of terrorists or from islamic state is somewhere near and we'll be waiting for more updates from both the syrian army and the russian the russian air force the russian me. tree that of course have been helping the syrian government troops on the ground with their airstrikes certainly major news coming out of syria over the last few minutes thanks. now in other news the founder of the red crescent in yemen has died in hospital in the capital city of sana'a he was unable to receive vital medical treatment as a result of saudi arabia's blockade of the country dr abdullah. passed away at the age of seventy six after a failed heart operation he was prevented from traveling abroad for surgery in local hospitals like the equipment that would have potentially saved his life a spokesperson for the red cross told us he died as a result of conditions that have killed millions of others in yemen first of all i would like to see what you have. to grow cross and red crescent that don't don't mess us the menu doing is one of life's complete me of yemen and sit down and let you eat it he. is in reaso

this is the centre of raqqa, the very heart, if you like, of the islamic state. naim roundabout is about a few hundred metres away from here. locals call it the circle of hell. saudi arabia is set to lift the ban on women driving. but is the country really on the road to equality? a blow for president trump — voters in alabama choose a hardline christian conservative to contest the state's vacant senate seat for the republicans. a0 years after his death, south africa honours the anti—apartheid activist, steve biko. hello. first for you, an exclusive report on the final stages of the battle for the syrian city of raqqa, last major stronghold of the extremist group the so—called islamic state. the current offensive by arab and kurdish fighters, with american and british support, started in june. then, is controlled most of raqqa. now, only a few hundred militants hold the centre of the city. the bbc is the only broadcaster to gain access to it. our middle east correspondent quentin sommerville and cameraman darren conway sent this. you may find some of the im

this was islamic state's capital but it now feels like cracker is islamic state's graveyard. let's begin this half of outside source by hearing some saudi women reacting to the announcement that they will be able to drive from june next year. translation: i am very, very happy. i have not slept until yesterday because of how happy i am. we have waited years for this to happen. this will help us depend on ourselves and not need anyone to ta ke ourselves and not need anyone to take us. we will not need drivers any more. every woman will be free and independent. over the years, number of women have ignored this driving ban. manal al sharif did it in 2011. she paid a heavy price — she was jailed and lost custody of one of her sons. she lives in australia now — and talked to the bbc earlier. it was catastrophic. my life was not the same after that. i was targeted bya campaign the same after that. i was targeted by a campaign shaming me. the same after that. i was targeted bya campaign shaming me. i the same after that. i was targeted by a campaign shaming me. i lost my job, i

be sacrificed to defeat the islamic state? the so—called islamic state won't last therefore much longer, they are surrounded and losing fighters are a tremendous rate. as many as 30 of them were killed today ina many as 30 of them were killed today in a counterattack. and all across theirformer in a counterattack. and all across their former caliphate, in a counterattack. and all across theirformer caliphate, in in a counterattack. and all across their former caliphate, in a in a counterattack. and all across theirformer caliphate, in a iraq and syria, they are down to a few towns and cities. to all intents and purposes, the caliphate is dead. but the leadership is still intact and their ability to carry out attacks and inspire attacks in britain and europe, that still exists. that is islamic state and it won't easily be bombed out of the system ‘s. islamic state and it won't easily be bombed out of the system 's. thank you. our correspondent in beirut, having been reporting for us in raqqa. jeremy corbyn has confirmed tha

also means constant fear of either being shelled by islamic state or being captured by arsal fighters and right now in. looks like the sea is closer to being broken than ever before at least according to the news that we're getting from the syrian government the army are claiming that they are now approaching the city journalists have been able to contact the governor of their resort and he claims that within the next forty eight hours or so the syrian army will be able to enter the city of. and of course in this case the government is really determined they're confident and no wonder the locals are celebrating we've already received the first pictures of that but here's something for you to understand the suffering that they've been through and these three years of siege. as isis terrorists raided our house my thirteen year old cousin was staying with us i had here in a water tank so that the terrorists didn't take her as a slave it was obvious that. the situation in there is or is catastrophic terrorist from iraq execute civilians in the streets and leave bodies lying there for up t

this is the centre of raqqa, the very heart, if you like, of the islamic state. naim roundabout is about a few hundred metres away from here. locals call it the circle of hell. saudi arabia is set to lift the ban on women driving, but is the country really on the road to equality? a party atmosphere and a strong police presence. russia attempts to strike the right balance ahead of next summer's world cup. keeping the french economy moving. emmanuel macron‘s government lay out its first budget, but will it bring prosperity to all? doubling up the little bird. twitter rolls out an increase in the length of its messages, but will help the company finally post a profit? hello and welcome to bbc news. first, an exclusive report on the final stages of the battle for the syrian city of raqqa, last major stronghold of the extremist group the so—called islamic state. the current offensive by arab and kurdish fighters, with american and british support, started in june. then, is controlled most of raqqa. now, only a few hundred militants hold the centre of the city. th

the very heart, if you like, of the islamic state. the roundabout is about a few hundred metres away from here. locals call it the circle of hell. for these fighters, it is critical territory to retake. but it is much more, than that because it is there that their friends were beheaded, and there they were crucified. when they take that territory, they say, they will cleanse raqqa of the islamic state. but, before the cleansing, more blood has to be spilt. one of the fighters has been shot. is control the rooftops and our men are pinned down. there are almost in panic. they are desperate. their commrade is just out of reach. again an air strike is called in, and this time it works. finally, they can get to him. he is rushed to a field hospital, but he doesn't survive. he was 21 years old. the fighters are exhausted, they've had too many days end like this. translation: we keep going. we will sacrifice our blood for our people inside, because they're having a tough time, a really tough time. yesterday daesh attacked us, with their men

islamic states on the brink in syria we've got exclusive footage from where the terrorists have been pushed back across the euphrates river. taken fifty thousand more. after the previous two year long. iraq increase. in kurdistan are overwhelmingly for independence. good evening welcome you're watching r.t. international start this hour with breaking news to you because nato has admitted an air strike in afghanistan has resulted in civilian casualties a u.s. strike was called to suppress a terrorist attack on kabul airport on wednesday. the afghan crisis response unit responded quickly to confront the attackers and the assault u.s. forces acting in support conducted an air strike tragically one of the missiles malfunctioned causing several casualties or several mortar rounds struck kabul international airport just hours after the u.s. defense secretary and nato secretary general arrived in the afghan capital both the taliban and i still say they were behind the attack at least one civilian was killed and four others were wounded the part of the taliban reportedly said it was targetin

state, so—called islamic state, is defeated in raqqa as well. as we know, it is the capital for the caliphate of this organisation. so the deir al—zour battle is essential for the organisation, the group, so—called islamic state. so we are in a strange situation where different countries and different groups, who don't agree on lots of things, are all fighting the same enemy? absolutely right. and deir al—zour specifically is very important for all priorities. but it is very partitioned. from the west, for example, it's very important for the syrian regime, from the east it is important for the backed opposition, by the umbrella of the american air force. so they say, other people that are watching over this battle, they say it is part of the bigger arrangements between the united states and russia. so, for example, if the syrian regime is coming over the parts the united states doesn't want the syrian regime to come, they might actually strike them. and if the opposition is going a little bit towards the west, where it becomes the south o

like a let's get back to that breaking news is how the syrian army has broken islamic state three year long siege of deer's or in eastern syria russia's defense ministry says the now imminent liberation of the city is to be a major blow to the terror group in the whole country russia has been providing air support for the ongoing offensive. syrian journalist and even him believes that this is in the storage moment for syria. you know. fourteen homes with local climbing almost three hours ago units from the syrian army managed to breach the siege got all the imposed on ourselves by the city of their lives or however there was a military the jungle city is over. other forms of siege continue and they're expected to continue for the next forty eight hours after the army completes its operation from the southern side of the now the siege is over in terms of the mill creek understanding of the military meaning yours that's a huge project too for the people to start to feel the difference it will take another forty eight hours at least three operations until the army he opens the main road i

state because was under syrian government control but it was under seed and lots of islamic state infrastructure that i have mentioned was around their command post communication post so we understand that islamic state commanders were actually there the number of weapons that was stored there we understand that that is actually huge but more importantly if we talk about strategy if we talk about the war logistics there if i still terrorists get kicked out of the dairies or province and we understand that this time around it is imminent rock which used to be the de facto capital of a seismic state the hardest that still remain there they will have nowhere to retreat but again if. talk about the civilians inside deir ez-zor the only way for them to get food medicine other supplies before this crucial day was through air drops and we put together a reminder of how important how dire the day was or siege had been take a look. using support strike by russian aircraft in cruise missiles syrian government forces swiftly to positions improve the siege on the city present units of the syrian army are ex

facto capital of islamic state they will have nowhere to run and here's the russian defense minister with more on that. today there was to teach. which i would call a priority because these feces have been courageously defending it for years now well food medicine and whipping up to them the liberation of the city would be a point in the defeat of isis and so it is getting more evident that the joint efforts by the russian military their air force and the syrian government troops have really taken their toll on islamic state fighters and the area we've put together a reminder of the latest successful military ops airstrikes and advancements in the last few weeks. so let's wait for more news from the day or a store front line at least if we are to believe the syrian army we are going to get them very very soon but we also discussed the future of the war in syria with middle east expert. oh i think it's an exciting poignant moment a real turning point in what we've we've known until this point in the last six years as the syrian war i think come once. the city is taken and the surround

there is air drops that also means constant fear of either being shelled by islamic state or being captured by fighters and right now it looks like the sea is closer to being broken than ever before at least according to the news that we're getting from the syrian government the army are claiming that they are now approaching the city journalists have been able to contact the. governor of arizona and he claims that within the next forty eight hours or so the syrian army will be able to enter the city of. and of course in this case the government is really determined they're confident and no wonder the locals are celebrating we've already received the first pictures of that but here's something for you to understand the suffering that they've been through and these three years of siege. as isis terrorists raided our house my thirteen year old cousin was staying with us i had her in a water tank so that the terrorists didn't take her as a slave it was obvious that. the situation in their resort is catastrophic terrorist from iraq execute civilians in the streets and leave bodies lying there f

for their fighters in rock up the de facto capital of islamic state they will have nowhere to run and here's the russian defense minister with more on that story and today there was to teach you. a priority. have been courageously defending it for years now while food medicine. to the liberation of the city would be a point in the defeat of isis and so it is getting more evident that the joint efforts by the russian military their air force and the syrian government troops have really taken their toll on islamic state fighters and the area we've put together a reminder of the latest successful military ops airstrikes and advancements in the last few weeks. so let's wait for more news from the day or a store front line at least if we are to believe the syrian army we are going to get them very very soon. middle east expert in j. believes the syrian army could be close to a breakthrough in the long running civil. oh i think it's an exciting poignant moment a real turning point in what we've we've known until this point in the last six years as the syrian war think come once. the city is

with islamic states territory in syria crumbling the races on to retake oil fields from the terrorists with russian assistance and the u.s. backed forces both closing in. on the u.n. security council adopt new sanctions against north korea after the resolution was watered down from a stronger u.s. draft. you're watching out international live from studio with me in india today welcome to the program protests have turned violent people have taken to the streets in major cities to vent their anger at the president's labor reforms which come into effect in a week projectiles and flares have been thrown by the crowds. so the protests are being held in several major cities like. say demonstrators promised to run for files in separate strikes and almost two hundred rallies across france correspondent joins us live now from paris ali the unions promise a day of disruption have they did. they have in the atmosphere has definitely changed just an hour ago it was pretty jovial i was in amongst the fun fair protesters clowns entertainers and now we've seen projectiles go off flares being thrown a

as the country's military breaks islamic state see it's all russia's defense minister says liberation would be a major strategic victory over terrorists. the u.s. calls for the toughest possible sanctions against north korea president putin says pyongyang will never give up its nuclear program under such terms. north korea would rather eat grass think give up on the nuclear program. and police in germany . today thoughts were going to go jogging in pay is following a brutal case.

on the streets government forces move in to liberate this city be besieged by islamic state for three. tens of thousands of most. asian country as the minority community struggles against violent states. coming from our international news center here in moscow this is our team you know neal good to have your company our top story this hour the u.s. envoy to the united nations say's the plough must see is failing with north korea and that washington is losing patience nikki haley made the comments during an emergency security council meeting earlier the crisis talks appeared to end of an impasse as the u.s. this miss possible plans for deescalating the crisis. the u.s. has threatened north korea once again saying that kim jong un is begging for war to the members of the security council i must say enough is enough nuclear powers understand their responsibilities kim jong un shows no such understanding his abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats show that he is begging for war. or is never something the united states wants we don't want it now when our country's patience is not

historically it means constant effort on behalf of the islamic state to expand that state or to defend that state. as long as there is a leader or the friends, he has a discretion for the launch of that holy war. >> educated in beirut, he moves to the united states in 1990. he's a senior fellow for democracy and author of future jihad. >> in old centuries, when there was an islamic state, someone like osama bin laden declaring jihad on their own would be in jail. you can't do that. now that there is no islamic state and no empire, osama bin laden and his allies are projecting themselves as a new interest and new killer. >> militant jihadis want to drive infidels, anyone out of the lands where islam reigns for centuries. >>. >> the real objective of the jihadist is to take back of planet earth and reestablish it. >> they are being invaded and occupied by nonmilitants. when they talk about islam, they mean all the lands that have been a part of islam. >> the professor of near eastern studies at the university and one of the world's foremost little east scholars. >> it is the duty of ever

facto capital of islamic state they will have nowhere to run and here's the russian defense minister with more on that story and today there was to teach you. have been courageously defending it for years now well food medicine. to the liberation of the city would be a point in the defeat of isis and so it is getting more evident that the joint efforts by the russian military their air force and the syrian government troops have really taken their toll on the islamic state fighters and the area we've put together a reminder of the latest successful military ops airstrikes and advancements in the last few weeks. so let's wait for more news from the day or a store front line at least if we are to believe the syrian army we are going to get them very very soon. let's get some expert analysis now on cross former pentagon official michael maloof might be very welcome to the program what's your take on this latest information the syrian government say it is close to recapturing juries or could it be a major turning point in the conflict finally. oh yes the takeover of stores going to be ma

breaking news this hour the syrian army backed by russia reportedly three year long islamic state. russian president vladimir putin says north korea will not abandon its nuclear program unless it feels safe. to the media during the final day of the break summit. the north koreans would rather eat grass than give up on the nuclear program. speaks exclusively to the deputy chief of the lebanese military group hezbollah and its battle against terrorists in syria. you're watching international start this hour with breaking news to you because the syrian army has reportedly broken. or in eastern syria that's according to local media after government forces united with a brigade trapped inside the city since it was besieged by terrorists three years ago with me now is trying to talk a bit more about this this is breaking news reports just coming in but what's the latest that we understand this happened andrew good afternoon well all these conflicting reports i should say because we still don't know for sure. state. has been programmed it's about the latest results in this ongoing push by

now elsewhere in europe a man suspected of recruiting islamic state fighters and planning attacks has been arrested in belgium spanish authorities have confirmed belgian police detained a twenty six year old spanish national of moroccan origin he is suspected to be the head of an islamic state recruitment cell but this is just the latest in a string of similar cases across europe an earlier investigation did find a terrorist cell linked to last month's attacks in barcelona and also cam brill's revealing the preacher police say was behind the atrocities he died the day before those attacks when a house being used as a bomb factory exploded another case uncovered the man known as eyesores ambassador who is now on trial in germany he is accused of having inspired several terror attacks in the country including the christmas market attack last year peter oliver has been following the developments. hiding his face in court he's also known for turning his back to the camera during his recordings called the faceless preacher he go. by several names more commonly known as abu allah were last

the hands of islamic state. a devastating hurricane. businesses in the affected areas face criticism over the prices. are starting midday here thanks for joining us on r.t. international we have new. the u.n. security council has adopted new sanctions against north korea the latest resolution prohibits the purchase for example of textiles from the country it also restricts the hiring of north koreans as foreign workers plus the document puts a cap on pyongyang's oil imports but this is an enormous step back from what was originally proposed by the u.s. in new york and explains. this is a very different resolution than the draft that was circulated by the united states the original draft of the resolution that the u.s. circulated have actually called for a full oil and natural gas embargo against the d.p. r. k. forbidding north korea from importing any oil or natural gas well the resolution that just passed is far different simply caps the amount of oil and natural gas that north korea can import now the original draft that was being cir

also with islamic states territory in syria crumbling now the race is on to retake the oil fields from the terrorists with russian assisted and u.s. bank forces both closing in. getting to my name is the harvey you're watching international and we will start this hour with breaking news north korea says that washington will be fully to blame for any response that decides to give to a new u.n. sanctions speaking at a news conference the d p r case envoy to russia accuse the u.s. of using the u.n. security council to isolate pyongyang. ok let's get more on the story now from our correspondent in the cochon of issues in central moscow do you know what that has little for an envoy then had to say. well neil just as you mentioned speaking at a news conference so b.n. north korea's envoy to russia accused the united states using the u.n. security council as an instrument to isolate. the latest sanctions imposed by the u.n. security council a result of the he miss u.s. attempts to isolate and suffocate our country they are a blatant violation of our sovereignty that's why we totally reject an

to defeat what is called islamic state. the significant role that kurdish fighters have played in the role against the islamic state group, how much is this seen as the kurdish political leaders trying to capitalise on that? they have been making very big use of the peshmerga kurdish fighters. this is because they have been laying a leading role in the fight against so—called islamic state. —— playing. without the leading role of the peshmerga, the leading role of the peshmerga, the fight against islamic state would not have been taking place. the iraqi army, the shia forces taking place under the iraqi army, played a big role in battles recently but the peshmerga has been playing a 60% role in the first six months of this battle against so—called islamic state. so kurdistan is capitalising on this because all of this has been working towards this referendum. british mps are holding a key vote on the government's eu repeal bill. bbc scotland's political correspondent tweeted this as the debate began... three hours t

islamic states claims it was behind the manchester terror attack by the. front so kill the priest every time a terrorist attack happens all these people are out there screaming to go ice is so bad someone needs to do something against them and for me was like yeah why don't. you. know. that if you. check if. i was going to get. a message let me show. manufacture consent to public will. when the ruling closest to protect themselves.

there as zoar is a city that has been able to survive a total toll siege by islamic state for some three years and that means that the only way to deliver food in there is air drops that also means constant fear of either being shelled by islamic state or being captured by eisel fighters and right now it looks like the sea is closer to being broken than ever before at least according to the news that we're getting from the syrian government the army are claiming that they are now approaching the city journalists have been able to contact the governor of arizona and he claims that within the next forty eight hours or so the syrian army will be able to enter the city of. and of course in this case the government is really determined they're confident and no wonder the locals are celebrating we've already received the first pictures of that but here's something for you to understand the suffering that they've been through in these three years of siege. as isis terrorists raided our house my thirteen year old cousin was staying with us i hit her in a water tank so that the terrorists didn't

syrian government forces with russian support retake or to find an area held by islamic state in the city of. paving the way for its liberation it follows the lifting of the terror group's three year long siege there earlier this week. the russian president say's munting pressure on young well known soul of the north korean crisis. let's not be driven by emotion and push north korea into a corner. one pm in new york six and me being in london on just after eight pm here in moscow you're with r t international alone welcome we begin with breaking news from afghanistan where a suicide bomber has blown himself up in front of. his main military site in the country now the attack reportedly comes after a leaflet thought to be offensive to muslims was distributed in the area well for more on this i'm joined by our count hi there samir what are we learning about this attack. well a suicide bomber detonated explosives at baghran air base in afghanistan u.s. military forces have confirmed a small number of casualties but the exact number remains unknown at the moment the bombing occurred only

results celebrates as government forces closed in on removing islamic state from one of its last strongholds in the country. in the united states george curatorial with a massive military response bridgeboro. and overwhelming washington isn't ruling out using its own nuclear capabilities if north korea continues to threaten the u.s. or it found lies that's not the pyongyang confirms it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. and ferrying persecution tens of thousands of muslims in myanmar flee the asian country as the minority community struggles against violent oppression by the state's own party. there this is r.t. international broadcasting to you live from moscow and mickey aaron good to have you with us we start with breaking news this hour syrian government forces are closing in on i still positions near the city of de vore one of the groups last strongholds in the country and to discuss this further i'm joined in the studio by trying to if successful this would be a significant victory over islamic state within. again well first of all there is a city that has been able to survive a tota

i guess we should call it personnel the fighters of islamic state we cannot call them personnel perhaps terrorists but yes there were many terrorists destroyed in that attack besides this as the syrian artillery and as the troops on the ground war advancing towards the walls of deir ez-zor according to the russian military the terrorists were trying to stop these advancements to prevent them from happening with the number of suicide car bombs and there were at least fifty according to the russian army but in turn these vehicles were destroyed by the russian air strikes in the area that's what we're hearing from the russian army these are the latest details that are emerging the latest details of that massive military that has now led to the break to break in the wall kate around. rapidly developing situation thankfully it was trying to get there let's get some more details and we can speak with danny makki he's a syrian commentator and i think he's with us now good afternoon tea thanks for coming on russia's defense ministry says the liberating would abrasion of the whole of the result

syrian government forces with russian support retake a key fortified area held by islamic state in the city of derrius or paving the way for its liberation comes following the lifting of the terror group's three year long sea. the russian president says mounting pressure on pyongyang will not solve the north korea crisis. let's not be driven by emotion and push north korea into a corner. and german chancellor angela merkel is pelted with tomatoes during an election campaign rally police and i looking for those responsible. well can watching our international start this hour with breaking news to you because an anti terror operation is underway in paris two men have been arrested after a bomb making material was found in an apartment in a suburb of the french capital they have been charged with a terror plot to blow up a church police found ingredients for explosives and also gas canisters well swear police in spain and morocco have arrested six men two suspected of having links to islamic state five of the suspects reportedly spanish and one moroccan the spanish interior ministry says

syrian government forces with russian support free take a key fortified area held by islamic state and he says he. paving the way for its liberation that comes following the lifting of the terror groups three year long sea which also this hour the russian president wanting pressure on pyongyang will not solve the north korea crisis. let's not be driven by emotion and push north korea into a corner. and rested on suspicion of crossing a terror attack during raids in the paris suburbs it follows the tension of six suspected arson affiliates by spanish a moroccan authorities. hello there will be watching our international start this hour with that breaking news because from afghanistan because a suicide bomber has reportedly blown himself up in front of air base the united states main military base in the country the number of casualties is currently unclear although local sources say as many as four people may have been injured in the taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack it does come after a u.s. military leaflet caused outrage among locals for containing material insulting

syrian government forces with russian support free taking fortified area held by islamic state in the city of paving the way for its liberation becomes following the lifting of the terror group's three year long siege. the russian president says mounting pressure on pyongyang will not solve the north korea crisis. let's not be driven by emotion and push north korea into a corner. and two men were arrested on suspicion of terror attack during raids in the paris suburbs it follows the detention of six suspected arson affiliates by spanish. authorities. there at six o'clock in the russian capital watching international. syrian government forces backed by russia have recaptured a large fortified area held by islamic state in the city and. well after retaking the position syrian troops found a network of tunnels containing weapons medical supplies and food and it's also emerged that the area was mainly defended by terrorists from the former soviet republics and also russia on tuesday a russian more ship targeted the militants there helping the syrian army storm the fortress. of the latest

with islamic states territory in syria crumbling the race to retake oil fields from the terrorists with russian assisted and u.s. bank forces both closing in. r.t. and. north korea says that washington will be fully to blame for the response it decides to give to new u.n. sanctions speaking at a news conference that d.p. r. k. is envoy to russia accused of using the un security council to isolate that's after a new resolution on tougher measures against state was adopted unanimously in new york got more details from our correspondents and the dean of. speaking at a news conference said the north korea shan forty two russia accused the u.s. of using the security council as an instrument to isolate feeling on. the latest sanctions imposed by the u.n. security council a result of the heating this u.s. attempts to isolate and suffocating talk country. place in violation of our sovereignty that's why we totally reject and condemn these sanctions he also added that washington is trying to shift the blame for instigating townshend's on the korean peninsula is sad that so the u.s. is wrong if i

syrian soldiers rejoice break islamic states three year long siege of terrorists defense ministers. liberation of the area will drive the final nail in the coffin of ice in syria. also while the us calls for the toughest possible sanctions against north korea president putin. will never give up its nuclear program under such terms in north koreans would rather eat grass than give up on then you could a program. in germany spark rage they had volleys women to go jogging purse following a brutal rape case. around the clock across the world this is r.t. international from the team myself you know neal welcome to the program we begin to breaking news this hour the syrian army has broken islamic states three year long siege of dairies or in eastern syria. right now i was. here you can see the moment the troops cut off. long been waiting for the defense ministry ses the no imminent liberation of the city is a major blow to the terror group in the country has been providing support with. i. play. more now on the latest developments in syria. this is of course the long awaited news on the a

government forces move in to liberate the city it's been besieged by islamic state for. tens of thousands of muslims in. asian country as the minority community struggles against a violent state oprah. just after nine pm this monday night here in moscow welcome to our international my names you know neal your company our top story. the u.s. envoy to the united nations say yes washington's patients with north korea is not unlimited nikki haley made the comments during an emergency security council meeting earlier it appeared to end in deadlock in the u.s. this miss possible plunks for deescalating the crisis. the u.s. has threatened north korea once again saying that kim jong un is begging for war to the members of the security council i must say enough is enough nuclear powers understand their responsibilities kim jong un shows no such understanding his abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats show that he is begging for war. war is never something the united states wants we don't want it now but our country's patience is not unlimited ambassador haley's comments

it is known as the last major stronghold for the islamic state. tonight, an exclusive report from the final stages of the battle in the syrian city of raqqa. the offensive, led by arab and kurdish fighters, along with american and british support, started in june. at that time, i.s. controlled most of raqqa. the bbc is the only broadcaster to gain access to the heart of the stronghold in syria. quentin sommerville and sentaman darren summer way this report. this is a war of annihilation, says the united states. raqqa is the battleground and the victim. the coalition targeting fighters of the so-called islamic state. more than 5000 hit raqqa last year alone. an entire city has become a no man's land. no life, no people. for years, i.s. terrorized the streets. now, hundreds of those who called raqqa home have been killed by coalition bombs meant to free them. the u.s. led coalition disputes the figure and says this is the most precise bombing campaign in history. the men of the kurdish-led democratic forces are winning. i.s. promised a new empire wo

to break away and establish an islamic state. we're there when the general takes a call from the frantic wife of a hostage. if she doesn't pay ransom, the terrorists say they'll behead him. but there's a strict no ransom policy. isis didn't pioneer the notion of violently establishing an international islamic state, or caliphate. muslim extremists in mindanao have been conducting a terrorist campaign for an independent islamic state since the 1970's. gene yu: we've had reports and information coming in that there's been foreign fighters from saudi, from yemen, et cetera, down in mindanao for four years now. sharyl: gene yu is a former green beret with u.s. special forces, supporting philippine troops fighting the terrorists. he now helps run a private security firm here. he says with isis losing its footing in iraq and syria, seasoned fighters fleeing the mideast are now showing up in the philippines, where there are many sympathizers. gene yu: these guys are battle-hardened fighters or terrorists that have survived essentially t

the islamic state is adapting to that reality some people would say the islamic state is reversing to how they use to be when we used to call them out qaeda in iraq back during the us occupation and then. that tactics really what that of an insurgency plenty of suicide attacks plenty of bold actions and as the iraqi government said we may well see more thought that was something that. the former leader of isis up most of the car we've really push now the current lead up by daddy he's focused on holding territory but as they lose that. we may see a move back to their old tactics. and staying with the rug for a moment the opponent in kurdistan has admits the first time in two years and they decided to hold an independence referendum on the to gathered in the small village in the province of nineveh. hope a referendum on kurdish independence scheduled a non picked two weeks time goes ahead as planned. despite mounting pressure from the government in baghdad. i'm sure the kurdish people will vote for the independence of kurdistan from iraq. what would you sure over other people all over t

states the last remaining strongholds in the country. government divisions are now trying to reunite with the troops that have been trapped in the city since if fell to islamic state three years ago you can see here on the map that the syrian army with russian backing has made some significant gains over the past month advancing towards the besieged city. mckinney's you know i'm sure you know sort of what he's doing to the. dog that are without a job at the bottom. of this hopefully the victory will be saying well how did your happiness today is indescribable what has been waiting for the army for a long time to make gold. i wish you had come earlier but people here are exhausted . and just the last day the army has gained eight kilometers securing strategic positions on the way russian fighter jets have been assisting with strikes destroying tanks and other to vehicles at least seventy terrorists have been killed before the pens are going to fish says syria still faces some major challenges. i resort today represents the last thirty six

with islamic states territory in syria crumbling the race is on to retake oil fields from the terrorists with russian assisted and u.s. backed forces both closing in. and the u.n. security council adopts new sanctions against north korea after the resolution was watered down from a stronger u.s. draft. watching altie international live from moscow studio with me to do it today welcome to the program protests have turned violent in paris where people have taken to the streets to vent their anger at the president's labor reforms which come into effect in a week four thousand separate strikes and almost two hundred rallies major cities across the country from north to kneel and must say projectiles and flares have been thrown by the crowds. he's been following one of the crowds in paris. quite. all the way. yeah. yeah they are and if you can describe protests the way that hollywood movies are rated well it started off as a bit of a disney film of a protest it was all very and then it turned into a bit of an eighty project things got pretty hairy and violent some police to the teeth of respo

forces are said to be close to liberation the city which has been under siege by islamic state for three years residents of the city have been on the streets celebrating the military said but i. i i well as you can see on the map here the syrian army is now only a few kilometers away from here is all they've secured a room to attack the terrorist controlled part of the city government forces have been advancing rapidly in the. gained eight kilometers in the last twenty four hours or so securing strategic positions along the way russian fighter jets supporting government forces have destroyed tanks and also armored vehicles seventy terrorists have been killed with more details is. there as zoar is a city that has been able to survive a total toll siege by islamic state for some three years and that means that the only way to deliver food medicine there is air drops that also means constant fear of either being shelled by islamic state or being captured by eisel fighters and right now it looks like the sea is closer to being broken than ever before at least according to the news that we're

results celebrates as government forces close in on removing islamic state from one of its last strongholds in the country. and it's really the united states george territory will be met with a massive military response responsible. and overwhelming washington isn't ruling out using its own nuclear capabilities if north korea continues to threaten the u.s. or its allies start to pyongyang confirms it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. and fearing persecution tens of thousands of muslims in myanmar leave the asian country as the minority community struggles against violent oppression by the state so far exceeds. their estimate day here in the russian capital and you're watching r.t. international with me nicky erin and we start with breaking news this hour the syrian government forces are closing in on i still positions to the city of d.d.r. resort one of the groups that last strongholds in the country a lot easier to train joins me now in the studio to see to discuss this further. this would be quite a significant victory wouldn't it make you afternoon well first of all dare is zoar it is