opioid wars only on al jazeera america ♪ ♪. >> well the main opposition focus on the high cost of living pay off as israelis vote in a tied election. >> i'm lauren taylor, this is al jazeera. also coming up, activists accuse the air force of killing six people with a chlorine attack. to serving the damage for a massive cyclone. the -- thanks to the oldest film festival.

facing a serious challenge from the center left as they cast their ballots in a knife edge elegislation. who is taken a hard line stance against the palestinians in iran. the main threat is the union led by neighbors isaac and litany who heads up the party. t.v. personality needs the secular party which joins in coalition in 2013. he has campaigned on economics and could become the makener a coalition government. and the joint list is a new alliance of four arab backs parties which is driven up

voter turn out among the arab minority. let's go live now to benjamin netanyahu's party what is the mood there? well, lauren, certainly there's an air of anxiety among the faithful. the voting is going on in most areas and there has been a clear indication of a strong turn out at many of the polls. how closely contests this has been. there's been a steady stream of voters and it is expected that close to 80% of the 6 million voters will cast their pal lots by evening. whose party has been slipping behind in the most recent polls.

by extreme right wing. this was not enough to close the vote on the zionist union which polls indicate could omerge as the dominant movement when the votes are countered. no single movement will get near the 61 seats needed to command the majority. there are likely to be weeks of coalition talks before a government is formed four parties coming together informing the joint list. galvanizing palestinians who make up one fifth of the population.

the joint list can bring as many as 14 seats making eight potentially crucial player in coalition building. >> members of the arab list insisting they will not be part of an israeli government regardless of who heads it. pledging to fight for israeli rights from the opposition benches. >> a bit of controversy there regarding the news conference together. >> in the news conference of the afternoon, and a number of the opposing parties including the union went to the election commission, complained about this man's move, and the election commission ruled that it would be illegal to conduct a prime -- conduct a news conference that is why the polls were still open. so they ordered the abandonment of the news conference, and netanyahu's enemies are making clear that

this is a sign of the prime minister's desperation in an attempt to do something that he knew was contrary to election rules to hold the news conference, and the last minute of election his support to the polls. that's certainly the opposition saying just a sign of his desperation as we are awaiting for the polls to close. live in tel-aviv, thank you very much indeed. >> what mistakes of the relationship. >> lauren, just to give you an idea, it is leading all of the local newscast, the israeli election, and the biggest question is what happens if israeli minister is re-elected. obviously the relationship he has is incredibly strained. first they are talking about iran and it's nuclear program.

send an open leader and it definitely backfired the majority of the public say that was inappropriate then there's -- he no longer believes in the without state solution. we have been negotiating this. the u.n. security council of netanyahu is re-elected to try to set the parameters for a two state solution. there is a lot on the line, although the spokes men said today that they can work with whoever is elected because of israel is such an important ally. >> international relations here in london. so i will ask you to call it.

>> how is it going to go. >> it is difficult to conduct a public opinion because they are 3% margin of fail when the parties are so close. have left than a quarter of the vote. not only was the biggest party, but also building the coalition after the elections. >> if there's any election as the incumbent effect would they like a chain but are scared of change. >> it is almost a global phenomenon complaining and complaining and then they come back home, because the field doesn't want to -- they don't want to take too many risks. i think what netanyahu is very best to actually push away his

own voters. what about completely taking the idea of two state solution, and stop promising around the table, to members of other partyies. >> what was this strategy with that? do you think it has backfired for it? i think what it is trying to do is attack as many votes as possible, so that everything can be as close as possible to the label party as i understand it. when it comes to forming the government recommending the person to form the government, he would have as close as possible. to backfire. the prime minister, what is going to negotiate. what kind of relationship with

the united states on the basis f what is going to renegotiation with the palestinians. >> to they take it into account when they go and vote or thinking more about the economy, or do they realize that if you sold the issue including the economy. >> housing, and the system, and the other country all of these issues are very important for the voters. and probably large proportion will fit these issues and the vote according to these issues but still the palestinian issue, relationship with countries in the region, are very very important. and i think they can better decision or decide the elections where we are talking in such small margins. >> in the end given the

coalition politics, do we -- are we likely to end up with politics as usual? if you need 61 seats 61 members of the party are probably 25, 26, so it means you have more than 30, so even the two biggest parties can't have a majority. it means that whatever -- it is going to water down in their negotiations to form the government. the conversation sometimes very possible very difficult to govern, as a result of that every government survives only if they don't make any far reaching decisions. thank you very much indeed. appreciate it. >> at the entrance of the

neighborhood in baghdad. amnesty international believes air strikes carries out last november may amount to war climbs. elsewhere, opposition groups accuse regime forces of using deadly chlorine gas. the man apparently suffering the effects of chlorine gas is doused in watt ore, this was after an attack in southern province. according to human rights acts that monitor attacks like these. and hospital survivors are given oxygen, chlorine gas attacks the respiratory system causing suffocation. >> we are here to receive the wounded we have received around 70 of them until now including women and children. we expect more to come some of them need more medical care.

the observe story says at least six people, including women and children, were killed. opposition rabbit vests say it was the second attack of it's kind in just two days. >> babies like this one they say are among the victims right now the world is being urged to turn it's attention here in northeast syria. the november last year, president bashar at asaad's forces attacked the city, be uh in a new report, amnesty international says the rules of war were violated. we have come to the conclusion that there's damming evidence that they committed war crimes the research we have done shows that over 100 civilians were killed. they were not islamic state at all, but busy markets busy mocks and residential areas

kilted civilians relentlessly. at least 60 people were killed in the shelling in one day alone. the action they say that's needed to stop the bloodshed. kim al jazeera. reports are emerging that one of the top field commanders has been killed in fighting around the libyan city. dozens of families have been threing the city as isil battles militia loyal to the tripoli based government. still to come, edging closer, we'll get the later on iran's talks. and the severe punishment for a bar manager and two staff who have been convicted of

insulting buddha.

>> this wrecked building is one of three that make up the page primary school, until last week, 160 small children studies here. that building is totally wrecked and this roof has almost totally peeled away. perhaps the island hardest hit, by the cyclone.

we flew down on a small propeller plane with eight seats with only those sorts of small planes can get in here at the moment waxer is really feed redirect examination the big military planes with aid onboard. the priorities are the roads. the shelters foods and medicines and and the tents at the immediate response, they are really needed. >> believe it or not this school is one of the least damaged buildings. many are standing totally flattened and on the road we came across a family sitting in the ruins of their home. trying to salvage some timber. this house i called it isn't 95, i called my wife, we have to move out now. i don't know.

i just see the house moving up and down, my heart was sinking and -- we have to move this school building has become an impromptu place for people to stay, at least there's space on the floor to throw down some mattresses, few those who have lost their homes. about 100 people staying here at the moment, the hope is that as those military planes can come in, that proper aid will arrive. because people here, people all over this island, desperately need it. >> the ukrainian parliament has approve add draft law that will grant special status to rebel controlled regions in the east of the country. self-government known was a key part of the peace deal in february. film makers also approved an appeal asking the u.n. to send peace keepers to the east, more than 6,000 people have died in the conflict.

where said to be 90% of the way there u.s. secretary of state said the iranian foreign minister are believed to have just one key issue to settle, but the white house says it is 50 plus 50, as to whether the final murder 8:00 be overcome. in return for relief from western sanctions. representatives from the five orr major powers are due to join the discussions on wednesday. >> james bays has the latest. >> certainly they are making progress here, but hotch much progress depends on who you speak to. if you listen to the irhinian side, they are extremely optimistic. who is the head of iran's nuclear energy agency said on the technical aspects the nuclear aspects of this, they are 90% there just one remaining issue. the u.s. side not quite as optimistic although they do say they are making progress,

they still say there's a great deal of work, and remember the ed the line for this frame work deal is at the end of this month. and at the edged of this week, so the talks we think will pause at that point. a lot of work still to be done. >> egyptian police officer accused of shooting dead a female protestor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. at a peaceful rally marking the fourth anniversary of the revolution. at the time, the interior ministry suggested that the police were not responsible. a number of protestors have been charged with holding an illegal demonstration. two members of a polio vaccination team and a police officer have been shot dead. the attack in the an after fan refugee camp is the latest in a string of attacks on polio workers.

>> although there have been major successes in the battle against polio globally, pakistan remain as major concern for the world health organization because of a number of cases reported from pakistan now here in the pro vince, the immunization program is underway, ard cooing to the officer in charge, there are problems but up to 754,000 children are to be given those polio drops. the story in the other province is not so good. a number of deadly attacks on polio workers has brought that program to a binding halt. the pakistani government will have to get up to meet this challenge, otherwise they will be travel restrictions on pakistanis who wish to go overseas. >> despite all the challenges they are in the field, they are trying to reach every child, we are meeting all challenges facing the security situation as well.

the weather challenges as well and we are trying our best to satisfy not only the international community, but the local community as well also there has been criticism of the way the government has handled this crisis. millions of dollars of vaccines have been wasted because of neglect the toft will have to really get up and meet this challenge in order to eradicate this deadly disease. >> a new zealand bomber and two of his staff have been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for insulting religion, the men used a psychedelic image of because da for. >> guilty of insulting religion. their offense using an image of buddha with headphones for an online file to promote drinks at a bar. the poster was drawn shortly after it was posted and an

apology issues. but the men have been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. the accused are quickly whisked away. the mother of one of the defendants directs her anger at one of the monks. the action was brought against the three men after solomonings complains about the flier. i was to talk about our religion if someone insults religion should we accept it? is it right. human rights groups accuse the authorities of bowing to pressure. there are soil that point to this -- and the concern is that these views are allows to gain more prominent, it could deepen the religious conflict. >> since 2012, violence related particularly between buddhists and muslims has

killed more than 2 million people and displaced tens of thousands more. last year, a group of monk pros posed laws which they say aims to protect race and religion. the bill which is are being debated, would among other things restrict interfaith marriage and religious conversion. back at court the lawyers of the three defendants suggested he was not surprised by the verdict. >> are you angry. >> no, not angry. disappointed. it's not like america or france, or australia p the men could appeal, but are not allowed bail. al jazeera. >> venezuela's if the say as new law allowing him to govern by decree will help him defend the country from what he called u.s. medals. a law that was approved will last for the rest of the year but critics decry another power grab.

sweeping powers for venezuela's president his party dominated assemblies past the bill on an emergency meeting on sunday. people in the streets of venezuela have woken up to a new law. while some think it is a reason to celebrate others are gravely concerned. neither, however know exactly what the anti-law as it is being call willed mean for the country. >> the controversial decree was greeted with gloom on the opposition's bench. they want an enabling law that allows them to regulate everything so they can hide the crisis they are going through, because this crisis is internal, it is fiscal, it is economic, but there is no sector here that can escape the incompetence of this government. president nicholas ma dura has largely framed the decree of the nationalist crusade either you are with me or you with the umpire. this is not a time to be two

faced. put in a country faces one of the world's highest inflation rates and shortages of basic needs, the perfect destruction from the country's problems ahead of parliamentary elections. >> this law really is meant to strength. zero power. they have greatly eroded more than outside the country. he lacks the command so he needs an excuse. and he is taking a brand into this event to strengthen his fans. >> the government has scheduled two weeks of military reversals. but few really believe a u.s. armed attack is it on it's way. the bigger worry is seeing the government gain control. al jazeera. >> a big screen cinema has come to a town where kids have never been to the movies.

initially part of the oldest film festival. as reports. overcoming obstacles to take cinema where cinema has never been. films are in the neighborhood is a side program of the film festival. for many, this is the first time in front of the silver screen. >> have you ever been to a cinema? this is a truck with a revolving big screen. and audience members bring their own chairs but the magic of cinema remains the same. >> i love cinema, because we can see new things and learn things. but we also have a good time. >> interact with directors the crews and experiment to make the festival and film more inclusive. >> when you sow you reap.

with short film features and documentaries that are radically different from what they seen on television. we don't know, but it is worth seeing. >> and it is also simple but an inline issue. >> just a few kilometers away from the center. the cinemas is a real luxury, that's because going to see a film cost between four to $9, while 30% of the population in this city lives on just two dares a day. >> we don't want to continue to be forgot and we can see the happiness it brings to the kids letting the cinema do

what it does best, al jazeera film festival. mr. chairmanty more stories for you on our website aljazeera.com. as the south by southwest festival, it is the largest gathering of aspiring film makers and emerging ini have tars. we are bringing you some of the best. neuroscientists are treating disease in ways they have seen nothing short of science fiction, and i catch up with one of the world's leaders that is making limbs that