>> hello, welcome to the news hour. we have the top stories. african leaders has declared war on the kidnappers of 300 school girls. survivors of the mine disaster describe their ordeal as the last bodies are recovered from the scene. and india's next prime

minister narendra modi. hello there, i'm in london with the latest from europe including the race against time to rescue survivors from record floods in the balance cons which have killed 20 people. >> reporter: a report of how the portuguese are trying to get their economy moving again. >> african leaders have pledged to work together to wage total war on boko haram. they've been meeting in paris to discuss the threat of the armed group which is still holding hundreds of school girls hostage. they say boko haram is now a danger to the whole region and has links to al-qaeda and no longer is a local threat. let's listen.

>> there is a strong determination. there is no doubt about that. we're very determined to wage total war on boko haram. >> boko haram is no longer a local terror group that they were from 2002 to 2009. in 200 2009, they are better described as al-qaeda. >> we go to the nigerian capitol but first let's go to paris. a very real sense that leaders want to do something about boko haram, but at the end of the day, no clear plan. >> reporter: no, that's right. the summit has just broken up. the african leaders are on their way home, but they're on their

way home with a problem, a big, big problem unresolved. lots of words of solidarity, but the headline, as you heard it there, total war on boko haram. what does that mean? better cooperation on borders particularly nigeria and cameroon where boko haram are crossing, and sometimes the nigerians feel frustrated. that was clearly demonstrated by president jonathan when he said they often could not go into hot pursuit which is what they would like to do, and we've seen a clear demonstration of that with the recent attack across the border on cameroon on the chinese installation. but that's what they're aiming for, sharing intelligence, cro cross-border corporation,

pooling resources, things that you would expect long ago. but in your introduction, they now sense that this is a growing problem. the al-qaeda links are well established, and it's not just a country problem, it is now across the region in west and central africa. >> tim, thank you very much for that. tim friend in paris. let's go to mohammed. mohammed, this idea that boko haram is now regarded as a pan-african threat rather than a domestic nigerian threat, is that your assessment? >> reporter: well, when it comes to nigeria's neighbors, particularly cameroon, it's not the first time that an attack on the base of the chinese workers

that one person wag killed and ten kidnapped. last month they killed two people and in february they attacked a place in north cameroon where they abducted orchiorkidnapped a french famil. when it comes to boko haram's relationships with al-qaeda, it does not mean that it goes to the leadership of al-qaeda, no, just the local affiliate of al-qaeda. for instance, al-qaeda where they have their base in mali. it's not that clear, but you know very well that the president jonathan is facing a lot of pressure at home and abroad with britain and the

united states criticizing the way his government has reacted to the kidnapping of the girls. any way they can wiggle out of the situation is what they're going to do on aligning boko haram with al-qaeda as one of them. >> thank you very much for that. rescue operations are officially over where hundreds of workers were killed. tensions across the country are running high. anger grows over the disaster. 200 demonstrators gathered in the square in istanbul on saturday. police fired water canons and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. in the mining town of soma where the mining accident happened, more than 30 people including lawyers and union members were arrested defying

the ban rotin protesting the wot mining accident ever in. 2347 the recovery price is all but officially over. the last two bodies were recovered by rescue works whose jobs became more that of an undertaker than a lif lifesaver. with the end of this operation have come more allegations that more could have been done to save lives. one miner who was rescued had this to say. >> there is an official for each task, at least there are people who keep track of everything. they have devices. for instance, when the methane gas increases the device begins to make a sound and security letters it. according to what we heard the shift supervisor knew but

ordered workers-to-continue working. if we had left then we would have survived. when we did begin to leave the mine smoke was everywhere, and because of that we could not leave. >> only 15 survived. this is how he described his or. >> it's impossible to describe. you feel no strength in your body. you lose all your strength when you take five steps. you don't even have the strength to raise your arm. i told my friend leave me here, go. i didn't have the strength to go on. let me stay here, i said. i laid down. my friend said no, if we go we go together. he took my arm. if my friend was not there i would have been dead by now. >> reporter: the recovery operation may be over but the

calls for accountability in the company that runs this mine and also the government to do something about safety in turkey will continue undoubtedly. there is a lot of anger in the air. >> families in parts of libyan city bengahzi are evacuating their homes under th the destruction of the self-declared libyan army. 36 people were killed during the violence. the you prime minister announced it was an attempted coup. a no-fly zone has been put in place over bengahzi. syrian government forces have launched further attacks around damascus. another barrel bomb was dropped near a mosque southwest of the capitol on friday. the government helicopters are dropping the barrels which are filled with explosives to get rid of opposition fighters. two iraqi soldiers have been killed in a battle with rebel fighters.

iraqi forces have been trying to take recontrol of the city since it was taken over by rebels in january. thousands have fled in the last week after the military intensified its campaign. india's prime minister elect has been celebrating it's election victory, narendra modi has been performing a series of religious rituals. he led the right wings in parliamentary elections. he got a heroes welcome in the capitol of new delhi. here are reports. >> reporter: the celebrations continue. party workers continue at the bjp's headquarters in new delhi. the victory at the polls have stunned this nation. newspapers are trying this event as momentous. many are coming to terms. >> the numbers we achieved were

expected. >> i was shocked. >> i think corruption is the first priority. if you tackle corruption then inflation will come down automatically and make life easier for everyone. >> modi left his home state for delhi on saturday to claim his prize, the prime minister's office of india. the journey from the airport to the bjp headquarters was awashed with cheering crowds. young and old trying to get aglimpse of their country's new leader. modi won the outright majority, the first politician to do so since 1984. there was a moment to savor and reflect on. yohere he performed a series of religious rituals sacred to hindu, a show of devotion to his faith. security is tight around modi.

since his victory, a new cordon of security surrounds him everywhere. india has seen two prime ministers assassinated in the past. no one is taking any chances. the bjp and it's supporters will continue to celebrate their victory at the general election. behind-the-scenes ministers are being appointed and the final formation of the government finalized. nebraska near will be sworn in as india's new prime minister early next week. al jazeera, new delhi. >> still to come on the program, yemen's government has sent more soldiers to the province where the military is fighting al-qaeda. and malawi's president seeks re-election but will a corruption scandal get in the way?

>> at least 20 people have been killed by record floods in europe's balkans region. we are monitoring developments from our european news center in london. >> reporter: tens of thousands of people have been fleeing their homes in bosnia and serbia after days of unrelenting rain. a new wave of flood willing hit the river on sunday evening. in some places entire communities have been cut off. these are some of the regions affected. areas have been hit especially hard. we have the latest. >> reporter: three months of rain in less than three days. the worst floods to swap the balkans since records began 120 years ago. more than 10,000 people waited for rescue as the waters of the mighty river serged across flood defenses inundating three cities

in its path. police plucking residents from their rooftops. following the rains the landslides sweeping down from the surrounding hills, cutting through communities with no warning. scores have died. a death toll is expected to rise. >> it's the catastrophe. a catastrophe. when we saw the first two houses start to slide down, when the place started disappearing, you know, we could do nothing but cry. this morning my house, everything i worked for for 36 years, it's all gone. but i saved my disabled daughter and my wife, so it doesn't matter. >> reporter: local schools and sports centers were filled with thousands of those who lost their homes in this one-in one-in-a-century disaster. >> we left behind all our valuables. we grabbed our mobile phones and

ran. >> some enduring a long wait for news of missing relatives. >> the last time i spoke to my uncle was yesterday. since then no communication. i have no communication with him or the rest of my family. >> and outside of the serbian town on the banks of the river there is a real sense of urgent as last minute work. even prisoners from the local jail volunteered to help as experts predict a new flood way moving down river is expected to strike on sunday. peter sharp, al jazeera. >> there has been more fighting in eastern ukraine even as opposing sides sat down for direct talks. members of the interim leadership in kiev traveled to the east to meet with some of those who reject their government.

we have reports from slovyans. >> they were awoken early saturday by sounds of gunfire. ukrainian force has attacked a separatist position around a train carriage. more signs of motor bombardment were clearly visible. >> we will not put out of here. this is our motherland. our children and grandchildren are living and will continue to live here. why do they come here? why are they shooting at peaceful people? >> reporter: in the city a bro governors and mayors have started the second round of talks. kiev won't sit down with people it calls terrorists, but in kiev ukraine's ac acting prime minisr remained upbeat. >> i'm fully convinced

distinguished ambassadors, we will succeed. we will overcome all athletes difficulties, and we will become stronger than we are today. >> reporter: the separatist stronghold of slovanks it's a worrying sight today. shuttered doors and worried people. >> i don't know who to telephone for help. they're killing us, our own army the marketplace is where you deal, about you trade but there is no deal with the eminent government of kiev. paul brennan, al jazeera, slovanyks. >> demonstrators gathered on the streets. with elections just days away they look to focus on the

financial market. investors also demanded that the new italian republican did i protect the public service from cuts. government has officially exited the strict spending program. such as how bad did things get? well, in 2011 the government was down $13 million. so it requested a 107. billion dollars bailout. the price was a three-year program of deep spending cuts, especially to assets. it will make them many years. we have reports from lisbon. and the economy is showing promising signs of life.

>> reporter: the streets of lisbon have been invaded by vehicles that come in many shapes and sizes, but they all cater to tourists and visitors who have come to admire this beautiful city. i took a ride in daniel's side car. he guides tourists around old town. aneth who sniffed out opportunity in the midst of crisis. >> tourism is a really big thing around here. times people should just come out a little bit more and not be afraid. >> reporter: in downtown lisbon more risk takers. these are high tech geeks building website. this is an office of start ups. the rent paid by city council so

creativity can flourish. andre has sold one tech company and is launching another. this he said is portugal's future. >> the websites are where you can sell anywhere in the world the opportunity is actually huge because there are a lot of incentives. there are investors who want to invest in web start ups. these past three years in which we've had the crisis have been the best to start up. >> reporter: the crisis has changed the portuguese economy, but it has changed portuguese society in ways we're only beginning to understand. many young people have emigrated, and many who have stayed are choosing to have fewer and fewer children. natal classes.

many couples feel they cannot afford to have children. >> it's very worrying. in a few years we won't have a few generation. we won't have productive people to keep things going. we'll be in a country that are 40, 50, 60, and 70 years old. >> the babies born today will grow one in a different portugal. even if the recovery is sustained the burden of looking after the old will be a lasting legacy of this economic crisis. barnaby phillips, al jazeera, lisbon. >> later in this news hour we're in another european country that's grappling with a big money question of its own. >> around $25 an hour. here in switzerland people are preparing to vote on whether that should be the minimum wage. >> y men's army has sent additional troops to the south where there has been fighting in

towns controlled by al-qaeda. [ explosion ] >> reporter: this is the town in yemen. fighter jets, rocket launchers as well as tanks are shelling on al-qaeda positions here. the army said these are fighters killed in its offensive. and these are bunkers and tunnels backed by al-qaeda to move safely in the front line. the armed group retreated leaving behind weapons and explosive devices ready to be used in suicide-bombings. the security forces say they have stopped many attacks and intercepted cause backed with explosives. >> we we have defeated al-qaeda in this area. the flighters have fled.

we'll make sure that the terrorists will never be able to return here. >> this is where the army is concentrating it's efforts, al-qaeda's long stronghold. top army commanders putting plans for a final mission to recapture the town. al-qaeda fighters say they're muslim but they kill our people. islam is innocent of these people. >> but the government is weak in these areas. tribesmen have the final say and their support is crucial for the government to win its fight. it's been now three weeks since the start of the military offensive against al-qaeda. the army said its just a matter of days before it restores control, but many al-qaeda leaders and fighters have already retreated to remote and rural areas.

>> al jazeera is demanding the immediate release of its georgeists who have been in prison for 140 days. the journalists' trial was adjourned again on thursday. they were falsely accused of conspiring with the muslim brotherhood. al jazeera rejects these charg charges. a letter written by abdullah elshamy who has been held without trial since last august and he has been on hunger strike for nearly four months. he said he has been placed in solitary confinement where attempts to force feed him. he said he'll continue to refuse food. when the touche butcher physicin examined me, he poured cold water over me and left.

i cried for help. the guard said no one is awake, and the physician, as you saw, is heartless. campaigning hard for the return to office, but corruption scandal could hurt her chances. we go to malawi. >> she is one of two presidents. millions of dollars are state money disappeared under her watch. it was allegedly stolen by government officials. it's been nicknamed the cash gate scandal. >> the people who benefited from it, they'll wear you down. i don't have a choice. i have to choose my people. i have to choose malawiens.

i have to heed the call of the malawiens. >> reporter: some are on trial for the biggest corruption trial in malawi history. some believe this will hurt her chances of re-election. >> when people are suffering and people can literally see so much of the money leaving the capitol it creates frustration and anger. surely would have an impact on this election. >> political opponents say the campaign period has not been phased. >> there are 12 presidential candidates. four of them are strong

contenders. he is the brother of the president who died in office two years ago. people in the south will vote for her. but there are other candidates in other parts of the country. it will be a closely contested election. al jazeera, malawi. >> still to come on the program we'll tell you why activists in myanmar want changes to the constitution. >> i'm in riverside, california, where scientists are doing experiments that could save the lives of people who fight wildfires. >> and in sport the italian looking to make history in her home tournament.

>> al jazeera america presents the system with joe berlinger >> you had a psychologically vulnerable teenager, you had aggressive investigators... it was a perfect storm >> put behind bars after making a false confession >> i prayed my innocence could be established, and i would be released >> what if you admitted to something you did not do >> the truth will set you free yeah don't kid yourself... >> the sys

>> these protestors have decided that today they will be arrested >> these people have chased a president from power, they've torn down a state... >> what's clear is that people

don't just need protection, they need assistance. >> on techknow... >> so, this is the smart home... >> saving the environment >> the start point for energy efficiency, is to work with the sun... >> saving you money >> we harvest a lot of free energy >> and so we're completely off grid here >> how many of the appliances were almost a little too smart for us? >> techknow every saturday, go where science, meets humanity. >> this is some of the best driving i've ever done, even though i can't see. >>techknow >> we're here in the vortex... only on al jazeera america >> welcome back. we have the top stories on

al jazeera african leaders meeting in paris preparing for total war against boko haram. the armed group is west africa's al-qaeda. boko haram kidnapped more than 200 school girls and has been behind a series of bomb attacks. rescue efforts are officially over at a turkish mine where hundreds were killed india's prime minister elect has been celebrating his election victory. narendra modi performing hindu rituals after the victory prayed through new delhi. boko haram has been behind a series of attacks this year not just the school girl kidnaps. in february 59 the students were killed setting several buildings

on fire. in april 88 people were killed and 200 injured. boko haram said it carried out the bombing. a car bomb struck in the suburb of the capitol that killed 19 people and injured more than 60. and five days later fighters believe to be from boko haram killed 300 people in a village borneo state. we're joined now on skype from london, good to have you with us. so the french president is subscribing boko haram as having links with al-qaeda. they are described as west africa's al-qaeda. are you familiar with that description? >> clearly we've known for some time that boko haram has been getting support from al-qaeda

through training and mentoring, and this has been confirmed by the french. they sent the signal throughout the world that this is not just a regional problem but a global problem. but i think this sets the tone ultimately for the al-qaeda especially t if it does have the capacity to shift movement from either iraq and afghanistan as we've seen them using that directly to face the west, and if nigeria has become that stomping grouped that would become a nightmare situation for all nigerians. >> african leaders say they will ban together to wage total war, as they call it, on boko haram, they're talking about sharing intelligence, pooling resources, why haven't they done this

before? >> well, i think they have. behind-the-scenes intelligence services are always sharing information, but this was very much a nigerian problem for which it's neighbors cameroon and shadowcationly felt the effects of boko haram, but these girls being taken. in the past girls and women have never been attacked. they've always been spared. but the girls and their ages and the girl in total disdain has put boko haram at odds with the community and the west-- >> just on that point, sorry to interrupt, but it looks like boko haram has been active for several years. it has carried out indiscriminate attacks, they've attacked churches and schools. what did it take this one act of kidnapping more than 200 school

girls. why is that the act focused on international attention on boko haram? >> first, i think it's a two-way sword. first boko haram thrives on publicity. it needs that. it generates income on that and flourishes in poor areas as a result of that. these girls, they were surprised by the attraction from the world they got. i think social media has heightened the bring back the girls campaign. >> now the world is saying that it's going to unite against them. >> yes, to an extent, which is why boko haram has shifted its position from saying we would sell these girls, we would marry them off, we want them to be exchange for some our colleagues that have been imprisoned in nigeria. as we do know the girls themselves would not be put

together. they would be split up many times over across many differentter rains makin makingt different to negotiate their way back, and the call for war it makes you wonder why would boko haram want to negotiate the release of these girls at all. this is very disappointing from that perspective. the west and the international don't have a choice. they have to fight boko haram, boko haram has now been linked with al-qaeda and alqaida has been fighting the west, and we've seen afghanistan and iraq, and we'll see them in al-qaeda's form in nigeria. i think this sets a very difficult--what is coming up the joint exercises that will appeal to people like al-qaeda. they'll walk around with movements, al-qaeda whether "l" want to show up and they'll

clearly have to show their relationship with the group. >> let's leave it there. thank you very much. good to speak with you. ira johnson from london. now a plane carrying laos government has crashed in the northeast of the country. the defense minister and deputy prime minister are considered dead. democracy activists in myanmar calling for changes to the constitution ahead of next year's election. current rule pre-vent suchi from running for president. >> for years regarded as the icon of democracy opposition leader su chi is once again leading the calls for change.

this time to reform the constitution. >> salt putt have nsome people o confidence in their future. >> drafted and the military regime it bars anyone whos who e family hold foreign citizenship may not run, that includes suu kyi whose husband and son hold british citizenships. >> parties must work within the

boundaries of the law or they may be unrest in the country. >> reporter: a normally civilian government has been in charge of elections since 2010. it has introduced some reforms and lifted some sanctions but is reluctant to do more. >> everything is new to us so we're faced with many challenges. it is very fragile. if we push too soon for more changes the landscape may disstep. >> reporter: the opposition tries to organize dialogue but those efforts have amounted to nothing. they're adamant that the constitution has to be fixed. >> we cannot rely on the constitution because it's core structure is to provide a shield for the previous government, to cover the mistakes of the previous military regime, and to protect the interest of the army and contain the movement of other political parties. >> the national league for

democracy won a landslide election 24 years ago but it ws prevented from taking power. su u kyi may see power snatched from her this year because of a constitutional flaw. >> switzerland will vote to set the world's highest minimum wage. how much would it be? >> reporter: it would be $25 an hour. supporters say that would create a decent life for all swiss citizens but critics are worried about the impact on jobs. we have reports from zurich. voters will decide during a referendum on sunday. >> on the shores of the lake this restaurant is one of many new businesses that has opened up in recent years. employees here already earn

around $3,000 a month. the observers say they can't afford to pay people more. >> the question we have to ask ourselves if the customer would be ready to pay that price because where we have to pay $4,000 swiss franks. we have to raise the cost of coffee. >> while many european nations are struggling with unemployment and debt, switzerland, which is not in the e.u. remains an island of prosperity with unemployment at only 4%. the debate over the referendum is exposed, the reality that not everyone is enjoying the benefits. this is how most people get around on the tram. but a single ticket costs $5. and there may be lower taxes but the high cost of food, rent and insurance makes this one of the most expensive countries in the world to win. in zurich's poorest suburbs life

can be difficult. many people who live here are migrant workers who are paid less than the proposed minimum wage. although small businesses like this would have to make cuts if it's introduced most people agree it would be a fairer system. >> to be able to buy food or buy clothes because everything is getting, from year to year, more expensive. everyone needs to get a good salary. >> reporter: some politicians and business leaders say a yes vote would lead to job cuts and companies employing abroad. but others say that is scaremongering. it would benefit the country, not damage it. >> right now many people don't make enough, they have to collect benefits to pay their rent at the end of the month. that's taxpayers subsidizing big companies who don't want to play their employees enough.

[♪ music ] >> reporter: most of the polls suggest that the minimum wage will be rejected. in the past the swiss have taken the employers' side in referendum. but even if the law is not passed there will be another referendum on a basic income for all swiss whether they work or not. al jazeera, zurich. >> well, the economists joins me now via skype. shouldn't the country have some sort of a minimum wage? >> yes, there are minimum wages which exist. but they are for situations, and they are very high. almost all economists say it will destroy jobs.

more over, it is not the--it is, of course, true that some people have a difficult life, and it is not true that employers should support wages above poverty, therefore it was never positive neither in switzerland or in other countries that a low-wage owner, a non-qualified person could support a family. this is just the run of an economy as some economists call it. the state should support them for a certain amount, and for the rest it is to be remembered that in most households, rich and poor, there are several incomes, part time incomes, full-time incomes, and it is very rare that one income will

support the family. i think there are many arguments that you can take in order to refute this initiative, and perhaps the most serious, even for me, that several studies about labor market produced that low-wage earners after several years go up the income ladder. so low age earners are often entry in the labor market and move up afterwards. >> we appreciate your analysis, thank you. now, making a big film debut does not necessarily mean getting on the big screen. that is the mention to budding filmmakers at this year's cannes film festival. we look at how pixel power is changing the face of cinema. >> reporter: big names, big

scandal, big apple, but no big scream for "welcome to new york." the disgraced french politician. but you'll struggle to find it in cinemas here in cannes. it's being released exclusively on the internet. an ever popular tactic of directors, and it seems that it is this year. this has partly to do with power. filmmakers are beholden to movie distributors because they're hugely influential. but controlling how their movie is released gives them back the power. to have everything now, now, now, the impatience brought about by technology. if you want to see it in a cinema, you have to wait for it to get there. but if it's released online you can watch it on this or this and enjoy it wherever you may be.

this is the next generation, and as far as it's concerned the web is the only way to go. >> do you have a direct connection with your fans. you've been working with the fans for ages. you know exactly how to sell the film to your fans. giving access there i believe is the best way to serve the film itself. economics was released in theaters but not before viewers had a chance to watch it online. and there is a real push at cannes this year to bring power to the pixel, putting the makers in control albeit with a healthy movie. >> just because you put something online does not mean that anyone is going to see it whatsoever. you have to have a good film, good work, an interest and good audience. >> "pie in the sky" was so popular the sequel is now in production. bringing it all into focus while the big budget block besters may

stick to the old way of doing things for now at least. for the smaller filmmakers there is nothing to lose by helping themselves. al jazeera, at the cannes film festival. >> that brings you up-to-date with the news from here. let's if back to doha. >> thank you very much. from running the country to running the middle field, the president of bolivia signs with a professional club. stay with us.

>> welcome back. in the u.s. a 57-year-old man

has been charged with arson for one of ten wildfires in california. which are now mostly under control. ten thousand hectares have been scorched around san diego. homes and businesses have been destroyed. one person was burned to death. and scientists are now researching ways to protect forests and prevent tragedies. >> a wall of flame leads high in the air and a blizzard of sparks whirl and spin as scientists broken the secrets of one of man's oldest tools and immemorial enemies, fire. at the universit university of , scientists and students are looking over their data. >> we're trying to help fire

fighters to better plan the dry burns and to prevent firefighters. we have controlled fire under controlled conditions. and we are looking how fires spread, the influence of how it spreads, how fast it spreads. we're hoping that it will be of use to firefighters. >> they look at data points of analysis. in this experiment the flames did not reach the upper canopy of vegetation. higher wind speed settings create a mini inferno. by the time the experiments are finished the la laptops that researchers use are covered in ash. fires cover the west in batter because of temperatures and

climate change. widespread drought turns forests into tinderboxes. the laboratory research will augment firefighters experience. >> these experiment also allow us to start to describe what fire does from a very fundamental standpoint with equations and really understanding the complexity of fire. >> one thing is certain, fire will always be with us. it is a force that can never be eliminated, but it can be better understood, and that could save lives. rob reynolds, al jazeera, riverside, california. >> time for sport now. here is andy. >> reporter: thank you so much. atletico madrid have won the smash league for thspanish leagt time since 1996. they faced barcelona in the last match of the season. richard parr reports.

>> once again atletico madrid are champions of spain. the game started on a bad note for atletico. the striker was forced to leave the final and the world cup. barcelona will hope to win the title and dedicate the win to their coach who died of cancer last month. atletico could have won the league last week they responded

early, and then they equalized. no team has scored more goals than atletico this season. barcelona pushed for a winner. messi thought he scored it, but it was ruled off side. the celebrations can't last too long as they have to get their minds on next week. >> beating hull in the english fa cup. ramsey winning in extra time. hull looked to be on cores to win their first trophy in history. but arsenal hitting back with

goals took the game into extra time and then arsenal had the 3-2 win and their firsttive since 2005. right now tennis world number one rafael nadal at the masters. that match still in the first set. the winner of that one will play djokovic. djokovic coming through 6-3 there in the decider. and then the women's draw, serena williams will play arani in the final. beating jankovic to become the first to reach this final in 30 years. it's her best result since reaching the 2012 french open finals. now a top football team in bolivia have arguebly made the most surprising seaso signing oe

season. president morales will join the club as a midfielder next season. >> reporter: a professional football club signing a 54-year-old is no common sight. the president of the country signing with a pro team, that is unheard of. >> i can announce having spoken with the president that his contract can now be registered. >> he has been president of bolivia since 2006, but he can now add sport midfielder to his title. he has played with former brazil international kafu and even actor sean penn is an one time teammate. now he'll donn th for the team.

>> we're contracting the president with a monthly salary of $213. the rules established would be the minimum wage. >> reporter: there are no shortage of athletes who have switched their careers to the political arena. former boxer has been a feature of ukrainian politics since 2005 retirement from the sport. before around schwarzenegger was governor, he was a body builder and mr. universe. and making the stint to professional sport is a new precedent. president morales will run for re-election in october, with debut in august. al jazeera. >> i will be very surprised if he place o plays.

>> that's all we have. bye for now.

>> this is puerto galera in the philippines. i've been coming here for over a decade. for me, it's like a second home.