those who are angry with the oh shit so fake. hundred percent fake talk we do not trust our people do much for us. we believe what ever he promises we've tried that too many years ago and too many times and

he's never been an artist but not all opposition members are so skeptical some have decided to take it there and draw on the parliamentary race ninety days before the elections at least six new plant has appeared and their names reflect society's vital need and the party's aspirations for have democratic entitle for either national or solidarity the allens our party is just four weeks old its members say the hardest thing will be to persuade people to actually vote but they believe the ice has broken. finally the door that was closed assuming the years is open we should use it and activate because political will come here because of the skeptics main concern is that this noble impulse could not come at the worst time no one in syria will set the table of the regime why killing is still growing in the streets and bombing is still going on the city is. but suffer i could talk for party

believes the reforms could be an important tool in finding a solution to the country's put track to crisis and. i can describe the situation as painful but we can resolve it together all parties preparing documents for the president and the government and we call all parties to start dialogue what a military solution in foreign countries interference will only make things worse we should not intervene and we should start deciding. and your constitution is the latest in the package of reforms that also include the lifting of emergency laws and the release of political prisoners might that highly says these changes could be a double edged sword making the country stronger but also more vulnerable to foreign influence. people and summaries are in dollars reels and dramas we want to destroy the country we don't want changes we know the caliber no changes to happen we have to pull reformation and we should stand still to resist it but maybe the

theories of change at home just as powerful the syrian parliament has seen many changes in its near century old history of this building used to be home to many political parties but in the last fifty years the political life within these walls hasn't been all the colorful the total dominance of the vast party the democrats of changes the uprising brought iran are expected to modify the political landscape here in syria but the same for us from nations are yet to come in people's minds and this is something which will take a lot longer race national t.v. damascus syria. our web site r.t. dot com it's packed full of news analysis and eye catching videos here's a taste of what's online at the moment. a multibillion dollar arms deal between moscow and beijing could be in jeopardy as china is reluctant to promise to stop propping russian fighter jets. fans who let the dog vote well the answer is the

u.s. state of new mexico where a pooch is now registered voter get the full story to our teams out. barack obama has told the pro israeli conference in washington america will not hesitate to use force to prevent iran from getting nuclear weapons israel has been pushing for military action against the islamic republic and though the u.s. president did stress the need for a diplomatic solution his voice on the issue might not be the most powerful one as artie's liz wahl reports. it's an annual tradition more than thirteen thousand people gathering in the nation's capital for the american israel public affairs committee annual conference it gives people from all over the country and to. revitalize their approach it is very important the united states will back israel while apac is considered to be one of the most powerful

lobbying groups in america and they host this conference each year showcasing american israeli unity just how much power this group has over u.s. foreign policy there is controversy speaking at the conference president obama reiterated america is dedicated to fostering strong ties with its closest ally the want to comes to preventing iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. i will take no options off the table and i mean what i say. that includes all elements of american power statements like that make the world wonder is war with iran just around the corner. are pushing us into a regional war that. does have cataclysmic potential apac supports more jewish voice for peace and many jewish americans are in the side of peace. but. they're also protesting the lobbying

groups enormous impact on us politics politicians know that if they attempt to speak up on this issue they're going to be not just vilified they're going to be defeated apac affiliated groups pump exorbitant amounts of money and supplemental campaigns and a meeting in the white house israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu told obama that we are you and your us were together and while netanyahu stress israel will always be a master of its own fate obama insists united states will always have israel's back when it comes to israel since for this after israel has warned they will launch an attack against iran without giving the u.s. notice and washington visible artsy journalist max blumenthal says netanyahu so aggressive stance on iran could spell disaster for israel the u.s. and the rest of the world. iran has practical concerns it is going to act in its

own best interests own best interest is not to launch a nuclear strike on israel even tinier pardo the head of the israeli mossad intelligence service says that so it's really benjamin netanyahu and acting through a pac which is like their shadow government in washington to alter american policy and move against american interests and they've already done that with sanctions the obama administration has fought sanctioning iran central bank because they knew that it would raise gas prices and oil prices inside the u.s. congress passed it one hundred to nothing this apac resolution and now we have high gas prices and americans don't really understand why and now they're pushing us war for israel to apac netanyahu it seems so messianic and so influenced by a neo conservative line of thinking that he's taking israel down this path of self-destruction. hyping war rhetoric and pushing the united states attempting to

corral the united states into a war that could be catastrophic according to the world renowned economist nouriel roubini a war that could cause a global recession. now that the russian presidential election is over investors are waiting to see what economic policies the government will pursue let's find out more from our business with so what are the main concerns while fitch ratings agency is mainly concerned about the budget the agency essentially threatens to cut russia's long term rating if the new government fails to tighten monetary policy the ratings agency says selection campaign will inevitably increase the budget by as much as one hundred sixty billion dollars of additional spending over the next six years apart from raising the social cost and also pledge to increase the country's economic growth piece to seven percent however you've been on your show from. is kept about this. so far it doesn't look real unfortunately

with. all the structure with russian economy and mostly resource oriented exports resource around the country we are not capable to grow faster than four percent a year for four four and a half percent a year and it's impossible so when the situation we can see the situation even in the polls and to level two thousand and thirteen if we want to grow seven percent a year in real terms we need changes and that's exactly what's not. and let's now take a look at how the markets are reacting to all of this the russian markets are shedding of value this hour are both the r.t.s. and the my sex are shedding. roughly three and a quarter percent and almost three percent respectively now the glue chips are losing value pretty much across the board the major movers are all majors like financials including this very bank and metals and mining like m m k and european

stocks are also shedding value this afternoon both the footsie and the giants are. down with miners and banks way on the indices you can see those numbers there. now crude is an important indicator for both the russian market and the global indices and there's been see very choppy trade this tuesday this tug of war trade is essentially has two competing factors it's the supply concerns over iran's nuclear program on the one hand and the macroeconomic headlines including china's this isn't too hot it's growth growth forecast on the other china the world's second largest economy decided to cut its forecast to below was level in eight years to seven and a half percent in two thousand and twelve this year and now on to the currencies the euro is sharing against the dollar and going russian ruble is currently losing value against both the euro and the dollar and that's all the latest from the

business desk this hour i'll be back in about fifteen minutes i'll see you then. wealthy british style. is not on the side of the.

market why not. come to. find out what's really happening to the global economy with much stronger for a no holds barred look at the global financial headlines tune into cars report on r g.