begun battle underway in a university in pakistan after gunmen kill several students. you're watching al jazeera live from doha. also on the program, iraq's prime minister vows to crackdown on sectarianism. china detains a swedeish active visit. worried over falling birth rates, thailand offers a financial incentive to get parents to have more children

we begin with the latest from north-west pakistan where gunmen have attacked a university killing several students and i professor. army units have been taking on fighters at the university some 50 kilometers from the city city of peshawa. six of the attackers have also been killed. a political analyst joins me live from islamabad. thank you for being with us. so what are your thoughts right now on what has emerged on this story so far and the ongoing issue of security in pakistan and the battle to root out these fighters? >> so far as you said, six terrorists have been killed.

there are conflicting reports about the casualties, about the dead. some are reporting a higher figure while the government says 22/25 people are killed so far. 20 bodies have been shifted to the local hospital. eyewitnesses, if you go by them, they believe that the number of people killed can be much higher because the terrorists, they have gone into the has o hostel rooms, they went to university blocks and targeted people. it was done at 9.30 in the morning and the fighting with the terrorists and the security forces continued for more than three hours. so definitely the casualty figures can go higher. the problem i think, the

security problem, is already two days before there were alert intelligence, the terrorists going to take the educational institutions and in the city a number of education institutions were closed because the school administration they got these alerts that terrorists may take. so this was already, i think, rumors were there. so far the terrorists have been finished and now the security forces are going and searching, combing the whole area. most of the political leadership and security establishment, both the military and the civil administrations, they are there in university the universities are, of course, seen as soft targets, so that, perhaps, would be a reason why these groups would go after this university, but from what

you're saying, the warnings before, it would suggest that the security services and the intelligence services could have done more to prevent that. is that what you believe? >> yes. that's what i want to say, that there were already calls before. if proper security might have been taken and also i heard the officials saying that the head of the university, the advice chancellor, had time and again requested for the government for extra security because this university is located not in the populated area, but in the area away from the population center and it is surrounded by green field, by the sugar field. so it was more exposed to such attacks. this area, this district, where the university is located, it is sharing a long border with the

tribal agencies where there was many operation against the militant there. then there is another area sandwiched between the tribal territory and administration and that is controversial, near the area controlled by the tribal territory. that is a disputed territory within this district. so about the militants' presence in this area, it was very, very much known. if the security forces, the government had taken certain measures, i believe that the casualties would have been much more reduced thank you for that. eye reaction prime minister has vowed to go after those fuelling sectarian divisions in the country. he made the pledge during a

visit just north of baghdad on tuesday. the government-backed shia fighters have attacked sunni-owned businesses and mosques in the town. those same groups are said to be responsible for security after pushing out i.s.i.l. >> translation: any weapon out of control of the state is in the hands of i.s.i.l. or those who support them. all of these weapons threaten citizens, security and people's properties. those who carry such weapons are supporting i.s.i.l. fighters iraqi kurdish forces are deliberately destroying arab villages under their control. that is according to a report released by amnesty international. it is said that thousands of homes were burnt up or blown up in the area. these actions could amount to war crimes said the group. ministers from seven countries are meeting in paris to talk about stepping up the fight.

refugees are burning rubbish to warm their homes. >> reporter: winter is harsh in eastern ghouta. scraps of wood, pieces of garbage, in fact, anything that burns are pushed into the home-made stove. >> translation: my dad and i made this heater. we don't use diesel fuel. >> reporter: she and her father used pots and pans, old pipes and bits of metal to build the family's only source of warmth. it is almost impossible to get heating fuel. the things they would normally burn now cost far too much. >> you see this, the charcoal, we can't even use this. it is too expensive. every now and then we use some so we can keep everyone warm. >> reporter: bargaining and hagg meddling used to be common at

the market. now there's no negotiation. for most people, prices are impossibly high. >> translation: some of the wood here is from old houses. people are taking them down because this is all they've got to sell. some of the wood i sell kochts up to 100 syrian pounds - costs. some people can't even make 100 liras per day so how can they buy this? >> reporter: this man and his neighbors are cut off from fresh water, food and medicine. even winter seems to have turned against them top diplomats from the u.s. and russia are meeting in zurich to talk about the conflict. they will talk about the growing uncertainty of whether or not the peace talks will go ahead as planned next week. paul brennan is in zurich for us. what can we expect from this

meeting? >> reporter: john kerry arrived in the last 20 minutes here at the airport on the ring road around the perimeter of the airport here at zurich. we're standing in a car park outside the airport. the russian prime minister is yet to arrive. we haven't seen him here yet. as far as what they're expected to discuss, we know that syria is going to dominate proceedings, although ukraine is likely to be mentioned too. the big sticking point so the reality that just five days from now in geneva there's supposed to be syrian talks starting. the sticking points that the two men have come here talk about is the composition of the opposition sides. obama and put spoke by telephone last week-- putin. they tried to make some chronground. lavrov and kerry spoke earlier

leading to today's face-to-face meeting. the concern is unless the resolution 2254 was passed back in december, set a framework for talks, political talks leading to a transition, leading to elections in mid-2017, unless we get to the first stage of those talks in january 25, then, frankly, it is going to be difficult to meet those high ambitions that the u.n. set out paul, as these discussions are taking place, the conflict in syria rages on and as we're talking to you right now, we're showing pictures of the suffering that so many syrians are continuing to endure there, but i suppose the fact that the major powers are still talking is something. >> reporter: well, one. things when you see the humanitarian suffering, when you see the fighting on the ground, you could argue that these are symptoms rather than the core issues of the problem. if you could solve politically the conflict in syria, then you

automatically solve the humanitarian problems and you solve the conflict, the fighting. that's really what gives these talks here in zurich and what gives the talks which are scheduled may or may not take place in geneva five days from now. that's what give them such urgency. now, getting a composition of the opposition which is acceptable, that isn't packed, for example, too much with at the time opposition, internal opposition, that the fighting forces see as being basically in the pocket of bashar al-assad, but at the same time russia and bashar al-assad they would see terrorists. there is a very big gulf between the two sides as to who is entitled to sit in the negotiations. that's what john kerry and lavrov are going to try and solve thank you for that. libya's rival political factions have announced the make up of a new unity government. on the two sides signed a u.n.

backed deal last month. the challenge for them now would be to provide stability and counter the growing threat of i.s.i.l. rob matheson reports. >> reporter: a significant step forward in libya's struggle to end political deadlock. the creation of a national government hoping to unite the country's two rival parliaments. >> translation: this was not achieved easily. i can assure you that we went through major difficulties, challenges and sometimes even slip ups that we knew we had to address because we were equipped with the spirit of agreement and knowing the phase that our country is going through requires a lot of self-control. >> reporter: the new government has to convince all armed groups to put down their weapons and join the national army. it will have to move quickly to try to end libya's humanitarian crisis >> we would lining to encourage the other stakeholders who still have difficulties with the agreement and with this new government really now to take their responsibility because the people of libya deserved it. the humanitarian situation is

dire. >> reporter: many members of the general national congress in tripoli and the u.n. security council recognised parliament in tobruk still don't back the agreement. libya's afactions and groups are represented by the 32 ministers appointed to the new government. little have to take on the growing threat from i.s.i.l. which continues to expand along the libyan coastline. the u.n. which has been coordinating intense talks in more object owe sees this --ing - morocco sees this as the best chance so far of reuniting libya a police had fire tear gas and struggled to control areas. it happened after a man committed suicide. unemployment had gone up 15% by the end of 2015 compared to 12% in 2010. the arab string uprising in 2011 was sparked when a market vendor

took his own life. plunging price of oil and worries over the global economy are over shadowing the world economic forum. the annual meeting of political and business leaders has started in that swiss ski resort. the price of rank crude fell another 2% on wednesday to just above $28 a barrel. the international energy agency is warning the world could drown in ill, in their words, because of oversupply. lots more ahead on al jazeera when we come back. the charity efforts of the world's second richest man have been criticized. art imtats life with detailed tribute to one of the most important arltists of the 20th century-- artists.

welcome back. the tops stories. gunmen have attacked the university in pakistan killing several students and a professor. six gunmen are also reported dead in the continuing battle with soldiers at the university. iraq's prime minister is vowing to go after those fuelling sectarian divisions in the country. shia fighters have been aaccused of attacking sunni businesses. we have been hear from a retired general and he says pakistan needs to improve intelligence and manage its borders better >> the best thing they can do is

improve intelligence, approve the security forces, get the full cooperation of the people because unless we have the full cooperation of the people, it is very difficult to target them. then also it was to manage the border between afghanistan and pakistan and also make sure that there is really good relations and confidence between afghanistan and pakistan especially the security forces because if they can cooperate at the intelligence level and at an operational level, more can be achieved, but there is a history of lack of confidence. that has to really go away and it has to turn into cooperation so that both the countries benefit. otherwise it is really these terrorist groups which will have this way. i think there are several things which can still be proved and i don't think we should be satisfied with what has dn achieved so far because as we

can see these groups have cells, sleeping cells and active cells, in cities and also crossing the border and attacking and they do have sympathy and support within pakistan as well, although not as much as it was in the past, but still there are people who are prepared to give them some support and that is how they're able to launch these attacks the e.u. has called for full transparency after the chinese government accused a speed dish national of unoperating an unlicensed human rights group in china. the activist was detained on suspicion of endangering national security. >> he is a swee dish national, in the urgent chinese action group. he disappeared earlier this month along with his girlfriend. it emerged about ten days after

his disappearance that he was held by authorities on suspicion of endangering national security. he has appeared on state tv on tuesday night apparently confessing, and in his statement he said that he admitted that he had violated chinese law through his activities. he said that he knew he had caused harm to the chinese government and that he had hurt the feelings of the chinese people and he apologised sincerely for what he had done. in his group, according to a statement by the chinese urgent action working group, what they do is promote the rule of law in china, and they help train chinese lawyers. according to state media it says his detention is part of the police operation to smash an illegal organization that sponsors activities that jeopardizes the country's national security. it went on to say that this group actually gathers and then

distorts and fabricates information that would hurt china. they've accused the group of stirring up disputes and confrontations with the government engs ploughingss in a-- explosions in a fireworks factory has devastated a village in china. one person has been killed. homes were destroyed in the eastern province. around a thousand obviously yejers were moved to safety. cash incentives for babies. that's what the thai government is offering families to try to tackle low birth rates and a rapidly-- in a rapidly ageing population. not all agree the plan will work. >> reporter: may you have a house full of children and a town full of grandchildren. that used to be a common agreeing for the new year and at weddings. now it is only said by older

generations. in fewer than 50 years the fertility rate here fell from 6 to 1.6. forth mothers such as this lady, a single child family is all she can afford. >> translation: for us it is best to have only one child so we can provide as best as possible for our kid. >> reporter: just three months after he was born, she and her husband sent their baby off to live with her parents outside of bangkok. to encourage families to have babies, a child allowance of $14 was introduced. the govern is considering a cap on child deductions, which is about $450 a year for each child. many female it is not enough incentive to encourage parents to have more children.

>> translation: this decline in birth rate is considered the river of no return. of the most concerning issue is the shrinking workforce over the next 20 years. >> reporter: that works out to be six million fewer workers not paying taxes or helping to boost the thai economy. it's not just about the number of people in thailand. it's about the quality of early childhood care and education as they both directly affect how the next generations will contribute to the country. right now in early childhood about 30% of thai children are underdeveloped. >> we need to consider that the quality and the most quality and quantity of the children is really, really important for thai society. >> reporter: he feels there should be more money and resources dedicated to programs helping the number of mothers

who need to or want to work. such as this woman who could continue providing for her family without having to sacrifice family time the spending on charity but one of the world's richest americans has been criticized in the u.k. he is accusing bill gates of being too powerful and favoring corporate interests. from london, lawrence lee reports. >> reporter: bill gates for so long the world's richest man who announced he would give most of it away and spend his time and vast resources on the world's poor. his foundation worth more than $50 billion run with his wife and investor warn buffet have ehelped. his friends gather in with the latest warning that the foundation has become too powerful and may not be the force for good. so many world leaders say it is. the study from global justice

now paints a picture of the gates foundation partly as an expression of corporate america's desire to profit from america and partly a damning critique of its effects >> you could have a case where the initial research is done by gates funded institution, the media reporting on how well that research is conducted is done a media outlet is a gates funded outlet, the program is implemented more widely by a gates funded ngo. it are some ensue lar circles here. -- ensue lar. >> reporter: private finance can solve the problems of the developing world. should poor farmers be trapped into debt by having to use chemicals or fertilizers underwritten by off shoots of the foundation. private finance initiatives like the one behind this hospital paid for partly by mr gaites philanthropy come under attack.

this costs the city more than 50% of its entirely health budget. some aid experts have warned that the focus on high profile headline grabbing diseases undermines wider attempts by the government to reduce the poverty that causes them >> they have not been interested with looking at strengthening the health system as a whole. what they're more interested in has been around the delivery of very specific interventions. albeit interventions that are important, but they've not considered the long-term requirements for sustainability and also the requirements for all the other diseases and interventions that are also important in parts of africa. >> reporter: global justice now had a response to its report:

>> reporter: supporters of philanthropy will argue that it can get past corrupt governments and without going through the united nations. one foundation with more money than entire african countries should wield so much power and influence is the question the governor of the u.s. state of michigan has apologised for the water crisis in the city of flint. he is facing calls for his res ignore neighing over claims he mishandled a water contamination problem. supplies were poisoned with led picasso and dahli are considered spainish fighters. another one, his studio is being recreated in london. >> reporter: it is a pain staking delicate process.

recreating his colorful world. a team of set designers have spent months replicating hundreds of items, tables, paint brushes and curiositys. even the floor and smears of paint have been faithfully copied. it is based on his original studio on the spanish island where he worked for more than 30 years. at the center of the substitute yoe is miro's famous rocking chair. >> myself, i worked with my grandfather sitting in it when i was only 10 years old and i have great memories of those days. >> reporter: the artist's grandson now looks after his legacy >> all these reductions of the studio tell you about the methodology kal way to reconstruct a dream and also to reconstruct emotions, sensations and feelings of the social and political turmoil that he was able to experience throughout

his life. >> reporter: also on show priceless works of art carefully shipped to london. one of his paintings recently sold for a record 37 million dollars. miro said that he wanted to assassinate painting. his painting shouldn't be seen as a reputation of reality, but from reality to fields of color. works of art set to music. >> reporter: he p went on to inspire more art, yazidis, to the america artist jackson pollock. he worked through years of chaos, civil and world wars. his work contains ideas of freedom, important to the painter, ideas that still resonate today as many in catalonio strive for independence from spain. he described his studio as a vegetable garden, some over

there and potatos over here, i work like a gardener. after london the studio will travel to new york. miro's garden is on the move incarcerated with older inmates who they say brutally assaulted them. >> grabbed me around my neck and he told me he was going to. [ beep ] me. >> what we heard in the videos made us get to a plane to michigan. it was the starting point of our investigation in to the treatment of youth in the adult criminal justice system. >> we are now on the record. this goes the videotape deposition of john doe number one. >> and it began with an inmate that we'll be referring to as john doe one. >> 10:20 a.m. >> describe the weapon? >> it was about three inches