a bomb exploded in a vehicle carrying security forces. dozens have been injured. many critically. this story, followed by our correspondent from the capital. a devastating attack. what do we know about the circumstances? >> well, earlier we were told that this particular explosion took place on something hired by

the security force, bus the security forces move to a troubled tribal region, and that this attack was well planned. later on the pakistan spokesman sent an email to the international and local media, including al jazeera, saying that they were responsible for this attack, that the attack was carried out by fighters, because one of their leaders were killed. they said they would keep the the door for negotiations open, provided the government was serious in holding talks with the pakistan. >> this is the deadliest attack in pakistan since the change of leadership within the taliban. what does it suggest about their strength, the way they operate? >> as you right fully mentioned,

the new leader took several months to re-organise the fighters. they are on the offensive. there has been intercepts of telephone conversations, which indicate that the taliban is going to escalate the number of attacks in the month of february and march. however, the taliban said that they are ready for the talks. they, of course, will become all the more difficult because there is considerable opposition from the political parties that there can be no talk with them as long as the fighting continues. indeed, interesting developments as far as the ttp is concerned. we'll have to see what kind of response comes from the civilian government in afghanistan. >> it puts the government in a delicate position. thank you. >> two explosions in the thai capital hurt 28 people, and happened at bangkok's victory

monument. it is at an intersection that protesters had blocked for a week. veronica pedrosa is there. >> so this is the scene of the explosion. this is victory monument, one of the main intersections in bangkok. behind the crowd there is a stage for anti-government protesters to deliver spooches and hold music, and it was at lunchtime just behind the main stage when a first explosive device wept -- went off, causing the crowd, which was looking for food, to scatter. that's when a second device went off. as you can see, there's a lot of police investigating the scene, forensic scientists looking for clues that might lead them to what is behind this attack. this is the latest in a series

of bombings and shootings that are minor. however, they are causing an atmosphere of fear about coming to these protests. about what lies ahead in thailand's political future. >> officials in the central african republic say 24 people have submitted their candidacy for interim president. but the situation in central bank y is dangerous. >> barnaby phillips joins us from the capital. tell us where you are, and what is happening? >> i'm near a roundabout, the place of united nations in the center of bangui, you can hear the sirens. in broad daylight, earlier this

morning, they tell us that two people identified as mousse limits were hacked and burnt to death on the streets. people in the community tell us that this was in retaliation for the killing of a christian in a nearby neighbourhood yesterday. it's a small snapshot into the breakdown of law and order. which incidentally doesn't apply to bangui, but all of this unfortunate country at the moment. >> this happening as we await the name of the next president. what's the significance of naming the president tomorrow, barnaby? >> well, there's a power vacuum at the top here in the central african republic, and in theory the naming of such a president we'll find out tomorrow. he, or indeed she, will be the person that will lead the

country to elections. that seems fanciful when you look at the realities on the ground - infrastructure in ruins, a state which has collapsed. we don't know the names of the 24 candidates, we'll here them later today. it's unlikely that any one individual has the capability to you night the country at this point in time. the onus will be other african countries. you can see them behind me, and the possibility of more troops coming from the european union. there's a meeting in brussels on monday where they'll talk about bolstering the french force of the 1,600 troops that are here. >> barnaby phillips live in bangui. >> ukraine's opposition called for the biggest rally since december 19th. more than 100,000 are expected to attend. let's join jennifer glass.

how big is the show of support for the opposition? >> slowly but surely independence square is filling up. i wouldn't say there's 100,000 people. the protests have been going on since late november, and the numbers have been getting smaller and smaller. people are coming out, but not in the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands at the beginning of the protests. demonstrators say they have a reason to come out, two reasons. there was a court ruling this week that makes it illegal these kind of gatherings, and on friday the president signed into law sweeping law that curves civil liberties, freedom of expression, all sorts of things. many believe the law is repressive and ridiculous. it covers a host of elements, everything from no more than five cars can get together. that's an action against what

they call auto-my-dan where protesters target the house, properties and other buildings in cars and started blockades. it's illegal to wear a helmet in a protest or a mask that covers your face. ngos, as they take foreign money, donations are required. that's reminiscent of a law in russia, and curbs civil liberties there. >> the anti-government protests in ukraine have been going on for eight weeks. what is it that the protesters want, and how much momentum is there, eight weeks on? >> well, initially they started this protest because president viktor yanukovych failed to sign an agreement, an association agreement with the european yunion. many protesters would like ukraine to turn to europe, not

to russia. (sound drops out) ... music rallying the crowd. it's unclear how much momentum they have, but they say... (sound drops out)

... this congo lease government... (sound drops out)

..we are very happy. but it won't be easy. there's thick bush for miles, and a clearer view if you can get high up. >> translation: from the top of the tree he can see the target, the direction for bombing. from up there he can see a hill, the enemy is beyond the plane. >> the adf is hiding in bush and forest. a main base is within range. they have been in eastern congo for years. they are from (sound drops out)

... and the onslaught begins. but the first volley misses the target. the spotter, hidden near the rebel base radioed in directions. they check the map and adjust their aim. (sound drops out)

>> much more to come on the al jazeera newshour. we hear so many harrowing story from inside camps as aid trickles in. >> why china appears to be losing its appetite for shark fin. >> a huge upset from the best player in women's t tennis, details coming up. >> libyan jets attacked targets. ground troops have been sent in, following days of squirmishes between tribesman and militias. we have the details. >> the decision to spend soldiers to the south came as a response. as a group labelled as hostile,

occupying the base. supporters of the old regime took to the treats to the west of tripoli, carrying posters of muammar gaddafi. >> translation: the nation is in a state of alert. it applies to state institutions like the police and the army, and civil society and the media. [ sound drops out ] ... the libyan government that declared its inability to

address security in the country. it calls for an overhaul of libya's security apparatus. >> translation: security will not improve over the short term. it needs time and a political leadership that can organise priorities. it's a huge problem. >> the deteriorating security decisions forced the deposit to call on the revolutionary fighters to help maintain order and security. the government, embarrassing but necessary turn of events. >> >> and we are joined from tripoli with the latest. mahmood, what are you hearing from the clashes in the south, and the government's response? >> we can say that according to the minister of defence, the clashes has been stopped completely according to the government. they managed to broker a

ceasefire. both, by the way are revolutionaries. this is tribal rivalries that started last year. according to the government -- [ sound drops out ]

oo... we hope to arise more social awareness among our customers to

do so. >> scientists estimate 100 million sharks were killed earning the trade a million dollars. sharp conservists say the ban and support from restaurants and hotels could save the species. >> the ban contributed to the shark bans in china, many are not selling shark fins, and will decline if the situation remains. >> shark advocates are taking advantage of the government ban with a social media education campaign in china. they say if they don't act now, the gains made in the past six months could be lost if the government relaxes cost-cutting measures. >> more ahead - including... >> ..egypt's revolution, we talk

to the director of "the square." >> plus... >> i'm in eastern slovakia where the roma people are accused of being lazy and not wanting to work. how easy is it for the roma to get a job? >> and jamaica looks set to return to the winter olympics. we talk to the captain of their bobsleigh team. stay with us.

>> welcome back, you're watching the newshour on al jazeera, a reminder of our top stories.

pakistan's taliban fighters say they are behind in an attack which killed 22 people. it happened in an army compound. a bomb exploded in a car carrying security forces. >> in thailand 28 have been injured in two explosions in bangkok. it's the latest attack on protesters, demanding the resignation of yingluck shinawatra. >> thousands of pro-e.u. demonstrators are rallying in kiev. the opposition called for people to come out in defiance of laws aimed at curbing public protests. while the rally in kiev is the latest in a series of protests in november, that's when the president viktor yanukovych announced a policy u-turn away from the european union towards russia. thousands took to the streets. nine days later riot police entered independence square to break up the rally.

protesters took to the streets over police brutality and called for president viktor yanukovych to resign. son december the 17th ukraine took a step towards russia, signing a deal under which russia would buy $15 billion of government bonds, and agreed to cut gas prices for ukraine. >> joining us for more thals on the situation -- analysis on the situation expert on central europe. another big rally in kiev, the opposition hoping to garner more support. what is it that they ultimately want. >> well, they have said before, and they continue to insist that the current government of president viktor yanukovych resigned and they called for earlier election. >> why do they want the government to resign. this initially was not what they

wanted. they wanted closer ties with europe. it's now grown into wanting the government to resign. why, why, and is it reflective of the general mood in ukraine or is it a segment of the population that wants it? >> well, to be more accurate, i think the opposition has always maintained that the current government was not really delivering proper policies, and they should step away, and they had insisted on early parliamentary elections in 2013. things escalated because of the u-turn on the integration and gave an incentive to the opposition to garner the support, especially amongst western ukrainians, against the current government, so i think it has culminated, and the

opposition had its momentum in late november and early december when ukraine was in - facing an imminent financial crisis. it looks like that momentum may have slipped away. >> you have the government introducing new laws to curb public processes. is it it likely to further inflame the tensions in kiev. >> i think if the government and the law enforcement agencies decided to follow the letter of the new regulation, i think it will most like i bring a backlash. they'll be protest and as we have seen with the former minister and opposition leader, this only strengthened the resolve of opposition members to continue with the protest.

>> is the government under any threat, calls for his resignation. is it likely to resign at all? >> i don't think so. i think with the russian, that they are quite safe. the major challenge before december deals that you mentione was to stablilize the economy. they fear that if they lost control over the economy and especially the financial side of things, then this would have a negative impact across the ukraine, and all voters, and it would have eroded further the electoral base. now they are relatively safe, and i think it will turn into election campaign for the presidential vote. >> thank you for your insight, joining us live from london. thanks for your time. >> thank you. >> across europe anti-thai

immigrant levels is running high. nowhere is it as great than in europe. the roma population has faced it for centuries. in the first of al jazeera's three part series, we ask "can t the roma integrate?" >> it is a great town in northern slovakia. plenty to see for the tourists, who don't look at the roma wondering around looking for food in the bin. locals try not to notice either. >> all of them are peace and i don't know if they are not working. >> enough sloef abbings -- slovaks had enough of the rome ae scourge, that they voted that man in.

he bought a big block of land in order to kick the roma off it. the roma people look at them like monkeys in a zoo. "we are okay until the whites get drunk and come here", on every level these people are under attack. this sort of thing happens over and over again. roma communities are forced beyond a down and then accused of not wanting to assimilate. people who are moderate vote for parties and look a lot like fascists. >> the roma populated the land thousands of years ago. they've been treated little more than annaimals. in world war ii, they paid russia to get rid of them. they run a risk if they have a half sloef abbing recollects half roma baby.

>> i talked to my mum,vak recola baby. >> i talked to my mum, i'll have a man who will not drink and be kind, than a white one who will beat me. >> the relationship was not sanctioned by the community, but they were by the church. here they are offered support helping them to integrate in social ways. >> they may be confident. "even though i'm a gypsy i can move forward." >> if you want to see what is possibly. look at the village. it has a roma majority. and they produced so much of it that they took tonnes to the poor in the capital buddha pest. this is a village where nearly 50 roma were taken to the nazi death camps. the roma had to forgive hungary

for its part. >> translation: hungary is not black or white. it is beautiful, it is colourful. the important thing in the life of the village is everyone wants to be a hugean. >> there are so few examples, but to say the roma and human being cannot integrate cannot be true. in the end it's about believing it could be possible. >> tune in on monday for the second of al jazeera's 3-part series. we'll look at claims the roma don't want to work. that's monday, here on al jazeera. >> three palestinians have been wounded after israeli drones fired a rocket at a motorcycle in northern gaza. al jazeera's sources say that one of the wounded belongs to the military group of islamic jihad. a child was hit by shrapnel. those targeted were responsible for rocket attacks. >> a documentary on egypt's

resolution has been nominated for an academy award. it's called "the square", focussing on protesters that gathered in tahrir square to force hosni mubarak from office. the director spoke about how the film came about, and what is ahead for egypt. >> my family is living in egypt. i grew up in egypt. i'm egyptian. i'm the director of "the square." when i got to the square i found a magic am atmosphere of people, for the first time, feeling like they had a hand in changing their future. i met everybody who worked on the film in the square. it was truly a col abb rights born from the yair -- collaboration born from the square. i met a street poet, and wise kid what just - i fell in love with and knew that i wanted him to lead us through this story.

>> every person on the scope was either shot at, tear gas, and, you know, that was part of making this film. >> i'm not going to vote while my friends are killed in the streets. i have friends who lost their eyes and friends in hospital in serious critical condition. i know people who have died. it >> there was unnivication at the beginning, then people splintered. i think a maimer problem was the order of things. there should never have been elections of a parliament before the constitution was written.

it will take a long time for things to change in develop. there are people on the ground. fighting when their rights were trampled upon. i believe that continued. what is needed is international support, local support of people that are continuing to push the system, is a change in conscious nous that happens in egypt. what does that mean. that tangibly means a constitution that represents all people. >> al jazeera continues to call for the immediate release. five of our journalists who are held in egypt. producers mohamed fadel fahmy,

baher mohamed, and correspondent peter greste have been held without charge for 22 days noup. they are accused of spreading lies harmful to state security and joining a terrorist group, allegations which al jazeera says are fabricated. the other two journalist are from our sister channel. abdullah al-shami is a reporter and mohammed badr is a cameraman and they have been detained for the past five months. >> investing in their future. coming up, the charity helping street children in bangladesh get ahead. >> and the best player in the world. all the highlights coming up. stay with us.

>> welcome back. could another mini-ice age be in our future? the sun has reached the solar maximum, that's the point in the 11-year cycle when the sun is the most active. instead of spewing out flares, it's quite. it hasn't done that in over 100 years. there was a similar silent period in the 17th century, coinciding with bitterly cold winters. explaining all this is astronomer, with a research and education institute in california. >> in the late 17th century there was few sun spots. this is the peak of activity, and it's like a sfraunt --

restaurant downtown on a seat night. the sun is quiet. it may result in strict windows in europe, because europe's weather is dependent on the gulf stream. that is a high altitude jet stream of air in the stratosphere, heading over the atlantic and influencing the weather in europe. the reduced activity on the sun results in a reduction of the ultra violet light, but it could affect the jet stream, causing it to kink and allowing arctic air to plunge down and give everyone the opportunity to skate on canals and rivers. the mini ice age. the chances that this will happen in europe are one in 10. no more than that. this is the peak of the solar cycle. you expect sun spots, solar

flares and storms on the sun, which can have deleterious effects. that is not happening now. that could change. we don't understand the details of how the sun's activity was regulated. it depends on the churning motions below the surface. in five or six billion years it will happen. it will run out of fuel, expand, boil in the ocean and ruin your day. the fate of the earth is to spiral into the sun and be vaporized. that's five or six billion years off. >> time for sport with jo. >> a huge upset at the australian open. serena williams has been knocked out of the fourth round in melbourne. the american was in the running for a sixth australian open title, an 18th grand slam when see came up against anna ivano vic, taking advantage of

williams's back victory, ending her run of 25 wings. >> i kept swinging. when i made areas, i believed in it. to have the victory it's amazing. we know what kind of champion she is, and when we started and they talked about the grand slams she had won, it's impressive. >> the secret is out. obviously i wasn't hitting or moving the way i normally would move. i'm making a lot of errors that i normally would not make and haven't made in a couple of years. but that's okay, you know, i feel like i know for a fact that i can play so much better than what i did today. >> two of time final lift li na booked a quarterfinal place, and will play italy's pennetta next.

>> novak djokovic continued his run for a fourth straight title, dispatching hits opponent, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2, david ferrer also advanced. >> christiano ronaldo demonstrated the type of player that made him a player of the year. his team winning putting them top of the spanish league. >> stop and ready for another world-class outing. cristiano ronaldo didn't take long to lead up to his status as world player of the year. real on the receiving end this time out. ronaldo looked more than capable of beating juventus on his own.

another real player outfoxing the keeper. the dane's face haunted as the game progressed. the contest was all but over by half-time. real all but walked through the second half, but there was a step ahead of betis. number four. and anderson's agony was not over yet. ronaldo produced an extravagant it's for the final goal. a dismissive finish ending 5-0. carlo ancelotti's team level on points. >> well, that may not last too much longer with john barasso in action against levanta, looking to put points between themselves, madrid and atletico.

>> arsenal retains top spot after beating fulham. two second-half goals gave arsenal a fifth win. >> liverpool 2-2 home draw. manchester city beat cardiff. the opening goal was their 100th in all competitions. >> juventus maintain the 8-point lead top of the italian label. a 40 goal rein. >> seven cricketers could be given life-time bans over match fixing in the bangladesh league. the players are facing a tribunal where their fate will be decided. >> the international cricket council is hearing allegations that seven players were involved

in match fixing while two more failed to report that they were approached to throw games. it's the biggest domestic sporting event in this country by far. those found guilty could face a life-time ban. among the accused is english cricketer dar stevens. the biggest shock is the involved of a superstar, accused of accepting bribes of 12,000. he tear fully admitted that he has done bad things and confessed to the tribunal. he captured the heart of this cricket-mad nation and became the captain of the national team. it left a sour taste for fans and bangladesh. it's been overshadowed by the indian premier league. they've been mired in standals.

the gentleman's game can't keep its hand skill. >> pakistan's chances of levelling their 3-match looks to be getting slimmer. pakistan bowled out for 341 after sri lanka put up a ma'am oath 428. in the second innings the tourists are 88/3. sri lanka extending their lead to 175 with seven wickets in hand on day four. >> a bobsleigh team from jamaica is heading to the sochi winter olympics. the 2-man team qualified. funding is a serious problem. they need to raise $80,000 to cover travel and equipment costs. it's the first time jamaica competed since salt lake city in 2002. winston watts came out of retirement to lead the time,

saying he was inspired to return partly because of a movie made about the 4-man team that represented their country in calgary in 1988. >> at first, when i get into retirement i said, you know, a part of my life has gone, and i sat down and i was thinking about it a lot, and i know - keep watching the movie "cool running" over and over on television. it brings back so much inspiration to my life and thought. it pushed to me. knowing that jamaica has the best athlete in the world, and the 2002 games, we had the fastest start. we just didn't have the funding to win an olympic medal. and the thing is that's why that really pushes me out of retirement. it's a funding problem from the

beginning. season. we scramble through and get through the qualifications. we are scrambling to get into sochi. you never want to say you're going to win on olympic medal. this sport is so clothe, 0.01 of a second difference to an olympic medal. if you trained for four years, and you can combine the training together, and if you go out when it's your time to slide down the aisle and execute it, the result will come. we preach the olympics as the underdog, because the world know what the jamaican team capable of doing. >> the mba, the portland trailblazers moved to the top of the western conference, beating the dallas mavericks 127 to 111. the eastern conference leaders

secured a victory, beating the l.a. clippers. the pacers seized control leading for the game. paul george the star of the show. indiana's mvp backed 36 points. the pacers crewed to their fourth win in a row. final score 106 to 92. >> this year's dakar rally has been run by spanish driver napa valley roma, coming in ahead of stefan peter han sell. the race came to an end in a chilean city. >> and that is all the sport for now. >> thank you very much. >> most street kids in bangladesh earn cash by selling newspapers, flowers or cleaning shoes. many have a hard time saving what little they earn. as we found out, that may be

about to change. >> they are orphans, homeless and live by their wits. bangladesh's disadvantaged children live by scraping a living on a daily basis. they can't save what little they have left because it often gets stolen. many spend on drugs and alcohol, until now. in the back streets a bank has been set up allowing chin to deposit their money and withdraw it whenever they want. >> mohammed earned $2 a day selling newspapers. he has saved $15. he wants to start a computer business, and said the bank enabled him to protect his earnings. >> i can't ask anyone. if i ask someone to look after my money, after a few days they beat me and never give my money back. >> the local chartity which set

up the bank doesn't make profits or charge. >> translation: by saving the money they can making is of their lives. they can get into the habit of saving. >> they want the scheme to be recognised as the banking system. bank executives point out as it is impossible for parentsar gorediens to open the accounts, banking rules need to be changed. >> we from the central bank accept that others need guardians so they can have a bank account. >> so far 1,000 or so children are involved in the scheme. the rest of them survive day to day with little hope of improving life chances. if the scheme takes off, many may finally have a future to look forward to. >> that's it for this newshour on al jazeera. stay with us.

>> new allegations a new jersey mayor comes forward claiming the chris christie administration withheld sandy relief money as political payback. >> deadly blast - 22 pakistani soldiers dead >> a blast rips through thailand injuring a dozen people >> "money matters", a program giving homeless kids a brighter future.