britain's media goes into overdrive speculating on kremlin involvement in this is directed poisoning of a former russian double agent in the u.k. . the pentagon halts ground operations against syria after its key ally changes focus to another u.s. partner in the region turkey. and an israeli soldiers film throwing a stun grenade after a couple carrying a baby trying to escape a military operation. is two o'clock here in moscow and you're watching r.t. international live from our studio with me in india today welcome to the program to

the two people are in a critical condition after being exposed to an unknown substance one of them is believed to be a former russian colonel who spied for britain the united victim. has retired from the russian military intelligence service in two thousand and six he passed the identities of russian secret agents in europe and was subsequently caught triple was sentenced to thirteen years in prison but in twenty ten he was released as part of a high profile spy swap with the u.s. and flown to britain. you recall back to two thousand and six that was when a man named. alexander litvinenko was poisoned indict a slow horrible death is served by st paul was poisoned it will never really do questions about kremlin involvement given that russian defector alexander litvinenko was murdered in two thousand and six using radioactive polonium immediately people's minds go back to alexander litvinenko and polonium two ten and

everything similarities will be drawn with that case which an inquest found led directly to the kremlin. now from london poly the british media has gone mad on this story seems that they've made up their mind is this right. well it is remarkable how with so you few facts the mystery of what made. really captured the hearts and minds of the news that it is here in the u.k. the newspapers the splashing in the news shows rule leading on it last night and this morning i listened to a well known radio program this morning and they took the highly unusual step of having an interview on this topic pretty much every quarter of an hour and you can see why it's a big story it's got all the hallmarks of a. spy novel scary power was a double agent he was convicted in russia for selling secrets to the u.k.

he was swapped in two thousand and ten in that famous spy swap for among others and the chapman that femme. as she was known spy for russia that was on masked in the u.s. and of course the media here comparing the way that script file has been struck down with the case as you heard there of alexander litvinenko another former russian spy who was poisoned with polonium litvinenko allegedly drank radioactive tea in an it sue in piccadilly a sushi restaurant in piccadilly and the narrative here now is that script pound may have had a poisoned pete in a pizza place and souls great let their own careers widow maria she's been doing the rounds giving interviews to newspapers and radio shows talking about how russian exiles in the u.k. need more protection and also that it's right to script pal's illness now the

fact that he's unwell is being taken so seriously by the authorities from the very start there are also fresh reports. coming from the b.b.c. that the woman that was found with him may have been his daughter and all. so that script feared for his life apparently in the past few weeks and months his wife and son had both died recently sensibly in car crashes and there are already outraged commentators banging their fists on tables is saying that the u.k. shouldn't be allowed to turn into the kremlin's killing fields amongst all this there are some voices calling urging for caution one former british ambassador to moscow this morning was saying that this story of this being a kremlin plot a kremlin sanctioned murder is somewhat at odds with the fact that putin has an

election in two weeks' time so this wouldn't be the best time to be rocking the boat there are also reports in the papers and some of them today that all of this may have been caused by as substance called fenton ale which is reportedly fifty to one hundred times stronger than morphine and has a similar influence on the body overdoses from that drug course that caused at least sixty deaths in the u.k. last year but of course all this is just speculation right now just like pretty much everything else in this story except for the fact that a double agent a former double agent has been found on well on a bench in solsbury ok polly reporting from london. the u.s. military has halted its ground operations against islamic state in eastern syria in a statement the pentagon said kurdish forces had banks in the area and shifting

their focus from fighting terrorists to countering a turkish offensive. some fighters operating within your steer have decided to leave operations in the middle euphrates river valley to fight elsewhere possibly in africa they're not fighting isis anymore and that basically meant that they're not taking territory burnt from isis is quickly as they had been in the past. the syrian democratic forces mentioned in the pentagon statement are predominantly kurdish militia they've been a key ally of the u.s. in the fight against iceland syria and have enjoyed washington support they have now joined the fighting in africa the city which is located in northern syria and it's been one of the main flashpoints of tension in the country that's after encore launched a ground offensive against kurdish forces in january turkey considers militias based there as terrorists and says it started the campaign to protect its border samir khan reports. but according to u.s. officials u.s.

backed a ground operations against islamic revenants in eastern syria have been put on hold now that's because kurds who had spearheaded combat against extremists have shifted to a separate fight with turkish forces in a free for the kurdish region of free and in northern syria has become a new geo political pivot point in the conflict turkey launched an offensive in a frame in january to expel syrian kurdish forces which it sees as a terrorist group and as an extension of a kurdish insurgency at home while the parties in the region are trying to figure out what to do exactly the violence in the region continues. for weeks now defense secretary jim matheson other u.s. officials have called turkey's operation a distraction from the isis campaign you know you've got the. distraction of what's

going on with africa right now it distracts from international effort to ensure the lasting defeat of isis what is going on in a green is taking away from the fight against isis it is a distraction as secretary mabus had called it is certainly not helpful however it seems that for kurdish forces the fighting in a frame is more than just a distraction kurds have been washington's key allies in the fight against iceland one of the most effective forces combat ing extremists in the region the pentagon has already admitted that the potential costs of their destruction from the isis is severe now we just have to wait and see how this will affect the battle against isis in syria and whether or not this will extend u.s. operations in the country john mcadams executive director at the wrong pole institute thinks relations between the us and the kurds are unlikely to normalize. well it reminds you of the old saying it's better to be the enemy than the ally of the united states because if you're the enemy they may try to buy you but if you're

the ally they certainly will sell you and that certainly seems like what they're doing with the kurds perhaps the kurds are understanding that they will be sold out they were sold out at rocca as well and they will be sold out in the eastern part of syria where the u.s. is operating and they're coming to the aid of their allies dizzee us hope that the syrian government gets further drawn in to the fight with the kurds against the turks then the u.s. can swing back around and help its turkish ally in fighting the syrian government and the kurds as well maybe that's the move that would mean the big question mark is what will russia do in a situation like that talk about a disaster. we've reached the one hundred day countdown mark before football showpiece tournaments for world cup twenty eighteen kicks off here in russia a total of sixty four matches will take place at twelve i then revamp until brand new stadiums across eleven cities.

celebrate three events will take place across russia this tuesday to mount the final countdown down a whole can says been reporting for us from the special studio here in moscow where the world cup will open this summer it's a pretty chilly snow covered day here today in moscow but of course the world cup will take place in the heights of moscow's warm summer it seems so long ago now that russia was bid to host the fifth world cup but as time has moved closer to the event it's really flown by and today marks the first one hundred days to list all of football's biggest festivals preparations have been well underway twelve stadiums across eleven cities from kazakhstan in the east to kaliningrad. in the west and fifo officials have been keeping a close eye on those preparations on those developments so far so good from them

it's been a thumbs up this is very important for fee for and for the local organizing committee to make clear to everyone and every fan around the world that the walkup is going to be an inclusive event an open event and welcoming even for everyone respective of their background origin nationality gender sexual orientation or skin color it is an event which is for everyone and this is the year the commitment that we have made in the local authorities in the local organizing committee that are behind this as well together with us people have complete trust in the security preparations and the security concept people looked at by russian authorities to the local organizing committee and we had also a great opportunity to test all the security arrangements and the concepts during the confederations cup last year and everything went there we will promote what point of view now organizers have put found comfort the center of preparations

those tens of thousands of fans coming to russia from all across the world will be able to get a special fan idea alongside their tickets now that means they can come into the country visa free as well as get free travel on special transport between the host cities and in the host cities as well also of course giving them peace of mind about safety and security now of course the fans have been the main priority but it's the sports teams themselves who are taking center stage many of the world's greatest stars coming to russia and it's fair to say those teams have had requests which have been let's say a little bit more unusual. will

come. will come once in a while to prepare. the stock you will enjoy the boys recalled. once in a while i'll be able to give you our best we're going to comfort you. very much full steam ahead here in russia as the countdown begins on what better place to watch all the action than all the tea with a star studded lineup of pundits and commentators bring you the latest updates.

well house special coverage of the tournament with some of football's biggest names to guide you through it all here on on board the united formica great peter schmeichel liverpool in england striker stan collymore on one of the most decorated coaches of the mountain game here. for a world cup twenty eight team coverage we've signed one of the greatest goalkeepers of all children but there was one more question by the way who's going to be our coach. guys i know you are nervous he's a huge star and the huge amount of pressure to come out you have to be the center of the beach but how would you go over a great game great if you are the rock at the back nobody gets past you we need you to get down there we have to go. alone. and i'm really happy to join the team for the two thousand and thirteen

world cup in russia. this special one was also appreciated me to just read the review p.r.t. teams latest edition make it up as we go. look at. the great dane peter schmeichel meanwhile has been traveling across russia to take in the final preparations he gave me his impressions. even though i play the world cup myself this is going to be much more exciting for me because obviously it's going to be very basic with work being very close to the actual tournament having done a lot of work on the tournament running into the world cup and then once it starts you know all the emotions of having my country there and my son playing there so really special for me. i think i wish football stadiums for like this when i play i think you're saying it's brilliant assembly and you get an idea about how the atmosphere will be and that they're all in in around the same kind of theme but

they're all very different as well very into the one one looks like a u.f.o. than another one i said the stadium in sochi looked like a cake. i've been to all the eleven cities yet we were finished or that within the next three weeks. but what i've experienced of everything has run smoothly and everything is really well organized so my my my advice is to to relax a little bit about the things of that we see every day in the western media and then enjoy it well have to have a strat the day from some of the world cup size cities as they mark a hundred days until russia takes on saudi arabia in the opening match. and still to come this hour as germany's national anthem is quote up in a sexist we asked people in berlin what they think about removing words like fatherland. it's.

going to be. dropping. for some you know the battle. for you socks for the tell you the gossip that probably. doesn't tell you. all that we all. want.

to. come back to the program and israeli officer has been caught on video throwing a stun grenade at a couple running with an infant but. political . in the video released by an israeli human rights scream we can see a palestinian couple running with a baby and israeli soldier then throws what appears to be a stun grenade in that direction it goes off right behind the family which was seemingly trying to flee the area. the i.d.f. responded by saying dozens of protesters were throwing rocks at troops in the area

and the officers did not spot that the couple were carrying a child the statement went on to say that if a baby had been noticed they would have acted accordingly the right street which released the video say violence by israelis against palestinians is what comes under occupation and little is done to prevent it of the reality of the occupation the israeli occupation over the palestinians in this incident as well as in many many others in recent weeks we have seen in the scale ation of violence by israeli citizens or certainly towards palestinians civilians who are not citizens despite these many many incidents. public awareness is still low and more importantly the military is failing to provide. these palestinians the security required we're seeing that many many of the violence of settlers and military personnel. go without any trials without any investigations or with food

investigations and many of them closed down due to lack of the police failure to investigate as they should this is the case and this is the reality that we're in. jemmy's national anthem could be in line for a gender friendly make over and the letter written by the country's equality commissioner asked for the words fatherland and brotherly to be even named our unit correspondent peter reports it's one of the most recognizable national anthems in the world. but there are plans afoot to make changes to the woods of the lead in an attempt to make it more gender inclusive now this is being put forward by the country's equal opportunities the plan put forward by kristin rose morning would see the phrase

full of the land swapped for homeland on the line of brotherly with hearts in hand changed to courageously with hossa and hand it wouldn't be the first time that the german anthem which has been used since one thousand nine hundred twenty two it caused trouble after world war two the first verse in its opening lines. but alice or germany germany above all else caused problems then as well the words themselves were written back in the nineteenth century about german unification however the nazis made them their own. the in. the end after reunification in one thousand nine hundred one germany adopted the third verse as its national anthem the first verse isn't to be sung but people still to forget like earlier this year at

a fed cup tennis much in the united states which on good play is in funds alike. years. sure and back in two thousand and nine british musician daugherty incurred the wrath of a german audience after he sung the first verse during a life performance. was. perhaps the time is right to update the anthem we spoke to some people on the streets of berlin that's what they saw jewish vices i don't know i'm undecided i belong to the generation that grew up with this i think is good as it is. think

it's i think it's fine the way it is. i don't agree with this i think it's nonsense why should we do this just to make one group happy without the words isn't an option either the texas half of the song without it it would only be half of what it is just me i honestly don't care. because why not i think it's ok the word fatherland has some negative connotations and he somewhat right wing as far as i'm concerned it feels like a negative sort of peach or chairs or it would be better if it was more neutral peter all of a billy. graham may be on course for better relations with envoys from both countries meeting on monday but it seems not everyone is on board with having more on the ties with pyongyang more pain picks up the story. the winter olympic games have seen an unprecedented thaw in relations between north and south korea and now that the games are over the two countries

have not given up on their road to better relations at this point south korean envoys are meeting with kim jong un for the first time in more than a decade you won't hear any celebrating in the u.s. though take donald trump's tough talk as far as the risk of dealing with a madman is concerned that's his problem not mine while warhawk neo cons talk about a military solution all the damage that would come from a war would be worth shit in terms of long term stability and national security to be fair u.s. leaders did pause their rehearsal for all out war during the olympic games but almost as soon as the closing ceremonies were over the tanks and planes were out once again and they were rehearsing for mass death new york times reports that a classified u.s. military exercise examined the number of u.s. troops that would be involved in a potential conflict on the korean peninsula according to their estimate roughly ten thousand u.s. soldiers would be wounded in just the first few days of the new korean war the

brutality of this war will be beyond the experience of any living soldier in the north and south korea may be tentatively moving forward but the reluctant united states will only sit down with conditions trump says that a meeting can only be arranged via beijing if the north will give up their nuclear weapons that according to pyongyang is a ridiculous and preposterous demand we've waited so long for this to come up there's no leadership and solve korea that is recognizing that this has gone on for far too long and this leadership under president moon who is a progressive lawyer he knows what dialogue can do and has seen how it can get interrupted by one side or another wanting to engage in this ongoing type of tug of war at the. united states has not necessarily had an interest for peace in korea really. it doesn't seem like the leadership wants to create

a real atmosphere for peace that brings us back to the beginning full circle to the vitriolic war of words which is not exactly been helpful in previous years caleb mop and r.t. new york. the funniest line up and i'll be back at the top of the hour with more so do stay with us. thanks guys are fine it will survive they say maybe the girl. who could take it easy this is a central plank so for diagramming i don't call them right now it's a stop to that.

church secret indeed carefully priests accused of sexually abusing children can get away with it quite literally i like to call this the do graphic solution so what the bishop needs to do then he finds out that the priest is is a perpetrator is simply moves him to a different spot were the previous standards not not highest ranks of the catholic church conceal the accused priests from the police and justice system to that end of that's not as the intent then i think you'll hear that it used these out in. this. case both.

greetings and salutation well the oscars may be over but the ad trix here in washington d.c. might never end this week and the house intelligence committee had devin nunes newness the republican out of california put his best dramatic foot forward while making the news media rounds all weekend in response to

a recent skit by late show host stephen called bear which saw the comedian hit the hollowed halls of capitol hill to push his own version of the trump russian intelligence memo which he subtly and titled devon numis is a blank redacted fill in the blank you know whatever you'd like it to be the offended congressman sounded off to fox news host neil cavuto declaring i think this is the danger we have in this country this is an example of it he went on to lay out a vast left wing conspiracy against him another conservative saying the left controls not only the universities in this country but they also control hollywood in this country and the mainstream media so conservatives in this country are under attack and i think this is a great example of it but miss oscar weekend cable news carousel wasn't finished with just a little a little cupboard owing no new new new new new no intelligence committee chairman sounded off yet again this time to light liberty in levine host mark levine telling

his fox news sunday audience that quote the media in this country is dead it no longer exists and the american people need to understand this well. in the words of john mcclane. welcome to the party pal because golly gee whiz congressman nunez anyone who's been paying attention could told you that much which is why most of us have said farewell to your left and right wings of news media and started watching the hawks. you get the. real deal it's like the last of the plot of. the day like you know that i got. this.