london, next. ♪ u.n. describes the levels of violence against civilians in iraq as staggering, with 18,000 deaths in less than two years. ♪ hello, i'm barbara sarah. you are watching al jazeera live from london. just weeks after a deal was signed in morocco, libya has a unity government. losing steam, global concern as the world's second largest economy posts its lowest growth in 25 years. desperate journeys in

freezing conditions. we follow the progress of refugees in the balkans. ♪ a new u.n. report has revealed the full scale of violence perpetrated in iraq, describing it as staggering. based on firsthand evidence from victims. the u.n. says at least 18,000 civilians have lost their lives in the conflict between the start of 2014 and october 2015. at least 3.2 million people have been displaced in the past two years. it says an estimated 3,500 civilians are being held as slaves by isil, most from the yazidis minority community, and most held captive are women and children. mohammed jamjoom has more from baghdad. >> reporter: a new u.n. report pointing to a staggering number of civilian lives that were lost

in iraq because of the crises in this country. the latest report reports to approximately 19,000 civilians who lost their lives between january and october of 2015 because of the conflicts throughout this country. in addition to that, the report points to 3.2 million internally displaced people in iraq. of that number, one million are dhirn -- children. it is a dire crisis that has gotten worse not just because of the rise of isil, but also cause of the conflicts going on, the number of internally displaced and rising sectarian violence. there are several reasons why this crisis is as bad as it is. in the north, my team and i were in erbil just a couple of weeks ago. we saw many from the yazidis

community who left sinjar when isil took it over last year, they are in camps, and cannot return to sinjar, even though sinjar has been cleared of isil. they cannot return because of the devastated infrastructure, but also because in mosul adjacent to sinjar, isil is also in control. it is a dire situation in iraq, and all of the aid workers fear that it's only going to get worse in the near term. now libya's rifl political factions have announced the makeup of a new unity government. the two sides signed a u.n.-backed deal last month. under that agreement a presidential council was formed. it is currently based in tunis and named the government of 32 ministers. hashem ahelbarra has more.

>> reporter: the announce of the national unity government in libya is seen as a significant step forward because we're talking about a country that has been struggling to put an end to the political impasse. there have been marathon talks in morocco, which resulted in the formation of the presidential council, the highest authority which is going to lead libya during the transitional period. and now there is a national unity government. this is a government which is going to take over. they will have to convince the different factions to disarm and join a national army. they will have to take on isil which has expanded in a coastal area that stretches towards misrada. a major concern for europe because they are worried isil could use that area as a platform to launch attacks against europe, but we're talking about libya that has been divided since 2011, and i think this national unity government needs to reach out to

different factions in libya to convince them to work in a spirit of consensus, but we're seeing signs in libya, in -- in the east, also in tripoli and misrada of discontent over this government. it has been rejected by tripoli and some power factions in misrada, and the international recognized parliament in tobruk is divided over this government. so it will be a mammoth task as it aims to bring peace and stability to libya. ♪ china's economic growth has dropped to a 20 q25-year low. the world's second largest any grew just 6.9% last year, and that could have on impact on china's twrad partners, plus there are concerns that growth

could drop further this year. >> reporter: for years china has been the world's factory, relying on low manufacturing costs to make goods sold worldwide. more than 20 years of record-breaking growth has propelled china from come mrun nichl to consumerism. now the chinese economy is stalling, and the slowdown is hurting many other economies worldwide. commodity exporters who have relied on china for years are now also struggling. analysts say a slowdown is inevitable. they say high-speed growth is unsustainable and a reset is needed. >> translator: china is indeed in a moment of momentum transferring from old to new. traditional industries are big in size while these emerging industries smaller, so even though they are growing fast, emerging industries cannot make up for traditional industry slow

down, so the overall economy is facing downward pressure. >> reporter: slower growth is expected to be the new normal for china. already analysts are predicting the economy to cool further this year, and even government measures such as increasing spending and cutting interest rates aren't expected to help much. chinese government leaders are encouraging everyone to spend more, hoping to shift the economy from export dependent to a more sustainable consumer-driven economy. retail spending even low lower than expected still grew by double digits. and the automotive industry is forecasts to grow. >> translator: auto sales growth is lower than gdp growth, but the industry as a whole is doing all right. because consumers are willing to upgrade their cars. the whole market is developing pretty fast. >> reporter: the government is

slowly changing from a centrally planned economy to a market-driven one. in that will take time. for now china and the countries that depend on chinese demand for exports will have to put up with slower chinese growth. well despite the slowdown in chai sna, the latest out look from the nation monetary fund says global economic growth is expected to rise slightly this year. it is forecast to be 3.4%. advanced economies will see what the imf calls a continued modest and uneven recovery and drive global growth. the imf forecasts generalized slowdown in china and other emerging market countries. they also say while there is some growth, china's slowdown will inevitably have influence

on the global outlook. >> stress on one economy can spill over to others. a down side risk is that china's economy could encounter rough patches where growth slows more than expected, directly affecting trade partners while disturbing foreign exchange and other asset markets worldwide. we have maintained our 2016 and 2017 growth assessments for china in light of the robust developments of its service and new economy sectors as well as fiscal policy action. but the picture could change farther down the road. well the global financial climb and the drop in the price of crude oil is hitting iraq's

oil rich kurdish areas in the north, and that is effecting their ability to fund the fight against isil. >> reporter: flames like these represent the kurdish economy, providing jobs and revenue. the government supports over half a billion dollars barrels a day. but the government hasn't paid salaries for over four months. it owes billions and has stopped more than 600 public projects, including schools, hospitals, and roads. in addition to helping the nearly 2 million displaced people in the area, it also needs to find money for its fight against isil. >> the biggest problem both are facing is the low oil prices, and that's reeked havoc on budgets, so even if the deal was still in place from last year, both sides would be having troubles with paying the bills. >> reporter: the economy is

almost exclusively dependent on the energy sector. besides oil there is gas. they estimate it has nearly 3% of the world's total gas reserves, but given the international nature of the conflicts on its borders many see it as more of challenge than an opportunity. infrastructure to export gas is still being built. the pipeline is scheduled to come into operation in 2017. it plans to export to turkey and then to the international market. and on top of the financial and regional issues, there is corruption. >> translator: yes, it's true that we have a problem of corruption. we don't have national institutions. many of the politicians are oil dealers and own companies that transport, import and export oil. >> reporter: the government transports its oil to turkey where it is sold to other countries. with the low price of oil and

conflict nearby, iraq's kurdish region continues to struggle to provide for its people. still to come on al jazeera, hooked heroin, helping the addicts living in the biggest local supplier of the drug, afghanistan. and high profile hollywood stars speak out over the fact that 20 of the main nominees are all white. ♪ the only way to get better is to challenge yourself,

and that's what we're doing at xfinity. we are challenging ourselves to improve every aspect of your experience. and this includes our commitment to being on time. every time. that's why if we're ever late for an appointment, we'll credit your account $20. it's our promise to you. we're doing everything we can to give you the best experience possible. because we should fit into your life. not the other way around.

♪ now a reminder of the top stories on al jazeera. the u.n. estimates isil is

largely responsible for the deaths of 18,000 civilians in iraq. libya's rival political factions have announced the makeup of a new unity government. and china's economic growth has dropped to a 25-year low with concerns it could contract even further this year. winter has slowed the flow of migrants and refugees to europe, but it has not stopped it. greece reported 100,000 new arrives for december alone. to the north refugees are now caught in sub-freezing temperatures. barnaby phillips reports. >> reporter: many people thought they could stop doing once winter arrived, but they haven't. a steady flow of refugees make their way across the border from

macedonia, into southern serbia. snow and ice has not stopped them. some say they have suffered tragedies along the way. >> i have lost my father and also my young sister in the mediterranean sea. >> reporter: in southern serbia, the police register the arrivals. not the long lines we saw here in the summer, but there are some 1,500 people in this camp. it is funded by the e.u. but aid groups say european governments are most concerned with deterring people from coming. >> reporter: unilateral actions to suddenly close borders have pushed people towards more dangerous routes into the hands of smugglers again. that's something we are seeing again today. they are standing people behind borders without any assistance. >> reporter: they are in a hurry

because they fear more borders will be closed to them. europe's leaders must know if people are still coming under these desperate conditions it's likely that this year will be ever bit as momentous for the continent as the one that just passed. the first major snowfall of the season has blanketed much of northern japan. some people in the north are sheltering in libraries and city halls. poor visibility and strong winds are obstructing travel. ten people have been killed in at least 20 injured in a suicide bomb blast in pakistan. taliban fighters are suspected of carrying out the attack during rush hour. witnesses say the explosives were attached to a motorbike.

afghanistan is the biggest supplier of heroin to users around the world. heroin and opium are also widely available and cheap for afghans themselves. large numbers of them need help to try to kick their habit as our correspondent reports now from kabul. >> reporter: it was the biggest u.s. military camp in kabul, now it's the largest treatment center for drug addicts in afghanistan. most of these men are homeless, scarred by long years of addiction. they received three meals a day, new suits, and a haircut. around 600 men are now living here. each has his story of misery and hope. >> translator: i have been using drugs for 22 years. i want to start a new life. >> translator: when i compare my previous life with the current one, i feel i am human. >> reporter: many praise the treatment center, but some complain about the quality of food and lack of proper medical

services. outside the addicts get fresh air every day and the chance to exercise. they are not allowed to leave, visitors come twice a week. the government plans to host more than 10,000 patients every year. government leaders have yet to approve a budget of approximately $4 million a year. this is one step on a long road. doctors here say the program starts with 45 day detoxification and rehab process. >> they will do physical activity and we will learn them -- teach them physical -- he will teach them career. they will learn carpentry, paining and works. now six months a long period of time. so after that we teach them their career, of course the government have decided to just send them to other ministries for their jobs. >> reporter: afghanistan is the world's biggest producer of

opium. last year it produced 3,300 tons. opium poppies are turned into heroin which is sold worldwide. these men remain vulnerable. unemployment is high and addicts can easily return to their old habits. the ministry says there are about 2.4 million adult drug users, and the other problem is, there are only 123 treatment centers across the country. ♪ >> reporter: in this center a moment of joy for the addicts temporarily forgetting their battle which they could win or lose. argentina's new president is promising justice will be gone over the death of a former state prosecutor. his body was found in his apartment a year ago, sparking protests and accusations of a

presidential coverup. >> reporter: a year on, and there are more questions than answers. these people are still asking how alberto nuzman died. why did those who were supported to be guarding him the night he died disappear. >> translator: they are trying to cover the sun with their hands, but the hands they are using to block out the sun are covered with gun powder and blood. >> reporter: he was due to present to congress his findings into whether the then president was covering up an involvement in the bombing of a jewish community center in buenos

aires. some say this highlights the inefficiencies in argentine institutions. whatever the reason, one year on, these people are asking what happened to alberto nuzman. >> translator: it's worth it to keep looking for answers. argentina is a world power and looking for justice. >> translator: we all felt nuzman's death. it wasn't just him dying. it was the death of all of argentine. >> reporter: a month after his death these crowds filled the streets of buenos aires, calling for justice. they believe nuzman was killed to silence his investigation. others say he had no case against the president and killed himself. >> translator: his daughters should be the first to benefit from this investigation, but in second place should be the

country, because we all need to know what happened to the investigator who denounced the president of the nation. >> reporter: many here hope the change of government will bring fresh impetus to the investigation, an investigation that from the beginning has divided argentina along political lines. one year on, those divisions are as strong as ever. the mayor of the u.s. city struggling to deal with contaminated water supplies is flying to washington to appeal for help. a federal emergency has been declared in flint, michigan, supplies were poisoned with dead when the local government tried to supplies is flying money by taking water from a local river. andy roesgen has the latest from flint. >> reporter: every single day thousands of cases of bottled water are going out to the residents in this city of flint. in the last week or so, over 36,000 cases of bottled water

have gone out, thanks to the michigan state police, the red cross, and the national guard. just this morning we saw another convoy of trucking leave on their mission. part of the goal is to get every single household in flint at least one clean water filter so at least one spigot in each household is doling out clean water. but nobody knows when the pipes will start operating normally. a lot of people blame the governor. tonight he is delivering his state of the state address where he will -- we expect him to apologize again for this water mess. but that is not satisfying the critics who are demanding he resign, some are even asking that he be criminally charged with this. staying in the united states, filmmaker spike lee and actress judah pinkett

smith are leading a boycott for the academy awards. gerald tan reports. >> reporter: it's the annual awards season when stars of the silver screen walk the red carpets in hopes of going home with a trophy, but this year's buildup to the academy awards is tinged with controversy. no black actor has received a nomination. jada pinkett smith says it's time for people of color to disregard the academy awards. >> begging for acknowledgment or even asking, diminishes dignity. and diminishes power. and we are a dignified people. >> reporter: that message appears to be gaining traction. on social media the hashtag

oscars so white has been quickly resurrected with users calling this a sequel to last year's saga. here is every actor nominated this year in four major film awards. there are 35 in total. just two of them are black. will smith for his performance in concussion, and idris alba for supporting role in beasts of no nation. both of these faces disappear along with several others when it comes to the oscars. the academy awards has an all-white roster of acting nominees for the second year in a row. while some argue that black actors simply did not play prominent roles on screen this year, others say the problem goes keeper. >> the motion picture industry like so many other institutions is very slow to change, not a very diverse institution.

you have a situation where essentially white males a are -- dominating the industry. >> reporter: nominees and winners are determined by the roughly 6,000 members of the academy. the academy president has issued a statement, saying: that diversity is long time coming. some in the industry comment that it's easier for a black person to become president of the united states than head of hollywood movie studio. scientists are working on a plan to save planet earth from asteroid collisions. the program is one of a kind mission that will attempt to push the giants objects off coarse. gabriel elizondo reports from new york. >> reporter: russia, february 2013, an asteroid cuts

the sky -- [ explosion ] >> reporter: -- terrifying local residents, and reminds the rest of us that eventually one with our name on it could be coming our way. with that in mind, these two scientists from nasa and the european space agency are putting their considerable brains togethers. their humble mission, to save the planet from a district hit that could wipe us out. they call it the asteroid impact and deflection assessment, it has its sights on two asteroids. neither is expected to hit earth, but they will be used as target practice nonetheless. nasa's craft aims to crash into the moon, and push it in another direction. >> an asteroid is a very large -- it's almost the size of

the mountain, and we hit it with a spacecraft and only make a tiny change in the velocity, but over time that's the difference between hitting the earth and not hitting the earth. >> reporter: a separate spacecraft will collect the data. a meteor this size striking the earth would cause about the a same amount of energy and damage as dozens of atomic bombs. >> we want to have the capability to do this as soon as possible because we know these things are out there, but to find all of the things that are potential threats a very big goal, but now this particular mission is to go the next step, which is something very, very important, which is what are you going to do about it if something is actually got your name on it. >> reporter: for now the project is still in the theoretical phases, with approval for the

launch still waiting to get the green light to present us from going the route of the dinosaurs. gabriel elizondo, al jazeera, new york. much more on the website, the address, aljazeera.com. >> the fate of nearly 5 million illegal immigrants in the fate of the supreme court. global markets making marginal gains despite more dismal news coming out of china. michigan's governor in the state of the state address. >> i will not be at the academy awards and i won't be watching. >> and boycotting the oscars the big names that say they will sit out the awards in protes