[000:00:00;00] ah ah, the 2 main opposition parties in nigeria, coal to nullify the presidential elections, stating that preliminary results are a shot the voting process of being manipulated will get live reaction on law in moments. also ahead on the program this our ah large protests are wrapped in moldova with thousands taking to the streets to the

resignation of the country's president on the pro you government formed earlier this month. on the u. s. secretary of state phrases, washington's humanitarian help for the people of yemen, despite its own going arm supplies to this. so they laid coalition that is bombing the more stricken country you're from a red cross representative about the situation. today in yemen is that 33rd to 1000000 people are struggling with an ongoing conflict with no clear resolution is you but also prompted voting. infrastructure limited access to own base with 4 in the afternoon in montevideo, 8 pm in vienna and tenant knights here in the russian capital. welcome to the news from the 2 main opposition parties in nigeria are demanding the

results of sunday's general election. be declared nolan void. they allege voter fraud in africa has most populated nation branding, the whole process. a shell, r t correspondence co rabo letter takes up the story from their both political parties. that is labor, as well as the pdp, the peoples democratic party have both now simultaneously and in one joined press conference called for the cancellation of this election. this follows cause that have been made by both parties individually. since yesterday we saw the watching out of the boucher coalition center by both political parties lay by as well as the people's democratic party, claiming that they cannot, they cannot, i see the fairness or the freeness of this elections, particularly the fed transparency. now they have been protests that we have seen and heard of from, from where we are a lego city in school already,

parts of the city as well as in a cage up, which is the more affluent part of the city. and that is where we went to, to look at the and some of the election materials that have been said to be destroyed, which was next to the apple of the state, which is the king of the state in that, if that part of the world and that's where you really get to see how the other half lives as it were. but we, we understand that not only have have the election material being destroyed. but we understand that now that both will lead to call parties calling for the cancellation of the entire thing. and largely that is seen as more than just the gripe by some of the locals that you're finding here on the streets of lagos. they say that that they are worried that the margins of victory, even if it be a pdp or i leave a party victory,

that those margins continue to be narrow. while the margins of victory for the incumbency of the apc continues to be wired and why then that suggested that there is some money violation when it comes to how these results have been said out. now that is only some of the issues. yes. the other issue, of course, is that which comes from the american government as it were. we've seen members of the national democratic institute as well as the international republican institute. that's both of the american political parties which have come to be represented here in the nigerian elections alongside the politicians from either the house of representatives or the senate. but the interesting part here is that we are seeing this invisible hand of the american government here. and its interest in africa most populous election,

and one only one does to which extend the american influence can really expand and get involved in this elections. we are left with more questions than answers as to why the country that often accuses others of meddling in the political process of other countries. why it's finding itself more and more entrenched within the african democratic process as well as it's peace negotiations. here on the continent as we have seen in what happened in the if the o p and piece process and just how much the american hand was involved in that. now we are left wondering, but the unity, when you watch nigerian television, you wonder as to the high level of american commentary that is often afforded space . you wonder on which level just are they afforded displays and just how much they want to influence the machinations of what's going on here on the ground?

well, let's continue with our reaction to the ballot and cross slide to zak a bell. f l observer to the nigerian general elections. joining us from lee you go . so you're most welcome sir. so what is your assessment? how's the democratic process been ordered or where the elections compromise? this is how i i saw it. i finally dive on. and from what you have correspondence was seen. he was mentioning, i'm in the call, i k, john elaine goes nigeria. we actually pronounce the k job lead goes nigeria, and i was we didn't got out of the election actually very well before the election was a high percentage of deployment duty edge and everything was going on on

a very wet people started becoming on comfortable when most of the election were concluded on it was trying to actually import the direct costs of the election from the rest of the comment that had issues. it started malfunctioning, and that was when people started. so spectrum, something probably was going to go wrong because the independent national electoral commission had enough timeframe to think it might be kind of money there, but we were meant to understand our president general more how much will, how do you provided everything. so i think to me malfunctioning of the salva, or d, d, i was the beginning of all the found the thought be shown on probably the

misunderstanding. so be this as an over reaction. do you because the opposition parties, the main opposition, big sways of the public? they're both demanding the cancellation of the election. you don't see those calls as just the 5? no, i cannot say an over reaction. i because because on some of the, the videos are some of the pick chose, i mean, it was very clear because it clear the idea where alterations, what in my point in unit, in particular, you know, till the end. i have my results to this moment. what i can tell you, i don't have the access to what was, what are the results from my poorly unit. so i may not be able to tell you it's not in my poorly unit was or thought or not, but what to do, it will be very, very disappointing. if i,

the end of the day credit will result on no top presented because really, we want my julia to be a very stand we're the more crappy on night. julia is, is one of the political lead economy lead us within the continent of africa for even i d d, i get it right. or the countries within the continent of africa we get, it's right. what the consequences does this have if there are fun to be a regularities or even if not, but the reaction from the, the opposition parties and other people supporting them. what consequences is this have for africa most populated nation already? it is a kind of doubt or negative cloud on the political process in nigeria. first of all, when you look, when i'm my not, i mean the i sure i was given. i mean,

we were mid to understand that after the election, probably in less than 20 to 24 hours, we are likely to have all the doors that electronically. we are likely we are supposed to have known who is probably the president by now get to confound what to do woman the result. they are meant the result and they are counting somehow somewhere they have all that into mind while counting on coalition, which was never part of the understanding and be set on by by nigeria. and julian, yet the incumbent leader that the president has got quite a half the lead doesn't here more than 10 percentage points. so if that's the way it actually goes, what, what can we expect next? because it is, it is a half the lead. it's not just one or 2 points. come the opposing parties reconcile

and find unity for the sake of the countries future. i really like you right me if they didn't, can you did not have a very wide margin. well, the good thing about science and technology is that, i mean, i can come on with the check. did talk, come on, will be on the light. remember, mine was to have everything done electronically. i'm so my boss and not my like nice. house suggestions to me because we had what we call the by more dial verification system that was supposed to check everything to me in to try electron i, pads or verification. somebody should be able to use within the machine. but i knew given some pieces of their power to go to a new site to talking print. you can now the very fight you are biometrics

are very fight on. you are allowed to use the template to, to, to, to select your time to do or what you are can be the 1st of all did that will be transmitted electronically. i need to send you those fair path. i need to also help in climate change on with. okay. okay, so you see it more as issues to be higher, died with the technology more than than any type of of fraud. widespread so far? zocker ball. i one of the observers of the night erie and general elections many thanks for putting all that in perspective for us trying to buy buy while it has been a big national turn out for those elections and rti will make sure you don't miss any of the big developments from one is turning into a fractures ending to the jury and vote honor online. we've got to cover

ah oh, okay, to another over a headline stories that a demonstrators in moldova are right in force protesting against the countries pro e. u. government formed earlier this month. oh, so mystery to the monday, the country's president maya some to resign. those rallying old so broad cardboard effigies of the leader, which they ripped apart and stopped them to evidently express their frustration earlier. local authorities had restricted access to the area to try and prevent more demonstrators from entering the city center. willisford, it shows the crowds marching in downtown kitchen. now the capital, the anti government rally brought to gather residents from several, moldova, and cities. a local journalist takes us through not what brought people onto the

streets for hours and winter in the hood for we are in the center of just now. tempers are rising as protesters demanding the government pay their utility bills marching on the city's main official building. the protest which began this past autumn have been gained strength since gas and electricity costs have skyrocketed over the winter. residents are angered by government policies. they say have cause the economic problems, you know, the 12th middle east conference of the val di discussion club kicked off this tuesday in moscow, attended by representatives of 18 countries. the headline this year is the new middle east and the security crisis in europe. so expect a lot of talking on that r t spoke with the director general of pakistan house and international. think talk about russia's relations with east is asian countries also need did energy requirement, the trade and economy to improve. i mean, did a, did

a constraint in the western market, which breast has done it, us have imposed sanction on many asian countries and disorders did on russia. so it is a like a natural partnership. i think it's not only for us, she wants to go, and i think it's also about an agent come to you in the middle eastern countries to come forward and make it real partnership. and the real partnership partnership, of course, is about this, that a she had to be initiative and the asian countries are on board. and that is a national partnership. and it is going to be a very large economic activity that economic activity will be also be, will be required to be, have him a comprehensive medi time security designed to avoid all clark, kind of sabotage from a u. s. or other countries. so in order to do that, it is important that they have it, whether by letter trade agreements or economics and also used it by lecture crunches. i think it is just much natur. the biden

administration thrown its weight behind a controversial mass surveillance program, which will come to an end this coming december. if congress doesn't feel to extend it just to break it down, it permits the government to spying any non us citizen outside american borders. but at the same time, allies the snooping on any communications between those national, those targets and u. s. nationals that keep company. well, let's get more on all this now on cross to r t correspond killer my pin from new york. i think i explained that correctly there are killed, it's a highly controversial spy program, in any case, take us through the latest developments surrounded. sure. the u. s. congress is being urged by the, by the ministration to renew this very controversial buying program. that essentially enables the united states government to gather data without the traditional warrant process. now it traces back to 911. i was instituted into law

in 2008. it is, section 7, o, 2 of the foreign intelligence surveillance act by the and this program when law enforcement officials describe it, they really don't make any bones about what it's really all about. here's what they said. we are relentlessly focused on serious threat such as the chinese government's efforts to spy enough to steal our technology around the sanctions. evasions north korea's nuclear program and russia's invasion of ukraine . now the program essentially enables the f, b i and the national security agency to go to tech companies and acquired text messages, electronic data email, then other information. this would apply to google, microsoft meta, and other corporations out the traditional warrant process and civil liberties.

organizations have raised serious concerns about this and the right to privacy. now in 2013, after edward snowden reveal the nature of the program, the supreme court ultimately slap down a lawsuit from civil liberties organizations in response to concerns about the privacy of american. the court's refusal to hear this case shields one of the most far reaching government surveillance programs from meaningful judicial oversight. it has allowed, baseless claims of secrecy to prevail over the rule of law. now if this law were not renewed, it would expire in the coming december, but in all likelihood, ah, there is very little chance of not being renew. it appears that the abiding administration is following the trump administration, which was following the obama administration, which was falling the bush administration. and continuing this pattern of encroaching on the privacy of americans and expanding the ability of the government

to carry out surveillance and spying without much oversight. camp, thanks very much regret through that's our t correspondent killed my pin in new york. a tremendous difference not saw the u. s. state secretary house describe both washington's on the wes impact on resolving the yemen crisis. anthony blinking praise the funding being sent to the conflict stricken country. the monitor in crisis in yemen remains an issue where our collective action has made and can continue to make a tremendous difference. in 2022, the united states provided nearly $1100000000.00 and humanitarian assistance to yemen. the largest u. s. contribution to the country since the conflict began. we encourage everyone, especially those in the region to join us in giving generously the international community, bussed to all we can to help and this war. because for millions of emmys, our support is

a matter of life or death. but money isn't the only thing. washington's been sending in connection with the yemen crisis. since the start of the conflict, almost a quarter of all u. s. army exports have gone to saudi arabia, which is leading a military operation against jamini opposition forces, leaving many hundreds of thousands of people dead. many of those civilians as well . the white house reportedly blocked legislation, not would have stopped seals last year, less cross live. now to discuss this more with david swanson, david, the executive director of the world beyond war movement, you're most welcome to the program. a. just do a clarify that because the quote out of washington, our collective action has made and can continue to make a tremendous difference. was a coal david for more money to be sent to yemen to help at the crisis. but could

those words have been misconstrued in light of the us sending arms to the region being used in the conflict? well, given the general meaning of the term aid and assistance in washington, d. c, namely weapons of a deadly conflict. uh, you know, a misunderstanding could quite easily be made. and given the fact that the united states, it has been, has created this conflict initially with the successful drone war under president obama. and he is still sending this week missiles, from unarmed, from unmanned robot airplanes. i, in to yemen. i people could easily misunderstand what it is that the united states wants sent in to yemen. ah, but this is, this is a conflict that's been created and it's been exacerbated and continued by the u. s . government, not just with the drone killings and not just with the weapons to saudi arabia,

which was to be treated by as a pariah state, according to candidate joe biden. us, but also through us participation in the war. oh, which there is a truce, but can resume any moment. and, and the white house has persuaded the congress to back off on legislating an end the u. s. participation in the war. i, even though the congress was happy to pretend it wanted to do so. when it could count on a veto from president trump, yamini, people will know better than any of us the how long this been going on 8 long years . they've been dealing with this now through the years, there's been the, the odd statement from washington here and there, but no big concern had effort for this to end. but now it comes with this huge call for aid and let's help the, the country. how do you see that? is it a genuine call for the world to come and help, or is this about optics and why, what's behind it?

well yemen need $4000000000.00 according to the united nations and is going to get somewhere between $1.00 and $2000000000.00. why? because a child starved to death every 75 seconds. that's why the war in ukraine apparently needs $113000000000.00 or so mostly in weapons. why? because neither side of the war can get beyond the imbecility, idea that you solve problems through mass killing. that's why which, which makes more sense. where are the priorities? if you can invent overall $100000000000.00 and promise on limited additional weapons and funding beyond that of for one. why can you only come up with $1000000000.00 for the other? where vastly more people have died? it's just not on television as much, and the people don't have the same skin color. you do or the same religion as your

friends. i mean the priorities are out of whack. this is why there are going to be events all over the united states to morrow, march, 1st, demanding peace be made in yemen by the u. s. government. and you can go to world beyond war dot org. you can go to every 75 seconds dot org to learn more. you make it very interesting point. western countries including global donors, have pledged millions of dollars to help people in yemen. but keeping in mind the billions, as you've said that they spend on the ukranian conflict for. busy won that in particular, how impressive really is dot health, david, or any time there's aid to hungry, starving, abused people who need it. it's a good thing no matter how small in comparison to some other outrageous expenditure, but it needs to be greater. and the blockade of the ports and the trade needs to be

lifted and the war needs to be permanently ended. and the threatening weapons that continue to be supplied need to cease those responsible on all sides of these wars need to be held accountable through support for the rule of law . not these lawless tribunals each side, and every war proposes exclusively for the other side. so there is, you know, there is a long way to go to be treating the people of human rights and the media, including in the united states has a great deal to answer for if, if you have many as were only ukrainians, if they only got the treatment and the attention and the sympathy that you can get in your ukranian. this would be a different story. well, the u. s. does proudly name itself the world's largest humanitarian donor. all was trying to tone down. it's, it's controversial. legacy of wars in iraq, 20 year on diversity, by the way, this week, afghan lasalle, of course,

and others. and that's while the un called the m and the biggest man made she monetary in crisis. in history. your thoughts on those competing statements? how do they fit together at all? well, it doesn't compete with world war 2 as far as wars go. it doesn't compete with vietnam or the congo, or many other places, though it could. it doesn't compete with the, the destruction of the ecosystems that we can't get around to dealing with because of the stupid wars. and it doesn't compete with nuclear apocalypse, which we're increasingly risking in ukraine through the stubbornness of both sides . but it is a crisis that didn't have to be created that was created through the policies in enlarged part of the u. s. government. and that could be undone. and that the people many, it's almost, you know,

an act of betrayal to the democratic party to remember that. so, you know, we have a great deal to look for in terms of, of humanitarianism and the united states is not the leading supplier of humanitarian aid to the world. not even if you treat, if you include that 40 percent of its foreign aid, that weapons david, much appreciate you taking us through all of this, our enjoyed the shot executive director of the world beyond the war they've been. david swanson, thanks. while despite the u. s. praising it's a t m and as we've just been speaking about, she monetary and organizations are signing the alarm over what they say is the under funding of charity programs in the country, the u. n. has fallen far short of the at $4000000000.00 target. it's set for

donations this year with humanitarian group slumming. the shortfall as disgraceful the international community to day showed it has abandoned yemen at this crucial cross roads with a mayor quarter of the amount needed to support them. millions of yemenis here require urgent assistance. this is woefully inadequate and gives the signal that some humans a less valuable than others. the consequences of this disgraceful shortfall in 8 will undoubtedly be dire for the people of yemen. for 80 years, yemen has been suffering from a humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict over 21000000 people are in dire need of humanitarian aid. according to the red cross of them, more than 2000000 children are in the brink of death. suffering from acute malnutrition, almost 18000000 yemenis don't have access to safe drinking water. we spoke to the regional spokesperson for the international committee of the red cross who sees the situation in the country is dire. a few months ago i visited yemen for the 1st time

in my humanitarian career. and let me tell you that the imagery of all human suffering i've seen there will haunt me for ever. this was not thing like i've seen before. in my humanitarian career. i've seen families of 6 and more surviving daily on a too low. so breads are dipped in water and this was their diet that including other imagery that was that the word should should not ignore and look away from today. the reality in yemen is that 3030000000 people are struggling not only with an ongoing conflict with a no clear resolution in view, but also crumbling voted infrastructure limited access to all basic needs, including food, water, health, electricity, a very intense human economic situation. that is affecting the livelihood and every corner in yemen. a fund for sure to address is not a situation that only the international red cross is flagging. this is a reality for on humanitarian actors,

which makes the situation even extra dangerous. just to give you an example, 2021 pledge in a number for yemen. 8 operation collectively reached only 50 percent to day 27 percent of it was reached. so it is a pattern that has been happening for the last few years and is impacting all humanitarian actors, pushing them to cut their programming to cut their activities. and the price is being paid by the millions of your money that really are relying today on these activities to be able to access the most basic of the of the services. which means