strong st. paul holding funeral processions for those killed in front of a. general washington insists this strike was to have. claims to deescalate tensions with tehran. also ahead on the program a senior police chief say child criminal exploitation in britain or victorian era levels naming a sterritt see an increasingly powerful drugs gangs. of all children at risk in armenia to. reveal to helping foreigners legally adopt.

one minute. pm and 8 in the evening right here in moscow on this the 1st day of the year welcome to our international. mourners have been holding funeral processions in the iraqi capital. to honor those killed in a u.s. strike on friday. general. money the crowds waved national flying flags of various shia militia groups chanted death to america the remains of the commander's body will be repatriated to iran for burial. but consider the 2nd most powerful figure in the islamic republic salomone was among 10 killed in the early morning raid following a direct order from the us president donald trump as the fended the assassination

claiming it was necessary to prevent an imminent attack on american personnel another possible war in the middle east but it's called profound both in iran and beyond. solemn 80 has been perpetrating acts of terror to destabilize the middle east for the last 20 years what the united states did yesterday should have been done long ago we took action last night just stop a war. we did not take action just start a war this. this was an obvious terrorist move a move that entirely shouted cowardice in every respect we will not fall for the propaganda and blackmail by the americans in whatever manner and when ever we deem appropriate we will give the proper response will the killing of iran's general salim on me sparked protests among his supporters in the middle east further afield

members of india's kashmiri shia community marched with images of him shouting american slogans while in pakistan protesters wrapped coffins with the u.s. flag and set them on fire in iran itself 3 days of mourning are underway on thought a sense of turned out in cities nationwide to honor the general. u.s. leadership has been saying on almost every platform they can find that they are working to deescalate tensions with the islamic republic of iran that was the time to take this action so that we could disrupt this plot deter further aggression from qassam solo mommy in the iranian regime as well as to attempt to deescalate the situation it's not an easy case to make killing the country's 2nd most powerful person most well known military leader and commander of the elite could force of the revolutionary guards doesn't look like deescalation however washington insists its

actions were a defensive measure at the direction of the president the u.s. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect u.s. personnel abroad to buy killing costumes still in money this strike was aimed at deterring future iranian attack plans the iranians are already promising revenge for the supreme national security council of iran held an emergency meeting on friday and announced that they had made difficult decisions at the right time and place the vengeance will be extracted is not the aggression by the us i mean they should they should expect anything as it is a lot of this this aggression the international community is now gripped by fear that we could be on the brink of war there is no justification under international law and moral law our constitution is just aggravation and the fact they were there in a way as a guest and have an embassy there we've never had been given any authority to do what we did i think it's morally wrong and if they're doing this to make us safer

they said that we had they had to do this to make americans say complete nonsense i feel less safe because there will be retaliation and expansion and who knows what is going to lead to. washington says it's an ally of the iraq again. government and it's working in iraq's best interests however baghdad is completely under happy with this move the assassination of an iraqi military commander is an aggression on iraq as a state government and people it's a flagrant violation of iraq's sovereignty and dangerous escalation that triggers a destructive war in iraq the region and the world it violates the conditions authorizing the presence of u.s. troops on iraqi soil the iraqis don't consider this to be a particularly friendly gesture what does he want to restart the civil war again among the shia who don't want this to happen what has happened is

a blatant violation of iraqi sovereignty the fact that he's a high state official in a government that we're not at war with we've crossed the rubicon not only in tehran but in moscow beijing pyongyang caracas they all have to sit there and say to themselves all right the americans now feel entitled to kill anybody and our government because of what over while a disagreement over syria or whatever else. the international response has been vocal china says it is concerned turkey is angry and syria accused the united states of spreading instability it's a pity to see. the great public of the united states used. to kid somebody. the way gangs do it but not everyone agrees though israel says job well done president wrote deserves all the credit for acting swiftly forcefully decisively israel sterns with the

united states in this just struggle for peace security and so forth and america's nato allies are not thrilled at all we have woken up to more dangerous world the us action did not make it any easier to reduce tensions we had all parties to deescalate for the conflict is in none of our interests. it didn't exactly go over well at home either american media has accurate all sorts of allegations about solid money most americans had never heard of before saying he is the new face of terrorism and evil but democrats say that trump is rushing the country to war without congressional approval the risk of a much longer military engagement in the middle east is acute. and immediately this action may well have brought our nation closer to another endless war exactly the

kind of endless war the president promised he would not drag us into now donald trump is defending is he says he saved lives and that he's protecting the country however in some of his responses he's actually said that solomonic should have been killed years ago so why now is perhaps donald trump trying to play the card of being a national savior in the lead up to an election i don't foresee. making a rash choice because they understand the neo cons who are behind policy and trump him so funny iran they don't want anything more than to have iran do a very who are high profile strike back the us propaganda machine is in high gear demonizing solem on whom 99.9 percent of americans had never heard of 2 days ago. worse than hitler killing americans left and right none of this is true none of this is supported by facts but the propaganda machine is on high high high alert and americans are being prepared for another war so i don't see the iranians taking

the bait. but some breaking news coming into us all in this story thread reports from the iraqi capital say a major explosion has just been heard in the fortified green zone their rocket is believed to have landed close to the u.s. embassy complex no reports of casualties out this stage we do know though that a large number of american military helicopters are now being reported over the skies of the city just to recap a reminder of what we've been speaking about here it comes a day after the u.s. curried out an early morning strike on the international airport killing 10 people among the dead a runs top military general the deputy chief of iraq's popular mobilization. forces to iran and its allied shia militia groups in iraq had promised reprisals hence such a tense situation there optimal we will of course keep you updated on that story.

a senior british police chief has warned that the levels of child exploitation in the country are edging towards their highest in over a century sean sawyer he leads britain's modern slavery policing efforts says that drug gangs are the main driving force and the policies of alter been a factor for these children they are almost back to victorian times and to being criminally exploited these kids looking for family and security for understandable reasons of austerity stay youth services have been vacated this gap of youth provision between the school and family is the void of the exploited filling the home office figures say about in england alone there were more than 18 and a half 1000 suspected child victims in the past year an increase of almost 3 quarters from 28 dean. well chief constable sawyer also pointed the finger government cuts to youth services but the home office insists it's doing all it can

to stop child exploitation cheryl phoenix from the anti discrimination group the black child agenda told me it's almost impossible for youngsters to escape once they're dragged into a cycle of criminality these children a lot of people fail to see them as the victims of what's going on and then they become criminalized and once you become criminalized at such a young age it's almost impossible to get yourself back on track a lot of these young people that we find as part of these drug gangs as they're called have been permanently excluded have been rejected from society so i think we need to go back a few steps and even jilt deal with our young people from a primary age level because as they get into secondary school which i can guarantee when they go back next week my phone will be ringing in constantly with children being kicked out of school for have a natural hair not having the right tie on or maybe their shoes so if we start stop doing this you know sledgehammer approach to what we are talking about as children then they wouldn't find themselves in these gangs in the 1st place but no one's

actually listening or doing any think about the exclusion matter and the high rates and the issues that we have with young people in the care system as well who if there was another study done you'd actually find that majority of these children have come through the care system are actually being exploited also in the sexual airiness in areas as well as just being on gangs and you know getting involved in county lines which a lot of them don't actually know what they're doing so it is a much bigger picture it's not as simple as what's been said. worrying revelations about vulnerable children in armenia to where it's been discovered that for over 20 years a criminal net work force mothers to give up their newborns against their will so that they could be sold abroad for adoption reporting of authority as maria for national. this is a story with many children involved but it is not one of these typical happy ending tales a team might expect to hear during holiday season an investigation is on to go in

now in armenia into an alleged black market adoption network believed to have been operating for years to citizens of the republic of armenia using their contacts in one of the republican obstetrical institutions organized the adoption of more than 3 dozen children more than 30 babies to italy and there were also cases of adoption by u.s. couples one of the victims has been trying to achieve justice for almost 2 decades already her name is susana she says 20 years ago doctors pressured her to give up her daughter stella threatening to report her case of a 16 year old mother to police and her father she signed papers refusing her rights . because i held my baby in my arms after he was born but then i stayed in the hospital for another 2 days or so but i didn't see him ever again they told me that he was born prematurely and didn't survive i was given some people to sign but it

was too weak to understand what i was signing in december they are mean and authorities detained the country's chief ops attrition who sits on the accuses of threatening her and other officials as part of the probe does make a better man was released several days later due to lack of evidence it sparked public outrage. a lawyer who has represented susanna since 2013 has his explanation for 7 long years we were shouting about it at every corner this is a mafia that is stronger and more powerful than the one controlling drug traffic i can say there were relatives of the rulers involved in 2017 human rights watch released 102 page report titled when will i get to go home documenting thousands of cases of children. in armenia needlessly often forcefully isolated separated from their families and placed to institutions more than 90 percent of them have at

least one living parent and said they international ngo then tried to draw attention to disturb in inaction by authorities the government of armenia has made some bold commitments to reduce the number of children in institutions but needs to make sure this promise is backed by serious sustained action 2 years later last september the authorities noticed that 4 times as many children went to foreigners rather than to locals and started investigation all adoptions have since been suspended in armenia which might be a good news though changes little for those who believe their kids were wrongfully given away years ago and that there must be a legal solution so that we could do validate they don't shoot the child it's about selling children i will do everything i will not die down there must be a fair trial. on the way rewarded for pushing painful reforms why there's anger in france over awarding

a top gong to an american but of course the link to the country is the voice of action changes ultimately stories away. what politicians do. they put themselves on the line they get accepted or rejected . so when you want to be president. i want to. have to i could be press as a white woman for free in the morning can't be good. i'm interested in the water in the house. in the united states presidential candidates debate the future of the u.s. and the world. max kaiser and stacy her but dig into the burning questions of this

election cycle. every week. tax student debt trade was corporate money universal basic. and more catch up with what's front running this sunday exclusively on r.t. . ok let's start the program with our breaking news this hour reports from the iraqi capital say a major explosion has been heard in the heavily fortified green zone a rocket is believed to have landed close to the u.s. embassy complex there as of yet no reports of casualties we do know

a large number of american military helicopters are being reported over the skies all of the city another explosion also reported by a base which is about 60 kilometers north of baghdad about hosts u.s. troops as well just a reminder this comes a day after the u.s. carried out an early morning earth strike by god international airport 10 people were killed among the dead iran's top military general the deputy chief of iraq's popular mobilisation forces tehran. militia groups in iraq had promised reprisals so a tense situation in the crowd any at all updates of course to this developing story we're bringing to you. not huge discontents over pension reforms in front so strong fellows and to the streets of paris once again this saturday police out in force to using tear gas to disperse the crowds. i i

was yellow face protesters have joined the call to a bond then the changes that would see the retirement age for many in transport service workers doctors and teachers who are among those turned out in the french protests are also planned in other cities including marci in strasbourg another meeting between the government on unions and schedule for choose they what hopes it may defeat use the situation. on the french pension controversy is now accounting a shadow over the country's highest state award the legion of honor some of the names that are up for the closing more than a little consternation they include the head of a french branch of an american i said management firm led to the reforms block rock is one of the world's largest asset management firms and has operated in front

since 2006 last summer it apparently pushed for privatizing part of the french pension system with a us style formant it's accused of trying to take advantage of the country's deeply divisive reforms which have led to weeks of crippling strikes shot to bits looks at whether the company could cash in if the reforms get through. to be awarded france's a legion of own a medal is to receive the country's highest award so no doubt this year's recipients were pleased as punch to know that they'd been given the nords hit when the list was announced one name provoked rather than appreciation it was that of the. head of the french branch of the american management company black rock. well critics accused of trying to cash in on the controversial pension changes that are currently being pushed through by the french government. could

directly benefit from the pension reform. the chose to honor the lead of blackrock france is nothing but an anecdote blackrock is simply the dark side of the pension reform john transource you believe president of blackrock france is promoted to officer of the legion of warner on january the 1st as a reward for pillaging of our pay as you go passions the presentation of the legion of honor it is on france was to release a provocation it reveals the close ties that exist between the graun and the world of finance he's selling the retirement system to american pension funds it's a big deal strikes against pension reform and now into this week it's the longest running strike in half a century across problems people have taken to the streets to let the government know that plans to merge 42 different pension plans into one with you this system at the same time is raising the age of retirement or not welcome. if you

lose on pension reform lose and everything and the next issue is the form of social security and social protection and. we are not at all in favor of the status quo we are in favor of proving this system but not tearing it down and we will go on until it is withdrawn and improved but has already come under fire off it was accused of attacking french pensions now it's alleged to have provided recommendations to the government in regards to reform and way and it will benedictions schemes something the government and but cork is at pains to deny in no way have you sought to and influence and the current pension system citron what dispatches the french market is a box of trees from player clark to stop talking nonsense. and there is a big but in an internal document unveiled by french t.v. in many t. last month that books of treats is a lot bigger than the secretary of state to my typing you believe it outgoing. the

high market value in france and how black caucus wanted a piece of the pie critics say bestowing the legion of honor on black ops manning fronts is a rule of the pillage of the country social retirement system and while black rock perhaps isn't as well placed is all there is to take a huge slice of french pension savings it certainly is primed and ready to jump into the market and other people are afraid that the complete pressure pension scheme is going to change that this is just a 1st big step to go to something more. totally funded which is the contrary what's going on today in france and this is obviously from a political point of view very bad time and the middle of these message strikes which is we're going this is overdue strikes are going on for practically over a month to reach records now a lot of people and so that has satisfied

a lot of people who are very tired of the strike zone if you will say that they will stop the strikes until the government draws back from this initial it's giving the impression that there is a plan b. that there is something created by the government is actually just laying down to the grounds of the 1st product but there's something worse coming out. the number of calls by bush fires in australia has risen to 23 with 6 people also missing in 2 states new south wales victoria the country's largest warship is being sent to help with of occupations from the fire hit areas $3000.00 reserve troops have also been called up on saturday hundreds of fires broke out of damaging power lines and cutting off electricity skies turn red in the southeast of the country after wildfires intensified because of strong winds the 1st outbreak started back in september so far and 1500 homes have been destroyed.

the libyan rebel commander. our house called on his compatriots to rise up and defend this stricken country against turkish forces the appeal comes 2 days after lawmakers in ankara agreed to send troops to libya at the request of the un recognized government of national accord in tripoli but i militia. and comprehensive mobilization i address my speech to the entire arab nation its people's army is. that this mark are 2 months old ignited with the use of a national war targeting the arab nation by declaring that leave is his heritage. now 2 rival administrations have been vying for control of the libya since 2041 they d.n.a. is based in the capital in the country's west and the other in the oil rich east the parallel government is allied to us forces which have been closing in on tripoli in recent months mark ellman from the crisis research institute told us

more about the local regional power struggles currently playing out in libya. 2 democratic legitimacy is in combat here saying we represent the people of libya the really of them as a chunk of the libyan population but those chunks of quite antagonistic to each other there's a lot of regional complication a lot of rivalries going on in the background of the president of turkey has conclusively for with the saudis and them iraq to use his big friend of the government cattle and they're drawn with. who are supporting president after all who is appealing to a kind of arab resentment to the traditional occupier of libya tokio to in turkey historically control the territory and so he's appealing to a kind of ethnic division between turks and arabs and also appealing to his friends in egypt and other arab countries so in do you want the turkish government throwing its weight around. a recap of our breaking news this hour reports

from the iraqi capital say a major explosion has been heard in the heavily fortified green zone a rocket is believed to have landed close to the u.s. embassy complex there which has seen a lot of action in the past number of weeks no reports of casualties at the moment we do know a large number of american military helicopters are now being reported over the skies of the city also another explosion reported. that's about 60 kilometers north of baghdad and also hosts u.s. troops not a lot information not explosion either a reminder though just the overview to to all this comes a. day after the u.s. carried out an early morning air strike on baghdad international airport 10 people were killed among the dead iran's top military general and the deputy chief of iraq's popular mobilisation forces. and its allied shia militia groups in iraq promised reprisals any and all updates on this developing story from by done and

surrounding areas 'd we will of course bring it to you but wraps up our news story so for this hour don't stray too far though more great r.t. programs get their start in. you know world of big movies a lot and conspiracy it's time to wake up to dig deeper to hit the stories that mainstream media refuses to tell more than ever we need to be smart we need to stop slamming the door on the bath shouting past each other it's time for critical thinking it's time to fight for the middle for the truth the time is now for watching closely watching the hawks.

war. one day the latest weapon coupled with the fighting skill of the american soldier

stand ready on the alert all over the world to defend this country the american people on against aggression this is the big picture now to show you part of the big picture here is sergeant stuart wait. the privilege of serving the united states and uniform is no longer limited to map. out your place by the women's on the koran taking this grooming and feminine grease is one of the 1st nessun is learned by the reproof. their work demands that require of her perfect physical health or stamina.