an air strike on the marketplace in the syrian province. at least 20 people are dead. this is al jazeera. also coming up goes to the poles for the first flee and fair elections in the 30 years. people across the world march to demand action on climate change.

after during huge crowds in uganda the pope heads towards the central african republic. an air strike has killed at least 20 people in a market in syria. it happened in the town. it was a russian air strike. what more do we know about this? >> reporter: activists say that the air strike targeted a crowded market in the town of ariha in idlib and they say it was a russian fighter there that targeted the area. there has been an intensified air strikes today across the

country in aleppo, in latakia, idlib and also the outskirts of the capital damascus and syrian opposition says most of the air strikes were launched by russian war planes. it is one of the areas where the syrian government suffered major setback this year when the pro syrian army launched an offence itch and recaptured all of dlib becoming the second major area to fall under the control of the rebels which was later taken over by i.s.i.l. thanks for that. series civil wall-- syria's war is the cause of the refugee crisis. the european union is offering turkey a three billion dollars to seal its border.

the plan is being driven by germany. lawrence lee reports from berlin. >> reporter: spring turned to summer and autumn to winter and they haven't stopped this miserable trip. the e.u. has been criticised for not making the journey different. the main preoccupation has been to stop refugees coming from turkey to greece. suddenly a plan is on the table. the german government is in the driving seat presenting this as an attempt at regaining control. i think it is not a fair humanitarian solution to induce people to risk their lives and the lives of their children in crossing the mediterranean or going on the balkan route on the trek, but i think we have to offer entry into the european union but improving the

situation of refugees in turkey at the same time. >> reporter: germany has for years has taken in turkish migrant workers and the deal means it may have to take in more. as well as a sped up entry process, turkey is demanding visa free access to europe for its 75 million people. suddenly the refugee crisis is an opportunity tore turkey. >> reporter: the turkey is has been trying to join the european union before the berlin wall came down in 1989. germany has blocked it. suddenly the talk of abuses is vanishing the wind because they will pay turkey to keep the refugees out. given how many european politicians describe the refugees as economic migrants, that sounds to be a highly hypocritical position for the e.u. to take.

the european union is ready to give up its own rights, it's own values where it exists. it is doing this on the back of the most vulnerable people. the refugees. >> reporter: more than three billion dollars will be found an given to turkey for more camps. perhaps it will constitute a life for the refugees, perhaps not, but clearly it says europe's new fences haven't worked, so they're pushing them even further towards syria and iraq russia's president vladimir putin has signed a decree imposing a series of economic sanctions against turkey. russian businesses have been limited from doing business in turkey. the sanctions come after turkey shot down a russian jet near the syrian border. turkey has recovered the body of a pilot and says it is preparing to hand it over to russia.

the optimism of a new era has begun in burkina faso. people are voting in the first election. our correspondent in a polling station. polls opened just over three hours ago. how have things been going there? >> reporter: very smoothly so far. there are people still in the queues and in most parts of the capital we have been observing some orderly queues of people at schools and hospitals and other public places are being used as polling stations. there are 17,000 polling centers across the country. 5.5 million people have registered to vote in what is considered historic elections. the result of these elections could herber in a new dawn which many people here in burkina faso are excited about, but the road

to this stage has been long and bumpy. a last minute hunt for votes as political campaigns in burkina faso draw to a close. with three-quarters of the country's population of 17 million under the age of 30 years. the youth will prove the elections. music and mega phones are the weapons of joins for the candidates who are pushing for a high turn out. this man who served as prime minister is the front runner. he left government just a year ago after opposing plans to extend blaise comparore's rule. a be that as it may man and finance minister, zephirin diabre, is the other candidate. the front runner's ties to the former regime is a

disappointment. we have nothing to be ashamed off. >> reporter: it is one of the poorest countries on earth. its ailing economy was affected by the crisis that followed the resignation of blaise comparore. the people of burkina faso want the-- burkina faso want the chance to bring good to the country. officials of the congress for democrat accuracy party have been lobbying elders for support. they will have to the right to choose the posts of prime minister and speaker. >> 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 election is

continuing. we have this kind of uncertainty about the result of elections and this is a sign and an indication that we are moving to a more democratic era. >> reporter: it will mark the first democratic power in the history of burkina faso whose name means the land of honest people. voters have six more hours to cast their ballots because the poling stations will close at 6 gmt. the president will be elected by popular vote and if no candidate wins an absolutely majority in the first round, then a second round will be held in 15 days. whoever gets to become the president of burkina faso will be the first civilian president in more than 50 years, and he

will be faced by huge challenges, including this country's massive poverty, more than 60% of the people of this country are unemployed and it's two-third of these people, about 17 million, are young people under the age of 30. so the president will have to deal with so many challenges thank you for that, live in burkina faso pope tran says has arrived in the central african republic. the final stop on his visit to africa. on saturday the pope preached a message of peace in the youth rally in the capital. for some his visit was not just about faith. >> reporter: tens of thousands

gathered to meet pope francis. 130 years ago some of the first christian's of the country were killed here. it is an holy site for the country's many catholics. >> translation: dear brothers and sisters, this is the legacy which you have received from the ugandan martyrs, lives marked by the holy spirit, from the transforming 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. hoe often speaks about inequality and 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 neighbouring countries and automatic over uganda. i feel good. i want to be here to be blessed by the pope. i want to be here for him. >> reporter: it is also a much business needed opportunity. there are people silling food and drinks and all kinds of religions items, statues of jesus and virgin mary with pictures of the pope on various things. these are selling very well. when he finally arrived people couldn't get close enough. some had been waiting hours to hear his message. for many the excitement of seeing a religious leader who they admire and love was the highlight. people are so many and enjoying. everyone is happy. we're happy, happy.

>> reporter: malcolm webb i want to take a break now, but when we come back south korea's government tell teachers to sit quietly and to get on with her. it's a controversy over a new textbook. >> reporter: the governor is hoping for a new tax on cell phones will help with their fiscal independence.

the top stories. at least 40 syrians are

reportedly been killed by a russian air strike. the town is controlled by al-nusra rebels. turkey are going to be offered 3.2 billion dollars to stop the flow the refugees. polls are open in burkina faso since last year blaise comparore was forced to leave power the prime minister has calls for bashar al-assad to step down. he has had talks with foreign minister. >> reporter: the country government insists that there is no future for bashar al-assad in the future of syria. the italian government says there is the prospect of him being part of a political

transition but not part of a future syria. 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 in syria, the italian governments are hopeful that they can find common grounds between various warring sides and end the conflict in syria fighting in the yemeni city has forced many hospitals and medical facilities to close. doctors are warning they also

face an acute shortage of supplies. gerald tann reports on the battle on the city and its impact on the civilians. some of the images are disturbing. >> reporter: the fear fiercest of battles. people tell they have non-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-led coalition are trying to hold. it destroyed a number of targets and killed houthi rebels trying to infiltrate residential areas. lives were lost but not just those engaged in fighting. this child recounts 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 are critically wounded. hospitals are overwhelmed. more than 30 have been forced to shut down. one doctor say only six remain in operation. >> translation: the hospitals are packed with the injured. we are facing an acute shortage of medical supplies and lack sufficient facilities. even as we speak, a massacre is being carried out by the militias on the western front >> reporter: the humanitarian situation in the area 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 cultural capital, but as fighting escalates, there's a fear among residents that they're children are growing up exposed only to a culture of weapons people around the world have been marring to demand action on

the envoirnt-- marching to demand action on environment change. similar themes in south korea, carbon emissions are expected to peek before 025. protesters are demanding urgent action from the government. more than 40,000 people gathered in sydney. marches also took place in brisbane and other australian cities. the conference starts on monday. more than 190 countries present will discuss a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. security for that paris summit is very tight after the recent attacks. french police are leaving nothing to chance. >> reporter: the army and police have paris covered. they were ordered onto the streets after the attacks of november 13. now they have an added

responsibility, ensuring the co p21 climate summit passes off smoothly despite the nationwide state of emergency. >> translation: with this heightened terrorist threat, the success of co p21 is also linked securing it to the maximum level. i am repeating this forcefully in front of you. everything has been put into place to secure 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. 2800 will be on duty. in total 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 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 he said 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 warned to use public transport and leave their cars at home. >> translation: my message is very simple. do not drive on 29 november and 30 november. it is absolutely essential. >> reporter: the scale of the paris attacks and the international reaction they have provoked has 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. jacky rowland japan will resume whale hunting in the an tar particular ocean in march after a year-long

pause. the ministry of fisheries said 331 minki wales would be hundreded for scientific research. last year the international court of justice in hague ruled that japan was contra evening a moratorium in well hunting. teachers are warned they will face court access if they don't stop protesting. >> reporter: teachers taking to the streets on the issue dominating politics. the government's plans to bring in a sing state authored history technical book. by choosing to protest, these men and women are laying themselves open to prosecutor kooks. their strict employment terms require political neutrality. this man is one of 84 teachers union executives summoned for police questioning over their anti government stance. >> translation: it is 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 open ignores party has come to display the current books. the government say it is left leaning. what do they really say? one says talks of low level fights on both sides on the run up to war, but also states north korea's army started a supreme invasion with the u.n. calling it an act of aggression. the next describes the book which brought in stability but weakened the country's response to the outside world. what is common to he books the way they describe the seizure of power as a coup, one which led to political repression as well as an improvement to people's every day livelihood.

he just happens to be the father of the current president. the persist has characterised the drive to reform history teaching as i 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 that end up self tormenting and self critical views. >> reporter: the president as crith six say she is following the lead of her father by stifling political opposition. she is calling a ban on masks saying that they could even allow infiltration by islamic state militants. >> translation: today in south korea even the government has to resolve issues within legal parameters. it is different from the past. the lack of dialogue between the government and its critics is worrying >> reporter: the government says it wants to instill

generations with a new sense of pride. harry faucet national security agency in the united states is no longer allowed to run its mass phone surveillance program on its citizens. the controversial mondaying program was exposed by snowden. afghanistan's cash strapped government has just levied a 10% cash on mobile phone top-ups. the move has not gone down well as jennifer glass reports now. >> reporter: like thousands of afghans this man makes his living selling mobile phone top up cards, but he says a new tax is hurting his business. >> translation: before when someone was charged 500 it was without tax. if they're now charged 500, 50 of that is thwacks. they're taking a cut from every

card. because of that we sell less >> reporter: many consumers say they don't mind the tax but they want to know exactly where the money is going. we hope that the government should provide people complete information regarding how they collect and the system should be showing to people that the money is going to the treasury in a proper way and there is no chances of corruption. >> reporter: the tax was passed by presidential decree. the parliament says that's unconstitutional and voted against it asking the government to repeal it. >> translation: the main reason we rejected the tax is the government has no idea how much money the telephone companies are paying for the tax. are they giving 10% to the government really? >> reporter: but the tax continues toing collected. cell phones, a fixture of afghan life, and despite the extra cost people continue to use them. the government said it is terracing concerns with parliament about where the tax money is going. it says this new tax is the

first step to afghanistan becoming fiscally inlaid. about 70% of the national budget is paid for with international aid. afghanistan's new president and chief executive told international done yares at-- donors at a conference last year they would would work to make sure the government raised more issue-- more revenue. this is top up that we advised of. to stand up on our own feet. we should utilise our own resources in order to deal with our budget expenditures. >> reporter: many sellers like this man are not optimistic that will work. the government says it is working to build an accountable revenue system. people hope this tax is the first step to financial independence there is growing excitement

that a major discovery, the tomb of queen nefertiti. she is thought to be tootankarmin's stepmother. my close examination of those scans highlighted the apparent presence of closed doorways. on the west wall potentially leading to an additional tootankarmin period storeroom labelled x in the cut away bottom left here. on the north to a corridor continuation of the tomb. the proposal i put forward is that the burial of the tootankarmin was a tomb within a tomb an annual mile aggravation of bright orange and black butterflies make the journey

from north america and canada. the number taking part this year pass plummeted. they blame the use of pesticides for the decline. always more from the website on aljazeera.com states. >> is this pretty full for you guys? >> no, no this is just average, i guess you could say. >> okay. >> that's the population of los angeles and new york combined, booked into thousands of local jails. >> do you know how long some of these men have been held here? >> mmmm.