>> this is al jazeera. welcome to the news hour live from global news headquarters in doha. these are the main stories this hour. a car bombing in a hezbollah stronghold kills four. this is the fourth such attack this year. >> i'm jonah hall with all the news from europe including the latest from ukraine where opposition activist recovers after his alleged kidnap and torture. and thousands take to the

streets of madrid over controversial new abortion rules. and all aboard the monorail how it is getting a modern makeover. >> our top story. a car bomb has exploded in northern lebanon killing at least four people. it went off on the main streets of the town which is considered a hess boll a stronghold. this is the fourth such attack this year. from beirut, we have a live report. do you have anymore details on this attack? >> well, we understand from lebanese government sources as well as the lebanese red cross that four people were killed and at least 18 others were injured in a car bomb near the border with syria.

according to local media reports, the explosion, the bombing was caused by a suicide bomber who blew himself up inside a four by four car on the main streets close to a petrol station. it is close to the border to syria is a hezbollah stronghold and used as a route by hezbollah to send fighters into syria to assist syrian government troops in cracking down on opposition rebel groups there. now this area of lebanon has also come under many attacks and shelling before by rebel groups in syria, and as you mentioned, it would be the fourth time since the beginning of the new year that hezbollah strongholds in lebanon are targeted. twice in hermel so far and twice in south bay right. all right, is there any idea at this early stage as to who

may be behind this particular attack? >> well, not just yet. there has not been a claim of responsibility. but the last two attacks on hess bola strongholds earlier this month, both a couple of weeks ago in south bay right a group in lebanon, which is affiliated with al qaeda and has its main branch in syria claimed responsibility for these bombings. so so far there hasn't been a claim of responsibility. but these groups have issued warnings against hezbollah saying they will continue to target their strongholds and their neighborhoods and areas inside lebanon for the role hezbollah is playing in syria, which is as i mentioned, sending assistance and fighters, hundreds of fighters to assist syrian government troops in cracking down on opposition rebel groups in

syria. so this is a very obviously clear and evidenced result of the role in the war in syria. >> thank you for getting us up to date on this. reporting from beirut. >> an mt with the largest movement joins us on the phone from beirut. thank you sir for joining us on the show. now, this attack as was said occurred in a hezbollah stronghold. this is the fourth attack against the organization. would you agree that this is linked somehow to the conflict in syria? >> actually we agree that it is linked to the crisis in syria and the interference of hezbollah. this is affecting all the lebanese citizens. and today all the lebanese

citizens are being affected. before this interference we had still the social and economic aspect. however, after the interference of hezbollah we have a direct effect on the security of every lebanese citizen. that is why we are asking as the 14th of march have hezbollah withdraw from the syrian fire and respect what was agreed upon by all parties in lebanon. we also want to say that this terrorist attack is intending to divide the lebanese people. but today we should actually on the contrary unite to form a new government to force the problems and to face the problems and have strong and

be able to avoid fire from coming into the lebanese land. well, what exactly is your cabinet or government doing to try to resolve the sectarian division that is within lebanon? >> the government can help in the political situation which has -- the security situation. a new government can also help in creating a buffer zone between the crisis in lebanon and the lebanese land because yesterday also we had some bombing or shelling from the syrian land on the border. >> right. so in is affecting the lebanese citizens all around lebanon, especially in the area near to the border with the syrian country. >> as we have established you

think that this is linked to the syrian conflict. now, this attack of course happens just a day after the geneva 2 syrian peace talks concluded in geneva which nothing came out of those talks. is there a coincidence? >> actually these attacks have been in lebanon, as you mentioned for a long time now. since the interference of hezbollah in syria. and i don't think it is linked directly to the geneva conference. we believe it is linked to the interference of hezbollah in the syrian crisis. >> now, our correspondent in israel says that there is a possibility that al qaeda linked groups within lebanon could be targeting hezbollah. what is the government doing to try to rein in the al qaeda

linked groups? >> this is what i was saying. we should have a new government now so the government can you night against any terrorist attack or organization who are trying to enter into the lebanese -- into lebanon. and we should face this, even if they are coming from the regime itself because we know that there are a lot of organizations who are linked to al qaeda but are directed by the syrian regime itself to the mission of the revolution on the syrian operation. >> thank you very much for joining us on the show and explaining your point of view. a member of parliament with the future movement. u.s. secretary of state john kerry has met in munich to discuss the political standoff in kiev.

let's get more on that from jonah hall in our european news center. >> thank you. the united states and the european union are backing protesters demands for more political freedom in ukraine. ukranian opposition leader is as we speak addressing the media at the munich security conference at the same vent russia accused the west of having double standards in condemning violent protests. seemmon mcgregor wood has more now. >> it is a long way from the barricades of kiev. but ukraine is dominating this. it finds themselves as the center of a strategic tug of war. u.n. secretary is meeting with other figures. they are here to ask for the west's support amid fears that authorities are about to crack now. >> we expect support for ukraine. support for the peaceful movement. and because everybody wants to

see if -- it is our main goal. but, so many people right now especially don't see ukraine as european country. they have -- hundreds of thousands of demonstrations almost three months straight for european union. it is pretty clear where u.s. sympathies lie. >> the vast majority of ukranians want to live freely in a safe and prosperous country. and they are fighting for the right to associate with partners who will help them realize their aspirations. and they have decided that that means their futures do not have to lie with one country alone and certainly not coerced. >> no prizes that they have the right to forge closer ties with europe. russia's foreign minister is

here to protect his country's interest in what russia regards as its fear of influence. he is accusing the eu of stirring up trouble in ukraine. >> why don't we condemn those who seize and hold government buildings, attack the police, torch the police, use racist and anti-semitic and nazi slogans? >> the crisis is causing significant diplomatic tensions between russia and europe. the latter now clearly backed by the u.s. reminiscent of the bad old days of the cold war and the language being used here is doing little to calm those tensions. simon mcgregor wood, al jazeera. >> in ukraine itself the president is under pressure from his own military commanders to end the political deadlock. meanwhile, the activist remains in hospital in kiev. on friday he claimed to have been tortured during an eight day long kidnap ordeal. here is the report.

kidnapped and tortured and now recovering from surgery to his gruesome wounds, the opposition activist is slipping into and out of consciousness in an intensive care ward in kiev. a close friend among the many keeping vigil near his side took these pictures for al jazeera on saturday. >> doctors are trying to cope with this situation because you have to understand eight days of beatings and torture a person -- so he is in a critical situation right now. >> from the ukranian government a dismissal of the whole affair. now it looks like the alleged story that he was kidnapped and tortured is not absolutely true. the investigation is going on. physically this man is in good condition. the only thing he has is a scratch on one of his cheeks. >> in kiev's independence

square the activists now fear a state of emergency could be declared at any time for the country's president running a high fever and the parliament is in recess. a close adviser told al jazeera he thinks early parliamentary elections should be held this year and a peacemaker brought in. >> who can this mediator be? only someone acceptable to all sides. they must be from europe. all sides will trust them. the russia must stay out of it. >> the growing need for effective mediation of any kind in this crisis is underlined by letter just issued by the ministry of defense. ukraine's top military commanders demanded to know from president yanokovich what measures he intends to take to stable ides the situation in the country. on the frozen waters of the river that runs through kiev, the fishermen were out on the

ice trying to forget the turmoil in the country and bring home some supper. >> it's time to do something. i have had no salary since last may. >> but the hopes of a breakthrough in the crisis still look for -- the nation is locked in a conflict that shows no sign of abating. for al jazeera, kiev. >> meanwhile, the protestors have refused to give in to several concessions that have been offered by the government. here is this update. the ukranian leadership has now said that the ball is in the opposition's court in terms of finding a solution to the two month long standoff. the opposition has repeatly refused to accept a list of concessions offered by president yanokovich that started with the resignation of the former prime minister, the repeal of an unpopular protest law.

rejection of an amnesty that would pave the way for lease of hundreds of protestors giving up the square and other government buildings across the country. they have also refused the offer made by the president to make the two leading opposition figures respectively both prime minister and deputy prime minister. speaking in munich, opposition leader called on the international community to help mediate the situation. they say they are looking for concessions that are much, much deeper. speaking for the people here on independence square they feel the immediate solution, the immediate answer to their real desires is to see the president step aside. but he is away from the public stage. >> more news from europe a little later in this news hour. including -- >> it is all downhill from here. the indian luger who has had to improvise to realize his olympic dream.

also ahead, maze is being rationed where many think food has been stolen from them. and inside the first privatery run prison in brazil. and its five star compared to the minnesota many overcrowded and filthy public jails. barcelona suffers their first loss at home in almost two years in the spanish league. we will have all the details. >> pro-and anti-government supporters have fought street battles in the thai capital. at least 17 people were wounded on the eve of the controversial election. a correspondent witnessed the clashes. >> this is exactly the sort of buildup to sunday's election that everybody in thailand had feared. these people moving down the road here are anti-government

protesters. they are coming from one of the essential bangkok stages to join another anti-government protest just a few meters down the road here. also in the area is a pro-government group. and as the protesters have been moving down here, there has been a lot of gunfire coming from somewhere and also explosions. there is very little security in the area. there are some soldiers unarmed and also police but very little security at the moment. as you can see, the protesters moveling down this road. and this was an area of bangkok that the security forces, both military and police warned could see violence on election day. we haven't even reached the day yet and already a lot of gunfire and explosions here. >> let's get a view from the other side. the pro government area in north bangkok. >> just hours before elections are held here in thailand, polling stations like this one have been set up across the

country. and notice boards have gone up to show the people who the candidates are. there are lists of registered voters and party lists as well. 49 million people across thailand are in fact registered to vote. this is going to be very interesting to see how many are actually able to vote because of the threat by anti-government protesters have been escalating for months to obstruct the election process. the police have already said they expect voting to go quite smoothly in the north and northeast central parts of thailand. but bangkok and the south may see some real problems. this is an election that is not so much about which party wins the most votes. it has been pretty clear to everyone that the party that is currently running the government, led by the prime minister is the most popular

party. they have won elections handily the last few ballots. what it's more about is how many thai people make a point of exercising their right to vote. and therefore the election is more of a litmus test of the ordinary thai persons,aspirations for a truly electoral democracy. >> two aides of afghan president candidate have been shot dead. both men were members of his campaign team in the country's west. this comes just a day before official campaigning begins. well many afghan ref fled to neighboring countries won't be able to vote in the april election. there are more than 1 and a half million of them in pakistan. large number of afghans are living in refugee camps there. they have helped bring almost 4 million afghans back home

since 2002. here is our report. >> this is his current home. a refugee camp in the pakistani city. he has been living here for the last 35 years but still struggles to feed his family. >> my cart earns me one or two dollars a day. many days i don't earn anything. i'm also a farmer. this whole summer i earned only $180. i still owe the grosser $200 for buying flower to feed my family. >> he is among the 1.6 afghans living in pakistan. the government wants them to leave but the 81 refugee valleys across the country. >> this camp was is up in 1979. its population has grown into hundreds and thousands of people. many of those who returnedded home have come back due to ongoing fight. local officials say the growing number is making conditions even more desperate. >> almost three years ago 100

or so families returned to afghanistan. they had to return because it wasn't safe for them there. >> one refugee's complain of limited opportunities there. they say aid agencies and pakistan's government have abandoned them. in this village dozens of seminaries are providing religious education. the cash strapped administration wants the federal government to find a solution. >> they are burden on us. for the last 30 years we they have been consuming limited resource and committing crimes. we are asking for immigration checks on crossing. >> some refugees are afraid to say on camera that they are rounded up when there is a security issue. they accuse the security forces of mistreatment and unlawful detentions. he has gone through difficult times all his life and wants to go home.

>> i cannot go to afghanistan. there are many problems. foreigners are creating problems for the locals. people are migrating from that area. >> as their parents continue to dream, another generation is growing up as refugees. waiting for peace in their homeland. for al jazeera. >> the united nations says the number of people killed by attacks in iraq in january were as least 733. they include 24 who died on thursday and six who suicide bombers attacked a transport ministry building in baghdad. some counts put last month as iraq's deadliest in nearly six years. but the total excludes casualties from the province where they are fighting attackers linked to al qaeda. in egypt, one of the four trials of the deposed resident

mohammed is being tried. he is being tried on charges of inciting the murder of protesters in 2012. earl injure, cars carrying the former president's lawyers were attacked by demonstrators as they arrived at court. morsi could face the death penalty if found guilty. it has been 35 days since egyptian authorities detained three al jazeera english journalist. they have been held without charge since december 29th. they are a cuesed of spreading false news and having linked to the muslim revolution. the government in cairo says their cases have been referred to the criminal court however the al jazeera network has not been notified of any formal charges. two more journalists from our sister channel have also been detained without charge for more than six months. al jazeera rejects the allegations against all of them and continues to demand the unconditional release of

its journalists. the syrian government and the opposition are expected to sit at the goating table once again in 10 days. the first round wrapped up on friday without any significant breakthroughs. meanwhile there has been -- >> as the government in jen eva takes a break, the fighting in syria continues. this is an area that was hit with explosives and dropped from a syrian army helicopter. >> they dropped four or five on us. i was in the house with my family. i'm just back from the hospital. my mom is right here still under the rubble. dead. in in pieces. a few hours later, bombs hit,

residential buildings collapsed. more civilians were killed. some of the scenes are too graphic to show. >> now they go on tv and say they don't kill civilians. but see what they have just done here? >> attacks have intensified across the country. killing up to 60 people on friday. explosive battles seem to be the weapon of choice now for the syrian army. >> and right in front of cameras a bomb. >> in aleppo, causing death and destruction on a wide scale. >> rebels for their part say they have made gains on the ground in several areas. in the golan heightsle the free syrian army says it has advanced on government forces ex pulling troops and caching

heavy weaponry. >> in this vigil, the al qaeda link has taken control of army checkpoints north of aleppo. but after more than two years of hits between the warring sides, it is clear there is no likely winner. and after the long days here in syria, the sounds of war is still much louder than the calls for peace. for al jazeera. >> still to come, we will take a ride on hume by's brand new monorail and go for a slide on the french alps with the athlete who can't fly the flag for his country. we will tell you why next. and one of the most profitable sporting leagues in the world.

but find out why the nfl does not pay any tax. >> . >> that's what the forth estate is all about... that's why i'm risking my life... >> killing the messenger on al jazeera america back in the corner and crawled

>> the struggling midddle class >> we just can't get ahead... >> working longer hours, for less pay.

>> people are struggling everywhere. >> school loans... morgages... inflation... taking it's toll... >> we live paycheck to paycheck... >> now in a continuing series, join ali velshi as we follow families, just like yours, as they try to get by... >> we're all struggling financially... >> america's middle class: rebuilding the dream only on al jazeera america!

>> welcome back. remindedder of our top stories this hour. a car bomb explosion has killed at least four people in northern lebanon. the town near the syrian border is considered a hezbollah stronghold. it is is the fourth such attack this year. ukraine's opposition leaders are being backed in their campaign for democratic reforms by the united states and european leaders. they have been meeting at the munich security conference in germany. >> government and anti-government supporters have fought a gun battle in the center of the thai capital. at least 7 people were wounded on the eve of sunday's controversial election. for more now on the car bombing in lebanon, let's go live now to beirut and speak to a political analyst and founder of the center for strategic studies. thank you for joining us on

the show. now we know this attack occurred in a hezbollah stronghold and this is the fourth bombing in a hezbollah area this year alone. obviously these attacks are targeting the group itself. what would be the motive behind this? >> well, obviously there is a wave of attack against the support of hezbollah. and this is no exception. obviously they want to send a strong message to hezbollah and its involvement whether it is political affiliation or it is involvement in syria. but, i think at this point it is beyond that. it is part of the global infighting that is taking place at the regional level and this kind of attack will continue in the future. at this point it seemed that there is a major confrontation between supporter of al qaeda and hezbollah and taking a

bloody toll on that civilian as we saw today. it is basically a gas station that was hit directly -- >> right. but probably it is not like the head quarter of hezbollah but supporters are somebody they think that support hezbollah. >> still it is within the area of hezbollah stronghold. now some people would say that hezbollah called this upon themselves being involved in the syrian conflict. >> well, people can say that and they say maybe this is happening because hezbollah is in syria. >> but i think the scope of the infighting that has taken place in syria is beyond the region of syria and it is basically -- in my estimate that these factions probably have in their mind to take

hezbollah later on. i think the fact that hezbollah did some preemptively draw accelerated or made the confrontation a lot earlier than it is supposed to be. so, at least what hess bowls think at this point they did the right decision. but one can argue the other side. but eventually what has taken place in syria is taking place in syria and lebanon and iraq and yemen. >> is it fair though -- >> and the regional war between iran and -- >> it is fair that it spills over into lebanon see as hezbollah brought the war from syria into lebanon. it is fair then that other people have to pay the price for hezbollah's own political involvement in syria? >> well, if you look at it a burnt differently there is other factors who enter the war in syria from tripoli and

they surprise i weapon and they supply fighters and we know that the level of readiness on the other side and the suiciders where they come and how quick le they become suiciders. so you have to look on the other side they have been working on that geology and mentality of the people to become a suicider. and that is dangerous, you know precedent for lebanon and the safety and security of the country. i'm afraid we are going to a very, very danger road ahead and there will be more explosions in the country and this is going to at one point probably will explode at a larger level. right. >> and -- >> well, let's take it -- >> and it is going to be far -- >> now the attack seems to come a day after the jen eva 2 talks ended without any real significant development.

is there a coincidence here? >> yeah, i mean, today there is a major military operation from the syrian side on the border. so those two vents, they are working together. but i think the timing could be an important factor. but i think that the timing, could be a none event at this point. because this is an open war. i think on the people who are actually want to blow themselves up. just working logistically. and they are not looking at the timing. at this point, it seemed to be an open war at any place that resembles supporter of hezbollah and that is the situation at this point. i don't think it has to do with the timings of geneva or anything else. in my says mat they cannot do it tomorrow then that is how

it is. >> thank you for joining us on the show. political analyst and founder of the center for american strategic studies. well, there has been a large protest in spain over plans to restrict abortion access. let's get more from jonah hall in our european news center. >> thank you. opposition to the draft law has been growing steadily since it was unveiled in december. the bill would allow only -- would allow abortions in cases of rape or if the mother's health was at risk. on saturday, protesters gathered in the thousands to call for the proposal to be shelved. here is the report. >> fighting for their right to choose. it is the biggest demonstration so far. >> i am 60 years old and this does not affect me directly but my children and grandchildren need this to change. politicians cannot interfere in our private lives.

>> under a draft bill a woman would only be able to terminate her pregnancy in exceptional circumstances in cases of rape or if her health was in eveer danger. but even then they need permission from two separate doctors to abort. >> this law attacks women directly and leaves them completely unprotected forcing us to abort illegally to become criminals and risk our lives. the government can't force me to give birth. >> the protest is delivered a petition to parliament, calling on the government to back down. >> the controversial bill was introduced by the ruling to have people's party. prime minister is said to have given in to right wing members and pressure from the powerful catholic church. the party says it is fulfilling an election promise and that cutting abortions could help the committee u buy increasing birth rate. but it has caused division among the party's ranks. critics saying it is out of

touch with common opinion. >> it is not normal to be stepping back to 40 years ago. even europe where we have previously been an example of freedom and civil rights are calling for our attention and asking us what are you doing? >> and the issue is gaining attention across europe. rallies held in sol darity in london and across the border in france. >> we have to support the spanish in this. really we have to. we fought hard during the 70s for the right to have abortions. and giving way to all the reaction and see it disappear is out of the question. >> the prime minister has signaled he could be open to modifying the proposal. but until that is done, the purple tide of protest will continue. dozens of people have been evacuated in northern serbia because of snow drifts created by strong wind. at least 188 people were rescued from cars and buses stuck in over three meters of snow. roads have been blocked and commuters on two trains

linking serbia with hungary are stuck on the tracks. a state of emergency has also been declared. the british military has been put on stand by and has hit flood hit areas in the united kingdom who prepare for more high seas. flood warnings have been issued across the uk and have been under water for more an month. residents are accusing local government of failing to properly manage the water system. and more flooding in the italian town of piza where hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes. the high flood alert was put in place after heavy rains caused the river to swell to dangerous levels. emergency workers have been checking damage to buildings in the town's historic center. with less than a week to go before the sochi winter olympics, protesters are condemning human rights violations in russia.

the stunt was aimed at highlighting russia's anti-gay laws. russia has said it is doing everything possible to make olympic guests feel comfortable in sochi. meanwhile, the olympic torch relay has reached europe's highest peak in the caulk cusses mountain range. it was lit high above sea level. it is nearing the journey across russia. sochi olympics are set to begin on friday. and one of the competitors at sochi will be indian luger. he has broken records and is the youngest male luger to compete at the olympics. but despite all his success, he won't be able to represent his country india. at one of his training grounds in france here is the report. >> it is fast, it is dangerous and many say it is completely

addictive. for this man, it is the speed and fear that keep him on the luge track. here on the french alps he trains for the winter games in sochi, his fifth olympics. but back home in india, this is his only way of training. racing through the himalayas dodging cars, and other hazards. >> in interdenominational we had to modify the sled with wheels. donors pay for his training and his trip to sochi. >> during his training run he can reach speeds of 150-kilometers. this icy track is not his only challenge. the indian olympic committee has been suspended from the ioc because of corruption and that means that he cannot compete for india in sochi. >> there is no feeling of going on the shred r sled. but at the same time we had a lot of support from people back home and they told us no

matter what whether the flag is there or not, they are avoiding us. and i feel the same way that i will still be representing them whether the flag is in. >> he can't return to the ioc until new members have been elected. that means he must compete as an independent athletes. grass roots support is still strong. huddled in a garage in a small french town with his one time coach. the two work on his homemade sled which they built from very much. they have gone from competing against each other to working together. shiva can no longer afford to pay his trainer but the bond is a special one. i used to be a coach, only a coach. and when i coach of shiva, so i was coach and also friend. but, it is very interesting. it is very great experience. the u.s. luge team has offered to help train him in the days leading up to the olympics. despite all the hurdles. he is hoping to race into the

top 20. if not officially for his country then for himself. for al jazeera, the french alps. and that is all the latest news from the team here in europe. now back to doha. >> thanks very much. >> well over the past couple of days we have been seeing what life is like behind bars in brazill. and it is not a pretty sight. public jails are overcrowded, filthy and run by gangs. what is the position. well, in our final report lucia newman is seeing the compassion. her report contains some disturbing images. >> a disturbing glimpse into the prison. this video smugglinged out is horrific proof of the violence prisoners are able to inflict on each other. the images that follow are too gruesome to put on air.

prisoners shockingly mutilated, three beheaded with their heads placed on their stomachs for all to see. the fallout has put unprecedented pressure on brazil's government to build new, more modern and less crowded prisons like the one here just outside. >> we are allowed a limited look inside what is brazil's first ppp. a private public partnership. a prison open rated as a joint venture between the government and private sector. compared to others. this is a five star accommodation. >> the only prisoner we are allowed to speak to at some length runs the storeroom that distributes fresh clean uniforms and hygiene kits. >> they have psychologists. they have a lot of things that help the prisoners reenter society. there is no comparison. this prison unit is one of a kind. >> the food looks adequate and

distributed to each cell in disposable containers. we were not allowed to view the cells. only photographs were provided. but we were told there are only four prisoners per cell. one per bed. that is a novelty in a country where some prisons house up to four times their normal capacity. >> we only receive prisoners here who have been sentenced. so as the law clearly states. each prisoner has to have a spot here so there is no overcrowding. >> we are told the penetentiary only accepts prisoners who are willing to study and work for three quarters of the minimum wage, both of which shave time off their sentences. >> while the private company running this private project is in charge of living conditions and security which by brazilian standards is state of the art. >> this bench is a metal

detector. it is a scan that can detect any metal that has been introduced into the body. >> all of this is expensive. and some question why the private sector should be allowed to make a profit with public funds. >> why does the government allow this? because the government is tied to the private sector which finances its campaigns? brazil treats prisoners as merchandise and prisons as an industry. >> whatever the motive, even the critics can see the country's first private prison is setting a new standard in brazil's personal system, presumably protecting as well as punishing the prisoners in its care. >> lucia newman, brazil. two been replaced by one in india's financial capital. mumbai's much delayed rail system has made its debut and revenuesizing the way millions travel including our

correspondent. families flock to a recreation of a there dillal village for fun and games in the winter sun. this family brings only painful thoughts of the mother and sisters he left behind in north korea. there isn't one moment over the last 12 years that i felt any happiness during this holiday season. >> taking one precedented step. >> well that obviously was not india or -- we will try to bring you the report in just a few moments. in the meantime though, here is some sports. >> thank you very much. we will start with football. barcelona have suffered their first home loss in the spanish premiere division since 2012. things started smoothly but after seven minutes valencia scored either side of halftime to go-1.

despite the penalty, 3-2 victory over valencia ends the run of 25 successive wins at home for barca and gives madrid the chance to claim the outride lead when they take on -- on sunday. >> many of spain's top footballers are leading the tributes. one of the countries most celebrated managers. he has died at the age of 75. he was best known for leading spain to the first major international trophy. in 44 years at the 2008 european championship he was in charge of his country for five years and managed many top clubs including barcelona. they held a minute of silence

on saturday. another european club have failed to come on top this week. manchester united have slumped to a 2-1 loss. their hopes of finishing fourth and qualifying for the champions league taking another blow. adam scores either side of halftime for the home side. he got the only goal for man united to become the first player to score in eight successive appearances against a single opponent. but it was little congeslation as they recorded the first league victory over man u. since 1984. in other reports, everton recovered from their trouncing with a 2-1 win. newcastle went down 3-nil to

sunderland. the seattle seahawks and denver broncos are finalizing their preparations for sunday's super bowl. the event generations millions of dollars but some u.s. lawmakers say the national football league is not paying its fair share in taxes. here is the report. >> super bowl celebrations are underway in new york. this year's host city with so much glitz and glamor, many fans are surprised to learn that the national football league is considered a nonprofit organization under the u.s. tax code. >> it is hard to believe. i did not know that. it is very hard to believe. >> considering how much money i pay for tickets, i would think they are making a profit. >> the nfl runs the most profitable sports league in the world making $9 billion a year. but it's classified as a trade association. that means that the head office here on new york's pricey park avenue pays no

taxes. >> everyone at headquarters was too busy to speak us to on camera, including commissioner roger goodell who makes $30 million a year. but a spokesperson told al jazeera in an e-mail the league office does not make any money. the $9 billion a year is earned solely and completely by the 32 nfl teams. and the team's do pay tax on their revenues, including ticket sales, jerseys and the food and drinks sold at games. >> so we have had a huge amount of economic growth over the last 40 years. >> but sports economickist says the tax free status does benefit the teams. >> the primary goal of the nfl is not to make football better or more popular. they are trying to make money selling football. >> the tax free dollars can be used to finance stadium construction for example. while this year's super bowl will be held at the only stadium in the country built completely with private money,

the team pays no property tax. >> it a terrible deal for the taxpayers of new jersey. >> the local mayor says the economic benefits promised have yet to materialize. >> it is almost as if the nfl wants to make all this money and they don't want anybody to make money on it. matheson agrees. if you are looking purely in terms of dollars and cents, there simply is almost no credible evidence that professional sports brings significant economic benefits to the cities that host them. >> of course, football does bring a lot of enjoyment to the fans. they just might not realize how much they are paying for it. for al jazeera, new york. the defense of the rugby conference. big hampton is looking to become the winners for the third year in a row.

taking on france and paris. just a few minutes remaining. ireland will meet scotland on sunday. the back 9 has given defending champion gallagher a two shot lead at the dubai desert classic. 39-year-old set a tournament record by completing the final nine holes in just 28 strokes. tiger woods had too few moments like this. he is 11 shots off the pace. >> 69 wasn't a bad score. i definitely felt that i left -- hopefully the putts will start dropping for me tomorrow.

i feel like i'll need to go lower to catch steven. the oklahoma city thunder have won their 10th straight game by beating the brooklyn nets 120-95. kevin durant was denied getting 30 points for the 13th game in a row. oklahoma coach scott brooks rested him for the final quarter. top international athletes gathered in western kenya for the opening of the first track in nairobi. they are hosting thousands of runners from across the globe. >> for years marathon runners have been coming to western kenya to train in its high altitude and fresh air. 2400 meters above sea level conditions are ideal for athletes and opening of a

new track should help its reputation as the home of champions. >> most of them have been running in the hills on the hills, the forest and so on. but if they want to do the time trials they only speed walk. this is the only place they can come to. >> this track outside the capital of nairobi is going to be useful, especially in the rainy season. and it alternates sports training destinations. the idea of a tourism destination is becoming popular here. >> people will see the reason for sports tourism and that it is not only about going to the beach. but it is about going to the parks. many people would like to spend a lot of time and a lot of money also in keeping fit. >> some of kenya's best known athletes have trained here.

but with the town attracting so many people from around the world, they would have a negative impact. >> i think it is a delicate balance because the same time the history and the success can bring so much here. and can really help and boost. but if you have too much then it becomes -- starts to become negative because there is just too many people running around. >> it will be a task balancing the need for development and to accommodate a growing number of visitors. but it -- it is the high altitude they hope will make them champions. al jazeera, iten, western kenya. and that is all the sports from me. back to you. >> thank you very much. well, australians have just launched an sos. and that is save our sharks. that is the message on the

beach in western australia. and across the other side of the country as well. pro-testers are calling for a call to be stopped after fatal attacks on swimmers. tiger sharks are being killed if they stray too close to beaches. >> this policy, drum lines and indiscriminate killers will kill sharks whether they are one meeter, two meters, three meters or more. >> that is why the community doesn't want it. and what's amazing is that so many people in australia love sharks. this is demonstrated i think something about our national psyche. that despite all the fear, people are coming in thousands to say you know what, that is their ocean, we respect them, we love them, we don't want them killed. >> save the sharks. >> do stay with us on al jazeera. we have got another full bull ten of news right at the top

of the hour. >>

. . welcome ba al jazeera america. i'm morgan radford coming live from new york city. here are the stop scories we are following right now. secretary of state john kerry meets with leaders of the ukranian opposition. governor chris christie is back in the hot seat again. the question is what did he know and when did he know it. plus a devastating addiction turns deadly as a tainted batch of heroin goes through the streets of one of america's