cause a report on r.g.p. . syrian rebels threaten to kill forty eight iranian hostages they kidnapped on saturday if the assad regime doesn't stop its shelling. spain's government faces the flak for cracking down on dissent after sick use of second journalists to question the country's mounting ups and tax hikes. and deadly terrorist strikes in russia's republic of chechnya with suicide bombers attacking an army checkpoint while a car bombing claims more lives our top stories this hour on r.t. .

and on screen international news and comment live from our new center here in moscow syrian rebels have threatened to kill iranian pilgrims they kidnapped over the weekend unless government forces stop their shelling the opposition fighters claim three of the forty eight captured have already died in continued shooting video recently aired by the news channel reportedly shows the prisoners surrounded by government rebels claim the captives were members of the elite iranian revolutionary guard meanwhile in other developments damascus claims the syrian prime minister has fled to jordan has been sacked his thought is not the only recent defection from assad's in these well that he is the first from his cabinet this is the army and rebels gear up for a major battle in aleppo with heavy casualties reported on both sides reach racing to plug the gaps with new recruits a mult conscripts say they're ready to die for the cause others are trying to dodge the draft as reports. on the outskirts of damascus progress or meant paramilitary also known. camped out in what used to be a tree most

a local man who say they quit their regular jobs to defend their homeland only twenty nine prior to the uprising he worked as a t.v. technician and his passion for the small screen is still there while watching this i five blockbuster armageddon scenes of bruce willis saving the planet got him talking these movies always show americans defending ones that don't belong to them even their own land was the property of indians now they are fighting all around the world so how come you deny our right to defend our own land the opposition accuses the shabby her of conducting massacres but this man say they've themselves are often targeted by the rebels some even adopted new come of march to avoid being identified the armistice reliance on the prior military has a tactical advantage they know the area but it's also out of necessity as the death toll among troops rises more syrians are dodging the draft military service in

syria is a year and a half but those for over eight c. in and out not only stands university students can delay or shorten their terms while those with how they should be exempted on medical grounds in the past job dodgers could also attempt to bribe officials to get the names of the list but the controls got much tighter the base going abroad is the only legal option to avoid getting called out that's what is now considering six young men from his down recently returned home in coffins and he says for the sake of his family he can't risk being going to pay for their courses. the court all need to go more to the home. but after the crisis. not. to go for me or even the syrians love the others so i was. taller than me thought.

the extent of draft dodging is hard to gauge since the syrian government does not comment on its military but in the country's hospitals the reasons for avoiding active duty is all too graphic sammy who is also twenty six was conscripted from hama half a year ago while his what it will take at least three months to heal he says he doesn't regret joining the army. it's normal that parents would be worried about sending their sons to the army will especially in the times like this some of my friends advised me not to go this on the country wanted me to join the army at the end my parents said i should do it to have these cleared so that i could go on with my own life the syrian army sometimes per trade as a killing machine yet many of its members are just in that early twenties and if anything they're to are the victims of her war that country has been dragged into the boycott artsy reporting from syria. the gulf arab nations are seeking closer

ties as the foreign ministers of the six states are set to talk integration next month saudi arabia and bahrain which seemed popular uprisings for the past year and a half have been at the forefront of pushing for gulf cooperation protesters are calling for an end to what they say is discrimination by the saudi monarchy which have been stepping up their crackdowns in bahrain dozens of demonstrators were injured in the rest of last week after security forces tear gas and stun grenades at them to this also demanding the release of political prisoners will only my colleague kevin and talk to human rights activist al quadea who asked us not to reveal her location she explains the hardships of a fight in the face of the. international community. my father still recovering from has long hunger strike that he staged a few months ago and he has this ongoing appeal in a sham trial and behind him because of course i'm behind we don't have an independent or a just my sister was arrested two nights ago during the self-determination protests

who are staging a one person protest inside a roundabout is talking about you and your sister how much danger is there now for activists in your country is that a fair representation the place for activists and behind today seems to be prison we have a whole agenda to be at large up warbles very prominent human rights defender not just them for them but in the region and then also is in of the whole region now all in prison and so it does seem like it but doesn't know how to deal with human rights defenders and does you as a threat to the regime in the country talk to julian assange on his interview show . this channel criticize the u.s. for backing the rules in the gulf state i've got a quote. of use if you let me he said it's very clear that the united states democracy and human rights are only applied in countries which they have problems with not with dictatorships that they have good relations with how do you view that assessment well i think it's very. true i mean we're seeing that in many different

examples of the double standards that are being practiced i mean you don't see the same response to the situation in yemen for example the way you do in other countries like for example syria unfortunately it does seem that you know supporting human rights comes in the form of interests they support human rights when it's in their interest to do so and then they will not support human rights when it's not in their interest. to go. well i think it's mostly going to be a situation where we need to raise awareness amongst people in those countries you know the difference between the west and a lot of our countries is that the vote actually does have a nun fluence in some situations and so if we can get people in the united kingdom in the united states and other countries to actually tell their government that we're not happy that you support a regime that is committing widespread human rights violations you know and we will vote for you again if you continue to do so then maybe we will see a change. it's the heavy the saharan r t the legacy of disorder

a year after riots and looting on london's streets residents in this summer's olympic capital aren't sure the violence still won't make a comeback. and also the trial of the female punk group pussy riot is in its second week now in moscow the trio accused of hooliganism in russia's main cathedral are currently being cross-examined and awaiting their fate. their story still to come but first spain's right wing government has been accused of silencing any dissent that's after a number of journalists were sacked for reportedly failing to toe the party line over sweeping cuts being piled on the people in return for an e.u. bank bailout debate show host republic iglesias ternium told me a little earlier here in r.t. that democracy is now being second feist in his country never in the spanish history of public television after that i'm going to day to shape the government control of the television or radio washouts strong now a days and in my opinion the victim must proceed probably the best question to

china to raise the political situation you know spain is lack of democracy the government nice in the hands of banks and markets and a little of you soon is going to need a new steel tool like your scholer novel and i think that your knowledge of criticism this is i can use an awesome ocracy in many ways and this time in spain probably the biggest pressure to find this style of the spanish government that it will go to the public television and the public radio hand for anyone who does not understand the media as a public right to see this and write books information for the government of public television and public radio yes political weapons before they were lost my i'm a hold to the government it was necessary at least a conscientious between the main political parties represented in the parliament and the trade union you know ordered to constitute. even team the administration council of the i'm. unfortunately there were many of the whoa you change the law

and now decorum and to control the absolute control of television we sowed any kind of green in we well there. and the trade union showed. it's the olympic some a spectacle that comes to mind first when london is mentioned this august but a year ago blazing falls and rampant looting were in place of the olympic rings on the city streets police were unable to bring the situation under control for almost a week gaudi's nor smith looks at what lessons the u.k. has learned. rioting and looting disorder these were the explosive scenes on the streets in towns and cities in england last august shops and warehouses attacked and taught by out of control youth and adults alike a situation the police took days to bring on to control a year on and on the surface till it's well damaged buildings have been rebuilt or

boarded up and people are going about their business again but take a little deeper and areas like here in tottenham where the riots started are still troubled and the underlying issues which caused the riots remain unresolved tottenham's m.p. says his community pulled together in the aftermath but admits trouble could break out again unemployment is up and it's also true to say that business is on the highroad all still struggling a many of them had very poor pavements under the riot damages act that was made to assist them in a double dip recession that hits the poorest communities hardest so you know it's one of those situations where yes we must be positive and hopeful but it's a fragile a fragile situation for us here in the last year numerous studies have been conducted into why the unrest became so intense and so widespread what began with anger over the fatal shooting by police of tottenham man mark duggan became

a spark that ignited a powder keg of disadvantage boredom and a dysfunctional relationship with the police something social just. his campaign to lead just says has not been addressed in employment is going up generally is going up in the country we're seeing closure after closure of use facilities and services school services are being caught and i think all of that with more aggressive what is called policing which we shall monsters zero tolerance policing means that takes only a matter of time and not so much if but when in the aftermath of the violence communities banded together to clear up their streets but many accuse the government not only of ignoring the root causes but of making problems worse for working class families oxfam says the poorest ten percent of society will suffer

thirteen times more from by seeing austerity cuts than the richest tenth and fifty six percent of young black men in britain are unemployed people in riots hit hackney like to think it won't happen again but are aware that it could be long. till. people. can give something to you. keep them busy. going to get work somehow believe me it will take many to trust the word situation and they kick people off for the benefit well nothing. i'm back on the force now i'm going to happen again quite the same way i don't think anything's going to just going it's very well for these people the fuse is still a light the fear is when and what will trigger the next explosion in their neighborhoods laura smith r.t. london. deadly terror attacks have hit russia's a volatile republic of chechnya

a suicide strike on an army checkpoint killed four soldiers in the capital grozny while a separate car bombing killed three servicemen explains. investigators say they found the bomb belts of a suicide bomber who attacked a checkpoint in grozny the capital of russia's chechen republic there were two explosions reported out that checkpoint and they killed four soldiers though that figure may include the dead bomber in another incident a military vehicle on its way into the city was blown up by a device placed underneath it that kills three soldiers and wounded three others in russia's north caucasus region there have been numerous gun and bomb attacks of this kind in the past months. you can also follow up on the stories on our website all tito comments online all the time we got plenty more for you there including reports are surfacing of a top secret u.s.

israeli treaty to attack iran we can find out online whether there are any grounds to these rumors. plus what child rainbow flags have been streaming through the streets of vietnam's capital for the first time in the country's history as it hosts its inaugural parade. is the. least. wealthy british style. is no time. for.

that. market. why now. why not what's really happening to the global economy with max kaiser there are no holds barred look at the global financial headlines to an end to kaiser report on r.t. . the trial of the female punk band pussy riot has resumed here in moscow after a weekend recess the defendants are currently facing cross examination with public opinion over the controversial case divided the question on everyone's lips is just what the verdict will be parties peter oliver reports. it's the trial that's gripped global attention three members of the punk rock collective pussy riot are accused of hooliganism after taking part in an anti putin protest inside moscow's main cathedral the demonstration dubbed a punk rock prayer to rid russia of vladimir putin to media focus around the world

now the three women in the dock face up to seven years in jail. but i would like to reiterate our stance which we have expressed from the very start our defendants did not perpetrate a criminal offense and therefore any verdict of court say for an acquittal will be unlawful. the group of being called political prisoners by human rights groups and media outlets donning support from many within the music industry staying faith no more and the red hot chili peppers have all called for the women to be set free but groups associated with the russian orthodox church were outraged by the demonstration and called for the harshest penalties available however those who defend the women say the protest wasn't born out of any religious hatred yes and this acts obviously had political character which just went side by side with other such political acts didn't stand out so the attempt to proclaim what has happened as abusive actions motivated by religious hatred is ridiculous also given its.

political character and the search for the shocking is clearly visible when you look at what the group are. done previously pussy riot have continuously courted controversy past stunts have included inviting the media to an orgy in a museum and one member forming a sex act with a frozen chicken in a supermarket because the performance though was a step too far for many in a nation where the majority of people orthodox kristie in search of a foremans in the country's main cathedral saw some accusing the group of blasphemy however some of russia's most ardent anti government activists who agree the women took things too far also said they shouldn't be punished too harshly another example of that they don't deserve it by the way i strongly disapprove of their act i'm old enough to be their dad so i would just spank them properly and let them off and now when they face up to seven years of prison this is going to far afield the

call for clemency was repeated by president putin the man who was the target of the protest jewish the. i hope the court will rule with a just decision if the bonds let's say defiled a sacred place in israel they would have to cope with some tough guys there and would face difficulties from attempting to leave the country with or to for example they went to the caucuses and defaced a muslim shrine security wouldn't have enough time to protect them from public anger nevertheless i don't think we should judge them too strictly on their own i hope they've made some important conclusions themselves and the way the final decision rests with the court. the trial continues here in moscow it's public opinion is divided over what punishment if any should be handed down to the three women in the dock peter oliver r.t. moscow. well still to come here on r.t. this hour fourteen the path to life for the red planet the most high tech mars rover ever built touches down and begin sending back images from its mission to

explore the martian surface could it support life and become a new place to live report on that in a few moments. and now for news making headlines around the world other stories for you in brief the london based bank standard chartered has been accused by u.s. financial regulator of illegally scheming with iran to launder around two hundred fifty billion dollars it's claimed the bank at work but to run for over a decade more than sixty thousand transactions from the authorities the banks now being officially branded the rogue institution it's yet to respond to the findings . authorities have identified the man who shot dead six worshippers at a sikh temple in the u.s. state of wisconsin as wade michael page was also revealed the forty year old who was killed in the shootout with police was an army veteran page who was said to have held radical white supremacist views and of the temple on sunday morning and

began firing the incidents caused outrage with six in india the model of the u.s. do more to protect the people. also in our world i believe that israel has found the bodies of a gunman who attacked a security checkpoint on the border with egypt heavily armed assault had left at least sixteen egyptian guards killed and eight injured when the government tried to cross the border israel responded with artillery fire both sides blamed the attack on islam as militants have been increasing their activity in recent months. but well if life on the red planet exists it could will be found soon as the most sophisticated mars rover starts sending its first pictures after successfully landing on the surface it will spend two years there could determine if it's possible to one day colonize the planet from the russian academy of cosmonaut x. thinks the achievement is a breakthrough but there's still a lot of work to be done. the curiosity is there or the mission which will

seek answers for the whole range of questions from whether there are conditions which could support wife two. whether there is enough water. under the surface of mars and of course one of the major questions is whether the conditions on mars are adequate to someday a human mission to the red planet your city is a very complex machines it can see so far a hundred different systems including dozens of for highly sophisticated instruments and. deal. with a program manager and are hundred percent certain that all this system so activated they will more or their curiosity to move an inch from the place where it is now and the overall testings of systems and instruments could pick from weeks to several months but i do not expect to get anything from can your city any time soon

then we know the next two or three weeks. business time with you know and could be britain's biggest property purchase is turn out to be made by a russian disgraced banker who boasts a lot about i know it sounds like it's from a go sit call them all something doesn't it bill and actually the two hundred ninety million dollars deal was actually made last year but through an offshore company and that's why the name of the boy wasn't revealed but now the thunder times newspaper says that the three century old residence they had mailed times in was sold to the expending of moscow all enjoy a bargain now he moved to england and twenty ten of the accusations of a full clive's prosecutors try to extradite bargain back to russia and they've done so since march with us like he was different. ok let's go into the markets and see how they're saying at the moment as we go yes they are reduced still time is busy

just then a lot of that is because of better than anticipated corporate earnings and there's also been a report lays in the session german chancellor angela merkel government apparently they plan to back the european central bank as a bond buying plan that's big news so with that in mind let's see how the european markets finished up this session we see that closing sega's and as we can see they finished up in positive territory they are extending a four month high actually and that's off to greece and its creditors they also agreed on the need to strengthen policy efforts to support growth investors that also considering the likelihood of formally requesting financial aid in the coming days a lot to digest those details of the common core is is the how that is responding to all of these sentiments as we can see that managed to get in and ready that was just in the last hour or two as we can see one twenty four six days his resume is trending up that's after falling for much of the session portion remains. cautious

is important obviously the moment because the european sovereign debt crisis is now in its third year and it's all going and i also want to mention the fact that ok we're looking at a lot of very green colors and optimism but as far as volatility is concerned it's low because at the moment a lot of investors there on holiday and they're watching the olympics pretty. typically quiet time of year so volume is alive ok with that in mind it's have a look at the russian markets mostly that they did close up in positive territory as we can see there the r.t.s. two and a half percent up in the mice it's one of course up now before the russian markets closed oil was out she'd love us it was interesting to see how that didn't impact it's in the last hour or so that we're looking at as we can see there has been gaining now for about three hours or ninety two other brands over one hundred nine . interesting to see how the actually markets here moscow respond in tomorrow's

session now it's all about the lympics i mentioned it just now how the bankers are or watching it but retailers in london they're suffering and that's what locals are working from home apparently to avoid traffic jams now as many as one on the whole of million of them apparently while it makes traveling easy for those who have to we said is all beginning to panic because the british capital is apparently now looking a little bit like the ghost town. farmer has the details. before the olympics began many traders thought that these games would give them a timely boost in trading but unfortunately many have found themselves lagging behind that has been dropping custom and there are two main reasons people believe firstly the number of tourists that have come to london is lower than expected and secondly around one and a half million people have decided to work from home and it's because they wanted to avoid any traffic chaos in the middle of london well this is affecting traders like emily hay who runs a sandwich shop he's been running one for the last two years but there's been a distinct lack of custom during lunch time period what have you noticed during the

olympics during the olympics we for we would be really busy but actually it's gone down like twenty five percent not many people around because enough choice around all staying in stratford and a lot of people working from home that's why it really affected us i had to get rid of one of my staff because it's not that busy. really and what about fellow traders are they all saying a similar thing they're exactly the same all my neighbors i talk to them and they stay are complaining that is really quiet at the moment is there anything that can be done i mean i know david cameron now is urging people perhaps to come into the city center to what can be done but. we're just hoping the olympics will finish by the next week so we get back to normal ok well thank you for your time and let's hope things pick up so it has to be said the lympics isn't entirely bad news seven billion pounds worth of business related contracts were generated by these games but just like the lympics in sport itself it appears that winners and losers have

been created in the economy ok they're more business about fifty minutes and a bit of scandal as well there why not call you're looking for that thank you very much katie see it later then the hour and shortly special report here on r.t. reveals the u.k.'s nuclear secrets i'll be back with a recap of the top stories first in just a couple of moments there was life here on r.t. .

nuclear fireball hides inside the. radioactive fallout of all government betrayal the government. everything law and claude and claude how can the truth be revealed if there's no official evidence there was indeed a very great danger to the servicemen concerned who were given no proper protection and to the people of this country generally because of the radioactive fallout. the secrets of the u.k.'s nuclear tests exclaims.