i was very poor i thought i was doing my best to get back to. the strongest appeal. talks between the both russian president vladimir putin are underway in the russian city of sochi it comes after another weekend of mass opposition rallies in belarus with hundreds of arrests made. also this hour germany says 2 more laboratories have independently verified the russian opposition figure. was poisoned with the nerve agent number truck as moscow still waits to be granted access to berlin. and brits enjoy one last night of partying before a ban on gatherings of more than 6 people takes a fact in england scotland and wales. is don't tell people to go out then up on me like you know you can't go out anymore it's

that except. a very warm welcome to the program from all of us here at r t h q in moscow let's get started with your live news update. the presidents of russia and belarus are now meeting in the black sea resort city of sochi i'm going to look at shadows visit comes at a time of on rest in his country where there's been more than a month a protest song the contested election trying to reports on the talks. the republic of belarus has been on the brink of turning into a new violent crisis hotspot and eastern europe protesters keep filling the streets of bell russian cities although president alexander lukashenko has been able to avoid the worst case scenario for him a nationwide strike and a full scale revolution the longstanding béla russian leader often called the

russian president after the vote as he was trying to bring the situation in his country under control and now after a bit more than a month he is in tsotsi now many are expecting the belle russian leader to seek for help and support from the russian government after he was saying many times that he has no intention of giving up. all of this is very painful even tragic for me but it doesn't mean that i'm giving up now i must protect what has been built with . the people who have built it and they are an overwhelming majority so clearly president alexander lukashenko is counting on moscow and you can't help pointing out how his tone changed just look back a little bit before the vote when the russian president was talking about his partnership with russia he didn't mince his words at all he sounded very tough he even went to the point when he said the russians you used to be like brothers to

us now we're just partners however soon after this he made a u. turn and cold of a lot of more putin and his elder brother like i said they were on the phone very often during the crisis however though alexander most likely he doesn't want to seem to be the man who's just in russia to beg for help and that's why previously the bell russian leader said that he is in russia to some. meant the agreements that were reached earlier. is most go go and agree to the kremlin how is he going to be greeted by russia what is there a. consensus that it's going to be open arms or is going to be a bit more tricky them well 1st of all i need to put this in context after the fall of the soviet union a number of agreements were signed between men's and moscow to form the so-called union state to in

a way follow in the fold steps of the european union and the ties between the countries there moscow has been largely in favor of deeper ties in recent years however again like i mentioned the rhetoric from the russian president led to cracks in this union because he was very harsh but in a case we can remember some impressive projects that have been completed together by the 2 countries for instance the jointly built nuclear power plant we do realize that the countries are in a customs union right now and also minsk is heavily reliant on financial aid from russia and a number of agreements have been announced to have that debt restructured however all of this led to speculation in the western media especially head of this summit that at this point moscow could be using some sort of weakness when it comes to

president lukashenko to try and force him into a stronger alliance with russia in some case even the word addicks ation was used but when the kremlin spokesperson was asked about this he ruled this option out completely there will not be any kind of unification to take over as a result of this visit the idea is absolute nonsense the business is important especially given the period been. she's going through. moving on to moscow's take on what's going on on the ground inside bella roost the russian government has refrained from making strong statements when it comes to support criticism or assessment of the situation in the ground although one message has been very clear and it was made for the outside world especially. western neighbors

moscow does not accept any outside intervention when it comes to the internal affairs in that eastern european republic in the set if you lied to the east of the resort about to the west of western countries circling it especially while unfortunately for president alexander lukashenko the most aggressive reaction to all this came from the neighbors of bella rouge baltic states a strong lobby in lithuania also poland indeed lithuania actually recognized. as rival during that election as the legitimate leader of the country and we already saw sanctions coming from these states although no joint action from the european union has been announced so far but we did get an update from berlin saying that the german government is expecting to have some sanctions finalized by the within the next week now here's an example of

a statement that was made previously by european union officials the european union read to reach its determination to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for violence the repression of peaceful protests and if ossification of election results and is ready to take further restrictive measures asked necessary the decision makers across the atlantic who have threatened to minsk with sanctions as well will be watching out for the summit in sochi as well. of course just as we are this is very important for the future of bell roofs once again the 1st official state visit foreign visit by president alexander lukashenko after the elections in august. earlier the russian president spoke by phone with the french leader emmanuel micron vladimir putin stressed the need to avoid making roundness accusations over the alleged poisoning of alex in

a balmy comes after germany's latest conclusions as to what happened to the opposition activists are just bitter over has the latest from berlin berlin is now saying that 3 laboratories have confirmed that not a chalk or a substance from the novacek family was present in samples taken from the lexan of ali we've also heard that the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons is starting its process to verify those those results that have been taken we heard from stephens i burst on monday he's the german government spokesperson basically the voice of bangalore merkel he said that look bora trees in france and in sweden had now confirmed the presence of another chalk in those samples taken from mr valmy. clarification on the valley case the federal government has involved the o.p.c. w. in the analysis of evidence in addition to other international laboratories have confirmed that a nerve agent from the group was the cause of the poisoning well as that

information comes in the we're also getting news from over in russia in the city of aunt square alexina valmy was 1st treated from the senior toxicologist at the hospital where he was 1st treated saying that alexei navalny did not present to them when he 1st arrived with symptoms that would be welts into she would see from somebody who had been poisoned with chalk with another chalk nerve agent it's hard to see how this news coming out of berlin on monday will put kate russia moscow has said it wants to see the data that germany has it's now shared that data it would seem with laboratories in sweden and in france and with the o.p.c. w. moscow is saying it needs to see evidence the school uses them can look at these questions. being speech we hear what statements formal and what measures are being mentioned discussed. these reversed leaves us to. replenish

question legion lost in search situations we've won you trish. we've pulled those who used to be. the one that won if you demand exclusions to do 1st when the people who compare notes one should lesions uncorroborated but you have a good even leases as you see your reasonable well foreign minister of russia for of. russia will watch keenly to see if there's any sanctions imposed from the west we're expecting on tuesday that the european parliament will hold a special plenary session in which the election of on the case will be discussed if any sanctions forthcoming from the end said good lover of says that russia will respond accordingly. well in unison with what is imposed upon them now lexan of ali's been here in berlin for just over 3 weeks now last

week he was taken out of a coma the medics didn't juiced in him he was put into that coma specifically doctors say that he is recovering but say there could be a long road ahead for him medically. social gatherings in england scotland and wales are now limited to 6 people starting from monday u.k. is tightening restrictions amid a sharp increase in coded infections the so-called rule of 6 bans larger gatherings both indoors and outdoors however there are exceptions with larger gathering still permitted at work schools gyms and places of worship police have been given powers to crack down on offenders with potential fines of more than 3000 pounds on sunday at 3000 $300.00 people in the u.k. tested positive for cocaine $1000.00 is sharp increase compared with a month ago but the recent spike in cases fail to the terrorists some revelers looking to enjoy themselves ahead of the ban as r.t. shadi edwards daschle reports. why you would think it was new year's eve ok prior

to the final of the football world cup to come monday the new rule of 6 restricting me tops of more than half a dozen people will be implemented meaning scenes like this will once again be afraid up down not sure if that's the kind of begins i mean it's a gate crashers brits a living up the last of the freedom. the public was just about getting back to normal or a syllable is coming they were told to eat out to help out the stuffing or fatality sector leading to a very busy month of wining and dining told the travelers rules were locked and encouraged to get back into the office to kick start the economy when suddenly the u.k. decided to clamp down again on irenaeus the timing of it and says exemptions causing confusion many brits upon seeing like us the last orders oh wait it's sort of this

yeah everyone is here tonight. to celebrate yet all of us are the last night everything is don't tell us young people to go out and up on the down be like no you can't do that anymore it's that except i don't believe that what i just stated it would be when you really feel not oh i will use a couple days after i think is a good trick however i don't have 6000 so it does not implement it doesn't mean anything to me i'm just going to take a bunch of until monday and then i'll just make sure to stick to the rule or risk decided to include the 6 day 6 covering band just to stop birthdays from happening but i'll try to get only before school students and that are here accordingly to the government when it's widely known that brits are house a 3rd party and so instead of consing teacher gatherings many are just bringing them forward to this weekend for the covert infection rates growing again the heights of knock down illegal raves are going ahead as reckless fervor as local i. the complete to be the high status with the most us.

in england for monday we're introducing the rule of 6. there is a real risk some members of the public will take advantage of the current situation this weekend as a party with. fellows i used to organize raves i used to love race but i employ. these who organize race to stop. well brits will seize any opportunity to pay the town red but this really is the final farewell to a party it was making an appearance for shots at woodstock. still

had a shooter in los angeles county deliberately targets to law enforcement officers amid tensions over police brutality protests more on that and other stories after this short break. seemed wrong why don't we all just don't. let me. get to shape out these days to come out ahead and in detroit because the trail. when so many find themselves worlds apart we choose to look for common ground. the world is driven by a dreamer us. shaped by one person with those words. dear

to ask. welcome back in a case that shocked los angeles county and california to local law enforcement officers are in critical condition after being targeted by a gunman on saturday and what authorities have described as a cowardly ambush and this surveillance video the shooter can be seen walking up to

a patrol car and opening fire to county sheriff's deputies one male the other female were inside the vehicle at the time both suffered multiple gunshot wounds and a manhunt is underway for the suspect with a $100000.00 reward being offered on saturday night kronk shot up outside the hospital where the deputies are being treated. 0 6. according to the l.a. county sheriff's office protesters blocked emergency exits and work heard shouting abuse at the officers 2 people were arrested there with the crowds later dispersed by police. that incident falls months of unrest over police brutality across the u.s. can sort of talk radio host david perfect perkins says the vicious attacks against police are unlike anything he's seen before. it's a clear is evidence of a complete foundational moral inversion that i've ever seen in all the history of

mankind and i never thought i would see it while i was still alive i want you to hear it the level of believe me and joy in the voices of the people shouting that they hope those police officers die this is the sense that they are morally right that what they are doing as the element of righteousness and and proper punishment almost a law of sorts applying to them in which they are right and we are wrong and because of that they're very happy to be doing what they're doing especially when they get away with it and nobody stops them for any reason they're getting away with there right now what we're seeing i think on a grand scale is an inversion of more reality what's right is wrong and what's wrong is right. afghanistan has seen more clashes between government forces and the taliban just hours after historic peace talks got underway in qatar on saturday the peace talks were part of

a troop withdrawal pack some time between the u.s. and the taliban in february meanwhile a controversy over alleged bali's on the heads of american soldiers in afghanistan has resurfaced artist help often has the story sometimes stories don't become outdated they simply reemerge when certain political entities need them this summer a huge scandal broke out when it was alleged by u.s. media that were russia was paying bounties to the taliban for the killing of u.s. soldiers though no concrete evidence to substantiate that was ever provided though many have probably forgotten the story and it has now resurfaced conveniently as senators are pushing their russia bounty response act. not like the 90 days after the date of the in the month of this act the 6th state should submit to the appropriate congressional committees and leadership a strategy on how the united states will diplomatically counter russian influence in the region of south and central asia now the bill would prohibit all property

transactions as well as entry to the united states 5 lattimer putin his closest aides along with many prominent political and business individuals in russia quite a stiff bill that goes after their family members and all the major supporters of this deal happen to be democrats they say they want to send a message to the russian president and apparently his american counterpart congress has an obligation to step in and act put in his embolden by president trans competed lieschen and is increasing his aggressive behavior which includes putting bounties on american troops the lives of american service members are at stake i urge senators on both sides of the aisle to join us in protecting our servicemembers and sending a strong message to putin now it's not all about sanctioning putin or criticizing donald trump there happens to be quite a bit of money involved there is all through has to be appropriated $50000000.00

for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2026 for programming that provides rewards to individuals who provide information on russian bounties against united states forces and additional $30000000.00 will go to combat the influence of russia in central and southern asia but the bill has still more goals in the minds of its sponsors. the russia bounty response act is necessary to protect americans against peace since bounty driven killing and trumps reprehensible in action strong sanctions and other steps will give putin the only incentive you understands hitting him and his surrogates who are so it's anti russia and trump and it promotes democracy but does it really have much to do with the lives of american soldiers that remains of question i would expect to be clear compelling evidence to be made to support these claims well this illustrates the old maybe nature of the

intelligence community name wait it could be claimed that by doing so those sources and that this would be revealed or that it would compromise an ongoing investigation ultimately i don't think the rewards will be paid and that's because that's not the real into behind bill here it's a matter of public spectacle regardless of those who support or oppose the truck presidency i would actually question the timing of this given how close we are to the general election provided that this bill passes the house will be voted down along in the senate one party lines republican members of the senate have tied their careers and fortunes to trump president so to call into question the president's integrity would ultimately undermine their favorite guilty among registered republican voters in my opinion. relations between australia and china are taking a turn for the worse canberra has defended its right to carry out intelligence related raids after beijing lashed out what it called barbaric searches of the homes of its journalists. to australia claim that the questioning of chinese

journalists was in accordance with normal procedure is china's measures hostage diplomacy this statement fully demonstrates the hypocrisy and double standard here earlier to australian correspondents were banned from leaving china authorities demanded they answer questions on a national security investigation reporters went to the australian am. for protection and stayed there for several days before being allowed to fly home. but it's not just journalists getting caught up in the dispute between the 2 countries to chinese academics had their australian visas revoked after they were accused of foreign interference one of them chen hong told us what happened i received the e-mail containing a formal you know the you know the advising me that my. visit having the australian intelligence organization made assessments as i was

directly or indirectly all risk to security so i was very much shorts and funded and perplexed really you know stupid and believe at 1st said this was real i was still thinking there i might be involved in the ballpark and it was all part of us a fraud scam for someone of me to be you know assessed as offer to a straight a security arsing does is simply preposterous is ridiculous and i refuse to accept the disappearance of these latest developments fall several years of gradually deteriorating relations between beijing and canberra professor home again says australia is simply following america's lead. the seas the mid twenty's and. being you know starting at each kind of campaign to make up for relations about the so-called china threat you cause say that actually you have been attacking a country while also taking advantage of the trade relationship of course china would be politicizing and to weaponize in trade you know to gain some kind of

a political leverage and i think actually in the recent years australia has being the interests all for washington rather than its own national interests whenever it washington and she starts a kind of blood and it kind of campaigning or similar campaigns against the russia or europe we see a kind of like ethical income brought to the support of the us system points is merely i think actually only serves the needs of the united states. as the saying goes it's never to late to learn an italian man has graduated from university at the age of $96.00 filling a lifelong dream he told us about his during. and at that after working i retired and said what do i do now i didn't like doing nothing so i started studying.

when my mother gave me the money to go and buy breakfast so instead of buying myself a sandwich with potatoes i went instead to buy books. i seriously wanted to enroll i am a little tired after 3 years of study every evening i finished reading and studying at midnight without exception even on sundays. that. the dr life never drank alcohol i always drank milk and i believe this is the

secret of my memory then of course reading helps the minds needs to be trained your . that's all for this hour news wise but if you're looking for more head on over to our website our to dot com for countless articles and interviews thanks for tuning in this hour. join me every thursday on the alex simon show and i'll be speaking to guest of the world of politics sports business i'm showbusiness i'll see them. look at the both villages near those who really can show you. these just be sued by a. store

that would that are supposed on you noticed us they have something back. no numbers to pin a bow episodes didn't good to see you just skew your do you think the slayer during your force wake would be near my stubbornness to be with another spirit i put it was more than 6 put him in don't you know. if de gea. shows the stress of school issuance for you to post your top up by some sort of move well those of us alone vulnerable to a story keep lists or they will bow out is. ringback a new gold rush is underway and gonna thousands of ill equipped workers are

flocking to the gold fields hoping to strike it rich here's the good. as they are by those that work children are torn between gold. my family was very poor i thought i was doing my best to get back to school which side will have this. the strongest appeal. hello and welcome to cross talk for all things are considered on peter lavelle 4th regime change playbook and why it is not and will not work and there was also the no balm the saga benefits from this very strange episode.

to discuss this i'm joined by my guest marcus papadopoulos in london he's editor of politics 1st magazine and in budapest we cross to jordan samuel he is author of bombs for peace nato's humanitarian war and yugoslavia are across up rules in effect that means you can jump in anytime you want and i always appreciate when you let me start with george and george let's start with the big everest story because the beer a story looks like it's kind of morphing into the venezuelan story of the baltics ok because we have this pretend or recognized from. from lithuania i think it is this moment that they had all skya that she is the.