>> welcome to the news our in doha with our top stairs. back on the global scene, iran's president reaches out to the international community in a new spirit of cooperation. >> on the streets, the deteriorating situation as a new interim leader is sworn in in the central african republic. >> all the news from europe, including ukraine's president calls for an emergency session of parliament following heavy

clashes between police and protestors. >> spain prepares to end its eeliance and bailout loans. is the country ready for recovery? now it's seen as the world's largest business forum, but politics has taken the center stage in davos at the world economic forum. iran's president rouhani vowed to improve his countries relationship with the world. trade sanctions have been partially lifted for six months, all part of a deal restricting its nuclear program. here we have israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu, saying iran's change of tone is not fooling anyone in the middle east. we report now from davos. >> it's described by some as the most important speech that the world economic forum at davos

has produced in recent years. this was president of iran making his most public effort yet to present a friendly face to the world. >> nobody can live on their observe, no nation, no country can resolve their problems on their own. no economic institution can grow without paying attention to social issues. no power can have permanent domination over anything. >> rouhani is positioning himself as one of those leaders vital to global stability and security. it was a speech that combined themes of conciliation, moderation, and of course investment. >> i think those energy investments in particular would be of move interest. my guess is the european companies will move first. they've got a longer history there recently than the americans, but the americans won't be far behind. >> he sits at the epicenter of

most of the world's big evident problems, and of course the war in syria, where iran is a vital ally of bashar al assad yet he's not represented in the negotiating table. rouhani did not offer a fast cure to these problems but does seem to have opened the way to construction interaction with the world as he put it and to investment that he hopes will turn iran into one of the world's leading economies in a matter of years. >> which in turn predispose that is sanctions will eventually be lifted. that can only happen once iran reaches a final agreement with the world powers on the nuclear issue. this then appears to have been rouhani's show of support for that pros and his belief it can proceed. >> it's going to be difficult to get a comprehensive nuclear deal. with this speech, penalty rouhani has shown that he is personally committed to it.

will it get done? time will tell, but this is the speech everyone wanted to see and is probably the most important speech given by an iranian leader since the revolution. >> with that, iran has taken another step in from the cold. >> we are joined live from davos. what is the reaction to the speech? >> just wandering around here and talking to people it seems clear economically at least the speech was. heed extremely well. a lot of businesses and companies will be very, very keen to do business with iran, a company with a developed economy and some saying fine sentiments, fine words, we'll wait to see what happens next. there are people who will have been watching the process since

that key nuclear deal in november with bathed breath, as iran emerges once again into the international arena hoping perhaps willing the process on, be but waiting to see. some will not have been willing it on with quite so much gusto, among them, israel, long threatened by iran. netanyahu spoke a couple of hours after president rouhani. >> believe me, we are not reassured by the soft words that were said here this morning by the president of iran. they get it. they understand that these are, you know, a change of words with unchanging deeds. they understand that iran remains aggressive, that it supports terror, that it participates in the slaughter in syria, that it's pursuing the development of ballistic missiles and plutonium for weapons. we all wish there was a real change in iran. we don't see that.

we have to look at their deeds and not at the soft words that they utter. >> i should tell you that the two leaders' planes were parked side by side at the runway. that seems to be as close as they physically got to one another. netanyahu still very clearly mistrusts iran and the sentiments of mr. rouhani, everyone else seems to be giving him morals the benefit of the doubt. secretary kerry will possibly be having bilateral meetings with the eye raines. the possibility exists that he may meet with rouhani here at this meeting. >> interesting developments there. thanks very much. >> rouhani is delivering a very different message from his predecessor.

the iranian capitol is gauging the reactions to this president's tone. >> this is the second major address rouhani has given as the president of iran since he was elected in june last year. the first was his address to the u.n. general assembly in september, the second of course the key note address in davos. when he was elected, he promised change, but not just change to do with politics and the economy, change to do with iran's image in the international world. this is whatture iranians think of the job he has done so far. >> i don't feel any change. in my opinion, people come and go, but the situation is still the same. the view of foreigners about iran has also stayed the same. >> rouhani has shown a positive face. we witness progress with a better situation for iran. >> there has been a positive impact, it's changed a lot of the country, considering the change of president. also, i traveled abroad and

there is another type of feeling now among people towards iran. >> the most important issue here is the comply, and unless the economy improves, it's really not going matter what iran looks like in the eyes of foreigners or on the international stage, because after all, it was iranians who elected rouhani to represent them. >> in geneva, international negotiators working hard to find a way to end fighting in syria. we are following the latest developments. >> he is a veteran trouble shooter for the u.n., but the task ahead is massive. in this building, the u.n. headquarters in geneva, talks with the two syrian delegations are due to start friday. it's already clear there's little if no common ground. both sides use their speeches in front of foreign ministers from around the world to denounce each other. it's thought talks will start with negotiations about possible

local ceasefires and greater access for aid workers, something the u.n.'s humanitarian chief says could save many lives. >> we've heard terrible stories about people running out of food, being on the brink, literally on the brink of starvation, people being sick and injured, not being able to get health care in, people fear forego their lives. >> so what is your message to the two sides no yes, they've got to grapple with all these huge issues about the future of syria, but on the humanitarian front, what would you say to them? >> put the people first. remember that you are all syrians. you could be talking about your child, your mother, your father, a member of your own family that is living through this horror. put people first. >> one leading opposition figure told me he believes the syrian government want to make the negotiation process drag on and

on. >> after the speech by foreign minister, it's clear the regime is trying to buy time, the topic is a transitional democratic governing body. >> before deciding to start negotiations, it's quite likely that both sides will be in separate rooms to begin with with am bass door shuttling between the two. aljazeera, switzerland. >> while the politicians continue their high level meetings, fighting still continues on syrian soil. there are reports of government air strikes in aleppo. raised on two neighborhoods in syria's largest city have resulted in a number of casualties. >> anti-government activists say the al-qaeda's islamic state of iraq has taken over the town northeast of aleppo.

until now, the rebel group has been control of this had strategic locations. >> a new president for central african repub was sworn in, appointed earlier this week. she has asked european and african countries to 10 more troops to help restore order. one of her main tasks is a organize elections for later this year. barnaby phillips has the latest. >> her appointment as president by the interim parliament has been welcome would by many here in the central central african republic. she's seen as a serious person, someone who hasn't been involved in corruption in the past. she has a sound academic background. she's calling herself the mother of the nation and calling the rival militias, christian and muslim militias her children and asking them to disarm. that's all very well as far as it goes, but in reality, she has

very few tools at her disposal. she's in charge of a dysfunctional state, and the bleak background is that even if this ceremony was going ahead in the center of the city, in the suburbs, there is chaos with christian militias and the christian population driving muslims out of some areas amidst gunfire and death and looting of houses, of mosques. a very strange juxtaposition, something close to anarchy in the suburbs. >> traveling with troops, we were able to see violence. >> they are bringing guns, but struggling to bring peace. convoy is traveling to a town where the french are guarding a church. sheltering inside, hundreds of

muslims who say the christian militia will kill them if they leave. >> this brave priest is their savior. >> these muslims had no one to help them, it is why i decided, knowing the possible consequences for my life to invite them here. i went to their houses, looked for them everywhere and urged them to come here. >> seven people have been killed in this town in the past few days. we're also told that christians in the community who have tried to bring food and water to help the muslims hiding in the church have themselves been threatened and attacked by the militias. >> the french return, but on the edge of the city, more trouble you. these houses belong to muslims.

>> this man says muslims killed his parents, so now he says people here have decided to destroy everything belonging to muslims so that they will all leave. the french take the man away. they get called in another direction. a muslim man was murdered just an hour before we got here. up the road, rwandan peacekeepers try to reason with christians who are threatening another attack. a muslim watches, terrified, his family inside the compound. it's been looted. now they just want to get out of here alive. >> we don't know what to do. this is our country, but they're massacring us. we couldn't sleep last night. >> all around us, people are looting the houses of muslims who fled.

for months, many christians suffered at the hand of the muslim led militia. now it's pay i don't think time and the results are very ugly. aljazeera in the central african republic. >> still to come on this news hour: >> platinum miners down tools again in south africa but employers say they can't afford to pay higher wages. plus: >> in salt lake city utah, the latest u.s. state caught up in a legal battle over same-sex marriage. >> in sport, a swiss player makes it through to grand slam final and for once, it's not roger federer. we'll have that story. >> ukraine's president called for an emergency session of parliament following violent

clashes between protestors and police. we have more on that. >> he is set to meet opposition leaders, but there's no sign that that will calm the situation down. they say he must macon sessions by thursday evening or face renewed protests. the main rally points in key every are, the first independence square, where thousands have protested since november. in the area leading to the parliament building is where most of the recent clashes have taken place, including the violent ones on wednesday night. we are in kiev. the opposition being very clear about what that it is they want to get out of this meeting. >> that's right. you were referring to the different places that have been making the news. behind me, independence square, thousands of people waiting to see what comes out of the talks which were scheduled to start

around three hours ago between the president and leaders of the opposition parties. just in the last half hour, those opposition leaders have gone back to try secure a meeting because it didn't happen the first time around. for more, i'm joined by an opposition member of parliament. what can you tell me about exactly where the negotiations are going or if they're going to happen at all. >> hello. negotiations are still going on, until we do have it resolved. right now negotiated with street fighters and a ceasefire to ham the negotiations. it's great, because it's for days of ceasefires already. we have a very severe situation right now in the city as militia together with criminal elements started punishing people for protesting, such as kidnapping and car fires and other beatings are happening, so we're trying to protect people. that this is not giving us good

hope for negotiations. please understand that. >> the ceasefire's due to end at 8:00 local time in a few hours from now. if there isn't some kind of political break through, what do you think might happen next? >> the street fighters are very angry about how negotiations are going on, as every time negotiations are announced, this very time, he tried to use violence against protestors. there were two months of peaceful protests, and people have seen enough after the very draconian law that is give a break to any political activity anymore. this is no longer a democracy and against people arifying. >> we hear from the website of the president actually that they mitt have an emergency session of parliament for the crisis to be debated again. is that the right forum perhaps, not on the streets to argue where the country goes next? >> actually, it was, but before

those very laws were adopted, after that, i don't see much place for negotiations taking plagues in the parliament. i must say that people do not believe in those negotiations as any -- but any option for a peace settlement should be used, including foreign mediators, we are ready for that. otherwise be a state of emergency will lead to imposing dictator ship in this country. >> thank you very much. that so of course, everyone's wondering exactly whether those negotiations will produce an outcome. so far on thursday, we haven't seen a repeat of the violent clashes on wednesday which left at least two protestors dead in the early hours, but of course, it's hard to predict with thousands of people on the streets of central kiev what will happen next. >> we are there monitoring developments. thank you. >> that is it for now, but we will be back later in the news hour with more european stories,

including: >> a thousand years of male tradition is coming to an end with the first all female choir. >> recent breaking news now out of adas ababa. we are joined from the south sudanese capitol. tell us the details of the ceasefire deal, how it was reached. >> a quite strange developmental in that it is an unexpected one. we have been hearing for days now that the government was expected to sign something but every time they gave a deadline or specified dates, as far as we

understand, both sides have agreed to sign effective within 24 hours. it was made after both sides agreed to the condition that was set. the government is holding a separate session. the rebels had been in key areas and possibly increased presence... pressure on the rebels and therefore forced with no option but to sign some sort of petition. in terms of other detail, we are

still waiting to find out more. >> ok. thank you very much for bringing us the latest there. we'll keep looking at the story, finding out more information about that ceasefire deal just signed between the government and saw the sudanese rebels. >> thousands of platinum mine workers in africa are striking again to demand higher wages. this is outside one mine. the miners say the pay demands are unrealistic and unaffordable. it's not the first time the workers tried to take action. are four miners were shot dead during a strike at a platinum mine in past demonstration. >> the union wants about $1,200. south africa has 80% of the world's known platinum reserves.

the branch leader of the my says they are striking for what was promised to them two years ago. >> the strike is all about a decent wage that the workers are looking for as the management has promised on 2012 when on strike. if you go back to work, they will fix each and every thing that we demand. strike now is all about the 50-cent wage that the workers are waiting for. >> police in india arrested 13 men after a woman said she'd been gang raped on the orders of village elders. the woman was accused of having a relationship with a man from a different religion. she says she was initially asked to pay a a fine of $400 but her family was too for a pay. village elders then ordered the punishment. we have more from new delhi.

>> in the small district, 180 kilometers northwest of the state capitol of calcutta has brought widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, but highlighted yet again, the issue of women's safety and security and of course rape. this violent attack has certainly upset many people, not just here but across the country and highlighted again that this will become a very hot topic during the lead up to the general election. the woman in question is now in hospital, receiving medical treatment and under police guard. her statement has already been taken. the man at the center of it, an unelected body of village elders have been arrested, as many as 13 are now being questioned about their involvement in this attack and why it happened. initial suggestions say that the reason for the attack was that this woman fell in love with a man of a different religion from another village.

that's one potential reason for why this attack happened, but of course, it comes you just days after a woman in the state capitol was attacked on her way home, a professional game instructor. it comes weeks after a danish tourist was attacked here. it comes on the back of the horrific attack of the medical student in 2012 as she was traveling home on a bus. the issue of rape is a hot topic here. it will be as politicians have to discuss the issue of female security and women's right here in a country that does seem to fave its male population culturally, socially and even religiously. >> a new power station is providing much-needed electricity, but villagers evicted for the project say they've been left destitute.

environmentalists fear more destruction in the world's largest mangrove forest. we have more. >> just a few months ago, there were thousands of people living here. now, there's just dust, sand and pipes where there used to be lush farmland. it's the result of a controversial coal power plant project in southwestern bangladesh. right on the edge of the world's largest mangrove rain forest. the probable has outraged environmentalists and locals who have been kicked out of their homes. >> totally opposed to the power plant but the police have come and beat us up and arrested us. >> we used to farm fish and rice on our land. we were very happy there, but then they kicked us out and now we're living in this shack and they won't even let us stay here long. >> the government said the power plant is worth the cost. >> our country desperately needs energy. if you go to our village, you'll

finder people are willing to do whatever it takes for electricity. there's so much demand for it. >> a few kilometers from the power plant, she lives without electricity. she finds it hard to read at home to so i hads at her cousin's house. she said it's hard to con accept trait there. >> i wish we had electricity at home. it's hard to sleep because it's so hot and when i eat, insects and bugs crawl into my food. >> the country you are venally needs more energy sources, but some say there are far better alternatives. they say india, one of the partners in the project has laws that prevent building a coal plant so close to the forest on its side of the border. >> cyclone and flooding happen and the forest keeps them safe. the government shows no sign of compromising.

>> still to come, protesting in pakistan. why these people troves bury their dead. >> an endangered eagle. we go deep into the philippines jungle with poachers. >> coming up in sport, the spanish golfer making a big push for ryder cup selections. our in-depth series on education continues. >> how does math keep boys out of jail? >> thats an indirect equation, i would say. >> algebra is the answer part of our week long ln-depth series. >> only on al jazeera america. real reporting that brings you the world. >> this is a pretty dangerous trip. >> security in beirut is tight. >> more reporters. >> they don't have the resources to take the fight to al shabaab. >> more bureaus, more stories. >> this is where the typhoon came ashore. giving you a real global perspective like no other can.

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>> these are the stories making the headlines on aljazeera. the south sudanese government signed a ceasefire with the rebels. it will come into effect within the next 24 hours. fighting broke out in december and killed thousands of people. >> sworn in as the transitional president of the south african republic. homes were looted on the outskirts of the capitol. >> iran's president says he's determined the strike a meaningful deal on the nuclear issue, speaking at the world economic forum in switzerland.

israeli's prime minister said iran is changing its words, not its deeds. let's talk more about this story, the speech made by iran's president at the world's economic forum in switzerland. with us now to do that is professor of contemporary middle east history. that thanks very much for being with us. let's look at this deal, because so far, looking to ease sanctions in iran, so what changes is that likely to bring for iran? >> of course, iran will gain officially around $8 billion immediately. this money will be transferred to iran starting from 20th of this month, january 2 days ago. more important, there will be more deals with the iranian government over gaza and oil and thirdly, they will be changing the image of iran, changing

investment. this is what iran hopes to achieve. >> israeli has been very cautious about this, saying it's just the actions, not soft words, as it says. >> israel will be always worried about iran not because of its nuclear issue, but because of the nature of regime. israeli will worry about the rhetoric, about the slogan, about the construction of the regime in iran and this will not change overnight. despite all of what's been said, you know, good will shown by iran, israel will worry about iran unless there are more things presented. >> it is an unlikely alliance between saudi and israel on this issue. >> it's unlikely to happen as we see it in public, but there is sort of, they meet each other, you know, over the interest matter, over the detail, which

they are not happy with iran's performance in the region, both saudi and israel. they may put pressure on the united states to corner iran as much as they can, but i'm not sure they will be able to work together to face iran. >> how does it shift the regional dynamics there. obviously iran is getting a huge boost from the international community. >> i'm a little bit cautious about we should be very careful of exaggerating about all of this, because i see the situation as follows, iran is trying to buy time, the united states trying to buy time because of their engagement on different matters and they want to make sure iran cannot get more than what the united states and international community wants. >> once you open those doors with foreign investors in, it's going to be very hard to close them again. >> but they closed it in the past. the last two years, many

companies left iran because of the pressure. basically, this doesn't mean they will get what they want 100%, but let's not forget, important things cannot be done overnight. it will take more time. i think rouhani wants to achieve something politically now to get results later in two or three years to come back to the presidency again and to become for his second term as a president. >> ok. playing the long game. >> indeed. >> thanks very much for coming and joining us. >> at least five egyptian policeman killed by masked gunman at a check point just south of cairo, administrative in at her years say the attack was carried out by riding two motorcycles. two other policeman were also injured. no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. aljazeera is continue to go call for the immediate release of its five journalists who are still detained in egypt.

producers and correspondents have been held without charge for 26 days. they are accused of spreading lies harmful to state security and of joining a terrorist group, allegations that aljazeera says are fabricated. two other journalists from our sister channel have been detained for five months. >> the brother of one of our reporters said he has gone on a hunger strike saying: >> we have more news from

europe. >> let's start in spain where the banking system is set to end its reliance and bailout loans from europe that were so desperately needed 18 months ago. good news for the banks, the unemployment rate remains crippling high, the number of jobless has risen 226%. note. ♪ >> some good news to sing about, spain's economy is improving, at least that's what some investors are saying. borrowing costs have come down and exports on the up. something the spanish government is very eager to talk about. >> there was a very committed fiscal policy to put public finances into a sustainable basis, so a strong structural

reforms program and changing the trends of those in balance have restored confidence into the economy. >> spain's trouble with its banks have been a thorn in its side, and as the economy nose dives, the sector in particular of small savings bank looked vulnerable especially when it was revealed how high risk financing built up the property boom. >> they came here to build and build and certainly did. fueled by cheap loans as well as homebuyers, property prices in spain rose and rose. the problem was that this property bubble was being propped up with money the banks had borrowed from international markets and not from deposed savings. when the 2008 crash happened, the land devalid and many dreams turned to dust. >> while spain exited the bailout scheme, the good news is hardly felt by ordinary spaniards with the highest

european jobless rate. the number of people leaving the country due to work brings down the unemployment. the banks have clamped down on lending which some say is hindering any upturn in the economy. >> you go directly to the problem of the banks and you don't show the problem have followed or the enter prize, you are not attacking the problem, you are only showing the recovery would solve the problems. not that there is no creation of employment. >> spain's government insists it's on the right track and so far have been cautiously welcomed by the market. it will take more time until that can be felt across the country. >> aljazeera, madrid. >> the former italian prime minister is facing yet another

police investigation. prosecutors are looking into accusations that the 77-year-old corrupted witnesses in a trial last year. the trial when he was found guilty of having sex with an underage prostitute. berlusconi is banned from parliament after a second tax fraud conviction. >> a cathedral in england is the spiritual center for millions of christians all over the world. it's 900 year history include such events as england split from the roman catholic church. saturday, there's going to be a new landmark with the cathedral all girls' choir making its debut. ♪ ♪ >> the ancient stones of canterbury are no stranger to the human voice in song. it's been an integral part of centuries of tradition but in a small music room under the roof of this huge building, the face

of that tradition is changing. this is the cathedral's first all female choir. >> when i started, it was deemed inappropriate for ladies to significant in church, so boys were taken to sing. we're really delighted to have this opportunity to give girls from local schools the chance to come and sing in this building. >> 16 of them selected from the 40 or so who applied in november. on saturday, they'll perform in the cathedral's purple. >> we were excited when we found out, because it's exactly the same as the boys and men. >> is that important to you to be the same? >> yes, we finally got here and now we're equal. >> some of the statues here have been gazing at congregations

coming and going for the best part of 1,000 years and there was a church here way before the cathedral. never in all that time has there been an all female choir. that's some tradition to be messing around with. >> the dean here denies there was any specific reason for bringing male khoral domination to an end. >> why not? >> i think that it's why not, really, because the tradition had lasted a long time and it just felt to us who are the chapter here now and those around us we must do this. there are girls who want to sing, and we have the resources to do this. >> to begin with, they'll deputize for when the boys are on holiday, but the girls role will surely grow. unlike a young boy, a girl's voice doesn't break, meaning they can sing the same parts for longer and including girls

doubles the available talent pool. an all female choir clearly makes sense then, it's just taken this venerable institution a thousand years to realize it. >> that is it from here, now back to doha. >> thank you very much. muslims in pakistan's religious province call on the government for arrests for suicide attacks. protestors are refusing to bury 28 people killed in the bombing. the minty community has been regularly targeted over the past few years. we have more from the capitol of islamabad. >> the community said that they will not bury their dead after a deadly attack on tuesday carrying shia pilgrims on their way from iran, the community saying that they wanted adequate guarantee from the government

that they're people will be protected, that there be an investigation and the culprits brought forward. other cities have also been staging sit-ins saying that unless it does not end, they will also continue to wage those protests and ask the government that they must guarantee the safety of the minority shia community. pakistan is a country hit hard, even the majority sunni population have been hit. the christians have been hit and of course there will be a demand for the government to reassure the people of pakistan that they are capable of protecting their citizens. >> the latest battle in the united states over the legality of same-sex marriage is happening in a number of states. a civil liberty group is suing utah over its u turn on gay

marriages. gay married couples in oklahoma and utah are in limbo while the court decides whether or not to allow it. one couple in salt lake city, the debate goes to the heart of the culture. >> west tin and brandon were married in the state of utah, now are in a state of ambiguity. >> you feel in limbo a little bit. >> the pair were more than among the 1300 gay and lesbian couples to marry last december after a judge struck down utah's laws against same-sex marriage. >> the state didn't expect it, the community didn't expect it. it was completely out of the blue. >> two weeks later, the utah government got a halt to the marriages for appeal and said marriages already performed would not be recognized at legal. the federal government does recognize the marriages.

utah is one of the most politically conservative states in the u.s. two thirds of the people belong to the mormon religion. >> the churches influence permeates the culture. mormon doctrine emphasizes the family and church leaders are opposed to gay marriage. >> they see this as the equivalent of pulling the brick out of the wall of the house, the whole thing would fall. >> early mormons had multiple wives, but the church renounced polygamy long ago. some still practice it. >> there is confusion among many mormons about whether poly goo my is part of the permanent pla.

>> clark and markion say ultimately what's important to them won't change. >> to having a marriage or not having a marriage doesn't change how i feel about him or how we feel about our family. >> an appeals court will hear arguments in the case in march. >> still to come here, all the sport, including the support act, as a new star emerges at barcelona. details coming up. >> al jazeera america is a

>> the destruction of the rain forest in the philippines is not only bad news for trees, a giant eagle is threatened with extinction. we track it into the jungle. >> the heads crest looks like a lion's mane and is considered a treasure but one that is dying out. there are few left in the wild. they need rain forest and large tree to say live in, but now, almost 90% of the countries forests have disappeared. >> it's really difficult, especially when we do enforcement, because there are a lot of eagles. i think being shot without being reported, and we are hoping that people will report those stuff to us so that we'll know of the extent of the hunting.

>> efforts to save them is now as a precarious stage. groups have made public education a priority especially in areas like this one, where clan did he say tine poaching has long been the norm. gary and his friends have been poaching in the southern fill peepes for many years. they set up around eight traps every week. they do not specifically hunt for eagles, they say, but when the birds get trapped, they eat them. their ancestors believe that eating an eagle leads to a longer and healthier life. >> this also has been a practice since people moved here in the forest. they have livestock like chicken, but the eagle take them. >> gary says they did not know killing the eagle would mean 12 years in prison. around 14 philippine eagles are

looked after at this center. funds to help them is limited, dependent on private donors. workers here say they are doing their best to provide a semblance of a life in the wild, hopeful that someday these eagles will know what it's like to truly be free. >> let's get all the sport and here's tennis. >> the other swiss tennis star, not federer, has reached his first ever grand slam final in the semifinals of the australian open. he ended his 14 match losing streak by defeating a four time champion djokovic in the quarter finals. he followed that upset with a dominant performance, winning in four sets. he'll play the winner of friday's semifinal, either nat calendar or federer.

>> so happy to be here right now to win that match and make my first final here in grand slam. i'm working every day to try to win matches, didn't expect to make a final in grand slam, and tonight it's happening, so i'm just really happy. >> she reached her third australian final in four years. the 2011 french open champion was up against a teenager in the semis, dominating the first set, taking a lead in just 14 minutes before racing to victory 6-2, 6-4. she hopes her winning experience will help her in saturday's finals. >> i think this is the third time, so yeah, pretty close to the trophy, so, yeah, at least i tried to not falling down this time. in the final, i think i play

well. at least i try to enjoy. >> she will face number 20 seed in the final on saturday after she won in the fourth round in straight sets to reach her first grand slam final. >> head-to-head later in the quarter finals. wednesday, barcelona took a big step toward the semifinals. >> making his 400th appearance at barcelona but was kept quiet in the first half. the hosts only had themselves to blame for the equalizer with a team effort leading to a goal

that was his first goal. the pair combining gun five minutes later completing a hat trick and a 4-1 victory. second tier racer upset two opponents in the last two rounds, but were going to have a tougher time. gonzalez opening the scoring in just the fourth minute and despite torrential conditions, added a second before the break. the match all but secured after the goal, 3-1 the final score. >> as deadline concerns playing

several world cup host cities, brazil's president gave assurances the country will be ready in time. the stadium was inaugurated. it comes a day after people warned another host city that it would be dropped if it didn't complete its stadium by february 18. there is a meeting on thursday. on the agenda will likely be the pace of these stadium constructions. >> it was important to have this arena delivered. this is a country of football. we never missed a world cup, our relationship with world cups was always a strong one, because we are a country who loves football. >> i'm sure people of brazil will show not only this passion, but a huge capacity to welcome our visitors. >> the spaniard who finished

fourth last week leads at the halfway mark. he shot eight birdies in a seven under round of 65, giving him a key stroke advantage. >> the oklahoma city thunder beat the san antonio spurs to move a half game in front of the spurs at the top of the western conference. tony parker was in sunday's game with a bruised shin, leading with 37 points. the thunder's kevin durant had a great performance with 36 points, his ninth straight game he scored at least 30 points in. final score 111-105. >> he hasn't played a single game in major league baseball, but tanaka agreed to a $155 million deal with the yankees. he will move from the golden

eagles, the team he led to the japan series title last season, the highest ever contract for an international free agent and the fifth largest for an mlb pitcher. >> there's a billion dollar challenge for fans, investor warren buffet is underwriting a billion dollar pay without for anyone who can all correctly all 63 games of the ncaa championship. he has run the challenge for 16 years and has yet to see a winner from more than 30 million entries. there is much more, including the cricket board on line. >> stay with us here on aljazeera, i'll be right back with another full half hour bulletin of news.

al jazeera america. we understand that every news story begins and ends with people. >> the efforts are focused on rescuing stranded residents. >> we pursue that story beyond the headline, pass the spokesperson, to the streets. >> thousands of riot police deployed across the capital. >> we put all of our global resources behind every story. >> it is a scene of utter devastation. >> and follow it no matter where it leads - all the way to you. al jazeera america, take a new look at news.

>> welcome to aljazeera, i'm del walters, and these are the stories we're following for you. an emergency session of parliament and a truce in the ukraine after clashes with the police. iran's president on the syrian war. and our continuing series on education in america. how some schools could be a gateway to prison.