now at five thirty pm on friday here in moscow here come the headlines now the crucial battle for syria's commercial capital against the regime as fears of a new massacre with the rising death toll gaining control of aleppo is seen as the key to turning the tables and now eighteen months of. the olympic flame is set to be lit within hours in the british capital but many londoners are feeling left out of the spectacle and overwhelmed by traffic and restriction big corporations sponsoring the event of squeezed out small business and seem to be the only party profiting from the game. at a us strategy shift goes on a major head hunt for hackers all in the hopes they can use their skills to aid the government. right next to speak to our history professor jeffrey roberts what about

the legacy of the soviet union and the rise of nationalism in a supposedly multicultural europe this is on. jeffrey ruppert a professor at university college of course an island thank you very much for being with us today thank you so here in russia there are two dimensionally different takes on sterling some say he was a great guy who won the second world war and he actually gave the country an immense post another state at that actually he undermined the economy which led to the eventual collapse of the u.s.s.r. what's your take on that when stalin dog winston churchill is reported to have said

that the starving found russia with a wooden plow and he left it with atomic bombs and i think that statement you know sums up stalin's achievement i achieved it was to modernize the soviet union to urbanize so you can t. dust your license so that you can to build the foundations of a country that was able to withstand the germany in beijing in one thousand nine hundred eleven go on twitter patrol russia. and also the foundations for your post war draw us all to saudi you to a nuclear superpower you know if russia is still a great country. with an important role to play in the world and enormous potential for the future it's because the foundations that were laid during start of time now having said that of course there could be lots of questions and discussions as to whether or not this modernization of russia had to have been as brutal as it was

because of course started in my modernized russia but you know in the postwar russia well the pre-war russia as well but starting was also responsible for the deaths of millions of people so you can i would discuss. about the cost you can have a discussion. about time tips about whether or not different courses of action and events would have been. perhaps more effective than the ones that starving starving pursued. but nevertheless in the end it's a historical fact that. the soviet union was successfully modernized under stalin albeit on a very brutal basis so the cause of the collapse really is to blame on other leaders they came after styling rather than well because that's just the ideal point to my course is that the system that stalin built them which persisted off to his death ok when he died. some are more brutal aspects the system disappeared such

as the mass terror but sensually it was still stolid system but i system is a very defective system in many ways and those defects in the end result in the collapse and also the mentality you know that stalin sort of try to establish and seventy and the mentality that he left after his death was also to blame for the collapse at the end of the day you know well it depends what kind of mentality you're talking about you know stalin was a communist you believed in in socialism he believed in a communist utopia he believed in the soviet system he believed that the soviet union was a model for the whole the whole world not one doesn't have to agree with his belief or that vision but one has to recognize the power of deprivation and the power of everything was very very important in the historical development of the sort you before starting with a life and then subsequently because what happens is go bitch of comes along and he

questions and challenges that traditional soviet self image and attempts to reform the system inquire radical way and the result of course is the. the eventual collapse of the system talking about sterling as a political figure and i guess people in the west mostly know him as the man who let russia to win the second world war so here for us at home there is no doubt that we won the war and without russia second world war would not have been won are their thoughts in the west about that and how is there a genuine interest actually in the west to really find out about the role of russia and how it really let the war to be won there are some people in the west who would want to deny not just russia but the soviet union's role in winning the second world war well because it's uncomfortable true for them to face up to this role

for a terrier socialist communist regime under this dictator stalin was responsible for the teeth of defeat if ever i mean in fact was responsible for as opposed to nazis well that the that those kind of people also tend to have a view that there was no great difference between nazis among commons and when that started in the just as bad as each other but i don't think that would be you have the most prevalent view of the most prevalent view will be one of the would recognise the difference between nazis and communism and the difference is between hitler and stalin and hitler was a far more dangerous dictator for the world and started it was so i think and i think there is now there is creasing recognition of the soviet role in winning the war and of course there are always people who who want to present a different view present a distorted view of the events of the second world war so you are someone who knows a lot about it and who started stalin you wouldn't say that at this point in the west there is a deficit of knowledge about stalin and his will and russians role in world war two

there's always a deficit of historical knowledge there's deficit of knowledge about the war but not just in the west also in russia. as well. but you know i don't think that deficit is to grow. as i said i think there is now days much much greater recognition of the soviet role in the second recognition of the soviet role in the second world war more recognition than people in russia actually recognize because to what your science to me says something russians always saying to me why why don't they recognize our role in when the second world war and i was sitting actually most people most people do particularly since the end of the cold war during the cold war there was this odd your logical struggle going on of course and part that i'd looked was an effort by western cold warriors to did no i the reality of the soviet role in defeating nazi germany and their western cold war is to the

exist in a still making the same kind of arguments but they're not as widespread and effective as they used to be yet you think that people from that war are still alive and the memories of that war are still so fresh you'd think that would learn our lesson but then you see these huge nationalist right wing rising up in europe what's to blame well that that's that's not the extreme right movement in europe ultranationalist in the national journal is not a new phenomenon it's not a recent no no it's true that recently. the political influence of national nationalism it's very strong particularly the more extreme force has grown in various countries of europe. i think that has mostly to do with the economic and political problems but europe is. facing at the moment which poses a dollar for it to know the whole future of the european union i think is also part of we've. you know as time goes on the war you know received from many memory

becomes a much more distant event and the more time elapses. the more possibilities there offer people to present. distorted accounts. of the war some think it's partly a function of of the distance we've got to travel from war to partly explains. this development of nationalism out for national mystery nationalism in europe but then because the moment the main reason it's to do with contemporary politics i know economics robert that. history now and that's that's not to say that history isn't important course because there are many many lessons of history which are open to the contemporary crisis seen believe this the worst crisis that here are right now is experiencing if that is to last or get worse that will also. but it would also incite that they rise of more national nationalist sentiment i

think there is there is a great danger of that if the eurozone collapses the e.u. collapses the most likely. is that they will be replaced by different forms of nationalism. the question is what forms a national somehow extreme and dangerous take on herself i think there are great dodge nichols that's the historical lesson of what happened before the second world war particularly in the one nine hundred for that is where you had a similar crisis the world we got from now on the result that cause of the rise of nationalism extreme nationalism into europe the. emergence of a number of foreign terror and the fascist. regime so that so the less there is the historical lesson there is that there is a great danger that develops now i don't see is by any means being. simple i think the difference between now and then is that democratic culture democratic

institutions are much stronger in europe than they were before the second world war so i'm confident i'm hopeful that european democracy kinds of thought this current crisis do you think talking about democratic institutions to think that a politician with anti-democratic means could rise to power through those democratic institutions what that that's exactly what happened in the case of hitler didn't it and that's what happened in a number of other countries in europe but before and off the second world war so it's it's a distinct possibility that it will be a challenge it will be a test of western democracy not just western democracy but european international democracy kind of how do you survive the challenge of a kind of nationals in which chemicals fraud in conditions of economic collapse and political disorder could stick. together as a united europe maybe work as

a magic potion against president. i don't think it's a part of the cea. but i sincerely hope that the european union doesn't collapse because for all its faults the european union on what it represents is much much better than the ultra nationalist. alternative. who knows what's going to happen. i think it's possible the european union will survive and i hope it does support life and if i were russian if i would russian i would actually be hoping that's the case as well because the collapse and he on the rise of extreme forms of nationalism in europe is going could pose a question if you can challenge for russia for us which are from upper to thank you very much for this until you.

get something inappropriate from the public they can easily be. casualties of war ok. i wish you would have never happened but it has happened. in a war a t.v. camera becomes an unnecessary what this is their own safety all foreign nationals including journalists and inspectors should leave the room. and it's clear what happens with such witnesses they got it on my site. one for the record i'm. sure there are some shooting on our. bills started here. for going global. cooling.

choose your place. take your stuff. to. make your statement. spread the word. wealthy british. it's a. free. market . find out what's really happening to the global economy for a no holds barred look at the global financial headlines tune in to watch.

the headlines on the crucial battle for syria's commercial capital against the regime as fears of a soul with a rising death toll gaining control. is the key to turning the tables for the eighteen month long will it lead plane was about to reach its destination in the british capital but many londoners are feeling left out of the spectacle instead rather overwhelmed by traffic. small business and see the possibility. of u.s. strategy shift as washington goes on a major headhunter. and hopes they can use their skills to aid the government. to the world. you don't get to see you today you will the sports old boy it's time for lift off in london yeah this below is an even more money spent the thirty games

are almost upon us quite a lot of excitement lots of sport look for just the second. thank you for joining us this is sports a plenty ahead over the next ten minutes or so including all this. london calling after seven years of planning the twenty twelve olympic games officially begin later on friday. hopes and dreams ahead of the games are two men off but still be at swimming legend only call to see what the actual press is chances in the. box on the greens just four days after winning the british open the big easy returns to action and. there are just hours to go and before the opening ceremony of the london olympic games for russia sent just over four hundred athletes with the mission of bringing

back twenty five gold medals but it's not just on the podium where the country intends to leave its mark. after seven years of planning and at a cost of fourteen billion dollars london is finally ready to stage the biggest show on earth and russia has arrived here with the aim of finishing third in the medals table the majority of his squad on ice settling into the athletes' village base at the olympic park in the north east of the city that is where the majority of medals will be won and lost over the next two and a half weeks and to give us a flavor of what it's like up there is that you've ample flipped over spare for each village just behind me there will be about ten thousand sportsman and official staying in the village church games including the four hundred or so russians because he's the number two house seats i don't walk around in the pillage but we could go also but again as i was very very impressed with the whole setup it was much improved from beijing years ago it's all now face to cafes and restaurants.

it's more respect so that each so silver spring we should enjoy this story that spokane small but not competing for russia will be hoping for a more improved performance in the bank through the games ok that was winter olympics this summer olympics russia sunday will be hoping to try to get around twenty five gold medals trying to seal third place in the middle table overall image trying to catch the likes of china usa have a moment just for believe much more realistic but certainly if they can hold on to first place that will be a very good spurs all the russians now after the russian athletes have finished their events you might actually see them in the west end of london at either the russia park or sort she world to explain more is constantine petaca. during the olympics there will be a little bit of russia in the center of london the queen kindly allow the russians to host events in one of the royal parks kensington gardens you can go to russia

park well last minute preparations are being finished with a chance of meeting one of the russian athletes and just. have some fun at concerts and on nothing the russian culture and if it's too hot you can chill out at such a port that presents the next winter olympics visitors of the venue will be able to see preparations for the olympic games watch figure skating shows on an ice rink and explore what the city has to offer so plenty to look forward to but not everyone is happy because some london is now grumbling about the traffic restrictions in the center of the city during the games did they have a point well over the dunya and has been gauging the mood of the nation. i've come to one of london's most famous places to bulger square by now the way people feel about the upcoming games and some olympic innovations the point is that the cd has gained some special olympic lanes linking olympic venues and making sure athletes

and officials get the rounds on time there are also some restrictions to the way roads can be used by common drivers especially in central london. the traffic will be gridlocked in and around central london. they have a really full of well where the traffic going to go as long as you are in peak family to get around london can suffer and it will suffer till the twelfth of august so it's very very good it's going to be something which i will never see again i guess and it's we're very lucky so despite some little difficulties that may be the expense of common people being part of the olympics is just priceless well the weather alone is enough to make you cheerful at the moment because after the wettest june on record it's been lovely here in london over the last couple of days and let's hope that continues for the opening ceremony on friday and beyond but whatever happens come rain or shine we will be here to keep you updated on russia's progress over the next seventeen days of competition and our take london

sunday in london who would have thought it nice staying with the olympics and moving to russia's swimming prospects r.t. getting the thoughts recently of one of the sport's greatest the so named monster in the waves four time olympic champion sonny cough. thank. you. i got this positive energy from my favorite movies i learned you know like i like the star wars excellent fairy tale and they say the force should be with you and i actually. i was every time i see some some little things which not maybe. not right i was thinking of playing the role and before the final i saw the clouds in the sky and all the sky became gray and dark and so i thought ok this is a good site so the force coming to me and i showed my best.

during this race lot of my are pictures from my life or possibly the front of my eyes it was the most difficult race of my career last couple of laps were very painful and i was you know bowed to the conscious but you know i keep myself going with the thought if i go down to the bottom of the pool so nobody really will greet me after this so i just trying to you know keep some kind of sense of humor some kind of sense of control and i found that i really could control my body hundred percent but at the same time it was extremely. pleasant feeling that i could feel every cell of my body but second feeling was ok probably i will get this feeling again in the next three years because i knew before that it's going to be my last.

you can be wrong in your predictions and i don't like to make any so i can only say we have changed. in really sincerely in women's backstroke and breaststroke. have a good sprinters so my pollution is the they're all going to get into the final ensure their best results the result will be good enough so there will be a medal but i cannot count mental before we get into the boy. moving on where just four days after winning his second open championship golfer ernie els is back with club in hand on the other side of big tick the canadian open getting underway on thursday the big easy though not quite reaching the same form as he did a royal lytham months and finishing his first try to have a part ten shots off the lead it's american scott pearcey who's top of the leaderboard after shooting a course record eight par sixty two incredible stuff. switching to

motor sport mclaurin helping setting the tone early on ahead of the hungarian grand prix two thought is the nature world champions lewis hamilton and jenson button just one tenth of a second apart they dominated first practice on friday overall leader fernando alonso coming home third fastest in the session the spawn seeking to repeat his two thousand and three winning effort here and given the ultimate gift on his thirty first birthday which takes place on sunday. and squeezed into the top five right in between the two mercedes cars of nico rosberg and michael schumacher second practice on the day is now on the way. switching to two wheels or a volunteer rossi has been contemplating whether or not to keep the motor running in his moto g.p. career the thirty three year old's contract with to be expires at the end of the year on says this could be it rossi a seven time champion also undergone a disappointing stretch racing for his home manufacture the italian yet to win the

race since after switching stables at the start of the eleven season rossi standing he will make up his mind for good within the next few. american football where two of the n.f.l.'s leading lights taking part in training with their new clubs for the very first time tim thibeault on shoe fit new york jets after switching from denver the twenty four year old spent two seasons with the broncos helping them play in the f.c. west title last year the quarterback is to act as a reserve for mark sanchez when the new season starts in september a lot has been made of the competition for places since it was a rival but sanchez remains diplomatic he can help any team we're lucky and it's it's going to work out well if anybody knows how to make it work it's coach braun oh. you know whether tim runs the rose is on special teams you know he's only going to be an asset for us so we're thrilled about his potential here well the disappointment of broncos fans who saw t.-bone leave will have been conjured by the

subsequent arrival of peyton manning who also. trained with this new teammates for the first time this week after fourteen years with the indianapolis colts an injury ravaged campaign last season so the quarterback depart as a free agent and it was the broncos who won the race the son the thirty six year old on a five year ninety six million dollar deal. rory suchet one of the only men who are inside iran here and he's all next with all the news in a couple of moments time.