clemency for killers known for whistle blower pardon list includes mercenaries guilty of the mass murder of civilians in iraq believes of those who spilled the beans of america war crimes. by health care workers in the united kingdom express their frustration after n.h.s. admin staff appeared to have been given priority coronavirus to speak with a member of the british medical association. and it just says sometimes. you know we can see in it any professional to the needs of the frontline care workers. becomes the 1st latin

american country to register but you can jump with a plane carrying supplies ready to set off from moscow. they are very good morning to you watching our team international. more of donald trump's allies have been getting an early christmas present in the form of clemency the outgoing u.s. president has granted a full pardon to his former campaign manager for what he was jailed for financial crimes political operative roger stone they were both indicted as part of the scandal. and another campaign advisor. george papadopoulos. also pardoned 4 former contractors of the blackwater private military company now they've been jailed for mass killing of civilians in iraq in the meantime despite

calls from rights activists the pardon list did not include freedom of speech defenders like julian assange or edward snowden auntie's killable been picks up the story. there has been widespread outrage about the trump administration's decision to grant clemency to some members of the blackwater military contracting company these were guards who were employed by blackwater who killed civilians in iraq or the north american aircraft or. there were dead bodies everywhere in the syrian government going to be on the way to people and it's not among the dead bodies lying on the street the same with child that was in the room of 7 years old.

paul slow evan liberty and dustin heard were convicted for manslaughter and the individual nicholas slotting who opened fire and 1st started shooting into the crowd of iraqi civilians he was convicted of 1st degree murder but now the white house is letting all of them off they will no longer be in prison serving their sentences they have been pardoned and this is the feeling of the white house about why they made this decision when the convoy attempted to establish a blockade outside the green zone the situation turned violent which resulted in the unfortunate deaths and injuries of iraqi civilians further prosecutors recently disclosed more than 10 years after the incident that the lead iraq investigates who prosecutors relied heavily on so very far that there were no exigent victims and to

collect evidence may have helped tunnies to insurgent groups himself now at this point there is widespread outrage this seems like the trump administration is almost approving of the killing of iraq. the civilians 2 children were among the 14 people in the crowd who died as a result of their gun fire but at this point people are also looking at the fact that trump's education secretary betsy to vos is the sister of the founder of blackwater erik prince now there's also been a lot of outrage about who is not on the list of trump's pardons among the 15 people pardon and 5 sentence commute meant the names that were missing that many were optimistic and hopeful about were julian a son gen edward snowden these prominent whistleblowers had many people calling for the trump white house to grant them clemency among those who called for them were not just activists and advocates of civil liberties and for the protection of whistleblowers but also representatives of the united nations take

a listen on hoping that he will julian assange it's the right thing to do donald trump since you're given pardons to people please consider pardoning those who at great personal sacrifice expose the deception and criminality of those in the deep state if president trump is true as well yes i think the least thing to could do is to end the suffering the purity the films to pardon him this man has for be enough for the interest of the public and will now trump still has time to grant a pardon to edward snowden and to julian a son she can grant clemency up until the moment he leaves office he could do it at the very very last minute however the number of people that were pardoned to end the information about who they are seems to have many pessimistic many of the activists supporting the whistleblowers feel like this indicates the trumpet ministration is moving in a very different direction with its clemency this is what every country that hosts u.s. occupations u.s. bases is told it's a matter for u.s. justice with u.s.

soldiers and u.s. contractors and mercenaries to kill rape and pillage in your country will handle it well here's the message. united states will not handle it it will not treat these cases in the way that it would treat a case of mass murder in the united states those of us who did not support trump selection support dropping the demand for extradition of julian a son for crimes that amount to a commission of acts of journalism i don't care who julian a son she is what is politics are what horrible things he's done he performed a great service for the world he behaved as a journalist and a publisher he worked with the legitimate whistleblowers who were doing services for the world he took care to limit any damage that could be done as he was performing this service he ought to be pardoned and i hope he will it certainly

seems more likely still that trump will pardon him and then that president biden when he's newly into office will drop the case. admin staff in the case health care service seem to have been prioritized over from line workers for the coronavirus vaccine becomes more than half of england's n.h.s. trust to still waiting to receive their 1st deliveries of the shot british medical association describe the situation as deeply worrying on the skate partridge has more. on december the 2nd the u.k. hit the headlines after becoming the 1st nation in the world to approve the pfizer biotech coronavirus back scene but u.k. medical associations are now worried about the vaccines pecking order after reports that n.h.s. office workers have been offered the job before frontline staff without a universal policy to vaccinate from flying patients facing staff as a priority and no review of current p.p.

guidance we could be facing avoidable stuff sickness and absence over that all right a difficult winter months a poll by the u.k.'s doctors' association of a 1000 frontline staff claims 70 percent of them have no idea when the get the vaccine the survey includes local doctors emergency specialists and those giving the injections this should be equally of excess. as far as extradition is concerned. as it used to the stop an equal access to x. nation it's increasing their mental stress a poke at work was urgently needed to make sure there's a good direction and people who need it 1st get it pushed since the start of the pandemic hundreds of n.h.s. and social care workers have died after contracting cope with 19 front line workers were initially due to be vaccinated in the 1st rollout of n.h.s. jobs but a government rethink means hospitals are prioritizing care home staff are the

elderly at this stage hospital habs and general practitioners have been asked so vaccinate in line with the clinical priorities independently said by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation and the government in the 1st few weeks that means focusing on patients aged 18 and over as well as care homes and h.s. stuff vaccination other than to prevent vaccine wastage will hopefully be able to accelerate early in the new year as more vaccine becomes available in the u.k. more than half of england's $135.00 n.h.s. trusts us. still waiting to receive deliveries of the job 3 weeks after it was approved. for the health care workers should be given according to a plan so that the police who are more wonderful get it forced only stuck there difficult to do because i know most places. in most primary care coolies there is just us been done already all we need to do is to have a unified primary

a 2nd would be careless talk oakley toward it at increased risk while some politicians are also joining medics in calling for the government to put front line workers 1st in practice as well as policy any n.h.s. staff likely to come into contact with a covert positive patient should be prioritized for the vaccine whether their clinical staff or not primary care staff absolutely can and should be vaccinated according to risk assessment the government promises more vaccines will arrive in january with cases at record numbers a new variant of the virus circulating in the n.h.s. ensuring staff shortages the government is facing yet more pressure to ensure its key health workers and most vulnerable people are protected in a season when the health service has always come under the most strain kate partridge r.t. . with christmas day just around the corner lock downs and tough restrictions are

set to take the sparkle it seems out of this is the abrasions the shoppers around europe are rushing to make last minute christmas purchases despite coby district and soon many cities in milan the streets were packed with people forming queues outside shops that could soon because most one london event to the shelves of supermarkets after the announcement of tougher coronavirus measures we are some of the capital's residents about the situation. is just right before you there's nothing in the shelves. it's hard to buy a turkey now. is just back to square one. people are panicking now everything is having tea i can see it now absentee me but they told christmas if it's fine it's probably irresponsible by get everyone selfish it into the day and they're always going to panic and think i need this i need that special running up to christmas well i don't study but it's been selfish the mujhse me no way and buying more turf at tolo to roles. my boys in the 2nd world war i mean we use

newspapers to warp buy a book to. talk to some skittles takes a closer look now at how the pandemic could affect this year's celebrations. ho ho i know i'm not really in the mood the tree might be up the carols might be playing but covert is hanging over us quite literally in a spanish town which not only is called our karunya but which also took a questionable creative decision when it came to its christmas lights. that is no denying it is the grinch but whether we let it steal christmas might depend on us to take germany the country of christmas markets that the dancing lights the smell of malt wind the crunch of toffee apples a new look down might have seen some markets will come but no fear even in

a pandemic there's a chance of a christmas cheer. if however you've been on your best behavior all year and anticipation of reward from santa claus himself i've got great news just lower your expectations it's not so much slays snow and elves at the north pole it's move a socially distant scene in seattle you've got to take what you can get these days . classic santa trying to squeeze into the strangest of places even in a snow globe those santa reminds us that christmas is the season of giving and while this year has left many out of pocket that hasn't stopped them from spreading the love in any way they can them i decided to stop what i was working on to start

building something to thank these angels it's a tribute to the city of per gallon and to the people that dounia their time volunteer. beautiful creature without the manger on a ml's or hey of course many will be just as cozy to gather at home having a mellow evening but if you do get carried away swept up in the spirit of the holiday a simple purchase will remind you of the rules. the idea rose to create awareness so that people wear masks because the remora more infections and people have made a conscious decision not to put on putting their hope in faith people put on your masks and every time you leave your house and see the baby jesus remember that you have to wear your face mask things and finally the one thing you wished would disappear into the black hole of 2020 but decided to stick around like the grinch queues queues to dash home before travel bans queues to buy goodies and queues to

deliver them in short queues you. know it's not the christmas that we wanted but it's the christmas that we got so how we make the most of it hoping that next year it's less bubbles and more warbles and less mosque mandate and more merriment mistletoe and mince pies. argentina has become the 1st latin american country to officially register versus putting the vaccine the job's been approved for emergency use by the country's regulator based soley on results of the ongoing phase 3 clinical trials of russia argentina's already sent a plane to moscow to bring the 1st back to support me back to the capital one is there is on the supplies the agreement moscow provides enough doses for as many as

10000000 argentine earlier in the month the country's president expressed confidence in the 1st vaccine saying that he would be the 1st to take it. and when a similar in argentina some raise doubts about the quality of russian science to clear everyone's doubts when sputnik v. is here in argentina i will be the 1st one to take that vaccine because i have no doubts about the quality of the vaccine made in spending vale argentines also signed up for vaccine supplies from astra zeneca and the united nations kovacs program the country's regulator also approved the use of the pfizer bio tech vaccine despite talks with the us john still being in progress meanwhile the argentinian health minister criticized finds his approach to the vet negotiations the office for nor giving them immunity and the congress give them that law but then finds his negotiators not the local ones but those in the us started asking for more conditions they wanted to pass

a new law they went to the president to sign the contract instead of meet the conditions started getting some more than acceptable government argentine you know is there anything that this is going to be perhaps the most efficient way to bring in effect of vaccine to its citizens so looks like they're essentially. betting on or putting their money on on the russian vaccine the fact that pfizer. had those kinds of conditions and that the government of argentina was not pleased with those conditions i think there's going to be a lot of that kind of thing i think that there's going to be an awful lot of questions about liability and about potential long term side effects and the long term african city of the vaccines out sounds to me why aren't you know didn't like the deal that pfizer was giving them and was was looking elsewhere and i think that's why they turned toward the russian vaccine. a key ally of binyamin netanyahu was quit the cabinets and vowed to join the opposition

accusing the israeli prime minister of corruption comes as the ruling coalition fell on tuesday in the country to the polls for a 4th time in under 2 years not easily between critics look at wind at his luck might finally be running out. did you know that the man devastated the most by donald trump missing out on a 2nd term as someone who lives thousands of kilometers away from u.s. borders he's long been in charge of a different government and no his name is not lattimer his name is bin human and i'm not saying that because i work for a russian t.v. station to stay cool look at all the political gifts that these re the leader has trump and his administration to thank for.

what a glorious. my vision presents a win win opportunity for both sides a realistic 2 state solution that resolves the risks of palestinian statehood to israel's security. iran deal is distracting at the school. building sleepy joe kind of made this feel maybe sleepy joe. the great news for him is room. in the white house.

but with trump on his way out netanyahu is going to have to 5 other ways to get a political boost and right now he really needs one of course of trump's middle east peace deals still proves a winner these really pm might get mad. as to weather the storm but here is what israel's streets now regularly look like. the protesters biggest problem with benjamin netanyahu is his alleged corruption crimes he denies any wrongdoing he's calling the trials politically motivated but the opposition got

a new weapon this year cove it or rather the nation's fury at the way into the always been dealing with me failing to deal with the pandemic the perception is one of mismanaged log downs with businesses and the unemployed left in the lurch and corruption has so many people in all 3 we need to start on a blank slate i need a constitution we need to limit the terms of the prime minister to 2 terms the us we need to stop the corruption here in israel and open it and you know when to no mainly but on the government and or did spend it doesn't want any mall but the corrupted and the walking for one person trying to escape from his they trial demonstrations picked up pace in the spring when it's and ya'll managed to cling on to power as prime minister but only thanks to a kolisch in between his likud party and benny gantz as blue and white alliance the election rivals try to get along to get the country through the pandemic but now

the cole as soon as fall apart and israel goes back to the polls in march it will be the country's 4th knesset elections in under 2 years and election is not the right thing for the country but it's much better than a paralyzed government and having politics dictate the management of one of the most severe health and economic crises wherever no. there's any i hope like the rest of us will no doubt be glad to be done with 2020 but come early next year could well be looking back to the start at the years when mr here comes your golden hearts president was still in the white house. statue of confederate general robert e. lee's been removed from the u.s. capitol building following a long running campaign against symbols associated with slavery is now being moved to the state of virginia which is the legal owner of the sculpture.

first so generally was a prominent figure in the coalition of southern states during the u.s. civil war also it was a slave owner he became a hate figure though for anti racism campaigners but is still seen by many in the u.s. south as a hero because of his military achievements and bravery the vacant spot will be taken by statue of black civil rights activist barbara jones democrat house speaker nancy pelosi welcomed the brave the removal of the statue of robert e. lee and its forthcoming replacement by a tribute to barbara johnson the jena is welcome news there is no room for celebrating the bigotry of the confederacy the capitol or any other place of or not in our country. new symbols of america's slave owning past the been removed in recent months the movement snowballed following the death of george floyd in

minneapolis back in may during an altercation with police has spread to several other countries with activists destroying or removing monuments associated with historical racism. i. attempt to sow flaring after the summer of statue toppling and to get some perspective from both sides we spoke with conservative commentator christopher harris and the story in general talk. even today there are more symbols of statues honoring races and play voters then answer races at the slate green applicants this

is outrageous badge of berlin there were still statutes honoring hermann gerbils or at all 'd hitler i would be considered outrageous it may be true that you cannot undo the past but certainly you can honor the best up to this and you can remove the worst of it i think that's what this statue of robert e. lee its removal is all about it's trying to say that slavery was wrong that slavery never should have taken place and certainly no statue honoring a slave holder never should have been erected in this country i believe that the statues that were put up were celebrated democrats so great in the confederacy so i think it's just odd that democrats are the ones who put them up and they don't want the rest of the world to know that they're the ones who put them up they don't want to risk the world to know that the confederacy was pretty much all democrats but now they want to celebrate and they want to be they want to give you the credit for

taking them down as if now they're such great fighters against racism and slavery when they're the ones who put them up there removing these statues so they can remove their own. their own just horrid history. welcome for the statues a toppled thing fultz named after those fighting for the south in the civil war have led to a clash between congress and the president of the new defense bill this would see them renamed the 740000000000 dollars package enjoys wide bipartisan support but the terms vetoed it and what may put one of his fund a life of defiance as commander in chief he says that when unravel some of his achievements and undermine national security. the act fails to include critical national security measures include provisions that failed to respect our veterans and our military history and contradicts efforts by my administration to put america 1st in our national security and foreign policy actions president trump has

essentially said that he was going to veto this defense bill if it came to him in the shape that well it came to him and essentially the bill which is $740000000000.00 is also known as the national defense authorization act it is an act passed every year for the last almost 60 years by congress to fund the u.s. military and every year it seems like the amount of funding for the military grows but it's also usually packed with items that are not necessarily specific to funding the military in this case there are a couple of different items that are listed within the bill that the president has a problem with one is the renaming of certain forts and military installations in the united states that have the names of confederate soldiers one of those is fort benning in georgia the president does not want to rename those military installations but the bigger issue the one the media here doesn't really want to talk about is the issue of the fact that this bill actually prevents president trump from being able to withdraw our troops from afghanistan as he has said

repeatedly that he desires to do and that he will do here's some of what president trump said about it numerous provisions of the act directly contradict my administration's foreign policy particularly my efforts to bring our troops home i oppose endless wars and as does the american public this act purports to restrict the president's ability to withdraw troops from afghanistan germany and south korea not only is this bad policy but it is unconstitutional nancy pelosi the speaker of the house spoke out about this saying that this is the wrong move by the president that it puts our men and women in the military in harm's way she didn't explain how that happens he's not talking about defunding the military obviously it has a massive budget it's the largest budget in the entire u.s. government but. it what she also mentioned is that this bill undermines she says the will of congress in a bipartisan way the president's veto of the national defense authorization act is a next of staggering recklessness that harms our troops and then our security and

undermines the will of the bipartisan congress next week december 28th the house will take up the veto override with bipartisan support you know what's fascinating about that is congress in the united states can't agree on anything certainly they have difficulty green on any issue except for military spending and the expansion of wars around the world and that's what this bill does it takes an extraordinary step that actually prevents a u.s. president from being able to withdraw troops without congressional approval that's the caviar in this bill congress would have to approve the removal of troops which is not constitutional only the commander in chief has that authority however under the u.s. constitution interestingly congress does have the authority the sole authority to declare war something they don't want to do so to summarize under this bill congress would not declare wars they would simply prevent presidents from india them. from the rubble some global news for you thousands of drivers remain stuck on

motorways and lorry parks in kent in the u.k. are they france has reopened its border there they need to test negative for corona virus in order to leave the country border was closed for 48 hours over a new strain of covert founded but. these 21 people have been injured one critically so after an explosion in central baltimore yesterday incident occurred on the 16th floor of the baltimore gas and electric building official calls from a. deliverance brought facemasks to type children on wednesday as part of a covert $900.00 safety initiative to encourage mask usage comes as a large coronavirus outbreak occurs at one of the country's biggest seafood markets thailand currently has almost 6000 cases of the virus. and i wraps it up for this news hour thanks for joining us here on r.t. objects enough now.