. >> this is al jazeera. >> hello there, welcome to the news hour. live from doha with me. here is what is coming up in the next hour. voting is over in thailand's general election. the protestors force the closure of some polling stations. >> and i'm jona hull, with all the news from europe, including. >> as ukrainian president prepares to return to work, will an injured opposition activist be allowed to leave the country. >> and down with

trajectory. controlled demolition is proving so popular in germany's financial capital. >> and it's super bowl sunday, we'll be live outside met life stadium where seattle's russell wilson prepares to take on denver's legendary quarterback payton manning. >> vote counting has begun in thailand after a general election marred by drug, and protests. antigovernment demonstrators forked around one in ten polling stations to close. scott has the layest from bangkok. >> h her north bangkok neighborhood, prime minister arrived just as the polls opened. setting an example she hoped millions of thais would follow on sunday. >> as thais it is our

duty to exercise our right to vote. it doesn't matter who we vote for, but we must support the election process. >> but in other parts of the capital there are problems. >> this is one of the polling positions here in bangkok, even though the leader of the protestors vowed not to prevent voters from coming in, his follows have stations themselves right outside this polling position. now, the organizers here opened the polls on time at 8:00 a.m., but they close them at 9:00 a.m., because they are worried about voter safety. >> more than 400 polling centers were closed in bangkok. some were blocked. some never got their paper ballot, and some have no workers. >> my right is to stand here and make sure there are reform first, before voting. >> 93% were able to open, and 90 were accepting voters. because of the disruptions -.

>> the exact number of the voters who would exercise their right would not be made known. and is that's unfortunate, but it is also clearly shows that the protestors are in the minority. 24 the district of the capital the two sides squared off. officials there shut down voting. the antigovernment protestors called back, in a group that were denied their vote marched to the building. >> with no clear definitive results expected for weeks, there's little chance would soften the divisions between the people, nor will there be progress in mending the

divide that has paralyzed the government. scott, al jazeera, bangkok. >> for more on this, we are joined now from bangkok, who is president of the institute of future studies for development in thailand. now the opposition never wanted this vote, it's now saying that it is gathering legal evidence to annul it. will it have a case. >> i cannot make out -- what was -- >> i'll repeat the question. the opposition did not want this vote, it's now trying to annul it by taking the battle to court, will it have a case? >> yes. all the technicality and legality of it is always possible in every direction you can take. because whatever shape or form you do today, you

bound to violate certain articles somewhere. kind of what with are asking now, what is next for the oppositions move. is it going to look towards judicial coupe? >> well, i cannot blame them to that level. but if the judiciary are doing it properly by rule of law, and rule, with some evidence then you cannot call itself a judicial coupe. but if they do it in a way which is clearly blatantly, trying to get rid of the government in an unfair manner, maybe you can call it that way. >> is the judiciary independent? >> you have to see the independent first. >> let's see. >> yes, i think largely

the judiciary have a lot of people involved. inside the judiciary, there were trained to be independent. but, of course, both sides are inside the judiciary. those who lean towards the government, and those that don't lean to the government, but they may not intentionally be that way. some of them we don't know, who happened to take the case, they are leaning in their interration on certain ways. therefore, i think the evidence will have to be judged on its own merit. >> the election itself, is still not over, is it? because protestors blocked so many of the polling stations. that leaves thailand in limbo? >> both sides will

continue to move according to their own agenda. i do not see the solution come quickly, maybe if something else has happened it may be because the pressure is so great. to try to bring some solution to closure. and this may happen to the next three to six months or even sooner. both sides are powerful fluff to continue to confront one another, and

on the street it can be ugly, and i hope they will have some sensibility to talk. >> in our european news center with that. >> he went on six leave two weeks ago, he returns to face a persistent protest movement with pressure increasing over the alleged kidnapping and torture of an opposition activist. we will speak to al jazeera live in kiev shortly, but first, this report from david. doctors at the private clinic say he is making good progress. he is now fully conscious

and has a german visa. medically there is no reason to delay for further treatment for the wounds inch flicked during his eight days of kidnap and torture. no faster or slower than normal. and he is in condition to be moved. prosecutors have not captionle the arrest warrant. the police are still stationed outside the hospital, they did make another attempt to interrogate. they are allowed to his bedside but he refused to answer their questions saying that he felt sick. the doctors then ushered them out. in the independent square, tens of thousands gathered for an 80 government still

demanding the resignation. they had just returned from the security conference in munich, where the u.s. secretary of state john kerry pledged his support the what he called their fight for democracy. >> as the stalemate continues the fears of violence confrontation are growing. right wing groups are splintering away who have been determined to keep the demonstrations peaceful. some of them were out on the streets in close quarter fighting with police. al jazeera, kiev. >> well, al jazeera's lee barker joins me now live from kiev. let's throw ahead and look towards the week to come. mes back to work on monday, parliament

reconvenes to continue the work on tuesday. presumably the focus there will be these reforms and so pharr turned down by the protestors. >> , we that's right. first the absence of victor seems to have raise add whole series of question about his ability to rule. it is the first crisis of ukraine since independent. saying that, though, the presidential office that say he has recovered from his illness, he is back to work on monday, and if that is the case then he is most certainly going to be hitting the ground running because on tuesday, there is another all important session of the ukrainian parliament. in which the opposition says they want to challenge a new amnesty law that the president signs into being last week, that would pave the way for the release of hundreds of prisoners. providing the protestors

surrender independent square, and give up the government buildings that they have occupied. well, opposition leaders including vital vitaly coes this doesn't go for enough for them to expect it. >> then year we will be which was only adopted under threat from the president that's why we need to cancel it and adopt a new one that will provide for the total release of prisoners. we have heard the military commanders themselves are pushing to find a solution. how is all of that going down with the protestors themselves? what is being said in kiev this evening? >> perhaps the more

dedicated wing, but as you saw earlier though, the report there were up to around 30,000 or so demonstrators that gathers here, in independent square, as they have done on sundays for the last two months or so. many of them have gathers here, to hear the words of their key leaders, several of whom as you said have been in munich to meet with the likes of u.s. secretary of state john kerry, and they came back with a clear cut message for the protestors. that they have the support of the likes of the united states, and the european union, and that seem seems to have gin the protestors here the kind of momentum they need, to keep up the pressure on victorian cove itch to step down. that esa all we have for this period of the news hour, back to you. >> thank you very much.

friendics are working overtime in al salvador, as a new president. and how the murder rate is a major election issue. >> when you look at what we are doing, we are the worse. >> and in sports history after the dubai dessert classic. all those details. police in kenya have stormed a mosque after the raising of an al-shabaab flag. two mys are seriously injured. after worshiperring defied a warning not to meet.

the court in cairo has cleared al jazeera's cameraman of all challenges. he was arrested accused of taking part of riots during anti-caproateses. 61 others have also been acquitted. it's been 36 days since jinx authorities detained three al jazeera english journalists. the cases have been referred to the criminal court, although the al jazeera network has not been notified of any formal charges. campaigning for afghanistan's presidential election has officially begin.

11 candidates are vying for success who is barred against standing again. the vote is seen as a major test of whether the country can make the transition of civility after 13 years of violence and war. reports from kabul. soon their faces will be posting across the capitol and beyond. for those hoping to be the next president, posters are crucial. in the past campaign images were produced abroad. but the manager of this new printing business says times have changed. >> one reason we get these con tracks is that the work is done here. and the money is not wasted outside. so the candidates are happy. the 13 men that work here are also happy. for small businesses like this, the president of elections is the busiest they have ever experienced.

just fitting one candidate as a client means tens of thousands of dollars keeping men like this employed. >> poetters are only wasn't part of the campaign battle. this candidate's campaign manager says it automobile depends on location. >> people do not watch t.v., but in the same area there is local can radio station, and has more of an effect if a farmser busy, he has the radio turns on beside him, he is listening to it eight hours a day. winning the trust of voters here he be tough. >> they haven't even bothers to ask the ordinary people, they are only thinking of marry own benefits. and if they win, that i

will live a life of luxury. >> al jazeera, kabul afghanistan. >> polling stations have opened where -- violence is prevalent in the tiny country, and it is one of the highest murder rates in the world. our correspondent is in the capital, san salvador, and from there joining us now. looks like there's a lot of enthusiasm there, how is the vote going? >> as you can see, of this polling station, both parties are still in full swing. you can see the flags of the conservative party, and the smln that's the

socialist party. i think there is a sense of frustration, because neither capped date has talked about any concrete policies but they are all united about one thing, and that is gang violence, and personal security. something like 60,000 gang members here, and most have talked at length about how they would tackle the problem. as we found out, it may be something neither man can fix quickly. >> in el salvador, the missing are being unearthed. it is the rate at which bodies are become discovered that is cause for alarm. the forensic labs remain as pain statically reconstructed haven't been this busy in years. >> new investigations

have for now been stopped. it is a matter of being diverted to the upcoming direction. but they say that's not true. >> we feel frustrated because we have scientists that help to solve crimesser and the reasons that have nothing to do with scientific work, we have had to stop, we are disgusted that all of this is only for statistical reasons where the aim is to show fewer deaths and fewer missing than there are. >> the truce between the gang and their riels happen been credited with drastically reducing the murder rated, the socialle pas like this bakery have been successful. but there have been accusations of collusion between politicians and gang members to keep the real numbers down, and some say the truce is simply propaganda. >> they talk a lot about

us, they say think about a truce, but it is a lie. just listen to the president and you know he is lying. >> there are people here trying to make a difference, he is a priest that works with the youth. >> to li, or to kill. >> the efforts haven't gone uno tis by the gang members and he has been told he is now a marked man. in his own safety he is leaving until the election is over, a sign of how powerful the gangs are. >> tell us more about these candidates what are they promising to do about this huge rate of violence? >> . >> well, two very

distinct approaches. the fmla candidate is talking about giving the police -- this is off in colics with the gang members. they have a very different approach, i was at a rally and heard a speaker talking about the iron fist of authority about using military courts and using soldier to tackle their gang problem. but it is something that really united all the voters here, and nobody i think believes it will be fixed very quickly, remember this is an extremely tight race. if neither of these candidates gets just over 50%, there will be a election on march the 6th. >> and the many thanks for joining us there, from a very noisy polling station in al sell have door. well, there's strong culture in several countries in central and south america. and it's prompted a rise in vin large vigilantism.

one family determined to fight basket against the knights templar. >> he raps about life in his town, battling the drug cartel, and how their fight, however dangerous will never be in vain. after living in the united states for the past 20 years, he returns to rural but soon found himself in the middle of a war. but instead of fleeing he and his brother fought back. >> our town, it's our place. it is our home. what are we going to do? why are we going to leave? >> his mother fears that every time her sons are called on the radio to go out to patrol it might be the last time she sees them. i give them my blessing and say to god, take them, but bring them back home, don't let them be captured.

they won't just kill them, they are cowards and they would torture them, like they did to my brother. >> along with his father and brother, are part of a 20,000 strong vigilante movement that sprung up. for years heavily armed members extorting kid p thatting and killing. few have escaped their grasp. >> the diaz family used to have a successful business like this one, but in the knights tempt particular cower tell came along and starting dend maaing up to $10,000 a month in so call protection money, and everything changed. >> now their saw mill looks like this. after years of building up the business, piece by piece, they were forced to abandon it. his brother says it is hard for him to look back at how things used to be. >> we had a lot of josh, a lot of work, we were doing good, we had more

than 15 people working giving jobs to people that need it. >> this past week, vigilante groups agree to a government plan to incorporate them into a rural defense force. they say they are happy they no longer have to stand alone, and hope this is the beginning of the end of a war that has already gone on far too long. al jazeera, mexico. >> p kerry med mo hamed on the sidelines of the munich security conference in germany. on saturday, iran received the first installment of $4.2 billion worth of frozen funds. 500 million sun dollars have been transferred to a swiz bank account, which they can access. european union and the united states began lifting sanctions on iran on the 20th of january, follows their deal in november.

under that plan, the u.s. agreed to impose no new sanctions. but it did stipulate that most sanctions would remain in place, until nuclear talks resume later this month. mo hamed and professor at the university of tehran says talked would be successful if the u.s. tones down its demands. >> the united states seems to think or imagine that president rohanny is going to give up iran's rights. as a sovereign country, it's rights within the frame work, that's simply not going to happen. they are not going to halt enrichment. he is very serious when he says this, but i think that within the united states, think tanks and so called iran experts like to believe, that the president is going to say one thing today, but do something else tomorrow. i think that's a major misreading of the situation in iran.

then obviously we won't come to an agreement and the talks will lead to a dead end. possible. so i think that the only way forward is basically for the united states to take president r objectionuhani's word seriously, and find a solution that is acceptable, and that solution peaceful nuclear program within the frame work of the mpt, something that iran has been saying automobile along. >> still to come, a toast to germany's new defense minister. the mother of seven children is promising a more family friendly soldier of the future. plus. >> celebrating a historic achievement by their team.

families, just like yours, fami theline.inator is now on this is an enormous number of people in desperate need, can you explain the situation to us? >> well, thank you very much. i think, yes, it is an enormous number, it is also an enormous proportion of the population. we are now looking at one in every three citizens of south sudan in acute need. but also support is likely -- in essence what has happened over the past weeks of violence is that it is not only effected 863,000 people who have left their homes, and indeed over 120,000 of them have gone across the border into countries such as kenya, or uganda, but it's the

impact of the fighting on markets, on economic collapse, on the fact happen people can't move their livestock, marsh lands, they can't fish, and they are unable to hunt, and the results of that is 3.7 million people in acute need of a assistance. >> i suppose the big question is are you able to provide that? >> . >> we have the humanitarian chief, he met the minister of humanitarian affairs that gave all the assurances that we need that we can go and move around and reach any south sudanese citizen in need of emergency relief.

and then, of course, we so need resources, and you know, the build for trying to reach this many people is high. we need $1.3 billion preparing to launch an appeal, and hope to have it out in the coming days if not tomorrow. and we need the money as quickly as possible so that we cannot only help people now, but also preposition before the rainy seasons in april. once the rains hit, the roads get washed away. and there's no way of moving aid across the country. so it's a race against time, we very much counting oen the international community to stand waythe people of south sudan who are now in desperate need of emergency relief.

the relationship is active, and we are in constant contact, there's a lot of transparency in the relationship, and i think that it is working with all of the authorities on the ground. we will be able to meet this enormous challenge, that now faces the people of south sudan, so we are really moving forward at this stage. >> good to hear that, thank you for joining there is from the south sudan. >> the latest invention and it is the most effective. battles are dropped from army helicopter on suspected rebel areas but frequently end up hitting

the residential districts and causing the heavy casualties. ard cooing to activists the hundred people were killed by such bombs on saturday. this' a similar scene. this is where the rebels say they push government troops out of several check points on saturday. >> one of a number of military operations we are carried out, very significant villages have been liberated by the heros of the islamic movement. villages have been totally freed and liberated. also strategic is now under our control, the highway will lead us to join the fighters of damascus. >> in the province the al quaida links says it

has taken more strategic territory from the syrian army. >> by the grace and support of god, we managed to gain control of a modern ten-kilometers. fighting between the groups is continuing. the fighters kill two leaders from other islamic groups on saturday. a car bomb killed the leader of the brigades and a powerful commander of the support group was also killed and now we the government's issues more and more civilians are getting killed every day. al jazeera. >> let's get you back now to london for more news from europe. >> this friday marks the start of the sochi olympics.

but on sunday, tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of moscow, demanding freedom for political prisoners. paul brennan was there. >> freedom, freedom, they chanted waving their flags and holding their placards high. interior ministry officially put the crowd numbers at just 2,000, but the evidence of our own eyes showed that to be a considerable underestimate. it's nearly two years since the notorious square demonstration, the time has not dimmed the sense of injustice here. >> i think we are losing our justice. day by day, actually minute by minute. it seems that if we do not do anything, it's not going to save us, and nothing is going to happen in this country just going to go down. and it's honestly terribly embarrassing. >> what happened in may 2012 remains disputed. as a demonstration on

the've of the third inauguration, 27 people were arrested for alleged mass rioting. but opposition groups maintained the police cliffed the provoked confrontation. and that the prosecutions have been politically motivated. there was a massive police presence and tight security, but this time, no hint of prove cakes. the crowds carries with his own photograph on it, have found own if ooriginal 27. the government has listened more. and not just do what they think is the right thing. >> for him, he is synonomous with just one thing.

absolutely legal, that's why we are protesting against such activity. we demand these people to be released. >> this is a good turn out in sub zero temperatures and despite a heavy police presence, but the message is clear. >> 1,000 people have been left stranded by a blizzard that's continuing to battle northern syria. they have been rescuing passengers from cars and trucks left isolated near the town. now it has been brought to parts of serbia due to the bad weather which isn't expected to raze until monday. and in the united kingdom, forecasters are predicting more heavy rain for the county of summer set, strong winds of 130-kilometers now are forecasted as well as up to 30-millimeters of rain. january has been the wettest month for southern england since

records began. the new defense minister says she wants the country's arm forced to become more family friendly. germany's fist female defense minister and she has seen as a possible successor to chancellor americale. she wants fewer rotations for soldiers serving in places like afghanistan and more flexible schedules. >> if she gets her way. >> a personal experience that might help explain why better work life balanced in the arm forced, deploying abroad. >> deployments overseas always means special strain on men and women

in the army. i want to do everything so that we as a society honor the service as best as we can. >> the idea the minister is looking at are allowing soldiers to save up overtime to take care of children or elderly parents making more day care ray vail and ending the system of transferring soldiers every two or three years. >> with parliament overseer wonders how the changes will be paid for. >> this will all cost money, and i have my doubts whether she will be able to finance the reforms within the existing budget. >> germany has one of the most modern and best equip armied. it is one of the loyest funded among western countries, receiving around one pointed 3% of gdp. for many soldiers the minister's biggest job may be to sell deployments to a german public. >> politicians didn't realize at all that they have to tell society what

we are doing there, what is our mission, in our missions aboard. and it's not our task as an army to tell about the mission and the aim of the mission. >> the first trip abroad was the german troops in afghanistan, she may still get her way on a family friendly army, she is one of the most popular politicians seens that a possible successor. so there's a chance that more money is needed from what is after all, europe's big zest most robust economy, that money will be found. al jazeera, berlin. >> and staying in germany now, where one of europe's biggest building demolition has taken place. >> 950-kilograms of explosives were used to level the tower blacks.

two new office towers are to be build, on the site. >> that esall for now, back to doha. >> we still have sport to gone othe news hour, in just a few hours. the nfl is under fire. for getting a tax break.

big day for campaigners. wild wetlands day how some of the most productive are under threat. corruption, construction, and lewis are do blame as michael web reports. malcolm web. >> people say it was first built on seven hills. now it covers more than 20. between the hills were wetlands, they can still be seen on the outskirts. they host fragile ecosystems and act as natural filters draining rainwater into nearby lake victoria, it is the world's second largest lake. but as the city grows the remaining wetlands are disappearing fast. they have been protecting since 1995, but he says it is not enforced. >> it is a wide range of

people, devastating the wetlands. ranging from capitol investors down to the peasants like me and you. >> people build homes when there's no other place but it blocks the natural drainage, rains here are heavy and floods have become common. it is hard to stop the building. he says somebody built a fuel station on a wetland here, ignored court ordered to stop, and federal authorities demolished it. >> in some instances you will find -- and you will find another governmen government -- but you have to follow the law, given permission, where it shouldn't be given permission. corruption is just one of the many challenged.

>> there's many beyond the boundaries but new construction keeps coming up. city officials say they plan to reclaim what wetlands can turn into nature parks but they will have to move fast before they are all gone. malcolm web, uganda. >> time for sport now. >> lora, thank you so much. super bowl xlviii takes off in a few hours time. denver broncos will face the seattle sea hawks.

mark morgan is live for us outside met life stadium. let's talk about manning for a second, he is really trying to make history tonight. he has a lot of attention this week, because he had an incredible season as i mentioned and he just obtained his fifth, his fifth mvp award. and keep in mind, no other player has won more than 3 manning led the broncos high powered offense to some video game numbers. he threw for over 5500 yards as far as that voting is concerned, he received 49 of the 50 votes. it was almost unanimous, only the patriots quarterback received the other vote, mannings other years, 2003, 04, 08, and discerning. now that's the story, and his counter part, is more

of a mobile scrambling type, where manning is more of a sit in the pocket and make it happen quarterback. russell wilson, though, has won 24 games since started quarterback in the nfl, those 24 regular season wins are the most any quarterback has had in his first two years and russell wilson has been looking forward to this week since last year's super bowl. >> last year i went so the super bowl just to observe and watch, and did some broadcasting stuff, but my main objectny all of that was to get prepared for the situation, if that was the case, and just observing -- just noticing the time that it takes in terms of pregame, and half time. you never know what may happen, so you always have to be prepared for that, just noticing that the circumstances are different, but at the same time, where the ball is kicked off, and we play one play at a time.

>> the less wind the better, and also almost zero chance of any for ace pigs.

>> super bowl celebrations are underway in new york. this year's host city, with so mum glitz and glamour, many fans are surprised to learn that the national football league is considered a nonprofit organization, under the u.s. tax code. >> it's hard to believe, i did not know that, very hard to believe. >> well, considering how much money i pay for tickets. i would think that 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 pricy park avenue, pays no taxes. >> everyone at headquarters including nfl commissioner. the $9 billion a year, is

earned solely by the 32 nfl teams. is the teams do pay tax on the revenues including ticket sales, jerseys, and the food and drinks sold at games. >> so we have had the huge amount of economic growth. >> but sports economists says the tax free status does benefit the teams. >> our primary goal 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. and 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 is a terrible deal for the taxpayers. >> the local mayor says the economic benefits prompted by the nfl have yet to materialize. >> it is almost as if the nfl wants to make all this money. and they don't want anybody else to make money on it. >> matheson agrees. >> if you are looking

pourly in terms of dollars and cents, there's simply is almost no credible evidence that professional sports brings significant economic benefits to the cities that honest them. >> of course football does bring a lot of enjoyment to the fans, it just might snot realize how much they are paying for it. al jazeera, new york. but a mistake allowed victor to equalize. 1-1 is how it finished. they play there a few minutes time, they can go top of the tables if they beat crystal palace. they are a point behind manchester city who faces chelsea on monday. we are 1 point behind man city. i believe we have our chances, and what is even more important is what we are fully committed and

to play our chances with full belief. and i'm convinced we can do it. >> the toast of african football they have made history by winning the nation's championship in south africa. and they have done it with their domestically being u.s. secretary spented for the last two years. >> etch before the start of this chant they stand with confident they will outmegan that currently ranked second in africa. we didn't play for the last game for the cup fighting 32, especially in this time and we intend to win, 2-1 for libya. >> fast forward a few hours and libya are crowned championships. international football,

that's why it is ecstatic and it must be said that the fans have been humble. >> i am a graceful loser. >> we really wants to take the camp back home, and there's nothing we can do about it, that is football. >> this was libya's time to celebrate. the national teams achievement sparked massive emigrations and the players inspired happiness in the midst of turmoil. >> it's help from god, and it's good, and this time to make the situation change libya, because libyan people need to be happy in this difficult time. >> libya will long remember the first of february 2014 the day their football con ured one of the strong e.g. teams. >> stephen gallagher can become the first golfer to success my defend the dubai classic. mcilroy was two shots

behind, be awe two over par final round left him four strokes off the pace. gallagher's title defense was challenged by a late charge in emeliano giro. but a put put him back on charge, it was enough for the scottsman to insure a one shot victory on 16 under. the miami heat bounce back from their defeat to the oklahoma city thunder, they beat the new york knicks at madison square garden. lebron james has 30 points eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the heat to a 106-victory and a four game winning streak. and that's all your sports nowed. >> all right, thank you very much indeed. you can always keep up to date with all the news on our website. that's at aljazeera.com. do stay with us if you can on the channel, be right back with another full bulletin of news straight ahead.