we have been dying on the streets of damascus so you could sit in a damascus hotel and talk about changing the system here. >> warner: finally what's the atmosphere in damascus, does it feel like a country under siege or in the midst of a revolution? >> it does not. damascus is very normal. you know, shops are open. you don't have so many customers. hotels are rope there are no tourists here. those are the things that you notice. the economy is reeling from what has happened over the last four months and you can see it and people really, you know, they want to you come in their taxi cab, they want to you come to their restaurant. they haven't had any business. tonight, of course there was this huge mass rally so you feel that there is some reason that people feel that they need to come to the streets. the country is divided. you have plenty of support still in damascus for president bashar al-assad, whether they agree with the way the government runs things is really unclear to me. what they are afraid of, as somebody said to me the morning after, they don't know who the protestors are. th

damascus, the embassies of the u.s. and france come under attack by supporters of the syrian regime. and he is cute, but he is also fast. meet the world's champion buddy hopper -- bunny hopper. eurozone finance ministers have been discussing options for resolving recent ongoing -- greece's ongoing debt crisis as a u.s. rating agencies claim there's no threat of default in the eurozone goes the third largest economy, italy. angela merkel called on the parliament in rome to respond by approving spending cuts, but so far, the italian government and lawmakers have yet to agree on a common way forward. suddenly, this man is in the sights of the markets. the italian finance minister. he has long been seen as an anchor of stability in the government, but a corruption scandal arou a close adviser and disputes with cabinet colleagues have thrown his future in doubt. now investors are worried his latest austerity plan will not get through parliament, and those worries are driving up italy's borrowing costs. berlin is trying to ca

to exert pressure on damascus to settle the situation which is little so but as for the first part of your question the loosely got in a possible resolution i have trouble a answered this in my previous answer in blue school. especially the considering the fact that the security council. in the season you missed no heated debate around the need the necessity of such resolution with insane taken and as for our position on that some of the good well it's quite understandable of president has voiced opposition it repeatedly and it remains in the leg so this does not mean however that we are not prepared together with our partners in the global community to formulate a common position. and which i think has the same was in school with all parties. and it is that the syrian situation should be able to be a photon political track so soon as possible and this requires the goodwill on both parts see on the parts of legal authorities will they did they must implement reforms they must continue them and intensify them which is something we haven't been telling to our partners and damascus repea

embassy in damasc damascus?well, the state department is describing them as being thugs numbering around 300, saying they were perhaps incited by state run syrian intelligence. they are not saying anything at this point. but most certainly, it would appear as if this demonstration in front of the u.s. embassy also taking place in front of the french embassy, coming about as a direct reaction to a trip taken by both ambassadors last week. the syrian government has really been quite voe ckabcal by how ut was by that trip, saying it was taken without proper authorization. the minister of the interior accused the u.s. ambassador of meeting with saboteurs and inciting the demonstrations. and the government as well as its supporters have been pointing to this trip taken by the two ambassadors as being direct evidence of how foreign western countries, namely the united states and france are interfering in syria's internal affairs, deliberately trying to destabilize this regime. >> we know the syrian government has a re

she is wearing traditional garb from damascus.t know if you can tell but there is a lot of handstitched detail at the top. lena is wearing a traditional jordanian start out with handstitched work. these stars represent different countries. this dress is more of a jordanian style. this is a palestinian dress with hand importers from the top to bottom. -- embroidery from the top to bottom. this is all handstitched. could the other models join the girls on the floor? [applause] >> let's have another round of applause for the models. thank you for participating and showing not only the diversity of our culture and region. through our clothing, it says a lot about how diverse the arab people are. thank you all for coming out tonight. ♪ again, thank you to everyone who has helped. everyone here, let's give them a round of applause for coming out tonight. i would personally like to thank michelle from the arab film festival and bonilla

this is it in a town that is a suburb of damascus.ay, it blamed the past -- a blast for sabotage. using heavy helicopters where people were killed in the early hours of morning by security forces. they want to crack down on protests and it seems -- it does not seem to be stopping people from celebrating their freedom. >> tens of thousands of demonstrators filled tire squareta -- tahrir square. some leaders were instigators. some want an islamic state. still to come, find out what has changed since caster has taken power in cuba. -- castro has taken power in cuba. and a plane crash that happened years ago highlighted a number of errors made by a pilot. the plane was flying from rio de janeiro to paris when it fell 38,000 feet in 3.5 minutes, killing all 228 people on board. this is the first official report since the black box flight recorders were discovered. here is the latest. >> an important shift in the understanding of the aircraft crashed. new evidence from the flight recorders, investigators say there were mistakes in the way t

look at this demonstration in damascus. the bbc has been given this footage which shows what happens to those who protest. it appears that the floods -- the thugs beat those who want to change. this is now a fight for their future. this is a battle for the shape of this region. this revolution is going to be a long bloody struggle for their freedom. >> some breaking news now, standard and poor's has said that could downgrade america's debt rating but the u.s. treasury is forced to prioritize their payments. the aaa rating is the best possible but that has come into question in the recent days. they's said that if congress fails to act, the rating could slip. this is "bbc news," still ahead. india on high alert. security has intensified after the bomb attack. now to afghanistan where five people were killed today in a blast inside of a mosque. the attack was carried out by a man who hid explosives in his turban. this took place during a memorial service for president karzai's brother, ahmad wali karzai. four more of his brot

she is wearing traditional garb from damascus.t know if you can tell but there is a lot of handstitched detail at the top. lena is wearing a traditional jordanian start out with handstitched work. these stars represent different countries. this dress is more of a jordanian style. this is a palestinian dress with hand importers from the top to bottom. -- embroidery from the top to bottom. this is all handstitched. could the other models join the girls on the floor? [applause] >> let's have another round of applause for the models. thank you for participating and showing not only the diversity of our cultund

this is a soldier from damascus. the deserted after being given an order he could not follow. >> he was given a gun and ammunition and told to shoot protestors in their leg. >> look it is rare demonstration in damascus. the bbc has been given this footage, which shows what happens to those who protest. we cannot verify this, but it appears raging floods the of those who want change. -- raging thugs beath those who want change. it is a battle that has shaken this region. this arab revolution will be a long, bloody struggle. quite the united nations general assembly has voted to allow newly independent south sudan as is one of the tiny third member. -- 193 member. developments in a satellite monitoring group has released images that say they are evidence of mass graves. the satellite sentinel project says evidence and i wish as -- eyewitness reports say that the greatest contain hundreds of bodies. this is a bbc news. still ahead, in the on high alert. security is intensified in mumbai after a coordinated bomb attack.

and in the capital damascus, too. more cause for president assad to leave. protests have been mostly peaceful today after mounting pressure on the regime to stop using violence against its people. but in homes at the center of the anti-government unrest, truth opened fire. many people are believed to have been killed. washington says it's not convinced the regime is serious about change. >> they are either going to allow a serious political process that will include peaceful protests to take place throughout syria and engage in a productive dialogue with members of the opposition and civil society, or they're going to continue to see increasingly organized resistance. >> but there are also many who don't want the president to stay and are rallying in his favor. but despite their support and promises of change by the government, we've seen the it showed 2340 no way back for the government and it showed assad's time was up. >> a series of loud explosions have been heard in tripoli and black smoke had been seen rising from one of the regime's city compounds. na

look at this rare demonstration in damascus. the bbc has been given this footage which shows what happens to protesters. we cannot verify this but it appears regime to thugs threatened and be those who wanted change. this is now a fight for their future and in a country that is a fragile mix of race and religion, it is also a battle for the shape of this region. this arab revolution is going to be a long and bloody struggle for freedom. >> joining me now to discuss the canoeing -- continuing crackdown, the u.s. ambassador to syria. we saw in that report one soldier deserting but many still stay loyal to the president. a stalemate seems to be going on for several months now. protests and brutal crackdown. what is going to break it? >> it could continue as it is for some time because -- billing >> is that sustainable? >> it could be. on the one hand the syrian people who choose to come out and demonstrate are showing great courage and resiliency far beyond what anyone expected and on the other hand, intelligence units are composed

and french embassies in damascus. >>> u.n. women is an organization launched in january and released its first report on july 6th, focusing on violence against women. the report says that worldwide surveys show 90% of the cases of violence against women are not reported to the police. with reports from brazil and vietnam, we show why an agency like u.n. women is needed. >> we are at that time center of at the union for domestic workers where many women come to fight for their rights. many are housemates. they report their employers treat them unfairly. >> translator: i was fired. >> translato they said they didn't care about my rights. >> reporter: among their claims, abrupt dismissal and unpaid wages. some also report sexual harassment. the u.n. says that in brazil 6 million people were as housemates. most are poor women. housemates are usually hired directly by the families they work for. so the women are easily exploited and suffer a variety of human rights abuses. 38-year-old anna paola santos started working as a housemat

after all but has been done and promised by the official damascus that means quite a lot and is quite significant because the emergency the state of emergency has been lifted he said unless he has been held twice those two propositions have been proposed. at the regarding the constitutional reforms and other important subjects those steps are quite serious and if the opposition is indeed interested in reforming the syrian society and state relations just to shrug those propositions of it is inadmissible this is when it causes doubts and suspicion. that in fact we are not talking about. reforms multiple to cope with change in syria and we know what that can lead to in syria surrender specifics among the states polity with which he said least we can move. he so we are all for the parties switching to dialogue recently in russia. options. so. you really got to see this group a syrian delegation delegation of syrian opposition visited foster recently and we used that was not as unity which is to make our position heard and explain our position will move to the members of the delegation we

on the ground in damascus so it will probably had a bit of. let's put it that way but i think when you focus on the bigger picture over here. and i think this is indicative of. by the u.s. and france. to sort of do a bit of face saving exercise and appear as if they're on the good side in syria. and i actually i wouldn't be surprised if some of the demonstrators were actually there and genuinely by anger because that's the sort of intrusion that nobody can tolerate i think what we need to look at is that there is a blatant intervention by the american and french governments at least if they were fully aware of what their ambassadors were doing in a very fluid dynamics tuition on the ground in syria. we can expound that you know sons will be back in london's high court today to fight extradition to sweden where he's wanted for questioning a sexual assault allegations the australian and his supporters here handed over to swedish authorities won't be low points or so behind bars in the us parties or any . seven months since julian ourselves was r

embassy in damascus was attacked by a mob. say to the dictator in syria. >> well, you know, we have been very clear that what we've seen on the part of the syrian regime has been an unacceptable degree of brutality directed at its people. we've definitely sent a clear message that nobody can be messing with our embassy and we will take whatever actions necessary in order to protect our embassy and i think they've gotten that message, but more broadly, i think that increasingly you're seeing president assad lose legitimacy in the eyes of his people and that's why we have been working at an international level to make sure we keep the pressure up to see if we can bring some real change in syria. >> pelley: for its part, the syrian government is complaining about u.s. interference in its internal affairs. sergeant first-class leroy petry joined an elite group, today, when president obama presented him with the medal of honor, the nation's highest military award. petry, an army ranger, was shot in both legs during a fire-fight in

angry government supporters have attacked the american and french embassies in the syrian capital damascus they broke windows of the u.s. compound and raised a syrian flag u.s. secretary of state hillary clinton commented on the incident by saying that the syrian government has lost legitimacy the unrest comes in response to the american and french french envoys controversial visit to an opposition dominated area there have been months of protests in syria calling for president bashar al assad to resign political writer karl rove says that the west is intervening in the fragile situation there are lots of security barriers if you know where the embassy is and the situation on the ground in damascus so it will probably had a bit of. let's put that that way but i think we need to focus on the bigger picture over here. and i think this is indicative of. by the u.s. and france. to sort of do a bit of face saving exercise and appear as if they're on the good side in syria. actually i wouldn't be surprised if some of the demonstrators were actually there even genuinely by anger because that's th

angry syrian government supporters have attacked the american and french embassies in the capital damascus the broke windows of the u.s. compound and raised the syrian flag it's in response to the american and french invoice controversial visit to an opposition dominated area that have been months of protests in syria now calling for president assad to quit let's talk more about this new story than and talk to political writer col shero he's behind the car remarks blog is joining us on the line from london to share a very good evening to thanks being an r.t. international the u.s. claims syria's trying to destruct the world's attention by allowing the u.s. embassy to be attacked here how would you assess what's really going on. i think that would be the wrong type of question to ask soon as something like this happens in a situation like the one we're witnessing at the moment everybody starts speculating about the possible motivations and. conspiracies behind it i think what we need to look at is that there is a blatant intervention by the american and french governments at least if they w

on the ground in damascus so it will probably had a bit of. let's put that away but i think when you focus on the bigger picture over here. and i think this is in the. by the u.s. and france. to sort of do a bit of face saving exercise and appear as if they're on the good side in syria. and i actually i wouldn't be surprised if some of the demonstrators were actually there even genuinely by anger because that's the sort of. that nobody can tolerate i think what we need to look at is that there is a blatant intervention by the american and french governments at least if they were fully aware of what their ambassadors were doing in a very fluid dynamics tuition on the ground in syria trouble is that now brewing for italy as it edges closer to becoming the fourth european country to need a bailout borrowing is at a record high as italy's debt surges past earnings raising fears over whether its banks can pass e.u. stress tests senior officials will meet later but since italy is one of the bigger players saving it won't come cheap the editor in chi

a gathering in a park in central damascus.et a permit and they had to promise no posters, no slogans. the singing of syria's national anth anthem, a minute of silence for the dead. this is officially a vigil in honor of the hundreds of people who have died in the uprising in this country since mid march. it's billed as apolitical, but when people know you're a journalist, they come up to you and whisper things that they say they still don't daresay on camera. but outside the vigil, pro-regime appeared praising the syrian president and selling souvenirs. in a damascus hotel that week prominent dissidents and intellectuals met for the first time in public in syria. the government didn't object. not the young people. these are the older generation. like lou hussein, men who spent years in prison for be a can i kating democracy. the meeting was controversial. some said it legitimizing the regime while killings continue. this man spent seven years in prison for giving a university lecture that irked authorities in 2001. he didn't a

we're on the scene in damascus next. >> u.s.ials slammed the syrian regime today as tension between the countries reaches a new high. secretary of state hillary clinton had her strongest criticism of president assad yet. >> president assad is not indispensable and we have nothing invested in him remaining in power. our goal is to see that the will of the syrian people for a democratic transformation occurs. >> this, after protesters attacked the u.s. embassy in syria. arwa damon is in damascus and joins us with the latest. arwa, secretary of state clintden said we really have no interest in assad. we want the will of the people. today we see both. the people who are supporting assad and attacking the embassy and the demonstrators who want him out. how do we know what the real will of the people is? >> well, that's why it's always so challenging to report from a place like syria, e.d., because when we do go out into the streets in an official capacity, it is always in the presence of government minders. so when someone is even sp

arwa damon, cnn, damascus. >>> high overhead.a historic moment today that we'll never see again. >> "atlantis" arriving. welcome to the international space station for the last time. >> a nasa space shuttle is now docked with the international space station for the final time. the flight of the "atlantis" represents the end of a long-time u.s. shuttle program. as shuttle missions go, this one is fairly routine. they delivered supplies and spare parts, but when it returns, it will bring back a broken pump and lots of emotional memories. >> britain's prince william and catherine got cheers and some excited screams in los angeles today. the royal newlyweds are wrapping up their whirlwind three-day visit to california mingling with hollywood's biggest stars on saturday. today was all about meeting troops and inner city kids who are striving to make their lives better. now the duke and duchess of cambridge are about to head home. max foster are at los angeles international airport and he'll join us live from there in just a few minute

that's not the case in the suburbs of damascus.urse the capital itself, a symbol of prestige for the government. it's not the case in holmes which is a mixed city, sunni muslim majority but also a minority and that minority is from-- is the sect from which the government draws a lot of its support. those places seem much more sensitive to the government. i think what we're seeing emerge maybe in the past few weeks is at least an indication of where the government is going to make its stand. that the damascus and the country's two largest cities are too important to let go. cities of mixed ethnicities and sects, holmes, for instance, the coast as well, are going to be places that the government will fight and perhaps fight until the end. >> brown: finally the international community has recently taken some steps to isolate president assad. are there any signs of that having an impact? >> you know, i think there is still a deep fear on the part of the united states, europe, even turkey which neighbors fear about what would happen if

they went there on thursday, spent the night, then returned to damascus on friday. the syrian government enraged that such a trip had taken place. it's significant in that it has been the scene of some of the largest anti-government demonstrations, but last week the syrian military converged around it. the ministry of interior went so far as to post a statement saying that ambassador ford had met with saboteurs while in hama and that they were inciting the protests. >> would it be wrong to assume that any country where the security is so tight that this attack on the u.s. embassy could be payback? >> reporter: well, it is the natural assumption that one would draw, assuming that the syrian government did have a direct hand in it. it is true that the syrian security apparatus most certainly is incredibly capable of clamping down on demonstrations as we have been seeing in the past when it chooses to do so. and that is something that u.s. embassy pointed out, too, questioning just how it is that this type of violent demonstration could take place. >> arwa damon, thank

the fall of the mafia and damascus would weaken the headquarters there.would weaken the iranian regime itself. take advantage of this moment, we should press every diplomatic and economic shanahan to bring the reign of terror to end. the more forceful sanctions. thus the need to work live turkey in the era of nations to further isolate the regime and we need to encourage opponents by making our own position very clear right now. when he goes, how they will find themselves isolated and vulnerable. syria is their only ally. if we deal the way, it will hasten the fall. that is the ultimate goal we must pursue. but as the opportunity offered by the brave men and women of the arab spring. the march of freedom in the middle east cut across the diversity of religious and political groups. it is born of a particular unity. it is a united front from stolen elections and stolen liberty. secret police, corruption, and the state sanctioned violence. this is a moment to ratchet up pressure and to speak with clarity. more sanctions, more and better broadcasting into ir

un security council has strongly condemned attacks against the american and french embassies in damascus. stock for injured and property were damaged and government supporters stormed the energy -- embassies on television. >> thousands of people have held a protest in cairo demanding the removal of egypt's ruling military council. the activist want faster political reform. the elections in september could be delayed. the wikileaks website founder has begun an appeal at against extradition from britain to sweden. he is accused of sexual offenses. his lawyers told the high court in london that the description of the charges were misleading and unfair. he denies any wrongdoing. still to come on the program, more on the u.k. phone-hacking scandal, what it means for media relationships around the world. >> breyer earth elements are crucial, but to controls the lion's share of production? police and guatemalans have arrested two men in the collection of argentine singer. he was one of the most respected folk singers. his car was ambushed. >> he gave voice to millions of the disenfranchised lat

human-rights groups say security forces killed two people during a demonstration in the capitol of damascus. troops reportedly raided homes and made sweeping arrests, wounding at least 20 pro- democracy activists. this is amateur footage from last monday. it was the scene of the largest demonstration since the uprising against president al-assad began in march. joining us to discuss the situation in syria, a scholar and author from syria who himself has taken part in reform talks in the past. thank you for being with us. thank you. we know this area has seen some of the worst violence. why there? >> there's a history of unrest in the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's. this time is different because this time they have a critical mass. they are asking for the step down of the syrian regime. id is significant. -- it is significant. the history of the problems of the unrest toward the syrian regime -- this gives you a sense that' they will keep it as peaceful as it is keeping it is best for the president to set down. >> president assad has promised national dialogue. help serious are his promises? >>

the king of damascus campaigned, captured god. >> many won't say their work proves the bible, thoordy the facts on the ground, julie news, tel es-safi, israel. >>> egypt christians fighting for the future of their country. how they are teaming up with unlikely allies to help secure their freedom. >> protesters in egypt are calling for change. >> some believe the revolution is being hijacked by islamist. gary lane reports, country's coptic christians are joining the political fight from keep thatting from happening. >> another massive summertime protest in the square. this 1 after hosni mubarak. >> it is good news to go to the streets again. to protect the revolutions, muslim brotherhood hijacked the revolution. >> they are moving towards an islamic state. that is the belief of coptic spokesman magdy khalil and many other egyptians believe there is a political deal with the muslim brotherhood. >> they are looking to protect, their position, who can accept this situation. muslim brotherhood? muslim brotherhood won't look for plan to control whole egypt. >> magdy khalil says the brother

embassy today in damascus.e surrounded the building scaling walls, breaking windows and using spray paint and no one was hurt. hillary clinton blasted syrian president bashar al assad. >> from our perspective, he has lost legitimacy. he has failed to deliver on the promises that he's made. he has sought and accepted a from the iranians as to how to repress his own people and there's a laundry list of actions that have been certainly, concerning and should raise the issue with not only his behavior, but those who are supporting him in the international community. and, you know, we'd like to see even more countries speaking out as forcefully as we have. >> tonight, there were new allegations against rupert murdoch's media empire. claiming the tabloid "the sun" improperly obtained information years ago about gordon brown's seriously ill son and published a story about him. brown says he's shocked by the allegations and the matter is in police hands. >>> this comes a day after the "news of the world" another murdoc

but you are a damascus correspondent for a while. >> my general view is this. every single one of these arab leaders is dead man walking. how or when they go, i cannot tell you, but i will tell you why i say that. what i saw an tahrir square, which was something more than a democracy. it was about three things. this is over and above everything, it was about dignity. it was about people living in a hyper connected world who could see how well china is doing, how well india is doing, and how far behind and had fallen. the number of egyptians in tahrir square who said to meet, i was ashamed to show my egyptian passport. imagine being ashamed to show your american passport. second, it was about justice. these people live in the unjust society. that is why the first thing they did was burned down the party headquarters and the police stations. the last thing it was about was freedom. it was not just freedom in the governmental sense, but to run my life, think my thoughts, and collaborate with whoever i want. take all of those three and put them together with one mo

embassy in damascus. late reaction from secretary of state clinton. >>> and what happened with casey anthony's mom tried to visit her in jail. what we learned about her release. >>> she was kidnapped at 11 and held captive for 18 years and raped again and again, forced to bear two children. jaycee dugard is speaking out. her story and dr. drew pinsky. how she'll endure and how she'll be in the years ahead. [ doug ] i got to figure this out. ♪ [ dr. ling ] i want to spend more time with my patients. [ jim ] i need to build a new app for the sales team in beijing. [ mrs. davis ] i need to make science as exciting as a video game. ♪ [ jim ] i need to push out a software upgrade. [ dr. ling ] review ms. cooper's history. [ doug ] i need to cut i.t. costs. [ mrs. davis ] i need to find a way to break through. [ jim ] i need to see my family while they're still awake. [ dr. ling ] see if the blood work is ready. [ doug ] i need to think about something else when i run. ♪ [ male announcer ] every day, we set out

thousands of syrians poured into the streets of damascus and other cities are rejecting the government'ser of a national dialogue and calling for an end of the rule. an airliner carrying 110 passengers has crashed as it tried to land at kisangani international airport. 46 people are known to have died. more than 50 people had been found alive. it was on its regular route when it was hit by a storm as it approached the airport. the italian prime minister has confirmed that he will not run in the next election in 2013. instead, he will hand over the reins of this party to the justice minister. he currently heads the people of freedom party. in london, the fallout from the phone hacking scandal which led to the closing of "news of the world" continues to deepen today. police have arrested two, among them andy coulson. we have the latest. >> the scandal is not going away. it embraces the press, the police, and the politicians. as he tries to fight the damage, david cameron began his press conference with and admission break the political class could have done more to stop it. >> party leader

in the capital of damascus, more calls for president assad to leave. the focus has been mostly peaceful after mounting pressure on the regime to stop using violence against its people. in one of the centers of the anti-government unrest, troops opened fired. many people are believed to have been killed. washington says they're not convinced that the regime is serious about change. >> they are either going to allow a serious political process that will include peaceful protests to take place throughout syria and engage in a productive dialogue with members of the opposition and civil society. or they will continue to see organize resistance. >> there are also many who want the president to stay and are rallying in his favor. despite that support and promises of change from the government, there might be no way back for the government. the sense is that if -- that bashar al-assad's time is up. >> the libyan leader colonel gaddafi has delivered a telephone address to thousands of supporters in tripoli. he vowed to continue in his role as leader and warned

we have our report from damascus. >> supporters across syria, the biggest since demonstrations began in march. these pictures show hundreds of thousands of people in a square. this is the city where 10 dozen people were killed after the regime brutally suppressed the up writing in '92. -- this is a city where 10,000 people were killed. activists say 3 million participated in demonstrations today, a figure that is impossible to verify. what is certain is large-scale protests are taking place. these pictures show crowds of demonstrators. similar scenes in aleppo, the country's second city. in the capital, more calls for president bashar al-assad to leave. protests have been mostly peaceful after mounting pressure on the regime to stop using violence against their people. troops opened fire. many people are believed to have been killed. washington says they're not convinced that the regime is convinced about change. -- the regime is serious about change. >> they will allow a political process that will include a peaceful protests to take place throughout syria and engage and a productiv

and if you remember, damascus was attacked, syrian authorities were slow to respond. and a very significant policy by secretary clinton this week, she said for the first time that president assaad is not indispensable, he has lost legitimacy, however she's not calling on him to step down. let's listen to what she said. >> what's happening in syria is very uncertain and troubling because many of us had hoped that president assaad would make the reforms that were necessary without seeing what we're now seeing in the streets of syria, which are government tanks and soldiers shooting peaceful demonstrate fors and i have said, i know that the turkish government has also said that the brutality has to stop. there must be a legitimate sincere effort with the opposition to try to make changes. >> and now the syrian government keeps saying that those are armed gangs who are attacking the protesters, attacking soldiers and policemen and one of the reasons why the american ambassador went to hamal was to check for himself if there are armed gangs and he didn't see that. and so t

we have our report from damascus. >> supporters across syria, the biggest since demonstrations began in march. these pictures show hundreds of thousands of people in a square. this is the city where 10 dozen people were killed after the regime brutally suppressed the up writing in '92. -- this is a city where 10,000 people were killed. activists say 3 million participated in demonstrations today, a figure that is impossible to verify. what is certain is large-scale protests are taking place. these pictures show crowds of demonstrators. similar scenes in aleppo, the country's second city. in the capital, more calls for president bashar al-assad to leave. protests have been mostly peaceful after mounting pressure on the regime to stop using violence against their people. troops opened fire. many people are believed to have been killed. washington says they're not convinced that the regime is convinced about change. -- the regime is serious about change. >> they will allow a political process that will include a peaceful protests to take place throughout syria and engage and a productiv

and french embassies in damascus. the government's loyalists are criticizing western countries for supporting anti-government protesters. rioters broke into the u.s. embassy monday and smashed windows before climbing onto the roof and raising the syrian flag. no one was injured. on the same day a group of syrians clashed with guards while trying to enter the french embassy. three french embassy staff members were injured in the incident. last week the u.s. and french ambassadors to syria were in the central city of hamah. the enjoys backed the protesters' calls for democratic reform. the syrian government has accused them of interfering in domestic affairs. >>> that wraps up this edition of "newsline." i'm quoesh core in tokyo. do stay with us. we'll be back with more updates at the top of the next hour.

security forces are trying to put down protests in syria in the capital of damascus. a u.s.oldier has been arrested near the fort hood military base in texas after being found with bomb making materials. officials say the arrested serviceman, jason abdo nasser was planning an attack on military personnel. and now on the state of the u.s. economy. >> lawmakers failed to reach agreement on capitol hill and many americans are struggling under the burden of high unemployment and an uncertain financial future. it is a story reminiscent of that told by john steinbeck in his pulitzer prize-winning novel "the grapes of wrath," which was published 80 years ago. >> with unemployment rising, the great american job search goes on. albuquerque is still suffering from the bus that followed the house price boom. it posted a fall in unemployment in june due in part to a public sector job pick up. but those that do not succeed, there's the problem of where to live. george mÜnchen is a shelter for the homeless. -- joy junction is a shelter for homeless. it is run by jeremy reynolds. >> is it