the door will be open to him. >> great to have you on the show. >> the show may be over, but the conversation continues. >> i'm jonathan betz in new york. >> gunfights in bangkok. battles to stop an election as the prime minister insists the vote will move forward. >> the vast majority of ukrainians want to live freely in a safe and prosperous country. >> supporting a movement. the u.s. offers encouraging words to ukraine's protesters. california cuts off a water

supply. india has no olympic team this year. that's not stopping one athlete. neither will traffic or sleep. >> it is a defining moments for thailand. polls are open in a special election aimed to ease tensions there. prime minister thaksin shinawatra voted under heavy security. protesters are trying to shut down the election. they have forced polling stations to close. that's anger in the prime minister's mini supporters. earlier gun battles broke out in bangkok between demonstrators. violence is erupting between voters voting and protesters stopping it.

seven people were hurt. >> this is exactly the build up to sunday's election that everyone in thailand feared. these people moving down the road are anti-government protesters, coming from a central bank cock stage, joining another protest at a government building a few metres down the road. in the area is a pro-government group, and as these protesters have been moving down here, there's a lot of gun fire coming from somewhere, and explosions. there's little security. there are some soldiers, and some police, little security. at the moment, you can see the protesters moving down the road. this was an area of bangkok that the security forces, military and police warned could see violence on election day. we have not reached a day and already a lot of gunfire and explosions. >> we are keeping a close eye on the story. >> meanwhile the united states

is reassuring ukraine's protesters, they have america's support. secretary of state john kerry met with opposition leaders. russia accused western powers of fanning the flames. demonstrations continued demanding the president stepdown. jennifer glasse has been following developments from kiev. the ukrainian opposition leaders meeting is secretary of state john kerry in munich got words of support. it's not clear what else. >> they are fighting for the right to associate with partners who will help them realise their aspire eightses. the united states and e.u. stand with the people of ukraine in that fight. >> despite a stand off in ukraine between the opposition and the government, a sign for room for manoeuvre. a sign that there's room on the table. >> the only chance to decrease

dictatorship powers is to shift to a republic. we need a comprehensive approach. >> even one of the president viktor yanukovych's advisors agrees it means an intermediary. >> translation: who can the mediator be, someone acceptable to all sides. they must be from europe. all sides must trust them. the usa and russia must stay out of it. >> the former lenin museum is a dormitory, cafeteria and information center for anti-government demonstrators. they say president viktor yanukovych is playing for time. trying to wait them out. >> it's obvious we need to change the government, right now, or some time later. they are planning for later. they have started a library here, and hundreds of books

poured. >> this is the main road, and the stand-over conditions on the barra cade behind me. protesters settled in for the long hall. it's unclear what the president or opposition leaders will say to them. the talks in munich feel far away. the talk on the street is they can wait the president out. >> months, week a year. no problem to stay here to help people. >> the stalemate is in its third month with no end in site. >> well, sun morning afghanistan is the first official day of campaigning for presidential elections. the vote is seen as a test for security forces. the u.s. pressed hamid karzai to sign an agreement to keep n.a.t.o. troops in afghanistan beyond this year.

hamid karzai will likely leave it to his successor. >> abdullah abdullah is seen as a front runner in the election, picking up 30% of the vote and the only candidate supporting the deal to keep n.a.t.o. troops in afghanistan after combat forces withdraw. >> early returns are in. it looks like new orleans voters decided not to make a change. the mayor expected to win enough votes. he has done enough to stop crime. >> for the first time in history farms and resist department in california will need to rely on other resources for their water. >> the state of california is suffering through the worst drought in its recorded history. now state officials are taking

drastic measures to deal with it. for the first time in its 54 year history the state water project turned off the taps to local districts that it suppliesway water. that means zero water supplies. leaving millions of urban residents in california and farmers to find another way to get the water. many of the districts have reservoirs. farmers are looking for their own ways. here in loss already, there's enough to deal with it in the short term. they are not looking at mandatory restrictions yet, but this is serious, because no one knows when the drought will end. the government asked all citizens of california to cut the water usage. >> what does it mean. >> it's hard to say, but there's many ways to cop serve water -- conserve water and they have put

up ways on the website: >> these are simply things that everyone can do. the question is whether anyone is listening. if there's no mandatory water restriction, will peep sense the urnal si of this. on a nice day in california, it's hard to imagine. dire predictions coming up. this is the worst drought we have seen in decades, if not all recorded history in california, and the worst is yet to come. >> now to a story sending shock waves. authorities are investigating whether a chemist who worked for the state stole drug evidence. it could affect hundreds of cases and lead to the release of

prisoners. >> in case represents 1% of all the drug cases. however, the impact will be significantly. >> the chemist is accused of stealing bring pain pills and replays them with over the counter medicine. >> the super bowl brings in big bucks for the n.f.l., but what about the host city. >> financially it's off the charts. we'll never do business like this again. >> still ahead - who stands to gain when the big game comes to town. >> and the flu takes its toll on an unexpected group of people. details when we come back.

>> super bowl 48 is tomorrow. many thought it would be the most expensive, average prices for tickets ranging from $500 to

$2600. last year they were $650 to $1250. while the so-called cheap seats are cheeper, premium seats doubled. usually most of the tickets are resold on the secondary market for more. a certain amount only are available to the public. fans are forced to go to websites like the n.f.l. ticket change. fewer people are buying. according to seat geek the tickets are a steal compared to other superbowls. there are plenty of tickets available. the average price of a tict is $2200. more than last year, but less than the games in indy and dallas. forecasters predicted very cold temperatures. this is the first super bowl played out doors. as the mercury rose, interesting. hotels did not see the regular

spike in prices. hopper.com reported flights were down. does this mean the big game is a bust. we have more. >> super bowl 48, in february 2014 will be played in new york new jersey. [ clapping ] >> >> the super bowl host committee claimed it would cost $70 million to set up, secure and clean up after the game. according to a report in the press, security in new jersey alone will be on par with presidential inaugurations. new jersey transit will spend $17.7 million. that's a fraction of their $1.94 boilion operating budget. depending on who you talk to, the game is a great thing or

greatly overrated. >> somewhere between 5-10 people for every person that has the ticket bowl will come to the region. >> the reporter for the "the daily beast" says promises of a windfall are exaggerated. the money that is made stays in the community. >> the money is not staying here. >> the money is going in, it doesn't go to the desk clerk or to the local economy. >> a 2011 study from college. holy cross found that super bowls have a tenth of the financial impact that local boosters advertise. >> doug owns a restaurant near the stadium. >> it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. we are thrill. >> he is hosting the hall of fame supertailgate with tickets costing $400 a pop.

they are specting 1,000 for the pregame party. >> financially it's off the charts. we will never do business like this again unless the super bowl comes back her. >> from an economic stand point it was a huge win for the city and state. we had many millions tide to to the ept. over the course of 10 days, the direct visitor spend was $176,000. >> indiana saw $24 million and indianapolis an addition add $22 million. it added 4700 jobs and 278 million to the gdp. >> of course, this year the super bowl is hosted by a larger city that doesn't need the publicity to draw tourists.

so what is the value of hosting the big game. the answer may be it depends. >> it may be months before we really know how big the games' economic impact is. in the meantime the fans are here, teams ready and the weather is cooperating. >> some wonder how the league is treated. it earns $9 billion but does not pay taxes. >> super-bale -- super bowl celebrations are underway in new york. many fans are surprised to learn the national football league is krz a nonprofitable organization. >> it's hard to believe. i did not know that. anyway, considering how much

money i pay to tickets. i would think they are making a profit. >> the n.f.l. runs the most profitable sports league in the world. it's classified as a trade association, meaning the head office on the pricey park avenue pays no taxes. everyone at headquarters was too big to speak. they make $30 million. >> a spokesperson told al jazeera the league office does not make money. the $9 billion is earnt solely and complily by 32 n.f.l. teams. they pay taxes. >> we have had a huge amount of economic growth over the last 40 years. >> sports economist victor math son says the tax-free status benefits the team. >> the goal of the n.f.l. is not

to make football better or popular, they are trying to make money. >> the tax free dollars can be used to finance stadium construction. while the super bowl will be held at the only stadium in the country built with private money, they pay no property tax. >> it's a terrible deal for the taxpayers. >> benefits have yet to materialize. >> it's as if the n.f.l. wants to make all this money and don't want anyone else to make money. >> football brings enjoyment to the fans, they don't realise how much they are paying for it. >> earlier i spoke so a professor. i arrived them if it's true that the super bowl generates hundreds of millions for host did is.

-- host cities. >> when you study all the superbomb, we are fond of saying that if you move the decimal .1 place to the left you are likely to come up with a reasonable precise measure. $50 or $60 million would be a better estimate. >> we see thousands of fans in new york coming not just for the game but the n.f.l. events, or be in new york for the super bowl even if they don't have tickets, do you agree with the numbers? >> you listen to people on the streets and talk to the hotel owners. they have only 65% occupancy. that's what they have this time

every year. you talk to the broadway theatre owners, and they tell you they have plenty of tickets because there's a fear there's so many fans that the theatre goers don't go into the seats. it's the n.f.l. entitle. they come to town, part the sees, and when everyone leaves and is cleaning up. they realise they have been fleeced. >> they donate a million to charities. why should they not innocently what this and others enjoy. >> again, when you consider what the purpose of n.f.l. is, certainly the n.f.l. is not an entity that exists to serve other interests in the community. it serves to enhance the interest of teams. we are talking about a profit-making entity, not an

entity that is in the business of enhancing life in the community. >> let's talk about the fact that n.f.l. is nonprofit, tax exempt. >> in the '60s, when the n.f.l. needed a boost and they managed a tax status, the nf will is not putting out a kaenedar, they are helping themselves. in the '60s, "1966 it may have been a good idea, that was back when it needed one, it doesn't need one now as a $10 billion revenue generating sport. general the league offices which get the tax exemption, they are making the huge tv deals:

i think the centaur would like to get a bale passed. there's a good momentum behind that. >> thank you to selena and robert. it's the first super bowl outdoors in a cold weather city. you are thinking that we height see snow. >> we may, there's a chance. it will come in after half-time. temperatures. they are mild outside for the north-east. to the north-east. join temperatures. 42. 45. the temperatures in the 40s now will be falling into the 30s and lower as we get through the day tomorrow. we have got the cold air blasting in to the midwest, and we have a lot of snow. it's tapering off in chicago. but they had six or seven

inches. there were low temperatures. low temperatures on the east coast. 36 for new york. temperatures will spike more, and see snow, slippery, western texas, cold air to the north and into the south. warmer hair in the north-east. this is the forecast for the first part of the day. sunday is dry, but as we get into the day it will change. temperatures were mild. drought continues. there's a system working through, bringing showers. nice to get rain for california. temperatures starting to plummet. you can see the storm track would be gradually making its way from the south to the

north-east. they'll be bridging in the cold air. as it does that we agrees the risk of getting snow to the north-east. new york will get it further south. d.c. philadelphia too. morningstar mann, one to three inches. monday looks like the snowy day, but it will develop after half time eastern standard time. >> it's been a cold winter. in the u.s. flu season has mostly spared those most vulnerable. the virus took a toll on an unexpected group, healthy adults. >> mary got her flu shot for the year. when she found a relative is in with the plu on a respirator, they decided to get a flu shot.

>> how bad has it been. in year it was worse in years past. >> the doctor says the hospital has seen double the number of flu cases compared with the average year. illinois is one of 39 states were the center for disoos control is labelling the flu outbreak as widespread. it's not just a higher number of cases, this year the flue is hitting young people hard. wisconsin says the number of flu patients in hospitals that needed to go on a ventilator is twice the amount as last year. they may have built up a better tal rans for h1n1. no one knows why the flue is severe. >> that's the million dollar question. >> they haven't noticed changes

to the virus. >> before the flu season started researchers developed a vaccine tackling the h1n1. it has been about 60% successful in preventing the flu. this week, the c.b.c. upgraded the outbreak to widespread. a lot of people in close quarters in new jersey this weekend, vulnerable to the flu. >> h1n1 is one. strains that doesn't take ma'am contact from it to be distributed from one person to another. >> one concern that i fear is the mutating virus, or the virus that changes to become virulent. >> they were so concerned about the flu that for the first time ever they made flu shots mandatory. >> there are things we can do to present the flu - hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes.

and the flu shot. >> i have little ones at home, a son that is six and a daughter that is four. we deal with different customers. i don't want to take anything home. >> in some cases it can progress to pneumonia. while pneumonia shots are not recommended for younger people, mary doesn't want to leave things up to fate. >> i intend to be around for a whix while. >> there's a lot more ahead. polls are open, but in some districts protesters are presenting people from voting. >> a winter olympic athlete from india find a creative way to train in his own country.

it >> welcome back to al jazeera

america. i'm jonathan betz with the headlines this half hour. >> the draught no calve rah is threat -- california is threatening the water supply. the state water project must stop delivering to customers and farms. the regions will have to rely on local reservoirs and other forces. into new orleans's mayor is projected to win a second term after the day's election. early results show him with 67% of votes, enough to avoid a run-off. >> thailand's election could end in crisis. anti-government demonstrators shut down polling stations in bangkok and nine provinces in the south. two more districts are facing disruptions. >> the syrian peace talks will resume in 10 days, as the two sides take a break from negotiation, the war rages on.

>> as diplomacy in geneva fakes a black, fighting in syria conditions. this is aleppo on saturday. it may be a saturday after hit with explosives, dropped from an army helicopter. >> they dropped four or five barrels on us, i was in a house with my family. i'm back from the hospital. my mum is under the rubble, dead, in pieces. >> attacks intensified across the country, killing up to 60 people on friday. government forces targeted opposition strong holds in several areas. explosive barrels seemed to be the weapon of choice for the syrian army. >> south of damascus, a barrel fell in front of activists. in eastern damascus it got its

share as well. >> in aleppo barrels fell on residential areas. . >> airrides targeted the northern suburbs. it caused civilians to flee from the town. the rebels, for their part, say they have made gains on the ground in several areas. in the gollan heights the free syrian army says it has advanced on government posts, expelling assad troops and capturing weaponry. the rebel fighting group used tank to stop government forces from stum palestinianing into areas. in this vigil the al qaeda-linked state says it has taken control of several army checkpoints. >> after more than two years of hit and run between the warring sides, it's clear there is no

likely winner in this war. and after the long days of talk in geneva, here in syria the sound of war is louder than the calls for peace. >> one of the big issues in syria, add agencies evacuated hundreds from the suburbs of damascus. 15 people have starved to death. >> a suicide bomber killed at least three in lebanon. a syrian rebel group says it's behind the attack. we have more. >> another car bomb hits the lebanese town nir the border with -- near the border with syria. the cause of the explosion, a bomber blew himself up. it happened near a petrol station, a school and a charity organization.

it is a shi'a town, close to homs. it's a route used by hezbollah to send fighters, to aid bashar al-assad, a member of the alawite, in his battle with the sunni rebels. >> this is affecting all lebanese citizens. they are affected by hezbollah and syria. we have a direct affect on the security of every citizen. that's why we are asking to have hezbollah withdrawal from the syrian fire. >> al qaeda affiliated rebel groups intensified their attacks on hezbollah for the role it plays in syria. sips the beginning of the year it has come under four car bomb attacks. killing and injure dozens.

>> hezbollah won't stop assisting as ard's government, despite attacks on its areas and the fight it's losing next door. >> they'll continue to be in syria. this, what is taking place now, has to do with the region, it doesn't stop at the border. this is a regional war that is taking place and i think it's going to be more of the same. >> the lebanese army and police have taken measures by setting up checkpoints across lebanon in app attempt to curb attacks. these measures, it seems, are not enough to stop them. in a sign that syria's war is spilling over. strongholds have been targeted four times in january alone. lebanon is vulnerable to sectarian violence, and the future looking bleak. >> meanwhile it's been a violent

month in iraq. united nations says more than 700 were killed in january alone. at least 1200 more prosecutor wounded. it did not act for deaths of ongoing fighting. more than 140,000 people fled the area. it's the country's largest displacement since fighting began in 2008. the winter olympics will begin next week. india cannot officially compete. one indian athlete is not letting everything stop him going to sochi. >> it's fast, dangerous and many say it's completely addictive. it's the speed and fear that keep him on the luge track. here in the french arl possess he trains for the games. back home in india, this is the only way of training.

racing through the himma layas, dodging cars, a lorry and other hazard. we don't have a huge tracks. we have had modify the sled. the exposure brought donors helping ta pay for training. they reached speeds of up to 150 k/hr. this icy track is not the only challenge. the olympic committee has been suspended from the ioc, so he cannot compete. >> there's no greater feel than carrying your country's plastic bag. at the same time. we had a lot of support. i feel the same way. i would be representing my heart. india can't return to the ioc. shiva must compete as an

independent athlete. grass roots support is strong. huddled in a garage, with a young-time coach. the two work on the home-made sled built from scratch. they have great from working against each other. >> i used to be a coach. when i would be coach, us coach, it's interesting. you can be more closed. it's very great experience. >> the u.s. luge team offered to help train him. he is racing if not for his country, then for himself. >> now, that right there is dedication, when you practice on a highway, dodging sheep and trucks. >> it's scary, you have to have courage. it's sad for the athlete.

a lot of times the taps watch the support. >> it's stunning how the different countries have different resources. it's hard to compete on the same level. >> a lot of types is like ice skating. ski jumping, believe it or not - hockey - all eyes on bob sledding. i got a chance to speak to a member of the 1988 jamaican bobsleigh team to get his take on what was pop up lar in jamaica. >> i would say skiing. the last olympic games we had errol kur who competed. because of what we have said, skiing would be the next one. >> what sporting events will be in the village.

we are all fans of each other. we walk around the village. he is a skier. so we going around meeting each other. generally speaking that's the only time the olympic games would be in the same place as a figure skier or a boxer. >> were you shocked by sports you had never heard of? >> yes, curling. the sweeping of the rock and the broom. >> in the n.f.l., was there any doubts. >> after a record-setting season, there were 55 touchdown passes. >> no doubt a future hall of famer. the class of 2014 was announced. walter jones could block out the

sun. both in their first year of elegibility. the former raider became the first punter to make the hall of fame. the players will be in cann tonne ohio. we know that the super bowl is king in the united states, but what impact does it have internationally. i discussed it with daniel from the business journal and john henry smith. >> i asked the right people, and they told me 550 international journalists have been credentialled for the event, which is less than 10% of the record number 603,029. still a substantial number, walking through the venues. it's like walking through a verable united nations. people come from around the world to come the event. >> the super bowl is the single biggest sporting.

what about internationally. >> it's not must-see tv. you will see falsely reported that a billion people worldwide watch the super bowl. the n.f.l. never want to correct that, because it benefits the allure of the n.f.l., and that it's an international sport. the billion is a billion people have the ability to see the super bowlment the numbers, no one knows, because china, germany, it's hard to get the tv measurements. the numbers, if i estimate, a fith of that. if not left. >> the n.f.l. played games in london. what impact does that have on the leaking? >> the big issue is no longer do they play in london, it's do they put a franchise there. >> it's it's gone well. they are not sure of the nest step, but most league sort offers believe that the league

is to expand or relocate it would be in los angeles. >> do you see a super bowl replied outside the united states. >> daniel hit the nail on the head. there's at least 4 million watching in london. and as mentioned roger gaddel said that these not going to put a super bowl in london unless there's a franchise there, something that there's wherewithal within the n.f.l. offices to do. of course, putting one over this raises problems. the n.f.l. likes to start the games at 6:25 in the evening, when there's maximum viewership, it's 11.25 in london. they'd have to do some adjusting. what sporting event internationally surpasses the

interpol. there's the olympics and the world cup. it's far more popular. in china li na in the australian open will bypass. the super bowl may be billing here. now, by having the super bowl in a world capital like new york city, has that made it more global. >> i think you'll see a hard tv rating. there's about so much talk about this. superis super bowl wherever you put it. it's a major event. i think the effect overseas will be that perhaps there's more viewers. it would have helped if it snowed. that would have been atmospheric. no snow means the rating is not as magnificent if you wanted.

>> the bottom line is it should be a good one between the broncos and the seahawks. >> thank you. as we have been reporting polls are open in thailand. the voters are fighting off anti-government protesters. veronica pedrosa is in a pro-government area, and wayne hay is in a part of the did i where the polls have been closed. wayne, what are you seeing there today? >> well, this is an area where the officials were concerned that it could see a destruction to the polls. what happened is anti-government protesters came to a government building which was housing ballot papers due to be distributed to the polling booths on sunday morning. they blocked the process, kaxing outside -- camping outside the facility and the election commission officials said that they could not hold the vote in this part of bangkok.

it's cancelled for the day. it's a situation repeated at two other places in bangkok, and nine provinces in the south of the country. what that means is that there will be no results declared at the end of voting today, sunday, and it means that once this election is over, that parliament kont convene, because there went be enough members to fill the house. we'll have to wait for members to vote again. >> earlier reporting looks likes the middle of a gunfight. can you give perspective of what was happening earlier? >> the violence broke out on saturday night, in an area that could be a danger area leading up to the election and on election day. it was a similar scenario to what we saw here. that was in an area called laxi.

preventing those ballot papers leaving, and a pro government group was in the area, and that is when we saw the gunfight break out. there has been smaller scuffles taking place. no reports of anything serious, like we saw on saturday. it's a tense day or a tense few days. >> the gun fights might reerupt. let's turn to veronica pedrosa. she's in a pro-government neighbourhood. what are you seeing there? >> it's been calm here, actually. people have been trickling in to vote. not a heavy turn out. in the morning we are at about 11 o'clock. there are four - just a little under four hours, people

continuing to vote, and the expectation is that people have been watching the television, living to the radio to find out what is going on. later on in the day, taking the initiative to come out. this is not a normal election as you can tell from what has been said. it is not just about who gets the most votes. it's about people wanting to exercise their right to vote for many people. there are analysts who say that is a question of the rule of law that what this election is really about is the rule of law. not just about which party wins. >> and so veronica do the get the impression that intimidation tactics were working and many were afraid to cast the ballots. >> you know, that is one reason

why people may well be cautious about coming out to vote. yes, it is very worrying because you hear about incidents like the one that happened on saturday night, gunfighting, in which several were injured. there were serious weapons, shotguns, both sides armed. and that is an isolated incident. to a certain extent, square monningering amongst the public. so that is one issue. another issue that is putting people off is that the election may, in the end be declared null and void. the results may not matter. that's why i keep saying this is not a normal election. people are considering whether to vote even though it won't count because they come out to vote for the sake of voting. >> a lot of uncertainty and a great point.

>> thank you for that report. >> still ahead - fighting corruption in uganda to protect wetland from pollution and urban sprawl. a major buzz kill. why the beer delivery drones have been grounded.

>> a roman catholic diocese in montana is filing for bankruptcy protection to settle hundreds of sexual abuse claims. claims from the 1920s to the 1930s, more than 300 children abused. bankruptcy will he

resolve claims adding up to over $15 million. >> former chicago major richard daly is in intensive care. he was feeling disorientated on a flighted from arizona. he was attention from the flight to a hospital. >> sunday is world wetlands day. as malcolm webb reports in uganda a combination of construction, pollution and construction threatens these environments. >> people in kampala say it was built on seven hills. now it covers more than 20. between the hills were wetlands. they can be seen on the outskirts. they act as natural filters, draining water into lake victoria. as the world second-largest labelling, as the city grows the

wetlands have been disappeared. these have been protected by law since 1995. he says it's not in force. >> wetland protection in uganda is the best. when you look at what we are doing. we are the worst. it is a wide range of people devastating the wetland, ranging from the capital investors to the people like me and you. >> people build homes on wetlands when there's no other space to go. it blocks the natural drainage. rains are heavy, floods are common. it's arnold's job to stop the building. he said someone built a fuel station, ignored court orders to stop and authorities demolished it. >> sometimes there is

corruption. they don't follow the law. they are given permission when they shouldn't be. >> corruption is one of the many challenges. on this side there's so much concrete in the ground it probably won't recover. pollution is a problem. this channel is the main drain running through the center. >> downstream the tunnel runs into the middle of a wetland. it passes through an industrial area and continues into the lake. at this point the water smells of sewage and chemicals. >> environmentalists say this pollution is destroy of eco system. some action is taken. authorities started to mark the edge of areas. it has many buildings beyond the boundaries. new construction keeps coming up. >> city officials claim what wetlands they can and turn them

that nature parks. they'll have to move fast. >> well, ice fishing is not an olympic sport but it's popular in the winter when you consider this. ice fishermen in minnesota will have to face the hardship of note getting their beer delivered by drone. a company was using drones to deliver beer to fishermen on a frozen lake. this video may be the first test flight. it was on flight or a week and now the microbrewery said the 12-back will be ground the. i have to say an ingenious idea. we'll see if that is changed. that is al jazeera news for the hour. stay tuned for headlines.

>> you're watching al jazeera america, i'm jonathan betz with the headlines. protesters in thailand succeeded in shutting down polling stations in bangkok and nine

provinces in the south. two more districts face disruption. voting in areas loyal to prime minister yingluck shinawatra has been peaceful. new orleans mayor will lead the city for a second term, winning 64% of the vote, enough to avoid a run-off. the drought in california is affecting the state's water supply. the state's water project must shop delivering to millions of customers. the region will have to rely on reservoirs. they will ask customers to cut back on water use. >> flue season is hitting the young across the united states. twice as men young and middle age people die from the flu. the outbreak let some to so far pneumonia vaccinations. those are the headlines. "america tonight" is up next. you can find us online. go to aljazeera.com. hope you have a great night and

a great weekend. more on the thailand voting violence on the website. we'll have it more throughout the night and in the morning. thank you so much more joining us. weekend edition. i'm joie chen. we begin with a storey that divided a community. a student body is missing outside on an educator after he was forced to resign after marrying another man. this raises questions about the