burkina faso goes to the polls for the first free and fair elections in 30 years. this is al jazeera live from doha. also european leaders put a deal on the table at a controversial summit with turkey. we will give you 3 billion dollars for you to seal your border and keep your refugee they say. from jakata to sydney people march on for action on climate change.

after during huge crowds, pope francis heads to central african republic. optimism that a new era has begun in burkina faso. polls have been open for an hour there for the first free and fair elections in decades. our correspondent is in a polling station in the capital. anyone under the age of 48 won't have voted in an election quite like this. what's at stake? >> reporter: a lot is at stake and they're voting in this historic election is well underway. some people have been in the queues for about three or four hours waiting patiently to cast their vote. there are ten queues like this

one. 70,000 other polling station are across the country and about 5.5 million people have registered to vote in this election. the people of burkina faso were ruled by blaise comparore. there is a high turn out. they were expected to have been held last month, but they had been postponed because of a coup that was carried out by supporters of blaise comparore, particularly his presidential escort. what we know also is that the road to this day has been a long and bumpy one. a last minute hunt for votes as

political campaigns in burkina faso draw to a close with three-quarters of 70 million under the age of 20 years. blaise comparore is a front runner. he left government just a year ago after opposing plans to extend blaise comparore's rule. zephirin diabre a businessman and finance minister is the other candidate. >> translation: it's a misconception to suggest that we don't represent change. we served under blaise comparore under honesty and in the interests of our people we have nothing to be shamed of.

>> reporter: burkina faso is one of the poorest countries on earth. it's ailing economy was affected by the crisis that followed the res ignores nation of blaise comparore-- resignation. >> reporter: representatives of the former ruling parties are not allowed to stand for the presidency. traditional elders have been turned to for support. >> translation: we are not happy at all. it is very unfair because we would have one if we had been permitted to run for the president. our strategy now is to take over parliament. >> reporter: the elections are happening, that we have this kind of certainty about the

results of elections. this is a sign that we moving to a democracy. >> reporter: it will be the first democratic power in burkina faso whose name means the land of honest people. >> reporter: the poleing will end at 6 o'clock, which is the same as gmt and the vote counting will begin immediately afterwards right in front of the people. the president elected by a popular vote and if they win or doesn't win an absolutely majority, it means there will be a second poll in 15 days. whoever wins will be faced by huge challenges because burkina faso is a very poor country. the majority of the people in the country, up to 60%, are unemployed and of the 17 million people of this country, three

quarters are under the age of 30 years. huge challenges afacing these elections thank you for that. the european union is offering turkey a three billion dollar deal to seal its border with greece and stop the flow of refugees to europe. it's being discussed at a special summit in brussels which was demanded by the turks. live to latakia near the border of syria. what is turkey making of what the e.u. is proposing? >> reporter: the turkish government has been saying in the past that they have been left alone to shoulder the burden of the millions of refugees. there are about two million syrian refugees in turkey. thousands of them have started to risk their lives at sea to

get into you're for the last few months. the turkish government is saying that the international community has to follow words with deeds, they have to step in by finding a political supplement in syria and resettling some of those refugees. this is exactly with why the tire turkish prime minister today is going to discuss a series of things with the europeans. so he is going to ask for assistance for the refugees in turkey. he would like to start and expand the debate to talk about turkey's resuming talks with the e.u. about joining the e.u. membership and also easing the visa requirements for the turkish citizens. it's more about a political and financial package which is going to be discussed today in brussels stay there for a moment.

the stray gee of buying's turkey's cooperation on . >> reporter: spring turned to summer and autumn to winter and still they haven't stopped on this miserable trip. the e.u. has all year been accused of doing too little to make the journey less dangerous. while european leaders were full of sympathy when the body of a three year old was washed up on a beach the main preoccupation was how to stop refugees coming from turkey to greece at all. suddenly a plan on the table. the german government in the driving seat, an attempt at regain control. i think it is not a fair humanitarian solution to induce people to risk their lives and the lives of their children in cross-examine is the sea or on the trek, but we have to offer legal entry into the european union but improving the

situation of refugees in turkey. >> reporter: this is the quarter of berlin known as little istanbul. they may have to take in more refugees. turkey is also demanding visa free access to europe for its 75 million people. suddenly tore turkey the refugee crisis is an opportunity. turkey has been trying to join the european union before the berlin wall came down in 1989. for all that time germany has blocked it on the grounds that turkey's human rights record isn't good enough. suddenly all the talk of repressions and abuses is vanishing on the wind because the european union wants to pay turkey to keep the refugees out. given how many european politicians describe the refugees as economic migrants, that sounds to some to be a highly hypocrite cal position for the european union to take. the european union is ready

to give up human rights. it's own values, why the european union actually exists. it is doing this on the back of the most vulnerable people, refugees. >> reporter: more than three billion dollars will be found and given to turkey for more camps and presumably more barbed wire. perhaps it will constitute a life for the refugees, perhaps not, but clearly it says you're's new fences haven't worked so they're pushing them even further towards syria and iraq the route cause of the refugee crisis is syria's brutal civil war which continues relentlessly. there has been further violence in the last 24/36 hours. >> reporter: exactly. violence across the country. the opposition reports air

strikes led by the government, backeded by the russian fighter jets across the country in various parts. they say dozens of civilians were killed in those air strikes. at the same time the rebels say it that they have captured a new village in the northern part of the strategic city of aleppo and they're launching a counter offensive in latakia and also other area that they have lost over the last few weeks. they will continue the fight until bashar al-assad is toppled. the rebels seem to have acquired new sets of weapons because you just see the new pattern in syria. you can tell that they have advanced weapons and they are able to attack different, 45 areas, particularly latakia and aleppo

many thanks. russia's president vladimir putin has signed a decree imposing a series of economic sanctions against turkey. russian businesses have been banned from giving new jobs to turkish anationals and tour operators have been told to stop selling turkish holidays. the sanctions come after turkey shot down a russian war plan. the funeral of the prominent pro-kurdish lawyer is due to be held shortly in diabaca. he was shot on saturday while making a press statement in the predominantly kurdish city. he had been detained last month for saving on live television that the pkk is not a terrorist organization. people around the world have been marching to demand action on the inenvironment ahead of the u.n. climate change conference in paris. hundreds took part in this protest in the capital of jakar

torics, a. the people want people to reduce dependency on fossil fuel and to start using renewable energy. carbon omissions expected to peek before 2025. urgent action is being urged from the government. more than 40,000 people gathered in sydney. marches also in brisbane and other australian cities. the co p21 conference in paris starts on monday. more than 190 countries present will discuss a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. for security at that summit is very tight since the attacks in paris >> reporter: the army and police have paris covered. they were ordered onto the street after the attacks of november 13. now they have an added responsibility, ensuring the co

p21 climate summit passes off smoothly despite the nationwi nationwide-- state of emergency >> translation: everything is being put into place to security the conference itself and its surroundings to the maximum level. >> reporter: the scale of the operation is unprecedented. 8,000 police will be guarding france's air, sea and land borders. 2080-- 280 police will be in attend. 120,000 police and troops will be deployed across the whole of france. security becomes tighter the closer you get to the conference center. some 20,000 delegates are expected to cross the security pram perimeter as well as thousands more journalists. the french were determined that despite the attacks, the summit

should go ahead as planned. the fact that nearly 150 heads of state and government are expected in paris this week is a vote of confidence in french security. a security operation on this scale will inevitably mean traffic chaos. the french have been urged to use public transport and leave their cars at home. do not drive on november 29 and 30. it is absolutely essential. >> reporter: the scale of the paris attacks and the international reaction they have provoked ahas almost eclipsed the climate summit. the french government is hoping that this mood of international solidarity will strengthen the resolves of all parties to reach a climate deal still to come here on al jazeera children bear the brunt of fighting in the city of

yemeni. south korea tells teacher to sit quietly and do their work. it's over the controversy of a new textbook.

>> lead paint... plaster that is falling... rodent infestation. >> if it was your own children, you'd have the money to take care of it. >> who does the buck stop with? this is al jazeera. the top stories. polls are open in burkina faso for the first election since an uprising last year forced blaise comparore from power. he had ruled the country for 27 years. you're peep union leaders are expected to offer turkey 3.2 billion dollars to limit the flow of refugees.

a special summit is being held in brussels to discuss the refugee crisis. people around the world marching for the climate. foreign minister has repeated calls for syria's president bashar al-assad to step down. he has held talks with his italian counter party >> reporter: the government insists that there is no future for bashar al-assad in the future of syria and the italian government says that there is the prospect of bashar al-assad being part of a political transition, but he is definitely not part of the future of syria. the government says that the solution for syria has to come from its own people. >> translation: the syrian people have a number of priorities. number one is bashar al-assad to leave.

second is to uproot terrorism. we must take these matters into consideration while pondering on the diplomatic solution. if these local communities are willing to act for their own interest, i believe the solution will be near. >> reporter: although differences remain between all sides involved in the conflict had in syria, the governments are hopeful that they can find some common ground between various warring sides and end the conflict inside syria heavy fighting between houthi rebels and government forces backed by zaudi air power. some scenes may be disturbing >> reporter: the fiercist of battle. witnesses tell al jazeera they have not experienced such heavy fighting before. the houthis and the elite

republican guard loyal to bashar al-assad have surrounded the city since march, but fighters supported by the saudi-coalition are trying to break that. aerial raids were intensified and killed houthi rebels trying to infiltrate residential areas. lives were lost, but not just those engaged in fighting. this child tries to recount what happened to him just hours earlier. he and his friends were gathered around a water delivery truck when they were hit by houthi shell. some of his friends died, many of them are critically wounded. hospitals are over whelmed. more than 13 have been forced to shut down. one doctor says only six remain in operation. >> translation: hospitals are packed with injured. we are facing an acute shortage of supplies and lack facilities.

even as we speak a massacre has been carried out by the militias on the front. >> reporter: it is getting worse by the day. many homes are without power. food and water are scarce and supplies can't get in. it has long been regarded as yemen's capital, but there are a few residents are worried that their children are growing up to a culture of weapons a palestinian man has been shot dead by the army after stabbing an israeli plan. it happened-- police man. 102 palestinians and 21 israelis have been killed since the wave of violence began last month. pope francis is on his way to the stroll african republic. religious violence in the country has forced nearly one million people from their homes. the pope preached a message of

peace. for some people his visit wasn't just about faith. >> reporter: tens of thousands gathered to meet pope francis around the shrine in the capital. 130 years ago the country's first christians were killed her here for their faith. >> translation: dear brothers and sisters, this is the legacy which you have received from the ugandan martyrs, lives which are marked by the holy spirit, the power of the gospel of jesus christ. >> reporter: he held a mass and spoke of turning hate into love. from argentina he is the first non-european pope in 1300 years. he often speaks about inequality

and he is seen as a champion of the poor. that resonates here where most are religious and many are jobless. across town a crowd of thousands of young people steadily gathered for his next venue. people came from all over uganda. i feel good. i want to be here to see the grand man. i want to also meet to be here for blessing. >> reporter: it's a much needed business opportunity for many. there are people selling food and drink and all kinds of religious para person alia-- paraphernalia. these are selling very well. when he finally arrived, people couldn't get close enough. some had been waiting hours to hear his message, but for many the excitement of seeing a

religious leader who they admire and love was the highlight. people are so mm-hmm and they're enjoying. everyone is happy. -- so happy and they're enjoying. >> reporter: malcolm webb al jazeera japan is to restart whale hunting in the antarctic ocean in march after a year long pause. 333 minki whales would be hunted for scientific research. last year the international court of justice in the haig ruled that gentleman pan was contraevening an international moratorium on whale hunting. teachers in south korea are warned they will face court proceedings if they protest in relation to a new textbook. >> reporter: teachers taking to the streets on the government's

plan to bring in a history textbook. by choosing to protest, these men and women are laying themselves open to prosecution. their strict employment terms require political neutrality. this is one of 84 executive summoned for questioning over their anti government substance. >> translation: it's not possible to oppose the textbook without criticising the government. the current regime is proceeding with this plan for its own benefit to hold on to power forever. >> reporter: south korea's main opposition has has come to displaying the current books. it is too soft for starting the coeur ian war, to harsh that the leads that saw the economic rise. what do they say? one talks about low level fights in the run up to war, but north korea's army started a surprise

invasion, an act of aaggression. the next describes the birth the north korea ideology which brought in stability but weakened north corey's response to the outside world. what is common to these books is the way they describe the 1961 seat of power as a coup. which led to political repression as well an improvement to people's ever day livelihoods. this happens to be the father of the current president. the about president has characterised the drive to reform history teaching is a fight for the soul of the nation. >> translation: it would be difficult for students who learn from the current textbooks to have a sense of pride about south korea. instead they would ask why hasn't we done better and end up with self-critical views. >> reporter: the president's critics say she is following the lead of her father buy stifling political opposition.

she has called for a ban on masks saying they could even allow infiltration by islamic state militants. >> translation: today in south korea even the government has to receival issues ten legal parameters. so it's different from the past. the lack of dialogue from the government and its critics is worrying >> reporter: the government says it wants to instill new generations with a shared sense of pride in their nations past but it has exposed the deep divisions of its present the new world heavy wait champion happened. it went for 12 rounds. the british boxer ended an 11 year reign. he now extend his unbeaten record to 25 wins. the hard work has been rewarded by the belts. this has been the icing moment

on the cake something i've been working towards my whole life. like i said in the ring today it was definitely the jerry maguire story, starting from the bottom, now we're up the top. he was quick with hands and his body movement. his head movement, i couldn't land the right punches. i congratulate him tonight. he won the fight. to be continued thousands of buttererflie ares have arrived in mexico for the winter. they make the 4800 kilometer journey from north america and canada. scientists say the numbers taking part in the annual migration plum eted. in 1996 one billion butterflies made the journey. this year it is expected to be around 35 million.

they blame the use of pesticides and the destruction of habitat for the decline. more news from al jazeera along with analysis, comments, plenty of video and links to some of our best programs on our website. take a look at aljazeera.com >> i'm sylvia rowley in the south of england where support for small scale sustainable fishing is catching on. >> and i'm russell beard in bangkok to meat a team innovative urban farmers turning air polution into protein.