it makes us feel very proud that we are in it together. clemency for killers known for whistleblowers donald trump's pardon list includes mercenaries guilty of the mass murder of civilians in iraq but leaves of those who spilled the beans on american war crimes. today we hear they've been released on the personal orders of president trump seems like the u.s. doesn't care spilled or rather he loves it seems political considerations reveal a legal and judicial decision. a plane carrying supplies from moscow is on its way to argentina the country's regulator officially registers the russian covert job. and not so merry christmas skews empty shelves unusual decorations in the center in

a bubble people around the globe try to get into the festive spirit despite tough pandemic restrictions. thanks for joining us mid day here in the russian capital this is r.t. . mercy for mercenaries but whistleblowers can go whistle donald trump has issued 2 lists of pardons but despite calls from rights activists freedom of speech defenders like julian assange and edward snowden have been left off the same time the outgoing u.s. president gave clemency to 4 former contractors of the blackwater private military company now they were jailed for the mass killing of civilians in iraq baghdad condemned the decision as have the iraqi people. because the course of this is to see if the infamous black will to company killed citizens a nice suit a square and today we hear they've been released on the personal rulers of

president truman it's like the u.s. doesn't care if the spilled a rocky blood we call on the united nations the international community and human rights organizations to intervene immediately and condemn these killers lethal public it seems political considerations prevailed over legal and judicial once and this decision president trump should have taken into account their relationship with iraq especially since iraq has a strategic cooperation agreement with the united states in all fields this will affect trump's political situation and his legacy there has been widespread outrage about the trump administration's decision to grant clemency to some members of the blackwater military 'd contracting company these were guards who were employed by blackwater who killed civilians in iraq. and they were here in america that.

there were dead bodies everywhere there's no humans going to the only 2 people in authority among the dead bodies ministry with those who are child those in the middle of next 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. b. 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 iraqi investigator who prosecutors relied heavily on so very far that there were no incision victims and to collect evidence may have had 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 iraqi 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 trumps 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 if president trump is true to its values i think the least thing to could do is to end the suffering the purity the songs to pardon him this man has suffered enough for the interest of the public and was 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 now trump still has time to grant a pardon to edward snowden and to julian a son sheet. 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 today and

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 when u.s. soldiers and u.s. contractors and mercenaries kill rape and pillage in your country will handle it well here's the message the 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 even those of us who did not support trump selection the support dropping the demand for extradition of julian a son for crimes that amount to the commission of acts of journalism i don't care who julian a sanji is what his 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 it will it certainly seems more likely still that trump will pardon him then that president biden when he's newly into office will drop the case. argentina's officially registered versus sputnik the vaccine the champ's been approved for emergency use by the countries regulated based on results of the ongoing face 3 clinical trials here in russia the plane carrying ons and it has battleships putting the supplies a set off from moscow headed for ben when is there is under the supply dream and will provide enough doses for up to $10000000.00 on tintin. earlier in the month the country's president expressed confidence in the russian vaccine saying that he would be the 1st to take it. and would. in argentina some raise doubts about the

quality of russian science to everyone's downswings vs here in argentina i would be the 1st one to take that vaccine because i have no doubt about the quality of the vaccine you know median as well as putting valentino 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 beyond tech vaccine despite talks with the us john still being in progress meanwhile the argentine health minister criticised pfizer's approach to negotiations they asked us for a law giving them immunity and the congress gave them that law but then faces negotiate with the local ones but those in the us started asking for more conditions they want to sponsor a new law they want to the president to sign the contract instead of me the conditions started getting somewhat unacceptable government of argentina is there

nothing that this is going to be perhaps the most efficient way to bring in effect a vaccine to its citizens so looks like they're essentially. betting on or putting their money on on the russian vaccine the fact that fires there 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 is going to be an awful lot of questions about liability and about potential long term side effects and 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. christmas day just around the corner lockdowns and tough restrictions set to take the sparkle somewhat out of this year's celebrations shoppers around europe have been rushing to buy last minute christmas purchases despite district sions being in place in many cities in

milan the streets were packed with people as they formed queues outside shops that could soon be closed while londoners of shelves of supermarkets after the announcement of tougher coronavirus measures we are some of the u.k. capital's residents about the situation that. is just right before you there's nothing in the shelves. it's hard to buy a turkey now. it's just back to square one people are panicking now everything is empty i can see it now absolutely me but they get more christmas if it's by it's probably responsible by get everyone's selfish it into the day in the way it's going to panic and think i need this i need that special running up to christmas i don't start it it's a bit selfish mujhse me nowhere and buying more turf at tolo to roles. my boys in the 2nd world war i mean we'll use newspapers to work by our board to. tell it takes a closer look now at how the pandemic may affect this year's celebrations. ho ho i

know i'm not really in the mood either 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 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 over award 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 is 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 down the 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 bergamot and to the people that do need their time and

volunteer. for free without the main job or hey of course many will be just as cozy together 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 the conscious decision not to put on or not putting their hope in faith people put on your masks on and every time you leave your house and see the baby jesus remember that you have to wear your face mask and think she has done this 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 i.

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 bulls and less mosque mandate and more merriment mistletoe and mince pies you stay with us more news after this short break. the world is driven by dreamers shaped by one person with those great.

dares thinks. we dare to ask. anyone else seemed wrong we're all just don't all. get to shape our. engagement because the trail. points on many find themselves worlds apart. she still looked for common ground.

in britain reports of the murders that health care admin staff received coronavirus jobs before those on the front line despite the u.k. having one of the worst kovi death rates among hospital workers share of the british medical association said those at highest risk must be given priority a partridge reports. on december the 2nd the u.k. hit the headlines after becoming the 1st nation in the world to approve the fires of biotech coronavirus back scene the 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 in health care facilities to the stop an equal access to x. nation it's increasing the mental stress of folk at work was urgently needed to make sure that they could directors and people who needed force get it pushed since the start of the pandemic hundreds of n.h.s. and social care workers have died after contracting covert 19 front line workers were initially due to be vaccinated in the 1st roll out of n.h.s. jobs but a government rethink means hospitals are prioritizing care home staff be elderly and h.s. staff vaccination other than to prevent vaccine waste which 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 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. to start their difficult to do because you know most places. is. 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 frontline 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 they are clinical staff or not primary care stuff absolutely can and should be vaccinated according to risk assessment the government promises more vaccines will arrive in january but 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.c. . a key ally of binyamin netanyahu was quit the cabinet invited to join the opposition accusing the israeli prime minister of corruption comes as the ruling coalition fell on tuesday sending the country to the polls for a 4th time in under 2 years on he's into trying to look for wonder whose luck may have run 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. iraq. is distracting and it's. giving sleepy joe kind of made this deal maybe sleep easier. good. riddance. soon as we're 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 cold it or rather the nation's fury at the way going to the always been dealing with maybe failing to deal with the pandemic the perception is one of mismanaged log downs with businesses and the unemployed left in the lurch the corruption has so many people involved 3 let me just 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 it's done you know mainly but on the government and or did spend it doesn't want any

mall. corrupted the walking for one person trying to escape from his a trial demonstrations picked up pace in the spring when it's and yahoo 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 cold 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. it's ennio 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 now at the years when mr here comes your golden hearts president was still in the white house. the statue of confederate general robert e. lee has been removed from the u.s. capitol building follows a long running campaign against symbols associated with slavery senshi was now being moved to the state of virginia which is the legal owner of the sculpture. full f. generally was a prominent figure in the coalition of southern states during the u.s. civil war and also was a slave owner who became a hate figure 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 johns democrat house speaker

nancy pelosi has welcomed the move. symbols of america's slave owning past the been removed in recent months the movement snowballed after the death of george floyd in minneapolis and majoring in altercation with police and the movement spread to several other countries with activists destroying or removing monuments associated with historical racism. the tempest is still flaring after the summer of statue toppling and to get some

perspective from both sides we spoke with conservative commentator christopher harris and with historian general tone. even today there are more symbols of statues honoring races and play voters then answer races and the slavery happening and this is now the greatest badge of it in berlin there were still statutes honoring herman gerbils or at all 'd hitler for example the i would be considered outrageous it may be true that you cannot undo the past but certainly you can honor the best up to and you can remove the worst i think that's what this statue of property leave its removal it's 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 subgrade 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 the rest of 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 get 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 the history. on this some global news rounded up for you starting with thousands of dr a stuck up motorways and lorry parks in southern england france has reopened its border with the u.k. the whole is need to test negative for corona virus before they can leave the country the border was close to 48 hours of a new strain of cousin that. elsewhere at least 21 people have been injured 9 critically following an explosion in central baltimore yesterday it happened on the 16th floor of the baltimore gas and electric building the cause of that explosion

is unknown. and the new leventon thailand relevance bring children christmas gifts got a topical twist this year the children being given face masks as part of a coronavirus safety dr comes after the country's worst outbreak was confirmed at the weekend at the seafood center near bangkok. that wraps it up for this news hour with updates in 30 minutes. well no one said no no. no.

real to look they should know per. unit 731 was a unique organization in the history of the world what they were trying to do was to simply do nothing short and build the most powerful and most deadly biological weapons program that the world had ever known. the real you know. what it said israel should go. ahead today no. new look at the russia of putting. him on the model. you know model others and then. there are my thoughts on the muscle. i'm going to know i think the number 4 kind of wish to know about dollar one you until you do them. will cost them more or less than 0.

point. 00 want to. see my new on our. site is and. i thought that they give us the. lead .