they fear moscow time misery for merck early in portugal the german chancellor is greeted with public anger and blame for the austerity strangling the country that follows mass protests saying greece to get its the cuts demanded by international lenders who got the latest just ahead for you also israel hits military targets in syria in response to mortar shells landing on its territory with spillover from syria's civil war blamed for shattering the decades long truce between the two states we gauge developments tonight. war heads roll of the b.b.c. now the news chief rather the deputy step aside over the broadcasters botched handling of child abuse claims. in a very good evening from moscow if you just joined this my name's kevin zero in this is the first tonight protests have started in portugal's capital lisbon were chancellor angela merkel visiting right now people there blaming the german leader for their nation's economic hardships the country had to adopt severe austerity measures to receive a bailout worth almost eighty billion euros last year sarah ferguson the portuguese capi

military protests in portugal bring crisis even deeper. the people of albania lived under a brutal, stalinist dictatorship for more than 40 years. one of the most brutal regimes in eastern europe. under the iron grip, hundreds of thousands died, and many more dissidents were sent to prison camps. these days, as albania tries to show a new democratic base to the world, even hoping one day to become a member of the european union, the past is still there to haunt it. former political prisoners are fighting a bitter battle for compensation, but not even hunger strikes seem likely to convince the current government. >> we go to the site of the hunger strike. the word "democracy" is still written on the wall. strikers refused food for weeks, and then police came and took away their water and medicine. this is where one strikers set himself on fire. the man did not survive. he was recently buried. >> the hunger strike was the result of 21 years of humiliation and discrimination of former political prisoners in this country. we are walking corpse

israel for margot in portugal the german chancellor is greeted with public anger and blame for the austerity that's strangling the country and follows mass protests in greece against the cuts demanded by international lenders. and more heads roll at the b.b.c. now the news chief and her deputy step aside over the broadcasters botched handling of child abuse claims. world news live from our moscow headquarters you're watching our team with me lucy conference of syria on the syrian conflict continues to break its borders with israel now feeling the ripple effect the jewish state has fired missiles over the border for two consecutive days in response to mortar shells landing in the golan heights are just fall asleep or has more details. a mortar shell landed in an open area near the vicinity of in his lady defense force a military base in the occupied golan heights it did not cause any injuries or damage but israel immediately responded and fired shells now according to israeli military sources they did hit a syrian mobile artillery but we have no more information at this stage in connection wi

what german chancellor angela merkel is making her first state visit to portugal since the debt crisis began she's going to be meeting with the country's prime minister today if the german chancellor is expecting a warm welcome today she might want to think again at the same time as these meetings take place we're going to be expecting protests to be taking place across the country and certainly in lisbon as they straight to start see measures of this and we seen an increase in the amount to say she laments and unhappiness with those measures now portugal's it was hoped would become the southern european success story and a sharp contrast to what we seeing taking place in countries like greece but the reality of the situation is that portugal's facing much of the same if she's a rise in unemployment severe hits to the public sector all of this has really added to the public on happiness is just approved the highest spending cuts ever in portugal's modern history and that's certainly going to have an impact this sort of cools on the country already struggling in the midst of recession t

the german chancellor received an angry greeting in portugal where she came to support a stereotype measures gripping the country and rage crowds demonstrated in the streets blaming angela merkel for the financial pain they're going through and as r.t. sarah first reports next many question why something that failed in other countries should work in portugal. these measures have been killing is due to give us no future it's only for cattle and employment and misery to many people becoming desperate and it's almost like a visceral reaction a visceral reaction to these measures people that are getting angrier and angrier angela merkel says it supports the goal may have been as a sign of support for this thing daily to serve to highlight the. protestors message loud and clear way testers standing off against the royal family become very familiar protest gatherings in europe but perhaps not so familiar the poetry girl here until recently have been much more tolerant of the strict austerity measures that have been imposed on them but as you can see here portugal's patience is really running out w

and the greek simmer over even more cuts portugal prepare is an angry reception for the german chancellor seen as the main force behind europe susteren dr. it is eleven am in the russian capital you're watching r t with me maria joshie now syria's once fractured opposition has managed to form a new political body to help the rebels and their foreign backers to oust president asad the deal signed in the qatari capital doha follows pressure from western and arab supporters who are also waiting to see the formation of syria's new government in exile but some analysts are questioning just how much the initiative takes into account the interest of syrians themselves. from the very beginning of the conflict in syria the big question is how much influence do these groups outside of syria actually have within syria and i think as i started wanting to say that they don't have much widespread support within syria you know before you touch on the topic of what's been happening in doha or in the last few days i think a fundamental point which has been missed is that the future affairs of an independe

portugal greece and. the message will be supported in other e.u. states as protests are expected all across the continent on the eve of a. riot police in. portugal the start of the strike was marked by angry crowds taking to the streets resulting in quite a large number of arrests and while the population is struggling to make its message heard to flee the turmoil. outside the union but still on the continent. the story. and also terri g. house anyone in need is welcome here in the queue for food traditionally immigrants from somalia and are many and but and this is new some europeans as well. who want a father of three came here from spain eleven months ago after he lost his job and gained debts instead of going to be able to put out i came here with hope i was forced to leave spain due to the economic crisis and bank recession here i work and make three thousand euros a month and i can pay my debts in spain. milena is not queuing for food she cooks originally from colombia she first immigrated to spain but the crisis pushed her move further on sh

plus germany has been to show support for portugal stare and drive is met with public outrage as people's patience with painful cuts and tax hikes runs out. on the scale that ousted cia chief david vitter as goes beyond a secret mistress it's now a matter of national security and political intrigue. me out of the russian capital you're watching r t with me marina joshie welcome to the program now the arab league has hailed the formation of syria's new rebel coalition but stopped short of recognizing the group as a so with voice of the syrian people leaders of serious exiled opposition beset by mutual suspicion and infighting formed the new united bloc on sunday following relentless pressure from the west and its allies his family is now saying international recognition to remove obstacles and sending arms to rebel forces six gulf states have already given their full backing to the coalition but some experts believe the oil rich nations are simply pursuing their own agenda. and i'm glad to see that this collection of corrupt dictatorships is instructing the syrian people as to who their re

plus germany's bid to show support for portugal's hysteria drive is met with public outrage as people's patience with painful cuts and tax hikes are down. and a scowl that ousted cia chief david petraeus goes beyond a secret mistress it's now a matter of national security and political intrigue. at a study out of the russian capital you're watching r t with me arena josh the arab league has hailed the formation of syria's new rebel coalition but stopped short of recognizing the group as a soldier and voice of the syrian people leaders of syria's exiled opposition beset by mutual suspicion and infighting formed a new blog on sunday at are now seeking full international backing middle east policy or joins us live for more paul though the rebel coalition did not get full recognition from the arab league it did get it from some other nations so what more can you tell us about about the countries that support it. well the six gulf states have formally recognized the new syrian coalition as the official representative of the syrian people and they include parade kuwait qatar saudi arabia and

and as the greeks simmer over even more cuts portugal but here is an angry reception for the german chancellor seen as the main force behind europe's austerity drive. world news live from our moscow headquarters are watching our t.v. with me to see catherine of well syria's fractured opposition has managed to form a new political body to help the rebels and their foreign backers oust president bashar al assad the deal signed to the qatari capital of doha follows pressure from western and arab supporters who are also waiting to see the formation of syria's new government in exile artie's polis lior reports from the region. this comes after days of political wrangling amongst the various syrian opposition forces they have been under pressure from both the united states as well as arab governments to form this unified body it is a sixty member assembly but it really brings together a wide array of people and organizations with very different affiliations it is essentially a patchwork organization amongst the new leaders are sunni muslims as well as a christian former communist and among the rebel

just why portugal must follow the same tortured rate the same many economists say is deemed to end in failure. there's been. and for now about stole it from me but we are back in just a few minutes with the latest round of the car support. the world. science technology innovation all the news developments from around russia we've dumped a huge earth covered. you know sometimes you see a story and it seems so you think you understand it and then you glimpse something else and you hear or see some other part of it and realize that everything you thought you knew you don't know i'm target welcome to the big picture. to least be cool language. programs and documentaries in arabic it's all here on. reporting from the world talks books that will be ip interviews intriguing stories for you here. in troy of the arabic to find out more visit arabic don't all teeth dot com. resistance is not a politics but a culture. it couldn't be a guest. on its own. cultures of resistance on our team. did max ties are welcome to the kaiser report first.

for tax avoiders to cover its deficit is still a strategy all the way from portugal the german chancellor personally reassured lisbon saying pay cuts and tax hike slow painful we'll save it for the republic isn't buying that optimism go full story few minutes. china is set to name its next top politicians including the money expected to succeed the current leader of the communist party congress is in its final days of very focused on keeping economic growth through several challenges ahead china will grow to a point where even its top economic and political rival us will have to seek a kind of compromise that's the view over economics professor spoke to shoot from the. there's nothing in the universe to. the country him no option but to cooperate and i did not just buy into this you'll find a way to go each other in. a bit more integrated in terms of economic environment but to country music you continue to have some differences in terms of political opinion the problem is the intonation only really. only economy one. easy to country get to it you can still reach out to until it's a trade

and while britain hunts for tax avoiders to cover its deficit it's still austerity all the way for portugal but the german chancellor personally reassured lisbon saying that pay cuts and tax hikes painful will save it but i agree citizens are not buying her optimism. for now as if losing the cia director david petraeus over having an affair last week wasn't enough now washington's chief commander in afghanistan has become embroiled in the same scandal petraeus stood down last friday after admitting to infidelity but the story does not and general john allen who commands nato troops in afghanistan is being accused of exchanging you know procreative e-mails with jill kelley she was the woman who competed for patricia's affections with his barbara for what role general allen had in all of this ranging question which is all of these guys nature can report so they could be more than just love in the. whole of broadwell general petraeus is biographer slosh mistress gave a speech last month and in that speech she revealed details about the big dogs the attack that were at. time unknown to the publ

and germany to show support for portugal's austerity drive is met with public outrage as people's patience with painful cuts and tax hikes runs out. for now three of the world's most recognized browns starbucks google and amazon are all under fire in the u.k. for depriving britain of millions of pounds through elaborate tax avoidance schemes and the tricks of course public outrage and one action group has even come up with an unconventional plan that's a highlight what's been dubbed the company's quote immoral tactics are joining me now to write this off and. standing by for us in london it's good to see you paula first of all let's talk about a just exactly how much money is the country out of pocket due to the three giants tax schemes and games well these are three companies that dominate the u.k. economy they have billions of pounds worth of tonneau there but it looks like they pay very little corporation tax to show for it and now m.p.'s are outraged by the fact that three very legal loopholes these companies that they say are acting in an immoral way i'm managing to dodge millions and

and while britain hunts for tax avoiders to cover its deficit it's still austerity all the way for portugal the german chancellor personally reassured lisbon saying pay cuts and tax hikes painful will ultimately save it for the republic of the kids are not buying this. fuss about you getting your debt mortgage arrears paid off no cost to the occupy movements grown breaking bail out to provide financial forgiveness for struggling citizens of us just ahead for you here on the program. for now as if losing cia director david petraeus over having an affair last week was in off now washington's chief commander in afghanistan has also become embroiled in the same scandal. last friday after admitting to infidelity. but the story does not. general john allen who commands nato troops in afghanistan is being accused of exchanging quote inappropriate e-mails with jill kelley the woman who competed for patricia's affections with his biographer what role journal and how and all of this remains in question but as aussies gun nature kind of reports that could be more than just love in the air. paula broad

now while britain for tax avoidance the coverage deficit is still a story to all the way from portugal as we reported the german chancellor personally reassured lisbon. pay cuts and tax hikes painful will save this republic isn't buying her optimism. but next china is set to name its next top politicians very soon including the man expected to succeed the country's current leader. the national congress of the ruling communist party's in its final days and bridging with much focus on the challenges facing the nation's rapidly growing economy. professor of economics at the university of nottingham like to say is overflowing with. thank you very much for being with us appreciated but china's estimated to become the world's biggest economy is now before the end of the decade does that signify the rise of a multi-polar world or indeed more over the beginning of simply asian domination what you think is going to happen. is not the story of this debate thank you for inviting me i see. it is not going to be dominated by asia it will be more of this talk of years you do you like china in the un

plus germany's bit to show support for portugal to steer drive is met with public outrage as people's patience painful cuts tax hikes runs out. this is r.t. coming to live from moscow the arab league has hailed the formation of syria's new rebel coalition but stopped short of recognizing the group as the so would judge a man voice of the syrian people leaders of syria's exiled opposition be said by mutual suspicion and fighting for in the new block on sunday and are now seeking full international backing argues middle east correspondent policy takes up a story. the six gulf states have formally recognized the new syrian coalition as the official representative of the syrian people and the foreign minister of qatar has said that this recognition will remove obstacles that will ultimately be able to secure arms for syrian rebels the coalition does look set to set up a so-called government in exile if indeed this happens this will have the backing of waste and as well as arab states there are fears that this could same type a libya style scenario what we saw in libya was opposition fight

and as the greeks simmer over even more cuts portugal for hair is an angry reception for the german chancellor a scene of the main force behind words of stare dry. it is not i am the russian capital you're watching r.t. with me marina joshie syria's fractured opposition has managed to form a new political body to help the rebels and there are foreign backers oust president asad the deal signed in the qatari capital doha follows pressure from western and arab supporters who are also waiting to see the formation of syria's new government in exile but some analysts are questioning just how much the initiative takes into account the will the syrians themselves. the only reason we have that almost tissue quality agreement was the threats and the could jory and the political pressure that was put on them they had to do something this weekend do you think the west is going to show up and qatar and rangers show no result no how long it will last we don't know it's been twenty one months in libya you recall and there are factions still aren't glued together and they have the benefit of the one thousand

indeed the european markets were trampled by that stampede of protests across much of spain and portugal coupled with strikes all across europe so as you can see the london dipped one percent with actually oil and gas suffering the most despite a recovery in oil prices u.s. markets are still trading there continuing the rather long decline already down one point three percent for the dow this is as retail sales dropped point three percent looked over that was the impact of the harken and also as deadlines had headline story all over the place are shouting that the economy is heading towards the fiscal cliff in the beginning of the year investors are choosing to play it safe so for now however the dollar is seeing a losses to the euro this hour despite all that turmoil going on in europe the russian rubles also mixed against the currency the close of the session in moscow where the russian markets are also finding it very hard to get back on the feet in the seas are still below the opening values for this year wednesday's session ended flat mix as you can see there after a big drop on tue

done it straight people are questioning just why portugal must follow the same rate say many economists say it's deemed to end in failure. r.t. this. and other indebted to e.u. state that of italy at least twenty people have been injured in fierce clashes over unemployment and violence between police and demonstrators broke out in naples with more than a thousand people taking to the streets to voice their outrage at rising unemployment the euro zone's third biggest economy has been hit hard by the debt crisis now italian authorities pointing the finger at ratings agencies for sending the economy into chaos prosecutors are seeking trials for a number of officials from standard and poor's and fitch analyst says the firms are often meddling where they simply shouldn't. be funding which is very much public and. therefore it is convenient that they do so. by some kind of. free when you silly. market. crowd. and as bankers are also taking the flak for europe's economic woes now max keiser and stacy herbert reveal how some into. knowledge were never destined for a career in finance and the fu

misery of her merkel in portugal the german chancellor is greeted with public anger and blame for the austerity straggling their country that follows mass protests in greece against the cuts demanded by into the national lenders. rebels say a highly militarized syrian war may see extra weapons flow into their hands while crowds are already appearing in what was hailed as a united opposition front. and more heads roll at the b.b.c. now the news chief and her deputy are stepping aside over the broadcasters botched handling of child abuse claims. world news live from our moscow headquarters are watching r t with me lucy catherine of the protests are starting in portugal's capital lisbon where chancellor angela merkel is visiting people there blame the german leader for their nation's economic hardships the country has had to adopt severe austerity measures to receive a bailout that was worth about eighty billion euros last year and artie's own sara furthur is on the ground in the portuguese capital sorrow describe to us what you're seeing and feeling there unless ben. well portugal's fin

dmitri medvedev now and see austerity protests have rolled across europe on wednesday with spade and portugal leading the way well social unrest in these austerity stricken countries is nothing new this time these waves are synchronized and forced with workers going on strikes in several countries simultaneously now let's get the latest on this from a very cautious on the business does not so what are the main demands of those who hit the streets in several european capitals today well the aim of these protests protests is pretty simple to stop what many people people in these countries see as the suicidal policies let's take a look at some of their main demands in greece the scene of the most violent street protests the popular banner reads no to austerity here's the story greece asked for two hundred forty billion euro that's about three hundred billion dollars and rescue loans and it's now chasing the latest traunch of about thirty billion euro to pay off its debt and to support its banking system but to get that money to had to agree to wage and pension cuts and to tax hikes and it does s

israel for markel in portugal the german chancellor is greeted with public anger and blame for the austerity that is strangling of that country as well as mass protests in greece against the cuts demanded by international lenders. and more heads rolling at the b.b.c. now the news chief and her deputy step aside over the broadcasters and botched handling of child abuse claims. world news live from our moscow headquarters on lucy catherine of in you're watching our team the syrian conflict continues to break over its borders with israel now feeling the ripple effects of the jewish state has fired missiles over the border for two consecutive days now in response to mortar shells landing in the golan heights let's cross over to paula our correspondent in the room who is with us live now paula we're hearing that the israeli military says it scored quotes direct hits on targets in syria what's going on between syria and israel bring us up to date. well the information we have is that a mortar shell landed in an open area near the vicinity of in his lady defense force military base in the occupied

the german chancellor see it rang a greeting in portugal where she came to support a stereotype is gripping the country and rage crowds demonstrated in the streets blaming angle of merkel for the financial pain they're going through and it's all to sarah first reports next many questions one question why something that fell of other countries should work in portugal. these measures have been killing is there to give us no future it's only for credit and employment and misery so many people are becoming desperate that it's almost like a visceral reaction a visceral reaction to these measures people of god getting angrier and angrier angela merkel says it's a political may have been bad as a side it's to pull this thing they need to serve to highlight the deepening rift in europe. for a test this message loud and clear way to test those standing off against the riot police and the fight that's become very familiar protest gatherings in europe that perhaps you know say familia the poaching girl here until recently have been much more tolerant of the state to start the matches that have been im

. >> the german chancellor putting praise on portugal for their austerity lefferts but does not get a warm welcome during her visit. >> taylor swift sweeping the european mtv awards and psy takes home a prize. >> the international creditors were set to give a greece or time to meet the debt reduction projects. they suggested giving a two-year extension but it will let some other media problems. >> european a finance ministers as they could not expect their next tranche unsold late discuss it. they could be facing bankruptcy by the end of the week. >> he said the tone of the troicha's report was positive. they want to look at whether are enough has been done in. >> we have to be faro. before a decision is made, we have to debate the issue. why are on schedule and we know what our responsibilities are but we must get to the rules. >> some questions remain unanswered. for example, how to close the gap and they're given extra time to the house in order. moscovici is pushing for a fast resolution of. >> we need to try to move on towards a political agreement. greece deserves that. the gree

at nine pm moscow time misery for merkel in portugal the german chancellor is greeted with public anger and blame for your stare at the strangling their country right now it follows mass protests in greece against the cuts demanded by international lenders we've got the latest on this developing news story tonight for you also israel hits military targets in syria in response to mortar shells landing on its territory with spillover from syria's civil war blamed for shattering the decades long truce between the two states again we gauge developments tonight plus more heads roll at the p b c now the news chief and a deputy step aside over the broadcasters botched handling of child abuse claims. and the sex scandal that from to the resignation of the former cia chief results into a way of suspicion and accusations that the affair is just part of a much bigger political cover up. a very good evening for me kevin zero in this is our top story this hour protests have started in portugal's capital lisbon where chancellor angela merkel's visiting people there playing the german leader for their

involved in a multinational general strike against the government's austerity policies with spain portugal reason to italy at the forefront of the problem. with the prices and growing unemployment in the new fields what it is and why it works to search for a better life and new member countries that monisha about economics. in the new found of the seaward rebel blog it's a vast official recognition that what's probably wrong social also made it clear supplying the opposition with weapons that isn't far away. this is all see coming to life for moscow hello and welcome to the program millions of european workers have united against austerity measures as a mega strike kicked off in debt ridden spain portugal greece and italy the most which will be supported in other days as protests are expected all across the continent on the eve of a day of action there were fierce clashes between factory workers and why i suppose that italy sardinia in spain and portugal the start of the strike was marred by angry crowds taking to the streets resulting in a number of arrests and while the e.u. population a

public anger expected in bailed out portugal at the oval on the merkel people are blaming the crushing austerity measures in the country this follows massive protests in greece against the cuts demanded by international lenders. and terror raid in a moscow as police arrest six members of an islamic militia and with allegedly looks to al qaida the group is accused of fueling extremism and russia. good evening live headlines from the world from our moscow headquarters you washing our t. would be enough when marathon talks between serious fractured opposition in qatar scapel doha have seen the formation of a new political body the deal is the result of relentless pressure from the u.s. as well as its european and arab allies who want to try to see the current syrian regime toppled the new group was tasked with unifying rebel ranks but as artie's polis leader reports the plan may have been doomed from the beginning. this comes after days of political wrangling amongst the various syrian opposition forces they have been under pressure from both the united states as well as arab governments

. >> portugal past major cuts to pensions, unemployment benefits, and social services in exchange for its bailout from the eu -- portugal passed major cuts. >> but not all workers want to take to the streets and protests on wednesday. here's more. >> almost everything is made by hand at this shoe factory. the company is successful because most of their production is sold to customers abroad to customers in england and the united states. though there is plenty of work here, about half of the company's 190 employees will probably go on strike. the factory foreman cannot understand it. he plans on working through the strike. >> we are doing fine in this factory. we do not have any reason to strike. we have plenty of orders, and the workers are in good shape. we have been paid on time for the past 20 years -- 28 years, but the strike is probably justified when you look at portugal on the whole so that things can improve. >> there is calm before the storm. union leaders are calling for a national strike to support what they say are unacceptable conditions for workers. >> wages have been fr

at eleven pm moscow time misery for merkel in portugal the german chancellor is greeted with public anger and blame for the austerity strangling the country it follows mass protests in greece against the cuts demanded by international lenders . also headlining to israel hits military targets in syria in response to mortar shells landing on its territory with spillover from syria's civil war blamed for shattering the decades long truce between the two states. plus b.b.c. chiefs go through the grinder is botched child abuse claims leave the public out for blood with tempers flaring afresh over a ports of squandered millions. and the sex scandal that saw the cia chief quit as sends a wave of suspicion that the affair is just a part of a much bigger political cover. hello a very good evening from moscow this is our t.v. kevin zero in first protests have started in portugal's capitalised and tonight where chancellor angela merkel's visiting people there blame the german leader for their nation's economic hardships the country may face a credit rating downgrade fitch has issued a negative outlo

involved in a multinational journals trying to gain their government's austerity policies with spain portugal greece and italy at the forefront of the protests. meanwhile the cries of the growing unemployment in the e.u. for snowboards and why it works to search for a better life unknown member countries that managed to avert economic turmoil. ending you know founded seaward rebel blog gets its first official recognition on the west front the promise which also made it clear that supplying the opposition with weapons isn't too far away. news from russia and around the world this is actually with me hello and welcome to the program millions of european workers have united against austerity measures as a mega strike kicked off in debt ridden spain portugal greece and italy their message will be supported in other e.u. states as protests are expected all across the continent and on the eve of a day of action there were fierce clashes between factory workers and wives police in italy some of denia in spain portugal the start of this tripe was marred by angry crowds taken to of treats resulting in

involved in a multinational general strike against their government as terrorists a policy with spain portugal greece and italy at the forefront of the protests. the crisis and growing unemployment in the locals and my words the search for better life a nonmember countries that managed to avert economic turmoil. and the need of founded fear and rubble blog get the first official recognition in the west from the bronx we're told so make it clear that blind the opposition with weapons isn't far away. and you saw in russia and around the world this is with me hello and welcome to the program millions of european workers have united against austerity measures as a mega strike kicked off in debt ridden spain portugal greece and italy that message will be supported in other states as protests are expected all across the continent on the eve of a day of action there were fierce clashes between factory workers and riot police and italy's song denia in spain and portugal the start of the strife was marked by angry crowds taking to the streets resulting in a number of arrests while the e.u. population i

embark on a multi national general strike against our government's austerity policies with spain portugal greece and italy at the forefront of the protests. meanwhile the crisis and growing unemployment in the e.u. feel slogans and my brains to search for a better life a new member countries that monisha of economic turmoil. and new founded seaward rebel blog gets its first official recognition on the west front from the sun we're told so many peer supplying the opposition with weapons isn't the way. international news and comment live from moscow this is all she with me you know i should paula hello and welcome to the program millions of european workers have united against austerity measures as a mega strike kicked off in debt ridden spain portugal greece and italy that message will be supported it are they use days as protests are expected all across the continent and on the eve of the day of action there were serious clashes between fuck true workers and whites police in italy some denia in spain and portugal the start of the strike was marred by angry crowds taken to the trades resul

embark on a multinational general strike against their governments us teresa palmer says with spain portugal greece and italy at the forefront of the protests. meanwhile the prices and while the unemployment in the eview force locals and migrants to search for a better life the norm member countries that managed to of that economic turmoil. in. the new founded fear and rebel blow get the last official recognition in the west from france which also made it clear the blind opposition with weapons isn't far away. international news live from moscow this is aussie with me hello and welcome to the program millions of european workers have united against austerity measures as a mega strike kicked off in debt ridden spain portugal greece and italy that message will be supported in other states as protests are expected all across the continent on the eve of the dab auction there were fierce clashes between factory workers and one explicitly said they sardinia in spain portugal the start of the strikers not by angry crowds taken to the streets resulting in a number of arrests and while the e.u. popul

. >> we are witnessing the biggest strike portugal has ever seen. it also has a special significance because it is the first time spanish and portuguese workers are conducting a strike on the very same day. >> strikes are under way in greece, italy, and france, and railway workers in belgium have also walked off the job for 24 hours, affecting both domestic and international services. >> let's go live down to spain now. miles thompson joins us on the line from madrid. what is the latest? >> well, there have been a number of demonstrators, but at the moment, i am on the streets, and it is relatively quiet. as a whole, there were many shops that close, especially smaller businesses, but life can at least continue without disturbances if there are many people working at the moment. >> the rhetoric is getting quite stronger. as we heard, one leader there is calling austerity a suicidal policy. how widespread is that, do you think? >> what we have to be careful about is separating support for the trade unions and general anger among the population. certa

and perhaps the paramount example of success in this regard is portugal. portugal 11 years ago decriminalized the possession of all drugs in personal use amounts. drug selling is illegal and you can still be arrested for that. they began doing evaluations a few years ago. you do not go to jail for possession of any drug in a small amount. and you are not drug tested. nobody gets thrown back in for dirty urines and all this sort of stuff. it's now been in place for 11 years. the research on that, and i recommend the piece in the british journal of crin knowledge and kid send it to -- cridge -- criminolgy. cases of h.i.v. and hepc and crime went down and people continued to seek treatment, that the rates of drug use in portugal did not go up at the same rates as comparable countries in europe. that suggests powerful evidence that you cannot just turn smling from a felony to a misdemeanor but eliminate the criminalization of drug possession, small amounts, without suffering negative consequences in terms of public health or public safety. now, when marty said

portugal greece and italy the message of support in other e.u. states as protests are expected all across the continent hundreds of flights already have been delayed or if not entirely canceled in europe with trains and buses also disrupted. this latest report. we're in the center and you can see behind me the police cars already lining the streets we've got a police helicopter overhead we're already getting figures in that being a number of arrests already made today here in madrid of course is not just spain the striking today is political we call grace we've got it's really old getting involved in this movement and a number of other countries as well belgium cyprus motor the united kingdom are also going to be having various demonstrations throughout the day old rallying around this one message and that is no new tool sterrett say now we've been covering the story very very closely since the very beginning of the euro crisis and as time has gone are we seeing how the devastating story of the horrifying figures continue to climb in spain here t