A very warm welcome to the program from all of us here at r t h q in moscow. Thanks for joining us for your global news update this hour. We start with breaking news from a conference between the Russian Foreign minister and international journalists. Sergey lavrov has suggested that russian opposition leader, i would say the volley, who was poisoned, allegedly with, you know, a choke nerve agent in august may have been targeted outside his home country. Just know when you have every reason to believe that what happened to him in terms of Chemical Warfare agents getting into his body could have happened in germany were on the plane. And when she was flown to the charity hospital, were joined now in the studio again by artist maria from the ocean for all the latest on this. But if we can go back to the beginning real quick, not only initially fell sick back in august and that was on a flight from siberia to moscow. Can you break down the chain of events for us . Yes, youre absolutely right to say that it happened back in august. Mr. Vali felt terribly ill while on the plane back from his siberian trip. He was very ill then the jat had to make an Emergency Landing in the russian city of tomsk. And at the moment when the jet landed, they were already on the run away and he was immediately taken to hospital. He was already unresponsive, and he went in a deep coma and he was on ventilator already at that time. And the russian doctors repeatedly confirmed that there was no any toxic substance found in mr. You or in blood samples. But his family and his supporters were very quick to say that the violence was poisoned and they started pointing at the russian authorities and they started pushing the russian doctor is to allow violence transportation. They were saying that he is in danger. If he stays in russia, be dangerous for him. And as soon as the russian doctor is allowed these transportation, he was taken to berlin. And actually between that, a group of german doctors came to russia to the hospital where mr. Divinely was to sam and he and they confirmed that serious condition, but the family is ready to take all responsibility for his transportation. Think he could be transported in the russian authorities, made it clear they are ready to help this happen because you remember they were many restrictions because of the pen dad made the borders were closed. And this is how mr. Vantine and in the german clinic. So thats where theyre at that point, he made his way to berlin, to the clinic and was treated there. And thats the question we have right now, because we have from the foreign minister, the Russian Foreign minister saying today that there is a possibility that he actually just did or was somehow given the toxin on the plane or once he was already in germany, take us through what he said today, mr. La grove said, if we accept that there was a chemical nerve agent involved, maybe it happened on a plane or in germany. And i think he says that because russian doctors, again, they repeatedly confirm that there was no any talks, exceptions found. Mr. Violates bloody urine samples. So i guess Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is just trying to, to understand how surprisingly like nobody cood appearing all this story. Because as soon as mr vali was transported to berlin, we started hearing about this before that, it was not even like on the table this option. Then we didnt only hear that from germany, but also from france and sweden and russia was very quickly accused of using a banned nerves. And very quickly, they prepared a package of economic sanctions against russia. And it was supported by the whole all of you. And today we heard from russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, that russia is preparing a no actually, he said, russia prepared already. Sanctions in respond to that against germany and france. It is difficult for me to understand the motives of our german partners. I already told this to hook among us, and i can repeat this. Its not a secret that we see how germany took the role of a leader in the new escalation of relations with the russian federation. There will of course be a response to the sanctions. And since germany was the driving force behind these e. U. Sanctions over the nevaeh in the case. And since these sanctions directly affect high ranking stouffers of the russian president s administration, we will respond in kind well, as you can see, it seems the tensions are boiling around of this whole situation. Because russia has repeatedly saying that it is open for cooperation. It was on so many occasions, denied to get access of into documents and added an islamist lopper of repeated today that russias involvement was never solidly proved. So why we have sanctions now, if we dont even have a solid basis for that. So we had germany, we had france, we had sweden, we had the obesity w all saying that was poisoned with nobody choke. But as you were saying, russia kept asking to share the data to look at the data that they were that they had produced. Proving that, and it was never given to them. What did russia have to say after all of that . Well, the thing is that the p. C. Used the samples provided by it is very, is that if you found something in those samples, of course the o. P. C. W. Will find that substance in these samples as well. But the question is, i mean, how accurate these samples are sane . Russian doctor is never found any toxic material in any sample of mr. Devine, and another like weird situation with the p. C. W. Is that russia repeatedly going to zation to provide documents and evidence again to get access to these samples and to these documents. But russia was always denied. And also, if you remember russia invited the p. C. W xperience to come to russia and to like to do whatever they want. I mean, to examine, to prove to investigate. But they never came to russia. And i think weve been hearing about that for a month already. And they never visited russia, and now we hear from russias permanent representative to you when that russia is considering leaving these organization. I will be blunt, the o. P. C. W. s technical secretary. This is increasingly turning into a tool in the west. Hams, which is being used to exert informational and political pressure on countries that fail to toe the line. This conclusion is backed up by the watch dogs involvement in the russian campaigns earlier with the screen case and now with the alleged, poisoning of alexina valmy. Imagine we were to leave the o. P. C. W. , the reaction would probably be Something Like q. E. D. But if the organization ends up losing all its authority and becomes just a body rubber stamping decisions against regimes that fail to toe the line, then we may have to consider this option. But were not making any rash moves in this direction yet. As you can see, the story in very serious now with russia saying it is considering the option of, leaving the o. P. C. W. And russia preparing sanctions against germany and france. But again, as mr. Lavrov said today russia is just responding to all these circus the, this is how he described this whole situation around the valleys alleged poisoning. So thats very sad to see what sort of response there is to that. Then r. T. Is a very of a national. Thank you for breaking down this rather complicated story for us. Yeah. Now for more analysis, were going to cross to political analyst, chris bambery. So we have this announcement, this statement coming from Sergey Lavrov today. What do you make of it . Is it at all possible to be honest, i think, for any way pose an unknown, understandable. But what i think is clear is that there is a breakdown in cooperation and russia asking for samples asking for the data to check was been going on, does not seem to me to be unreasonable. But what miss fear, suspicion is no. Exist wardrop in europe and north america is such that what were seeing is cooperation breaking down. And if russia was difficult through it is the suggestion that we see the p. C. W. That be a very serious wounds of people around the world. We have to sit on a safe, is there to stop chemical, no weapons being used again in that organization. Theres been tension over. Was that what happens in syria . Russia is the put in the back that they are against it. So what were seeing here is an intensification of what is a fake to me, a new cold war between the west and russia. As theyre saying, the idea of russia leaving the o. P. C. Debbie a would be a huge event and something that could send shock waves around the world. What do you think needs to happen for that . Not to go for it. I mean, the u. N. Representative did say that its not a rash move that theyre trying to run out, but it is an option. I think we have to try and get a return to genuine cooperation. And this and other international organizations. Well, russia dates the sea of samples, then that is what should happen now would be in my opinion, normal procedure. If that is not happening, then theres organizations of feeling the breaking down and it becomes a very serious, serious question. But i think we also have to always take a step back here and think about what is going on here. Because intensification of this circle was growing just a day, the United States. And i was it, sanctions on the companies extending the pipeline from russia. Natural gas pipeline into black sea targeting the people, ling, the pipes, taliesin Insurance Companies protecting that work and so on. So were seeing, you know, in the run is intense a big case in all that cold war. And really weve got to stop this, get off this bus and try and reestablish genuine cooperation. And yet what were saying is, sanctions being batted back and forth are gayla said that i think and have been prepared to be placed against several german officials in what he called a mere response when you make a bad wow to i think patience has probably been stretched to breaking point in moscow, as i say, sanctions seem to be piling up on various people inside, inside russia. But also, i think we have to say that it sounds of german in russia there are very coarse economic links heel. And it would be in the interest of the not, not, it would not be an interest of either country to get into a situation lose or use a damaged germany or allies very much for our gas supplies from, from russia, from russia. And i think both countries will want to been seen cause economic cooperation. So i hope that in berlin, seeing has, just as in moscow saying heads will prevail. And actually people who remain to think of measures to step back from this growing escalation of sanctions. This group tension, this growing cold war. How do you think might be targeted by the sanctions coming from russia . I would presume the sanctions would follow whats happened in the west, which is targeting key officials and indeed politicians. But again, i hope we dont reach the stage where russia does do this because im that would be an intensification. I hope that whatever it was. If you were a threat of sanctions sufficient for people to think, ok, this is got to stop this tent for type stuff has got to stop. Weve got to pull back from this political analyst, chris bambery. Thank you for your time and your comments. More news for you after this short break, including the fall out on the u. S. Election result and the ongoing unrest in the armenian capital stay with us. So what weve got to do is identify the threats that we have. Its crazy going foundation, let it be an arms race is on all sides. Very dramatic development. The only really im going to resist. I dont see how that strategy will be successful, very critical time time to sit down. And tom welcome back to the program. Parts of the u. S. Mainstream media are seeking to eliminate all doubt that joe biden won that race to win. The white house goes so far as to brand reports on probes into alleged voter fraud. As misinformation are often explains, questioning the u. S. Election results is tantamount to sac relig. The media is outraged that anyone would talk about ballot fraud, especially this New York Times columnist. Facebook is absolutely teeming with right wing misinformation right now. These are all among the 10 most engaged on the platform of the post 24 right wing information. So what is this misinformation that he feels is so dangerous and unacceptable and that well, perhaps the reason that this information is deemed to be so dangerous is because those headlines are actually true. And what about this guy . 2nd, pennsylvania u. S. P. S. Whistleblower claims postmaster ordered late ballots picked up and separated. While the Washington Post came forward and said, this is all a big hoax that the postal worker has recanted his story. Well, thats a great journalistic expose, except the postal worker says he has not recanted there to say that i did not read my statements. Head of the Republican NationalCommittee Says they have 234 pages containing the 500 signed affidavits alleging 11000 incidents of potential voter fraud. Now you have a media thats rigging it again by saying were not going to listen to these stories. Were not even to validate. The 11000 incident reports that we have, the 500 affidavits we have across the state. 11000 witnesses is not a small number. Now in georgia, the Senate Runoff elections are coming up and another New York Times columnist has this idea. I hope everybody moves to georgia, you know, in the next month or 2 registers to vote and vote for these 2 democratic senators. Well, in georgia, that is actually a felony. It is illegal to move to georgia simply for the purpose of registering to vote. Only people in georgia with the stablished residency are able to vote. Republicans have a lot of questions about the Election Results that showed joe biden. As the clear winner. Now at this point weve got Mainstream Media saying those questions are simply off limits. However, that seems to be making the trump base even more involvement. R. T. , new york, the issue of voter fraud remains highly debated with many believing its been going on for ages while others demand more concrete evidence. If there is fraud and what the courts want to see is brought, you have to have a public particularities. Which means that who, what, when, why, where or how ok, so if there was fraud, where is it . You cant make conclusory allegations and thats what hes doing. And thats why its lawsuits are falling short. Thats what, thats what is it represents, bring it for the democrats, every time they lose an election and immediately cry how this is going on for decades. But when the republicans lose the election, then the they are immediately expected to accept defeat. At the very time when the democrats saying no for all of those, no parole that took place. Anyone whos claiming that was a concern. There is fear is that they should be actually actively perpetrating a fraud by saying go down to georgia for a golfing holiday. And then when in the form and say you are a legal resident, that this is precisely a prayer, the change of the u. S. Present could mean a change of fate for Julian Assange that we kill expounder as currently in a u. K. Prison waiting for a court to decide whether or not to extradite him stateside, and the trump administration, he was charged under the u. S. Espionage act on 18 counts. Hes accused of unlawfully obtaining and publishing state secrets and if extradited faces up to 175 years in prison. Democrats to biden include in, have, have not pulled their punches when discussing a sonnet in the past. Because you can also use a high tech terrorist. Others say this is akin to the pentagon papers where you can, i would argue that it is closer to the high tech terrorists and then the pentagon papers he should be treated as an enemy combatant. With uli, should be closed down permanently and decisively. This guy is a traitor, a treasonous, and he has broken every law the United States, the guy ought to be, and im not for the death penalty. So if im not for the death, i dont want to do it illegally shoot the son of a cancer, or when the dogs are in fact, the Obama Biden Administration actually prosecuted more whistleblowers than any other. The list includes Chelsea Manning who leaked documents to Julian Assange and word snowden, who lifted the lid on the n. S. A. s mass surveillance programs. However, the Obama Administration decided not to charge a song himself. Earlier my colleague neil harvey spoke to us on his former legal representative julian burnside. He says that the future looks brighter for the wiki leaks, founder under president joe biden. I know that hes written Hillary Clinton affected the democrats rather than the republicans, but in my opinion, joe biden is a much more rational being that donald trump, if it was. How would you assess joe bidens approach towards whistleblowers . I know that when he was Vice President in the barmah president ial year, a bomber had made a big thing about, you know, trying to create opportunities for whistleblowers to encourage them. But actually, the reality was quite different and they prosecuted more whistleblowers, i think than any other ministration prior to them. I still think that biden will adopt a rational approach. Mind you, he will not be president of the 4th of january. So i suspect, or on 4th of january, if biden is ultimately accepted as the president , i think thats going to be a better outcome for than it would otherwise be on the part of the reason why assad is in the predicament he is because of the leaking of Information Private information relating to the Democratic Party by an obviously democrat, to think all will be forgiven and forgotten to well to the next stent. Or will there still bay some kind of goods from the party itself . Its worth remembering that Chelsea Manning received a pardon or commutation from a bomber. And i think the same thinking that lead to that result is likely to influence biden, if he becomes president. And if assad ends up in america, theres talk of the likelihood hell be sent to the supermax prison, which the warden previous warden of not prison said in the face were worse than death being sent. Its a pretty horrible prospect. And the way Chelsea Manning was treated in relation to the same matters or related matters gives no confidence about the way sound will be treated. Its a reason why this train government should come in and help him, but theyve done nothing absolutely nothing to help him. I think we should be concerned about about if hes mistreated, i dont see any leader of the mainstream press. Who is sought to be punished as a result of the publication of things that the published calls for donald trump. To concede the election are getting ever louder, but democrats appear to have forgotten that in 2016, they too found it hard to accept a projected loss artist and hearkens comparison then. And now, despite the heated rhetoric fierce that by downright insults in the run up to the election, one thing remained untouchable, the integrity of the vote counting process. And so its a vacation Vice President biden. Final question for you will, you were urging his supporters to stay calm while the vote is counted and will you pledge not to declare victory until the election is independently sort of . Yes, but as the race went meccan, meg with supporters on both sides, claiming victory was within their grasp the rules of the game changed. Sarah, what do you say to the americans that are anxious over the fact that President Trump has yet to concede . And what that might mean for the country . Well, i just think its a baseless claims by the president and his supporters, that theres been widespread voter fraud and that the election was somehow really are stolen from President Trump. That kind of rhetoric is extremely dangerous, extremely poisonous to our democracy. If i were an Intelligence Analyst in a foreign country, looking at the United States, you know, id be, id be writing up the slow slide into autocracy. There was a time when democrats saw things differently and their candidates lost by more Electoral College votes than this election was viewed as an injustice. As ive been telling candidates who have come to see me, you can run the best campaign. You can even become the nominee, and you can have the election stolen from you. The kremlin was allegedly behind that election result helping trump to power several years. And millions of dollars later, an investigation concluded there was no criminal conspiracy. Yet now the boy in this projected so when the results are accepted at face value, and this time the presidency was a power and he won fair and square. All weve seen so far in the us is the Mainstream Media, which of course has been behind joe biden, 1000 percent declaring on their own to joe biden, as the president elect with Democratic Party for 4 years. And still not conceded that Hillary Clinton lost in 2016, no matter what they did, no matter how they tried to steal the election from trump at the time they invented russia, gate to try to 1st, undermine then candidate and one from one to undermine his presidency. If it wanted to part with you, and if you want to live in the democrat, but even if biden didnt win, the democrats had a back up plan. No surrender. Joe biden should not concede under any circumstances, because i think this is going to drag out. And eventually i do believe he will win if we dont get him. And now the tables are turned with trump refusing to concede his opponent, so willing to go to just about any links to see the back of him, plus present tense. The cabinet had an ounce of fortitude and spine and patriotism. I think they would seriously consider booking the 25th amendment and pushing donald trump out and calls from the democrats who spent almost the entire term looking for evidence the election was stolen. For trump to accept defeat and move on, looked like double standards at best. Left out have any luck . No lockers about how the president should immediately sure are probably going to Election Results from the same characters or just spent 4 years refusing to accept the validity of the law. And who and sonia waited, the 1st one would be a legitimate clue. If they lost to go only if a lot of thats our global news update for this hour, but dont forget, you can always had to our website r. T. Dot com for the details on all those stories. And many more this is a story of women and women with troubled histories and complex cold cases. You know, some of us did leave, leave awful lives out there. But were not the person that theyre accusing this of be. They are considered the most dangerous of criminals. Shes in a still all the all 23 hours of the day. Tell me that its not enough that it will do women on death row. The world is driven by dreamers shaped by one person or those with their dares thinks we dare to ask well, courage for the Alex Salmonds show. Last saturday some. 4 days after the election, senator joe biden became president elect joe biden. Now with the, the 46 president of the United States with the highest ever popular vote in American History and with the Vice President elect a higher this becoming the 1st woman and indeed 1st woman of color to ever hold that office job either success and President Trumps departure was widely welcomed across the world. However, our guest today had a very special reason for interest in the change of tenure in the white house. Today, alex interviews allegedly photographer, heidi bensinger, who is portrayed, studied every sitting american president since dwight eisenhower. Today we look at president ial politics, but with a difference, susan lanes of heidi bateson. But 1st, your tweets messed with. And now look, started last picture with a very personal tribute to a special friend of his. And andrew says a very moving powerful and personal tribute to so sean connery but alex and i like to stand in our universe. But it will shine or not memories and hopes for the future. Magnificent