>> only on al jazeera america. zika virus out break, the world health organisation declares it a public health emergency of international syrian peace talks hello, you are watching al jazeera, live from london. also coming up - syrian peace talks officially start in geneva, with the opposition taking part in its first official session. a first test for the big-named candidates hoping to be president of the united states. live in iowa. and a new era in myanmar politics. hundreds of politicians take their seats after decades of

and the first reel test for military rule. the world health organisation has declared the outbreak of the zika virus a public health emergency of international concern. and the u.n.'s health agency warned the mosquito-born virus spreading across the americas at an alarming rate. the outbreak began last may in brazil. doctors are assessing 3,700 cases of microas effly, it's a condition where babies are born with abnormally small heads. it's suspected of being linked to the virus. health inspectors are advising women there and other countries not to get pregnant this year. the virus spread across brazil and is found in 2r counties and territories in the americas. from rio de janeiro, lucia newman reports. >> reporter: hundreds of

thousands of babies. all in this prompting the world health organisation to take drafting access. i am declaring the recent cluster of zika, and other clusters, following a recent cluster of french polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. >> reporter: here in brazil, the emergency is in place. even as authorities come under fire for not acting fast enough. >> almost a week ago the brazilian government announced it would deploy a quarter of a million soldiers on the streets and into moments to

eradicate mosquito breeding grounds. >> so far in rio, there's no sign of them. residents opened to the news that workers with police will be able to enter home to detect steal water where they breed. >> the actions help to reduce the numbers of mosquitos, but not eliminate the virus, which is why the increased involvement was considered crucial. >> there were two matters, we need to standardize areas where zika virus transmission is occurring. at the same time there's needs to be intensified research of new clusters of microcephali and neurological orders, and determine case control and other methodologies, where there's a causative link.

>> the increased scientific help from the international community cannot come fast enough. many impacted countries like brazil and venezuela are in the middle of an economic crisis, and as zika spreads to the united states and beyond, the race to find a permanent solution is beginning. our other top story, the u.n. envoy for syria says moves to end the conflict are under way. he made the comment after meeting with the main opposition group. he called for an immediate ceasefire on the ground and added he understood opposition concerns about the humanitarian situation and bombing campaign. james bays is in geneva. >> reporter: >> after the first meeting of the syrian opposition delegation here at the u.n. headquarters in geneva, the u.n. special envoy

stefan de mistura said he felt that this marked the formal start of the syria peace talks process. an opposition spokesman said they want to see concrete developments on the ground. >> we came here to discuss with the special envoy the resolution 2254, you know, lifting the siege, and stopping the crimes done by russian air strikes in syria, and i believe we received, in fact, very positive messages from the special envoy, and tomorrow he will have a meeting with the regime side, and we'll wait for a reply from him. >> mr de mistura also used this to send a message to the

international syria support group the key regional and international countries that have been setting up the process. he said it was time for an immediate ceasefire. >> there was a message in the vienna meetings, that when the geneva talks will start they should be at the beginning of a serial discussion about ceasefire. that is not something i can discuss, it is something to be discussed at the level of the i.s.g, and those countries involved in take that. -- in saying that. the discussions are starting, but meanwhile the challenge is now let's also have those that have the capacity of discussing this at the different level, time to discuss about ceasefire. >> the u.n. special envoy said he would have further talks with the syrian government and the opposition on tuesday. he'll talk about humanitarian

access to besieged areas, and confirmed he'd asked the syrian opposition for a list of women and children held in gaols by the bashar al-assad regime. if he was given that list, he'd give it to the government side and ask for their release. at least 20 have been killed and others injured by a suicide bomber outside the police building kabul. the afghan taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, coming days before a third round of talks aimed at laying the ground work for peace negotiations between the government and taliban prices. jennifer glasse has the latest from kabul. >> the bomber chose the busy moments after lunchtime to strike. he blew himself up outside the headquarters of the civil order police. >> translation: it was a suicide

bomber that detonated in front of the police civil order base. i saw three or four wounded people after the explosion. i do not know more. >> reporter: dozens were wounded and killed. security raced to the scene and sealed off the area, a main thoroughfare in kabul. many. victims are treated at the emergency hospital. doctors say there were super wounds and grave ones. family members gather outside, waiting for news. >> translation: i was in the area when suddenly an explosion happened, and some 20 people received injuries and were laying on the ground. the type of explosion was unclear. >> a n.a.t.o. spokesman said: on saturday, officials from afghanistan, pakistan, china and the united states are scheduled

to meet in islamabad to try to revive the peace talks. it's unclear whether the attacks will end the process altogether, or to give the taliban a better bargaining position if and when they come to the peace table. it's shaping up to be the most wide open race for the most powerful job in half a century. later on monday voters in the u.s. state of iowa will vote who they think should be the candidate in the presidential election. voters will vote in a series of meetings, known as caucuses. they'll nominate their candidate. iowa's vote is of significance. it's the first to take place in an election year. for both major parties, it is wide open. the front runner for the

democrats was hillary clinton, but the far left candidate bernie sanders has closed the gap. the republican process has been dominated by billionaire donald trump. he has a narrow lead over ted cruz, with rival candidates struggled for attention. donald trump has been speaking from iowa. differented whelm bring back jobs, we'll bring them back from china, japan, mexico - who is doing a number. i love mexico and the people. but the leaders are too smart, too cunning. they are doing on unbelievable job. i wish our leaders could do the same job to other countries. again, we don't win, we never have victory, we will change that we have two correspondents in iowa, john hendren in newton, but first to kimberley halkett. she is in demoyne. this is an uncertain caucus that we have seen, a great deal riding on this for the

frontrunners. >> indeed. all eyes are focusle on it. here is the headline in the demoyne register. it's a paper that everyone looks to and gives an endorsement to hillary clinton. you can't forget what is happening. the caucus set to start in three hours. it's firm on time. people must be na place. doors are open and that's the only opportunity to get in. that's why the candidates all day have been campaigning very hard, trying to get the voters to come out. it comes down to whether or not the supporters show up. we know that not only trump and others in the republican fields, but on the democratic side hillary clinton, and bernie sanders hitting the ground game, trying to meet as many voters as possible over the weekend. hillary clinton went to the homes of her campaign of 125,000 iowa. bernie sanders in the neighbourhood of 75,000. it's important that they try to reach as many as possible.

what happens here is really significant of what will happen in the races to come in other states. this is one contest. the winners of the democratic and republican caucuses do not automatically win the nomination, all the united states is watching the race and watching carefully, and will have an impact later. i can tell you when it comes to the republican race, it's important with so many candidates, that they need to finish in the first three positions. historically, you can see anyone that wants to win the white house needs to find themselves in first, second or third place. no one falling later than that has ever won the white house. >> let's head to john hendren in a cafe in newton. >> it looks as though this is an unpredictable race, the nonestablishment figures. bernie sanders, donald trump going up against traditional

guys. what could turn out be like, what are you hearing over there? >> that's a big question that everyone is asking. it's believed if tourn out in high, donald trump will do well. bernie sanders, the outside candidates, and the reason for that is they have brought in a lot of voters that are not traditional caucus voters. if turn out is high it suggests more are coming out for them. 135,000 came out. when president obama was here in 2008 and won an upset. 240,000 turned up. turning up the numbers can make a difference to who is successful. for bernie sanders, that would mean that he could go on, get more donors, support, and carry out his campaign in all 50 states. hillary clinton was expected to win this easily, and she now has

a race on her hands, and wants to put bernie sanders down. after this comes new hampshire, he will be strong there. turn out will make a difference, and to make it difficult. there'll be a snow storm, and that may keep people indoors, even though the snow is not expected to hit until after the caucuses. >> significant implication from the caucus, setting the don for the vote. thank you to you john hendren and kimberley halkett. >> still ahead - security summit. france and belgium join forces on what they call anti-terrorism why pilots in south korea are taking off in big numbers to work for other airlines.

welcome back. you're watching al jazeera. a reminder of the top stories. the world health organisation has declared the outbreak of the zika virus a public health emergency of international concern. the u.n. envoy to syria says talks aimed at ending the civil war in the country has started. stefan de-mistura made the comments after meeting with the high negotiating committee in geneva voting gets under way in iowa in a few hours time as the republican and democratic parties choose their candidates for the 2016 presidential election.

belgium and france gree to work closely in tackling security threats. both called for a watch list of suspects. there are doubts the measures will address underlying social problems that play into the hands of islamic state of iraq and levant. we have this report from brussels. >> the prime minister's of belgium and france arrived at the joint security summit looking for shared solutions to a common threat. the paris attacks show lapses in policing and intelligence, loopholes both countries wand closed. >> we can never go backwards. times have changed. this is why we are acting together. intelligence as to be checked. >> we need to close the gaps in the security net. we can and should systematically exchange swification. >> all but two of the known men linked to the attacks were from belgium and france. a mann hunt is under way.

absolam managed to escape from paris, passing the points because he hadn't been identified as a suspect. both countries want a data base of suspects extending across the continent. security experts say the plans don't go far enough. >> if you do not solve the waits it will not prevent attacks, but could push people to act. >> reporter: for weeks, the brussels area of molenbeek was under high intensity. molenbeek has been labelled as an incubator of johanism. something that is linking locals and contributing to the risk in

this area and the rest of the country. location say they are ready for a fresh start. poverty and u.f.c. are on the rise. the paris attacks sent shock waves across europe. many welcome greater security. the threat of further attacks will remain. >> israeli troops shot dead an 18-year-old man. his death comes a day after another palestinian man was killed, after wounding three israeli soldiers, when he fired at a check point outside of ramallah. >> 85 people have been killed in suspected boko haram attacks in north-eastern nigeria.

gunmen opened fire on civilians and set fire to homes in dellery. >> for than a dozen villages are unaccounted for saudi arabia says 375 of its civilians have been killed near the border with yemen, since the military campaign against the houthis began in march. 63 children are included in the dead. killed by mortars and rockets fired by fighters and forces loyal to ali abdullah saleh he has a fearsome reputation as a vladimir putin loyalist. the chechen leader followed two weeks of written attacks on russian opposition figures with a troubling online video, saying it's tantamount to a death threat. rory challands reports.

>> reporter: this video has a written warning. kasiona goes to strasburg for money for the russian opposition it syas, who hasn't understood, will understand. unsurprisingly the two men see ramsdam's instagram post as a direct death threat. >> well, i have no doubt and others are of the same position, that this is open and public incitement to murder. there's no other way to interpret it. especially given his reputation and his background. we will both file an official request to the investigative committee of russian investigation for a criminal investigation. >> the video is not a one off. two weeks ago kadirof was pictured with a snarling dog, waiting to sink its teeth into russian opposition leaders and

independent journalists, we were told. chechnya's leader wrote that they should be treated as enemies of the people, locked up in psychiatric hospitals. a politician that rejected this was intimidated into recording a grovelling apology. almost a year ago a leading light of the russian opposition politicians was shot dead meters from the wall. the dangers faced are real and proven. it didn't take long following kadirov's murder for the trail to lead to chechnya. there is nothing to link kadirov to the murder, but one of the chief suspects served in one of kadirov's battalion, and the chechen leader prayed him as an analyst. >> this says they can say and do

things others couldn't dream of because of chechnya's bloody history. >> he's trying to find some support from vladimir putin. that can show that he is loyal and putin can confirm his ruling in chechnya and maybe this is the only way to keep peace in chechnya for vladimir putin. >> reporter: in 2000 the kadirov family was elevated by vladimir putin to help quell nearly a decade of separatist fighting. those that hope the kremlin may be tiring of the unruly former warlord were disappointed. vladimir putin praised him as within effective worker. . >> south korea's pilots are taking flight, with many leaving the biggest airlines for better pay in china and elsewhere. as harry fawcett reports from

seoul. those left are threatening to go on strict. >> the korean flight center is busy, training new pilots. inside the cockpit of a replica 747. this crew practices a landing. it's a prestigious job. with the nation's flag carrier. so why are many leaving the company and the county? >> this is the captain. evacuation. >> reporter: the first reason is that korean airline system cannot provide hope for the pilots, and there's a huge gap in salary compared to neighbouring countries, especially china. >> reporter: last year 122 left, more than 7 times than the year before. a third went to join the aviation boom in china for double or triple the pay. trade leaders demand a 37% pay rise.

rise korean air said pilots earn 116,000 a year. >> an increase of 1.9% this year. the gap is too big for us to deal with. right now the numbers being asked for is unacceptable. >> reporter: union leaders say the flood of departures is creating a safety issue. the proportion of pilots recruited overseas is doing up. many do not have the necessary experience. korean air said concerns about safety is unfounded. they have the ability to train up new pilots and have experienced ones recruited to fill the gap. they admit the counter situation is not ideal. the other is geographical. the small size means pilots on domestic routes, while flying the same number of hours are in command of individual flights. >> in that case, the labour

intensity and stress could be intensity and stress could be doubled up for the more frequent flight pilot. so when we are investigating the so when we are investigating the government, they don't count that frequency effect. >> whether it's more money, less stress, or both are operating a one way ticket. many bound for china hundreds of politicians have been sworn into parliament in myanmar, heralding a new era in politics. aung san suy kyi won elections in novembererbing more than 50 years of military rule. the military will have significant australians. hundreds of politicians have been sworn into parliament in myanmar.

>> reporter: members of parliament from the myanmar national league for democracy or ald take power. it's a power shared. after half a century in control, the military retain a firm hold. they get a quarter of all seats, keech control of military and can block change. analysts say that will make it difficult for the n.l.d. to govern. >> i think as far as the military appointments is sitting in the parliament. the government cannot govern effectively. >> the military themselves were not saying too much. is it going to be a good a workable government? hello? during the years of military rule, n.l.d. supporter was constantly in and out of detention. rerkon silliation will take effort. >> translation: it is a very sensitive time. negotiations need to take place to build up trust. >> this is a country in need of effective government. >> referred to as democracy on a leash, there's no doubting whose hand is on it. the hope is that the military feel comfortable enough that they don't exercise their

powers. >> the list of priorities for the m.p.s is long. getting all ethnic groups to sign up to a national ceasefire after years of conflict. ending the marginalization and persecution of the minority rohingya. then there's the economy, after years of stagnation. there are signs of recovery. >> this person used to have a roadside stall, selling fuel from bottles. now he has a filling station. >> you at least have a car or motorbike. now, nearly every house has one motorbike. >> and among all the other priorities of the new parliament, the business of a new president. n.l.d. leader aung san suy kyi is blocked by a constitutional clause that would need to be changed with agreement from the military. in this new atmosphere of change, even that seems possible

you can find more on myanmar and everything else we are covering here. vering here. genetic modification, incredible science in the lab usually means this. it can be controversial, it can also be extremely beneficial. >> just like that, i'm genetically modified the mosquitos that carry two deadly diseases, malaria