as efforts are made to salvage syria talks in geneva, the killings continue in the battle for aleppo i'm here in doha with the world news. dozens of houthis rebels killed in an air strike in yemen as pro-government forces fight to retake sanaa province japan puts armed forces on alert after it

learns of a possible launch jobs and the economy. starting with syria. where russia is supports a government offensive blamed for undermining talks in geneva. activists say 45 civilians were killed on tuesday, and they are reporting the heaviest bombardment in the area since the war began five years ago. emergency workers are searching for survivors, and amid the disruption, this child was trapped in rubble for hours, presumed killed. rescue workers found him in time. let's have a look at the map.

the advance began on sunday, and it's taken a string of villages, including these. the regime is trying to link up with territory it controls. and the aim is to cut off rebels inside aleppo city, the largest city in syria. zeina khodr is on the turkish side of the syrian border, how is that offensive shaping up in aleppo. >> well, it is ongoing, and the government is advancing. we managed to speak to some ssa commanders in the area. what they tell us is that they are in a difficult position, under a lot of pressure, and have sent some reinforcements to the front line and heavier weapons, they say they are facing a lot of difficulties. according to them, the government and allies on the ground, and the backing of air power are using heavy force and weapons, and according to syrian observatory for human rights, in

48 hours alone, more than 300 air strikes were carried out. the government is determined to meet the loyalist towns, and like you mentioned they would cut the links between opposition controlled territory and opposition territory in aleppo province. this is the first phase of the operation, we under there's a second phase. the government wants to push further north, and move to the turkish boarder and seal off the boarder so the rebels will not be able to bring in food, equipment and ammunition. >> for some, is it a fight for survival. >> it is a fight for survival for the so-called moderate opposition, what the international community calls the groups. this is the last strong hold in the north.

the f.f.a. commander was clear when he said it was the only border crossing. the opposition controls two. one is in the hands of groups like al-qaeda linked al-nusra. they say they are fighting for survival. the government and the opposition call it a mother of all battles, it's not about winning syria's second city, it's about winning the north. for the government. if they succeed in the operation and declare victory over the moderate i suggest, i cannot stress how important it is. what we understand talking to our sources on the ground the opposition is in a difficult position. >> james bays is in gen.

some position groups are struggling on the battlefield, how are they doing on the negotiating table. >> there are no negotiations now. they have stalled because of the escalation, because of that current offensive by the syrian government backed by russian air strikes. the u.n. said that the talks process started. the u.n. special envoy had a meeting with the deposit and the syrian opposition. last meeting was with the government. and after that the syrian opposition said they were not coming for another meeting because of what happened on the ground in syria and no meetings were planned today. the focus is on the opposition camp, what will they do, and they find themselves in a difficult position. they feel they are totally undermined by what happened militarily. they would like them to pull

out. but it doesn't change the situation on the ground. a serious military situation having an effect on the talks, and no talking taking place. . >> what options are left for the u.n., james? >> the u.n. special envoy stefan de-mistura has been trying to get this going, and trying to get both sides talking. he persuaded the opposition to come to geneva, and so did some of the alike, the u.s. and the military numbers. they were promised something concrete. instead, the reverse happened. the major escalation on the ground. sergey lavrov saying his country

will continue to bomb the terrorists, but they are the same groups in geneva to talk. the only thing that will change things is pressure by the international community, the other countries involved in this process, particularly the u.s. that's why a thing in the next few hours a meeting in london will be important. many of the countries are gathering. it's supposed to be about the situation, trying to get money and aid to syria. when the leaders gather, they'll talk about the military situation, and in effect, it looks like they are coming them to destruction. thank you so much. james bays there i.s.i.l. says it was behind two separate attacks in ramadi, leaving 13 soldiers dead. it follows a car bomb attack only monday, killing dozens of soldiers. the iraqi army claims it

controls 95% of the capital. imran khan has more. >> this attack in the north of ramadi city against army positions by i.s.i.l. will be seen as a major setbark. iraqi security forces claim it controls 95% of the city. they control the inside of ramadi city. where the shelling comes from is inside. while all of this was going on, there was another attack by yil your fighters in the east. that's the last remaining pocket of i.s.i.l. fighters within ramadi. it has to be said, this is the fourth offensive the army mounted to take the east of the city. it's going very slowly, there are some 300 fighters, according to the u.s.-led coalition, holed up in the east, and they are proving you have difficult to

dislarge. the iraqi army is going in house by house trying to take over perimeters of it. it's a small neighbourhood. i.s.i.l. are easily able to defend it. they know the territory and use it to their advantage. it's a real problem. fallujah as well, it was proving to be problematic. there are 5,000 families dropped within the town. the iraqi army says it managed to throw a per imentor around it. food and supplies are running out. there's no baby food and other supplies. wheat is being rationed out. there there has been a lot of pressure on the penal in the city. it doesn't matter when you control the army. you still have this problem of

fallujah and a number of fighters there. they are in control of the city. to yemen, 40 houthi fighters have been killed in sanaa province, happening north-east of the capital. it was in a mountain range, where pro-government fighters were trying to take back control. six popular fighters have been killed in the rebel base. the ongoing saudi-led air strikes and the shelling resulted in the destruction of buildings and artefacts. both have been accused of disregard for heritage. we have this report from the stay of tiaz, where residents stays it was houthi shelling destroyed the national museum. >> translation: i stand here inside the national museum in the city of tiaz. the museum has been under heavy shelling by the houthi fighters, under forces of the president

ali abdullah saleh. you can see the fire is in every corner in the building. everything was burnt down. the manu scripts. here in my hand, and it melted because of the fire. he was the leader of the family and the last monarch in yemen. this historical treasure melted because of the raging fire. this is yemen's heritage, burnt to the ground. various belongings of the ruling family this governed yemen and everything turned into ashes. this is the hill where the houthi forces shelled the museum from, until now, they keep bombing the area. nothing is left. only pages of old koran transcript an egyptian appeals court

overturned a mass death sentence given to 149 people. they are among thousands convicted in trials in egypt. they were accused of killing 13 police men nir cairo during anti-government protests. most of the defendants are believed to be supporters of the banned muslim brotherhood japan put the military on alert to shoot down a north korean rocket if it threatens japanese territory, the rocket will carry a satellite. harry fawcett reports from seaa. >> when north korea launched a long-range rocket, it said that it placed a sat light in orbit. the upcoming launch is for the same purpose. japan's prime minister says that purpose is military. >> this is a ballistic missile test. in addition to the nuclear test, north korea testing the missiles is in violation of important

security decisions for the country. north korea's announcement confirmed speculation based on satellite images of the launch site. the first stage of the rocket falls to the west of south korea. discarded parts of the fuselage drop to the south before the second stage crashes into the sea north-east of the philippines. >> the flight path notwithstanding, japan says it will shoot down the rocket if any part threatens south korean soil. a meeting was called for. demanding north korea rethink its plans. >> we warn that the north will play a price if they go ahead with the missile flights plan. it's a threat to piece. >> previous prelaunch announcements provoked similar aamounts of rhetoric. pyongyang pressed ahead with its plans. seeians grew familiar with the

event. >> south korea cannot deal with this by itself. i have great concerns. >> if they launch, they launch. i don't feel it's a threat. >> south korea promises punishment, pushing for a stringent set of sanctions. there has been plenty of pressure on china for punishing the ally. if pyongyang is concerned about how beijing may react, it is not showing it, picking the day that a chinese official touched down still to come, heading to the polls, an election date announced for ireland, a crucial vote for jobs and the economy. anger in pakistan. workers protest against plans to privatize the national airline. airline.

welcome back. let's recap the headlines here on al jazeera. russia is insisting it will not stop its bombing campaign in syria, which is claimed for undermining fragile peace talks, in supporting a government offensive in aleppo, which killed at least 45 civilians in yemen, 40 houthi fighters have reportedly been killed by hout

houthi -- saudi-led coalition. north korea insists that rockets they planned to launch is a satellite. ministers in france are meeting to decide whether to extend the state of emergency. the measure was introduced after the paris attacks in photograph, eving 130 dead. the state of emergency gaves power to the place. neve barker has more from paris. >> the french government is poised to extend the state of emergency, the french premier has been speaking extensively in the last few days, quick to remind the country that it is in a state of law. and the only way of keeping the nation safe. the measures themselves give authority to the police to carry out searching.

and to stop public gatherings and demonstrations too. the government wants to make it easier in the future. four states of emergency to be brought in. there's a controversial proposal. dividing opinions within the ranks, it will see dual national citizenship, if committed to act of terrorism. there has been demonstrations against it. the vast majority of those behind extraordinary measures. general elections announced for january 26th. it's a crucial vote for the country. it sought on international bailout. it's the e.u.'s fastest growing economy. it remains high.

jonah hull travelled with it to find out how far-reaching it is. >> for the office dog, it's a holiday, in the laid back headquarters of home-sharing business. holiday is a big themes, you can hold meetings in new york, and other places. there's a happy hour pub to wind down in. for all economies globally. it's the fact that it's the digital effect. the new economy is the center for growth. the offices of google. amazon, facebook and twitter are cool too. all situated here. all thanks to the low carpet tax rate helping the economy grow at

three times the average. if you are one of those feeling the love in offices like this. the economy is smiling brightly. there are plenty more for home it isn't. >> i found tout through social media on facebook that my job is gone. it went bust. closing last year. a late casualty. having lost your job, what do you think chances were of finding another one. they have to be unsustainable. proper hours and contracts. you never know much i am hopeful that it can be as hopeful. >> no doubt there's a revival in place. enough for the working class.

trl has to trickle down. it won't trickle down. for many, the scars are fresh. it is believed a new economy, not unlike the old one. built on correspondent greed. jonah hull, al jazeera, dublin. >> refugees on the greek border blocked the highway demanding to be allowed on to a passage. hundreds headed to the main road. taxi drivers blocked the railway line between the countries. at least three pakistan airline employees have been killed and injured during the second day of protests in karachi. in retaliation against plans to privatize the national airline.

flights, domestic and international have been cancelled. more from the capital. >> operations by pakistan international airlines is suspended for a second day after a violent protest in karachi in which three employs were killed. the government has been trying to privatize and sell off 26% of the share of the airline, they say it was a burden. the debt of the employees becomes a political issue because of the patronage of political parties of the trade unions, some think the parties would pollitt says the issue. the prop stems from the fact that they are running a debt of 3 billion, and it's costing the

national extract $3 million. >> myanmar's upper house conseened. after 50 years of military rule. winning a landslide victory. parliament will choose the upper house speaker the trans-pacific partnership will be sign muched. it accounts for 40% of the economy. the deal will see tariffs lifted. >> the family has been making wine outside auckland. this will be sent to poland. 60% of the wine is transported. something they believe will

grope all the t.p.p. >> it's up to the businesses and us as a winery in new zealand to go in there and sell ourselves, our product. it makes us more competitive. the deal is negotiate between the nations for the past five years much. >> the foundations of the deal stretch back to 2000. they sign an agreement. it took on a dimension in 2008. when the united states and others talked about widening the beside, with the u.s. outdoing china. >> it's a cold war by proxy of trade and investment. it's a worry. not only do the corporations who had special insight and import into the agreement get to be

center stage, but there's no balance of the interest. >> reporter: there has been many protests against the t.p.p. nations will lose their sovereignty, they'll need to change laws. those signing the deal say it's nothing new. >> every agreement entered into means the countries must change their own laws. we have a very successful agreement. >> reporter: signing the treaty does not create legally binding obligations, they will come with ratification. opponents will use the time to stop the t.p.p. >> a rare case of the zika fire us being transmitted is being reported. the person ineffect is from

dallas texas. >> we'll partner with the american government, with president obama. we have talked, established our capacity, and impressed in the sense of creating as soon as possible a vaccine for the zika virus. two former military officers have gone on trial in guatemala for crimes committed against indigenous women during the 36 year civil war. they are accused of murder, rape and enslaving the women. david mercer has more from guatemala. >> reporter: these women waited more than 30 years for justice. now they have a chance to tell their story. all say they were taken as sexual slaves in 1982. this woman held on an army base and raped over a period of six days. some say the abuse lasted for years.

>> they told us to take a shower, and then the fat man came and he would rape us. i was raped many times, my daughter was raped. >> reporter: the victims say the guatemalan army punish the their community for trying to get legal title. even now they recover their faces. >> reporter: this is the first time history that crimes of sexual violence will be progress cuted. it's the first time anywhere in the world that a national court will hear a case of war time slave ree. >> guatemala's civil war ended in 1996. and left some 200,000 dead. they held the army responsible for 90%. legal observers say the trial

would have been unthinkable. since then, the work of a pair of attorneys helped to strengthen the justice system. there was a sign of weakness, a former dictator. for others, the days of impunity are over. >> a couple of weeks ago. the military ordered the rest. people tected to the past and the present. that is a sign that things are progressing. >> retired colonel says the u.s. ambassador's presence shows who is in charge. >> the united states has to wait. they are guiding the judicial protest to a predetermined place. the sexual slavery trial is expected to lass more than a

month. with it the homes of those whose voices until now have been silenced and, of course, you can keep up to date with all the store we've been telling you about. head over to the website and you can see our front page there. fit for consumption. not everyone is eager to eat it. the u.s. food and drug administration sparked a debate about genetically modified food by improving franken fit - the f.d.a.'s decision that genetically engineered salmon,