saying it needs urgent reforms to regain its competitiveness and britain could leave the bloc if it fails to do so let's get some details from march's laura smith who is in london for us so long as we can see is some very strong words from chancellor what has prompted this well i think the why it's pretty easily summed up by an analogy that george osborne used to the beginning of his speech on wednesday where he said europe's like a burning building with no exits basically he sees the political bloc as the falling behind india and china overspending on welfare becoming less and less competitive essentially an economic and political bloc in decline domestically of course here in the u.k. the e.u. is losing popularity people see it's very expensive increasingly power hungry and also the originator of an awful lot of red tape but also one central message today was that the u.k. is not pushing for reform for its own sake oh no it's pushing for reform for everybody else the stakes for europe sake as a whole so he was talking about the tabling of legal challenges a year pen course of justice he

this year the management come eat eat up the dosage on the temple will be hosting a seven nation bloc's our money in red emblem giveaway on the first day of the new year those that can aid in finance are funded to the nation bloc will win a bramble open content one hundred dollars in iraqi money the picking up the divination clocks eighteen thirty priests that the adf tony temple in the hopes of winning some tp for money. if she is able to get it by the end the destination blocks that evil people think the red envelope containing one hundred and two guys cannot compete for money the management committee and tony temple priestly announced it will distribute three hundred bed and looked on the first tee of the new lunar year. apart from our tp for money. temple officials to be handing out one thousand miracle cards and then turn key rings the artist song to meeting his new comic that we're all sort of angst at the temple during the holiday sales of laundry to get some sort over the last seven days. as many would like to start the new year with a new well in the pasta there were no watch t

overspending on welfare becoming less and less competitive essential in the economic and political bloc in declawing domestically of course here in the u.k. the e.u. is losing popularity people say it's very expensive increasingly power hungry and also the originator of an awful lot of red tape but also one central message today was that the u.k. is not pushing for reform for its own sake oh no it's pushing for reform for everybody else the stakes for europe's sake as a whole so he was talking about the tabling of legal challenges a year peer course of justice he said it's not anti european but in fact it's a way of preserving values that traditionally seem to be european such as known discrimination he talked about the calling for rejection of the financial services reform which of course includes a cap on bankers' bonuses which is quite controversial here in the u.k. because london competes with new york and hong kong it's not competing inside europe and anything that damages the city of london also damages london also damages but hey he is george osborne summing up for his central me

the main bloc of the opposition syrian national coalition the council has quit the umbrella organization in protest of the decision to rejoin the list of participants for wednesday's peace talks the coalition had agreed to attend after the un retracted iran's invitation following an ultimatum from the group to see catherine off as the full story. at invitation a was it withdrawn by the united nation amid intense pressure from the united states and other allies of the u.s. although the much anticipated syria peace conference is still expected to take place that has been overshadowed by this rather bizarre diplomatic ping pong that's essentially unfolded since that invitation was issues now how did all of this play out on sunday by the u.n. secretary general basically announced that he is inviting iran to participate in any twenty second conference scheduled to take place in switzerland to come to a diplomatic solution over the syrian crisis he said that the iran needs to be a part of the solution it's a key regional player its interests are also involved in what's going on there and that

as an anti-government uprising three years ago has turned into an internal fight between opposition blocsthe free syrian army set up to battle assad has more and more found that its hands are full just defending themselves against jihadists who are seeking a foothold in the country this leaving u.s. officials acknowledging a loss of control over the war it initially supported we too are deeply concerned about the rise of extremism. the world needs no reminder that syria has become the magnet for jihadists and extremists it is the strongest magnet for terror of anyplace today and as world powers star gathering in geneva to map out a peace plan for syria they are being asked to pull the plug on terrorism. which of evil confrontation which is clear results with regard to the fight against terrorism in syria particularly it needs to put pressure on countries that are exporting terrorism by sending terrorists money and weapons to terrorist organizations good especially saudi arabia and turkey and of course the western countries that provide political compass for these terrorist organizations.

now since the financial crisis first hit the euro zone in two thousand and nine nations across the bloc have seen their debts increasing with greece doing of the worst ironically even germany. long a bit over the sixty percent debt line that's the limit of any of the country set to joining the e.u. are required to be below meanwhile cuts imposed by governments across that you have led to a fall in the average personal income in a number of states germany is among the few nations you can see plus four percent there that has enjoyed an increase greece has been the worst affected here as well along with the e.u. presidency athens assumes power over the blocs regulations but one journalist we spoke to doesn't believe greece will look to change that much. i believe that greece can give some lessons of how the maids are seen in a time of crisis and when a country has a huge problem that. only disaster in that sense we can beat some lessons to other european countries and the space of the countries in the european very free but there is nothing else for europeans to do expect from greece at th

leadership with approval ratings hitting a record low for a handful of bloc members. they can dream they can. they can make. each and every kind of. draft. because they don't have to paid instead it's taxpayers who will make up for politicians mistakes even in the e.u. as most efficiently run countries such as germany. and playing it safe concerns are growing about how athletes and visitors will be protected at russia's upcoming winter olympics r.t. is in sochi to see what is being done to secure the olympic host city. broadcasting live direct from our studios in moscow this is shawn thomas glad to have you with us now al qaeda affiliated militants have been occupying key areas in iraq's on by province for over two weeks now tanks have been deployed in the. provincial capital ramadi and the army hasn't been able to drive insurgents out of nearby flew j'ai either militants haven't had such an open control in major iraqi cities since the u.s. led invasion in two thousand and three parties going to church you can looks at why they are gaining strength. young who knew wit

businesses that get up to deal the state to withdraw show in other countries in the former soviet bloc and then also happy about this in a lot of countries the euro has increased prices nice that they see it as making them less competitive. this is really a fiasco that is widespread throughout the country as well polls show that i need a fifth of the population strongly support the adoption of the euro. with about fifty percent being strongly against it so there is quite a bit of anxiety that locals only time will tell if this would be a good thing or a bad thing for lunch today jack one is forty four single thing like care for the eurozone economy is headed this time for a steady recovery. it's one thing has really changed is coincidence the economic fundamentals of the block haven't really changed that much he remains in crisis. loads of last year when the soul the head of the european central bank mario drunk he promised to do whatever it took to save the euro. we sold that confidence absolutely flowing vacuum that has led to a slight recovery but was still talking of growth just ab

now since the financial crisis first hit the eurozone in two thousand and nine nations across the bloc have seen their debts increasing with greece during the worst ironically even germany has long been over the sixty per cent a deadline that's the limit any of the country set to join the e.u. are required to be below meanwhile cuts imposed by governments across the e.u. have led to a fall in the average of personal income in a number of states germany is among the few countries enjoying an increase now greece has been the worst affected here as well along with the e.u. presidency athens assumes power over the box regulations but one journalist we spoke to doesn't believe a greece will look to change much. i believe that greece can give some lessons of how third thing is of crisis and when a country has a huge problem that this is a very big only do disaster in that sense we can beat some lessons to other european countries and especially countries in the european very free but there is nothing else for europeans are we to expect from greece at the moment these european presidency cann

public's confidence in the european union with latest polls showing people serious disappointment in the blocs leadership and that doesn't bode well for ruling parties with key elections on the doorstep. peter over . no in a few months europeans will be going to the polls in what could be the most important european parliamentary elections but the latest gallup polls to to sticks well don't make good reading for those that will be standing for the top spots across the european parliament even those countries that have received some of the most help countries like spain that received forty one billion euros to bail out its failing banking sector well in two thousand and nine fifty nine percent of the population said they had faith and they supported the european leadership is another country that's traditionally been very pro e.u. is ireland they received sixty seven point five billion. bailout their failing banking system seventy percent of the irish population had previously said that they supported the european union now that number forty seven percent well is also being big declines for sup

the right address on the sun it is more than just an idea on the political front the aisle with the bloc challenging and testifying for people in the next time we take a look. he embodies an abn has being going predicted but who doesn't fourteen seems to be more challenging. as most went to sleep without. and this edition elections come into our share in the piece went on to shoot some hanukkah is the right to elect a successor. but it will be an easy going in the country could fall as don't be mentioned on the back of the north nuggets. most important issue at this juncture the means to signing up by doctors security agreement on bbc. they decide to do with the united states be no guns down. politicians in the guys dun see the deep meanings is important to logan's on its future. we need water whilst said that the man to secure a second eamon has been signed and dated opens that door will form the basis that it should fall but the security and also for the top. i am at peace process. but if it gets postponed its markets and raised in wilkinson would dominate the school staff and desist.

what do these figures represent and can the democrats assume today that they have a latino voting bloc if you will? >> guest: well i would be very happy to be wrong about this but if you profile of those that classify as hispanic alongside the voters who aren't, the hispanics look like they had been natural republicans. typically they have very high longevity and on local dÉtente to be better represented than the democrats. they also have a lot of conservative social values and they seem to be decided to me it's not always the economy, it is the social against the economic interest and its an interesting peculiarity. typically as far as i can talk about, hispanics tend to be much more committed and have low rates of stability and that is a value that you find much more strongly voiced in the republican rhetoric than of the democrats. hispanics tend even if they are not catholics they tend to be much more sensitive about the rights of the unborn than the population at large which identifies and the policy which isn't typically republican. so the democrats have a lasting hold on hispanic

to have a unified hispanic bloc and united states? >> guest: yes there is but it's only going to be created by people from the outside telling all these different people of hispanic origin that they have formed one society and i think republicans are given an enormous ironically part of the republicans vision for the future, they have given a distinctness, a german disposed by being cruel and unkind about immigration. i have something in common men i have resulted in 70% is pretty remarkable for any community for a particular political party but i mean i don't think that single issue is going to be sufficient to sustain neutral identification between all these different spanish and hispanic origins who are all very aware of their peculiar heritage and it's more important that you are a cuban-american to be cuban and it's more important if you are mexican-american to be mexican or dominican or colombian. i would suspect therefore that it's going to be, eight -- but it's going to be fairly detailed if i'm allowed to mix metaphors when y

leadership with approval ratings hitting a record low for a handful of bloc members. they can dream they can play and they can make. each and every kind.

the right address on the sun it is more than just an idea on the political front the aisle with the bloc challenging and testifying for people in the next time we take a look. he embodies an abn has being going predicted but who doesn't fourteen seems to be more challenging. as most went to sleep without. and this edition elections come into our share in the piece went on to shoot some hanukkah is the right to elect a successor. but it will be an easy going in the country could fall as don't be mentioned on the back of the north nuggets. most important issue at this juncture the means to signing up by doctors security agreement on bbc. they decide to do with the united states be no guns down. politicians in the guys dun see the deep meanings is

it has not stopped the country from taking the helm of the 28 member bloc. athens as greece takes on the six-month presidency. it is clear that now is not the time for greece to let up on the tough austerity program that has brought the country so much pain . >> while the sky is clearing, there are still some clouds on the horizon. the situation is still [indiscernible] . we do not want to slow down the pace of reform. use that greek determination to finally agree to a fiscal package. take forward tax and public retirement reform. open up product and service markets. >> our correspondent is joining us live. it is quite a tough position for greek politician to take. they are very much endorse the eu institutions by taking on the presidency. people areow angry about the injustice -- what they see as the injustice of these bailout measures. >> absolutely. as far as greeks are concerned, the skies are always liked and clear here. that's very much the message they want to send to europe. this is a read -- beleaguered reputation. minister and former finance minist

romania was once one of the most regal eastern bloc dictatorships .his is a different generation from the one that fought communism. their fight is against gold mining and for the environment. fellow -- the fellow activist says this is the most important civil movement since the end of communism. he says in the past 10 to 15 years, protest movements have lost all the battles they have fought with the corrupt lyrical class in romania. the success of this movement has set a precedent. that has given people confidence with this issue and others. he is coming with me to explain the reason for the grassroots movement. we are heading into the carpathian mountains. weore we get to the village, pass a banner put up by the investors who want to mine gold here. the banner promises development in the region. he sees that differently. thehere are many claims size of the project will affect all of this region. you have to understand taking the forests out of the fertile tand will reveal a lot of dus that will spread all around the area. that could have radioactive

now since the financial crisis first hit the euro zone in two thousand and nine nations across the bloc have seen their debts increasing with greece doing it the worst as you can see here ironically even germany has long been over that sixty percent debt wind that's the limit any of the countries said to join the e.u. are required to be below meanwhile cuts imposed by governments across the you have led to a fall in the average personal income as well in a number of states germany is among the few nations you can see with plus four percent there they've enjoyed an increase greece has been the worst affected here as well now along with the e.u. presidency athens assumes power over the blocs regulations but one journalist we spoke to doesn't believe greece will have to change much. i believe that greece can give some lessons of how the maids are seen in a time of crisis and when a country has a huge problem that this is the. only disaster in that sense we can beat some lessons to other european countries and especially countries in the european very free but there is nothing else for euro

i think the federal government has moved from being a general partner like bloc programs to being a limited areas. there are areas where where they are critical partners. the federal government transit program is still making 50% investments in projects. their streetcar projects under construction all over the country, cincinnati, salt lake city, tucson, portland, where ththey stepped up with money tht was combined with local money, and the ferrell government and the state government are still a good partner for us, and the obama administration has really been tactical and smart of how to leverage the limited dollars that congress allows to get really good things done. >> you heard the mayor talk about the new normal. is that the new normal for cities doing more on their own, using limited finances. >> i think so. the new normal for all of us is that we'll have to be more creative and more independent but call on other levels of government or other partners like the philanthropic sector that is so important in pitsties to be able to make the good things and big expensive things actually hap

. >> the conference, sponsored by east africa's regional bloc is the first attempt by the two sides to resolve the conflict that fired up back in december. more than 1000 people have been killed in the violence. >> back here in germany, chancellor angela merkel has made her first public appearance since injuring herself in a skiing accident last week. >> using crutches, she came out to meet carol singers at the chancellery. doctors advise her to rest for three weeks after she suffered a hairline fracture in her pelvis. she has had to cancel many appointments, but not this one. >> there's always a large media turnout or the annual visit of carol singers to the chancellery, but this year, there was special interest in the host, as angela merkel faced the cameras for the first time since her accident. throughout, she was closely assisted by the minister who heads the chancellor's office. >> my sincere thanks go to the head of the chancellery, who is helping out with today's if and as i'm having difficulty standing. as you have read and can now also see, i am supposed to lie down more. >>

the european union saying now that the unemployment rate in the common currency bloc has stayed at a record high in november. the eu statistics office said on wednesday that the jobless rate for the eurozone was 12.1% in november. that's the highest level since the euro was introduced in 1999. among the countries the rate for spain is staying at 26.7%. meanwhile portugal showed a slight improvement. it was down just 0.1 percentage point, though, to 15.5%. the jobless rate for greece, the latest one that we have, was for september, and that was 27.4%. that's up 0.1 percentage point from august. >>> let's get a look at how european shares are faring now after the release of that data. markets are looking like this. all down right now. we're seeing london is lower by 0.4 of a percent, frankfurt declining about 0.2 percent, as well. similar declines for the paris market. investors are apparently taking profits as well following tuesday's strong performance. in asia most markets closed higher on signs of a brighter u.s. economy. tokyo's nikkei rebounding from two straight sessions of loss

statistics office euro statistic has released the jobless numbers for the 17-nation single currency bloc. from january latvia is included now among the members. spain's unemployment showed a slight improvement, following 0.3 percentage points to 25.8%. meanwhile the jobless rate in cyprus inched up 0.2 percentage points to 17.5%. for greece the latest available number was for october, and at that time it was 27.8%. up 0.1 percentage point from the previous month. euro stat officials have also released the annual inflation rate for january. it stood at 0.7%, crawling down 0.1 percentage point from december. that was far below the european central bank's inflation target of 2%. let's move on to the markets now. the latest inflation figure out of europe was lower than market consensus of 0.9%. following the release of the data the euro dropped to its lowest level in more than a week against the dollar. right now, in fact, it's at right around 1.3534. analysts say the data is fuelling expectations that the european central bank may hammer out more stimulus measures. the bank's policymakers a

shouldn't democrats be worried about bleeding this very important voting bloc, and what are they goingo do about it? >> it's exaggeration to say that millennials are desserting obama. they polls on this show with two pollsters. i don't know why we're here. >> you know, i'm happy to talk about these polls but i punched holes in them all through 2012 including ones that had mitt romney winning on election day. if i take them with a grain of salt because they don't ask the kind of questions that probe more deeply into the underlying attitudes to understand where millennials are, they're part of the democratic coalition. >> i interview millennials. they are leaving obama for the center. they're not coming to the republican party, but they're leaving obama. >> there's no doubt that they are less ideological than partisans who are older. there's no question. >> than they were. than they were. >> leave the question. >> no. >> that's not true. now if you're asking millennials where are they voting in a presidential election, they were voting for president obama because they agreed with his age

mimi was once were the most brutal eastern bloc dictatorships this is a different generation to the one which cost cutting is. their fight is against gold mining. and for the. the this vehicle seen says this is the most important civil movement since the end of communism. in it the teachings of the manchester guardian says that in the past ten to fifteen years protest movements have lost all the battles they fought the corrupt political class in romania. it is then headed to the success of this movement has set a precedent in this gives people confidence that not only with russia maternal of the shoes to the columns a book on the two miller is coming with me to rush all intended to explain the reason for this grassroots movement we're heading into the core pc know this. before we get to the village because of better put up by the investors who want to mine gold here. the other promises development in the region. two dorsey said differently many complaints that was science. taking will. he's going to be. it is. this makes the enlightening. resistance we begin. sigh it is used around the

there's been no decision on whether the opposition will attend the peace talks the coalition's main bloc had previously threatened to boycott geneva two and many of the members have already pulled out. of thousands of skilled professionals have been feeling the euro zone's of newest member latvia we look at what's driving the exodus and whether the government is capable of ending the mass population decrease that's just ahead here on our to international. the race of data collection by the n.s.a. the exposure of which sent shock waves around the great will continue indefinitely the move was outlined during barack obama's speech on the operations of the intelligence agency which introduced a number of reforms yet as many say it failed to tackle major privacy issues are to some sex reports after nearly seven months of n.s.a. disclosures president obama finally came forward with reforms to the spy agency acknowledging that the current capabilities of mere say do leave open the possibility of abuse given the unique power of the state it is not enough for leaders to say trust us we want to be

ah that have said they will attend have shown some flexibility the musd there are at a democratic bloc is also said that that it would be keen on going if the rest of the group is interested in going out kurdish groups as well as other leftist groups have also shown a keen this to ten to attend these talks so there's still a lot of discussion to have a beehive be out with in the group itself the coalition also says that the nasty opinion of the revolutionaries on the grounds out with in syria but to some people this is just a joke because the revolutionary say they don't even recognize the and see the coalition. they see these men is either out of touch with what's actually happening on the ground so we've been trying to get a decision out of the smc fire at quite a few months now i've recovered from geneva to talks weather will get it today. this atc for my book when it comes through on a holy warrior for me thank you very much indeed the play icon he is the token suicide in istanbul but we can find out to the news from damascus the labor and joins us now. i love welcome. that has the

national coalition have resigned over the participation in the summit analysts say the opposition bloc doesn't have the support of the syrian people anyway in syria you have an electoral process there is a presidential election this year and the big problem for the opposition is that they don't have the support on the ground in syria because they don't represent anyone other than western powers the western imperial alliance the transatlantic alliance nato and the gulf cooperation council so their support in syria is very very minimal and that's why they don't want to take part in the actual election process and series of democratic process so this is a big problem because how do you negotiate with people who essentially represent western interests and don't represent the interests of the syrian people so they would rather not have to enter into any kind of rational negotiation and the reason for that of course is that they have no political program they have never had a political program they have no economic program and if they had their way they would simply destroy the country get i

still remains tough the european union reported that the unemployment rate in the common currency bloc has stayed at a record high in november. the statistics office said on wednesday that the jobless rate for the eurozone was twelve point one percent in november that's the highest level since the euro was introduced in nineteen eighty nine among the countries the rate for spain is staying at twenty six point seven percent. be well portugal showed a slight improvement down zero point one percentage point to fifteen and a half percent the latest jobless rate available from greece in september was twenty seven point four percent that sept zero point one percentage point from august. japanese electronics maker nissan she will reshuffle its top management the corporate executives explained that they will go ahead with the downsizing and restructuring of some sitters and he'd aig's board of directors decided on wednesday to replace chairman she calmly with a present he lucky penny she and the current senior vice president cushy at the peak as she hung up will become president and chief oper

failing to put enough pressure on president bashar assad to resign the council is part of a bigger and bloc which is about to decide whether to attend the geneva conference on sunday however as syrian political activist amar walk off explain to our t.v. not everyone in the opposition wants a peace deal we need to look at the opposition as not completely independent though the opposition forces factions are not completely independent some of them are really manipulated by the governments in the region. they want and if there are certain governments in the region who do not want this geneva process to be successful will need then you know they will push for the opposition figures to withdraw but then you have the second issue of the opposition figures phoebe feeling of being fearful of losing whatever thin representation bill think they have of the ground so they feel that if they go having really gone so far in promising them all sorts of. victories in you know the government is going to fall within a couple of weeks you know we're going to dig down present them and have this sort of democra

syrian president bashar al assad they say stay in power the syrian national council a main opposition bloc even threatened to pull out of the coalition if the general assembly voted in favor of attending the geneva two it seems though however that mounting pressure from the u.s. and western countries cause concessions to be made the conference will be held under the auspices of the un and it's co-sponsored by russia and the u.s. it's scheduled to begin on tuesday january twenty second it is aimed at finding a way to install a transitional government that will subsequently pave the way for to ending the nearly three year old civil war which has reportedly claimed the lives of some one hundred thirty thousand people. russia's national counter-terror committee says seven militants have been killed in the southern republic of dagestan security forces of the negotiating with the militants in the house where they were holed up but the armed gang then opened fire it's believed some of the militants responsible for a grenade attack on a restaurant friday followed by twin blasts that injured at lea

it's just around the corner but the country's opposition bloc is split on whether to attend coming up later in the program this hour we've got expert opinion on what is behind the syrian national coalition divided stance. one of the biggest threats to britain's armed forces the lack of public understanding of what they stand for that's according to a recent u.k. parliament treat report an m.p. say the opposition to wars in iraq and afghanistan and a reduced public appetite for overseas interventions is leading people to question the purpose of the u.k. army public support for defense is dropping due to what is seen as a lack of a long term strategic mission meanwhile massive military budget cuts are putting the army's capabilities at risk despite being one of the world's top defense spenders britain's planning to cut personnel by nearly thirty thousand over the next six years is artie's test. the army's recruiting but applicant numbers are slow to pick up amid thousands of layoffs there's a massive drive to recruit army reservists but leaked mid year army memos revealed the number of

except germany greece is the worst affected along with the presidency athens assumes power over the blocs regulations but one journalist we spoke to doesn't believe greece will look to change much. i believe that greece can give some lessons of how. in a time of crisis and when a country has a huge public that this is very picky and leads only to disaster in that sense we can meet some measures through other european countries and especially countries in the european very free but there is nothing else for europeans to expect from greece at the moment these european presidency can not really make any changes in the europe in the european union that is controlled primarily by very lean and by some big financial institutions in the core of the european union. coming up scotland marks the start of a major year of decision scots love to say yes or no to becoming independent from britain from the fireworks and festive spirit last night r.t. trouble to edinburgh to gauge public feeling on a potential break away. for just a few weeks' time russia's most anticipated event of twenty forty gets und

syrian president bashir al assad they say stay in power the syrian national council and main opposition bloc even threatened to pull out of the coalition in the general assembly voted in favor of attending the geneva to. it seems though however that on mounting pressure from the us and western countries. cause confessions to be me the conference out will be held under the auspices of the un and its co sponsored by russia and the us is scheduled to begin on tuesday january twenty seconds. it is aimed at finding a way to install a transitional government that will subsequently keep the weight for height to admitting that nearly three year old civil war which has reportedly claimed the lives of some one hundred and thirty thousand people. and with one opposition group now ready to join the talks it's still not clear if any of the others will follow suit. a recent british defence study has found that nearly half of those fighting against the assad government are the his or her line is the max let's take a look at what it says one hundred thousand a rebel fighters in the country or split into man

for the blocs participation in the meeting. right before the decision the country. as foreign minister offered a prisoner swap with the rebels not easy going to piss going off reports on the latest from syria's diplomatic front. with time running out before the start of geneva two conference on syria it was a busy week for global diplomacy it's our hope that in the face to face meeting of the regime and the opposition will be the beginning of the beginning. and to this unspeakable conflict never before have russia and the us been so united over syria holding damascus and the rebels both responsible for atrocities standing together for a political solution and going further still. going to try to send the signals to all the syrian sides on the need to establish localized ceasefires to consider the lists of prisoners of war including civilians and also used to allow humanitarian aid. washington even turn around its stance on iran saying it could also take part in the conference so long as it supported previous international agreements on syria they keep our swaying th