> and a warm welcome from me david foster to this al jazeera newshour. the innocent victims of violence in afghanistan as the number of civilians casualties soars. >> evacuation underway for the first residents leaving homs as aid rolls in. >> a special report from democratic republic of congo on efforts to reeducate former

child soldiers. sochi's fireworks spectacular - a burst of light heralding the start of the most expense games in olympic history. >> and cricket's world order. india takes a leading role in controlling the global game. >> they are the incident victims of war, women and chinnldren - killed, wounded, maimed - figures show a total of 9,259 civilians died, on increase of 7%. 5,500 injured, 17% up. 561 children lost their lives. that was a rise of 34% in the

total number of child casualties. improvized explosive device, roadside bombs responsible for the deaths of women and children, and violence concentrated along the border between afghanistan, pakistan, kandahar and others. let's cross to our correspondent in kabul, jane ferguson. there's a per ce presidential en coming up. a difficult time for the country and this is grim reading. >> it does, foreign troops are on the way out and are leaving quickly. political licence in the capital pushes towards elections. for afghans, especially out in the province, they are continuing to die and be hurt and maimed and badly injured.

some of the figures you read out are shocking, considering that the international forces are winding down of the the war is by no means over. i'm joined by the author of the report, georgette ganyon. thank you for joining us. now, we have seen that similar to the year before, in terms of the increase, most of the injuries are due to iud, but there's a trend with women and children. >> a trend in how the war was affecting civilians is that more women and children were being killed in ground engagement between the two sides killed in crossfire by a tray mortar, or bullets. it was a worrying task that women and kids were impacted further by this conflict.

>> what is the difference causing that. we know, of course, international forces engaged the taliban. are local forces fighting them on a conventional means, on the ground in urban areas. >> with international forces leaving, and afghan forces in the lead, they have been fighting in a more conventional way. there are not as many air strikes and other type of tactics used. the afghan forces are more exposed and the insurgents have been planting more i.e.d.s near checkpoints and other things, affecting and killing civilians. >> the i.e.d.s kill many civilians. people travel in large groups to markets and that makes them deadly.

>> yes. we found half the civilian casualties were from i.e.d.s planted indiscriminately in places frequented by civilians. >> a question about the war as it stands in terms of how the international community might view it. international forces pulling out, but the war is not over. if you are an ordinary afghan, it makes little difference who is fighting if you are being killed. >> that's what we have seen, especially in areas that are n contested and in many remote districts. there has been an increase in numbers killed. most civilians tell us for them the war is not over. >> thank you so much. thank you for joining us. more grim reading for anybody following the war. 3,000 civilians killed last year. the year ahead is likely to be a crucial one, with lots of

violence that the taliban have vowed to target elections to target anything to do with the government and the new government here. so hopefully the figures will not be as depressing next year. most are not optimistic about that. >> food and other relief supplies are expected to arrive in the syrian city of homs on saturday despite overnight shelling in the old city. dozens were taken to safety on friday. under a u.n. brokered deal between the government and the opposition. the city has been under seem for more than a year. let's talk to our correspondent live from beirut. we report from there because of difficulties in syria. what are you hearing from homs at the moment? >> the incident with the shelling that happened early on saturday. we understood from the syrian

groups that government shelling happened in the old city of homs in a christian district the the governor of homs said two shells were launched by rebels from inside the old city near - and landed near a police post in homs and there was a response by the syrian government. the situation had been contained and it's quiet and calm and as far as the government is concerned the ceasefire holds. we have not heard of more people evacuated on saturday, or if the u.n. aid parcels have gone in. it hasn't happened. it is expected to happen on saturday. around three tonnes of medical supplies and food and blankets are supposed to go into the city of homs on saturday. >> thank you for that update. >> thousands of bosnians took to the streets on friday, protesting against high

unemployment and government corruption, demonstrators fought with police and attacked government buildings. it's some of the worst unrest seen in bosnia since the end of the war. >> buildings damaged, cars destroyed and debris littering the streets of sary eva. the bosnia capital was in chaos. firefighters put out fires, after protesters stormed the presidency and another federal building setting them ablaze. around 200 were injured. >> translation: what is happening is the result of the criminal policy of the ruling elite who have been controlling the country for the past 20 years. they must be removed from power, otherwise the situation will worsen. the violence started on

tuesday when thousands of workers gathered in front of a regional building to voice anger over factory closing and unpaid salaries. the discontent spread after it morphed into fury over high unemployment, and rampant corruption. bosnia remains one of europe's poorest and divided countries. the protest was the worst unrest that the nation had seen. an ethnic conflict leaving 100,000 people dead. although elections are due in october. the people want the government to design. they say they failed to tackle problems, including widespread unemployment. >> a not guilty verdict for a french comedian outraged many.

he has been cleared of defamation. the students will try to get the case reheard. the comedian called for the release of a prisoner serving life for the kidnap, torture and murder of a muslim man. >> a u.s. citizens detained in north korea for 15 months has been moved back to a labour camp. kenneth bae was transferred to hospital in august after his health deteriorated. he was sentenced to 15 years hard labour on charges of trying to overthrow the state. north korea accuses hip of being a spy. the u.s. says he's a missionary. >> it's 42 days since egyptian authorities detained three journalists. mohamed fadel fahmy, peter greste, and mohammed badr have been held since december the

29th accused of spreading false news. and having links to muslim brotherhood, a terrorist organization. abdullah al-shami, another journalist has been held since july last year. al jazeera rejects all charges. >> rising costs force said the spanish led company expanding the canal to down tools. we have this report. >> a special anniversary, panama celebrating the anniversary of the canal. disputes over the waterways extension is spoiling the party. >> everybody is worried. the canal is our best asset. the builder says he doubles the price or leaves halfway into the job. >> the expansion allows vessels

twice a big to pass through the waterway. work was altered after negotiations broke down over who thu pay more than a billion -- who should pay more than a billion in price overruns. in hindsight the price was low. >> translation: the consortium offer was a billion cheaper. they would use onward half the materials. they must find it fast. >> the stoppage cost time. >> this is panama's only try season. four months of the year when the weather conditions are right for mixing concrete and having enough construction materials for the rest of the year. every day this site is empty could mean months in further delays. >> thousands of workers have been sent home. ports around the world spent

billions dredging and expanding their facilities. >> if you have the ships you'll find the routes. if the shipping lines have ships that cannot transit through the panama canal, they'll transit through the suez, the u.s. west coast or somewhere else. there is a grain business, lng that was looking forward to the expanded canal. everybody wants this to come to a conclusion. everybody wants this to have a happy ending. >> friday, the contractors made a new offer to solve the dispute. with the sides so far apart, a deal will be difficult to unlock. >> this is what is coming up, a spanish judge asking the king's daughter whether her husband committed fraud. a report in a court case. they are wondering what will happen next.

>> back from the brink of committing suicide. how psychiatric patients in sweden are offered hope and a reason to live. and in sport alex rodriguez end his dispute with major league baseball. andy with that and the rest of the sport in half an hour. >> it has been known as africa's forgotten war. armed groups fighting for control of the country which has vast mineral resources. among the youngest victims children recruited as soldiers. mimi were recruited. some morphed into groups seeking autonomy. 600 homes in the region have been destroyed as rebels raised

villages. more than 400,000 people have been displaced. well, there is a remote area that locals call the triangle of death. our correspondent met former child soldiers who returned from there. >> a few months ago the girls were child soldiers in democratic republic of congo. they were rescued when the rebels in their group surrendered to the conk golees army -- congolese army. >> translation: the lorry came the the children went, the adults stayed behind. >> it's not safe for the girls to go home. they get psych logical help and learn a trade. some were forced to join armed groups when villages were looted

and burnt. >> there are some girls who came with babies. some were forced into marriage and raped. they are aged between eight and 17. some we have seen with babies, and they are only 13. >> the boys stay in a different area. they can't be reintegrated into the communities because of insecurities. others may not go home. >> some of these children have seen terrible things and committed atrocities. the communities don't want them back. finding a home for them is difficult. this woman was not afraid to take in three former child soldiers, even though she has children of her open. it has not been easy. >> translation: they were afraid. i told them, "you are not in the bush, no one will hurt you", they have sometimes been violent. i teach that them it is not good. >> recruitment of child soldiers is a war crime prosecuted by the

international criminal court in the hague. in 2012 rebel leader was gaoled for using child soldiers. this person helps the children deal with the war. the song they sang before going into battle - they changed the words. former child soldiers are not violent, they are just victims, victims of a conflict for the power of the wealth that lies beneath. >> let's talk to amanda widespam, program director, of an organization that works with child soldiers worldwide. let's concentrate on democratic republic of congo to begun with. we'll need a new and proper

life. that is what they were sipping. is that possible? >> yes, it is. if we get children that the programs as early as possible and draw them out of the fighting forces, then we can change their lives for the better. >> you can't stay with them forever. there's a limited amount you can do before you have to pull out. >> yes, i mean it's down to funding and the sustainability of the projects. if we get the community to sustain the projects, the children will be looked after for a longer time. >> i was interested to read in your report that while many are forced to become child soldiers some do it because they need the money. >> i don't think it's a case of money, it's a draw. there's lots of reasons why children go and - go to the rebels. most of it is forced.

some go because there is a kudos to it. there are reasons for wanting to change their lives. if you are living in a poor environment, being part of the rebel group can be attractive. >> a number of girls as well. that was extraordinary in harry's report. >> yes, well, the girls - there is a significant number of girls, but not all of these children are used as fighters. a lot are called as guards, cooks and for sexual exploitation. as you heard in the report, a lot of girls come out having been raped and having children. >> how difficult is it to be reintegrated. >> there are processes that we can work with the children. they have to want to be reintegrated and go home. if they don't want to go home, we can set up communities where

they go want to go back to. there was a woman who took in some ex-child soldiers. >> your work doesn't involve child soldiers, it's all kinds of trauma that children face in war. you write about in your 2012 report how bad it is in syria. as we concentrate on that, is there anything you can do for them at the moment? >> yes, we work with children to ensure they don't go into the armed forces or get drawn in. the child protection networks will assist the children to have normal lives. there's complement arty between the work with us in democratic republic of congo and the jordans. that thank you, amanda wisbom from war child u.k. >> it's the first full day of

competitive action in the winter olympics , and the black sea resort of the sochi. the games opened with a spectacular ceremony beginning in 2014, moscow time. from moss coe, -- moscow, rory challands sent us this >> sochi 2014 exploded into action. a little girl floated across a wintry russian landscape before five brilliant snow flakes morphed into the olympic rings, one, however, seemingly failed to open. there were notable absences, no david cameron to welcome the brits. obama for the usa or merkel for the germans. it was a dramatic and breath taking show. the realisation of one man's patriotic vision.

but vladimir putin can't control everything. while the opening ceremony was underway in sochi, a different piece of theatre was acted out in moscow's red square. gay rights protesters sung the anthem. in the city hosting the event, excitement not defines is the main emotion. >> i'm glad, emotional. >> this flame will you night the country. russia will become stronger, united and happy. >> sochi may have the shiny expensive infrastructure, and the games have created genuine feel-good factor for many people. after the olympics leaves sochi, what then? these games have permanently altered the coast at resort, and not for the better. this stream used to have fish in it. now it's been polluted by new

apartment blocks up the hill. >> the athletes and the officials at the olympic park are celebrating. the problems for sochi are here. and those citizens have to cope with the problems. social and economic issues. the problems appeared because of olympics. >> the pageantry and the sport will take precedence over the politics and controversy. previous olympics have been judged by their legacy and behind the smiles and excitements the legacy of the sochi games is a huge question mark. >> a time in the newshour to get a glimpse of the weather. >> thanks very much. well, we have been talking for the last few days about poor weather making its way across the u.k. take a look at the pictures. we see storm system after storm system rolling in from the atlantic. this is the result of that

really wet weather coming through. we have more wet weather coming in. it's a cop veyer of storms pulling through. see the massive cloud making its way in from the atlantic. the worst of the latest batch of rain moves in. see the area of low pressure to the west of ireland, bringing in showers over the next couple of days, so the next 24-48 hours we'll see further rain coming through. here is the latest batch of heavy rain, making its way across southern parts of the u.k. some areas seeing 30mm of rain adding to the flooding in place. a speckling of shower cloud rattling in. that will continue to be the case over the next couple of days. winds are a major problem. for saturday and sunday heavy rain not so much of an issue.

winds gusting in excess of 130, 130 k/hr over the next couple of days. the blustery conditions causing problems. saturday into sunday, more the blustery showers rattling in. that will be the case through the next couple of days, exacerbating the problems through the next day or two. as we go through the weekend, there's sunday's suspect, into monday, the next system coming in, bringing problems for the middle of next week. >> everton, thank you. >> the argument in malaysia about who can use the word allah shows no sign of abating. one catholic church where it was written on banners was firebombed last month. the arabic word for god, says the government, is reserved for muslims. christians say it violates their right. we have this report. >> an evening mass at a church

firebombed in a bid to create controversy and provoke a reaction. a response was not what the perpetrators was expecting. >> people come to the church. instead they are scared. today you prove that you are not afraid. >> the only signs the church was attacked are a few scorch marks on the concrete and police tape in front of the shrine of our lady of fatima. it shows how the placement of quasy religious posters affected the public. >> banners in frost the church was a provocation of one kind. the reason i say that is provocation is because we do not say allah is great. it is not in our ordinary use, neither in our worship. >> it was these posters that

heralded the twist in the long-running row in malaysia over who has the right to use the word allah. should it be for muslims or can it be used by christians when praying or singing hymns. the paper has not used the word allah after being ordered to stop, except in reprints of other articles on the subject. calls to not utter the word spread to the wider christian community that have been widely ignored. the supreme court will hear an application for leave to appeal against the ban in march. if granted the next hearing should decide the case once and for all. the case has swung back and forth between the government and the church and the final hearing should decide once and for all

what can and cannot be said. yet even if the ruling goes against the church, it is far from clear how the ban can be enforced. >> some argue the case is far from religious, but an effort by the ruling coalition to stay in power. >> the political power is no longer a secure thing. how do you deal with that? you try to bring it back together by creating demons, creating the other. >> and however the case works out in the courts, it's important to remember one thing - the word "allah" predates the religion islam. >> we have this for you in a moment. >> translation: our lives depend on this water. without it the overn ards wouldn't -- orcharts wouldn't survive >> why a boycott of israel is

gaining momentum in europe. >> louie swar ez getting ready to face the team he nearly joined. stay with us.

>> you're with me, david foster on the newshour. >> the u.n. says the number of civilians killed and wounded in afghanistan rose by 14%. women and children are bearing the brunt of the violence as nato-led forces prepare to withdraw. >> food and other relief

supplies are expected to arrive in homs on saturday, despite overnight shelling in the neighbourhood of the old city. dozens left under a u.n. brokered deal between the government and the opposition. firefighters in bosnia and hertzo gav eena worked through the night after government buildings were set on fire. thousands of government forces rioted over unemployment and corruption. >> israeli soldiers eviced hundred of palestinians from a protest camp in the occupied west bank. >> dozens were injured. they'd been demonstrating in the jordan valley. another palestine protest camp occurred on thursday. israeli security forces fought palestinians in occupied east jerusalem. seven arrests were made.

israeli police say they fired stun grenades and tear gas after palestinians threw stones. a campaign to boycott israel gaining momentum. some say there's a slum in businesses. >> only in forms in greenhouses producing israel's precious exports. many of the peppers will not make it into the european salads they were planted for. the crops grow in the jordan river valley, land occupied in 1967. eight years ago pro-palestine activists started a boycott divetment targetting the economy in app effort to end the ougs. >> part of it, at least, expresses an alternative to violence and civil disobedience. >> so far the impact has been

small. u.s. led peace talks, if they fail, some feared the movement would accelerate. it was growing pressure, a major trading partner. a cooperative group. farmers in the valley say they are feeling the pinch. this man says there was a drop in shipments to western europe. it was a loss of $30 million. >> in this situation, i don't know if we'll come back or not come back. we have to find another market. >> for the palestinians, the fertile and lush land is the bread basket for a palestine state. they are hoping the boycott of products from the settlement will reclaim the occupied land. >> it's not just fruit and vegetables that have taken a hit.

israeli owned businesses are targeted by the boycott. the factory employs 50 palestinians and 40 israelis. companies like his should be rewarded, not punished. >> rebuilding the peace from the bottom. it's happening here. don't destroy the hope. industrial parks are not settlement. if the land were given back to the palestinians, he would want to continue working here. >> if the peace was found and i should remove this, i will remove the factory. if i have an option to stay here in the palestinian side, i will stay in the palestine side. >> so far the pol trns and diplomats have been unable to find the right package to deliver the peace. >> more than 24 million people worldwide have been displaced

because of war and conflict which we report op here on al jazeera. drought is also forcing thousands to abandon their land. we have this report from pakistan, where a centuries old irrigation system is drying up. >> this man works in a remote village. water is a precious commodity here. the village relies on an ancient irrigation system. >> translation: our lives depend on it. without it this orchard would not survive. >> it is a deep well tapping into the underground watered table, feeding the community by a series of tunnels and access shafts and gives out excess water without disrupting the groundwater. >> we tried irrigation.

all these things do not, you know, they are not harm ownious with the environment, the climate. >> it faces droughts. as a result water sources like these, which are 150 years old are dying. the whole structure is made by specialist workers and the water comes through here. out of those that worked here, only a third are functional. >> water sources act as a glue holding together the ethnic communities. thousands of people migrated after their land dried up. a sense of depravation and poverty contribute to the insurgency plaguing the province. >> other groups live toot. whenever it dries up, it is

left. >> the government says it knows the extent of the problem and thinks building dams will conserve water, but it does not have the required funds. promises do not mean much to those depending on the water outlets. >> translation: the water level is going down. our land is turning dry. we have no financial resources to clean the areas and do something for ourselves. >> unless real steps are taken to rehabilitate and reform the water, more will become nomads. >> that's drought across the world. rain fall and flooding killed at least 38 people in bolivia. tens of thousands more have been affected by rising water and rain is forecast to continue for another month. >> spain's princess christina is

appearing in a court for questioning involving the alleged theft of the public funds by her husband. security has been stepped up as ain monarchy pro -- anti-monarchy protesters gather from outside the court. let's go to outside the court. tell us about the case and whether it's only about the husband or involves the princess herself? >> it does involve the apprenticeship cess. the company -- princess, the company that the duke and duchess co-owned was found to be practicing tax evasion and linked to money laundering through the duke's organization.

he came under investigation for abusing his connections with the royal family. this is a scandal that has been a blow to the monarchy. and princess christina is a popular member of the royal family. she and her husband were seen in a warm light before the scandal apeered. 2012 is when the dupe appeared at the courthouse to answer questions about his financial dealings with his business partner, relating to securing funds and embezzling them through his company and off-shore havens. as far as the prince is involved. there are a number of personal expenses through the company they co-owned relating to, perhaps, expenditures that took place at their own house. there were bills for renovations to their barcelona mansion, and

expenses such as private salsa parties at their own home. as you can hear there are anti-monarchy protesters who turned up. this scandal has really increased the anti-monarchy feeling that spain has been feeling. >> if we could, this is the kipping's daughter -- king's daughter. spain was a republic. the monarchy only came back. is opinion split on this? has it polarised spanish opinion? what it has done is increase the anti-monarchy feeling in spain. before the scandal, for the latter part of the century, you had a lot of warm feeling towards the royal family. the all this had done is thrown

in the lot of the monarchy with that of the other corrupt politicians, which the spanish people take a dim view of. these allegations at the moment, it goes to prove to the spanish public that the mann arky itself, the establishment in this country is not, in itself, immune to being tainted from this sort of scandal. >> thank you, talking to us. >> for decades sweden had a high suicide rate. a campaign to prevent people killing themselves appears to be changing that. in the first part of the hidden hurt series, we have this report from stockholm. >> this is a psychiatric hospital. this man visits to tell his story of coming close to suicide. >> i wrote the letter, and then

i went out in the garden and found a rope. i was standing there with a rope in my hand, a warm, fantastic rope. >> after a month in a mental hospital and five rounds of electric shock therapy, he is well and serves as an attitude ambassador. the 350 ambassadors aim to make swedes aware of mental health issues amongst friends, neighbours and colleagues. >> is there a reason for me to think that maybe he is depressed, maybe i should ask him. maybe i should tell him that i know where to go. >> suicide prevention campaigners update their chores, like this new first aid kit that has a questionnaire on mental health and a phone number were to call. this is about raising awareness

and breaking taboos on mental illness. the numbers of suicide dropped in all age groups, except young people. they are flat. volunteers at a suicide internet hot line in stockholm are chatting mainly to young people, offering hope to the hopeless. this 19-year-old found help here. >> i was very upset. i was trying to find a way to commit suicide. then i realised if i'm not needed that night, that i will be needed tomorrow. >> sweden is leading the way in suicide prevention. proving that a coordinated well-funded program can save lives, people intent on killing themselves can be stopped. >> sport with andy. an american wins the first winter olympic gold in russia.

♪ when i say that something... ♪ >> and how the fab four are celebrated 50 years after taking america by storm.

>> films which examine the political turmoil in egypt feature prominently at the berlin film festival. it's a big screening featuring the best of international cinema. >> berlin is a long way from

cairo, around 3,000km. but the scrept of rev use -- scent of revolution is in the air. this is what it looks like. this movie explores egypt's situation through the eyes of different people and questions whether revolution is the appropriate word for what has happened, is happening now. >> a system of political and social system gets completely changed. if it doesn't happen, it's a rebellion. that's my opinion. >> this movie was shot over several years. it had to be filmed discretely, which is important now, considered fears over journalist, film makers and claims that freedom of speech is being stifled. >> i don't know what happens when the film comes out. it is outspoken about, you know, army or the police in all the human rights abuses.

it's a film about human rights abuses. >> egypt is one of the big themes of the biennale. this is showing four egyptian films and this is the forum of new cinema. that's the official name. unofficially it's the daring section, here you find the harsh, stark accounts of people's lives and struggles. like ohm amira, a story of a woman with a seriously ill daughter, selling paper chips at night and puts herself in danger to afford critical care. this is the first egyptian movie to be shown in 31 years, it ha a tragic conclusion. >> amir died when they were shooting. >> she died. >> her daughter. we stopped filming. she come and say this is my

last, continue the film. >> other films show the b ago, ennale the buddy side. the movies may not have happy endings, safety, stability - that's the most some can hope for. >> time for the sport, here is andy. >> five gold medals up for grabs on the first official day of competition at the winter olympics in sochi. norway's maric bergan won the cross-country ski ath lon and earlier sage kotsenburg won the men's snow board slopestyle. it's the first time it's appeared at an olympics. sage kotsenburg finished ahead of canada's mc-mcmorris. >> sochi to carry out more dope tests. the samples will be kept for 10 years, allowing future

retesting should technology improve. >> slowly athletes are understanding that if you freeze samples for eight to it 10 years, anyone that you can cheat on will not likely work. it will be in violation if caught at any time. >> cricket has a new world order after the top nation is about to vote on radical reform. it sees india taking a leading role. england and australia have powerful roles. the man in charge of indian cricket will be the chairman of the icc for three years. england and australia have key possessions. india benefits financially, making the majority of cricket

revenue. countries will gain greater financial recognition based on money generated. pakistan refused to back the proposal. they abstained from the vote. >> it's comprehensive. >> it was a good meeting and general agreement. >> it's great. >> of course. >> we are all happy. everybody of the >> well, it's been important, i think, for icc to have more commitment from the three members. they'd say to you in the past they'd concentrate on matters in their own country and not spend the same leading icc. the original proposals was part of a commitment to get more involved in the icc.

>> let's get a reaction to that vote. for the south africans, against the plans, but they have voted in favour. what changed over the last few hours or days. >> in the last week the message coming out of cricket south africa was that they'd oppose the principles and changes. there were a few stories, and one of them i reported on that cricket south africa were considering brokering a deal and reaching on arrangement where they'd support the proposals. the talks obviously took place, and it was then decided that they'd do a u-turn on what they'd initially said. i think it was on tuesday they issued a press release confirming that they were in opposition to it. they since had talks and decided it would be in their best interests. part of the talks was over their relationship with the indian cricket board and the

relationship between south africa and india. there was a tour severely shortened. it cost south africa millions. to rectify the situation and ensure they could claim more cict would be a big -- cricket would be a siing consideration. >> was there a choice for the country. did they have a chance to vote against them? >> no, it could have been to their detriment. that's what you said about financial power. india generates 8% of the revenues. having a bad relationship, 200 rand was what they lost. it would have been a costly mistake to not back the proposal. cricket south africa realise that. >> joining us from south africa.

thank you for the reaction. >> baseball star alex rodriguez is seemingly accepting his 162 games for doping. he dropped the lawsuit against major league baseball, and his legal team sought an injunction that could have overturned the drug-related suspension. he'll miss the next season with the new york yankees. >> arsenal can go five ahead with victory against liverpool. liverpool failed to beet arsenal at moment in any competition. a win consolidates fourth place, luis suarez will be a key for them. arsenal tried to buy him in the summer. >> you sometimes regret when you play and score. but he was never a player. it's just a situation that

didn't come off. that's it. >> we've been brilliant at home. you know, the performance level that the players produced with supporters over the majority of the games. it's another big game for us. i have a feeling in the big games the bigger we are the better we played. >> they are home to newcastle. >> a career-high 37 points, an overtime victory. a 3-pointer sunk with 8 seconds left, levelling at 103 apiece. they missed a chance to see the wind. a mistake from ald rich allowed a jump shot sealing the win.

118-113 the final score. more later. >> thank you. they were the fab four and it was the height of what the game known as beatle mania. it was 50 years ago that four likely lads from liverpool in england, the beatles crossed the atlantic and won america. we have this report from new york [ singing ] >> okay. these guys are clearly not the beatles, but these are true beatles fans. some travelled across the country to see the cover band perform at the jfk airport. it marked the time and place the beatles first set foot on american soil 50 years ago. they may be a bit older. they remember the electrically charged day. >> it was like a light thing bolt. like getting truck. the music, the personalities.

it was great. it was an obsession i had for 50 years. at the time the four lads from liverpool were as much famous for haircuts as their music. they were the first in a wave of english bands to hit the shores of america in the 1960s, the leaders of what were known as the british invasion. >> irene was 13 when she waited outside the new york plaza hotel for a glimpse of the fab four. >> we heard them on the radio, saw them on television. we decided that we were going to go to the hotel. that first morning they were in town. we figured we would be noticed from the windows up above and come to the street and pluck us away. a number of events will mark the 50th anniversary. each celebrating the band, the

music and the legacy of john, paul, george and ringo. >> it's the music, not the hairstyle that has kept the band relevant for so many years. ringo star tells al jazeera they were as excited to be in new york as the fans were to have them. >> new york was jumping. we were jumping. we landed in new york, that we were in america. there was nothing more far out than that. all the music we loved. >> the beatles would break up seven years after arriving in the united states. few bands had an impact on the world, let alone the united states. >> fantastic. in many ways it seems like yesterday. all right. that's it from me david foster with the al jazeera. i'll be back with another in a couple of hours time. thanks for watching from me and the team.

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