hel news hour. to the with our top stories here on al jazeera. >> this is a very modest figure. but it is a beginning on which we can build. >> the first round of syrian talks ends without a break through. >> london, among the stories we are following in europe, a protestor in ukraine tells of being torched as the u.n. calls both sides fight in the

crisis to show restraint. plus, criminal connections. warn that london's gangs are expanding across the u.k. >> and the economics of the environment, permission is granted to build the world's biggest coal port near the great barrier reef. the first round of talks to try to end the war in syria has ended. a second round is planned for february the 10th. so the government has yet to confirm whether or not it will attend. now, according the the unimediator, it's been a modest beginning. which can be -- one which can be built on. >> over the past eight days here in geneva,

sides engaged each other through me, it was a very difficult start. but the sides have continued. neff presented positions and listened to one another. there have been moments when one side has even acknowledged the concern and the difficulties and the point of view of the other side. progress is very small indeed. but the sides have engaged in an acceptable manner. this is a very modest beginning, but it is a beginning on which we can build. >> joining us now live from geneva. >> all three sides will be talking two sides to him, and that we will be hearing very different versions of what happene

happened. >> well, he has presented his reading and the u.n. envoy focused really on the little common ground. the common ground that he believes that they can build on. because the international community wants to push this process forward. the diplomatic track, because without this diplomatic track than the war just continues. there's no other alternative, and the stakes are high. even if the common ground is just agreeing on a future state, which is democratic, where human rights are expected and to respect the diversity and culture of the nation. but this is not going to be an easy process, yes, they have sat down in one room, they didn't talk to each other, but we have to remember, it's been three years of conflict. a lot of bloodshed and hatred. so for the u.n. envoy, this is an achievement in itself. and the fact that both sides are ready to

discuss the geneva i communique. here is where the problem lies. the staterring point. each sides believes that the communication be discussed differently. now, we are going to hear from the syrian foreign minister, as well as the head of the syrian national coalition for the fist time, the regime realized that we won't be dragged away from the frame work. and agree to discuss the issues within that frame work. and it is only sticking to one condition. and won't digress from that. i told them we can only move forward with a plan that all syrians agree to. the u.s. interference as he called it for lack of progress in these talks. it is worth remembering there's a lot of players

involved here. >> well, yes, blaming the united states congress for deciding to resume nonhe that will aid, they believe this is creating a tense atmosphere. we have to believe that the government and those that support it believe that what is going on in syria is not a revolution, but an international perty against it. for it's stances in the region and it's support of so called resistence groups. so this is the government narrative, and the government's narrative has been we need to focus on the fight against terrorism before talking about anything else. for the opposition? no, we need a transitional governing body, once that transitional body is in place, then they can fight terrorism in the country. so this is going to be a very very difficult. but the very fact that this process is continuing a date has been set. the opposition has said they are coming. the syrian government delegation saying we need to consult the attorneys

in damascus, by extense -- bashar al asaad. they have been saying since day one, yes, they are representatives of the syrian people, but their leader really is the syrian president, and his fate is also another point of contention, for the opposition he needs to leave power. but for the government, he doesn't leave power until his constitutional term ends and elections are held. >> what's the mood there when you talk about this next meeting in ten days. and you said that the syrian government still needs to go back and talk to the president to get a definite yes or no? is it an eye that they will return? >> and we do know, that the side that walked out will be the side who be

blamed for not wanting meise, and both delegations are very well aware of that. in one way or another they are both here under pressure. the coalition came under a lot of international pressure to agree to take part, and the government doesn't want to see that it's not interested in finding a solution to this conflict. this is going to be difficult. even on the level of the people of syria. when they sit down together, and hold a conversation, and debate there is very little common ground. they may agree they don't want to see their country divided, but for example, the employees they are stressing that the president is the man who can keep the country together. for the opposition, no, they won't give any concessions to that. so there is a lot of differences. is not going to start to

built on what is common. you have to know the position of regional international players. this conflict has become in one way or another a proxy war with many players involved. >> thank you very much. >> jew crane police have opened an investigation into the areligioned kidnapping of a leading opposition. who says he was tortured. the latest from european news center in london. demetry emerged from wilderness outside kiev, saying he was beaten for more than a week. against the forces in ukraine. looming international pressure to end the crisis. reports now from kiev.

opposition activists tells of his disstubbing ordeal. he was held for a week before abandoned in the woods outside kiev. he struggled to a nearby village and is now being treated in the hospital. >> i was cruise fiesed. i have holes in my hand. they cut my face. there's not a spot on my body that hasn't been beaten. i couldn't tell who they were, because it was all dark, but the accent was russian. nowky not see very well because i have been in darkness for so long. >> he is a member of the auto may dan movement. a group of car owners that have led large protests against victor. fellow activists are determined to carry on the struggle. >> i am very angry about what happened but i am

happy that she is alive that's the main point. we have no idea who did this but we are determined to find out. >> the violence and intimidation against protestors. >> and the country at large, but especially after another act of his body was found in woodland outside the capitol. >> some protestors are now running military style camps where people are learning self-defense. if anything to gain some confidence, in the face of police brutality. international pressure on presidentian cove itch is growing. police have also assaulted and injured dozens of journalists and medical workers while frying to disburse street protests. that calling for an investigation, into haw moon rights abuses.

this weekend, opposition leaders including -- will meet u.s. secretary of state in germany. discussions will focus on resoaring calm. but what people here want, are plans for a new leadership withoutian that cover itch at the helm. al jazeera, kiev. thank you for joining us. well, you heard the disturbing testimony of demetry health there, saying hit ear was cut off, his face flashed, he was nailed to a cross, cruise fied he said he was, and that his attackers has spoken with russian accents, have you seen this brutality taking place before in. >> talking about this case, it is really terrible, and it was the first case of kidnap and

people that are take rn. on kid napped him, but it should be prosecuted, it should be investigated and prosecuted. for this case, to investigate, and we are -- in this case, we are talking about great brutality, and about danger for all active people in kiev. >> as you say, that we don't know, and we can't say who might have carried out this kidnapping and attack. but to some extent, suspicion will fall, i imagine on the authorities and on the police, and that needs report that he refers new find how widespread is police brutality, do you think? >> yeah, we -- you know

we are monitoring the situation. and we -- we see a lot of cases of police brutality, and i think that there are much more cases of police brutality against journalists and against medical workers than it really was mentioned in the report. we know that -- i think that much more than 60 journalists was harmed. and it is really scary, because police officers they are -- while they are working they are really targeted as journalists and we are targeting at medical people. it doesn't matter what protestors do, they shouldn't target people who do not take part in the protest, that just -- who are just helping to harm people. so in this case, we

should say that -- yes? >> sorry to interrupt, it does appear that international pressure is growing to some ebbing tent on the president. in temples of your monitoring on law enforcement in ukraine, that's what your body does in particular. >> is willing to continue as -- willing to continue these protests. >> you know, we are -- now that we are in the situation, in the international pressure is growing. because this negotiation between opposition and authorities and actually do not show those results. because the police are still on going. and -- this case we are

afraid. stay hogen the square while people is staying on the square. afraid to make illegal prosecution about -- illegal prosecution towards people. in the case, the human rights defenders, your honor lits, we will be in big danger. because now we see that police officers, they do -- they are working illegal and completely illegal way. thank you very much for joining us. >> more to come from europe, including the new study on vodka, and why it is blamed in putting russian men into an early grave.

been he dash's beaches are empty. a look at how political turmoil is taking a toll on the industry. and in sport, a report in brings tape of one of the most successful cricket coaches has left his job. with the details. a plan to dump 3 million cubic meters of dredged mud near australia's great barrier reef has been approved. the decision will allow the largest coal port to be created. the dumping permit clears the way for a major expansion of the point. it will be dutched around 25-kilometers offshore. already, a united nations agency is considering whether to describe the world heritage lifted

great barrier reef as in danger. now, what environmentalists are describing as a further huge threat to the reef has been approved. 3 million cubic meters dredged to the port in queens land at a point will be dumped at sea within the great barrier reef park. so bigger ships can deport more material. environmentalists disagree. they point to glasgow, where an inner question are underway as to whether dredging their fish harms turtles. despite years that say run off from land after flooding led to the diseases in fish, whistle blows now say leaking spoils from dredging operations are at least partly to blame. at that point, says the watchdogs will be different. 47 environmental conditions will be imposed and spoils won't be dumped over the reefs. >> it is important to

note that the sea floor of the area consistents of sound, silt, and does not contain corral reef. and blocks off light, killing life. >> this 3 million cubic meters or 5 million tons of dumping is only the first of a number of proposals to expand ports across the waters. >> the more fish suffer. >> this is supposed to be an independent watchdog looking out for the interests of the reef. this decision of the coal industry above those of

awe vail yeah's greatest resource. andrew thomas. >> applying big demonstrations ahead of sunday's elections. they are determined to pressure into resigning. the protestors move to topple the government haven't worked yet, but the party is continues. the pressure was to call on the election, but that wasn't enough for the protestors that vowing to disrupt the vote. >> who could vote against the government, but it wouldn't guarantee any justice in the next government. in past elections it was clear, they bought votes.

in recent months there have been several gun and grenade attacks. >> we have to be very care nfl the nighttime, because there are people that try to hurt us. on sunday, a protest leader was killed in the shooting by mystery gunman. >> also shot that day, one bullet went through his cheek. he says the attacks won't scare him, or other protestors away. i am not scared at all, i will rejoin the protests. we have to reform. despite the violence, supporters have stayed away from each other. the fear is that as they eventually come together in big numbers. widespread violence will break out, possibly even civil war.

>> at the moment, it is difficult to see how thailands political crisis will end. it's been dragging on for years and the two sides seem further apart now then they have ever been before. on one site the government believes that the election is the only wray to prove who has the right to run the country. be uh the people here, believe the election will prove nothing. for now the two sides sing the same anthem, but they have different views on how it should be run. four out of five of india's most popular small cars have failed their first ever crash test. but the manufacturers insist their cars are save. new from new delhi. >> a new study has found

that only the volkswagen provides with basic protection. india is an emerging car making hub it produces the small cars for domestic consumption as well as export. some of the vehicles rolling off the countries production lines aren't road worthy. >> because the indian people are in the emerging world ask for ratings. these five cars accounted for approximately 20% of all car sales in india. only two cars were struck churlly stable. the model of the 800, and the hyundai, i ten were found to be structurally

unstable. increasing the risk of life threatens injuries to passengers during a serious accident. the volkswagen is the only car fitted with two front air bags as standard. they will now think twice about purchasing these videos. but household cars are built, and what features they have is only a part of india's wider road safety problem. >> despite the challenging these patients face, they are lucky to have made it this rehabilitation center. there are times when they have been to three different hospitals before they come to a facility. and the pressure time is

lost. the accident changed my life, i lost by job. i am right handed but i can't use my right hand even more. india is already the 6th largest market, and it can climb to number three by 2020. the sales saw the country's auto manufacturers need to make sure their safety standards don't stall. al jazeera, new delhi. we contacted the manufactures whose cars were tested. safety is of particular mount importance, all of our vehicles pleat indian safety regulations. volkswagen says we are

happy that the volkswagen has secured a four star safety rating. dozened of activists in the main party. was sentenced to death on thursday for armed smuggling. separate charges of war crimes dating back more than 40 years. political leaders sentenced to death protestors killed during nationwide strikes and elections described as a farce, been he dash certainly has its problems can are having a disastrous effect on many sectors of the economy, including tourism. reports from the resort of cox is business czar. >> it is peek season. but no one is here. all of been he dash is reeling from violence, and new areas have been as badly effected a as

the country's biggest tourist destination, the beach's resort. i rent these by the hour, and they are all empty, now there's barely 100. >> tourism has been booming, high-rise hotels have been built across town. but over a year ago, political activists starting rising and at 1 point blocked all roads. many at this hotel guests were trapped and weren't able to leave for days. since then, tourists have been staying away. and we used to set all of it. but now it is -- it p dos to ten to 15%.

>> the tourism tag line would come before the tourist season, and that is certainly the case, as there is no one here. even those on a romantic raid, find the lack of crowds unnerving. >> they married recently, they came here for a quiet vacation, but they didn't think it would be this quiet. >> it does feel strange. it is not the place we are used to. it is not good for the beach is too crowded. but this is really bizarre. >> violence has died down, but the threat remains and business here is still poor. it seems they would need to hold out for a while longer, until his beach chair investment starts to pay off. al jazeera, been he dash. >> still to come here on this news hour, we will be visiting a brazilian prison where inmates run the show, and continue to commit crimes behind bars. >> plus, columbia colorado reports soaring

marijuana sales as the state legalized the drug last month. and golf's former world number one looks to end his european tour.

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take a new look at news. reminder of our top stories here on al jazeera. >> this is a very modest beginning but it is a beginning on which we can build. >> the first round of talks and the war in syria has broken up without the significant development, a second round is scheduled for february the 10th. police have also an investigation into the alleged kidnap and torture of an 80 government protest. and australia great barrier watchdog have been given the go.

clears the way to build the world's biggest coal port. disthe final day at the office for the bank of the america central's bank. am len fisher has a look at how bernanke will be remembered. when ben bernanke was appointed in 2006, he had no idea how a global financial melt down was coming. an expert on the great depression, he was one of the key players trying to stop another development. >> he knew the things not to do. so he may not known exactly what to do, but he could eliminate a bunch of things he has seen be disastrous. i think he was the perfect man for the job. he poured money into the system, helped out banks in trouble, and asked

congress to provide enough money to stop a collapse. i think it is clear that in rest respect, that the severity of the financial crisis and a number of other problems including the dysfunction in the housing market had been more persistent than we initially believed. not by a lot, but by enough. >> severe financial instability can do grave damage to the broader economy. >> there are still issues to the inflation, 1% what is guarded as healthy.

we are not out of the woods yet. if you go between the appalachians and the rocky mountains and the great heart land, you will see people who are still by a large majority. very concerned about the future. >> bernanke wouldn't know the action he has taken has truly been successful, but he hands over to janet yellen convinced he did what he could to avoided the disaster he didn't see coming. >> in egypt, anti-coupe demonstrators have taken to the streets once again to protest against the military backs government. these are pictures from benny suea, south of cairo, protestors are vowing to keep pressure on the government. >> arrest warrants have been issued before 12 people, who have done so in the past. among those are several

foreigners. it has already been more than a month since the egyptian detained three journalists. mo hamed, and peter have been held without charge since december 29th. they are accused of spreading false news and having linked to the muslim brierhood, which egypt classified as a terrorist organization. the government says their cases have been referred to the criminal court the al jazeera network has not been notified of any formal charges. 2000 more journalists have also been detained without charge for more than six months. al jazeera rejects the allegations and continuing to demand the unconditional release of it's journalists. let's get you back now to john that in london with more news from europe. laura, thank you. the ex-boyfriend of amanda knox has been detained by italian police with austria. both rafael sol sit toe and ray man do knox have been recommitted of

murdering british student. hours before that, they left a hearing in florence and began traveling north. meanwhile, keviner's family is hopeful that the verdict will help draw a line under the case. kerc,er. >> you can't ever really get to a point where you stop to reck meredith seoully, because it is following the case, traveling over to italy, and everything associated with it. but the verdict has been upheld, again, this time, so we hope that obviously come the end of the trial we are near tore the truth, and so that we can stop to remember who she was. germany's president wants his country to play a greater role on the world stage, including tackling global trouble spots. he was speaking at the opening of a major international security conference in munich. the only world meeting is

set to deal with issues including syria's war, violence in ukraine, and u.s. online surveillance. london police are warning that gangs are increasingly expanding their activities. investigators say gangs in the capital are spreading their wings to cause violence in towns and cities elsewhere. >> one london game, there were 12 raids in london itself, and another eight in bedford sure just outside the capitol. there were further raids in essix. northeast of london, and in the scottish capital, in all 29 people were arrested. >> british prime minister david cameron is mosting french president in the u.k. it is the first such meeting to be held in britain in four years. the two leaders discussed several issues during the by lateral summit including defense,

energy, and the economy. >> both of us are facing situations where we have to take difficult economic examples. we argued if we agrees about everything, but on this point we do agree happen that we need structural reform and changes to improve growth, to improve employment, and to give our people the best chance of having that security and state ability of a regular pay packet so they can provide for their families, the end that we seek are the same, and i would commend the steps that francoise has made business more competitive. >> now, russia is famous for it's vodka, but the new study has eamericad with a stark warning for russian men that drink too much of it. researchers looking at the drinking habits of 100 few thousand men. peter sharp has more now from moscow.

today for rah growing section of the population here, the party has gone on too long. >> at a wedding the couple toast their future with vodka, a drink that will follow them through their lives. it confirms that 25% of all russian men die before they reach 55, due to heavy drinking and to put that in perspective, the rate in britain is just 7%. >> there are only alcoholics here. oh so many. >> first of all, vodka is to cheap, it is the cheapest 40 proof drink you can get, it only costs 1 dollar as bottle. >> russians they drink a lot because they want do forget about their every day problems.

the problems with politics and job, some problems in family. and it seems to me that when they drink, they forget about all of their problems. it is not just the vodka on itself, it is the whole lifestyle of persistently heavy drinkers that throwed up other drink related factors that claim so in lives. violence, suicide, alcohol poison sonning, russia's love affair with alcohol comes at such a cost. >> and followed them for a decade. drinking a lot of vodka is typical in our part of the world, in english it is called binge drinking it is this type of consumption that is the main cause of death. >> the drunk outingen

othe world stage ensured they was no role model. but since 2006, when alcohol policy reforms were introduced, and anti-drinking campaigns broadcast on state television, ouch, in a country where average life expect transy is only 64. vodka takes the lives of a quarter of all men, before they even reach 55. now who will be the next president of afghanistan. they will be having their say in april, up and till then the 11 men aiming to replace having their say on popular political t.v. shows. our correspondent has been taking a look.

>> will be live in minutes. he is calm, he does this several times a week. he anchored afghanistan's most popular political shows and this is the biggest story of his career. >> in two months, his viewers will vote in a new president. the election has brought with it a whole new approach at total t.v. town hall debates candid interviews and hours of indepth coverage. the ambition has shown that afghanistan's most watched t.v. fluid network with is reflected in everyone here. those persons that work behind the scene, they also want to become more professional, they want to more know things and they want to work, as leaders. media leaders. the teachers -- so they become more and more professional, and they can lead other t.v.

channels and we have the experience of that. there isn't much time to hang around, as preparations are made for the next show. >> recording hours of election based program, and which is from here where millions of afghans will follow the progress of their elections in the coming months. >> we with are talking about a whole new generation, in actions, and that generation wasn't there five years ago that generation was very enthusiastic. for air coverage, we think it is helping to aid.

>> the rest of the world as the election unfolds they know this channel is the moe important otheir ambitions. the media wants to make sure that p has under the watchful gaze of local journalists and the millions tuning in. the battle to keep local clubs alive. that story coming up.

this, security and is discipline in the main blocks is run by the gangs themselves. the police rarely enter, but just as official say, it is facilitated the proliferation of crimes such as drug dealing and even extortion. >> drugs are sold freely in prison. many of the inmates are drug addicts mothers of inmates receive called from inside the jail, from gangs demanding they make payments to their bank accounts.

in the past three years more than 50-kilos of drugs, thousands of cell phones and 44 guns have been seized from inside the central prison. with 2,500 inmates above capacity, prison officials admit they have to strike deals and some power. but they say they still have all the control. >> that will diminish his power, and they don't want that. this is a way we have to control the power. >> the divisions between criminal factions within the jail are stark, to avoided gang on gang fighting. >> there are four different prison gangs and each one of them controls a different wing of the prison, and they are not allowed to mix. >> critics say by dividing the prison like this, and allowing the inmates to control themselves, leads to is gangs extending their power beyond the prison

walls. >> the confiscated guns are not used to confront the guards but rather to help maintain the drug trafficking that happens many the jail. the trafficking is profitable to them. inside and outside of the jail. >> this jail an example of how a striking deals with the inmates perhaps leads to more of the very criminality that are making the jails overcrowded. >> and now let's get all the sport. >> laura, thank you so much. it is transferring deadline day, and in the last few minutes. banned from next year's -- after plays boycotted their quarter final match. the players and coaching staff said in unison as the whistle blew to began their second leg tie on thursday.

the players claim they haven't been paid in months and the match was abandoned after just a minute. they will go on to face barcelona in the cup semifinal. >> there have been reports in the british media that andy flower has left his post as england team director, flower's exit comes after the england team were with thrashed 5-nil by australia. was told his faith to defy the correct boards new managing director, on thursday. trouser one of england's most successful coaches haven't won three out of the series. byron stood down as the coach back in 2012, but england is still struggling. australia has won the second 2020 international by eight on friday to clench the three match series 2-nil. the captain and cameron white have an unbeaten partnership of 78. rory mcilroy after the second round of the dubai

desert classic, he has shot a two under par, he has a one stroke lead over american brooks. mcilroy is trying to win a title drought. number one, tiger woods could only manage a one over par. he is eight strokes off the face. british long distance champion is in western with kenya training the r the coveted marathon in april. it will be his debut at that distance. kathryn soy caught up with him in the training town. >> he knows the london marathon in april will be a tough one. so in western kenya, he trains hard, the marathon will be his first, and he wants the gold. >> there's a lot of great athletes. i couldn't pick one, there will be four or five guys that he is going to challenge him, have that experience, but for me it is about taking part and respecting the guying and just get on with it. do the best they can, and

hopefully make my country proud. eh wants to be the first british man since the victory 21 years ago, his competition is stiff. >> he is going to be competing with some of the greatest marathon runners in the world. this london marathon is undoubtedly going to be one of the toughest challenges of his career. >> he will be running against olympic champion stephen -- defending -- london course record holder. and world record holder wilson kipsun. he has been training here, and is not taking the new entrance casually. >> he is going to be committed enough. sho it is good to prepare, more harder. >> his debut is arguably the most eagerly awaited and he hopes that a home advantage will give him the edge he needs to win.

al jazeera, western kenya. >> the nations rugby champion takes off on saturday, with whales favorite. was international success is not rubbing off on welsh clubs. once a proud part of the community, they have been in decline for decades. lee wellings reports. >> these rugby players can become the first team to win the six nation champion three consecutive times. the clubs that underpin are in decline. it is a town in whalings whose population just under 40,000 have suffers with a decline of strong industries mining and steel. but the recent years has been the decline of the focal point of the community. the rugging by club. >> rugby heros became known beyond whales taking on the best in the world on the local ground. including the all backs,

south africa and australia. but a strong club system was controversial replaced by a regional rugby system that many people in the valley's town and villages didn't want. he was hit so hard, only the money kept them alive two years ago. his son now runs the club. >> it is heavily depend and reliant on the success of the team for its future. and much like everywhere else, it is facing difficult times at the moment. i think the role of the club is it just gives the town a good community spirit. >> a few decades ago, products like graham price were paying him for the healthy crowds. and the british lien yos they are still heros across this town. >> it is where we live, diswhere we choose to live. it is the major point. it is where my family lives. i have absolutely no reason to go anywhere else. it becomes in your blood. my whole family was

involved with with it, and when they created the regions they basically flew 100 years of history out the window. >> graham says currently producing good players despite the system. sus as lee half penny, the prolific goalkeeper signs for big money. >> the lowest grid at the moment at the top level, and things are going well, it is the grass roots level isn't going well, and producing players, that's going to rung out soon. >> the two major welsh football clubs reaching the premier league for the first time can be seen as threatening, but nothing can replace the importance of whales where it is a six nation game at the millennium stadium, or pride in their local club. lee wellings al jazeera, whales. >> and that's all for now, lora back to you. >> thank you very much, with ewill see you later. do stay with us here on al jazeera, i will right back with another full half hour of news.

america.me to al jazeera seven i'll dell walters these are the stories with refollowing for you. president obama asking corporate america to help out with the long term unemployed. and the issue of immigration reform causing divisions inside the republican party. >> you tell me -- we send soup to those stuck at home alone, or injuries people who request not leave. >> this priest refusing to leave a city devastated by syria's bloody civil war.