♪ we begin in syria where it's estimated at least 100 civilians have been killed in the eastern darazul region in the past two days. in the latest incidents, the u.k.-based human observatory for human rights say at least 63 people have died in russian airstrikes tra targeted a bus station are trying to drive them from strongholds. a question mark hangs over talks between the syrian government and opposition forces.

u.s. secretary of state john kerry says he is confident talks will go ahead and unclear which opposition groups will take part. >> they search for bodies and what's left of their homes. villages here airstrikes on saturday killed relatives and friends, just ordinary citizens. this man could only muster a prayer, calling on god to help his people. rights groups say russian jets are responsible for the strikes and that this isn't the first time. dozens of civilians are reported to have died in days of bombing since then, russian planes have flown an estimated 5,70 omissions. rights groups say more than

1,000 civilians have lost their lives in that time. moscow continues to insist that it's campaign is directed at isil and other armed groups. it's rejected claims that aircraft has hit civilians, saying instead it uses planes to drop humanitarian aid to those living in besieged areas. >> i think today there is not a single army in the world that will talk about its military operations as thoroughly, facts and numbers as the russians have syria. i would like to stress it's an operation against international terrorism in this region. the remaining pockets of government head areas there. this week, it's been on a push to capture those areas. the russians say they intensify aerial bombardments have to counter that push.

the people here say it's all been at their expense. gerald tan, al jazeera. west of the country syrian state media is reporting that pro-government forces have recaptured an intelligent base in the offense:. a report that 20,000 people have fled the town of rabia and another village after government forces took over from the opposition. still doubt over whether indirect talks between the syrian regime and the opposition planned for this week will take place. james bays has more. >> these talks were always due to start on monday. i think it's pretty certain that's not going to happen. the best we can get, i think, on monday a news conference with stefan de mustura, the u.n. envoy and the fact that he could there confirm he has sent out the invitations of the controversial thing behind the scenes is who will make up the opinion zip are, john kerry, the

u.s. secretary of state has been meeting saudi counterparts. saudi arabia was drawing up a list of opposition. moscow has problems witness list. we ends mr. kerry has been speaking by telephone to his russians counterpart, sergei lavrov. it will be up to the opposition to decide whether to attend on the basis of the list that's been agreed by the international community. i know they will come under a great deal of pressure because i think they will be told that if the syrian governments's there and you are not there, it will look like the opposition is the one that doesn't want peace. so, i think it's more likely than not that some sort of talks will take place later in the week. the talks will be so-called proximity ties, the opposition in one group and the envoy shuffling between the two. initially, they will look at possible cease-fires in syria and trying to alleviate the humanitarian situation and particularly those areas of syria under siege.

>> a sued side attack hit the headquarters of the federal police. earlier, isil killed 72 soldiers in three separate suicide attacks in ramadi. the iraqi army says the latest fighting against the armed 2k3wr50u7 was in isil's last stronghold in the area. imran khan reports. >> reporter: iraqi soldiers on the road to what they hope is the language remaining stronghold. they have managed to slow the iraqi forces' assault he armed group used suicide attacks. heavy shelling and u.s.-led airstrikes cannot be used effectively here as iraqis say civilians are trapped inside the neighborhood. most managed to escape to places outside of the city, in particular, the town of habinia.

children here mimic what they have seen while others just wait. >> we ask the security forces to quickly remove ied did from central rammedadi. we want to get rid of any isil signs in the city. we want to return to our homes. is some say the conditions here are so desire that they just want to leave. others are just fed up. but getting back home will be a long and difficult process before people can come back. what will they be coming back to? bombnd out buildings. >> imran khan, argues, bag dadz. >> iraq's foreign ministry summoned the saudi am back dor regarding a breach of glomatic protocol. a media interview was given saying iranian-backed malitias should leave the fight against isil to the iraqi army to avoid aggravating sectarian tensions.

ministers are fighting terrorism and are under the command of the armed forces. the army confiscated two million drug capsules that were kept behind. jordan's rules of engagement allow it to shoot anyone trying to cross the border. tunisia's prime minister has urged patience after a week of nationwide protests, pledged to tackle high unemployment, around 30% for young people. some have taken to the streets in frustration, others are taking a more practical approach. a report from northwestern tunisia amed collects milk.

after relentless job hunts, amed abandoned hopes of working for a government-owned company. he received training in entrepreneur from an international aid agency. with just about enough to start his business, he has become a cheese maker. >> this is a dream come true. i was born in a family of farmers. this area is the top producer of milk in tunisia. one day i said with milk, i can start making cheese. if it works, i will ex up and down. >> amed's family is around to support him. this is the launch day. as soon as work is finished, amed joins those who help him start his business. these are act visits from the nearby city of bazar. they were active during the 2010

pro-democracy uprising we have democracy and we want to see young tun easyaz. we are planning to organization ourselves for next elections. >> they are all active in a local young leaders' council. we are training young people to develop instead of waiting for the government help us, we chose action. we are not going to spend the rest of our lives waiting for promises. a along wait remains ahead. but they remain determined to offer hope for those with lack of opportunities in tunisia. >> tun easeians expect tough years ahead amidst declining

state revenues and widening budget deficits. a fruststrating five years after the former regime. al jazeera. in northwestern tunisia. >> a funeral for a routine age girl shot dead by am security guard. israeli police say the girl had a fight with her family and tried to stab the gauard at a settlement. 162 palestinians and 25 israelis have been killed in the latest wave of violence that started at the beginning of october it is believe the journalist was last seen on monday. al jazeera is demanding the immediate release. an estimated 15,000 protesters have attended an anti-government rally in the maldovan capitol

demanding early elections after the appointment of a prime minister they claim is taking orders from business tycoons. robin for steer walker reports from the capitol. >> many believea the mafia is running their country. they came out despite the cold. >> there is no democracy. there is one gang in power. they stole our rights, our well-being, our money. >> they want the oligarchs out and new elections. that's about all they have in common. we should have a closer strategic cooperation with the

russian federation. >> it was a show of unity, just flags of the republic they have different backgrounds and interests. the change in maldova must be done from people down there not from wart, brussels or washington. after violence, police were a visible presence on sundays. protesters brought flowers, yet the opposition is now threatening a more active phase, acts of civil disobedience, highway block aids, left their demands for change are metades, demands for change are met. >> portugal has gone to the polls to elect a new president. a role that's lynly ceremonial but can be influential,governments. nadine barber reports. >> he is promising to do everything he can to ensure the currents government's stability.

de souza is the favorite. opinion polls predeaths he will get more than the 50% needed to avoid a run-off . >> i am confident, he said, neither euphoric or confident? >> a clear result is the most important thing. . >> i hope the next president contributes positively to demography and someone who looks after us all. not just certain people. >> i hope things will get better so it will all more gaved when there will be work for everyone. >> a low turnout could help one of the candidates like denovoa towards a second round next month. he has earned a small

endorsement from "the special one." he says he has the charisma needed to be president. one of the few powers the job has is to be able to dissolve congress during a crisis. socialist governments with a coalition on the far left. whoever becomes president, the argument over how quickly portugal can leave austerity behind is sure to continue. nadine barber, al jazeera. >> court which limbo, syrian refugees sent to russia but they are blocked upon their return.

robin will have details of the big football match-ups later in the program. clean-up and rescue operation in the united states after snowfall came to an end. new york and baltimore have lifted travel bans the heaviest falls in west virginia. there are reports of more than one meter of snow in some areas. tom ackerman has more. >> the sun was out again on sunday and so were lots of people looking for help to dig their cars out of mountains of snow some have patience. some don't. when you go through a neighborhood, see anybody out, coming outside clapping no,

second largest blizzard in 150 years. baltimore broke its record, 75 centimeters. >> all it takes is one car to get stuck. now, that road is not possible and the plows can't plow that road. and the situation quickly desends into chaos. i had to spend my time in penn station. 11,000 flights against the u.s. have been cancelled since friday while work inn's airport struggled to resume operations after the snowstorm passed. those serving washington remained closed until monday. sods the capitol's metro train system. road accidents accounted for most of the asualties. happy to report that there are so far no deaths connected with the storm. >> at least six people decide from exposure to the cold or from heart attacks as they

shovelled snow. along the new jersey shore, many neighborhoods were flooded. some homeowners who suffered losses in hurricane sandy a little over three years ago find themselves having to rebuild once more. complaints in a koshingsz were inadequate or that the authorities pushed the panic button unnecessarily. but in this case, the feeling is that they rose well to the occasion. tom ackerman, al jazeera, washington. >> speak to gabe agree yell in new york. this storm driver's license go over a large swath of the east coast. whi are the worst-hit areas?

>>. >> reporter: they are sorting out how bid the storm was. governmentsats one point declared a state of emergency. right now, there is still a lot of problems that people are dealing with. particularly, people woudz power, about 70,000 people without power, 50,000 north carolina which is hit very hard, about 20,000 still in neighboring in general. pennsylvania also a neighbor. many high ways there that are closed and as of this, you know, last few hours, overnight, there were more than 500 vehicles that were trapped on some highways there. also airports, all the way up the eastern see ports. dulles international airport in washington, d.c. has not resumed normal operations yet. flights are cancelled there. here in new york, j.f.k. the

government in new york says most likely the vast majority of flights will be cancelled here in new york here today on sunday as well. some airlines are saying they are going to start to try to get flights going by late this afternoon. but airlines are cancelling flights on monday. there is a huge backlog of flights they are trying to get off of the ground. waiting for airports to open. still tens of thousands of people, travelers trying to get in and out of the northeast and the u.s. that are really stuck. >> okay. thank you very much indeed. >> people in south korea feelingfrees. at that cold weather warning for the first time in five years. the bodies of a group of

iraqi refugees who died trying to reach europe have been repat treeiated to kirkukrepatriated last week, statementing to cross the aegean sea. only his wife survived the journey. the iraqi federation said they know of more than 50 refugees who drowned last friday. most were iraqi kurds. >> today is another day and another example from among thousands of people who have drowned in the sea. they are actually lucky because at least their bodies have been returned thousands who have best lost at sea and others who have not been able to return. >> greek riot police blocked protesters from reaching turkey. calling for safe passage for

refugees. several hundred gathered at a boarder village where some burned a european union flag. incompletely inhumane. something needs to change. there is a boarder which is safer and can present the drowning russia has closed it's border with norway up until this weekend, norway was returning some of the refugees to russia because russia has issued them are not permits making them indelible for norwegian asylum. 5 and a half thousand are estimated to have taken this route. >> messi, the senior advisor at the international humanitarian aid organization providing assistance and protection to internally displaced people. thank you for being with us. are there any refugees who are stuck in limbo who have been sent out and not allowed back in?

>> i don't think there are any stuck in limbo right now. though we don't know what has happened with those who ahave already been sentence. what we have is a limbo in what is going to happen from here. there has been basic legal and humanitarian safeguards. for this reason, also, the united nations for high commissioner of refugees crit sided norway and say we are violating the refugee convention is that what your understanding, they have suspended that program of setting them back? >> it was suspended as of yesterday because they did not accept them. it remains to be seen what kind of safeguards will be included in those talks. you really would like to see the commission involved in the talks to ensure that is happening in a proper way and so we don't send

back refugees who are in need of international protection because the system in russia. >> the norway immigration administrator was suggesting it could have violent sequences. is that kind of rhetoric still around at the moment on this issue? >> yes. there were very many refugees last oughtautumn. it is manageable from the norwegian side. it shows we need a better comprehensive european system we have seen stories from greece. we need a coordinated effort.

>> the policy has changed within the last few months? >> we think norway has joined other european countries in the race towards the bottom, and hoping other countries will take them. so we have seen that german, austria, other countries, end up with a vast majority and we all know if we follow the rules to the very point, the refugees would have been stuck responsibility sharing: that includes norway and other countries. as you say, it is true we have a prime minister who speaks with dignity but an admin sister of immigration to use different

language. still aid on al jazeera. this is what happens when hollywood comes knocking. a shock nomination at the ausc-arizona. they say home is where the heart is the chilean who has put that at the center of his award winning work. n.f.l. playoffs may be heating up. panthers are preparing for colder conditions ahead with the big game with arizona. details coming up.

the top stories here on al jazeera, the u.k. syrian observe tore for human rights says russian airstrikes have killed at least 63 citizens near mosul. russia says their operations do not target civilians. the iraqi army is trying to drive isil from its strong hold in ram add i. the group responded with suicide blasts killing 20 policemen. thousands are on the streets of

the maldovan capitol calling for early elections citing a lack of reform by the country's prime minister. supporters at a rally in athens 2 surveys published earlier that the opposition is polling better than the ruling party for the first time in at least a year. bearing brunt of ref eugenia e crisis the anti-austerity party won promising to renegotiate spiraling debt repayments. a greek exit from the euro zone. a third bail-out. in another shock move tsipras

called for new elections. he formed a coalition government stucks hikes and pension reforms. at the same time, greece struggled to cope with the loin's share of refugees, more than 850,000 crossed there last year alone. how would you characterize the first year for tsipras. some say he sold out. others say he saved the economy. what's your take? >> reporter: we have to be honest about this. talking about two different parties. we are looking at the first six months of the party trying to implement radical left proposals, proposals that they campaigned on. these negotiations were honest but ill--judged, if we can say this. they started out thinking that if they could prove their right, if they could prove that their positions are the correct ones

what they found b they went there was it doesn't matter a way to help greece without appearing weak. this cost him six months of back and forth. six months that ended flu capital controls they won elections and didn't have much cause to go through with the same economic agenda as previous

governments. credit where it's due, they have managed to save about 20 billion cuts we are seeing repossession of houses, measures that they were not supposed to take. the second part this is refugees crisis in which they have to back down. the first year has been very tough. what do you think he can bring going forward? what are strengths and weaknesses as he continues in power the way they are running the state right now is, if i can put it this way, symbolic, and they could be doing more instead of pushing forward with at least

the socially positive agenda, they are now backtracking. what they could do is stand up for certain things that do nots make any sense. some of the privatization deals they are pushing through, the one would be the harbo a good deal. with the regional airport, terms are frankly ludicrous. >> is it because they face opposition from people like the union? >> they face some of the problems inherit in greek politics like the unions, like the interests of various groups in the greek society and they can't do anything to do away with those because the agenda

they have been forced to push through does not dictate terms that make sense to the greek economy. they have to move forward with these tart did regardless of what that does to the economy. some of the sectors that are protesting are arrive to do so. greece 's lenders and previous government, i don't see a way out of the corner they pounds they in unfortunately. thuchl indeed. >> thank you. >> chinese president has been in the middle east tour including iran where he was one of the first world leaders to visit since international sanctions were lifted. china and iran signed 17 agreements worth $600,000,000,000 to boost trade t she also visited saudi arabia and egypt doing deals with

regional rivals is a delicate balance. >> it's the first president by a chinese president for 14 years. iran is happy to roll out the red carpet. >> today, we negotiate the preparation for a 25 year comprehensive document between the two countries as well as stepping up by lateral relations to $600,000,000,000 in the tene 10 years. fwooidz economic ties, beijing and tehran have agreed to work together on regional security issues including those in iraq, syria and yemen. those are the three countries iran believes in conflict with the region. both sides of the divide. in saudi arabia, he found 14 agreements on economic issues and some on strengthening

security. >> we appreciate at a time efforts in this regard for execute and internal affairs of countries in order for security and peace to prevail. china says itst critics -- critics would like china to be more active. beijing seems reluctant to define the groll. the chinese president postponed a planned trip to saudi arabia and he had to send more ships to rescue internationals from yemen. cheney's so-called no enemy doesn't tstop it from sending military hardware and expertise in the middle east. >> i would like to express this achievement with china being completed in record time to

achieve economic goals, china is worki walking a tightrope. al jazeera. sisi says his government is doing what it can to get the government back on its feet. we are moving on all fronts include small and medium sized enterprises. we are developing public utilities, and namely electricity and doing all we can to fight terrorism, establish security and order.

monday's anniversary is being marked as, a national holiday not everyone is in the mood for celebrating. >> reporter: the army is on the streets there a stepped up security ahead of 5th anniversary of egypt's revolution. authorities say they will not allow activists. more act visits have been jailed. the crackdown officials say is being carried out in the name of security. human rights groups say it's part of a campaign to silence the opposition. >> five years after egypt's uprising hope has given way to repress. the authorities are terrified of another uprising. it is really a warning shot.

this was the mood when mubarak announced he was stepping down. but the years that followed brought little change. soon, the space that had been the epicenter of revolt was no longer a place where e jiingsz came together and celebrated tahrir square had been a defendant place where bothsized raised grievances. it called for the downfall for the man who had taken over from mubarak. a military man was accused of having hijacked the revolution and having failed to bring about democratic rule. eventually power was transferred to civilian authorities. he elections are held. the muslim brotherhood's candidate became egypt's first elected head of state. it didn't take long for protesters to return to the streets.

calls for him to step down grew louder. it stoked into violence, the military stepped in. the government arrested many muslim brotherhood. the interim president was installed. they urged sisi to run for president. he says he saved the nation. his. >> you have counterrevolutionary forces who have tried to hijack the revolution. you have a divide. hundreds have been killed, thousands locked up. they say they are committed to

democracy. their >> believe otherwise. security state is back. zeina hodr is back. >> criticism new regional states. the country's warring faxes missed a skushl deadline to form aounty government on friday. these agreements and the transition of south sudan now, the government is insisting it should be i have appealed to him to put away these, hadn't given me an education that we would discuss. >> eight e job descriptions involved in a bond repair of the

bullial mask have been charged with negligence. the beard was knocked off in 2014 and hastily reattached with glue. it went back on sdpai last month after a team of specialists removed the glue and attached the beard using a more traditional record of beeswax. it's referred to as a noble prize for architects, this year's pritzka's prize went to an architect in chile for what could be the future of public housing. >> alejandro is an architect obsessed with the needs of his time, a time when by his calculations, two out of five billion people will be living in cities under the poverty line by the year 2030. >> this means that we will have to build a 1 million people city with $10,000 per family. >> he has already started here in chile with a revolutionary social housing design that has

made him one of the youngest recipients of the world's most prest ooijous architecture aware offed? >> the scale that we have to respond to the phenomenon has no precedent in human history. >> when he was retired to rapidly rebuild the chilean city destroyed by the 2010 earthquake and tsunami, he came up with a novel solution. >> instead of producing tiny units, we ask ourselves: why don't we think it's half of a good house and we thought it was efficient to make the half that a family will never be able to achieve on its own and then allow families to do their other half in their own time according to their own needs. >> it's called participatory expanded design. poor residents moved from this to this, homes that families built on by adding more bedrooms

or a terrace or balcony or a shop. and not on the outskirts of the city but right in one of santiago's wealthiest districts. >> these residents used to live far away and travel for hours to get here. now, they work and live in the same area which improves their quality of life and, in turn, reduces the inequality gap. >> and that is the point although his multi-million dollar prestige projects have won him critical acclaim the world over, he seems more proud of his social architecture, which includes public spacalong public housing. >> public space politics is what improves or not the poliquality life in cities. youring tech tour he hopes will ultimately stand the test of time. lucia newman, al jazeera. sand eking a a awe "shock" is

the title of a film that translates as "friend in albanian, a film about friendship during conflict. >> "shock". >> the moment the oscar's nomination was confirmed, cheers, tears, and sellbrations in recognition of anna extraordinary story. the fact the film's two 13-year-old stars are being recognized everywhere at the moment. >> everyone here knows about the nomination when you if to a shop, people say they are proud much us. >> the short film is the two story of two boyes and a friendship pushed to theliment during the conflict in 199 yeah. >> i had some difficulties in my part because i hadn't lived through the war.

with the help of my parents who told me what happened, it got much easier. >> the producer remembers the war very well. the film reflects his experiences for how al banian speakers were treated. banian speakers were treated. ? >> i remember traveling by bus. they asked me to show my id card. yes have an id because i was only 14 and didn't speak serbian. i knew the policeman spoke al banan and told him i was travel to go school. he then hit me and told me if he met me again some other time, i would have to speak serbian. >> personal experience is in the film. >> just making the film has been a defendant major achievement. being nominated is an inspiration to other film makers. >> this is the first time ever that kosovo. it will means a lot for our film industry because it might increase interest for hol blood workwood and europe making more films about kosovo. >> the 23i78 was shot from location and uses a cast of local ajt visits. it's just 21 minutes long winch

or lose next month, the short film is set to have a long lasting impact. paul brennan, al jazeera. robin has action for us in a moment.

>> robin has the sport for you now. >> defending champion djokovic said he suffered a brain freeze

at the australian open. he was chasing a 6th title, needed five sets. djokovic has looked unstoppable so far this season. up against a determined semon, the champion and to meet his match. djokovic made 100 unforced errors taking all the way to five sets by the frenchman, the 5-time champion persevered through four hours and 32 minutes to reach the quarry. >> in the terms much. performance, itself you haven't done well at all. >> no such problems for roger federer, the 4-time champion,

with 21 grand slams to her name, serena williams, just three short off the record held by margaret kort. at the australian tennis legend watched the world number 1 from her stands, serena took a step closer to slam number 42 w was rarely troubled. took place in finals in 55 minutes giving her the rest of the day. i haven't been doing anything. i haven't spent a lot of time worrying about myself this trip. been kind of sad, alone a lot, kind of like boring. >> what have you learned about yourself that you didn't know two weeks ago? >> she will be reunited with

sharapova in the last 8. that contrast. sharapova helped clench the 7-5, 7-5 victory. she feels it can be a successful challenge on the baseline al jazeera. >> that's tennis. >> will help arsenal get us down to 10 minute by min number 18 furious. chelsea with a one-man advantage what would prop prove to be the winner. top spot behind manchester city. sunday's other match, swansee, everton, final score there.

a chance to go top of the premier liga. barcelona will continue to lead the way on 48 points. terianing about 35 minutes a win would move them to within two points of the lead issues. a big lossat back to the final score there. in firm control of the forecast against england second place. the man of the day ripping through the line-up on day 3. england bold 342. a world 42 a 175 run lead back to sport in the united states. hard for the snowstorm that shut down much of the east coast.

super bowl 50 will go ahead. the carolina panthers will help the card nazi for the nfc title. panthers are favorites by virtue of their regular season record where they won 15 games the left roared out of all in the playoffs. the ac championship puts tom brady against payton manning and the denver bron koez. impressive rofrdz. a look at how the two stack up against each other. et cetera 7 months younger than manning. the new england patri-i don't think so sports four super bowl rings to his one. >> that's what they are thrown for 559 career touchdowns. over 100 more than brady brady won 11 of the 16 meetings, afc championship games, manning leads 2-1.

>> you did pretty coo cool. someone as great as him to play against those teams. >> a lot of different players that have played in all 16 of those games. it's been a great honor and privilege to have competed against him that many times over the course of the past, you know, 16, 17 years he and i have been in the league together. >> medicine it elroy should be the familiar. fowler began the final round a late surge from mcelroy for burden icky on the 16.

an eagle on his final finishing, two shots back. fowler with a 1-stroke win. fourth title in nine months. moving up to fourth in the world rankings. >> a lot of fun, stressful at times. thomas was playing well. going head to head with him in the same group. uses in to be on top. >> sport news and three time defending sebastian won the graeme of monte carlo. also the third success of time the frenchman won the opening race after world rally championship. his closest rival b britain was forced didn't take unnecessary risks. still won the final stage. two minutes t the 36th victory.

sunday, she completed the double with victory in the skiing, a favorite for the former olympic champion. sunday's win was 11, record two. sport back to lauren in london. >> robin, thanks very much indeed. carnival season has begun in venice. cloaked and masked venetians held praised on sunday to marm the first day. the event throughout italy is up to the christian fasting period of lent. a quick reminders, catch up with all of the stories we are covering and the sport on our website. the address of that is al-jazerra.com. >> that's it from me lauren taylor from this "newshour." another round up of the days news coming up. thanks for watching.

>> the only live national news show at 11:00 eastern. >> we start with breaking news. >> let's take a closer look.

>> from the time i was 3 years old, music was what i loved above all else. >> grammy winning artist moby talks about his work outside the studio. >> what led me to animal rights activism, is every animal wants to avoid pain and avoid suffering. >> and the future of the music industry. >> maybe i shouldn't admit this but i don't really buy music anymore.

at least 63 civilians are killed by air strikes in syria. rights groups say russian planes are to blame. ♪ ♪ hello, i am marian and you are watching al jazeera live from london. also coming un. thousands of anti--government protesters brave surprising temperatures in moldova to demand early elections. 10s of thousands still without power as the eastern united states begins clearing up after a record snowstorm. plus