Hello from moscow im kevin 0 in low fortys world news h. Q. Here this sunday its the weekly the big stories we brought you over the last 7 days in rick. So 1st russias overhauled constitution came into effect on saturday following a weeklong vote which wrapped up on wednesday the majority of voters endorsed the changes with some 78 percent in favor for return a 68 percent so it could tailor followed the final day of polling. Now this really was. The 1st time people were in mosques in clubs the 1st time they were using disposable pants walks in through temperatures counts voting online for some as for the voting process itself while that was a situation where security footage allegedly caught a woman stuffing ballots now that counting in that area of moscow has been suspended pending an investigation otherwise the Central Commission says that it found no irregularities it was so many amendments on the table 147. In total that its difficult to decide what it was that ultimately secured public backing but undoubtedly its the package of social amendments that house particularly white appeal im talking about things like adjusting pensions in line with inflation and showing that the minimum wage never ever floors below the cost of living as well as giving additional Financial Support to low income families these proved popular because they have such a tangible impact on peoples day to day lives but that is not to say that this was an easy decision for anyone or that it was without control to see a few amendments proved to be particularly polarizing and one that gained a lot of media traction was concerting the socalled searing out of president putins previous tubs paving the way for him potentially if he wanted to do so run again twice as president on top of the some of the more conservative amendments proved to be divisive such as defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman reiterating traditional family values as well as mentioning god despite the fact that russia is officially a sector the nation but let him the people themselves and what they have to say. Why have i come here to vote because im a citizen of russia and a green with all of them men women and i am not ok with them and went about out the president ial term absolutely do not agree with. I became familiar with all of the amendments in the constitution of. The most important measure the program and russia you know over international the head of the Central Election Commission of says something about voting being like a meal deal you either take everything or you do not take it at all and i already do not like one dish in this meal deal so i will not take Everything Else i think it is nonsense according to all legal logical and ethical norms i love my country and you think everything has been done is right i think that its needed because the current constitution is. Out of date it is a modern time and even the view of the life is new a bit of a mixed bag in tubs of reaction and people decide to show that disapproval not just at the polls but also protests peaceful ones both hit in the capital and also in the us and petersburg but true to 2024 it was safety fust. Rate not. Because im. Ultimately though many who put a tick in the yes box would dogs you but the rush of 9293. 00 when this current constitution was born was full of political and economic instability it was still finding its feet after the collapse of the soviet union and that russia is not the same as the russia of 2020 that almost entirely Different Countries so i think this is yes to the changes was born from a desire for the countrys top document to move with the times to set russia on a new course and shape its future as envisaged by russians now today and not as envisaged by russians almost 30 years ago you know there was a lot of choice in there a long list of a moments in the package on offer but it was just one element to go much the foreign media fired up. Russias parliament basically paving the way for Vladimir Putin to potentially stay on as russian president hes the longest serving russian leader since Joseph Stalin a lot of your putin wants to stay in power even longer addressing lawmakers abdu words putin said he backed the amendment allowing him to seek another term in office but there are dozens of interesting traditions that should also be discussed and the one that caught my eye was on children the role of children and all phones i explicitly mentioned in one of the constitutional monarch months which i think is worse while reflecting the Russian Federation of the year 2020 is in many regards i would say in a different situation than was the country in 1903 when we compare. International circumstances but also of course the National Economic and political situation the early ninetys were marked by the implosion of the soviet union marked by the down group of communists and. It was more about being a fax s. Of the then the Russian Federation that we have today i think there is a need for. Meeting this new circumstances because a constitution is almost a reflection of a society and also of the circumstances of the country it is in so the future of the legislature the parliament in order to respond to these new accident is. You know the news we brought you the campaign to take dont start choosing to racism kept up the pace through the week and while some of the links so irrefutable the vandalism of denmarks Little Mermaid was a little harder to comprehend it was dogged with racist fish but i could demick say they cant see what could be racially insensitive about the homes christian under some fairy tale but that aside Big Questions are of course now being asked worldwide about how best to remember our history the good and the bad people over explains how germany make just of the answer. When it comes to assessing and dealing with difficult periods of history germany has more experience than most but we havent seen the type of scenes here that have played out in the United States britain belgium. I. I i i. Was. I. But germany isnt without its own controversial statues otto von bismarck has been dogged with red paint in hamburg while as an Ongoing Campaign to block the renovation of another monument to the eye and chancellor in the port city bismarck wasnt just crucial in german unification he was also a driving force in colonialism and by todays standards and on t. C. Might here in berlin sell end of district anime as 1920 s. Depiction of a needling a black woman was decapitated last week castleman remains controversial in germany he was a committed nazi and despite that fact his works continue to be displayed across the german capital this particular monument had been slated for removal by city authorities whod already deemed it earlier this year on suitable for display in the city of berlin and if it had Diverse Society cannot exist with this kind of bigotry and prejudice you cannot live together if you do not treat each other equally people shouldnt be discriminated against based on the color of their skin so what happens the statues in germany that no longer justify. Exhibition well here in berlin theyve got just the place for them the spandau citadel although the 16th century fortress has its own troubled past it was used as a chemical weapons storage by the nazis but the proposal was to bring you to a museum to show it was an example of racism these mistakes are not repeated this racial stereotypes should not be demonstrated on the streets but in a museum where we could demonstrate it to people within context as we move through the exhibition we see hundreds of years of prussian military strongman into monuments of naziism the 3rd reich didnt really do sculpture but this casually too is one of few described by hitler is irreplaceable the nazis preferred buildings as their monuments to time and this plenty of those still visible in modern berlin one of the most i cant change in this collection of discarded start to see is this gigantic granite head of blood to me a lenin its all that remains of a 19 metre high monument that was built in 1970 to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. In the United States and also in Great Britain the red discussions of the moment about what to do with dismantle memorials but here we have already found a possible solutions for memorials that are so to speak toxic if you put them in you seem that doesnt mean its over we put them here so that people can continue to Pay Attention to them but in a different context. Germany is often cited as the example to follow when it comes to assessing periods of history troubling to modern sensibilities even if there are 2 named after nazi field marshall when rubble that the German Military calls home to this day they glossed over as they dont fit the particular narrative because history has a tendency not to be as neat as we might like it when its really examined peter all of arty girl in. School some alarm in the wig part of spains catalonia region back under lockdown after a surge in coronavirus coaches that the Authorities Say it was a difficult decision to keep over 200000 people at home just weeks after the nation began easing restrictions. In the last hours and days weve seen an exponential growth in the number of infections and thats prompted us to take action its a difficult decision the government must prioritize lives in the health of people and will take all the necessary measures. Catalonia has been one of spains worst affected regions with more than 12000 dead the area now back under restrictions of c. New cases more than double in the past week around 200 Police Officers have been deployed as well to help in force those checkpoints locals say they were braced for the move. A. S. L. s better back then i thought this is right because we had too many spikes too many infractions and eventually they would have to close out of the region in more will come it seems this is necessary because were seeing whats of cases this is a good decision spain then ranked 4th in europe at the moment for the number of coronavirus related deaths at over 28000 the countrys logged nearly 300000 cases in total spain have been moving to reopen its borders to attract much needed tourist income during the peak of the Summer Season just coming in now one spanish doctor we spoke to believes a selective strategy that is needed but also worries on the other side of this a tourism boom right now could lead to a much bigger problem just a bit down the road. Ensure believe that given the current circumstances this is the only option going back to a total lockdown that supplies the whole country is not the way to go the other issues here is that the e. U. Countries have acted on their own since the start of the lock down now the 27. 00 countries have opened their borders except to americans brazilians and russians but they still allowed the british to enter and visit Spanish Islands with little or no screening its very important to either debate the need for a biological passport or to at least require a virus test 3 days before any trip within europe yes far from other words yet so well as keep smiling best we can they want to go coming up here and out international our news review of the week this the rush to revise over races and even the Us National Anthems under the microscope what i have more will tell you that it is about 90 seconds from that. The world is driven by a dream shaped by. The day or thinks. We dare to ask. So what weve got to do is identify the threats that we have its crazy confrontation let it be an arms race in his very Dramatic Development only im going to resist i dont see how that strategy will be successful very critical time to sit down and talk. Again through the afternoon moscow time the next americas 4th of july tradition said extra scrutiny this year in light of the reenergized black lives Matter MovementPresident Trump called people determined to destroy slavery linked to monuments in an address but the Mount Rushmore but he did little to heal the racial divide as well as statues and street names in the u. S. National anthem is in frame for revision it seems more on that from Daniel Hawkins in find voice a must. 2020 is a year of change and im not talking about coronavirus popular t. V. Shows axed statues torn down even food brands updated to meet 21st century criteria of inclusive u. T. Equality justice and tolerance but is it enough can more be done well in the United States protests during the National Anthem have been a bone of contention for quite a few years but what about the National Anthem itself well now some people are saying enough is enough. I. I well thats thats you that just came off the plinth was Francis Scott key the man behind the lyrics that the starspangled banner and former slave owner and anti abolitionist so whats the deal with the anthem itself. Andrew sure warms these walls. What you can sing the 3rd verse all right of course the rarely performed that 3rd verse was directed by key black slaves whod been freed or escaped and fought alongside the british in the war of 1812 his message to them was clear your fight for freedom will bring you nothing but death and downfall Little Wonder then that was attracted increasing scandal across the United States with both soccer teams and High School Students refusing to play or sing at keys that only profited from slavery he apparently also harbored some pretty backward views on race and nationality and this widely attributed quote certainly has no place in this day and age. Oh you dont want to hear me sing in french. Well that was the marcy years familiar to all around the world for centuries truly a symbol of French National identity both in times of joy and tragedy and i mean well did. He. You knew that you know that is. Who or who were. You so while some of those lyrics furious soldiers coming to cut throats grabbing weapons impure blood may seem to some at least to be appropriated by the far right and certainly having no place in the modern republic calls for change remain theres even a movement for a new master yes and while theyre still far off their goal theyre not alone various french figures throughout history have had issues with them from the right of victor hugo to socialist leaders. Even seeing a surge gains ball who wrote his own reggae version back in 1979 have called for a mossie a make over. To seeing or not to seeing that is the question well former u. K. Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn found himself at the center of a media storm when he seemed really got the wrong answer are you saying that you will sing the National Anthem im going to be many events ill take part fully in those events i dont see a problem but this is the issue surely is that we had a memorial for the back to britain i was there and despite his explanation the press was merciless branding him all but a traitor but what would they say in 2020 beyond the 1st verse which we all know the lyrics do get a little strange especially in a Secular Society talk of a day theorizing to scatter enemies and punish those rebellious scots hardly makes any friends up north and whatever his reasons corbin isnt alone for example indigenous members of parliament in on tar you recently announced they wont be taking part in any of them singing. God save the queen is an archaic tribute to the British Colonial period in the centuries of violence oppression and discrimination the British Empire carried out against nations and peoples are considered inferior Indigenous Peoples in canada a glaring example among them perhaps corbin was just ahead of his time as was canada they officially passed the motion back in 2018 making their National Anthem gender neutral. Was this was the debates around symbols such as anthem statues or brands dont seem to be going anywhere anytime soon but as the calls for transformation grow louder many may question what fundamentals they really change beyond just that symbolism. Then drama police finally moving in to clear out the self declared autonomy as protests in seattle or wednesday although pockets of protests are ongoing in neighboring districts activists and occupy the citys capitol hill which became known as chop for about a month after police moved out of the precinct building the campaigners had said they hoped to create a Peaceful Police for utopia but the peace didnt last long in the past 3 weeks of protests the zone saw 4 shootings 2 with them fatal but also been reports of assaults burglaries and rape the protesters some armed world warned that they could face arrest if they didnt leave in the end over 30 were detained Seattle Police released a video of some of the violence to. People. Oh my god i. Wish moves. First the mayor there wanted to leave the activists to their takeover hoping for a summer of love as deep as she put it early on but she was forced to take action later her decision came after protesters marched on her home tomorrow. Police funding. And activist at the site so briefed as to what it all and watched then as police moved the protesters home. So i am outside of the pine street entrance of the shop right now where a bunch of police have set up a barricade and the protesters are now beginning to gather you know just. You know theyre blocking the street and trying to cause a little bit more awareness and the officers took that as an opportunity to simply enforce their version of law oh yeah nothing yet you know. The police came in to chop and ousted the remaining people who were staying there does that have around 30 to a rest and theyve been spraying people pepper spray them in aggressive from your perspective what exactly happened basically i was that far and. Far and. It all started when bang bang bang screams and then my. Back there were a couple individuals who were speaking loudly who had megaphones who were doing the crowd energized to actually bringing people in off the streets and the cops in a little bike brigade actually charging targeted those people arresting them individually and throwing them into the back of cop cars far end of chop. Not too long ago there were a bunch of tents in these areas there were people hanging out just living but within 5 hours everyone has been evacuated you know like you had a warning like. I said right now. My message right now and your friend you know i dont think anybody in seattle did not see this coming ever since the string of 4 to 5 shootings that have. Recently found out that the last shooting it was a 14 of a 16 year old kid who were killed so i think that it was. A cop. Side that it was time to prevent theres a lot of demoralization right there specially in the crowd of protesters because i think a lot of people are taking this is a bit of a loss is very where. Were 2. Told. This entire idea. Seems to have. Come to an end. Donald trump is a hurdle on wednesday in his efforts to bring american troops back from afghanistan the Congress Armed Services committee put a block on the withdrawal then by approving a new amendment to the National Defense bill the amendment targets the planned pullout of more than 4000 troops from afghanistan by the autumn according to 2 Administration Officials the move would reduce the number of troops than to the lowest number since the very beginning of the war in afghanistan way back in 2001 the panel also wants an assessment as to whether any state actors provided incentives to the taliban to attack u. S. Troops or its allies over the last 2 years and part of that is driven by claims reported in the york times that russia paid bounties to militants to kill american soldiers in afghanistan and that donald trump was told about it months ago well according to the flatow denials all round from russia to trump to even the pentagon but the paper sticking to its story nonetheless even if its source is a still in the shadows and im open reports. What makes a bombshell news story outrageous accusations unnamed sources throw rushs name into the headline and youve got all the ingredients necessary to drive us media and political elites why out the bombshell report tonight outbreak one official told n. B. C. That quote American Service members died as a result of russian payments to the taliban it doesnt matter that u. S. President donald trump says that based on the other since hes seen this story is just a hoax the intelligence people didnt even many of them didnt believe it happened at all i think its a hoax and i think its a hoax by the newspapers and the democrats that russia has made clear that these claims are simply not true what is russias word compared to Anonymous Sources lack of evidence aside democrats have pounced at the opportunity to roll out their long discredited narrative of trump russia collusion and helsinki time to put in his word over our own intelligence agencies because of putin strong denial now the kremlin is once again denying reports russia offered a bounty to kill americans in afghanistan if these reports are true would trump side with putin yet again now theres many people who wont believe trump or russia but will insist that the New York Times is a credible source well what about u. S. Intelligence officials not only will they not confirm the reports but theyve issued Harsh Criticism of how the report was presented makes compromise and disrupt a critical interagency work to collect assess and describe cup ability i never heard this and its disgusting how you continue to politicize intelligence you clearly dont understand how a role intel gets verified leaks of partial information to reporters from Anonymous Sources is dying just because people like youre manipulated for political guy trump says its fake news russia says its fake news the u. S. Intelligence community will not back it up its just an unsourced claim. Came from an anti trump anti russian newspaper with a record of getting things wrong on both topics but that has not stopped the democrats from treating it like its undisputed fact seems clear from what the intelligences wheel so are they providing any evidence to back up their claims no theyre rolling out images of soldiers killed in afghanistan and grieving families in syria so something should be done. For that is shawn gregg why are her son was 24 years old when he was killed in afghanistan last summer families grieving in our country tonight the times also reporting that officials are looking at an april 2019 Taliban Attack that killed 3 marines now c. N. N. Cannot confirm that any deaths in combat in afghanistan can definitively be traced back to this alleged russian plot cranking up the emotional volume and blame doesnt make the story true at this point the New York Times is now saying that they have evidence that criminal elements in afghanistan not the taliban received some kind of financial payment not a bounty so this somehow proves theyre probably correct well nope thats a technique called moving the goalposts its often used by people back pedaling away from unproven allegations this speaks to an ugly reality of mainstream American Media propaganda declare that trump is bad and russia is also bad and then you can accuse them of almost anything and many people will believe that no evidence necessary listen to this language they refer to analysts cuckoo did from other intelligence that the transfers were most likely part of the Bounty Program if there was a law that was provided if there was a law against bad journalism these people would be arrested if you read this or any story regarding this and you ask yourself what do i know what do i know now what do i suspect out not what what hunch is or isnt but what do i know you know nothing thats the part of this which is just phenomenal to me. Line leaving us with some of the chew over there then thats a snap shot of the stories he brought in the last 7 days think of the watching the weekly on out International Reporting from moscow is kevin 0 in saying bye for now and enjoy the rest that we can. You cannot be both with the yeah you like