[000:00:00;00] a, a president of france, disregard the protests that are, are rubbing over pension reforms, calling the public voice illegitimate. and suggesting that only elected officials consider the countries policy years with do not extract transparency and use investigations nor the general public to get acquainted with its results. branches, foreign minister says he doesn't expect the western investigation in north through sabotaged to expose the truth. that's after award winning journalist, the more the cia scripted a narrative to cover up washington's role. and the attack on the pipeline. and new delhi scales down security at british diplomatic offices after the u. k. fails to

provide adequate protection. i've been in the office in london that was attacked by separate with this response truly, which is coming in all the value keeps being removed from the british. hi, collision in new delhi is seen of did talk to would tell you to be one with coming to you live from the russian capital. this is our t international. i'm rachel, blub. it's here with the top stories of the hour. welcome to the program. violent clashes with police have erupted in paris as nationwide protest or how begins controversial pension reform plans. this is the 1st president bowed to implement the change no matter what.

ah, friend president, a manual non crock has brush aside those concerns, calling the public's voice illegitimate. that's while protest in other countries have his utmost support. archie contributor rachel mars, it gets her take on the story. so the increase of france, his retirement age from 62 to 64 years, has been rammed through the french national assembly, not by democratic vote, but by french president, emmanuel michaels prime minister elizabeth bon evoking clause 49.3 of the french constitution. now that clause permits the government to push through new laws and very limited circumstances without any vote. and also cutting short any debate or discussion on the issue. listening to my call trying to defend his decision to push through this particular law without a vote. you think that the french actually had a chance to express themselves through democratic charles, the crowd. whatever form it takes,

has no legitimacy in the face of the people who express themselves through their elected representatives and parliament. so in the absence of the vote on the reform itself, protesters have continued to take to the street to express their upset and how the whole thing has been handled. so paris right now is basically a giant hel, scape of trash from the sanitation workers joining this strike, which makes for convenience tenure for protesters. so there are trash fires pretty much everywhere. tourists are getting a complimentary dose of tear gas to go with their fresh bye. yes. and also a free french revolution experienced tour of the french capital. now remember that several yellow vest protesters had lost eyes as a result of french police action. we're talking here about france, whose recent leaders have been quick to back protests elsewhere. remember that former french president, nico alyssa, who's e praise, the arab spring protesters a decade ago,

and back to the resulting regime change of leaders like no home bag bo, of food, d, blah. and mom are gadhafi of libya, and lights are cosy. michael has also cheered on protesters in other countries that come from adobe revolution cannot be achieved on its own. it can be only ducted by the people near look. then you must continue to support the hundreds of thousands of bella russians who peacefully protest for their rights, their freedom and their sovereignty. i salute the courage of the hundreds of thousands of venezuelans marching for their freedom. so apparently popular protests are only legitimate if they aren't challenging the policies and action of mac home and is western bodies. macklin was positioning himself as the defender of democracy, but all he's really defending is the increasingly on democratic establishment. russia's foreign minister, sergey love. rob says he doesn't expect western investigations into the north

through attacks to be thorough or objective. he suggest the u. s. will fall back on the narrative to blame russia. years ago, i do not expect transparency in these investigations, nor the general public to get acquainted with its results. so most likely they will end up with something like highly likely as london 1st did in 2007 in connection with the poisoning of lit financial. and then in 2018 in connection with the poisoning in salisbury, that's when the formula highly likely russia did. it was invented with no evidence that russia was involved was ever provided us. and i have no reason to believe that in the situation with the north streams, the current german leaders will find the strength to do something else. so, blah, rob's message came after the latest revelations, from investigative journalist, seymour hersh on the nordstrom pipeline sabotaged hersh, reveals that the cia invented a cover story to divert attention from u. s. involvement in the north stream explosions. and the german chancellor off

shoals helped joe by then. the leaders met in washington in early march. and as hersch reveals, discuss the sabotage and plan to create an alternative narrative to the one that's accused the u. s. of having a hand in the attack. i was told by someone with access to diplomatic intelligence that there was a discussion of the pipeline expos, a. as a result, certain elements in the central intelligence agency were asked to prepare a cover story in collaboration with german intelligence that would provide the american and german press with an alternative version for the destruction of nordstrom to in the words of the intelligence community. the agency was to pulse the system in an effort to discount the claim that biden had ordered the pipelines destruction. following that report, the nordstrom attack was once again brought up in a white house press conference on wednesday. as senior u. s. official reaffirmed washington physician, u. s. was not involved in any way that those german officials doubt it would ever

be possible to find out who is behind the sabotage that's according to the country's media by the perpetrators of the explosions. will probably never be able to be clarified without a doubt, according to security circles. the chances of being able to provide factual evidence or lo, if only because there is little experience with criminal investigations on the c bed. besides commenting on the latest herse revelation survey lab robin has burundi and counterpart discuss strengthening relationships and pushed back on a world order where a select group of states seem to dominate or g correspond. donald corridor has the details. i was able to personally ask survey lab for what he thought about these new revelations that seymour hersh put forward. and he said it was funny that all the west could all the west could do was ignore. he, seymour hersh in the hopes that most people wouldn't really pay attention to the kind of revelation he was bringing forward lab. rob also said that we shouldn't really look to the europe and investigation for answer because, and that

a broader international investigation should really be launched that doesn't just include countries from the west. laboratory also said that a proposal was launched to the united nations calling on its organization to remember their obligation to combat international terrorism. when considering the fact that a lot of information points to washington in terms of who care contracts and nuclear energy security, bilateral business, what else? what are some of the highlights you can give to us to? well, one thing that both foreign minister said is that a cooperation needs to be increased essentially across all spheres. and one of the main ones that you mentioned is the peaceful development of barone, these atomic energy sector, the burgundy, foreign minister said that atomic energy needs to become essential in lighting the countries, roads as well as the home. it's homes and its buildings. and we also heard more talk about cooperation, further cooperation in the sphere of health care. russia wants to help,

but randi combat the spread of infectious diseases, specifically called 19 and this is really building upon cooperation that's already existed. we also did here at the burgundy and foreign minister say that he brought up the united nations and the fact that the african continent is not represented on the security council. he called this a historic injustice that needs to be corrected. you know that africa is the only continent in the world that has no representation among the permanent members of the security council. we are under represented among regular members of the security council and i it's unfair. it is a historical injustice. we are excluded and won 1300000000 people. hands are under represented to the security council for the african continent. it is unacceptable. now both foreign ministers also said that defense cooperation is developing in a positive way as well. specifically,

both countries working together to combat terrorism in the region as well as help warranty protect its national sovereignty at a time where many countries, specifically western countries are trying to meddle in the internal affairs of countries on the african continent. there was also a little talk about the ukraine conflict. the peruvian foreign minister said that his country stands for peace in resolving conflicts and negotiations. and he said that that can be extended to the ukraine conflicts as well. and that's obviously long been the position of russia. so this is another area where both both country see eye to eye. and essentially that is a general round up of the main topics that were discussed at this meeting. the u. s. secretary of state has urged tenicia to strike an agreement with the international monetary fund, claiming it's the only way for the country to get out of his current crisis. the most critical thing they can do, they can only side is actually get an i m f agreement. we would strongly encourage

them to do that because the economy risks falling off the deep and the situation in tunisia is very dangerous. if tunisia collapses, this risks causing migratory flows towards the e, u, and causing instability in the middle east and north african region. we want to avoid the situation. president case said, must sign with the i, m f and implement the agreement. otherwise, the situation will be very serious for tunisia. back in october, the i m f reported a tentative agreement for a 1900000000 dollar loan had been reached with geneva, but negotiations on its implementation had been stalled ever since. in order to hand the cash over the funds demanding the country's government carries out reforms including fuel subsidy reductions, cutting transfers, the state own companies, and greater transparency for foreign investors. the authorities have already been flashing through subsidies,

further privatizing state assets and cutting down public spending in order to meet the requirements. however, cost experience shows that i m. f. loans haven't always had the desired effect in africa. back in the late 1980 s the i m f agreed to help wanda on the condition that its currency would be valued and state support for farms was flash, but that ca, skyrocketing inflation and the collapse or rural incomes for the local population. somalia also received i m f, loans on conditions of purchasing us green and devaluing its currency. but that led to a price surge and the fuel and fertilizers, crippling local farmers. for more on this, let's cross live now to who little sociology professor at the american university of cairo, doctor se, as said that thank you so much for taking the time to join us on the program today . now, can you start by explaining why the u. s. and the you are so concerned about the

situation and to nisha and are insisting that it agrees with the i am asked offer and conditions. last time, an american president visit tunisia was in 1959. so that shows you that there was no interest at all because it is not strategically mixed with israel. it is blocked, doing a lot of activities that would entail over at tech, american and european attention. but in the last 10 years we, we saw and european and american interest international. why? this is a question. one reason is that because of oil and gas in libya, and also because of 10 solutions with algeria, which is a main provider of gas and oil. and also because of the presence of the russian wagner in maybe the world. this goes in tunisia,

we're going in this in the mac, what is ition into an issue. they wanted to show that this is a model of democracy to succeed. and it was supposed to be the, the flower of the upstream and it ceiling for many reasons. one of them is that there was no economic assistance provided to tunisia. there was a lot of political quality inside tunisia. and that's why that can had been you know, sliding economically and now the out talking about the i m f. and as you mentioned though, a lot of cases in which to initially signed agreement was i am if in 201320168 had not reached, it had not the lead to real successful economic victory today. the same, you know, this isn't the only agreement that is being provided. and it promised that if the

commission government signed that it would open the gate for other for investors and international donors to give the money to tunisia. but so far, the not signing the 5, the agreement, the preliminary agreement, each of the experts level in the last few. now when it comes to that preliminary plan, is there a main reason why it has been stalled ever since then? or is there a big arching topic that is being fought over here? the general union, this is the most powerful good unit in the world, is not supporting any agreement that would lead to cutting off wages or so freezing wages while cutting subsidies and freezing a public employment opening public investment. and so it is working again,

such as agreement also the public opinion. now indonesia appealed to the suffering economically. and the feel that if there is an agreement with the law cutting subsidies, more economic pushes on their daily life, it would be not acceptable. and coming to the president had been flashing with a lot of forces inside the county. so any agreement would be use a game with him. and so that's why the whole process is being frozen for a while, but inevitably they will have to sign it. otherwise, they will be in the, in, in even worse situation, and they will not get any economic assistance from other donors including guns. now speaking of that ongoing economic situation, i mean, we've talked about how the in the us and their loans haven't exactly been the answer in the past. but do you believe that cooperation with the i m f, could assist to nija to pass through the ongoing economic crisis?

is that a possibility? you know, the real possibility is that the d mobilize, the only source is develop the owners horses. but now the only the only game in town today in the nation is that you must get a lot of them from the i m f. otherwise no phone donors will come to you and that's why they are under pressure to, to do something. if you look at the record of diane beth in africa and a lot of places, it had been a mixed bag and it has been not really successful in many countries. so that if you have this agreement to balance the budget and deal with the form in debt and you can get that things would be better. but what happened is that things even got worse, more unemployment, more poverty, had been expanded because part of the traditional being that is given to everybody

. it's the same medicine. everybody we get to, you must evaluate that. you currently must got subsidies and in many developing countries, this would mean most of the vision, more poverty and more topic, socially and economically, and also political. yeah, that's a good thing to keep in mind. now, given the fact that clearly the i m f has a very long track record with its loans and the ways in which they've ended up, as you noted, why do you think that they keep trying? and why do you think that countries keep agreeing to partner with them? is it that promise of those loans? that is making them think that maybe it'll turn out different this time. it does not, and they cannot make issue. it is also a political issue. what is behind those international financial organization that came out of the british woods and was, was to, is that it also helps me know, big countries to imperialist country control some of those developing countries.

and so it is not only that can make issue that is also political interest, political motivation, which country will get it, which can you doesn't get it. and so there are lots of things like that. so many developing can we find that difficult for them to challenge this washington consensus system and so they will will stay title to do it this way, but others do something as you go to china. china is one of the biggest contributor now to, for an in africa. and so this should have been on the agenda, but there are lots of fees that there will be political questions for me that you and americans if they go to china away. yeah, certainly a lot of moving parts there, but we appreciate you joining us to break it all down. dr. se as the deck political sociology professor at the american university of cairo. thanks so much for your

time. and inside the india has scaled down security at british diplomatic offices and remove safety barriers outside the u. k. hi, commission. in new delhi, the measures followed protests that got out of control by separatists add an indian diplomatic office in london. new delhi said that british authorities should be held accountable, or chief india correspondent runjun sharma reports. so the mix, toby unfolding jordan new delhi is that the british high commission year has lost its extra security. security also has been reduced at the residence of the british on the war in new delhi. it seems like india has had enough. now, don't get me wrong in the us, not trying to be irresponsible here. it is just a summons. barricades, the report here that have been removed,

the security personnel still stay porter inside. but why is india taken this measure? which is seen as a retaliatory one? it's essentially because last week on sunday. in fact, there was a group of college funny separatists that stage to put us outside the indian high commission in london. casanya separate the sar esentially group, all the men who is seek indian job to be a separate country. now this cost on the separatist wall normally staged a port as outside the indian high commission in london. but they also entered inside and they removed the indian flag. they pull down the indian tribe of flag, of course india futures and it has launched a product has stopped with the british government, u. k. deputy commissioner was summon and was one demanding an explanation to us to

be off the culprits under perpetrators of what happened at london yesterday to be off weekly, arrested, and prosecuted. we launched a strong protest and also clearly indicated to the british authorities for the need for them to put up that he could security up b, b, u k. high commission. i do all of this happening on the watch or, or prime minister of indian origin. what was the british police saw doing? that's a question mark, considering it friends to, to off all of that from happening. but of course, saw british government also has come out with the reply, bare minimum diplomatic reply. so to say, will always take the security of the high commission and all foreign mission cindy, u. k. extremely seriously and prevent and robustly respond to incidents such as

this. now, india is not okay with only what, what india wants is action. i'm not asking for much, it's basic, isn't it for our country to protect it? so foreign missions on had soil. so that's what in dells asking for this response really, which is coming in. all the barricades being removed from the british high commission in new delhi is seen as a fit for tap, a retaliatory one. according to an israeli state television channel senior government official in the u. e says, israel is risking relations with arab states with the direction the country is going. the direction of this government goes completely against the abraham accords . these railey governments actions in danger, any potential advance and relations with the u. e and other arab countries. some israeli politicians are even supporting violence. this goes against the spirit of the abraham accords and the current practice and endangers regional stability. be

advisor added the other job is investments, and israel may be impacted student instability in the region. during a tv interview. the u. a has instructed it's a master and tell me not to meet any israeli official lawmaker or minister as well as escape any official events. whereas really ministers or politicians are in attendance. this reaction comes after the israeli finance minister demanded the palestinian claim that the policy and nation does not exist. there's also a count that saudi arabia and iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies after talk broker, amazing. earlier this month. they've also agreed to re establish cooperation on economic and security issues. the agreement was a booth for middle east relations, but cause disappointment and israel television has been trying to build ties with countries after signing the abraham courts back in 2020,

which were aimed at improving relations with rain and saudi arabia. we spoke to a geo political analyst in bahrain who says that it's time for israel to decide if it's going to continue with his current policy or change course. i believe the outrage is not just regional, much international, i think by the israelis have all the rupees the on the far i religious ancestors party. and unfortunately they are where they are. now. we see the processes on a daily basis for what, 9 weeks now and unions, soto, geological parties, will never represent national national interest. and contrary to that, to that, it is of the present time, you know, like a small church declaring out so,

you know, from paris that there is nothing as a steamy nation or a pollution in people. i mean, this is all totally control to everything that was agreed with the international community with regard to the 2 state solution. and also it was a, you know, i called all the brian mccorda with his right. so it's up to these, right? he's now and be, i mean, can you own person to step up and take charge of this government or else? i mean there was a lot at risk at the present time. turkey and hungry should not be trusted within the nino alliance. that's the claim being made in an opinion piece and the german daily. well, it's author claims that on her end, budapest don't share the same values as other nino members. and in their turn toward, it said any of them anchor in budapest have also distance themself significantly.

from the community of values for which native stance the alliance is therefore well advised to treat both spotless with reservation. this should include, for example, no longer necessarily shedding certain sensitive data with 2 gear in hungary within nature. the appears focuses on the turkish president, continuing to balk sweden's nato accession while also claiming that hungary wants you money in exchange for, for approving the membership of both sweden and finland. these accusations came without citing any sources while budapest was also not asked for comment, hungary has been opposing sanctions against russia since their 1st implementation. walter kia has been playing a major mediator role in the ukranian grain deal, which sees exports to countries and need. meanwhile, staying with nato new figures show that only 7 of the 30 member states have

increased defense spending to the required 2 percent of g d p. that's one country. down on 2021. the alliances sheet had expected. 2 more members would achieve this goal in 2022 and it shows $37.00 our lives now spend the 2 percent. or we actually expected that to be slightly more earlier. but because to the p house increased more than expected for a couple hours. 2 hours that are expected to be a 2 percent and i'll slightly below 2 percent author and we're correspond at thomas rober fills that on her. and buddha passed her being criticized because they are the only alliance members. not following washington's lead. teresa new esl can zation um and the yes is no organizing this so called summit for democracy and quite interesting that he live to now to alice turkey and, and hungry. also not invited as far as i know, so that countries who are not following of

a political course of the u. s. r officially named no democracy and no no to part apartments and so on. and so this is not really a surprise for me. i am the in europe. we also see that congress has problems and that, that the countries are not happy with hungary because of the hungry router government . first of all, seeing a thinks of their own people when they, when and when it comes to sanctions or anti russian pre ukrainian or measures a well. and if you are a pin, countries would think of their own interests and the policy would be different. but we are seeing a policy which is sir, orientation or the american interests. and if countries like turkey and hang on follow that they will be criticized and they are not. i'm a full l as anymore. so this shows that we are talking about double standards about a yeah, a misuse of the world. democracy though they ins chief residential legal council has suggested overturning the countries ban on nuclear weapons. calling at

the most unwonted provision of the constitution in the modern world to day, small country can protect itself against the super powers. if they have nuclear weapon, if we can afford it, we should also have nuclear weapons. so our people will not be tremble. the bone, let alone made a popular slave of other countries. manila constitution adopts and pursue as a nuke free policy and assigned the nuclear weapons. bantry, in 2017. the agreement prohibits the development, testing, production, acquisition,