fears for the world economy as china posts its lowest growth figures in 25 years. hello there, i'm laura kyle, you're watching al jazeera. also ahead - questions over who should be included in syrian talks. the u.k. special envoy briefs the security council. syrian refugees in norway go on hunger strike to protest against deportation to russia. and film-maker spike lee leads a boycott of the oscars saying he cannot support a lily white

awards show china's economy is growing at its slowest rate since 199 #. it's year on year g.d.p. of 6.9% is broadly in line with the government's targets, and it's a figure most western countries can only dream of. but it is far lower than a double digit growth of recent years. and with plunging oil prices and stuttering oil prices, it will feed fears the global economy is heading for another recession. rob mcbride has more from hong kong. >> these figures very much in line with expectations, and bring the g.d.p. for last year to 6.9%, which is still around the 7% target that had been set by the authorities. it means that it is the slowest groeth rate since 1990, but many believe that this is a rate that

is more sustainable. but there is always a balancing act in the chinese economy, having enough growth there toh support the fundamental changes that are taking place. the winding down of large state-run industries, moving workers from that sector to the private sector, and supporting the influx of workers from the countryside in search of work pulled out of poverty. in fundamentally changing the economy, the chinese economy has tools in the economic and first call toolbox. for example, the interest rate, while interest rates around the world are practically zero, in china it's around 4%. they have room for manoeuvre, as people expect. and possibly economic stimulus, there's no doubting that the slowing of the economy has an impact on the rest of the world. you look at what the commodity and oil price are to realise that it is taking place benjamin is research manager

for china policy, an analysis and advisory firm and joins us from beijing. good to have you with us. yet another big slow down, but is anyone in china concerned? >> great to be with you. i think the bottom line is china is that there is an air of acceptance of complacency in that there was no real expectation that china would be maintaining 14%, 12%, 10% growth year on year. this is all part of the natural process in china, moving away from a state investment led economic growth model to a model more evenly balanced, and which sees services play a role in the economic make-up. part of the economic figures coming out is servicing more than 60% of the china g.d.p. we are moving to an e-economy, where online trade is massive.

where people have discretionary spending power. going out and buying services. so the chinese economy is not so dependent on the pump priming of the government where they pump in massive amounts of money to massive projects. >> double digit figures are not sustainable. single digits, can a slowing economy keep everyone in china in jobs. >> so when we see a movement like this, lowest growth rate in 25 years, it sends shock waves through the economy. the world economy gets whiplash. that reactions is a bit of an exaggerated one in that when an economy in china is worth immensely more than it was in the early 2000s, when the growth rate was at 14%, a slow relative

growth rate of 6 or 7% is adding value to the economy. than a growth rate of 14% in the mid 2000. back thin in 2007, before the gfc, when the economy was growing at 14%, the economy was worth something like 3.5 trillion usd. now it's worth more. if you have a growth rate of 7% now, it's adding more to the economy, and providing the average individual with a better standard of living and more economic opportunities. >> how far will the party let the economy drop before it intervenes? >> sorry, what was that, i missed that question? >> how far will the communist party allow the growth rate to fall, before it intervenes? >> you are quite right to point out that the chinese communist party is directing the growth

rate. it's not a rate emerging out of free economic activity. the ccp understands that a growth rate that was a massive shock to the economy, something like a negative growth rate or 1-2% would pose a threat to the legitimacy of the regime. the grand bargain has been we provide the people at large with economic opportunities and growth. as a result of that, they accept the one period system. with that in mind, it tapers down growth, moving to high quality growth as opposed to high rates of growth. but you would not expect in the next few years for it to drop below five or so percent. it's imprecise. one imagines during the tenure, the next 7 or 10 years, we'd move towards 3-4%. it's unclear. i imagine they want to maintain a relatively healthy rate of

growth via issues like investment overseas spurring demand for chinese goods and services so as to avoid the legitimacy of crisis, if they went to a 1-2%. >> thank you very much for taking the time to join us from beijing. >> reporter: hong kong police received confirmation that a missing book fellow is on the mainland. the did disappearance, along with four booksellers raised fears that freedom of speech had been suppressed. it was critical of china's communist leadership u.n. special envoy for syria, stefan miz tora briefed the security council. there's no agreement on who will take part in the discussions. we have more. >> stefan de-miz tora, the u.n.

envoy who is supposed to mediate talks between the opposition in a week's time. it's stuff and go whether they'll go ahead. according to the french foreign minister. >> obviously we hope that the negotiation will take place, but there are some questions which have to be dealt with. >> the u.n. in new york, ambassadors arrived. a briefing from mr de-miz tora via video conference, all expressing a determination that the talks start on time. >> it's important the talks go ahead. what we hear from stefan is the progress he has made on this. >> does it look like the talks on the 25th will take place? >> they must, they must. after all the work which has been done. >> the russian ambassador nose his own government has problems with the counter plan. the president met the amir of

qatar, on talks focussing on the situation in syria. the russian leader made it clear the list from the opposition delegation should have more secular figures and rejects from kurdish groups. there is another problem, those that are on the opposition list are not yet committed to attend geneva. they want reassurances that what happened last time there was syrian negotiations two years ago will not be repeated. they claim the syrian government was deliberately obstructive and derailed those talks. they want a guarantee that if that happens again, the u.s. and its allies have a plan b. it's thought this time around the form at will begin with days of what are known as proximity talks. in the u.n.'s headquarters in geneva, the two sides will be kept in operate rooms with mr demoistura shuttling between them. >> i'm told that mr demoistura has said that anyone that takes part in the negotiations in

either delegation will not be allowed to be part of the transitional government that the talks are supposed to create. so there are rules in place, but for talks that for now look far from certain around 30 syrian refugees began a hunger strike to protest against deportation to russia. hundreds of asylum seekers entered norway from russia via the arctic circle. norwegian police plan to return 55 to russia by bus, because they were initially given safe passage there. >> everyone here, the families, the kids - no one is eating. no money, nowhere to go. once we across the boarder, no one will help us. >> i need answer. why russia. >> an avalanche in the french

ams killed five. five have gone into cardiac arrest and died. the tourists were killed by an avalanche in the same area. >> film-makers spike lead is leading a boycott of the oscars, and cannot support a lily white journey. all are white for a second year in a row. there was no recognition for black actors, starring in critically acclaimed films. gentlemaneda pinkett -- jada-pinkett smith says she will not attend. >> begging for announcement diminishes dignity and power. we are a dignified people. and we are powerful. and let's not forget it.

so let's let the academy do it. let's do us differently earlier i spoke to david a love, the executive editor of the blackcommentator.cox. i asked why nominees of colour were cut out. >> it's disconcerting to see that even though it's 2016, america is dealing with the same problems of lack of diversity in various institutions. i think the problem really goes to the heart of the fact that the motion picture industry, like other institutions is very slow to change. not a very diverse institution, you have a situation where essentially white males are dominating the industry. and as a result, you don't see

diverse voices - blacks, latinos, other people allowed to really express themselves. i think it's an ongoing problem that people should be concerned about. >> could it not be the case, perhaps, that there simply were not any black actors or actors of colour good enough to make the nominations, because they are there in the film industry. >> certainly there is no guarantee that if someone appears in a movie that they should be considered. but when you consider the fact that there were a number of understanding act tors, actresses, directors considered for the golden globe, screen actors gild, and other awards. the fact that none at all was considered for the oscars, it really makes one wonder what is going on here. >> it has been recognised by the academy president, sharelle boon isaac who said that the academy is making an effort to change,

and change this largely old white male constituency of voters. chris rock is back to host this year. do you not feel these efforts are enough? >> well, certainly chris rock is an understanding actor and comedian, and i think it's a good idea, it's a good thing they decided to have him host the show. he is just one person. you know, you can't have symbolism to make up for years of systematic discrimination. unfortunately, there's a lot of hard work that has to be done, and having one or two people in a high profile spot just won't do the trick. >> what i struggle to understand is why race and colour is still such a huge issue in america in this day and age. >> sometimes i wonder myself. i think it really speaks to the fact that this country has not

come to terms with the original sin of slavery, and the - all of the inequities and the misperception, all of the races that flowed from that. african-americans, other people of colour still facing a wide assort. of challenges. and the country has not come to terms with it. i think now, because of the burgeoning "black lives matter" movement, you see people finally beginning to discuss issues of racial inequity, of white skin privilege, and i think that it can only lead to a positive development. but it's going to be a hard process. >> well, academy president sharelle boom is a ashed a statement on twitter saying it's time for big changes and she's heart broken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion.

do stay with us. coming up on al jazeera - we are in northern iraq, where falling oil prices and corruption are hurting the kurdish economy, and its relationship with baghdad. >> argentina's president promises to solve the mystery surrounding the death of a state prosecutor a year ago. year ago.

hello again. here is a reminder of the top stories. china's economy is growing at the slowest rate in 25 years.

g.d.p. grew by 6.9% last year, broadly in line for the government's target, well below the double digit figures of recent years. u.n. special envoy has briefed the security council ahead of talks to end the still war. there's no agreement on which rebel leaders should take part in the discussions in geneva next week. >> film-maker spike lee is leading the oscars. he said he cannot support the lily white award territory. all nominees are white, for the second year in a row falling oil prices are making it harder for oil-rich countries to balance the budget. the situation is worse because of disagreement with iraq's central government. we have this report much flames like these represent

the kurdish economy. the regional government exports half a million barrels of water. problems with the central government in baghdad are hurting the economy. the government has not paid salaries for four months. it has stopped more than 600 public projects, including schools, hospitals and roads. >> in addition to helping 2 million displaced people. it needs to find money for the fight against i.s.i.l. >> the biggest problem is the low oil prices. that wreaked havoc on budgets. if a deal was in place from last year, both sides are having trouble paying the bills. the kurdish region is almost exclusive on the energy sector. the k.r.g. estimates that it has 3% of the world's total gas reserves. given the international nature of the conflict, many see it as

a challenge, than an opportunity. interest structure to export gas is built. the kurdish region's gas exporting pipeline is scheduled to come into operation in 2017 and is planned to transport the gas to turkey and the international market. on top of financial and regional irishes, there's corruption. >> translation: yes, it's true we have a problem with corruption, we don't have national institutions. many of the politicians are oil dealers and own countries that transport, import and export oil. >> the kurdish regional government transports oil to turkey, where it's told to a number of other countries. the low prices of oil, the iraq kurdish region struggles to provide for its people european union defends a decision to demand products made

in illegal israeli settlements, clearly labelled. hatch receiver released a report -- human rights watch released a report saying they are violating human rights. one example was non-palestinian quarries, producing 10-12 million tonne of stone. 94% of which is transferred to the israeli and settlement markets. the palestinian union said israel issued no new permit to palestinians allowing them to quarry in areas controlled by israel. >> stephanie dekker reports from the occupied west bank. >> reporter: an israeli company quarrying stone in the occupied west bank. no one wanted to talk to us on camera. the israeli quarry owners, palestinian workers and the palestinian businessmen said the issue is too complicated. the owner said he paid his workers well, they have social benefits and there's a lot of

palestinian buyers. >> they agree. the palestinians told us israeli companies have preferential treatment, obtaining licences quickly and in better positions. >> the hatch receiver report -- human rights watch uses quarries as an example of how there are benefits of discrimination against palestinians. these are not new findings, but the report comes at a time of growing pressure on israel. >> the european union is labelling products from israeli settlements that the union wants to distinguish. israel is having spats with sweden and brazil, and the relations are tins. the israeli government denies international pressure on israel is growing. >> when the horizon is bright, we see good relations with many countries, this is a way to keep on being. i think that there is a negative spin which is inspired probably by the brussels bureaucracy, and it does not correspondent to the

truth. >> this man disagrees. he resigned from the government. he didn't agree with the policies. >> the name of the game is benefit of the doubt. israel claimed to adhere to a piece process, to the two state solution, to the creation of the state of palestine alongside israel. people believed israel, and were prepared to leave any form of pressure aside. not any more. we are seeing the pressure coming in. >> the human rights watch report is the latest criticism from various international bodies, their patience with the israeli government over settlement policies appears to be running out the u.s. ambassador to israel issued an unusually strong rebuke of israel's policies in the occupied west bank. they are concerned and perplexed by the expansion of settlement

and the separate set of laws applied to palestinians. >> too many attacks on palestinians, lack of response by the israeli authorities, too much vigilanteism and two standards of ad-hatians to the rule of law. one for israelis, another for palestinians. >> in the u.s., more national guard troops are moving to flint to hand out bottled water, and testing kids. the city's water was tested. michigan governor has been called on to resign. we are at a red cross station in flint where water supplies are handed out. >> when the brown water showed up at people's water supply and people are noticing an odd smell to it, the states in the city are insisting that it was safe to drink. when dangerously high levels of led were discovered in children. it's the past fall, when the

water supply was switched that it was switched back to where it was originally. of course, the pipes now are still so damaged from when they were taking it from the flint river, that no one knows when the pipes will be fixed. a lot of people are calling for the resignation of the governor, and for heads to roll. in the city, for allowing this to go on. we have heard nothing from the city manager. in the meantime folks are trying to get their lives back to normal with all the donated water. the building i'm this is the red cross, normally closed on a light holiday, the martin luther king holiday. it's all hands on deck today. dolling out 26,000 cases of water in flint, just in the last week, and they are going door to door, block to block handing out bottles of water. the national guard is getting the ball, handing out water. the goal now is at least in the city of 100,000 people, to get

each home a water filter, so one source of water in the home could be cleaned. that's getting people back to somewhat of a normal life argentina's president has promised to find the truth about how former state prosecutor alberta nisman died. it's been a year since he was found dead, an event that brought thousands on to the streets. daniel schweimler reports. >> reporter: a year on, there are more questions than answers. these people are still asking how alberta nisman died. if he was killed, who killed him? why did those who were supposed to guard him the night he decide disappear, and why is a high xrefl -- he died disappear, and why is such a high-profile case taking so long. >> they are trying to cover the sun with their hands, but the hands used to block out the sun

is covered in gunpowder and blood. >> findings were to be found in whether cristina fernandez de kirchner was covering up iranian involvement in the 1994 bombing of a community center in buenos aires, in which 84 died. there are those that say because this case is so important and complil kated, it needs to -- complicated, it needs to be done properly. others say it highlighted inefficiencies in the community. whatever the reason, a year on, these people are asking what happened to alberta nisman. >> it's worth it to keep looking for answers. argentina is a world power in looking for justice. we've had to much experience and optimistic we all felt nisman's death. it was not just him dying, but the death of all argentines. i'm confident we'll see change and honour him.

>> a month after his death, the crowds filled the streets of buenos aires, calling for justice. they believe he was killed to silence his investigation. others say he had no case ace gains president cristina fernandez de kirchner, and killed himself. >> his daughters should be the first to benefit. but in second place is the country. we all need to know what happened to the integritior denouncing the president of the nation. many hope the change of government will bring impetus to the investigation. an investigation that from the beginning divided argentina along political lines. a year on, the divisions are as strong as ever. >> the cofounder of one of the world's best-known bands died. ♪ welcome to the hotel california ♪ glenn fry helped to compose many of the eagles biggest hits

including "hotel california", he died after suffering consequences of pneumonia and other illnesses. he and don henley formed the band in 1971. we'll listen a bit more. [ singing ] >> for some reason as she was working this is what he did. withwolf whistles). the more peep that hear the story, the true story, no matter if you know nothing about the south, you knew that was long, you thought that child was brutalized that way.