RussiaToday-Video-News-World:Asia Pivot: US boosts military aid to Philippines, aims to 'contain' China

The US is boosting its military assistance to the Philippines with 50 million dollars set to be provided in aid along with more navy vessels. That's as tensions in the region continues to rise over disputed resourse-rich territories in the South China Sea.
Analysts say its an increasingly assertive China, that seems to be the real reason for Washington's growing engagements in the region



The US is becoming increasingly concerned over virtual currencies, launching broad investigations into Bitcoin and the likes. The online currency has won official recognition with a US federal judge ruling it is real money. A Texas man, being tried for laundering billions of dollars using the Bitcoin system, challenged the court by saying bitcoins were virtual and couldn't be the basis for a fraud charge. He failed. RT's Peter Oliver went to meet those who have no doubt bitcoin has real value.


The NSA has violated the rules on surveillance - and even US court rulings - thousands of times per year, for several years. It's emerged from fresh revelations, based on data leaked by Edward Snowden. Intelligence analyst Glenmore Trenear Harvey joins RT with his thoughts on all this


Intense gunfire is raging in the Egyptian capital - where crowds of the ousted president's supporters are battling a mass deployment of security forces on the streets. At least 50 people - both Morsi loyalists and police officers - have been killed in rioting that's been raging throughout the day, according to security officials. The death toll's also rising elsewhere in the country.


The NSA has violated the rules on surveillance - and even US court rulings - thousands of times per year, for several years. It's emerged from fresh revelations, based on data leaked by Edward Snowden. Live to Washington and our correspondent Gayane Chichakyan.


In Egypt, the standoff between protesters who are holed up in a mosque and security forces continues. Hundreds have barricaded themselves in the building and are refusing to come out over fear of arrest. Dozens were seen leaving the mosque however and there have been reports of gunfire too. Bel Trew reports.


The bloodshed initially kicked off when the military raided two protest camps supporting ousted President Morsi. US admits that there are significant obstacles on the path to democracy for Egypt right now. But they have constantly stopped short of saying the President's removal there was a coup and their 1.3 billion dollars a year in military aid is still flowing into Egypt. Pro-democracy activist Fatima Said joins RT's studio.