so lebanese, the lebanese economy actually provided syria with the gate to the world in the 1980s. that ted was a two-way gate. so you will get those who are not actually sold to the market officials are lebanon in the 1980s, then provide these goods to certain layer of the population, the upper layer. then in the 1990s when the trade routes were more open, lebanon continued to be one of the ways that this took place. but in the '80s lebanon, turkey where the two places where the legal trade -- the legal trade in smuggling allowed the black market to thrive, and created capital accumulation that literally -- new social group had developed an interest in the stability of the regime. hence, we talk about the syrian regime as brutalize as it is, we also should not assume it was only violence that was basically causing the long-term stability. it was also the support of this groups, as well as the distributed approach of the syrian state, the welfare of the state that continued from the '60s, '70s, '80s, begin to break down in the 1990s and only recently did these policies begin to mea

i want to look at how the lebanese militant group hezbollah or spawns two a possible attack on iran later this hour on our team. in britain this christmas there's a bleak choice for many elderly people skyrocketing household bills uncurbed pensions mean that some are frankly forced to choose between eating and heating polly boyko finds out. santa claus is coming to town and the shops are ready for the annual customer onslaught eighty two year old lady isn't in the festive spirit she's worried that she can't afford to be anything other than a scrooge this christmas black paint. on good in some neck isn't enough to let go on with. you know with zoe bales and. as well i think she'll go with that or does things ok. for the a pension person inside of you but then and off the most energy from hike prices is the winter months set in livy and people like her face a cold or daca festive season according to buy a new boiler plate on in the bedroom is still in the a view into a well known bedroom. so now they all know if there's a big bill here now that sounds like the rose for something i thought a

but with iran all but surrounded the middle east is looking to be to be taking sides the lebanese militant group hezbollah long joined the fray vowing to range missiles on israeli and american bases hoping to attack iran over its nuclear program. opposition to cries of fraud after a referendum on egypt's draft constitution and early results suggest the heavenly is the most charter hospital room but some claim that could only be possible with massive breaking. ok well for many at this time of year it certainly seems that it's the size of your wallet that dictates just how much festa fun you can enjoy while the shops are reaping the benefits of a commercial boost elderly people in the u.k. are surviving on just their pensions and they're left priced out of the christmas spirit or just by boycott takes up the story. santa claus is coming to town and the shops are ready for the annual customer onslaught eighty two year old lady isn't in the festive spirit she's worried that she can't afford to be anything other than a scrooge this christmas that. goodness on there isn't enough to lead on like

well with iran all but surrounded in the middle east is certainly taking sides the lebanese group a militant group of law has joined the fray selling to rain missiles on israel and american bases at the to attack iran over its nuclear program. well for many at this time of the year it seems that it's the size of your wallet that actually dictates just how much festa fun you can afford to enjoy while the shops are reaping the benefits of a commercial boost elderly people in the u.k. surviving on just their pensions are left priced out of the christmas spirit artie's polly boycott takes up the story. santa claus is coming to town and the shops are ready for that annual custom a lot eighty two year old lady isn't in the festive spirit she's worried that she can't afford to be anything other than a scrooge this christmas that. isn't enough to live on. as the water i have been killing it with that or doubt things will go up and i'll be a penny here in perth and yeah. but then yeah and off to most energy firms hiked prices the winter months set in libby and people like her face a cold or dark a fe

. >> he believes his captors wanted to trade his crew for iranian and lebanese prisoners held by rebel forces. >> the queen made attending a cabinet meeting. the move raised some eyebrows. the queen is required to remain neutral on political matters. the government says the queen attended as an observer in honor of her 60 years of the british throne. >> a record-setting fine for toyota, the maximum amount allowed by law. the national traffic safety ministrations as they fell to quickly report problems and delayed a safety recall. this is the fourth foreign of its current against toyota in the last two years. -- the fourth kind. >> aaa estimates 40% of washington metropolitan area residents will travel this holiday, up from last year. the average round-trip will be about 760 miles. airlines are getting a boost in passengers. if your flooring, expect some crowded airports and flights -- if you are flying. >> temperatures are falling and is getting chilly. >> of drizzle today. >> things are dry now. there are lots of changes coming with the weather in the next few days. this was this morn

he grew up in oklahoma, of all places, an american-lebanese family. he ended up fascinated by the middle east, became a reporter, and the life mission was to try to explain this region to americans, which is no easy thing to do. he covered his -- more than his share of wars issue and in the course of that, sort of his first marriage fell apart because he was always overseas covering the war. he ends up buying his family's old ramshackled house somewhere in lebanon. i forget the name of the village, and takes a year off to restore the house. it sounds like a movie, almost, which he does with great difficulty. the book, his memoir, blends in both lebanese history, and it's glorious past, which is sadly been destroyed through civil war, as well as his own personal story so we sort of -- it was -- shortly before the book came out, he died. he was no more than 40 or 45. >> host: sarah weinman? >> guest: well, i feel like in looking at this list, i feel an unmitigated surge to talk about how much i adored the katherine book and i made a joke on twitter that

his memoir blends in both lebanese history and its glorious past which was sadly destroyed through civil war as well as starting. shortly before the book came out he died. she must have been 40 or so, 45. >> sarah weinman. >> i feel like in looking at this list i feel unmitigated surge to talk about how i enjoy it the capt. book, if catherine booth's book made every best of 2012 list that would be fine by me. it is a phenomenal piece not only of reporting but literature. she writes beautifully. she writes with a tremendous sense of empathy. she is the new yorker staff writer and previous recipient of the macarthur genius grant. her husband is indian and she spent three years right outside mumbai chronicling these people's lives and seeing how they coped on being on the periphery of great industrial change but also struggling with deep poverty and she presents their lives and reports on them in a way that obviously takes into account the tremendous suffering but also shows tremendous humanity. there are moments of humor, moments of great civilian joy. i felt wonderful removed reading it a

the meeting with the lebanese prime minister is to hear how they can help. we are in the back of cali area where many refugees are based. >> they need the basic necessities, food and shelter, blankets, and enough medication. they are very core concerns like the spread of diseases. the minister of health in 11 on house express this concern in a meeting today. -- the minister of health in 11 non has expressed this. and after a lot of political wrangling, they have agreed on a package to help, but they have always had a statement saying that that amount of money is not enough. they advanced their idea and the concept of what should be given. today's meeting in beirut is a follow up on that with representatives of the u.n. and other international organizations listening in t >> welcome back. you're watching al-jazeera. president barack obama says he will do everything in his power to prevent gun violence in the united states. he was seeking -- speaking at a service for the vigil of the 20 children killed at sandy hook elementary school. an explosion has killed 1

> most likely by the fanatical wing of hezbollah, a group known as islamist jihads the comprised lebanese shia who had historically been underprivileged, excluded from the politics and economics of the country, had ideological affinity for the regime in iran, from 1979 and have been radical in the israeli purge to lebanon in the 1980s. there is a very toxic mix that let them should make steps the climax of the assassination of malcolm kerr. >> was he targeted? >> because he was an american. not only american, but very visible presence in the middle east. there is no more high-profile example of america's involvement in the region in the presence of uav. >> this american university put in beirut on purpose? back in 1850s, what was beirut like? >> a ruthless and still is a multicultural cosmopolitan international city, were east meets west. then and now, muslims and christians on mexico exist to a different degree and the american missionary presence in the middle east was significant in beirut and it became sort of launching pad for creating what became the greatest university in the regio

he grew up in oklahoma full places, and american lebanese family. became a reporter and his life mission was to try to explain, which is no easy thing to do. he covered more than an issue for in the course of the first marriage and death buying the family's old ramshackle house somewhere in lebanon. i forget the name of the village and takes a year off to restore the movie almost, which he does with great difficulty. the book, his memoir blends in both lebanese history and its glorious past, which is sadly destroyed or civil war as voices of personal story. so shortly before the book came out, he died. he missed about 40, 45. >> host: sarah weinman. >> guest: well, i feel looking at this list, and unmitigated searcher talk about how much i adore the book. i made a comment on twitter just kathryn booze did every single best of 2012 book it would be fine with me. it's a phenomenal piece of report it, but literature which he writes with a tremendous sense of empathy. she's a new yorker staff writer and previous recipient of the macarthur genius grant.

army because if the lebanese army is not strong enough then you have a situation where the very thing we are opposing here could come to pass and with great force. so i would just urge your consideration of that and i thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to put this forward. and i thank, again, my colleagues for their constant support of israel. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from new york reserves. the gentlewoman from florida is recognized. ms. ros-lehtinen: i am going to continue to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from florida continues to reserve. the gentleman from new york. mr. engel: i yield three minutes to the gentleman from florida, mr. deutch. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized for three minutes. mr. deutch: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i rise today in support of house resolution 834, which urges the european union to take swift steps to designate hezbollah a terrorist organization. despite its history of violence, civilian attacks, our

. ♪ this church is in a lebanese city, near the border, where hundreds have taken refuge.his is for the martyrs in syria. the mass part of efforts to consult the people that came here looking for safety. several thousands are estimated to live crossed into lebanon since the start of the conflict. families brought their children to attend christmas carnival's. christian churches have arranged gift for all and have started to give aid to the families. >> we have received 420 families that came here suddenly. it is tough, but god making things easy. >> it is clear that the amount of aid is not enough, and it is a challenge to reach everyone. iman is a mother of five. she came from aleppo with her husband and children, and they live in a cramped space for 2000 dollars a month. >> yesterday, we started talking, and they said this was not like what we know. things are tough over here. >> as christmas celebrations go on, and others try to enjoy it to the fullest, she tried to keep putting smiles on faces. >> two firefighters in new york have been killed and two others injured aft

award to the biggest contributors per-capita to climate change, new zealand, canada, and the u.s. 1 lebanese activist is one of the demonstrators. in his home country, climate protection is a side issue. conflict in the middle east and the civil war in syria take up the headlines. he wants to change that. >> if we take down a dictatorship to establish a democracy and i do not have a plan to live on, what shall i do with democracy? -- have a planet to live on, what shall i do with democracy? >> negotiations remained deadlocked. it is hoped that a new climate treaty will come into force in 2020. no one can yet said what that will look like, but protesters are refusing to grin and bear it. >> earlier, we spoke to our correspondent. we asked whether there had been any progress at the conference. >> there is very little progress in terms of a new climate treaty, one that will bind all nations to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. there is little progress in terms of credit financing -- climate financing. there were 2.2 billion euros pledged to help with mitigation in poorer countries. today, we

the german citizen of lebanese descent was imprisoned in 2003 after being mistaken for a terrorist suspects. he was handed over to the cia, which held him in afghanistan. the court ordered that he be paid damages of 60,000 euros. europe might still be gripped by the debt crisis, but the german engineering sector continues to mark what improvement after another. new figures show sales have returned to pre-crisis levels. >> companies have added 30,000 jobs this year alone. one company is a prime example of how the sector is benefiting from the move -- move. >> they are a prime symbol of what makes europe's biggest economy so strong. 85% of the company's products are shipped abroad. this year manager oversees 216 employees, but the work force is not enough -- this junior manager oversees 216 employees, but the work force is not enough to keep up with demand. >> we are very busy, both here and elsewhere, and we need more people, but there are not enough qualified workers on the market at the moment. >> with sales of nearly 15 million euros, they are rounding out their most successful year ever.

foreign fighters are filtering into syria to join the rebels, and lebanese hezbollah and ha possibly iraqi shia are supporting the government. where are foreign fighters, some with links to extremist groups, and some anti-government forces are becoming radicalized. we have met foreign fighters and they do not make up the majority of the opposition, but some work independently from the mainstream army. and some have made clear they do not recognize the syrian national council the main political body in exile and want an islamic state. fears are growing that the war may not enlist president bashar al-assad leading power. there is the possibility of reprisal killings and prolong the violence that could last for years after the government. the conflict is approaching its second year. while this was not the first time warnings have been made, so far the u.n. reports is the gloomiest assessment of the conflict yet. >> the u.n. has given the go- ahead for military intervention in northern mali, but also wants to see efforts of political rally and -- political reconciliation. the troops will

the lebanese shia paramilitary group has evolved from a ragtag militia to a military and political heavyweight it's part of the so-called axis of resistance against israel referring to the lions between hezbollah hamas syria and iran and according to hezbollah's leader hassan nasrallah both israel and the united states would suffer a retaliation to any strike against tehran and. the response would not be limited to the israeli entity the u.s. military bases in the entire region will serve as targets. so if israel targets iran even by itself that if. america will be held accountable for this death. israel's november battle with gaza was seen as a test for a possible confrontation with iran israeli airstrikes rained on gaza in exchange came a barrage of long range mortars and rockets most were held by israel's anti-missile shield the bunch of fun a rocket threat from gaza the war may have showcased newly acquired weapons by palestinian militant factions but hezbollah's arsenal is thought to be of higher quality and quantity and experts say that it could launch four times as many walk its per day

against the activists however it's unclear who was behind it the movement began in september twenty lebanese new york city's financial district with protests is running against corporate greed and economic inequality independent journalist are not like us miller says they have be i is making a mistake by siding with big business. they're using a very broad definition no violence to discuss domestic terrorism because obviously an act of terrorism is you know doing something that is going to kill a lot of people blowing something up something that's far more are. terrible and life threatening than just a couple of people assembled in civil protest so i think that they really you know just ran away with the past ability that could get violent and use that to create to manufacture this threat of domestic terrorism because that's really what the f.b.i. has done in a lot of these terrorism cases you saw it with muslim and arab communities with the f.b.i. spying on them a lot of it was really. feeding this information to people who were alleged terrorists but had never done anything and it's that's

the state department acknowledged as well that there was a systematic favorable treatment by the lebanese then presidential candidate so. it's recent. gratian and what protesters and social movements like are calling. of a presidential so-called victory. much than any of those being labeled as the televisa candidate he is the candidate that never really had very clear positions or apologies and this is it shows that actually at last you. book fair where there was just like serious fellow reporter of ours what is three most influential book and was and that's a difficult question for a lot of us into in terms of choosing three bucks at the put it means three books until we actually struggled on cross two of mexico's most famous authors is the burning name divide on the answer and showed in many ways i had a very early stage actually mean this is way back in last november why folks really as kind of a fabricated media not necessarily a qualified presidential candidate one of the guys that got his me mixed up with carlos fuentes he called and rico and we keep one thing in our lives when this

. >> lebanese -- please be informed there is a santa claus. >> it delays the christmas celebration. >elayed but i planned ahead of time and gave my wife a present that said "from the man in the moon." >> apollo eight showed everyone up, certainly the soviets, but while america was now leading the space race, the john f. kennedy deadline was quickly approaching. >> there was only one giant step left to take on the pathway to the moon and it would be an epic moment in human history. n. staying active can actually ease arthritis sympto. but if you have arthritis, staying active can be difficult. prescription celebrex can help relieve arthritis pain so your body can stay in motion. because just one 200mg celebrex a day can provide 24 hour relief for many with arthritis pain and inflammation. plus, in clinical studies, celebrex is proven to improve daily physical function so moving is easier. celebrex can be taken with or without food. and it's not a narcotic. you and your doctor should balance the benets with theisks. all prescription nsaids, like celebrex, ibuprofen, naproxen, and meloxi

he survived the association with the assassination of former lebanese prime minister in february of 2005, in a damning un report that was leaked that held syria responsible. he survived all that and actually emerged in somewhat flying colors by 2008-2009, accepted back into the regional order, into the international community, even representatives at an anational plows meeting to jump start the arab-israeli peace talk. so i think he developed a sense of survivalism. he and his supporters. to the point where, when you have another challenge, and the most serious to date, obviously, since march 2011 and continuing today, that sense of triumphantism, that they're on the right side of history, sense of destiny, and i sincerely believe if i talked to him today he would believe that he is not only surviving and protecting the sect and those that supported him in power, but he is saving the country. his match 30th, 2011 speech, his first speech that mapped out what his response to the uprising -- he blamed, he still does, terrorists, storm enemies and armed gangs, and many people in the west th

israel will have enemies on the syrian border, lebanese border, gaza the south and egypt and sinai areg israel and shelling israel. if we come back to israel's aid it is very bad for israel and america at the same time. melissa: a lot of people said when the arab spring was coming to fruition, this was a wonderful day and new day for democracy in the middle east. there were a few voices at that time said hang on, the guys coming in to replace them are even mored are call than what we saw. this is actually moving in the opposite direction than you think. how did that happen? why did hat happpn because it is continuing? >> because americ and president obama's administration ignored the warning signs and what the muslim brotherhood and what radicals are about. when president obama first becameme president and he went to egypt and gave his first address, his first speech in cairo, in ept, he made it a point to invite the muslim brotherhood to the chagrin of the mubarak regime. he insisted that the muslim brotherhood would be sitting in two front seats addressing his speech. that gave them

. >> they wanted to exchange us for four a rain yen agents and two lebanese people who were from the movement. >> reporter: it was a terrifying situation but the crew says despite the ordeal, together, they still found a way to find hope. >> we were not allowed to speak but if you sort of look kind of peek underneath the blindfold you can see if there's a guard in the room or not and we tried to joke a little bit back and forth. keep our spirits. >> incredible story. right now engel and his crew are safe in turkey and he adds while they're happy to be alive his thoughts are with the many people still in syria being held against their will. barbara? >> thank you, angie. >>> the newtown, connecticut, community is attempts to return to some sense of normalcy today. classes are back in session today at all newtown schools. except for sandy hook elementary school. that building will remain closed indefinitely. its studention will attend a school in the nearby town of monroe. also today, more on friday's victims are being laid or more of the victims are being laid to rest today. funerals a

traumatic experience prp we were told that they wanted to exchange us for four iranian agents and two lebaneserom the ahmad movement. we weren't allowed to speak, but if you sort of look kind of peek underneath the blindfold, you can see if maybe there's a guard in the room or not. we tried to joke a bit back and forth and keep our spirits up. >> we prepared to die many times. >> moving was the hardest part. >> it was disconcerting to move blindfolded from house to house. >> and you think they're taking you outside to execute you. >> for five days. >> we were being moved to yet another location. as we were moving along the road the kidnappers came across the check point. they saw this check point, started a gun fight with it, two of the kidnappers were killed. we climbed out of the vehicle. and the rebels took us. we spent the night with them. it was a traumatic experience. we're very happy to be here. we're in good health. we're okay. everyone was great. >> right now journalists like richard and his team are risking their lives to cover important stories around the world. it's a dangerous job

and a half years, there was not one bullet shot across the border from lebanon after the second lebanesewar. so we did the operation in gaza which -- that was more than two years. so we knew what to do in order to provide security and we were cooperating with america on various issues regarding iran with a lot of success that naturallyly not go into details of so we all share the same desire for security of the state of israel and all the presidents of america-- president bush was a great friend and great supporter for actions that were essential for our security and i think that president barack obama is equally committed to the security of the state of israel. at the same time, the best security for the state of israel will be peace with the palestinians and in order to make peace you sometimes have to take risks. >> rose: do you think ariel sharon would have supported the agreement you worked out with the head of the palestinian authority, mr. abbas? >> i have no doubt in my mind that it would have been very difficult to accept everything i have that propose bud at the end of the day

we were told that they wanted to exchange us for four iranian agents and two lebanese people who are from the amma movement, and they want other members that have been captured by the rebels, they captured us in order to carry out this exchange. >> and as richard pointed out, other journalists are still being targeted and still being held in syria. in newtown, connecticut, the pain, the sadness still raw as sandy hook elementary school remains closed indefinitely for the ongoing investigation. students there will go back to classes tomorrow at a different school in the neighboring town of monroe, connecticut. today two more young victims, 6-year-old jessica rekos and 6 jerld james mattioli are being laid to rest. wakes will be held for first graders charlotte bacon and daniel gerrard barden and for a teacher that faced down the gunman. joining us now from newtown nbc's greg melvin. the sadness is unremitting. tell us about the mood there as they begin to bury these children. >> you know, one of the more touching moments here so far, andrea, today you mentioned gts james as the funera

it will be the gateway and the lebanese will, and we will have dinner together.we will be then gave way to the north. he was about planting and rebuilding and trees are a big deal in israel. the only country that had more trees at the turn at the 20th century than at the beginning. but that is what he talks about. it is a defiance but the spirit of building and a life. the people were sorry the war ended when it did and they knew it was badly. but they wanted to live their life again. >> host: is something of a joke in israel that building cranes are called the national bird. >> guest: it is true. and with sure bought you cannot hear heavy equipment because it is noisy with so much destruction. >> host: also another experience is a music. also, it surprise you? >> guest: i did not know the jewish families sang together at the shebat table and at the holidays. there are christian but songs that are sung at a church service or camping but here in israel, every shebat and i noticed the very first one i heard singing all along the block. the families come together an

first issues the vice president of syria told a lebanese newspaper he does not think his military canls. that the assad regime may be planning some sort of exit strategy. pro-government forces have been battling rebel forces for nearly two years. human rights activists claim more than 40,000 people have died. the latest concern has been whether the syrian military would use chemical weapons on its own people in a last ditch effort to stay in power. but today syria's ambassador to the united nations warned that the rebels might try using chemical weapons and then blame the government in an attempt to gain more support. >>> egypt is bracing for widespread protests tomorrow against the country's new pot and its newly drafted constitution. demonstrations raged on against mohammed morsi. opponents claim he tried to make himself a dictator by granting himself near absolute power. over the weekend, voters passed the new constitution with 57% of the ballot. if passed if an upcoming vote, his ally also have sweeping new powers. protesters claim the vote was full of irregularities. they are dem

we were told that they wanted to exchange us for four iranian agents and two lebanese people who were from the movement. they captured us in order to carry out this exchange. and that's what they were hoping to do. they were going to bring us to a hezbollah stronghold inside syria right now. we were on our way there when we ran into this rebel checkpoint and we had this escape and freedom. >> and richard, john, and ghazi, i know you all are all very experienced. but i'm wondering how you are feeling this morning, how you're doing and how you're processing what must have been an absolutely terrifying experience. >> ghazi, you want that? >> well, to be honest, when we first got captured, for me at least it was a bit of a moment of disbelief. but i've worked with those guys for a long time in harsh environments. and we get each other very well. we work with each other very well. i was actually captured with them because we kept each other's spirits up. i'll be honest. they were long, hard five days. my family, my brother, my parents, my wife, and i was feeling bad what i'd been putting t

. >> brown: but syria's deputy foreign minister, speaking on lebanese t.v., charged that if anyone isnning to use chemical warfare, it's the west. >> ( translated ): we have strong fear of the existence of a conspiracy to use the weapons; by the united states and some european states, which might have supplied such weapons to terrorist organizations in syria, in order to claim later that syria is the one that used these weapons. >> reporter: meanwhile, germany's cabinet endorsed a plan to deploy patriot missiles along turkey's border with syria. nato says the missiles will be used for defensive purposes, but in beijing today, the government of china objected. >> ( translated ): we have noticed the situation. china has always insisted on political resolution of tensions in syria issue through dialogue and consultation. highlighting military factors and strengthening military existence are not conducive to the resolution of conflicts and disputes, and inconducive to the >> brown: in syria today, heavy fighting continued around damascus, where government forces are trying to beat back en