Detecting language using up to the first 30 seconds. Use `--language` to specify the language Detected language: English [00:00.000 --> 00:07.840] London Daily The Guardian has published an interesting article regarding the Malvinas [00:07.840 --> 00:11.360] question which has not gone unnoticed in Argentina. [00:11.360 --> 00:17.320] British writer and historian Richard Gott analyzed Mercosur state members Brazil, Argentina, [00:17.320 --> 00:22.760] Uruguay and Paraguay's recent decision to close their ports to all Malvinas flagships. [00:22.760 --> 00:27.640] The UK is asleep, while South America is growing in strength and increasingly united. [00:27.640 --> 00:31.600] What has changed in recent years is the political climate in Latin America. [00:31.600 --> 00:36.280] New governments have appeared across the continent with a progressive and nationalist agenda. [00:36.280 --> 00:38.840] They do not always see eye to eye with each other. [00:38.840 --> 00:43.440] The reviews on economic policy may differ, but they are united in believing their continent [00:43.440 --> 00:49.240] should organize itself for the benefit of its own peoples without outside interference. [00:49.240 --> 00:51.360] Mr. Gott wrote in this column. [00:51.360 --> 00:56.360] Former Argentine ambassador to the UN Emilio Cardenas considers Brazil, Uruguay and Chile [00:56.360 --> 01:01.720] – Mercosur's associate member – will play a strategic role in the sovereignty dispute. [01:01.720 --> 01:06.760] The big countries to watch are Brazil, Uruguay and Chile. [01:06.760 --> 01:15.040] If those three countries take a tough position and do not accept being subject to pressure [01:15.040 --> 01:20.600] by the Brits, then they will have to come to the table unbargaining good faith. [01:20.600 --> 01:27.680] It is in today's work kind of unacceptable to say I have nothing to talk to you. [01:27.680 --> 01:31.040] First because it isn't true, you have a lot to talk to me, I have a sovereignty claim, [01:31.040 --> 01:36.640] I was there at some point and I was evicted and then you showed up. [01:36.640 --> 01:41.320] Within a new regional scenario, British natural resources exploitation purposes in the South [01:41.320 --> 01:46.280] Atlantic, which have refilled tensions between both countries, could also be affected. [01:46.280 --> 01:50.600] If oil is found in commercial quantities, British foreign office will be obliged to [01:50.600 --> 01:56.280] awake from its long, self-imposed slumber, which our God pointed out in his report. [01:56.280 --> 02:00.960] And one has to think about the future. [02:00.960 --> 02:07.880] Can you exploit those discoveries without any kind of coastal support? [02:07.880 --> 02:13.840] If the region tells the islanders can't do that because basically what you're drilling [02:13.840 --> 02:20.640] for are Argentine resources, which are part of the sovereignty dispute and therefore we [02:20.640 --> 02:28.520] would not deal with the vessels that you will need to go forward with the hydrocarbon exploitation. [02:28.520 --> 02:33.280] Common sense according to the Guardian's article should take Argentina and the UK to the negotiating [02:33.280 --> 02:39.760] table as Argentine President Cristina Fernández has constantly requested following UN's resolutions [02:39.760 --> 02:42.480] over the Malvinas Diplomatic Row. [02:42.480 --> 02:54.240] Hansa Heller, Press TV, Buenos Aires. [02:54.240 --> 02:59.040] Three years have passed since Israel waged an all-out war against the Gaza Strip. [02:59.040 --> 03:05.120] Home to 1.5 million Palestinians, the tiny coastal enclave was bombarded by 100 Israeli [03:05.120 --> 03:06.920] warplanes. [03:06.920 --> 03:13.040] During the three-week onslaught, nearly 1,400 Gazans were killed and thousands more injured. [03:13.040 --> 03:17.840] Israeli forces used white phosphorus shells and other internationally bad weapons during [03:17.840 --> 03:19.360] the war. [03:19.360 --> 03:23.640] During a press conference, Hamas' movement accused Israel of committing genocide against [03:23.640 --> 03:24.640] the Palestinians. [03:24.640 --> 03:32.240] Hamas considers Israeli war crimes in Gaza as another form of Israeli genocide against [03:32.240 --> 03:34.280] the Palestinian people. [03:34.280 --> 03:37.920] Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinians since the occupation of Palestine [03:37.920 --> 03:39.520] in 1948. [03:39.520 --> 03:43.920] Hamas calls on the international community and the free people of the world to recognize [03:43.920 --> 03:48.200] Israeli occupation as the most dangerous form of terrorism in the world. [03:48.200 --> 03:53.440] Paramedics and firefighters from the Gaza civil defense commemorated the third anniversary [03:53.440 --> 03:59.400] of the war by driving their vehicles down Gaza's main street at exactly 11 a.m., which [03:59.400 --> 04:05.320] marked the beginning of the war which Israel called Operation Cast Lead. [04:05.320 --> 04:12.960] Israel claimed it launched a war to stop the rocket fire from Gaza. [04:12.960 --> 04:16.960] International laws and norms were violated by Israel during the war. [04:16.960 --> 04:21.840] Israeli forces targeted ambulances and fire trucks and killed doctors and paramedics. [04:21.840 --> 04:27.520] They also targeted hospitals and clinics everywhere in Gaza during the course of war. [04:27.520 --> 04:31.760] Israel was able to get away with its crimes because of the international silence, but [04:31.760 --> 04:35.640] we will continue to demand justice for our victims. [04:35.640 --> 04:41.280] The offensive destroyed thousands of houses and devastated a large part of infrastructures [04:41.280 --> 04:46.640] in the blockaded strip, including UN-run schools and centers. [04:46.640 --> 04:50.840] Civil society organizations have called on the international community to hold Israel [04:50.840 --> 04:53.800] accountable for its crimes against the Gazans. [04:53.800 --> 04:59.400] On the third anniversary, we are calling on the international community in order to continue [04:59.400 --> 05:08.040] efforts to get to Israel, work criminals accountable on their crimes towards the Palestinian civilians [05:08.040 --> 05:14.360] on the same time to bridge Israel, to end the illegal siege, to stop all kinds of aggressions [05:14.360 --> 05:16.120] on the Palestinian people. [05:16.120 --> 05:21.440] In recent weeks, Israel has been making threats against the Gaza Strip, while Gazans haven't [05:21.440 --> 05:24.040] fully recovered from the last war. [05:24.040 --> 05:28.560] On the third anniversary of Israel's war on Gaza, Palestinians in the tiny coastal enclave [05:28.560 --> 05:34.360] say Israeli leaders must be held accountable for what they did to innocent civilians. [05:34.360 --> 05:49.520] Ashraf Shannon, Press TV, Gaza. [05:49.520 --> 05:53.880] The chilly wind of recession has already started to blow on Italy. [05:53.880 --> 05:59.320] This Christmas was the worst of the last 10 years in terms of revenue the consumer association [05:59.320 --> 06:01.800] Kodakons has warned. [06:01.800 --> 06:03.720] Consumption is heavily dropping. [06:03.720 --> 06:08.720] Italians spent 400 million euros less than expected on the days leading to Christmas Eve [06:08.720 --> 06:14.600] and Christmas Day, meaning that each citizen spent about 50 euros less compared to the [06:14.600 --> 06:16.160] same period last year. [06:16.160 --> 06:25.040] Unfortunately, as predicted by all major consumers' associations, two Italians out of three are [06:25.040 --> 06:30.800] spending much less compared to last year, and all sectors, wholesalers and retailers, [06:30.800 --> 06:33.440] have been heavily affected. [06:33.440 --> 06:38.360] Things will seemingly not improve in the coming days as winter sale expenditures are expected [06:38.360 --> 06:44.600] to drop by 30-40 percent compared to December 2010, according to Kodakons. [06:44.600 --> 06:50.720] Italian Bureau of Statistics has announced that the consumer confidence index failed significantly [06:50.720 --> 06:56.640] in November, while the country's economy has shrunk by 0.2 percent in the three months [06:56.640 --> 07:00.800] prior to October, the first contraction since 2009. [07:00.800 --> 07:06.720] According to most shopkeepers, pressure on Italians is really high, taxes are heavy and [07:06.720 --> 07:09.720] wages too low compared to the cost of living. [07:09.720 --> 07:17.600] It goes without saying that the economic crisis and the recent emergency measures passed [07:17.600 --> 07:23.360] by the parliament have made people decide to spend much less, to be more cautious. [07:23.360 --> 07:28.560] I think most Italians fear hard times ahead. [07:28.560 --> 07:33.320] Fear the challenges introduced by the government, the new taxes, people have not adjusted to [07:33.320 --> 07:36.560] the new fiscal regime yet. [07:36.560 --> 07:41.360] Italians seem to be very worried about having to deal with the new tax sikes contained in [07:41.360 --> 07:45.400] the anti-crisis package recently passed by the parliament. [07:45.400 --> 07:51.320] The announced increases in new taxes on petrol, the higher value added tax, as well as their [07:51.320 --> 07:56.560] introduction of the real estate tax on the first house, will likely have a huge impact [07:56.560 --> 07:57.560] on their lives. [07:57.560 --> 08:05.840] Unfortunately, the three austerity plans that have been implemented since August this year [08:05.840 --> 08:08.760] have made things really confuse things. [08:08.760 --> 08:11.440] Italians are extremely disoriented and disappointed. [08:11.440 --> 08:16.480] We need the government to seriously start focusing on the country's economic growth. [08:16.480 --> 08:21.040] Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has announced that phase two of his emergency government's [08:21.040 --> 08:23.560] action would be all about growth. [08:23.560 --> 08:29.080] Monti is determined to take on vested interest and lobbyists by opening up the Italian economy [08:29.080 --> 08:30.880] to more competition. [08:30.880 --> 08:36.160] Whether he manages to do so while retaining the political party's support remains to be [08:36.160 --> 08:37.160] seen. [08:37.160 --> 08:48.000] Max Civili, Press TV, Rome. [08:48.000 --> 08:52.440] The Youth Revolution of Yemen held a press conference in San Osloberace Square about [08:52.440 --> 08:57.280] the events which took place in the March of Life demonstration and resulted in the death [08:57.280 --> 08:59.240] of 13 protesters. [08:59.240 --> 09:03.440] The conference also called for the arrest of the U.S. ambassador Gerald Werstein, who [09:03.440 --> 09:09.600] was set to play a key role in the killing of the March of Life protesters. [09:09.600 --> 09:13.240] Speakers during the press conference called for the U.S. ambassador to be held accountable [09:13.240 --> 09:18.960] for being behind the killing of peaceful protesters. [09:18.960 --> 09:23.560] We call on the so-called prime minister to arrest the ambassador because he is one of [09:23.560 --> 09:28.680] the first people to give the green light for the killing of innocent protesters. [09:28.680 --> 09:33.200] The press conference on I came after Gerald Werstein said that the March of Life demonstration [09:33.200 --> 09:38.680] started from the city of Tez with the intention to cause further chaos and to trigger a violent [09:38.680 --> 09:43.680] reaction from regime forces. [09:43.680 --> 09:48.480] His remarks sparked nationwide outrage as youth protesters have taken to the streets, [09:48.480 --> 09:56.080] calling on the ambassador to immediately leave the country or to face prosecution. [09:56.080 --> 10:02.040] We are very surprised at the U.S. ambassador's latest remarks because he represents a country [10:02.040 --> 10:08.080] which is supposedly the world leader of democracy, free speech and equality. [10:08.080 --> 10:14.440] So how can he accuse this peaceful demonstration of having bad intention and being equipped [10:14.440 --> 10:16.200] with armed weapons? [10:16.200 --> 10:22.800] I was part of the demonstration and it was not equipped with weapons. [10:22.800 --> 10:27.160] U.S. intervention has been strongly condemned throughout the Yemeni uprising as many Yemenis [10:27.160 --> 10:32.080] accused Washington of having its own agenda aimed at crushing the Islamic awakening, which [10:32.080 --> 10:39.280] they say will one day rid Yemen and the rest of the Muslim world from foreign intervention. [10:39.280 --> 10:43.400] The youth revolution concludes today's conference by reassuring that their peaceful demonstrations [10:43.400 --> 10:48.520] will continue despite the government's continuous attacks and despite the U.S. ambassador's [10:48.520 --> 10:54.520] latest remarks, they also say their revolution started up peacefully and will remain peacefully. [10:54.520 --> 11:21.520] Joseph Maudi, Press TV, Sana'a. [11:54.520 --> 12:10.880] Press TV had lines, Iran's Navy commander tells Press TV about shutting the key oil [12:10.880 --> 12:32.560] transit strait of Hormoz, the leader of Iran's Islamic revolution says the popular movements [12:32.560 --> 12:43.520] and revolutions in that world are anti-U.S. and a senior Israeli military official says [12:43.520 --> 13:11.680] this must start another war against the Gaza Strip. [13:11.680 --> 13:15.920] The commander of Iran's Navy has said the country can easily close the strategic strait [13:15.920 --> 13:22.640] of Hormoz if necessary. [13:22.640 --> 13:31.040] Closing the strait of Hormoz for the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very [13:31.040 --> 13:32.040] easy. [13:32.040 --> 13:40.760] It's a capability that has been built initially into naval forces' abilities. [13:40.760 --> 13:48.760] But today we're not in the Hormoz strait, we are in the Sea of Oman and we don't need [13:48.760 --> 13:57.000] to close the Hormoz strait, we can just deal with the Sea of Oman today. [13:57.000 --> 14:01.600] Therefore we can control it from right here. [14:01.600 --> 14:05.240] Earlier Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi warned that not a drop of oil would [14:05.240 --> 14:09.960] be allowed to pass through the strait of Hormoz if sanctions are imposed on Iran's oil. [14:09.960 --> 14:13.560] The comments by the Navy Commander and Vice President have come as Iranian naval forces [14:13.560 --> 14:18.800] are midway through their 10 days of exercises in the strait of Hormoz and beyond. [14:18.800 --> 14:22.640] Among the objectives of the Velayad 90 drills is to expand the presence of Iranian armed [14:22.640 --> 14:28.080] forces in international waters and to prepare against piracy, terrorism or induced disruption [14:28.080 --> 14:32.760] to regional trade. [14:32.760 --> 14:36.000] The leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution says the uprisings and revolutions in the Middle [14:36.000 --> 14:40.320] East and North Africa are anti-American. [14:40.320 --> 14:44.320] He argues current Arab revolutions differ from those in the past in that they have been [14:44.320 --> 14:48.800] opposed by the U.S. and that people maintain an active presence. [14:48.800 --> 14:53.160] The leader also criticized the U.S. for adopting contradictory stances towards regional countries. [14:53.160 --> 14:58.560] He said any democratic and patriotic leader to be elected in these countries will oppose [14:58.560 --> 15:00.720] the U.S. and Zionists. [15:00.720 --> 15:05.120] Iran's leader also said the victory of Islamic parties and elections in these countries proves [15:05.120 --> 15:07.320] the Islamic nature of these revolutions. [15:07.320 --> 15:16.080] However, that does not mean they all demand an Islamic government like that in Iran. [15:16.080 --> 15:20.160] On to Yemen, where a civilian has been shot dead in clashes between forces loyal to outgoing [15:20.160 --> 15:24.400] ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition fighters in the capital, Sanaab. [15:24.400 --> 15:28.500] What is to say the clash broke out after Republican Guard troops tried to remove barriers near [15:28.500 --> 15:33.680] the interior ministry to try to bring normalcy to the capital following the unrest. [15:33.680 --> 15:35.480] We have been injured in the gun battle. [15:35.480 --> 15:39.360] In the meantime, hundreds of government employees have rallied in Sanaa. [15:39.360 --> 15:40.880] They are demanding reforms. [15:40.880 --> 15:45.120] Iran also wants what they call corrupt managers to be expelled. [15:45.120 --> 15:48.240] Rallies also continue demanding solid to stand trial. [15:48.240 --> 15:52.560] People hold him responsible for the death of many innocent people in recent months. [15:52.560 --> 16:00.520] Yemen has been the scene of demonstrations since February demanding regime change. [16:00.520 --> 16:04.760] U.S. supporters of the power transfer deal in Yemen have attacked anti-regime protesters [16:04.760 --> 16:07.440] in Change Square in the capital, Sanaa. [16:07.440 --> 16:10.680] As a result, 35 people have been injured. [16:10.680 --> 16:14.960] Sources close to Houthi movement say about 2,000 members of the Isla party attacked their [16:14.960 --> 16:20.960] camps where sit-in continues demanding outgoing ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh to be brought to justice. [16:20.960 --> 16:25.220] The stone and stick-wielding attackers also dismantled tents, one of which served as a [16:25.220 --> 16:26.720] field hospital. [16:26.720 --> 16:31.600] Ali Saleh party supports the power transfer deal brokered by Saudi Arabia last month. [16:31.600 --> 16:39.720] Under the deal, Saleh will quit power in February 2012 without being prosecuted. [16:39.720 --> 16:43.720] Bahraini regime forces have attacked anti-government protesters in several villages across the [16:43.720 --> 17:10.800] country. [17:10.800 --> 17:14.000] Three government rallies were held in Sitra, Dar and Ma'amir. [17:14.000 --> 17:18.240] Several protesters were arrested after they were attacked by the Saudi-backed police. [17:18.240 --> 17:21.640] Protesters were chanting slogans against the ruling Al Khalifa regime, calling for its [17:21.640 --> 17:22.640] downfall. [17:22.640 --> 17:26.760] On Tuesday, workers who had been sacked for taking part in anti-regime protests marched [17:26.760 --> 17:29.000] outside the interior ministry in the capital, Manama. [17:29.000 --> 17:32.320] They urged the regime to immediately reinstate them. [17:32.320 --> 17:36.280] Many more people, including teachers and doctors, have lost their jobs as part of the crackdown [17:36.280 --> 17:41.680] on pro-democracy protests. [17:41.680 --> 17:46.000] The crackdown on anti-regime protests continues in Saudi Arabia. [17:46.000 --> 17:50.200] Saudi security forces shot and wounded four protesters in the eastern province. [17:50.200 --> 17:53.640] One of the wounded, a young boy, is in critical condition. [17:53.640 --> 17:58.160] The protesters took to the streets after the Saudi security forces raided homes in Awamiya [17:58.160 --> 17:59.160] district. [17:59.160 --> 18:03.480] The eastern province is a focal point for anti-regime protests in Saudi Arabia. [18:03.480 --> 18:08.160] Demonstrations come as Riyadh has harshly enforced a ban on all anti-government gatherings [18:08.160 --> 18:10.240] across the kingdom. [18:10.240 --> 18:13.560] International right groups have frequently condemned the Saudi regime for what they call [18:13.560 --> 18:18.920] gross violations of human rights. [18:18.920 --> 18:24.120] Syrian authorities have released 755 prisoners who were involved in unrest in the country. [18:24.120 --> 18:28.240] The state media says the freed inmates were not involved in bloody incidents. [18:28.240 --> 18:33.000] Last month, Damascus released over 1,000 prisoners, citing similar conditions. [18:33.000 --> 18:37.560] The latest release comes as Arab League observers are planning to visit Daraa, Hama and Idlib [18:37.560 --> 18:41.560] as part of their mission to investigate months of deadly violence. [18:41.560 --> 18:46.200] Releasing prisoners was one of the key conditions of the league's road map approved by Syria. [18:46.200 --> 18:49.200] The observers have confirmed Damascus' cooperation with the team. [18:49.200 --> 18:53.320] In the meantime, armed gangs have killed four more Syrian troops and wounded at least a [18:53.320 --> 18:55.680] dozen in an ambush in Daraa. [18:55.680 --> 18:59.840] Earlier in the day, troops also clashed with armed groups and suspected arms smugglers [18:59.840 --> 19:05.200] along the northern border with Turkey. [19:05.200 --> 19:08.560] President Correspondent in Damascus, Mohammed Ali, tells us more about the Arab League's [19:08.560 --> 19:11.840] mission to assess violence-hit areas in the country. [19:11.840 --> 19:19.400] We have seen in the images that the satellite TV channels are showing us that the Arab [19:19.400 --> 19:22.000] observers were freely moving in the streets. [19:22.000 --> 19:27.600] They were freely moving and talking to the people there, asking them about the situation, [19:27.600 --> 19:30.720] and how it was for the last several months in the city. [19:30.720 --> 19:36.760] We also saw that the residents of Homs were talking to them and telling them that in some [19:36.760 --> 19:42.000] cases with that, if it wasn't for the Syrian Arab army, the situation might have been even [19:42.000 --> 19:43.000] worse. [19:43.000 --> 19:47.600] Now, they have seen how – they have seen the destruction of some shops, the destruction [19:47.600 --> 19:55.840] of cars they were burned, also in the buildings, the result of armed terrorist gangs, gunshots, [19:55.840 --> 19:59.600] and also some results of heavy weapons such as RPG missiles. [19:59.600 --> 20:02.160] We know that the observers are still in Homs today. [20:02.160 --> 20:06.720] They also visited a number of other areas and neighborhoods in Homs. [20:06.720 --> 20:12.960] We know that also they will be visiting other cities, Daraa, Al-Swayda, Idlib, and even [20:12.960 --> 20:20.840] Damascus countryside in the coming two or three days also. [20:20.840 --> 20:25.880] Another headline is Israel is threatening to attack Gaza once again, Israeli general [20:25.880 --> 20:31.240] Benny Gantz says attacking the coastal strip is not a matter of choice, but a war of necessity [20:31.240 --> 20:32.680] for Tel Aviv. [20:32.680 --> 20:36.880] The general says the war must be initiated by Israel and has to be, quote, swift and [20:36.880 --> 20:37.880] painful. [20:37.880 --> 20:41.480] Gantz added that Tel Aviv is looking for the right time to launch a military offensive [20:41.480 --> 20:43.240] against the Gaza Strip. [20:43.240 --> 20:47.760] The general views the upcoming war as a way to deter Hamas, noting that Tel Aviv is losing [20:47.760 --> 20:50.040] a script by the coastal strip. [20:50.040 --> 20:54.640] The forces have launched several air and ground attacks on Gazans in recent years, killing [20:54.640 --> 21:01.440] many civilians and injuring scores more. [21:01.440 --> 21:05.640] Earlier we were joined by Haydar Ayd, an associate professor in Gaza's Al-Aqsa University. [21:05.640 --> 21:10.840] Well, he believes revolutions in Arab countries will force Israel to think twice about launching [21:10.840 --> 21:14.680] a new war on the Gaza Strip. [21:14.680 --> 21:19.560] What is happening right now is that Israel wants to exercise a kind of psychological warfare [21:19.560 --> 21:24.440] against the Palestinians of Gaza, in particular, and against the Palestinians in general, because [21:24.440 --> 21:29.160] the context within which these statements are taking place is very important. [21:29.160 --> 21:35.560] We need to remember that one year ago the regime of Hosni Mubarak, which was considered [21:35.560 --> 21:39.360] a strategic asset for Israel, actually was toppled. [21:39.360 --> 21:44.480] And Israel needs to test the water of the new Egyptian regime, but it also needs to test [21:44.480 --> 21:53.840] the water of the other Arab regimes, including the new Libya regime, the Yemenis and the Tunisian. [21:53.840 --> 21:59.720] We need to remember that the Arab people have actually been fighting for human rights and [21:59.720 --> 22:00.720] democracy. [22:00.720 --> 22:05.200] Human rights and democracy are the essence of the Palestinian cause. [22:05.200 --> 22:10.240] Democracy is also the antithesis of Zionism, judging by what happened to the apartheid [22:10.240 --> 22:17.360] system in 1994, when most South Africans went to the polling stations and exercised their [22:17.360 --> 22:24.400] democratic right and voted for Nelson Mandela as the first black president of South Africa. [22:24.400 --> 22:28.920] That ultimately meant the end of the apartheid system in South Africa. [22:28.920 --> 22:34.320] The same thing might happen here in the Arab world, where democracy will ultimately lead [22:34.320 --> 22:37.960] to the end of the Zionist enterprise in Palestine. [22:37.960 --> 22:44.880] And that is why Israel feels very, very serious about the loss of the strategic asset in Egypt, [22:44.880 --> 22:47.960] that is to say, the Mubarak regime. [22:47.960 --> 22:49.960] Statements by Haidar Aid there. [22:49.960 --> 22:54.640] Well, another news related to Israel, Israel has approved the construction of 130 new settlement [22:54.640 --> 22:57.800] units in East Jerusalem, Al-Quds. [22:57.800 --> 23:01.520] The new units are scheduled to be built in Gilo settlement just a few kilometers north [23:01.520 --> 23:03.240] of Bethlehem. [23:03.240 --> 23:07.560] Israel has been expanding settlement activities over the past months, despite international [23:07.560 --> 23:08.920] criticism. [23:08.920 --> 23:12.680] The move has been a major stumbling block to direct negotiations between Tel Aviv and the [23:12.680 --> 23:14.440] Palestinian Authority. [23:14.440 --> 23:28.520] The United Nations views the settlement, construction and occupied Palestinian territory as illegal. [23:28.520 --> 23:32.280] Egyptian opposition leader Muhammad al-Badari says the U.S. is in talks with Egypt's military [23:32.280 --> 23:36.160] council to try and preserve the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. [23:36.160 --> 23:40.320] Al-Badari says secret negotiations between U.S. representatives and the ruling military [23:40.320 --> 23:46.040] council are aimed at ensuring the new government will maintain the 1979 peace treaty. [23:46.040 --> 23:49.520] This is while some political parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice [23:49.520 --> 23:52.680] Party, have questioned the fate of the peace treaty. [23:52.680 --> 23:56.200] Calls for an end to the Cairo-Tel Aviv treaty have grown since the fall of Egypt's former [23:56.200 --> 23:59.120] President Hosni Mubarak earlier this year. [23:59.120 --> 24:08.720] His Egyptians have demanded an end to all ties with Tel Aviv and want an end to the treaty. [24:08.720 --> 24:12.200] And in other headlines, Egypt's Al-Siddiad Hosni Mubarak has returned to court for the [24:12.200 --> 24:14.720] resumption of his trial after a three-month break. [24:14.720 --> 24:19.200] Mubarak, his two sons, former Interior Minister Habib al-Edli and six of his eight, took the [24:19.200 --> 24:22.240] stand again at the police academy. [24:22.240 --> 24:25.960] Mubarak is charged with corruption and killing hundreds of protesters in the crackdown against [24:25.960 --> 24:35.160] the massive uprising, which ended with his rule on February 11. [24:35.160 --> 24:38.760] Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he is ready for dialogue with the opposition. [24:38.760 --> 24:43.400] Putin says the opposition has failed to reach a common set of demands. [24:43.400 --> 24:47.880] This comes after tens of thousands rallied in Moscow and St. Petersburg to protest against [24:47.880 --> 24:54.680] parliamentary election results on Saturday. [24:54.680 --> 24:59.400] The T-Corp protesters in the United States say they will expand the rallies as Republican [24:59.400 --> 25:03.480] presidential hopefuls step up their election campaigns. [25:03.480 --> 25:08.160] Protesters have pledged to interrupt candidates at events and camp out at their Iowa campaign [25:08.160 --> 25:14.840] offices. [25:14.840 --> 25:20.520] Thousands of Israelis have demonstrated against ultra-Orthodox violence and gendered segregation. [25:20.520 --> 25:25.040] There is protest exclusion of women as well as violence against girls and women by Haredi [25:25.040 --> 25:27.580] extremists in the town of Beit Shemesh. [25:27.580 --> 25:34.600] This comes one day after several Orthodox Jews were detained during clashes with police. [25:34.600 --> 25:38.560] The Argentine president, Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, has been diagnosed with cancer [25:38.560 --> 25:41.800] and will undergo an operation in January. [25:41.800 --> 25:47.360] Her government says the cancer is in her thyroid gland and has not spread to other parts of [25:47.360 --> 25:48.360] her body. [25:48.360 --> 26:00.360] Fernandez recently began her second term as president after a landslide election victory. [26:00.360 --> 26:04.760] Coming up later in this bulletin funeral ceremonies for North Korea's late leader Kim Jong-il. [26:04.760 --> 26:26.280] Stay with us. [26:47.400 --> 27:01.560] How to shelter in place. [27:01.560 --> 27:09.280] Shelter in place is where we ask the public to remain indoors, close all doors, close [27:09.280 --> 27:12.280] all windows. [27:12.280 --> 27:16.320] We would not discount anybody's concerns about living by the refineries. [27:16.320 --> 27:19.400] I think they've been very responsive as an industry. [27:19.400 --> 27:22.560] There's no excuse, no excuse. [27:22.560 --> 27:25.800] You will get your daily dose of toxic chemicals. [27:25.800 --> 27:33.800] How many people know a child with acute asthma? [27:33.800 --> 27:38.800] Hands down. [27:38.800 --> 27:41.800] Hello and welcome back to World News here on Press TV. [27:41.800 --> 27:45.580] Hundreds of activists have demonstrated in front of Cairo City Council to show solidarity [27:45.580 --> 27:50.800] with Samira, a woman who was forced by the army to undergo a virginity test. [27:50.800 --> 27:54.440] The court has recently ordered military prisons to stop such tests. [27:54.440 --> 28:00.680] Karim Gamaladeen has been following that story from Cairo. [28:00.680 --> 28:05.520] An Egyptian court has ordered that forced virginity tests be stopped on female detainees [28:05.520 --> 28:07.160] in military prisons. [28:07.160 --> 28:11.280] The decision was made after a case was brought by a protestor, Samira Ibrahim. [28:11.280 --> 28:15.960] She was forced by the army to undergo a virginity test after she was arrested during a protest [28:15.960 --> 28:18.560] in Cairo's Liberation Square in March. [28:18.560 --> 28:23.200] Samira told Press TV that many women have lost their trust in the army, especially after [28:23.200 --> 28:28.480] such brutal acts, and she also called for the downfall of the country's ruling junta. [28:28.480 --> 28:33.080] You have to leave, the scam must step down, leave, leave. [28:33.080 --> 28:37.480] Meanwhile, hundreds of activists demonstrated outside the city council in solidarity with [28:37.480 --> 28:41.960] Samira and all the women who were tortured by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. [28:41.960 --> 28:46.240] They called for the immediate transition of power to an elected civilian authority and [28:46.240 --> 28:50.480] have warned that a second revolution will take place on January 25th. [28:50.480 --> 28:54.920] Ahmad Harara, an activist who has lost sight in both his eyes in clashes with the government [28:54.920 --> 29:00.800] forces, urged them to respond to the demands of the revolution. [29:00.800 --> 29:04.200] The Egyptian blood is expensive, and the women of Egypt are red-lined. [29:04.200 --> 29:08.080] The scam must be held accountable for the violations they have committed, and we are [29:08.080 --> 29:11.640] warning them they must leave on the 25th of January. [29:11.640 --> 29:16.080] Other activists have expressed their anger and frustration with the military council [29:16.080 --> 29:21.000] and denounced all the violations committed by the scam against the Egyptian women and [29:21.000 --> 29:26.800] all the peaceful protesters calling for an end to military rule. [29:26.800 --> 29:31.560] The whole world saw the army brutally crack down on females, and this is unacceptable [29:31.560 --> 29:36.560] by all means, and the only solution to bring an end to all this is immediate transition [29:36.560 --> 29:37.560] to power. [29:37.560 --> 29:42.360] We had enough with the army, and the only solution to bring an end to all this is immediate [29:42.360 --> 29:49.280] transition of power to elected civilians. [29:49.280 --> 29:53.000] Activists and Revolutionary Forces have called for an end to the discriminatory and patriarchal [29:53.000 --> 29:57.640] attitudes of the staff towards women in Egypt, as many believe these acts are standing in [29:57.640 --> 30:01.040] the way of the reform process in post-Revolution Egypt. [30:01.040 --> 30:05.760] Kareem Ghamadideen, Press TV, Cairo. [30:05.760 --> 30:10.200] North Korea has begun two days of funeral ceremonies for its late leader Kim Jong-il, [30:10.200 --> 30:12.840] with a huge procession in the capital. [30:12.840 --> 30:17.240] Hundreds of thousands of wailing mourners brave the winter conditions to pay the respects [30:17.240 --> 30:22.960] to the late leader. [30:22.960 --> 30:27.520] Hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the snowy streets of Pyongyang and braved the [30:27.520 --> 30:33.600] freezing temperatures to catch a glimpse of the hearse-carrying Kim Jong-il's coffin. [30:33.600 --> 30:39.720] A limousine bearing a huge portrait of a smiling Kim led the funeral cortege as crowds wept [30:39.720 --> 30:46.000] in the streets, Kim's son and successor Kim Jong-un and other top military and civilian [30:46.000 --> 30:51.920] officials walked beside the car carrying the coffin. [30:51.920 --> 30:55.000] The snow is endlessly falling like tears. [30:55.000 --> 30:59.560] How could the sky not cry when we have lost our general, who was a great man from the [30:59.560 --> 31:00.560] heavens? [31:00.560 --> 31:06.880] As we have separated from the general by death, people, mountains and sky are all shedding [31:06.880 --> 31:09.120] tears of blood. [31:09.120 --> 31:13.640] Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack on December 17th. [31:13.640 --> 31:17.200] He had led North Korea for 17 years. [31:17.200 --> 31:22.840] In the weeks since Kim Il died, state media has called Kim Jong-un the great successor [31:22.840 --> 31:26.640] and referred to him as the leader of the military and the party. [31:26.640 --> 31:30.400] Kim Jong-il left behind a nuclear arms state. [31:30.400 --> 31:35.600] Multinational talks aimed at disarming North Korea have been deadlocked for months. [31:35.600 --> 31:42.640] North Korea conducted two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, drawing tightened UN sanctions. [31:42.640 --> 31:47.920] Although it's yet too early to predict North Korea's political future, one must wait and [31:47.920 --> 31:52.840] see whether a change in the leadership will bring any change whatsoever to the country's [31:52.840 --> 31:57.360] policies. [31:57.360 --> 32:02.120] One of the 2,000 candidates have registered for Iran's upcoming parliamentary elections. [32:02.120 --> 32:05.760] The registration process will be wrapped up on Friday, and authorities insist it will [32:05.760 --> 32:07.400] not be extended. [32:07.400 --> 32:09.800] The legislative vote is scheduled for March. [32:09.800 --> 32:13.560] The candidates, among other things, must be committed to Iran's constitution and the [32:13.560 --> 32:22.680] principles of this Islamic establishment. [32:22.680 --> 32:27.480] India's anti-graf campaigner, Anahasara, has called off his planned three-day hunger strike. [32:27.480 --> 32:32.280] The plan aimed to press the government to redraft the key anti-corruption bill. [32:32.280 --> 32:36.240] 74-year-old Hazar has cited health concerns, but says he will continue his fight against [32:36.240 --> 32:37.240] corruption. [32:37.240 --> 32:41.640] Addressing the media at the venue of his fast in Mumbai, Hazar is also about to step up [32:41.640 --> 32:44.920] his campaign to turn voters against the ruling party. [32:44.920 --> 32:49.400] The warning came as the lower house of parliament passed a controversial Lukpal, or so-called [32:49.400 --> 32:52.360] Ambulgan bill. [32:52.360 --> 32:56.320] This amid widespread unrest and scandals involving ministers and senior officials. [32:56.320 --> 33:00.800] Hazar and his supporters accused the government of pushing through a weak bill. [33:00.800 --> 33:04.400] Hazar has become the figurehead of the fight against corruption since his 12-day hunger [33:04.400 --> 33:09.920] strike in the capital in August. [33:09.920 --> 33:13.280] Members of the global computer hacking group Anonymous say they have obtained thousands [33:13.280 --> 33:18.460] of credit card numbers and personal information from high-profile clients of a leading analytical [33:18.460 --> 33:22.160] intelligence company, all in the name of charity. [33:22.160 --> 33:28.480] Christopher Cullen Campbell tells us more. [33:28.480 --> 33:32.520] Authorities say the underground computer hacking group Anonymous is engaging in cyber [33:32.520 --> 33:33.520] warfare. [33:33.520 --> 33:44.880] We aren't a group, we're an idea, we're an expression of the anger that every person [33:44.880 --> 33:45.880] feels. [33:45.880 --> 33:49.800] Members of the group Anonymous say they have stolen credit card information for the purpose [33:49.800 --> 33:55.680] of charity, about $1 million was reportedly stolen from Stratford in Austin, Texas, a [33:55.680 --> 34:00.480] leading provider of military, economic and political analysis for clients that include [34:00.480 --> 34:03.160] Apple and the U.S. Air Force. [34:03.160 --> 34:06.680] They've released their name, a credit card number, the expiration date. [34:06.680 --> 34:12.840] Anonymous is a network of computer-savvy users who engage in hacktivism, computer activism. [34:12.840 --> 34:18.520] An operation began in June 2011 with an attack on the serious organized crime agency, the [34:18.520 --> 34:21.160] U.K.'s National Law Enforcement Agency. [34:21.160 --> 34:27.320] Since then, Anonymous went after the governments of Brazil, Tunisia, Anzimbabwe, NATO and various [34:27.320 --> 34:30.960] U.S. law enforcement websites and even Fox News. [34:30.960 --> 34:36.440] Anonymous has made worldwide headlines for hacks the group claims to have carried out. [34:36.440 --> 34:41.560] Websites such as MasterCard, Visa and PayPal have been targeted to name a few. [34:41.560 --> 34:46.920] The group posts videos on the Internet, sometimes the messages are cryptic, at other times it [34:46.920 --> 34:50.200] discusses the need for sweeping government reforms. [34:50.200 --> 34:55.120] This video criticizes the National Defense Authorization Act and discourages President [34:55.120 --> 34:57.200] Obama from signing it into law. [34:57.200 --> 35:03.960] The entire USA to be a battleground upon which U.S. military forces can operate with impunity. [35:03.960 --> 35:09.400] Overriding policy, co-mentainers and granting the military the unchiefed power to arrest, [35:09.400 --> 35:14.440] detain, and target and demon-assassinate U.S. citizens with impunity. [35:14.440 --> 35:20.000] It's almost farcical, well, it would be farcical if it weren't so frightening. [35:20.000 --> 35:24.560] The group receives widespread criticism but insists it's only acting in the interests [35:24.560 --> 35:28.480] of the underrepresented, sort of like a modern-day Robin Hood. [35:28.480 --> 35:34.120] Anonymous says it will target an entire consumer database from an online military and law enforcement [35:34.120 --> 35:36.080] supply store next. [35:36.080 --> 35:40.920] Colin Campbell, Press TV, Washington. [35:40.920 --> 35:42.080] That's it for world news on Press TV. [35:42.080 --> 35:46.240] Stay tuned, I'm going to be telling you about the more interesting side of the news momentarily. [35:46.240 --> 35:50.360] Do stay with us. [35:50.360 --> 35:54.280] And coming up in the more interesting side of the news, no more tiring stairs climbing [35:54.280 --> 35:58.000] for the locals of an impoverished neighborhood in Colombia. [35:58.000 --> 36:19.200] And a crocodile with a long record of bad behavior goes naughty again. [36:19.200 --> 36:24.760] Jacques Monsieur was arrested in the U.S. in August 2009. [36:24.760 --> 36:30.480] He is one of the five biggest illegal arms dealers in the world. [36:30.480 --> 36:36.720] 400 Serbian tanks, 30,000 soldiers, hundreds of cannons and even fighter planes. [36:36.720 --> 36:40.200] The United Nations voted for an arms embargo. [36:40.200 --> 36:42.040] Why was this decision made? [36:42.040 --> 36:46.480] We hoped we could contain the Serbs and that they'd stop their offensive, and instead of [36:46.480 --> 36:49.480] dividing people, we'd stop them from attacking each other. [36:49.480 --> 36:52.560] Why didn't you come with an army of a thousand soldiers? [36:52.560 --> 36:54.880] What army, what soldiers wouldn't have any? [36:54.880 --> 37:01.280] We found one of the end user certificates used by Jacques Monsieur to get arms into Croatian. [37:01.280 --> 37:07.080] In reality, he was the one who organized the purchase and the delivery of the weapons. [37:07.080 --> 37:13.000] He was tried again in France in 2008 for arm trafficking in Togo, Congo, Kazakhstan, [37:13.000 --> 37:15.040] and Satar. [37:15.040 --> 37:19.560] Hello, welcome back. [37:19.560 --> 37:21.520] Let's take a look at some of those interesting stories. [37:21.520 --> 37:26.520] First off, life has just become a little easier for locals living in a slum on a steep hillside [37:26.520 --> 37:28.120] in a poor Colombian neighborhood. [37:28.120 --> 37:32.920] Authorities in the country's second biggest city, Medellín, have recently inaugurated [37:32.920 --> 37:37.920] what is said to be the world's first outdoor escalator for domestic purposes. [37:37.920 --> 37:42.720] It replaces hundreds of concrete steps locals use to climb up and down every day. [37:42.720 --> 37:47.920] The banyou stairs stretch from 130 meters and are made of state-of-the-art materials [37:47.920 --> 37:49.960] designed to withstand all weather conditions. [37:49.960 --> 37:54.520] They are especially welcomed by the handicapped and the elderly, for whom getting up and down [37:54.520 --> 37:57.960] the hill used to be a major challenge. [37:57.960 --> 38:06.640] Wonderful, it is a dream come true, and I was one of the first ones to use them. [38:06.640 --> 38:10.040] It is wonderful. [38:10.040 --> 38:14.040] Zuki Peres, who were mowing the lawn at an Australian reptile park in Australia, did [38:14.040 --> 38:18.320] not have the slightest idea what was lying in wait for them. [38:18.320 --> 38:24.600] A five-meter, 500-kilogram saltwater crocodile lunged out of the blue, grabbing not the man [38:24.600 --> 38:27.640] who was mowing the lawn, but his lawn mower. [38:27.640 --> 38:31.960] The monster croc named Elvis then dragged the mower to a pool from where he had launched [38:31.960 --> 38:33.320] his ambush. [38:33.320 --> 38:36.280] Elvis lost two teeth in the course of this attack. [38:36.280 --> 38:39.680] The keeper's next challenge was to retrieve their instruments as the reptiles spent the [38:39.680 --> 38:47.600] rest of the day guarding the mower. [38:47.600 --> 38:53.200] The main thing is to get that mower out firstly, and just try and drag it backwards, lure the [38:53.200 --> 38:57.240] croc around the other side because he's dropped two monstrous teeth whilst he attacked the [38:57.240 --> 39:01.240] mower, and then we'll get those teeth out. [39:01.240 --> 39:04.800] Officials of the Zoo say Elvis has a long history of bad behavior. [39:04.800 --> 39:10.160] The 50-year-old crocodile was captured in 2008 after bullying locals in Darwin Harbour [39:10.160 --> 39:17.960] and climbing aboard fishing boats. [39:17.960 --> 39:22.220] The video from a pet African bullfrog has created a frenzy since it was uploaded on the internet [39:22.220 --> 39:23.480] about a week ago. [39:23.480 --> 39:27.000] The video has been viewed more than seven million times so far. [39:27.000 --> 39:31.840] It shows the frog trying to eat ants displayed on the screen of a smartphone. [39:31.840 --> 39:36.800] After several tries, the frustrated amphibian takes his rage out on his teasing owner and [39:36.800 --> 39:38.800] bites down on his thumb. [39:38.800 --> 39:51.520] The moral of the story, don't mess with bullfrogs. [39:51.520 --> 39:54.400] And that was a look at the more interesting side of the news here on Press TV. [39:54.400 --> 40:20.400] Thanks for watching. [40:24.400 --> 40:49.400] If you enjoyed this video, please like, share it, and subscribe to our channel for more. [40:54.400 --> 41:23.400] We'll see you in the next video. [41:23.400 --> 41:27.480] I am going to go to the office with my gun. [41:27.480 --> 41:29.240] I am going to kill myself. [41:29.240 --> 41:34.680] I would say, probably intentionally, by France Telecom caused these problems. [41:34.680 --> 41:39.960] The problem is that employees like Vincent, whom the company wanted to quit, felt intimidated [41:39.960 --> 41:42.320] and bullied by the methods used. [41:42.320 --> 41:49.000] They want to push me over the edge. [41:49.000 --> 42:13.080] The problem is that many people didn't leave the depression phase and now they are dead. [42:13.080 --> 42:16.800] The commander of Iran's navy says that Iran can easily close the strategic straight of [42:16.800 --> 42:18.840] Hormoz if necessary. [42:18.840 --> 42:22.360] Iran earlier warned it would stop the flow of oil through the straight of Hormoz if foreign [42:22.360 --> 42:25.480] sanctions were imposed on its crude exports. [42:25.480 --> 42:32.880] Iran is currently holding naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. [42:32.880 --> 42:36.320] The leader of Iran's Islamic revolution says the revolutions in the Middle East and North [42:36.320 --> 42:38.320] Africa are anti-American. [42:38.320 --> 42:42.800] Aitela said that Iqamenei criticized the US for adopting contradictory stances towards [42:42.800 --> 42:43.800] regional countries. [42:43.800 --> 42:48.600] He added that any democratic and patriotic leader to be elected in these countries will [42:48.600 --> 42:52.840] oppose the US and Zionists. [42:52.840 --> 42:56.240] Israel has threatened to attack the Gaza Strip once again. [42:56.240 --> 43:00.280] Israeli General Benny Gantz says attacking the coastal strip is not a matter of choice [43:00.280 --> 43:02.160] but a war of necessity for Tel Aviv. [43:02.160 --> 43:12.920] He says the war must be initiated by Israel and has to be, quote, swift and painful. [43:12.920 --> 43:18.200] Syria has released 755 prisoners who were involved in unrest in the past few months. [43:18.200 --> 43:21.840] State media say the freed inmates were not involved in acts of violence. [43:21.840 --> 43:26.280] This is the Arab League observers are planning to visit the cities of Daraa, Hama and Idlib [43:26.280 --> 43:33.360] to investigate months of violence. [43:33.360 --> 43:37.400] In Yemen, a civilian has been shot dead and clashes between forces loyal to outgoing [43:37.400 --> 43:41.240] ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition fighters in the capital, Sana'a. [43:41.240 --> 43:43.360] Many others have been injured in the gun battle. [43:43.360 --> 43:52.800] Meanwhile, protest rallies continue across the Arab country demanding the trial of Saleh. [43:52.800 --> 43:56.640] In Saudi Arabia, at least four protesters, including a young boy, have been wounded as [43:56.640 --> 43:59.560] the crackdown on anti-regime protests continues. [43:59.560 --> 44:01.960] The young victim is in critical condition. [44:01.960 --> 44:05.920] Demonstrators were attacked while protesting the raid of homes by Saudi security forces [44:05.920 --> 44:12.880] in the eastern province. [44:12.880 --> 44:16.520] Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he is ready to set a negotiating table with [44:16.520 --> 44:20.880] the opposition to discuss the Olesh fraud and the recent parliamentary election. [44:20.880 --> 44:24.640] He'd rejected earlier opposition calls for reviewing the election results, which are [44:24.640 --> 44:29.160] alleged to be rigged. [44:29.160 --> 44:36.520] And finally, North Korea is holding a two-day funeral service for its late leader Kim Jong [44:36.520 --> 44:37.520] Il. [44:37.520 --> 44:40.160] Thousands are expected to take part in the event in Pyongyang. [44:40.160 --> 44:45.000] The North Korean leader died of a heart attack on December 17 after leading the state for [44:45.000 --> 45:03.480] 17 years. [45:03.480 --> 45:07.040] The year 2011, what a year it has been. [45:07.040 --> 45:12.440] A year in which the new year was rung in with U.S. assassination drone attacks in Pakistan. [45:12.440 --> 45:15.400] Iran even captured a CIA drone. [45:15.400 --> 45:20.440] While the civilian nuclear program pursued by Iran with the IAEA was yet again questioned [45:20.440 --> 45:28.560] by the IAEA, from the financial crisis of the U.S. to the American Awakening, Europe [45:28.560 --> 45:34.200] fared no better with the Eurozone debt crisis and anti-austerity protests, such as in the [45:34.200 --> 45:37.280] U.K., the most violent in decades. [45:37.280 --> 45:42.920] Press TV was there, especially with its in-depth look, as presented in press TV news analysis [45:42.920 --> 45:44.560] and its guests. [45:44.560 --> 45:50.640] And press TV programs and roundtable discussions took us through a journey of discovery. [45:50.640 --> 46:02.560] But it was surely the year of the Arab uprising and revolutions. [46:02.560 --> 46:07.640] Islamic Awakening, that shaped news for the year 2011. [46:07.640 --> 46:14.040] So join me, Kavit Hathaway for Reality Checks, here in review 2011, at the following times [46:14.040 --> 46:41.720] only on Press TV. [46:44.040 --> 46:53.760] November 7, 2010. [46:53.760 --> 46:57.000] The first elections in two decades. [46:57.000 --> 47:01.840] It was an occasion that a majority of people in Myanmar and those living overseas had been [47:01.840 --> 47:04.920] waiting with baited breaths. [47:04.920 --> 47:08.320] Could it be a clarion call for the country? [47:08.320 --> 47:17.120] Could it signal the start of a new era where a civilian government would take power? [47:17.120 --> 47:20.120] Free and fair were not the case. [47:20.120 --> 47:21.800] Universal suffrage? [47:21.800 --> 47:22.800] Even less so. [47:22.800 --> 47:27.320] A chunk of the population was disenfranchised from the voting process. [47:27.320 --> 47:31.440] Many activists in exile called the elections a sham. [47:31.440 --> 47:35.440] Analysts with more moderate views were cautiously optimistic. [47:35.440 --> 47:39.840] Liberal government parties called the event historic and a new chapter that would pave [47:39.840 --> 47:42.400] the way towards democracy. [47:42.400 --> 47:46.960] Days after elections, the country's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was freed from an [47:46.960 --> 47:51.600] on and off house arrest that had lasted about two decades. [47:51.600 --> 47:55.360] She's only called door or the lady amongst her people. [47:55.360 --> 48:01.840] Since her election victory in 1990, when she won over 80% of the popular vote in her subsequent [48:01.840 --> 48:06.280] house arrest, she had turned into an international icon. [48:06.280 --> 48:11.000] November 13, 2010 marked the expiration of a detention. [48:11.000 --> 48:15.560] And it was an event that was greeted with even greater enthusiasm than the elections [48:15.560 --> 48:18.920] by crowds that gathered outside her home in Yangon. [48:18.920 --> 48:23.960] Dorsuchy had been freed. [48:23.960 --> 48:28.720] Despite reprimanding from the international community, a government that called itself [48:28.720 --> 48:36.480] civilian was inaugurated on April 14, 2011, claiming an end to five decades of military [48:36.480 --> 48:41.360] rule. [48:41.360 --> 48:45.360] Just over a year since elections, what is the prognosis? [48:45.360 --> 48:51.520] A complex political history and huge divisions between different segments of Myanmar's society [48:51.520 --> 48:56.760] has meant that there's no single yardstick that can effectively measure progressive change. [48:56.760 --> 49:02.560] But there's certain core areas and dire need of justice and reform that must be taken into [49:02.560 --> 49:05.200] account when discussing Myanmar. [49:05.200 --> 49:11.080] These complex issues roughly fall under five categories that I aim to explore, an evolving [49:11.080 --> 49:17.480] political military structure, free speech, economic progress, peace and ethnic minority [49:17.480 --> 49:20.320] regions and basic human rights for all. [49:20.320 --> 49:32.160] Military and Governments. [49:32.160 --> 49:37.480] The two terms have intertwined in Myanmar's political system since 1962. [49:37.480 --> 49:41.280] But there have been recent reports such as the one by the International Crisis Group [49:41.280 --> 49:45.200] that claim that major reform is already underway. [49:45.200 --> 49:50.000] The report adds that what it calls a semi-civilian government must be commended for current [49:50.000 --> 49:56.000] efforts in order to energize reformists inside the country to further advocate political [49:56.000 --> 49:58.440] and economic restructuring. [49:58.440 --> 50:03.160] The pertinent question here is if reform in the socio-economic and political spheres [50:03.160 --> 50:05.440] can be implemented in practice. [50:05.440 --> 50:11.360] Ong Neng O, former activist from the 1988 generation who heads the Vahu Development Institute [50:11.360 --> 50:16.320] based in Thailand, is optimistic that Myanmar's headed on a positive track. [50:16.320 --> 50:24.400] We haven't had democracy for so long since 1960, all we had was the military rule. [50:24.400 --> 50:31.040] I mean, even current systems, you might want to say it's an indirect military rule. [50:31.040 --> 50:35.560] So it's clear that it's better. [50:35.560 --> 50:39.920] There are still a lot of hotliners within the government. [50:39.920 --> 50:46.400] But what we're seeing is there are also a lot of reformists, people with reformist [50:46.400 --> 50:51.560] agenda who really want to change, including the president. [50:51.560 --> 50:56.240] So and I think the military has also taken a step back. [50:56.240 --> 51:01.320] He does point out that as with any transition, the future months will be fraught with risks [51:01.320 --> 51:02.880] and uncertainties. [51:02.880 --> 51:08.960] But that changes have taken place in mentality of leaders and institutions of governance. [51:08.960 --> 51:14.520] About the new constitution, it's just like a bit like an experiment. [51:14.520 --> 51:21.600] We are a bit groping in the dark, but we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. [51:21.600 --> 51:27.760] The creation of new institutions like elections, the parliament, the various ministry, new [51:27.760 --> 51:33.280] ministry, for instance, like we have a Ministry of Environment, something we didn't have before. [51:33.280 --> 51:40.240] So there is a very healthy kind of debate going on. [51:40.240 --> 51:44.920] David Matheson is senior researcher at Human Rights Watch and has observed the dynamics [51:44.920 --> 51:50.120] between the military and ethnic minority communities for the past many years. [51:50.120 --> 51:55.160] And his primary concern amidst the current climate is a continuing iron grip of the military [51:55.160 --> 51:58.520] over Myanmar and its ethnic minorities. [51:58.520 --> 52:03.880] The biggest issue I think facing the military and the government, and let's face it they're [52:03.880 --> 52:07.960] one and the same pretty much, is military reform. [52:07.960 --> 52:16.120] I think that's the big lurking issue that no one's really talking about. [52:16.120 --> 52:21.080] And in some ways it's an interesting dilemma for them because they're all former military [52:21.080 --> 52:22.080] officers. [52:22.080 --> 52:23.520] So they come from that culture of impunity. [52:23.520 --> 52:30.280] The government's laid out a fairly ambitious set of priorities, economic reform, counter-corruption, [52:30.280 --> 52:35.640] a legislative agenda that includes a trade union law, freedom of assembly bills. [52:35.640 --> 52:40.600] All this stuff is great stuff in theory and we hope that they're actually very sincere [52:40.600 --> 52:48.080] about it. [52:48.080 --> 52:53.440] Closed country, the worst country to be a blogger, amongst the lowest in the press freedom [52:53.440 --> 52:54.560] index. [52:54.560 --> 52:59.760] These are labels often associated with Myanmar due to a highly restricted environment for [52:59.760 --> 53:05.080] journalists, activists, labour unions and protests of most kinds. [53:05.080 --> 53:10.600] Over 1900 political prisoners are purportedly serving decades long sentences in prisons [53:10.600 --> 53:12.440] across the country. [53:12.440 --> 53:16.240] But there has been visible movement from the government over the past few months in the [53:16.240 --> 53:19.880] areas of freedom of speech and association. [53:19.880 --> 53:25.320] The lifting of the ban on international media outlets such as BBC and exile media such as [53:25.320 --> 53:30.360] Democratic Voice of Burma, the publishing of an exile editor's interview including [53:30.360 --> 53:36.200] controversial topics such as political prisoners and the unprecedented coverage of protests [53:36.200 --> 53:38.240] inside the country. [53:38.240 --> 53:43.000] These might seem like insignificant moves to a majority of the world, but one has to [53:43.000 --> 53:56.800] retrace events to just a few years ago in Myanmar where such acts were unthinkable. [53:56.800 --> 54:02.480] Saffron Revolution 2007, it was the first time many across the world witnessed a people's [54:02.480 --> 54:08.640] revolution in Myanmar led by its spiritual leaders on their television screens. [54:08.640 --> 54:13.200] And hundreds of thousands of Buddhist monks took to the streets in defiance of the then-ruling [54:13.200 --> 54:20.280] Jantha on August 15, 2007, the world watched with trepidation. [54:20.280 --> 54:25.560] The regime's use of mass arrests, murder, torture and imprisonment has failed to extinguish [54:25.560 --> 54:30.360] our desire for freedom that was stolen from us many years ago. [54:30.360 --> 54:32.840] We have taken their best punch. [54:32.840 --> 54:36.040] Burma's Saffron Revolution is just beginning. [54:36.040 --> 54:40.640] One bureau, who is a prime figure in organizing the protests, bravely wrote, [54:40.640 --> 54:46.640] At age 35 and four years after protests, he remains behind bars at Myanmar, a prisoner [54:46.640 --> 54:51.640] of conscience with rapidly deteriorating health due to torture he suffered at the hands of [54:51.640 --> 54:52.840] prison guards. [54:52.840 --> 54:57.400] Bochi knows the hardships of being in prison from his own experience. [54:57.400 --> 55:01.840] He served more than seven years in Myanmar's notorious prison system before fleeing to [55:01.840 --> 55:07.320] the border, where he heads the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. [55:07.320 --> 55:12.000] Seven years in prison, it must have been a very testing period. [55:12.000 --> 55:14.680] I was arrested for two times. [55:14.680 --> 55:18.560] For the first time was from 1990 to 1993. [55:18.560 --> 55:22.920] At that time, I was arrested because I did a demonstration calling for the release of [55:22.920 --> 55:25.000] all students detained in the prison. [55:25.000 --> 55:30.000] The intelligence military officer said to me, three years in prison is not enough for [55:30.000 --> 55:31.000] me. [55:31.000 --> 55:32.760] I was re-arrested again. [55:32.760 --> 55:37.120] The state of Myanmar officially denies the existence of political prisoners and they've [55:37.120 --> 55:42.120] been staunchly juxtaposed against AAPP's broad definitions. [55:42.120 --> 55:49.520] Our tradition is those who involve in never-ending action or resistant means are political prisoners. [55:49.520 --> 55:55.400] AAPP's efforts were partly rewarded with the release of about 235 political prisoners in [55:55.400 --> 56:00.240] October as part of a general amnesty granted by the president. [56:00.240 --> 56:05.080] Benjamin Zawaki at Amnesty International is the lead researcher on Myanmar. [56:05.080 --> 56:09.880] He points out that given the array of recent developments, it is no longer feasible to [56:09.880 --> 56:13.240] assess Myanmar through a black and white lens. [56:13.240 --> 56:16.960] Purpose of the paper that I wrote was to say that, look, neither one of these two camps [56:16.960 --> 56:18.840] is exclusively correct. [56:18.840 --> 56:24.080] There has been for decades reasons for real pessimism in the country and most of those [56:24.080 --> 56:26.000] reasons still exist. [56:26.000 --> 56:31.680] But the optimists have a point as well in pointing to certain changes that happened this year [56:31.680 --> 56:34.440] that would have been simply inconceivable a year ago. [56:34.440 --> 56:39.240] Bold statements by Tinsway, director of the censorship board on the inevitability of free [56:39.240 --> 56:45.520] media for Myanmar continue to make headlines, triggering heated discussion amongst analysts [56:45.520 --> 56:46.520] across the spectrum. [56:46.520 --> 56:52.000] At times it has decreased and at times we've seen incidents where it seems to be on the [56:52.000 --> 56:53.080] rise again. [56:53.080 --> 56:58.200] But by and large we can say throughout 2011 the degree of censorship in the country has [56:58.200 --> 56:59.200] decreased. [56:59.200 --> 57:02.120] Aung San Suu Kyi is now frequently written about in the press. [57:02.120 --> 57:06.760] She was of course persona non grata in the press for years if not decades. [57:06.760 --> 57:11.920] She herself has been allowed to publish a piece on the front page of a publication. [57:11.920 --> 57:16.400] Another sector that has experienced tangible progress largely due to successful efforts [57:16.400 --> 57:21.200] by the international labour organisation is the formation of labour unions. [57:21.200 --> 57:25.040] Have there been any legal changes and how has that changed?