at discount rate, belarus' first private art gallery, we meet an exhibitor. it he says there is progress with the president relaxing state control in many areas. >> things are getting more relaxed in all areas of life, culture, politics, business. important changes are slowly taking place. it is the only way forward for belarus. >> not everyone agrees with that assessment. in central minsk, a few dozen students have gathered to demonstrate for the opposition candidate and against the president. uniformed and undercover police are keeping a close eye on the demonstration and tried repeatedly to break it up. but the students refused to be intimidated. >> i became active about half a year ago. as a rest, i was dismissed by the university. i was in my fifth year. >> what has to happen so europe looks at what is going on and belarus? to the tanks have to come out and people get shot? >> the students hope that europe will refuse to recognize the electi'n results. these young people say the vote will be neither free nor fair. they intend to come out again to demonst

today russia has sad that it will cancel world taxes for belarus after creating a single economic zone between russia belarus and kazakhstan and if president lukashenko had any doubts left about this this seemed to have been the final argument to convince him and today and in his journey he promised that belarus would rectify the package of the documents needed for creating a single economic zone by as soon as first of january next year which is in less than a month and all three countries together with the overall population of one hundred and seventy million people will make up for eighty percent of the economic power the uses sorry used to have and the three leaders today have said that other countries are in some welcome to join and this is the next step towards deeper corporation between these three countries of course they face a number of difficulties while working on this package of documents as it was done in such a short period of time right after preaching the customs union the similar difficulties that european leaders were facing more creating with the e.u. but service rea

in the run-up to the elections come and there was hope belarus might be entering a time of reform. but the post-election landscape is different. five of the 10 candidates have been arrested and their parties may be outlawed. >> not much has changed in belarus. russia and the u.s. on the verge of a new era of arms control. president obama looks to have the support to ratify the start of the nuclear arms treaty. in an echo of the cold war britain and russia have been in date -- engaged in spies. one person was accused of breaking the rules on intelligence activities. south korea has warned the north not to attack a giant artificial christmas trees they have let up. it is seen as potential provocation to the north. stay with us if you can on "bbc world news." in a year that will see a record number of children in the u.s. with a parrot in jail, and one family tries to cope -- with a parent in jail. the american politician acting as an envoy to north korea is saying they had agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back in. bill richardson said they must be his deeds and not wo

first it seems like people in belarus started to be time to look. for it's a long long time second opposition is very. skillful and bad politically because they. were serving or eight persons for a very limited electorate so it's not serious but at the same time elections in billows used to be organized in the way we cheer so to see me it's a victory for me said the chauffeur because you're sick you. understand there's a striking to. chris between the turnout and political views people that live in the capital and people that live in more rural parts of dallas why is that tell us more about that gap your rural part of belarus is much more traditional. in the excuse and people prefer stability of the church active part of population in minsk and some other big cities in the west and bill is for example they think that the local show has actually did what he could and he should be replaced by by some sort some somebody new but the rural part is more than rose so in this regard i don't doubt that the question call one i don't do the question quite so m

in the run-up to the elections there was hope belarus might be entering a time of reform. but the post-election landscaped is much different. five of the 10 candidates have been arrested. and their parties may be outlawed. >> an american report investigating the decision to release the man convicted of the lockerbie bombing concluded he was freed on political reasons. abdelbaset ali al-megrahi was freed from prison in august last year. there was evidence he had only three months to live. the the report describes that prediction as unsupported by science. the man widely believed to have -- the incumbent in ivory coast giving an address on television declaring he is the legitimate president. he called for dialogue between all sides and dismissed fears a civil war. this came after the un accused his supporters of the recruiting a liberian mercenary. after five days of chaos caused by heavy snow, the european transport commissioner says this was unacceptable and should not happen again. airline said the vast majority of flights have been operating. euro star has cleared its ba

. >>> belarus is going to the polls this weekend. the country's authoritarian president is expected to win a fourth term. previous elections in the former soviet state are widely believed to have been raped, with him normally -- have been believed to have been rigged. on thursday, the russian prime minister vladimir putin made it light of the past differences, saying that ties between the countries are back on track. elsewhere, he remains a controversial figure. we take a closer look now at the man the u.s. once described it as europe's last dictator. >> this figure on ice is alexander the yushchenko. it is like key wants to be seen. he also likes to show his fighting spirit by appearing in uniform, often accompanied by his youngest son. but yushchenko called him dad. 80% of the population support their leader. >> we hold elections for ourselves, for our people, and for our state. the people decide everything. anybody who's views things objectively can recognize this. there is hardly a country where values are conforming. >> many bel

will follow more democratic way of development in the future that ties between russia and belarus will continue to flourish as they have been partners and friends for a very long time but no strict comments about how russia views the election which many say is already a comment in itself. while the editor of russia in global affairs magazine told me that sunday's protest in minsk took place because many think. has been empowered. by things that people who went to the streets the doubt that. he can we but he can't win so much so massively so it's so i think it's a big. indication of nervousness of the regime the results are so high and the protests were beaten saw it first it seems like people started to be time to look. for it's a long long time second opposition is very. skillful and bad politically because they. were eight persons for a very limited electorate so it's not serious but at the same time elections to be organized in the way we cheer so to see makes victory for missile question could pretty secure. if you had the road that it's a river. scene well still to come on the pro

will follow a more democratic way of development in the future that ties between russia and belarus will continue to flourish as they have been partners and friends for a very long time but no strict comments about how russia views the election which many say is already a comment in itself. well north korea says it will no longer retaliate against war games close to a disputed maritime zone but it howls condemn the minute. a reckless military provocation. called for un security council session warning of the war exercises could follow the destabilize the already evil us whole korean peninsula. reports. the events of the last couple of days are definitely the threats and warning signs that have been coming from north korea have been having the international community certainly walking on eggshells here in new york the united nations security council has been meeting round the clock throughout the weekend these emergency sessions were called for by russia which is certainly not taking the tensions between south and north korea likely whatsoever for many different reasons one of them o

position saying the elections in belarus are its domestic business and it is not russia's business to comment on the way the elections were going the way the votes were counted and of course the outcome of that result the russian president had however expressed hope that belarus will follow a more democratic way of development in the future that ties between russia and belarus will continue to flourish as they have been partners and friends for a very long time but no strict comments about how russia views the election which many say is already a comment in itself all right our. following to develop ments in minsk thanks for that. well the editor of russia and global affairs magazine told me that sometimes protests in minsk took place because many think alexander lukashenko has been in power too long but i think the people who went to the streets they they dealt the local show he can win but he can't win so much so massively so it's so i think it's gets to be an indication of nervousness of the regime that results are so high and the protests will be. first it seems like people starte

that this has a very pragmatic reason behind it the european union has promised billions of euros to belarus should there be signs of a free and democratic election and democratic progress in the country and with men's kit very hard by the global financial crisis this incentive is definitely worth a lot at eight pm local time opposition leaders have promised to bring thousands of people to this very square at savva square square also personally seen some relative response on social networks where various groups have been set up with. already around two thousand and three and three hundred people confirmed their attendance at these rallies the government of course has said that none of these meetings have been sanctioned and police will use it all and every necessary measure to disperse those protests opposition candidates have so far said that they're not planning to throw themselves at the barricades that they simply want to peacefully state their protest his voice their concerns about the legitimacy of this election everybody here of course eerily waiting to see how that will turn out beca

elections in belarus. seven of the nine opposition candidates have now been arrested or abducted. welcome to "bbc world news," broadcast where viewers on pbs in america and elsewhere around the world. i am mike embley. how safe is iraq now? seven years after the fall of saddam hussein? >> from many dark days, the signs are visible. >> i cannot say how many planes joined the raid, but i counted them all, and i counted them all back. >> our correspondent has died at age 61. hello. if you're watching this at an airport terminal or a rail station, freezing temperatures and heavy snow are affecting large parts of europe and causing transport chaos. railroads have been badly hit across germany, france, belgium, and others. some of the delays could extend beyond christmas day. >> there was no winter wonderland in belgium today, only cancellations and frustrations. brussels airport has the snowplows it needs and liquid needed to deice the planes. supplies were stopped. >> this country, like much of northern europe, has slowed and stopped. with problems on the main motorways and traffic pr

in the run-up to the presidential elections there was hope belarus might be entering a time of reform. but the post-election landscape is much different. five of the candidates have been arrested and the parties may be outlawed. >> the less controversial immediate takeover in years is already causing political upset. the government minister who was in charge of that and that takeover has been recorded saying he declared war on the owner of news corp., rupert murdoch. this report from our business editor. >> vince cable early this morning a bit glum and some of unguarded remarks he made. this prompted this from the deputy prime minister. then at 3:00, it became more than embarrassing. >> what i can't disclose is although "the telegraph" put out what they said was a full transcript of the conversation, actually they omitted some fascinating parts of the conversation with these reporters. the whistle-blower has passed me the full transcript. >> i will keep my sights on mr. murdoch. [inaudible] >> right. >> [inaudible] i cannot politicize said. for people who know what happened -- is happ

now belarus is looking to the west. abdeh have removed some of the opposition -- they have removed some of the opposition to other candidates. the number of contenders is unprecedented. there is no doubt who gets the better coverage. the vast majority of all broadcast and print covers what the president says and does. in this newspaper, page after page of the speeches, letters from grateful citizens. opposition supporters have no illusions. this man is very concerned. he said that the observers from europe will not protest the election even though there is wide vote rigging. six of the nine candidates for people to come out to the main square of immediately after the polls close to demand a new vote without mr. lukashenko. the outcome of these elections will be disputed here. the authorities have turned this square into a large skating rink. if disillusionment over lukashenko is as large as the opposition says it is, this could be the largest protest in years. >> the opposition in ukraine is demanding a criminal investi

clashes break out in belarus in the wake of a disputed presidential election. >>> and texas tumble. an implosion goes awry at a historic sugar refinery. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> hello and good morning. welcome to our viewers across the nation, including the pacific time zone. i'm lynn berry and today we begin with running out of time. lawmakers in washington are anxious to get home for the holidays and with the fate of the nuclear arms agreement with russia at stake, the new-found spirit of compromise in congress may have run short ahead of tomorrow's final vote. nbc's tracie potts join us from washington with more on that. tracie, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, lynn. everyone's trying to get out of washington. president obama delayed his hawaii vacation to try to make sure this gets done. a vote scheduled in the senate for tomorrow to see if they can at least move forward. the s.t.a.r.t. nuclear treaty with russia would reduce both countries warheads with seven years and establish a verification and inspection system. some republicans think that s

belarus goes to the polls to elect a new president. for years europe's last dictator ruled. the opposition claims that if he wins, it will be the result of massive electoral fraud. they are calling on supporters to protest publicly after the polls close. >> out on the streets campaigning is slow. residents of minsk seem to be more concerned with christmas shopping. butal activists do not call them apathetic. >> people simply do not believe their vote will count, and it's been going on for years. now people do not believe. >> this is the charge the current president had to face on much of his three terms in office. all this time he was presenting himself as the force of stability and defender of strong ties with neighboring russia. the image was dented by this year's rowe over russian energy supplies but he presented another deal with moscow which will secure oil imports but now belarus is also looking to the west. depowing to international pressure they removed the number of contenders. but there's no doubt who gets bigger coverage. >> the vast majority are devoted to what t

the european union criticized the crackdown on opposition supporters in belarus. in germany honors its top athletes for 2010. ♪ >> hello, welcome. central and northern european airports are struggling to stay open. the harsh winter weather is blasting across the continent. europe's busiest airport, heathrow, has resumed a limited schedule, but hundreds of passengers remained stranded there. in frankfurt, things are not much better. >> stranded in frankfurt, and germany's biggest airport, one out of every four flights was canceled on monday. some passengers spent a third night in the terminal. only to find out that they were waiting in vain. >> i am coming from new york, and i want to go to poland. my flight is delayed for two days already, and now i just found out that, you know, my flig to poland was canceled. >> europe's busiest airport, london heathrow, resumed limited operations. british airways said a maximum of only one-third scheduled flights would be allowed to take off until wednesday morning. the chaos could continue over christmas. thousands of traveler

that will follow a more democratic way of development in the future that ties between russia and belarus will continue to flourish as they have been partners and friends for a very long time no strict comments about how russia views the election which many say is already a comment in itself. and coming up in the program a call to break ties find out why he's in a diplomatic relations with britain. and the. new multibillion dollar deal between india and that's president medvedev heads to. south korean war games near the disputed maritime border with the north have passed without incident despite threats by pyongyang to launch military action you know they went ahead. an imagist a meeting of the un security council warning that new military exercises could further destabilize the already volatile region all season as the future of the story from new york for. the events of the last couple of days are definitely the threats and warning signs that have been coming from north korea have been having the international community certainly walking on egg shells here in new york the united nations

all the details right if you've got a rebels out of a reporting on sunday's presidential vote in belarus we'll check in with you soon thanks. well coming up for you later in the program here on r.t. the links to secret detention centers and all been taking justice some of the accusations against kosovo's prime minister find out who is behind them what he has to say about them and why some say the revelations are not surprising. moscow is on a security alert following a recent wave of clashes between russian nationalist groups and ethnic minorities and the police more than two thousand people have been detained this week to prevent new riots tensions are boiled over at an unsanctioned meeting eight days ago following the death of a football fan in a brawl with a native north. the gathering turned into a riot with ethnic minorities and police attacked there was a repeat of the clashes on wednesday when the extremist russian youths and migrants from the north caucasus had been gathering for a rumored confrontation police reported isolated clashes in various parts of the city but no large sc

of the reporting right the political analyst told me earlier that the opposition in belarus hasn't done enough to claim power from. me is that the opposition produced no program ultimately for how to deal with the climate programs how to deal with the current economic crisis we're not able to find a solution to a problem so the only propose that fever will continue keeping status quo position currently before which is very hard because i wasn't sure it was needs mommy it's but there reputed economy and the old economy continues to decline so that means that it would be too leeson for the democratization of devices from the european union from russia. if he needs money he would she would have to follow. and still to come for you here on the program on our team links to secret detention centers and. just some of the accusations against because of our prime minister find out who is behind them what he has to say about them and why some say the revelations are not surprising. moscow is on a security alert following a recent wave of clashes between russian nationalist groups and ethnic minor

there is some to say that russia's relations with belarus have been deteriorating for quite some time now what are the prospects at this point to say really it had been good to read but if we could go off to an expected meeting with president and we had to look at seams he agreed to about every single reason we don't know what was bargaining and what was trade but we can see that both sides at least might do it if agreed to recognize the borussia elections and economy cup aeration was promised so probably needed relation of the russian relations would be just a he story or a political analyst from russia's state university of international relations thank you thank you. leaders are working to reduce the gap between its stronger and weaker economies at a summit in brussels countries agreed to set up a permanent fund to bail out euro zone members which are on the brink of collapse a wave of protests against tough austerity cuts have swept through debt ridden europe this week another general strike in greece disrupted puppy. travel and closed schools banks and courts trade unions also st

lukashenko to ensure financial aid from the european union billions of done a euros have been promised to belarus should they show signs of a free and democratic election and some democratic changes in the country alexander lukashenko speaking to journalists already said that while there might be some political changes on the way a change in power is not foreseeable so skeptics already saying that the chances that the opposition have had this time around and they have had a few free on air time by a very limited amount of time sanction anti-government rallies all that has been made available to the opposition for the first time in sixteen years thousand dollars became independent but of course skeptics are already saying that that is all a farce and simply a ploy to make the west specifically countries which dollars is interstate and financial partnership with during the times of global financial crisis all that is a ploy to make sure that those countries believe and democratic changes here in dollars the opposition is of course very much in line with those statements saying that the elections ha

. >>> in the former russian republican of belarus, thousands of demonstrators clashed with police over allegations of voter fraud. one opposition candidate was beaten bad enough to be sent to the hospital. his wife said seven men in civilian clothes kidnapped from the hospital and his whereabouts are unknown. lukashenko has led belarus often characterized as the last dictatetorship. >>> vice president biden said the compromise with republicans was a tough, but necessary choice. >> there are people out there drowning. there are 2 million people this month that can't afford to get a christmas tree, let alone buy any gift because their unemployment has run out, which means they have been unemploy for well over a year and two years. >> the vice president emphasized that the president wants tach cuts to expire for the wealthy in 2012, a presidential election-year. >>> a tool could be resurrected in the u.s. senate by the end of this week. the measure was blocked a few weeks ago by republicans that said the pill had problems and was too expensive. democrats hope to produce revised legislatio

. >>> in belarus, the president won his fourth term in an election on sunday. thousands of opposition supporters looked -- took to the streets to protest what they claim was vote rigging. ten candidates ran in the presidential election in the former soviet republic including lukashenko and former diplomat andrei sannikov. western countries called lukashenko the last dictator in europe for his hard-line stance toward political opponents. he is also opposed to the economic integration sought by neighboring russia. but he has wide domestic support for his strong leadership under a centrally controlled soviet style economy. >> translator: i'm ready to join hands with anyone, including opposition parties, if it helps to improve people's living standards and stabilize our country. >> opposition candidates say the voting was rigged. thousands of their supporters demonstrated in the capital minsk on sunday. some clashed with police. >>> an explosion at an oil pipeline in mexico has killed 27 people and injured more than 50. police think thieves tried to tap into the pi

there's been widespread international criticism of violent police crackdown on opposition protests in belarus following sunday's presidential election current leader alexander look at go one a fourth consecutive term with almost eighty percent of the vote but several come to the hundreds of others were beaten and arrested aussies kasserine as are reports now from the capital that. this is to give the roots.

for europe then, the winter precipitation is targeting the east again for places like poland and belarus and western russia getting substantial amounts of snow, blowing snow as well. down towards the southeast, turkey dealing with more showers, cold rain and snow. but the bulk of europe stays dry and settled. the balkans and central areas and the northwest as well for the british isles, under a high pressure system. there will be more rain for places like portugal and western spain. winds will be pretty strong as well. persistent rain to contend with. 14 degrees in lisbon. 9 in madrid. 7 in london with cloudy skies. frigid in central areas. minus 10 in berlin. way below seasonal averages. moscow you coming in at minus 9 with snow flurries. here's your extended forecast now. >>> taking a look at our top stories. china has penalized 16 domestic and foreign banks for helping to allow the flow of speculative foreign funds into the country. china's state administration of foreign exchange announced on wednesday that it took punitive action against 79 regional ba s banks -- branches of 16 bank

the week's events protests in belarus over the presidential election have turned violent with two candidates among those hurt in clashes with police tens of thousands of people flocked to the central square of minsk demonstration after an apparent landslide victory for current president of xander look at shanika as catarina zahn now reports and camera crew have also been hurt in the troubles. protests was heartfelt there were thousands of people here despite the bitter winter cold that protest unfortunately did not last very long some people started breaking down the windows of the parliament building trying.

several last position count that is there more than the six hundred demonstrators remain in custody in belarus after sunday's protesting the outcome of the presidential election thousands took to the streets of minsk to voice their anger iran example into question kerry's overwhelming victory his fall over the last sixteen years. as out of it was in the heart of the capital when the rallies broke out she got the nicest it appears that it's not just the people of delhi reuss that are not satisfied with the way that the presidential election was handled apparently the aware see one of the organizations monitoring the elections sending its observers to.

the european union criticized the crackdown on opposition supporters in belarus. in germany honors its top athletes for 2010. ♪ >> hello, welcome. central and northern european airports are struggling to stay open. the harsh winter weather is blasting across the continent. europe's busiest airport, heathrow, has resumed a limited schedule, but hundreds of passengers remained stranded there. in frankfurt, things are not much better. >> stranded in frankfurt, and germany's biggest airport, one out of every four flights was canceled on monday. some passengers spent a third night in the terminal. only to find out that they were waiting in vain. >> i am coming from new york, and i want to go to poland. my flight is delayed for two days already, and now i just found out that, you know, my flight to poland was canceled. >> europe's busiest airport, london heathrow, resumed limited operations. british airways said a maximum of only one-third scheduled take off until wednesday morning. the chaos could continue over christmas. thousands of travelers are stranded. air-traffi

headlines from all seasons godowsky belarus comes under a storm would national criticism as hundreds are arrested in a violent police crackdown following presidential elections the opposition claims sunday's landslide win by a long serving president an exam that was sprayed with international observers also casting doubt. pyongyang has decided against a second to south korea in response to new military exercises along the border despite earlier threats that would retaliate north korea attacked a south korean island last month following similar trails killing for. millions of migrants from central asian states to russia as a land of opportunity although immigration is on the rise the reality for many working illegally or in low paid jobs while living in poor conditions. up next also has financial wizard max kaiser looks at how the well says stone wall street have created the biggest in can go up in generations. oh my skies are this is the kaiser reports you know markets are made up of rewards and risks the problem is that over the past five years ten years fifteen years all of the rew

lawyers for seven opposition candidates in the presidential election in belarus say they've been chargedh organizing mass disturbances on the day of the poll. they were among hundreds arrested in minsk 10 days ago. >>> there is growing unrest in northern ireland where people have been without water for more than a week and we're warned the situation could continue for several more days. the executive is to hold an emergency meeting thursday amid accusations of underinvest metropolitan in the the company. >> for some this feels like a new nightly routine and a most unwelcome one. filling up and heading home. it's the only way they can be sure of having water. in thousands of home in northern ireland, turning the tap does little. >> you have to sterilize everything, like for the bottles and stuff. it's really, really hard. it's too hard. >> thungs -- things are improving, but at the peak of the current problems, around 50,000 homes were without water. in 80 towns and villigse, some haven't had a supply for 11 days. this doctor is warning that unless something is done quickly, it could be s

increasing consumption to the levels of two thousand and seven prices for baltic neighbors lithuania and belarus however would not change gas from said any discounts for these countries would only be discussed once existing contracts ended and new price formalized were calculated. and staying with gas problem the company has announced it will spend six point five billion dollars or one quarter of its investment program for two thousand and eleven on the development of am often it's a lower fineries deposits situated in the north west of siberia are considered to be the most lucrative in the country. and officials at russia's first liquefied natural gas projects say foreign investors can take part in its expansion the governor of south wholly in the country is far east said shell could participate in the construction of three plants as well as expand into shell sold a majority share in the project to gazprom several years ago but retains a blocking stake. let's take a look at the markets that my sex ended flat after closing marginally in the red on friday down just under half a percent and a four

exhibit games and a youth branch of the child with twenty nine clubs from twenty six cities of russia belarus and currently playing in delhi and on thursdays best players were introduced during training camp before the journey. to north america because shing staff will also travel stateside to take part in six eggs admission games in the u.s. and canada this year is begins on monday. this takes a look and also says enough america is a step forward and the parishioners on this are. very positive. it should be very positive being so kind of the case and we look forward for the president of the league of these particular. that's latest for the sound of the weather forecast is up shortly before an update on today's main news stay with us. for the full story we've got. the biggest issues get a human voice face to face with the news makers. moscow prepares to ratify the new strategic arms reduction treaty with washington already approved by the us senate the deal is praised by both sides as proof of a new level of trust. peace on the north korea says it's ready to unleash a secret war on the south

people in belarus costing their votes incumbent leader. is seeking a fourth term in office but for the first time the opposition has been given a free at a country known as europe's last dictator. in other news this week thousands of europeans tough austerity cuts across the continent politicians struggle to slash debt at a summit in brussels leaders agree to set up a permanent fund to rescue eurozone economy. security forces are on high alert here in moscow. involving russian nationalist groups from the caucasus more than two thousand people were detained in the past three days to prevent clashes. and nationalism is a common disease. so says russia's prime minister these were just some of the issues brought up by the public at. q. and a session. on the sports is next with. hello there you're watching the sport and these are the headlines ice in easy channel one cup winners russia look to end the tournament unbeaten we've delayed design action for moscow. in playing the club world cup in abu dhabi with a three nil victory. by. biting back

the bulk of the precipitation is from belarus into the baltic states and western russia and further south for turkey lots of heavy rain in the days to come so flooding is going to be a big concern here, still very cold out towards the east and turning even colder for central areas, minus 3 in vienna and minus 12 in berlin, which leads to very frigid conditions but out toward the west looking much more pleasant indeed. all right, here is your extended forecast now. >>> taking a look at our top story once again -- >>> south africa is to join the four-member group of fast growing emerging economies known as brics. a summit of leaders from brazil, russia, india and china is to be held in china next year. chinese foreign ministry spokesperson jiang yu said on tuesday that south africa will attend next year's summit. >> translator: south africa's participation would be useful and enhance cooperation among emerging countries. >> she also said china's president, hu jintao, has already contacted south african president jacob zuma on the issue. the first summit meeting of bric countries was held in