observer mission and the looming departure of peace mediator kofi anon the prospects for a diplomatic solution are fading oksana boyko reports. decision to resign as un special envoy for syria was a math disappointment and almost despair in this country it confirms what many people felt all along that the situation in that country is only getting worse the death toll continues to rise and violence spreads to new areas so seeing kofi annan throwing in the towel certainly doesn't instill much confidence in the quick resolution of this flood of conflict something that the overwhelming majority of syrians desperately need yet despite these psychological glow departure is unlikely to change the situation on the ground in any substantial manner he wasn't much present here in syria anyway in the beginning of his term he held a number of meetings with the old president bashar assad and prominent members of syrian opposition but he didn't succeed in bringing these two warring parties to the negotiating table most recently he's asked for is focused on trying to bridge the divides within the int

america is pledging to fill the void which will be left by kofi anon my ramping up its regime change efforts and rebel support patrick a is covering the conflict for news website spiked dot com he says those backing opposition fighters are engulfing syria in more tragedy. i think in general it's being used to try and step up the pressure on both russia and china to start to take a stand against the sides and effectively what it's doing is saying that we disrespect the sovereignty of syria and we don't want the syrian people to determine their own future as william hague suggested he's going to offer only for late he hasn't given specific details of this yet but it does seem like it's going to be intelligence it does seem like there's going to be an awful lot of support announced for the rebels over the next few few weeks and of course this comes just after president obama has announced well it hasn't been announced but it has been revealed that there has been a secret plan basically allow the cia to assist the rebels as well the thing i find very striking about this is that there's a

of diplomatic deadlock highlighted by the recent thursday's resignation of un special envoy to syria kofi anon the international community seems to be back to attempting to make baby steps and pushing the syrian process forward and this friday the one hundred ninety three member united nations general assembly is set to vote on a resolution which is not going to be legally binding it will be purely recommendation this text basically condemns the syrian government calling describing the failure of it to pull out of civilian areas it calls on the syrian government to stop the use of heavy weapons and it also condemns the united nations security council for failing to find some sort of tangible solution to the events unraveling on the ground now how prepared is the international community at the u.n. to compromise. well karen interesting really the initial text of this resolution still use the term regime didn't actually use the term regime change but it did call for bashar al assad to step down and this regime change is exactly what the united states and the west have been calling for this

anon heads for the exit. the trial of the russian punk group posts you write evokes a chorus of responses from all around the world the three members could spend up to seven years in prison for performing an anti putin stunt in the country's main cathedral. and so regime protests are gathering force in the gulf region with saudi arabia's crackdown on protesters claiming more lives plus dozens were arrested and injured in clashes in bahrain this week. hello and welcome to our team karen taraji it's sunday which means i've got your top stories that made headlines on the weekly beginning with syria where hundreds of people have reportedly been killed this week in fierce fighting between government and rebel forces the battle for the country's most populated city is escalating with the insurgents making a crucial stand they now claim to control more than half of aleppo as districts while assad throws more troops and tanks at the front line fresh fightings also being reported in damascus where forty eight iranians

looks for a new peace envoy after kofi anon steps down. the trial than todd putin punk band pussy riot divides the country women and couldn't get seven years behind bars for hooliganism after performing an anti putin stunt in russia's make back in february. and protesters in bahrain and saudi arabia are such formats rallies in their countries people are united in their hold against the ruling elite which are ask the lady their cracked out. in war in iraq was the bloodiest conflict for those reporting from the front line next we talked to a mother who wants to know why her son was killed when his only weapon was a camera. the footage kevin sites filmed with his video camera was not only unwanted but completely unsuitable for army propaganda. the invasion in iraq was to be i can ised with images of an overthrown tyrant american the. as the american troops chose that particular statue of saddam hussein because it was right across the palestine hotel there were hundreds of state use in baghdad but that they chose it because they wanted it to b

anon has for the exit for the future of the peace effort on the brush. rocks of it's. not a new one big government after announcing a massive rally in the capital tonight against economic policy is a covenant is blamed for its relentless spending all settlement construction on disputed land while ignoring debilitating domestic issues. under a new way of approach has behaved in bahrain and leading to more blonde downs and dissent with dozens of people arrested and being driven to the demonstrations calling for political see the country's our forces crushed a popular uprising last year but they were both calling for less so the royal regime has said rescinded. and up next it's both wide where i'll do no talks with the director of the european organization for new can average such things. hello again or welcome to spotlight the interview show on r t i now do not and today my guess is wrong that russia and europe had reached new heights in scientific operation if everything goes as planned russia will soon become an associate member of the european organizat

is reportedly ready to replace kofi anon as syria on boy with another veteran diplomat. this while the u.s. and its allies seek new ways to pressure to mask is outside the framework of the you werent ellerey clinton is in turkey for a tall as both countries seek out more loopholes to funnel support to the armed rebels in syria. a major israeli newspaper says television could strike iran a soon as november after failing to convince the us that sanctions and diplomacy are not working washington says all options are on the table including force but has warned israel an alternative to unilaterally. next the cheap fuel which comes at a high price for the americans whose homes set up a gas gold mine. forty acres and nineteen ninety three and decided it would be a great place to find my build a home and retire. i am fifteen aeration my great great grandfather homesteaded here. let's go let's go to gates that way was killed but he won't go a mile. sarah gone and gone. we have three hundred head of al a come down on the high country there in current of leap year. from a fourth ge

anon quit and frustration here's artie's peter oliver. it's not a job many people would have wanted you think but considering the situation. in syria but it's that lakhdar brahimi will be taking over from kofi annan as the next special envoy on the syrian crisis now the seventy eight year old former algerian foreign minister does have pedigree when it comes to dealing with serious conflicts he was instrumental in forming a peace in the late one nine hundred eighty s. in the lebanese civil war in two thousand and one he was sent by the u.n. as the envoy to afghanistan as the united states invaded the country following nine eleven he was again sent to iraq in two thousand and three for the invasion of that country representing the u.n. on that occasion but it's also interesting to look at what type of an envoy he will be kofi annan quite openly spoke to both the syrian rebels and the assad government that if we look a little bit better he means personal life his personal contacts we might see a different approach from him but he's daughter

anon steps down. the trial of anti putin punk band pussy riot divides the country the three women could get seven years behind bars for hooliganism after performing in the stands in russia's main cathedral in february. and violent crackdowns on regime demos escalate in the gulf states but the world stays silent on the long running on the run. and soldier were killed in saudi arabia on friday while dozens were injured in clashes in. the u.s. is considered by many to be a place of piloting standards but critics claim the notion of general wealth and well being is just an illusion a leading a u.n. health economist and renowned americans to titian now explains the social and financial ills of his country. in the promised land of stars and stripes us presidents have always reminded citizens how lucky they are and where people of every background can work hard and we want to serve drinks the old fashioned american dream. yes we did just this i don't call it america is an exceptional nation of freedom and op

anon will be a lot of dark brahimi a seventy eight year old veteran diplomat among his previous titles is the foreign minister of algeria and curiously it's an interesting selection for several reasons first of all we do know that in the past this man has served as u.n. envoy to iraq and afghanistan where of course as we're well aware the conflicts and the violence continue and also his daughter actually a former employee at c.n.n. . is married to a family to a royal member of the jordanian royal family and of course this is important in the in the sense that we know that this is a country that's been accused of supporting the armed groups on the ground so this is quite an interesting twist we're going to have to wait and see what kind of approach this man takes but we do know that he has already said that he would like a different official title from kofi annan because he doesn't want to be seen as somebody just filling his shoes he believes that kofi annan approach was a failure and he wants a different mandate and a different name so we're going to have to wait and see how this man

envoy to syria says his questioning with kofi anon blaming the international community's failure to unite to find a peaceful solution to the conflict this comes as the bottle for the syrian city of aleppo is about to enter its main phase according to figure. while the mainstream wastes and media coverage of the conflict has brought relations of violence from some in syria rebel atrocities are going to launch your own report while the lion the blame for the killing is being placed on skates. on the controversial trial of members a women's punk band charged over onto a government stunt on the main altar that's the federal and moscow is to hear explanations for their cues to and those with us to replace arrived members are due to begin proceedings the defense. next step exclusively speaks to weaken legs whistleblowers mother christina song about the fight for her son and america's role in the pros. thank you very much christine perhaps for being here today with us in this show. just to start how do you feel about the work that your son has done and the effect that it's had on the rod on and

all modes that have been due to discuss a replacement for peace envoy kofi anon. members of the russian female punk group mostly ride away their verdict at turnaround time to the stunt and the country's main seadrill in a trial that divided the nation prosecutors are demanding three years jail for the women but the final verdict expected on friday. an egyptian forces killed seven suspected militants in a massive operation launched after an attack that left sixteen border guards dead to me increasingly violence in our region cairo's deploying extra troops tanks and weaponry to the area while destroying many struggling tunnels into gaza. thanks to all the latest from the world of sports with paul. thank you very much karen welcome along to the sports headlines here's what's coming up still at counting girls the south today is russia's most successful day of the olympics so far the country continues to add to its tally on the final day of competition. on a stoppable reigning russian football champions in eastern petersburg the net biggest win over title rivals moscow

anon quit the u.n. then voted over well overwhelmingly to. demby syria violence but moscow called it biased or only pressuring the regime tact journalist neil clark says the peace framework is being deliberately. trying to bring peace to syria but unfortunately being undermined every step of the way by the western powers basically don't want to see a peaceful solution to this crisis because we understand what's going on until we realize that struck to russia and china has to be simple because if you think back to point one of these peace plan was that there would be a syrian led solution to this crisis what would have the west been do they beat back the rebels all the way along the key plays in all of this of the u.s. and its allies because there won't stoke the fires you know we had a vote back in february for a democratic constitution syria censorious vote yes to free elections that were made so there is a framework to solve this peacefully we don't need violence you there's no reason but of course am

and negotiators of this conflict did agree to the six point peace plan in geneva which was drafted by kofi anon and this plan signed by all of the members including the west says that there needs to be a peaceful process which should include the formation of a transition government where the sides need to sit down for negotiations with each other to pick the representatives that will form this transitional government and russia insists that the west namely should not continue any sort of militarization of the opposition armed groups on the ground and this remains here at a time when we are hearing the armed groups on the ground say that if they stop getting and don't get enough support from the west they might join forces with al qaeda and of course that would create a whole different level of catastrophe on the ground right artie's an associate in new york talking to us through that developing story. now let's take a brief look at some other stories from around the world eighteen people have reportedly been killed in south africa after police opened fire on striking workers at a platinum

syria they decide it's impossible i let those escalating as international peace efforts stumble with kofi anon heading for the exit and the un has slammed its own security council fold failing to unite and walk out a solution to the syrian crisis. the trial of the russian punk group pussy riot evokes a chorus of responses from also sound politicians from all around the world the three members could spend up to seven days in prison for performing an anti brutal stunt in the country's main all to expose the trail. around on to the regime prowse has sought gatherings also in the gulf region saudi arabia's crown down on the descent into claiming more lives while dozens have been arrested and intraday in bahrain where demonstrators demanded more freedoms from a small. now the u.s. is considered by many to be a place of high living standards but critics claim the notion of general wells and well being is an illusion and he talks to these in you on health economist and renowned american statistician dr howard friedman for his views on these social and financial ills of his country. in the promis

anon six steps peace plan russia never supported regime change in syria it reiterates that the gist of the problem remains the same that the key players are continuing to separate words from deeds because on paper we're seeing seemingly the international community calling for peace talks and for a peaceful resolution to the crisis yet that is not so much the case in reality take a listen to those who insist that the sma should be terminated they do not want this do not want this objective information and they have some other things in mind rather than stopping the weapons and the political accommodation russia has also said that if the international community is interested in a peaceful process in syria you one observers are very useful on the ground but we did hear from the french ambassador who is currently holding the rotating presidency of the security council the you want to serve his mission will and on august nineteenth and for now with one month to go kofi annan. said to leave behind his sixty peace plan which for now has proven to be ineffective the peace plan called of cou

anon it was finally giving the rebels the means they needed to win on the ground ok mommy what do you think about that get it over with ok just kill people go ahead. well look i mean it only has been one year in london. i mean the west can of course intervene that's always an option i don't think it's an option right now i don't think that's in the cards but the west can intervene the west can topple bashar assad if it wants to but i'm afraid you know what will happen is the opposition will find out that it's actually a somewhat of a pyrrhic victory because. the downfall of bashar assad may precipitate the disintegration of syria as a unitary state and i've always predict that this is that almost a year ago that if a scholer said felt that he was about to fall from power i think he will resort to his own community to our community they are a majority in the coastal areas and they're likely to go their own way you've got the druze in the south also over the kurds also gearing up for some sort of autonomy or self-government. also got a number of flood of cleavage within syrian society r

well it's become quite obvious since kofi anon of resignation on thursday that the international community remains pretty much just a split as they were ahead of agreeing on a non six point peace plan as we remember of course the plan included actually left open assad's role in the syrian crisis calling for the syrian people to form a trans a transitional government including both sides of the conflict but really the second that announced that he's stepping down we have started hearing loud cheers from the u.s. and the west again now for the syrian president to step down calling for regime change and of course we've seen russia and china key players at the security council at the united nations vetoing any term any sort of tax that includes the language of regime change so this position remains key there is still this major division that we have just this latest example is this resolution just posset the united nations general assembly so a lot of work lies ahead at the united nations for members to try to find a unified position and of course the other big question will next peace process

afghanistan made the statement during his first public speech since accepting the job previous envoy kofi anon abandon the mission due to a lack of international support for his initiatives and increasing violence in syria's protracted civil war. all right do stay with r.t. i'll be back with a recap of our main stories shortly. more news today violence is once again flared up. these are the images the world has been seeing from the streets of canada. giant corporations are on the day. wealthy british style stock. that's not on the. market why not come to. find out what's really happening to the global economy with mike stronger for a no holds barred look at the global financial headlines tune into cars a report on. my name is richard davis i'm an architectural photographer from london and i've been traveling in russia for the last ten years on a project fed rough wooden chair choose obviously i fell in love with the trenches they are extraordinary ok it's a beautiful opiates and the church is is a religious monumental obviously but it's also an object of wonder you know it's something tha

envoy to syria says his quitting with kofi anon blaming the international community is they did to unite to find a peaceful solution to the conflict this comes as their basile for the syrian city of aleppo is about to escalate according to the gulag. while foreign media coverage of the conflict has criticized as inconsistent by some syrians rebel atrocities are launch me under pool so that while the lion's share of the blame for the killing is being placed on the. controversial trial of members a women's plan chaunged over ninety pretend stunt in the main also thinks that the jewel in moscow is to explanations for their feast noise to the three piece arrived members on to present to france arguments today. and up next right now piece about in his gas discussed the true value of nato on the global political scene stay with us. and you. still. want to. follow in welcome to cross talk a little about nato and its critical crossroads and its summit in chicago this military alliance decided many things in principle like ending the occupation of afghanistan but reality is very different fundame

anon quit the un then vowed voted overwhelmingly to condemn the syrian violence but moscow called it biased for only pressuring the regime to act journalist neil clark says the peace framework is being deliberately undermined. trying to bring peace to syria but unfortunately undermined every step of the way by the western powers basically don't want to see these crises because. we understand what's going on until we realize that struck to russia and china has pretty simple if you think back to point one of these peace plan was that there would be a syrian led solution to this crisis what were the west been doing then they'd be backing rebels all the way along the key plays in all of this of the us and it's our eyes because they're the ones stoking the fires you know we had a vote back in february for a democratic constitution series make sense you're smoking yes to the free elections that were made so there is a framework to solve this peaceably we don't need promises it is no reason but of course america wants a violent regime change all they care about is to present a sad that's wh

anon we're waiting to see still who this person is going to be but russia insist what's important is the roadmap that was set up at the geneva meeting continues to be followed russia says that the countries that insist on the military zation behind closed doors should stick to the agreements that were agreed on such as creating a transitional government and for this the parties need to keep talking tomorrow and meeting at a level at the united nations security council again thank you they are. in new york for that update. right just to remind you if you're just joining the breaking news story this hour julian assange has been granted political asylum by ecuador two months after taking refuge at the country's embassy in london as foreign minister made the announcement saying the whistleblowers fears of being politically pesky q did for releasing secret u.s. piles are justified he added that neither the u.k. sweden provided any guarantees that a sundress human rights would be respected if he was extradited to stockholm and that further prosecution in the us remained a genuine danger th

anon quit and on the same day it was revealed that president obama all theorized aid to syria's rebels author and historian gerald horne says western states never wanted a peaceful solution to the conflict. it's well known that washington basically has perfected the idea of a two truck foreign policy that is to say on the one hand you talk in smile when the other hand and mike in the back that's basically what's happening in syria all of this blather about negotiations with the regime is no more than that either they would like to see regime change although as usual i don't think washington has caught up with the consequences that is to say that there is a real danger that al-qaeda like forces will be coming to power sooner rather than later in damascus and then washington will be faced with a replay of what it was up to engineer in afghanistan where it helped to engineer the coming to power of the taliban which opened the door to gain influence of there which led to the tragedy of september eleventh two thousand and one events unfolding on the streets of syria seem to be laid bare on

country's biggest city of aleppo foreign ministers were to discuss a new envoy to syria to replace kofi anon who quit earlier this month he won chief ban ki moon has backed the presence of international monitors in syria as the current observers mandate runs out in a week's time this is foreign powers led by the us are piling more pressure on damascus bypassing the when washington. they have set up a joint group to facilitate regime change the u.s. and its allies have also pledged even more multimillion dollar support for the syrian rebels with london being the latest to weigh in but the international powers having little unity over syria those working in the country's public sector are fearing for their lives reports. it's a fixture in any public office in syria whether you buy tickets or get a driving license president assad will be watching over those working here it's not a political statement rather a sign that that company belongs to the state your design is now becoming a death mark for an increasing number of state employees. but. this call in the middle of the night cost him a

the decisive battle for aleppo is escalating as international peace suffer a stumble with mediator kofi anon heading for the exit and the un has slammed its own security council for failing to unite and work out a solution to the syrian crisis and. the trial of the russian punk group pussy riot evokes a chorus of responses from artists town politicians from all around the world the three members could spend up to seven years in prison for performing and stand in the country's main orthodox cathedral. and the regime protests are gathering force in the gulf region saudi arabia's crackdown on dissent is claiming more lives while dozens have been arrested and injured while praying for demonstrators demand more freedoms from its monarchy the u.s. is considered by many to be a place of high living standards but critics claim the notion of general wealth and well being is just an illusion archie talks now to a leading un health economist and renowned americans to titian dr howard friedman for his views on the social and financial ills of his country. in the promised land of stars and stripes u

anon so the idea that somehow we're sabotaging this is ridiculous will be i mean here is i heard anyone say in the let me let me ask amy also if syria you will really understand that he wants to support these claims you know one thing to say the moment you come on here well you know to just lie then i think we are a lot of things we disagree on this program that's why we're doing it ok but her when secretary clinton says assad must go i mean how does that help the peace process. it helps the peace process and because there are been roughly twelve thousand people that have been killed on the streets of syria and if you ask those people would you like to see assad go the answer would be yes and if you had if you were to poll the syrians fairly that would be the response you get as well so it's perfectly clear that if you have someone who is butchering his own people yes he must go he must go largely because and whatever they are human right the way should an army would have been and i write in boston come on did. you know that johnny and i just joined for as it turns out as it turned out