A not so Merry Christmas queues empty shelves in a santa in a bubble people around the globe try to get into the festive spirit despite tough pandemic restrictions. Like the good afternoon just gone 4 oclock here in moscow are you watching r t international. Mercenaries but whistleblowers can go whistle trump has issued 2 lists of pardons but despite calls from rights activists freedom of speech defenders like. Edward snowden have been left off at the same time the outgoing u. S. President has raised concerns at the United Nations by giving clemency to 4 former contractors for the Blackwater Private Military Company they were jailed for the mass killing of civilians in iraq or people in iraq of condemned the decision as have the government. The ministry believes that this decision did not take into account the seriousness of the crime committed and was inconsistent with the u. S. Administrations declared commitment to the values of human rights justice and the rule of law and regrettably ignores the dignity of the victims and the feelings and rights of their relatives because the court of the infamous Blackwater Company killed citizens and nice to a square today we hear theyve been released on the personal orders of President Trump its like the u. S. Doesnt care for spilled iraqi blood we call on the United Nations the International Community and human rights organizations to intervene immediately and condemn these killers. It seems Political Considerations prevailed over a legal and judicial once and this decision President Trump should have taken into account their relationship with iraq especially since iraq has a strategic Cooperation Agreement with the United States in all fields this will affect trumps political situation and his legacy there has been widespread outrage about the Trump Administrations decision to grant clemency to some members of the blackwater military D Contracting Company these were guards who were employed by blackwater who killed civilians in iraq. And what it appears that. They were dead bodies everywhere are losing the argument going to be on the air with 2 people and sought to be among the dead bodies lying on the street thats who it was in the middle of night 7 years old that. Got. Paul slow evan liberty and dust. Unheard were convicted for manslaughter and the individual nicholas slotting who opened fire and 1st started shooting into the crowd of iraqi civilians he was convicted of 1st degree murder but now the white house is letting all of them off they will no longer be in prison serving their sentences they have been pardoned this is the feeling of the white house about why they made this decision when the convoy attempted to establish a blockade outside the green zone the situation turned violent which resulted in the unfortunate deaths and injuries of iraqi civilians further prosecutors recently disclosed more than 10 years after the incident that the lead iraqi investigates who prosecutors relied heavily on so very far that there were no exigent victims and to collect evidence may have helped tunnies to insurgent groups himself now at this point there is widespread outrage this seems like the Trump Administration is almost approving of the killing of iraqi civilians 2 children were among the 14 people in the crowd who died as a result of their gun fire but at this point people are also looking at the fact that trumps education secretary betsy to vos is the sister of the founder of Blackwater Erik prince now theres also been a lot of outrage about who is not on the list of trumps pardons among the 15 people pardon and 5 sentence commute meant the names that were missing that many were optimistic and hopeful about were julian a son gen Edward Snowden these prominent whistleblowers had many people calling for the Trump White House to grant them clemency among those who called for them were not just activists and advocates of Civil Liberties and for the protection of whistleblowers but also representatives of the United Nations take a listen if President Trump is true as well yes i think the least thing you could do is to end the suffering the purity the songs to pardon him this man has suffered enough. The interest of the public will toward donald trump since youre given pardons to people please consider pardoning those who at great personal sacrifice expose the deception and criminality of those in the deep state now trump still has time to grant a pardon to Edward Snowden and to julian assan he can grant clemency up until the moment he leaves office he could do it at the very very last minute however the number of people that were pardoned today and the information about who they are seems to have many pessimistic many of the activists supporting the whistleblowers feel like this indicates the trumpet ministration is moving in a very different direction with its clemency this is what every country that hosts u. S. Occupations u. S. Bases is told its a matter for u. S. Justice when u. S. Soldiers and u. S. Contractors and mercenaries kill rape and pillage in your country will handle it well heres the message the United States will not handle it it will not treat these cases in the way that it would treat a case of mass murder in the United States even those of us who did not support trump selection support dropping the demand for extradition of julian a son for crimes that amount to the commission of acts of journalism i dont care who julian a sanji is what his politics are what horrible things hes done he performed a Great Service for the world he behaved as a journalist and a publisher he worked with the legitimate whistleblowers who were doing services for the world he took care to limit any damage that could be done as he was performing this service he ought to be pardoned and i hope he will it certainly seems more likely still that trump will pardon him then that President Biden when hes newly into office will drop the case. I want contain a has officially registered Russia Sputnik the vaccine has been approved for an. Urgency by the countrys regulator based on the results of Clinical Trials here in russia where a plane carrying argentinas 1st batch has set off from moscow to buenos aires under the supply agreement will provide enough doses for up to 10000000. 00 people earlier this month the arjen time president expressed confidence to win the russian vaccine saying that hell be the 1st to take it. In argentina some raised doubts about the quality of Russian Science to clear everyones doubts when sputnik v. Is here in argentina i will be the 1st one to take that vaccine because i have no doubt about the quality of the vaccine as well as sputnik be argentina has also signed up for vaccines supplies from astra zeneca and also the United Nations kovacs program the countrys regulator has approved the use of the pfizer biotech vaccine to despite ongoing talks meanwhile though the Argentine Health minister has criticised pfizers approach to the negotiations. They asked us for a little giving them immunity and the Congress Gave them that little but then phases negotiate with the local ones but those in the us started asking for more conditions they want to sponsor a new law they want to the president to sign the contract instead of me the conditions started getting somewhat unacceptable the government of argentina is thinking that this is going to be perhaps the most efficient way to bring an effective vaccine to its citizens so looks like theyre essentially. Betting on or putting their money on on the russian vaccine the fact that pfizer had those kinds of conditions and that the government of argentina was not pleased with those conditions i think theres going to be a lot of that kind of thing i think that there is going to be an awful lot of questions about liability and about potential long term side effects and the long term efficacy of the vaccines out sounds to me like argentina didnt like the deal that pfizer was giving them and was was looking elsewhere and i think thats why they turned toward the russian vaccine. Meanwhile russias pandemic is getting worse with more grim milestone is being passed however frontline workers and the most vulnerable have been getting vaccinated some good news there and we can get more information at martys constant saying he joins us from moscow good afternoon to you constantly just run through then how bad things have got here in russia well 30000 new cases have been registered in russia its a new record put in a 3rd globally in terms of new daily infections this thursday russia now sits just behind the u. K. And. The u. S. Moscow russias capital had over 8000 new coded 900 patients in the past 24 hours again its a new record in terms of deaths there were 635 linked to the virus across the whole of russia and yet this is another all time high kremlin is keen to avoid a stricter look down by the current. On Hospitality Industry and measures will remain in place all companies have to have at least a 3rd of their employees to work remotely all Mass Gatherings are banned of course and universities into russias largest cities will have gun. Online only until february next year but mass vaccination is underway already 52000. 00 russians have taken the jab and it is expected that wider vaccination will take place in february next year and also according to russias health ministry. Over half of the total population of russians are willing to get inoculated and also consenting you are among those willing to get vaccinated just talk us through your experience. Sure i got my job this. It wasnt that bad i mean i had a few mild side effects my temperature were elevated a bit i was feeling a little bit for teat the next day but then the next day it all. Worse off so now here i am safe and sound then im enjoying the fact that i have antibodies again many more thousands are set to join you im sure thanks for the update i was constantine rushkoff there reporting from the center of moscow thank you. Now in britain reports have a Health Care Admin staff there have received coronavirus jobs before those working on the front line that is despite the u. K. Having one of the worst death rates among hospital workers well the chair of the British Medical Association has said that those at highest risk must be given priority partridge as the story. On december the 2nd the u. K. Hit the headlines after becoming the 1st nation in the world to approve the fires of biotech coronavirus back scene the u. K. Medical associations are now worried about the vaccines pecking order after reports that n. H. S. Office workers have been offered the job before frontline staff without a universal policy to vaccinate from flying patients facing staff as a priority and no review of current p. P. Guidance we could be facing avoidable stuff sickness and absence over that all right a difficult winter months a poll by the u. K. s Doctors Association of a 1000 frontline staff claims 70 percent of them have no idea when theyll get the vaccine the survey includes local doctors emergency specialists and those giving the injections this should be equally of excess. As far as extradition is concerned in Health Care Facilities to the stop an equal access to recognition is increasing the mental stress of folk at work as we urgently need to make sure that they could directs us and people who need it 1st get it pushed since the start of the pandemic hundreds of n. H. S. And social care workers have died after contracting covert 19 front line workers were initially due to be vaccinated in the 1st rollout of n. H. S. Jobs but a government rethink means hospitals are prioritizing care home staff the elderly and the chest stuff vaccination other than to prevent vaccine waste which will hopefully be able to accelerate early in the new year as more vaccine becomes available in the u. K. More than half of englands 135 n. H. S. Trusts us still waiting to receive deliveries of the job 3 weeks after it was approved. For the Health Care Workers should be given according to a plan so that the police who are more wonderful get it forced. To start their difficult to do because you know most places. His most forceful and most primary care coolies there is just us been done already all we need to do is to have a unified primary a 2nd to be careless dont lead toward it at increased risk while some politicians are also joining medics in calling for the government to put frontline workers 1st in practice as well as policy any n. H. S. Stuff like hes come into contact with a covert positive patient should be prioritized for the vaccine whether they are clinical soft or not primary care stuff absolutely can and should be vaccinated according to Risk Assessment the government promises more vaccines will arrive in january but with cases record numbers a new variant of the virus circulating in the n. H. S. Ensuring stop shortages the government is facing yet more pressure to ensure its key Health Workers and most Vulnerable People are protected in a season when the Health Service has always come under the most strain Kate Partridge aussie a. 20 twentieths hardly been a cracker for most of us but after the brighton to look at how countries around europe have been doing their best to keep up the festive cheer. Join me every 1st week on the alex song im sure ill be speaking to get off of the world of politics or. Im sure. Ill see you. Again with r. T. International now with the Festive Season in full swing. Taking the sparkle out of this years celebrations in london supermarket shelves there have been emptied more quickly than normal as the capital introduced stricter measures we asked residents about the situation. Its just right before you theres nothing on the shelves. Its hard to buy a turkey. Is just back to square one people are panicking now everything is empty i can see it now absentee me but they told me this missive is fine its probably responsible by a good run so if you get into the day the way its going to panic and thing i need this i need done especially running up to christmas were pretty good start it was a bit selfish the music really nowhere and barring the more turf at toyota rolls. My boys indestructible dwarven will use newspapers toward bio ball talk. Without a sas us is how its been taking a look at how the pandemic my affects the issue celebrations that has no denying it is the grand but whether we let it steal christmas might depend on us take the job many of the country of Christmas Markets that the downswing lights the smell of malt wine the crunch of toffee apples a new look down might have seen some markets will come up but no fear even in a pandemic theres a chance of a christmas cheer. If however youve been on your best behavior all year and anticipation over award from santa claus himself ive got great news just lower your expectations its not so much slays snow and elves at the north pole its all assertion a distant scene in seattle you gotta take what you can get these days. Classic santa is trying to squeeze into the strangest of places even in a snow globe so santa reminds us that christmas is the season of giving and while this year has left many out of pocket that hasnt stopped them from spreading the love. In any way they can. I decided to stop what i was working on to Start Building something to thank these angels its a tribute to the city of brigham will and to the people that donated their time and volunteered for free without the main job on a mls or hey of course many will be just as cozy together at home having a mellow evening but if you do get carried away swept up in the spirit of the holiday a simple purchase will remind you of the rules. The idea rose to create awareness so that people wear masks because the remora more infections and people have made the conscious decision not to put on a mask and putting their hope in faith people put on your masks and every time you leave your house and see the baby jesus remember that you have to wear your face mask off a shield and finally the one thing you wished would disappear into the black hole of 2020 but decided to stick around like the grinch queues queues to dash open before travel bans queues to buy goodies and queues to deliver them in short queues. No its not the christmas that we wanted but its the christmas that we got so how about we make the most of it hoping that next year its less bubbles and more bulls and less mosque mandate and more merriment mistletoe and mince pies. Now a key ally of Benjamin Netanyahu has quit the cabinet to join the opposition accusing israeli Prime Minister of corruption it does come as the Ruling Coalition fell on tuesday sending the country to the polls for a 4th time in under 2 years in a prank it looks now at why the Prime Ministers luck could be running it. Did you know that the man devastated the most by donald trump missing out on a 2nd term is someone who lives thousands of kilometers away from u. S. Borders hes long been in charge of a different government and no his name is not vladimir or his name is binnie human and im not saying that because i work for a russian t. V. Station just take a look at all the political gifts that these re the leader has trump and his administration to thank for. What a glorious day. My vision presents a win win opportunity for both sides a realistic 2 state solution that resolves the risks of Palestinian Statehood to israels security. The iran deal is defective at his school. Getting sleepy joe kind of made this feel maybe sleepy joe. You have been the greatest friend the newsroom ever had in the white house. But with trump on his way out netanyahu is going to have to 5 other ways to get a Political Boost and right now he really needs one of course if trumps middle east peace deal still proves a winner these rarely pm might yet manage to weather the storm but heres what israel streets now regularly look like. The protesters biggest. Im with Benjamin Netanyahu is his alleged corruption crimes he denies any wrongdoing hes calling the trials politically motivated but the opposition got a new weapon this year cove it or rather the nations fury at the way into the always been dealing me failing to deal with the pandemic the perception is one of mismanaged blog downs with businesses and the unemployed left in the lurch the corruption has so many people involved in the just start of a blank you sleep i need a constitution we need to limit the terms of the Prime Minister to 2 terms the us we need to stop the corruption here in israel and open it then you know we need to know mamie but our government and or did you spend it doesnt want any more but the corrupted and the walking for one person is trying to escape from his trial demonstrations pick the pace of the spring when its and yahoo managed to cling on to power as Prime Minister but only thanks to a kolisch in between his likud party and betting against his blue and White Alliance the election rivals try to get along to get the country through the pandemic but now the coalition is falling apart and israel goes back to the polls in march it will be the countrys 4th knesset elections in under 2 years an election is not the right thing for the country but its much better than a paralyzed government and having politics dictate the management of one of the most Severe Health and Economic Crises wherever known. Its in your home like the rest of us will no doubt be glad to be done with 2020 but come early next year could well be looking back to the start to the years when mr here comes your golden hearts president was still in the white house. Some world news in brief thousands of drivers remain stuck on motorways and in lorry parks in southern england although france has reported its border with the u. K. Hole is need to test negative for corona virus to leave the country the border was closed for 48 hours over a new strain of found in britain. At least 21. 00 people have been injured 9 critically after an explosion in central baltimore yesterday incident happened on the 16th floor of the baltimore gas and Electric Building efficient course is still unknown and an annual event in thailand where elephants bring Children Christmas gifts got a topical twist this year when the children were given facemasks is part of a coronavirus safety dr it comes after the countrys worst outbreak was confirmed over the weekend at a Seafood Center near cold. So they just come in for half or in the afternoon a moscow will have more news in about how often are. Christmas steve special while we await santa nothing to wait for because the future is here now and its glorious. Sure. Welcome to our Christmas Special edition of the alex savage t. V. Interview everyone from the president of the United States to try to sell strictly come dancing thanks to the impressionist much flukes macleod and kate robbins we will talk to everyone you ever wanted to see a live show and quite a few of the people you havent wanted to see yes we call in to the white house to see the last trump idol. Not a leisure and a loser. And we also look at in brussels well england waves a less informed farewell to europe well as a lot of war going back on. How it works but 1st your messages on the last week sure in europe featuring a green of color are going to be lame be and might this member of the this assembly were proud lots of messages in about an auld lang saying to europe but 1st we want to say a huge congratulations to a friend of the show Talia Jonathan who last week reasonable 5000. 00 pounds for the charity buses for homeless plus delivered 100 christmas tags to Homeless People on london street buses for homeless joints Many Charities like shelter in crisis doing their utmost to ensure some festive cheer to the most vulnerable in our society well done talia well 1st we hear from women finland and he says great sure breaks it will really help Scottish Independence the sooner the better dont all gillis says ive still got hoed we know is trending stacey for i think donald fell into something it wasnt in the show but Something Else controversial it was tweeting another day that says doesnt really break going to benefit the u. K. Time will tell but how many years to wait for the valuation the benefit for the britons evidence on your says i agree we should be able to trade freely with each other perhaps the e. U. Can relax the laws its about coming and going with each other join curious says race to the bottom they have go all the standards especially workers rights and modeling to melville says we thought theyd be agreed what they are and know only huddling about the place there is no such place as europe dawdle clues says it makes the case for Scottish Independence lobbyists of protestant curry and allison really for psychosis scotlands already independent were just waiting on the paperwork and they were delighted to be joined by a lisper kloden robbins also known as president and the 1st lady milady a welcome to the show thanks for having a great job great job youre looking