♪ ♪ families fear the worst after an air asia flight to its way to singapore disappears over the java sea. ♪ ♪ also ahead, 13 years on, nato's mission in afghanistan comes to an end. we look what has changed on the ground. malaysia's government pledges more than $100 million to help the victims of devastating floods. and helping expecting mothers, the phone app giving women in south africa a direct line to expert advice.

♪ ♪ a search and rescue mission is underway for a missing passenger plane. the air asia flight which is a malaysia-based budget airline took off from indonesia and was due to lands in singapore more than seven hours ago. gerald tan has the latest. >> reporter: asat the airport pima pima wait of news of their loved one 162 passenger and crew were aboard the flight to singapore. the plane and air bus through 20 lost communications with air traffic control 42 minutes after take off. >> translator: i hope for a miracle and may god save them all. i should have been with them but i canceled two weeks ago as i had something to do. i have two friends on board with five family members.

>> reporter: indonesia's disaster management authorities quickly set up a crisis center at the airport to relay any updates of any developments. >> translator: we are winding our search radius. the indonesian military, national search and rescue as well as singapore search and rescue have started to move so have our navigation ships we have informed all ships in the area to be on stand by and relay any information of any signs of thingthe missing plane. >> reporter: in singapore those wait for this flight to arrive are being given the same scant information. the area was cloudy where it flew over. air asia said the pilot requested to change course due to weather. this is the first major incidents for the malaysian low-cost carrier which has significant presence across southeast asia. but it trails two other malaysian aviation tragedy this is year. both involving the national

carrier, malaysia airlines. in march mh370 disappeared on a flight from kuala lumbar to beijing with 290 people. it's still missing. in july, mh17 from amsterdam to kuala lumpur was shutdown over ukraine killing all 298 people on board. air asia has never lost a plane before. and as search and rescue operations go in full swing many hope that remains so. gerald tan, at&t u-verse. well, eights hra*ets take a closer look now at the role that weather may have played in this. and we have richard with us now on set. now, richard, assuming that the pilots were experienced pilots, how much do you think they would have known bad weather could have contributed to the plane after's disappearance.

>> when you look at the satellite picture it's just a wall of clouds. i don't care how experienced you are as a pilot. to have to contend with all these clouds for the entire learning of the route. it may be an ordeal. they may not have experienced that in their careers. >> it does look like a massive bit of clouds that we are looking actual the pilot requested changing cruising attitude from 32,000 feet to 38,000 feet. what can we read in that? >> i presume they were trying to get up above the bad weather. usually the tops of these clouds are 38,000 feet. in this case they are much higher than that. the first thing i did when i heard about this was get a weather balloon report from singapore. don't try to follow details, you

can see the two straight lines that's a weather balloon going up from the atmosphere, measuring the temperature and humidity. the fact that they are almost touching, shows me they feel like there is moisture from the ground up to in excess of 50,000 feet. so those weren't luge clouds, forecast to go to 53,000 feet. no way going to 38,000 he could get around them. they might just be able to find somewhere, if you like weather turbulence and the wind here is was slightly less. hopefully that's what they were trying do. but it's the sort of weather conditions that they have never experienced before. >> this information that you are giving us now with the air balloons they are just in, would this information have been accessible to the pilots? >> that was the one from singapore taken very close to the time the plane went down so there would have been obviously previous information and forecasts would have been based on that. from the limited number of forecasts i have seen say there were -- they were forecasting

these conditions well over 50,000 feet. dwarfing the size of mount everest. absolutely phenomenal. >> it is. thank you. richard for being with us explaining whether weather could have played a part in the plane's disappearance, let's get more on the situation with mike daniel who is a managing director of aviation insight and also a former air crash investigator. he join says me now to skype from honolulu on the u.s. island of hawaii. now, mike, the last known contact from the plane was 42 minutes in to the flight. take us through what would have cause the plane to have lost communication. >> well, okay, let's stay with the scenario of flight path deviation that's the only information we can work with now. in this case, you know, the pilots do have on board advanced weather radar so they do have a mean to his project ahead to look for turbulent weather that

they are going to be flying towards. and so we would have to assume that if they requested a deviation from the flight path to climb to higher altitude, they were anticipating even more turbulent weather. so that -- given that scenario, then the pilots would have put the flight crew and passengers on alert that they are going to experience turbulence for a lot of us experienced flyers that's not uncommon. and so they would start the procedures. now, what we don't have is the exact or precise information of what the location of the aircraft from what the aircraft diswatch control from the airlines had. because the airlines also has the responsibility for main taping simultaneous corollas well as supervision of the aircraft in terms of its location, so what was the communication with the crew at that time.

assuming if the flight crew did experience severe turbulence and toss possibly a flight upset then they may not have had time to communicate at all. first responsibility is to fly the aircraft. so that is pretty important. and that's what the scenarios -- what they are looking at right now. >> mike, one cannot help but remember mh370 a plane that disappeared earlier this year, albeit in very different situation. but in the aftermath of that disappearance there was a lot of talk about trans ponders, a lot of talk about trying to find the signal of the trans ponder. is that something that they would be trying do now as it gets underway. >> absolutely they will be. that's an interesting point you raise about the trans ponder.

as with mh370 we had the information that the equipment was turned off. now what we don't have now is what information aircraft traffic had in trerpls of transponder transmission. was it transmitting altitude and location, no one has said anything contrary to that so you might assume it was still squawking even though the aircraft was maybe not under communication with air traffic at this time. this will all come out in the investigation. hopeful it's search and rescue will turn up survivors or the wreckage. and by the way there was an alternate aircraft thatalternate airport that they might have divert today. >> what is that airport that you just mentioned. given, type keep in mind, too that the plane only had four hours worth of fuel to fly from

one destination to the other would it have got tone that airport? >> yes, there are plenty of fuel. the alternate airports are near the path of going towards singapore. this particular airport that i am referring to is one which has an airport on that island which is not too far from the planned flight path for that aircraft. so that -- and the search and rescue personnel i am sure will be checking there for see if perhaps the aircraft possibly land the there that's part what have they are will be doing for the search and rescue mission. >> mike, it's great to have you on the show. thank you so much. mike daniel managing director of aviation insight and former air crash investigator. two greek firefighters ships have been sent to help a ferry has on fire in the adriatic sea. it is carrying over 450 passengers.

it was heading towards the italian coast. over 200 vehicles are also on board. people are being transferred to nearby boats. nato's combat mission to afghanistan is coming to an end after 13 years this year has been the worst for casualties. more than 4,000 afghan soldiers and police have been killed. jennifer glasse is in kabul. >> reporter: at the height of its mission nato had about 140 forces here in afghanistan across the country as they draw down to just about 13,000 forces the afghan security forces have had to fill that void and there is still heavy fighting even now in the winter months, particularly in the south. we were there this week. afghanistan's deadliest province, even in the provincial capital where security is tighter, the people are nervous. he came here four months ago. fighting is raging around his home in the north.

he says thousands of families have fled. >> translator: fighting meant we lost the first harvest. and now the second. farmers have lost their cattle, people have lost their homes. people have been targeted by roadside bombs and they face many threats from this insecurity. >> reporter: his wife is a victim of the war intense fighting kept her from getting to a doctor, she died of her illness. the lucky ones end up here at an emergency hospital. he, like most afghans has only one name, has lost a leg. and doctors are fight to go save the other one. in the operating room next door, the painstaking search for shrapnel in this gunshot victim. the hospital accepts anyone, no questions asked. a policeman he has been serving four years and says the fighting has never been this bad. >> translator: it is a very dangerous area.

now there are thousands people with the taliban the government only controls the roads. none of the vellums. >> reporter: a member of the intelligence forces. from another district with heavy fighting. >> translator: i am worried about the future, i have four brother, they are all with the government, as long as we are alive we will fight for our country. >> reporter: proof that's fight is hard, the record number of wounded here. and the wards are still full. even though the fighting usually slows at this time of year. there have been so many casualties here this year, the hospital has had to turn the pharmacy, mosque and children's playroom in to patient wards. and when it's really busy, they use these outdoor tends for triage. a rare attack a few weeks ago killed at least seven. the fire fight lasted hours. those from the villages and the country side say civilians are caught in the middle between taliban fighters and government forces that don't care who they

hurt. civilian casualties are at a record high and the fighting continues. and the fighting is not limited to the south, there is also battles with the taliban going on in the east, particularly in the last couple of weeks. it's not just security that's a concern for the afghans nato is hoping that by now there would be an established government. the president the new president took office just about three months ago but he and his chief executive officer have failed to come to an agreement on an cabinet and so afghans are as worried about security as they are about political instability. there is much more to come here on at&t u-verse. ♪ ♪ not giving up hope, we'll bring you want story of an iraqi man who still thinks in his country despite suffering personal loss. >> reporter: i am nick spice never berlin, now more than ever the go-to place for young classical musicians.

>> 140 world leaders will take the podium. >> get the full story. >> there is real disunity in the security council. >> about issues that impact your world. >> infectious diseases are a major threat to health. >> "the week ahead". sunday 8:30 eastern. only on al jazeera america.

welcome back let's take a look at the top story on his al jazerra. families are fearing the worst after an air asia flight to sing port last contact with the air traffic control. caring 162 people including seven crew, an indonesian air force spokesman says the last known location of the plane was over the java sea. the a320 took off from i indonesia's international airport at 5:20 a.m. local time

and lost contact 42 minutes later. the nato combat mission to afghanistan is coming to an end after 13 years, 2014 has been the deadliest of the conflict. more than 4,000 afghan soldiers and police have been killed. the malaysian's government is pledging an extra $142 million to help 10s of thousands of people displaced by floods. rescue workers say fuel shortages are slowing aid effort. the prime minister has cut short his u.s. holiday after being accused of not doing enough for those affected. the floods have also hit thailand, 13 people were killed there. the government has declared eight of its southern provinces disaster zones and warning people to prepare for more heavy rain. more than 184,000 households are affected. in northern malaysia, three states -- three states there have been affected and five

people have been killed. >> reporter: we flew in this morning to the capital of the state. within of the worst affected regions in malaysia. this is the city center and as you can see behind me, it's completely under water. now, from the arid a chance to survey the areas outside of the city and as far as the eye could see, the lands was completely submerged in water all you could see was the tops of trees as well as the roofs of many houses that are completely stranded now. very few roads were visible from the air the roads that were visible, were completely cut off from either side by flood waters, this is, being making a very difficult for rescue and relief operation to his take place. they cannot reach the worst affected areas by road. poor weather conditions are making it very difficult for even helicopters to go in and drop surprise and evacuate people.

in syria bashar al-assad's government says it is ready to talk to the opposition to try and end the almost four-yearlong civil war. it's in response to russia's propose follow dialogue after two rounds of peace talks failed earlier this year. the syrian government says it is open to preliminary consultations in moscow, russia is planning to host talks between the a sat government and syria's divided opposition in late january. but it's still unclear who will officially be taking part. the iraqi army has retaining a down from the group known as the islamic state of iraq and the levant. security forces supported by shia militias have been involved in they have fighting with isil for the last two days. the town is located 90-kilometers south of tikrit. meanwhile, the iraqi army backed by militias are fighting isil in a town which is about 100-kilometers north of the capital. the army says some areas of the town are now clear of isil fighters, but the croup still has a large presence.

as 2014 draws to a close, al jazerra is reflect on the ground the year through the eyes of four families affected by major world events. in the second part of our series jayna meets a family that's been displaced by recent fighting in baghdad after surviving more than a decade of chaos in iraq. >> reporter: abdullah has a family of chess players. one of his two sons now in the u.s. was an iraqi chess champion. his children from a second marriage are eager to learn. here in baghdad, he has rebuilt his life. he has tried to move forward from almost unmanageable tragedy tragedy. 10 years ago his wife, five daughters, a son and his nephew, were killed when an american tank opened fire on them at a checkpoint. the soldiers said they thought they were insurgents. his youngest child was nine. the eldest 23.

in between was her she wrote that she dreamed after a more peaceful world. that day he lost his family. now he fears he's losing his country. he is from where iraq and i kurdish forces and shia militias have pushed back isil think but residents there have paid a high price. his sister was a shop owner here in baghdad she's another of the displaced. >> translator: i lost my entire house. it was two-stories fully furnished. i had two shops. all of the property, including everything in it is gone. some of it was burned. some of it bombed, now it's been looted. >> reporter: for 50 years she says she and her neighbors lived in peace. he says he still believes in iraq. he composes music inning do are operating traditional melodies

from mosul all the way to the south of the country. here in baghdad he's built the small house with his own hands. he says he's forgiven the soldiers who killed his family. he believes it's part of the price for a better iraq. >> we are dreaming to have democratic system and to see our people like any other nation in the world. and they deserve to have this still because they already pay the heavy price but this is the life. >> reporter: he has paid the heaviest price he says he tries to teach his children that all men are brothers brothers and that while tragedy comes and goes, love endures. with part of his family gone, he hopes his country will survive. al jazerra baghdad. an egyptian judge has sentenced the head of the muslim brotherhood to six years in prison for inning difficulting

the judiciary. he was also fined about $2,800. the case was heard at the cairo criminal court where former press mohamed morrisey is also facing trial. al jazerra continues to call for the release of our three journalist who his have been impressed in egypt for 365 days. peter guest he should mohamed familiar me and bahar mohamed were falsely accused of helping the muslim brotherhood. they are appealing against their convictions. time is running out. on the goals including of maternal mortality health. it's supposed to be reduced by 75%. now, south africa has been slow to reach this goal. but a new mobile phone app could help change that. >> reporter: waiting in line at the clinic when you are eight months pregnant is something

many women dread. but she uses the time to learn something new. information that's potentially life saving. she sends a message to a did he go it's nateing number and in seconds she is kefblgtd. it's a free government service where she and questions and receive valuable information on what do at any stage of her pregnancy. >> it's like having a clinic next to you, it's great. many women can't go for check ups because no trans case, not feeling well, no clinic. if i am worry about complications i just said an sms sms. >> reporter: they have made progress but many are still dieing. they call it a radical approach to try to save lives. >> to women who are living in remote areas especially those

who are far from the clinics they feel that they have a resource to access information using a mobile technology just to talk to -- take through the phone, access information which tells them what to do and when to go to the clinic if there are any warning signs regarding sickness. >> reporter: women register to use mom connect at the nearest clinic it's a national project that aims to register 1 million pregnant women every year. and this is the nurse center where some of the data is reached, processed and sent back to mobile phone users. >> this is a bazooka inner woman's hands and i lover it. it's empowering them to have what they need to a healthy pregnancy and baby. >> reporter: soon to be mom withy knows check ups can help

identify any risks to her and herred baby but also glad her mobile phone is a personal clinic whenever she needs it. now, berlin is famous for the electronic music of its techno scene. but the urban capital is also drawing in young classical musicians from right around the world. one of the main reasons is generous public subsidies for cultural activities, nick spicer has this report. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: a mozart aria sung by canadian soprano rache al finland. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: she says she has had some success back home, but moved to berlin last summer, it's where you go now to make it big in opera. >> there is like a choice of 10 different classical concerts to see every night of the week.

and so as a performer the education side of that, like the learning that i get from seeing these amazing performances every night is huge. >> reporter: this is the symphony orchestra in berlin, one of seven full-time orchestras in the german capital. there are three full-time op operas. if berlin has caught up to the music capitals of the world it's largely because of "moon" money. ♪ ♪ public subsidies keep the music scene flourish, where many countries have slashed spending in the name of austerity. but there is also a quirk of history. berlin was a divided city, east and west in the cold war. with east and west germany out spending the other on concert halls and orchestras.

♪ ♪ >> when germany was unified in 19 nineties the city was unified as well and all of a sudden there was basically two or sometimes even three, if you look at the opera houses of everything. >> reporter: this women's company promotes the careers of young artists who come to berlin, she says it's the ideal place for them to grow as musicians. >> you have to study, -- you have the study higher education, academies of orchestras and the possibility to still find comparatively cheap space to live if you compare to london, for example paris or new york. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: rachel is hoping for a breakthrough at auditions here. for opera singers and classical musicians, the german capital is like what was said of new york

if you make it here, you can probably make it anywhere. nick spicer, al jazerra berlin. and a quick reminder, too that you can always keep up-to-date with all the latest news and analysis, features on our website that's at aljazerra.com. >> anyone in the path of the islamic state in iraq and the levant who displeases the group risks abuse and death. but a particular level of brutality is aimed at members of religious minorities. isil and the suffering of the yazidis. that's "inside story." >> hello, i'm ray suarez.