it did not last long -- agreed by scotland yard. [sirens] protesters in masks broke away. >> they have lines already. >> is there a plan? >> which shows a different record >> at first, they could not be held back. in and parliament square, then made their own riot shield. -- they made their own riot shield. >> this group of protestors is constantly trying to get to the police line. there were stopped by a double barrier and now there are police horses. they are trying to come through all the time. the fencing around parliament square fell early, but this line, barriers, and batons protected the parliament. who were the students on the streets? some were at university and some did not condemn the violence occurred. >> this would have never been brought to the front pages. i think it made a huge difference occurred >> and there were all taught younger groups from colleges. >> we are from the slums of london. [unintelligible] in college, and they are expecting us from doing drug deals on the streets. >> even payments for poor students

. >> show strong economic growth in scotland in the second quarter of this year. we're determined to ensure that scotland will benefit as this government tackles the deficit to control growth and provide confidence businesses and individuals need to invest. >> i thank my right honorable friend for those figures. committee tell it would be a kamikaze prime minister that would plunge scott right back to recession? >> he completely disagree with that assessment. i'm pleased to say that the -- not only has the prime minister led the government's efforts to get us away from the danger zone that this economy was in but he has set out a constitutional path for scotland that will enhance its economic growth and keep it right here to the united kingdom >> thank you, mr. speaker. this morning i returned from zurich write met with decision-makers aiming to convince them of what a brilliant world cup england could host in 2018. on my return i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others in addition to my duties in this house i shall have further such meetings today. >>

it's a hundred mile race across scotland. netherlands won last year, the united states has never won this event. you have to have the forms in by the 31st of december. you can go to pursuit of 1745. the event is may 15th. it's going to be fun. i encourage everyone to get their forms in as soon as possible. >> i have the website up on the air now. it says to create your own team. you're still looking for teammates? >> yeah, i'm looking for them. i have to pursuit. i'm here to compete in the pursuit -- in scotland for the united states. i'm in it for the pursuit and the games. this has to be in by the 31st i encourage people to go to the website. >> i trust you got involved because someone thought you would be a great captain? >> yeah, that and archery. >> really? >> no. >> i'm in it for the pursuit. i've never been to scotland, i'm excited. >> don't miss the chance to go to dram buey. >> well, i don't drink. >> really, wow. i'm there to win the first place prize. the united states hasn't won it. we'll be going against the powe

this is how snow bound scotland looked from space this lunch time. and this is just some of the chaos caused. the heavy snow and arctic temperatures that hit the central belt were forecast, but the scottish government is facing fierce criticism from political rivals for failing to properly prepare. >> we did not perform to the level we want to. i very much thank people who have been stuck on our roads network for their patience and tolerance. i'm sore that we've caused these dists by not having -- these difficulties by not having the quality of response we like to have. >> hundreds of drivers spent last night in their cars on the a-80 near glasgow. >> the i-90 blocked and down to peeringt and then -- to perth and then this is as far as i got the rest of the day. >> these people stayed overnight at hamilton college in south lenosshire. >> we were in the museum and the whole experience was good. and we're really tired this morning. >> as hamilton parents were reunited with their children this morning, 900 scottish schools, around a third, stayed closed

they have been late on tuesday the movement of mail in and out of scotland. as i say, mr. speaker, let's all pay tribute to those who are going to make sure the cards and presents are delivered on-time. >> davey hamilton. >> i wonder can i follow on that question. is that hubbard is in scotland, people grew up, private companies have honored their commitment to royal mail. is he going to guarantee the universal service, and can he make sure that privatization is stepped back for a moment because the whole point about trying to get private capital and management involved in the royal mail it to make the service better and to make sure it can go on doing all the things we want it to do. honorable members opposite shake your head, including the leader of the opposition. the fact is in the last parliament they're going to bring forward plans but even they realize this needs to be done. >> mary mcleod. >> with the prime minister join in paying tribute to the service and especially to my residence who died on december 12, 1892. he was serving with the rifles in 1945 actually dem

i know that they are having a particularly difficult time in scotland. additional air and rail services have been laid on to speed the movement of mail in and out of scotland, and royal mail itself has made a big investment-of £20 million-to try to deal with the most severe weather that it has faced for 30 years. again, let us all pay tribute to those who will ensure that cards and presents are delivered on time. >> the right honorable member for gordon is right. the situation has been horrendous in scotland, and indeed in the north of england. the only people who are delivering are those in royal mail, as the private companies have offloaded their commitments on to it. the £20 million invested by royal mail is important. will the prime minister give a straight answer to this question? will he guarantee that universal service, and will he and his friend the chancellor of the exchequer, who is sitting next to him, review royal mail's privatization and step back from it? >> the whole point of trying to get private capital and management involved in royal m

in a recent lib dem leaflet in scotland, the business secretary compares tuition fees to the poll tax[laughter] >> prime minister, in a recent -- in a recent article, there are fees to the poll as it. prime minister it, acceptable for the business secretary to say one thing in the house and campaigning for votes in scotland demand that policy? >> well, first of all, kink the honorable lady on the world cup and i know what she says is utterly sincerely and shared by members wherever they sit for in the united kingdom. the point i would make about tuition fees is let's look at the system that we are introducing and the new system, nobody pays anything up front. every single student will pay less per month t >> the prime minister explained how he is shuttling between london and zurich in support of england's world cup bid. can he update the house on how that bid is progressing, please? >> i am grateful for that question. england 2018 has a very strong bid. with regard to the technical aspects, we have the stadiums, the facilities and the transport networks. we have the enthusiasm in our

that was a completely different case in scotland. there was a failure to prepare. we are dealing with probably thousands -- it is impossible to stay with us are. >> but the deputy prime minister of northern ireland indicated someone could lose their job. >> that is for the time ahead. >> and these men are under pressure. the chief executive did not want to talk about the future. >> my focus is getting the customer is back on supply. that is what i am focused on. >> all are well aware of the public anger and realize that will not go away until supplies are fully restored. >> they have to come up to people. >> it is likely to be days before many again have the water they actually want. bbc news, belfast. >> the first attempt by the neighbors of ivory coast and to resolve the power struggle has failed. they are trying to persuade the figure on the left, lanthanides -- laurent gbagbo, to give up power to demand internationally acknowledged as the winner of the presidential election. >> tensions are high and even united nations peacekeepers got into trouble when their c

anti-western i'll of scotland, her parents are coming -- in the western islands of scotland, our parents are coming to terms with her death. but the u.s. and britain say the kidnappers were ultimately responsible for her death. frank gardner, bbc news. >> the latest headlines this hour. fifa has awarded russia the right to host the 2018 world cup. this is the first time it will be held in eastern europe. and qatar will host a in 2022, the first arab nation to host the world's biggest football tournament. more travel chaos across northern europe. heavy snow disrupted train services in britain, france, and germany. britain's second biggest airport was paralyzed, and flights were grounded in paris, amsterdam, berlin, and geneva. some have estimated that this has caused the british economy more than 1 billion pounds a day. >> the day started in a way that has become familiar to many since winter began. almost a foot of snow to be cleared before we could begin the journey. an alpine landscape. on the ground, those trying to follow their daily routine had little time to admire the view. the sn

thousands of drivers are stranded in scotland. a hunter becomes the hunted, investigating recent attacks -- shark attacks on holidaymakers in egypt. >> the wikileaks founder julian assange whose publications of secrets have anchor that washington is preparing to talk to british police after they received a warrant for his arrest. he is believed to be in hiding is wanted for questioning in sweden in connection with the rape allegations. >> today the battle between wikileaks and the authorities intensified. an tradition warrant for julian assange are arrived at the serious crime agency this afternoon. a wanted poster has also been placed on the interpolar web site. he could be arrested by metropolitan police at any time. >> we are in the process of making arrangements to meet with the police. my concern in order to facilitate the taking of the question and answer is needed. >> julian assange is wanted for questioning in sweden over sexual assault charges. charges supporters say are a result of political pressure and part of a campai

details now from rebecca morelle of the bbc. >> reporter: lurking in the seas of scotland, a creaturescientific. getting hold of one for this time of year isn't for the fainthearted. >> wow. that's huge. look at that. >> yes, i mean, there are several species found in these waters. >> reporter: believe it or not this starfish could spark new treatments for medical conditions from asthma to arthritis. >> the starfish produces a kind of slime over its body surface and this slime contains chemicals that prevent other animals and plants from sticking to it. and it's possible if we can identify these chemicals, it might be possible to incorporate them in medicine perhaps to fight inflammatory diseases. >> reporter: for the starfish it's straightforward. they simply release its slime, then it's back to the icy deep. it's only the goo that the scientists are interested in. and it works like this. in a healthy body, blood flows easily through our blood vessels. but when inflammatory conditions strike, white blood cells begin sticking to the blood vessel wall. so, by creating a nonstick coatin

. >> in scotland when you had the snow, the transport minister had to resign.you think that's the case here? >> no. that was a completely different situation in scotland where people's lives were put in danger by failure to prepare. we're dealing with thouns -- thousands of bursts and it's impossible to know where they are at any one time. >> but someone may lose a job. and these are the men under pressure, the bosses of the water company, although its chief executive didn't want to talk about his future. >> my focus at the minute is getting customers back on supply. that's what i'm focused on and the only thing i'm focused on. >> all are well aware of the public anger and they know that won't go away until supplies are fully restored. >> i would say get off your back sides and do something to promote the people. >> there are problems with the that you and it's likely to be days before they have any of the water that they actually want. >>> dozens of taliban recruits captured during fighting in the swat valley of pakistan are being released on probation. they'r

it was a similar picture in the north and northeast of scotland. the police warned drivers to make only essential drivers. conditions in some parts of the u.k. for the worst imaginable. traveling by foot was not easy either. conditions were not much better in wales, particularly in the north and east. 30 centimeters of snow fell on high ground. >> i have been there for about an hour and a half and we have had four or 5 inches of snow. >> all of the trucks are stuck. >> back in northern ireland, and dozens of christmas parties for cancelled this evening as those who made it to work just wanted to get home. the snowfall here was the worst for 25 years but tonight isn't looking much better. emergency weather warnings have been issued. this is for half of northern ireland. overnight snow is also forecast for wales and the southwest of england. in some places, it started already. >> the chinese prime minister is in pakistan for a three-day visit where he will sign billions of dollars worth of trade deals. he is expected to reassure pakistan that they ar

a small town in scotland was typical of many. the main road was being cleared, but all the others were thick with snow. few dared to venture out on them. in northern england, train travel was badly disrupted, with many services canceled. air passengers also struggled to complete their journey. in northumberland, there is so much snow that some people need to stand on the growing piles of it to clear the roof. competition for the amount of snow on top of the car. we met a villager on a mission to get supplies for his neighbor. >> thompson's. >> shopping was the easy bit. delivering was the challenge. republican has been trapped indoors for nearly a week and is relying on care. >> he is a wonderful person. he is the best neighbor i have ever had. he is fantastic. >> it is just being neighborly, isn't it? it is the service spirit we have got in this village. we help each other out. >> many schools in the area are closed. if you have managed to open, although the people are not allowed out. >> it comes over the top of our willies. we

>>reporter: there are just 46 listed shinty clubs in scotland - compared to 2-thousand 500 hurling clubs in ireland - but both are amateur sports - and that's the way they are likely to stay. >>cooney: there was a push by players some years back that they wanted pay for play but now that's gone totally off the equation. we're working very closely with the gaelic players association in developing positive player welfare schemes and pay for play is not an issue. >>reporter: but winning sponsorship can be. >>innes: you cannot make a career out of an amateur sport - there's just no money in it for us. if there werethen obviously we'd be very, very happy >>reporter: scottish hydro-electric recently signed a second three-year contract with shinty's governing body as its main sponsor for an undisclosed sum - but every player on this pitch needs to hold down a day job in order to survive. >>reporter: former shinty international captain gary innes has an instrumental part to play in promoting his beloved sport. an image of him playing shinty was used by scottish celtic rock group runrig on a rece

scotland yard is promising a thorough investigation. >>> they got you the updates.ded like things are on the east shore freeway. the update i just have is it's on the east shore highway. the east shore freeway is now open. the highway frontage road is where the activity is. what i'm told is it's on berkeley city streets. university avenue, that exit off of the freeway as well as the commute and non-commute directions are both moving fine. that's better news. we will follow the police activity after we hear the chase originating in oakland and that will be followed in the newsroom. more on those details and i have the fog. that's a huge issue. even from the camera, it's tough to see the roadway because of the fog and the water on the lens left over from yesterday and the day before's rapes. low visibility for both decks. that extends over to the golden gate bridge and down further south, oakland looks better. 880 was socked in and we are seeing a cooler view. the headlights glow. that's an indication of the moisture in the air. >> around san francisco and the golden

what is he going to do to mitigate this potentially disastrous impact for scotland? >> i would not be following the advice of that -- by reallocating priorities to cut schools, because that is what has happened in scotland. >> i thank my friend for giving way. i am sure we can all agree that all those students who would benefit from a university education should be entitled to do so, regardless of their financial situation. my particular concern is that by increasing the tuition now, participation levels for lower- income and middle-income students will fall away. what assurance can the government give that this situation will be monitored very closely going forward and that corrective action will be taken should participation levels continue to be falling away. >> of course i can give him that assurance. of course the policy will be monitored, and it will reflect what the evidence that emerges that we put in place a series of measures not merely to protect low-income graduates, which we have done, but we have also put in place a series of measures designed to help c

but we've already bailed out the role of bank of scotland wants the british taxpayer and i'm no great union supporter normally but i actually agree with people on board pro at the moment using charge of the. union the trade our trade drives the train workers union when he says it's not his members who got us into this mess is the bankers and the politicians are the larger issue but it's his members who are paying for it just like the. students who are protesting it's them who ended up having to pay for it the ordinary taxpayer and we've already bailed out of the u.s. once annoyed by now we're bailing them out again effectively by the back door of ireland and the british people haven't been asked about this you know david cameron came to power in me in a budget he said we're going to ringfence the n.h.s. and we're going to ring fence for a night but he didn't just ring fence for eight he's increase for a week now but island he also run focused our contribution to europe and we increased of course when bragged that he was going to keep the budget down actually increased the budget that

keep going we're mainly on the royal bank of scotland and we've just recently about a year or two years ago the british people never asked about it we bailed them out we're now effectively bailing them out again one of our biggest banks because you're right they're completely in debt is actually our economy that's what's behind this this is what the british people haven't been told should crushes in the banking industry but it is also down to politicians and lack tribulation you know agree with you rodney in your analysis that it's worldwide isn't just europe i would agree gentlemen gentlemen i think it's very very interesting is we brought in the comparison of the united states because it seems to me over the last two years or so it's a countries are can fail ok they can fail in a sense it's banks they can't fail the banking system isn't allowed to fail and that's one of the things that's very very interesting here is because it's saving the banks and then it doesn't really care where what's happening on the ground because they're so far away from the people anyway and it sure in there

that is what has happened in scotland. >> i thank my honorable friend for giving way. i am sure we can all agree that all students who would benefit from a university education should be entitled to decide, regardless of their financial situation. my particular concern is that by increasing the tuition cap, participation levels among lower and middle-income students will fall away. what assurance can the government give that the situation will be monitored very closely, ed going forward, and that corrective action will be taken should participation levels seemed to be falling away? >> yes, of course i can give that assurance. of course the policy will be monitored and it will reflect the evidence that emerges from the policy. we have put in place a series of measures, not merely to protect low-income graduates which we have done through the threshold, but also put in place a series of measures designed to help children from low-income families go to university, notably by increasing the maintenance grant the level that was under the previous government, giving access t

they of the christian church and to bring harmony to the kingdoms of england and scotland. 400 yearser it is as important as ever to build communities and create harmony. and one of the most powerful ways of doing this is through sport and games. >> go, go, go!. during this past year of seen for myself just how important sport is in bringing people together from all backgrounds, from all walks of life and from all age groups. in the parks of towns and cities, and on village greens up and down the country, countless thousands of people every week give up their time to participate in sport and exercise of all sorts, or simply encourage others to do so. these kinds of activity are common throughout the world and play a part in providing a different perspective on life. apart from developing physical fitness sport and games can also teach vital social skills, none can be enjoyed without biding by the rules and no team can hope to succeed without co- operation of positive team spirit can benefit communities, companies and enterprises of all kinds. as the success of recent paralympics bear

and if- scotland, and also 18 deaths and poland. >> the weather is not nearly as bad. rainfall to the north bay. pushing to the delta at this hour. and you will take a look at that and this weekend forecast, coming up in just a bit. >> the controversy at the edge of golden gate park a recycling center. it is hedging homeless advocates as this issue is just wrapping up. jonathan? >> this we're not really quite sure how much longer is going to go but it is taking much longer than it was supposed to. . so many of the department of recreation time shortened it to one minute. 100 people were wanted to talk. this recycling center that has been so controversial in the heat-ashbury for over 30 years. peep-haight ashbury, they can drop it off. and they can exchange it for cash and this recycling center is on golden gate park property. and it was never really meant to house. and it is been providing service to the community but it is smells really bad. and according to the department of recreation it is encouraging illegal campers to camp out. collect bottles and bring them ther

scotland yard says officers were seconds from drawing their guns. the commissioner has ordered an internal investigation. it would have been difficult to cancel the event. charles and camilla were guests of honor. regent street is the busy at the best of times. there were christmas shoppers and heavy traffic but also groups of protesters, some of whom said they would target west and shops. >> the demonstrations had been focused around parliament. the royals avoided that area on the way to the london palladium. but they had to come along regions street. the roots were checked minutes before by officers who were in contact with those overseeing the process. one officer believes the car itself posed the greatest security risk. >> this has no qualities whatsoever. it is old and removable. it is virtually impossible. that is why the vehicle was unsuitable for this occasion. >> but the police are facing inquiries by the independent complaint commission to injuries sustained by several protesters. one person suffered bleeding on the brain. the vote is over

. >>> an age-old tradition in scotland brings together thousands to spark off the new year, literally. over 20 25,000 people gathered in edinburgh to asset viking ship on fire. accompanied by pipe bands, torch carriers burn up the ceremonial ship. the event kicks off a four-day celebration of the new year. >>> japan is also gearing up for the holiday. chefs across the country are working carefully to prepare a favorite delicacy. blowfish which locals refer to as loch is notoriously lethal. the winter dish is in high demand so specially trained chefs are taking care to remove the toxic poison. they're slicing up blowfish in time to deliver to families. i don't know if i would trust anyone to take out toxic poison from my food. >> here's what we'll do. we'll order it. you eat it first. five minutes later, i'll sample it. >> i don't know if i like that idea, bill. i'm a beef eater. >>> time now for an early look at some of the stories we'll follow throughout the day here on nbc. today is the deadline for people with medicare to decide how they wish to get their medicare health benefits f

scotland yard said protection officers were seconds from drawing their gun. the police commissioner has ordered an internal investigation. it would have been difficult to cancel the event. charles and camilla were guests of honor. regent street is busy at the best of times. there were christmas shoppers in heavy traffic but also was a group of protesters, some of whom said in advance they would target shops. what does it take to bring a royal motorcade through here? demonstrations were focused around parliament. the royals avoided that area. but they had to come along regent street where they were attacked. the route had been checked minutes before by officers in contact with those overseeing the process. one officer believes the car itself posed the greatest risk. >> this is an unprotected vehicle. in terms of to escape or do a u- turn. it is virtually impossible. that is why the vehicle was unsuited for this occasion. >> the police are facing inquiries by the into meant -- independent commission. there were protesters who suffered bleeding on the brain afte

. >>> a somber anniversary on this day in 1988, pan am flight 103 exploded over lockerbie, scotland. 270 people died in the bombing. >>> and on a more celebratory note, on this day in 1620, the pilgrims aboard the mayflower went ashore at present day plymouth, massachusetts. >>> all day long, you can stay on top of the very latest developments in those stories and others as they break on msnbc. and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. get the latest forecast for rain-soaked southern california and when the heavy downpour may finally let up. >>> and funny man jack black talks to matt lauer about his new film, "gulliver travels." >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com [ female anpride.r ] what will you gain when you lose?™ piz

>>reporter: there are just 46 listed shinty clubs in scotland - compared to 2-thousand 500 hurling clubs- but both are amateur sports - and that's the way they are likely to stay. >>cooney: there was a push by players some years back that they wanted pay for play but now that's gone totally off the equation. we're working very closely with the gaelic players association in developing positive player welfare schemes and pay for play is not an issue. >>reporter: but winning sponsorship can be. >>innes: you cannot make a career out of an amateur sport - there's just no money in it for us. if there werethen obviously we'd be very, very happy >>reporter: scottish hydro-electric recently signed a second three-year contract with shinty's governing body as its main sponsor for an undisclosed sum - but every player on this pitch needs to hold down a day job in order to survive. >>reporter: former shinty international captain gary innes has an instrumental part to play in promoting his beloved sport. an image of him playing shinty was used by scottish celtic rock group runrig on a recentalbum cove

eight years ago, i was in scotland running my production company which provides video production and graphic designs for a wide range of clients, both corporate and non- corporate, from start up to the united nations. in 2007, we started a u.s. office to start a u.s. presence. my company only has two full employees but we use a lot of contract employees or events and projects. our total payable has amounted to over $1 million and all profits have been reinvested in the u.s., nothing sent back to the uk. here is my experience with emigrations -- immigration's. 2002, they issued a visa. 2003, successfully renewed in the u.s. be given eight months to prove our viability. thanks to my attorney for her experience and patience. 2005, the says are renewed successfully. but we have to return to the u.k. for processing because the laws changed. basically, when i try to renew again, they did not believe that i was a manager. also, they refused to recognize our employee as a professional, even though a four-year degree would exactly mirror the situation. we have been in limbo for 15 months unti

in scotland, her parents are still coming to terms with her death.pite what has happened, they paid tribute to the bravery of the u.s. team that nearly succeeded in restoring their daughter alive. both the u.s. and britain say that the kidnappers were responsible for her death. >> you are watching "bbc world news." the latest leak of u.s. cables revealed afghan and american criticism of the u.k. forces in 2008. the military in the ivory coast has announced the closure of its borders after the announcement that the opposition leader had won at the presidential election runoff. freezing weather conditions are causing chaos across northern europe. heavy snow has disrupted rail travel. flights have been delayed in paris, amsterdam, berlin, and geneva. >> the day started in a way that has become familiar since winter began. almost 1 foot of snow to be cleared before we could begin our journey. from above, the garden of england it acquired an alpine landscape. on the ground, those who follow their team had little time to admire the view. men and machines w