"boarderland." until next time, we'll see you online. >> >> afghanistan goes to the polls in the first democratic handover of power. >> hello, welcome to al jazeera america, live from doha. coverage is dominated by the vote in afghanistan, and what looks like enthusiasm. >> thousands of homeless in the solomon islands, thousands of communities washed away.

bush art with a difference. this is how the former u.s. president sees other world leaders. >> security is tight across afghanistan, as voters choose a new president. despite threats of violence from the taliban, there has been a steady flow of voters turning up at polling stations. it will be the first democratic transfer of power. hamid karzai has been in power for the past 12 years, but is barred by afghan law of running for a third term. eight candidates are competing to replace them. including abdullah abdullah, but lost to hamid karzai in 2009. another is ghani, a warmer world bank official and afghan finance minister.

he contested the vote in 2009. and a previously serving foreign minister, one of hamid karzai's closest allies. >> let's cross to our correspondent bernard smith, in kabul for us. how is the day shaping up? >> well, despite the cold, rainy damp weather, there is a significant turn out to vote as far as we under. we have been around - my colleagues have been around looking at polling stations. lots of people turning out to vote. the weather is better. $12 million, 12.5 million afghan residents to vote. this is the first time in the history informant 5,000-year history of the country that there'll be a democratic transfer of power. many afghans, despite the threat from the taliban are keen to take part.

i'm drawn by haroon who will be with us watching the election. what will be the decider on whether the election will be free. >> 7 o'clock people have come out of your homes to go and vote. we are not seeing taliban attacks. there are sporadic attacks. but it's not impacting people's participation. this is a good indication that this time the election is different from the previous elections and people are willing to vote because they will pick a new leader, and that will be the first time you have a peaceful transfer of power. to continue the political process, it is important for us to have a peaceful transfer of power in this country. >> what makes the elections different. it's a consciousness. people know that it's important. they are aware of their rights.

>> they know 2014 is critical. n.a.t.o. is the end of this year, the international community's commitment will not be like the previous year. we need to rely on our own. this is why people are taking the pain to go out, despite the rain and serious threat from the taliban, making sure the political process will continue, otherwise we fall back to what is witnessed. we know our enemies are still strong. the taliban, al qaeda and other elements. they don't want stability, and i think this is a good message, that the people want to make an important decision and pick the next leader peacefully and democratically. it's important to us. >> significant attempts made in the election to prevent fraud, ballot boxes are sealed, ballots

barcoded. already from one province we had a senior police officers and security official arrested after they were found with five stuffed ballot boxes, and the interior ministry has been given a briefing. there has been a few, but nothing too significant at the moment. back to you. >> thank you for that. that's bernard smith joining us from kabul. >> to other news. the death toll from flash demruding in the so'oialo -- flooding in the solomons islands is expected to rise. dozens have been killed many are missing. it's been described as the worst flooding. whole communities were washed away. >> a number of my staff have witnessed dead people particularly children washed away by the flash floods. the water came up so quickly at

times. >> syrian opposition activists report a major government air strike in aleppo. more than 45 people have been killed in the alshabbier neighbourhood. pictures have been posted online on government forces in latakia. >> thousands of anti-government protesters have been demonstrating where this weekend's formula 1 grand prix has been held. the mass rally coincided with the practice session. many in the shia muslim majority say they want more say. >> al jazeera is demanding the release of its journalists who have been in prison in egypt for 98 days. the trial of peter greste,

mohamed fadel fahmy, and mohammed badr has been adjourned until 10 april, they are falsely accused of providing a platform to the muslim brotherhood. a forth journalist abdullah al-shami has been detained without trial since last august, and he has been on hunger strike for the past three months. al jazeera rejects all the charges. >> 13 protesters have been injured in a confrontation with israeli forces. the palestinians were demonstrating againstst rail's decision -- against israel's decision to cancel a prisoner release program. it was aimed at kick starting peace talks, which appear on the verge of col ams. stefanie dekker -- collapse. stefanie dekker reports from outside a prison near ramallah. >> before the protest had a chance to get started. israeli forces made sure it didn't get out of hand.

13 were injured outside the prison. they were supposed to release a final batch of prisoners. >> translation: israel wants to use the prisoners as a blackmail card, forcing the leadership to extend the talks and framework. we don't accept it. >> israelis insist palestinians are not being honest, and not a serious partner for peace. >> palestinians do not agree, and it is sparking stand offs. >> israeli forces are outside the prison firing tear gas up the hill. they are trying to disperse them. >> on the political front a sign that the talks are not over. the chief palestine negotiators met with u.s. envoy martin indick on friday. >> every effort is being made to make sure the aim is the aim. to make sure two states can live

in peace and security. >> the united states has said it is assessing its role in these talks. u.s. secretary of state john kerry has invested a lot of time in effort in moving them forward. the reality that a decades-long conflict cannot be solved in 12 months. >> there are limits to the amount of time and effort that the united states can spend. if the parties are unwilling to take constructive steps to move forward. many think that israel does not compromise and there's no common ground. this protest was predicted to draw thousands, but the numbers inch past 100, there's a feeling that they are powerless to end the occupation of palestinian land. >> former egyptian president mohamed morsi is expected back in court this the next hour. the trial of the ousted leader and 14 other senior muslim brotherhood members is to resume

in cairo. it was jurped following a -- adjourned following a request to replace a judge. they are accused of inciting murder and torture of opposition protesters outside the presidential palace in 2012. >> chances of chad withdrawing troops, they are accused of killing civilians. it is claimed they were ambushed in the latest of a series of incidents involving chadian troops. >> it appears they came in probably to try to evacuate chadians or people of chadian origin, or possibly other muslims in the area themselves under the attack from the anti-balaka, the non-muslim fighters and central african republic. the chadian army in the past

evacuated many, and have saved many lives, taking people out who are in danger. this time, for some reason, they started shooting, you know, civilians - men, women, children in the marketplace on a sunday afternoon. >> a group of people have attacked an ebola treatment center accusing staff of bringing the virus to their town. the center was being run by doctors without borders near the capital. 90 have died in guinea and liberia. mali is the latest country to report suspected cases. >> protesters in kenya defied warnings and demonstrated against the killing of a muslim cleric. there was denials of recruiting gun many to fight in the area. >> break the camera was the instruction from the dead

sheikh's mosque. there was a moment of tension and rocks were thrown, but not everyone wanted to fight. they were told to go home and most listened. for those that didn't, the police fired tear gas. the united nations accusing the sheikh of recruiting somali fighters for the group alshabbier abb -- al-shabab. he denied it. the son of one of the other sheikhs killed was accused of recruiting for al-shabab, but says he is a chicken farmer. >> translation: it's a sign that they are looking for a reason to eliminate someone. this is how they start, accusing you of being an al-shabab supporter. it was the same with sharif. human rights activists are demanding an investigation into the killings. we asked the man in charge. county if police were involved in any way. >> no, i think that's not true.

we had muslims who had been killed around. quite a number. so as a country we should condemn it as a criminal act. >> there's mounting pressure to approve this. >> in the past 12 weeks 12 have been killed in a church shooting and explosions at a restaurant. >> there's a look of trust wean some muslims and the kenyan authorities. the imam voiced concerns that the kenyan authorities are involved in the death of the sheikh. for now, efforts to prevent riots appear to have succeeded. people are seething and they want to know who is killing their leaders. still ahead on al jazeera - i'm john hendren in dayton ohio,

where chinese investors are setting up shop. >> bending over backwards to defy gravity. a place where contorsionists evoke national pride.

>> good to have you with us - these are the top stories - af gans are voting for a new president to -- afghans are voting for a new president to replace hamid karzai. activists threatened to disrupt the polls. security is high across the polls. >> senior muslim brotherhood

members are expected back in court. they are accused of inciting murder and torture of opposition protesters outside the presidential palace in 2012. the death toll from flash floodings in the solomon islands is expected to rise. 16 people have been killed, whole communities have been washed away in what has been described as the worst flooding in the pacific nations history. >> it's not just afghans going to the polls. india's general election is next week. opposition leader is likely to become the next prime minister. critics are concerned about conservative hindu ideology. >> with fists in the air, these children begin the day by pledging allegiance to mother india. >> they live in the country's hindu heartland where religion

and pride go hand in hand. this daily ritual is organised by a conservative community group, to boost religious faith and nationalism. >> i'm proud to be a child of mother india. we are praying to help retain a pride of place in the world. >> with elections around the corner, people here are coy about who they'll vote for, but say there is one man who can bring pride and prosperity to their country. the opposition bkp candidate, a self-proclaimed hindu nationalist. enjoying support among conservatives. >> a strong resurgence in india, strong against terrorism in national security. they are proud of our cultural heritage. the ruling congress party has been plagued by

scandals and policy inergea. the candidate failed to inspire public confidence. >> india's economy is struggling under the congress party. it was growing at around 10%. today growth dropped to less than 5%. vetters were concerned -- voters were concerned by high inflation, and they are looking for reform. >> but some observers are worried that the religious nationalism will marginalise millions of non-hindus. >> the attitude that hipped use are a -- hindus are a majority is wrong. they are a fractured society, if you have the vision that we are one, will be one, i will make you one, i will give you an identity. then you are making a big mistake, which is why he's dangerous. >> many indians are likely to

vote because of hindu nationalism, not despite it. >> and an indian court sentenced three men to death for the gang rape of a photo journalist in mumbai last year. it's the first time such a sentence has been handed for a rape. it led to street protests and raised questions about security. the men were guilty of a separate gang rape earlier. >> now, a nine month old baby in pakistan has been taken to court and charged with attempted murder for allegedly attacking a policemen. the baby boy, together with his family were summoned to court. the police say they had gone to the family's house to does connect the gas supply. they claim the todd ler attacked the officers by throwing stones at them. >> gaoled venezuela opposition leader leopoldo lopez has been

formally charged with inciting violence. hours later his supporters began anti-government protests. demonstrators gathered at the plaza where the presidential candidate surrounded to police. we have more from caracas. >> people gathered in the center of caracas in support of loems who has been in -- leopoldo lopez, who has been in gaol for 45 days now. he turned himself in to authorities after a warrant was issued against him. now, this morning, the attorney-general announced that he had been officially charged. the the charges are damage to property, arson, illicit association, and inciting violence. so it seems that leopoldo lopez who was supposed to be freed, or his lawyers hoped he would be free, might stay in prison.

now, these people here among the supporters, students from universities, they will cross police lines and go all the way to the ministry of justice, where they'll hand in a document, where they state that leopoldo lopez is not a criminal, but instead he's a prisoner of conscience. >> volcano in ecuador is spewing hot ash and smoke into the air. throat of fire, as it's known, erupted three times. activity began in february. on friday a loud explosion was heard. it's one of eight active volcanos in ecuador. >> towns are getting a boost from china. chinese companies are spending money as they send manufacturing offshower. we travel to dayton in ohio to

see the effects of the investment. >> for years this vacant factory stood as a monument to economic dysfunction. dayton and neighbouring fans were dependent. when gorts pulled out -- general motors pulled out it was left with cracked asphalt, rusted great and unemployed auto workers. the language of economic development is changing. >> chinese autoglass maker is reopening the ageing eyesore with 280 million, and, for starters, 800 jobs. you can't not welcome foreign investment. if you want to grow your cities, your communities right now, you have to be open to foreign investment. our country was built on immigrants. if you are not open it immigrants now, where was your family 200 years ago. >> chinese conglomerates ants

seeking to expand their footprint are the newest investors to a deal bringing a copper tubing factory to alabama. >> the largest concentration of chinese was here in dayton. there were 200 students here eight years ago, 800 today. locals hope it both well for development by future captains. >> my dream is to make the world together, do the business. people in china love america. i hope the two country can work really good together. >> the tiny town here lured them by offering the chinese what it had in excess supply - workers and factory space. >> we are the advantageous location because of blank, we have 4 million square feet available. it's a great win.

and a lot of us see the opportunity to capitalise and try to attract more foreign investment. that tantalizing prospect has many towns hoping to reopen more padlocked gates like these. >> a chicago train driver has been sacked for falling sleep at the wheel, causing the train she was operating to crash. the pictures show the train jumping the tracks, travelling across the platform, and coming to a halt on top of an escalator. 32 were hurt in the accident at the airport last month. >> a mazda recalled 42,000 cars because of a problem caused by spiders. the yellow sack spider made a home in the mazda six and it's not the first time. in 2011 is found insects were making webs, causing pressure to build in the fuel tanks and

causing fires. >> now, could former u.s. president george w. bush be the modern picasso. patty culhane explains more. >> when he was in office former president george w. bush often had trouble expressing himself. >> fool me once, shame on... >> so out of office he's trying a different tact. painting. he's taking lessons. >> she said, "what's your goal?" i said there's a rem brant trapped in this body, your job is to unleash him? >> has she? >> time will tell. >> in an interview with his daughter turned reporter, he's giving the world a preview into how he sees other leaders. >> art critic christian cap says these portraits say everything that gurk didn't. on afghan -- gurk didn't. on afghan president. >> hamid karzai's indecision.

>> and former french president national park owesy. >> a sour pointing. >> -- new york owesy. >> a sour painting. >> and angela merkel. >> maybe a bit bitter. >> and russian president, whois soul bush said he could see. >> he's not a friendly pointing. he seemed to have changed his mind. whatever he saw was wrong. >> the former president turned his art on himself. >> i think it is neck fat. >> there's a big prop orgs. >> it's very -- proportion. >> it's very real. >> it takes a certain confidence to expose work. this is a former president who already has a few of those and it could be seen as bush responding in a wap. >> he's reluctant to make a statement about his administration. like the rest of the world i think he's wrestling with what

it meant. >> much like his presidency, people will likely be polarized in their opinions. >> now, it's a matter of pride in mongolia that they are the bendiest nation on earth. we have more. >> eight-year-old has dreamed of being a contorsionist like her mother. >> i want to be part of a performance. it looked so glamorous. many other young girls want the same thing. for several hours a day, we learn from one of the greats. teaching these children to contort their body is a matter of national duty. they prays the body. not only does it gi flexibility, and beauty, but the young and awed yinses are given

inspiration. >> this woman was a contorsionist, starting at the age of nine. she said contorsionism dates back to the 12th century when dancers performed for the leader. it's a different kind of audience the pupils are preparing for now. >> the circus is an important cultural event in mongolia. among the highlights are contorsionists. it's seen as an art form. mongolians want in the recognised and protected as part of their heritage. >> if unesco grants the pet ugs, it will be the -- petition, it will be the 12th in need of safeguarding, alongside dancing, singing and calligraphy much. >> we look for music within. nor maddic mongolians came up

with this art form. >> it's a statement of who they are. - a celebration of their past and the beauty of their heritage. >> that story and the rest of the news including more on the story of the afghan elections on the website.