rail car borderland continues only on al jazeera america the u.s. says it's deeply disappointed over the decision to delay nigeria's presidential poll and issues a call for come. ♪ ♪ from al jazerra's head quarters in doha, also ahead yemen's houthi leadership defends its decision to take over the country. also ahead. >> reporter: believe it or not this is baghdad. and three i do have something to celebrate. no more curfew. >> reporter: i am in southern

tunisia. i will be explaining why so many people are leaving this region and the impact it's having on the community here. ♪ ♪ the u.s. has criticized nigeria's decision to postpone presidential elections scheduled for next week. secretary of state john kerry has issued a statement saying the u.s. was deeply disappointed with the move. he said political interference with the independent national electoral commission is unacceptable and it is critical the government does not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process. now, the electoral commission says the polls will be held six week later than planned because of the security concern. kerry says the international community will watch closely a report from abuja abuja now.

>> reporter: the head of the said he was ready to conduct the polls. but the security chiefs said they could not guarantee the safety of voters, in particular of areas affected by boko haram. >> if the security of personnel voters election observers and election materials cannot be guaranteed, the life of innocent young men and women as well as prospects for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections will be greatly jeopardized. consequently the commission has decided to schedule the 2015 lexes thus, the national elects, i.e. presidential and national assemblies are now to be held on march 28th 2015. >> reporter: people have been protesting the delays in voting outside the head quarters in abuja for days. millions of voters are eager for

the lexes election to his take place. president goodluck jonathan is facing a big challenge. >> that man who said one year ago. [ inaudible ] should not be allowed to sit on the eve of the election to postpone it. >> reporter: at the same time, nigeria and its neighbors have announced plan to his deploy a force of more than 8,700 to fight boko haram in the northeast. it's part of a plan to bring security to the region, a plan that may allow the elections to go ahead. but nigeria security services have failed to defeat boko haram in five years. some are asking how they will do it in six weeks and whether there is another motive behind the delays. >> the supporters will lose confidence in the process because definitely they will believe that this is as a result of the pressure that has come. [ inaudible ] the fact that he is scared of defeat in the

elections and so if that party has its way to achieve. [ inaudible ] then the party will have its way in manipulateth results. >> reporter: under nigeria's constitution elections must take place by the end of april. isso there is a chance they could be moved again. some civil society organizations are calling for the resignation of the election boss and the country's security chiefs over the post he phone he want of the election. but that is unlikely to happen. al jazerra abuja nigeria. joining us now live from the northeastern city where boko haram has recently launch aid series of attacks. give us an idea as to what the reaction to the news of the delay has been where you are. >> reporter: well, the mood here is that of huge disappointment. people were actually ready for the elections here. i spoke to the deputy government

of borno state who said they were ready and this is a huge blow to their plans. people will be thinking most of the state borno state is occupied by boko haram over 20 governments out of 27 are under or partly under boko haram control in this particular state. but most of the civilians accord to this government here, have moved from those local government areas to about 20 of them in the city and are living with relatives also inside the city. and so the election commission here said it has distributed many or most of the. [ inaudible ] to eligible voters and they are ready to do the voting in the camps. now, for them, this is a huge disappointment for a lot of people who are eager for this elections to happen. and then they will have their own peace back. saying that, look, we don't know if these elections will be postponed again after six weeks

because the excuse for using -- the excuse of security to delay the vote may continue if care is not taken. >> that being the case, ahmed give us an idea as to how the people there have rated president jonathan's term so far. >> reporter: well, i spoke to an elder yesterday on arrival in the city, and he is one of the local spokesperson for the community and he said, look, for five years we fila ban doned and we are only eager to go to vote to show the government how deeply disappointed, how deeply sad we are about its performance, about its handling of the security situation, it's not only the security situation he also cited an example of lack of power in the state. he said for several months they have been living in darkness simply because the authorities can not provide security to fix lights have that have been vand thinkized by boko haram.

there are supporters of the government who said because of a shift is in order. the majority. people are very disappointed it has been postponed. >> thank you ahmad idris. we move to yemen now where houthi rebels remain defiant after staging a coup on friday, announcing themselves as the country's new leaders. the leader telling his followers this was in fact a revolution, he said the president's decision to step down had instead created a power vacuum. >> translator: this move comes to address the vacuum through which other forces meant to undermine the efforts of our people. some political forces within and without side yemen fail to understand that the yemeni people are adamant they will achieve their legitimate, lawful just demands to

establish a dignified way of life. >> let's get more on the situation in yemen now. with a yemeni journalist based in the capital sanaa. give us an idea of what the mood is like there in the capital. >> reporter: shocking. people can't believe what the houthis are doing and what they want to do in the days to come. i'll be honest with you, what happened right now is nothing compared to what will happen in the next couple of weeks. the houthis don't want just authority that is only by their followers. sooner or later they believe all the political factions will gradually agree with them, whether they like it or not. today where we stand, all of the factions have condemned and yes ejected the houthi constitutional declaration. but the houthis will change their tone whether they like it or not. and they will force them, if not, i expect a lot of imprison

think, a lot of tax, a lot of house seizures of opposition leaders. the national community is watching very silently and this is what the houthis react quicker than ever. they know that no side could influence them whether locally or internationally. >> we know that yemen is a very divided country no doubt the houthi take over will only deepen the divisions even further. there is a secessionist movement in the south, do you think at some point that secessionist movement will actually succeed and kazaa samardzija will secede from yemen? >> reporter: the southerners could easily separate or get separation immediately if they were united. they are not united today. if they were, they could have seized this very important moment take control of the south. right now with the power ted there are clashes today for the

first time between the houthis and the southerners, for the first time the houthis are in the south fearing in case the southerners do want separation we must be there. today is the first time in years where the houthis have presence and are clashing with tribes to insure that separation does not take place and to force their laws not the yemeni laws, their loslaws on the southern earths the way they did in the north. >> thank you very much for speaking with us. in iraq's capital scenes you don't really see too often. people celebrating in to the night after a long-term curfew has lifted jane arraf has there and she sees what people think about the lifting of the curfew. >> reporter: for the first time in 12 years baghdad residents

don't need to rush home. the curfew first put in place by the u.s. military and kept enforced by the iraqi government is now history. a few months ago there was real fear that baghdad could fall to isil. but that threat has diminished, and although there are still regular bombings being iraq's new government is focused on getting life back on track track. >> we believe this is the right time to send the try message to our people. iraq is still at war however the people of baghdad should live their life. life should go on. >> reporter: because of the curfew, the mall, the biggest in the city, has been closing at 11:00 p.m. considered early by many iraqis. thethethe this dress shop is one business that now plan to his stay open after midnight. midnight. >> translator: it's a positive decision for our business and work. the shops will stay open much later and, of course, we will

benefit. >> reporter: a lot of people say they feel safer at night. most bombings half in the daytime. it isn't just the curfew being lifted. the prime minister has ordered a lot of roadblocks removed. in some neighborhoods, there are crack down on his armed groups carrying weapons. and limits as to the number of security vehicles that officials can use. this is a country at war. but these are all aimed at making the city feel more livable. people are used to danger here. but they are fed up with spending hours in traffic because of road blocks. >> translator: you have check point-s in the middle of the streets when there is no immediate threat. it leaves us stuck at the checkpoint for almost two hours. >> reporter: as midnight approached. some iraqi's gathered at the square where city officials were throwing a party. >> translator: you can see all the people here are happy about the curfew being lifted. from now on we speak in the day and go to work at night.

>> reporter: the iraq bikers a motorcycle gang came out in force. joining tribal leaders and politicians. no one thinks lifting the curfew means baghdad is safe. but for some, it's certainly more fun. jane arraf, al jazerra baghdad. >> stay with us here on al jazerra, coming up we are in eastern ukraine where separatists say even if a truce is declared they will never retreat. and red carpet ready we take a look at some of the hopefuls in what is being described as the closest behalf at that contest in years.

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♪ ♪ you are watching al jazerra. a remeyers now of reminder now of our top stories. the u.s. says post post be elections in nigeria is deeply disappointing the vote was scheduled for february 16 but has been delayed by six weeks deuce to security concerns in the northeast. the leader of the houthi movement in yemen has defended staging a coup calling it a revolution in a televised speech he blamed the president for stepping down and creating a power vacuum. for the first time in 12 years, the curfew impose po*es odd the iraqi capital has been lifted. people living in baghdad can now go out past midnight. this was the scene there on saturday night. the curfew was put in place as a security measure following the 2003 u.s.-led invasion. angela merkel is opposed to

arming ukraine in its battle against pro-russia separatists. merkel says it will only worsen the conflict, they are comments are in response to reports that the united states is k*rg defend zing defensive weapons like anti--tank missile to his help ukraine then troops. both america the and joed by inner attending a summit in munich. as world leaders scramble to find a solution to the ukraine conflict pro-russia rebels are gaining more territory. they have stepped up their shelling against ukrainian troops and are getting ready for more assaults. charles stratford is in the donetsk region with this report. >> reporter: the ukrainian army used to be in control here. these fighters with the self-proclaimed army of the donetsk people's republic, say even if a truce is declared, they will never retreat. >> translator: we need to keep this position because there was a large contingent of enemy forces in a nearby town, many

ukrainian soldiers were here but we competed them. >> reporter: the fighters say they are preparing to push forward a kilometer to where ukrainian soldiers are dug in. the separatists took control a few days ago here. they tell us now they are busy consolidating their position here and removing bodies of ukrainian soldiers and civilians. fighters lead to us a house they a ukrainian soldiers used during the battle. they say they will take this he had ukrainian soldier way later in the day. the separatists and the you crane vinnie military exchange their dead and prisoners increasingly regularly now. on the walls of this room hang pictures which children drew in support of the ukrainian army. artillery shells are stacked outside among destruction. >> translator: we didn't capture this land or seize it, we liberated it. this is our land. >> reporter: there are very few

people living here now. it's not exactly known how many isville vinnies were killed in the fighting. as is frequently the case in this war it's the old who are often the most reluctant to leave. >> translator: i prefer to stay here because i don't want to be a burden for anyone. i want to live and die here. >> reporter: there are very few buildings unscathe the byed by the conflict. burnt out buildings stray dogs roam the streets. the occasional family have returned to try to salvage their belongings. it's estimated the separatist fighters have captured hundreds of square kilometers of land since the failed september peace deal. no matter what the next attempt at a truce may offer, there is no sign they will withdraw. charles stratford, al jazerra eastern ukraine. a television station in turkey is broadcasting what it

says is a. [ inaudible ] involving election president sisi. took place just after the coup that removed mohamed morsi from power. at one point sisi is heard making plans plan with his office manager to demands money from the gust nations . >> tell them we need 10 deposited in to the amount. >> what did say i? >> 10 in the army's account. >> when i win the election we will invest in money in the state. we will also need another 10 from the united arab emirates and another 10 from kuwait. >> the recording was obtained and broadcast by a pro muslim brotherhood station in turkey. brotherhood was lex today power following the 2011 revolution and popular protests and a military coup forced it out and it's now been labeled a terrorist organization. protesters have marched in the streets of burkina faso's capital calling for the

presidential guard to be abolished the unit enjoyed special privileges under the former president, he was forced from office last october due to mass protests. dominick kane has more. >> reporter: saturday morning and protesters are on the streets. they want the presidential guard to be disbanded. these people fear it is still local to the former president. he was forced from office last year by the military after a popular up rising. >> translator: it's the people who forced the president out of office not presidential guard. they work with him if the guard wanted power why didn't they launch a coup. they were okay with him. so the guard needs to understand that it was a popular insurrection and we are not going to be let it stolen from us. >> reporter: during the previous test that his saw him ousted at least 24 people were killed. at the at the time the presidential

guard was criticize today its response. the man imposed as interim prime minister back in november is second in command of the presidential guard. in december he called for it to be dissolved. in their turn it's members had called for him to resign last week. on thursday both sides seem to pull back from that. but many people still fear the military. >> translator: our democracy has been attacked. our glorious insurrection dirtied. individuals dressed in the uniform are army are trying to denial people. comrades are we going to accept that? >> reporter: for the moment they have to accept the officers took power last year will stay there no most of this year. elections are due to be held in october and none of the current members of the interim government can be candidates.

dominick kane, al jazerra. at least six people have been killed after a bus was attacked in bangladesh. bombs were thrown as the vehicle crowded with people in the northern city, 30 people were injured in the attack. the violent attacks have been increasing across the country after a transport blockade was called for by the opposition leader. the opposition wants the prime minister to step down and is calling for free and fair elections. in haiti there have been street protests against the price of fuel. about 6,000 people marched through the capital port-au-prince they say a recent deal between the government and union to his cut fuel costs does not go very far. demonstrators are also calling on the president to stand down. they are angry at him for delaying long overdue elections. al jazerra journalists bahar mohamed and mohamed fahmy have

now 2407 days behind bars in egypt. they along with our colleague peter greste were accused of reporting false news and supporting the outlawed muslim brotherhood. charges that they and al jazerra deny. peter is back home in australia after being deported from deported from egypt following 400 days in james. bahar and mohamed however are still in prison. and al jazerra demands their immediate release. many young people in southern tunisia are leaving their villages and heading to capital tunis or to europe in search of jobs and a better life. but it is feared that the change is damning many close-knit traditional communities. in the second part of our series on global depopulation, we travel. >> reporter: almost all of her children's life, she has been a mother scare father figure. her tunisian husband stayed in

france even after they married. they facebook and skies but only see him once a year. she doesn't want to educate her children in france. so her family will continue living separate lives. >> translator: he wishes he could find work here, if there were jobs here and a good salary because are needs have increased and of course it would be better for all of us if he could come back. >> reporter: this is why there is no work here. this desert region of southern tunisia has a harsh drive climate. there is a lack of without and are facilities. and no tourism. immaterial begins here is nothing new. in the 19th century people moved phao*ufrt to the coastal cities then we want to places like algeria. but most of the people of this town today have ended up in france. many of the new villas on these hilltops were built with money

from abroad. he has seen his town change. there has been an influx of money. there is also a growing rift in society. >> translator: tunisian authorities and people in our town must educate our next generation and give them a sense of our cultural, religious and social heritage so people here connect with their roots. otherwise why would people who go to parrots the city of lights want to come back. >> reporter: this association connects people here with tunisians in france. those abroad used to sends money home to their wifes and children. but for the first time entire families are joining relatives overseas. >> translator: we are a group of associations ringing the alarm bells, one of our goals to bring these problems and dangers to the surface. >> reporter: the town's population has halved in the last 30 years. during the winter, people wait for their relative to his return

briefly in the summer. but they say this town is losing its people and its spirit. they can only hope one day, it will come back to life. al al jazerra southern tunisia. stars of the big screen are about to hit the red carpet in london on sunday for the biggest awards event in the british film calendar. the baftas take place exactly two weeks before the academy awards in hollywood and often shows who is on course for oscar glory. phil lavelle takes us through the contenders. >> reporter: so we are well in to award season now golden globes done, next up it's the turn of the baftas. here is a look at who is up for what. 24 categories in all. everything from sound to animation. some get more attention than others of course. here they are. first of all we'll start on of with best director. incredibly tight this year, wes

anderson no grand bid best thole. and of course the freight andre grow gonzales for "birdman." >> you were a movie star, remember? >> who is this guy? >> he used to be birdman. >> i like that poster. >> you wrote this adaptation. >> i did yes. >> and you are directing and starring in it. >> yes. >> that's ambitious. >> reporter: next up best actor this is always incredibly closely watched. ray fines and jake jill en heart. michael keep and untwo brits benedict company enter batch. and eddie redmayne. he took a golden globe for this very performance. >> tight. >> the. [ inaudible ] >> why do you know that? >> university is expand fax you reverse time the university is getting small early. >> reporter: best actress again

also closely followed. reese witherspoon rose manned pike amy adams competing and that fabricio his at this jones julian moore is the favorite for the oscar could she take best actress at the baftas here she is is "still alice"? >> no, no, i want to put it in, where is it. >> it the theater. >> can you spell? >> it's not like we are going to forget to bring glue let her do it. >> this goes. >> there is the big one best picture. really strong competitors bird man, imitation game, theory of everything grand budapest hotel and boyhood. any could take it. but critic have his their eye on his this one, it is a strong contends fore the same oscar this could take best picture at the baftas too. >> i see your point. >> we should just let it happen more natural that's what you are saying? that's what well do. starting now. >> and so the nominations are in. the red carpet is ready.

this is described as one of the tightest bafta con it everies in it contests in years, it's not long to go until we find out who the big winners are here. and a quick reminders that you can always keep up-to-date with you'll the latest news and analysis on our website at aljazerra.com. this is techknow, a show about innovasions that can change lives. ...the science of fighting a wildfire... we are going to explore hardware and humanity and doing it in anique way. >> this is a show about science by scientists. let's check out our team, hardcore nerds. >> i am phil torres. i am an eventmologist. tonight, a special edition of techknow: the revolution on the road.