under pressure and under resourced, syrian rebels call for help in aleppo while civilians try to escape to turkey. you're watching al jazeera live from doha. also coming up new allegations of sexual abuse by u.n. peace keepers in car. u.s. democratic rivals tangle in their first one-on-one debate. a bangladeshi film that is being praised abrood brad-- abroad but

can't be seen at home. we will tell you why. entens of thousands of syrians are trying to reach turkey as government forces continue with offences backed up by bombardment in aleppo. the security council is planning to speak to the staffan de mistura. >> reporter: out of their homes, out of aleppo and out in the open. they spend the night under the sky on the border with turkey hoping to get in. over the past few days syrians in their tens of thousands have escaped aleppo since the syrian government and its russians allies begin a new offensive in the province. under pressure like never before, syrian rebels issue a call for general mobilization to defend their positions in

aleppo. the countryside here is the last remaining base in the north for grou groups. for the past three and a half years aleppo city has been divided. the opposition controls the east, government forces the west. the regime is trying to be siege rebel held districts and cut the rebel supply line from turkey's border to the north. the development is raising new concerns. >> we're trying to end the siege of a number of besieged areas across syria and yet what is being done now by russian and syrian forces could create a new siege. so this is incredibly hurtful in terms of real lives. it is a major obstacle to the pursuit of the political solution and it needs to stop >> reporter: another siege could mean another madaya, starvation,

malnutrition, mass suffering. once a holiday resort, this time outside damascus has become the most dire example of what happens when cut off from food and humanitarian aid by besieging forces. it is a path nobody wants for aleppo. gerald tan saudi arabia says it is ready to send troops into syria to fight i.s.i.l. on the ground. military spokesman says air strikes are not enough. >> translation: from the beginning of the operation against i.s.i.l. in september 2014 the saudi kingdom was committed to the international coalition and we stayed the course despite our operations in yemen. we announced our readiness to participate with ground troops against i.s.i.l. because we now have the experience in yemen and so do our allies in iraq that we all know air strikes alone cannot be enough and a ground

operation it needed. we need to combine both to achieve better results on the ground let's get the latest from our correspondent live on the turkish side of the syrian border. tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing north. can we expect refugees crossing the border today? >> reporter: as you can see behind me, that border is closed. thousands of syrians like you mentioned when escaped the ongoing government offensive in the north of aleppo are now on the other side of this border and they have been appealing to turkish authorities to let them in. so far we do not know whether or not that will happen. officially turkey has an open door policy, but over the past few months turkey has really imposed tighter restrictions for a number of reasons. security as well as the fact that turkey carries a heavy burden, it has 2.5 million refugees in country.

so those refugees who arrived on foot, they arrived with nothing, really. they were escaping the bombardment, intense bombardment, they are now camped on the other side of the border. we understand that there is a big idp camp in that area. now more numbers, so more pressure on these people. they p don't have anything, no money. most of these people left their homes from the countryside. we still do not have information on whether there has been a mass exodus from the city itself, aleppo city, because what we do know is the government is trying to encircle that city, but what we understand from people inside is that the prices of essential goods has increased because roads have been cut as a result of the fighting and also there's a lack of fuel for bakerys so there is a shortage of bred. the humanitarian crisis, syria, nearly half the population has been forced from their homes either displaced or forced into neighboring countries.

this is the latest humanitarian crisis faced by the people of syria certainly a grim situation. what's the latest with the offensive itse offensive itself? >> reporter: that is continuing. a minute ago we heard explosions, russian air strikes are continuing. they're not only targeting supply lines that rebels use, but the government really the october of the give-- objective of the government of this time is to encircle the opposition-controlled portion of the city. they control the reeft. right now there is only-- east. there is only one road that supplies the opposition-held districts. they'ring trying to take that road, encircle the city and lay a siege. it is it difficult for the government to storm the city. that would require man hour. we saw this in homs a few years ago. they encircled the city, rebels

could not get enforcements, people were starving and at the end they. the turkish border has been the life line for the opposition and wupts you do that you cheek them. -- once you do that you cut them out the governor of china's province has been removed from his post after being accused of disloyalty to the reluctanting communist party. it comes amid what appears to be an extension of president xi jinping's anti corruption clean up. tell us more adrian about the latest situation. >> reporter: the reason why this is significant is that he was

governor of the most important provinces in china. this is a province where the former paramount leader hailed from. he is accused of violating party discipline. that is an accusation you hear over and over again today in today's china. this follows events on thursday when the man who was the deputy governor of another important province was also removed from his post accused of violating party discipline. in the case of way hung, i think it is in relation to president xi jinping's crackdown because he was an associate of the former security officer who was jailed for corruption last year i hear that there is news on the case of the five missing

book sellers. >> reporter: a lot happening on different levels in china today. the police in the province which borders hong kong released a letter to their counterparts saying that three of the five who went missing were now being investigated for unspecified criminal activities. up until now we haven't known where the book sellers were but it's fair to assume they are in the pravns. a short time ago amnesty international in hong kong issued a statement saying that the mainland authoritys were showing complete contempt for due process and said that it was time for the mainland authorities to end their smoke and mirrors strategy. the reason why the case of the book sellers is so important is that it has provoked all sorts of protests in hong kong. when britain and china signed the joint declaration before the hand over in 1997, both

countries promised that hong kong's way of life would continue and that included freedom of speech thank you very much for that. south korea's foreign minister has held meetings with some ambassadors in seoul amid growing concerns of a rocket launch in north korea. the announcement came after widespread condemnation of north korea's fourth nuclear test on 6 january. democratic u.s. white house hopefuls hillary clinton and bernie sanders have faced off in their most contentious debate yet. they went one-on-one for the first time e changing heated questions about health care,

wall street and each other progressive credentials. >> reporter: outside the democratic debate hall not a hillary clinton sign in site. new hampshire is bernie sanders's territory. among young vote years here he enjoys 85% support, especially when it comes to issues of income inequality >> the rich are getting richer. i absolutely would like to see a candidate who supports radical changes and the economic structure to create more equality and justice. >> i don't trust hillary clinton. i think she has been flippy floppy on issues. bernie sanders seems genuine. >> reporter: this is where the two argued most. bernie sanders criticized clinton from receiving $675,000 for making paid speeches for one

investment bank on wall street, suggesting that her campaign makes her ill suited for the reform he is promising >> one of the things we should do is not only talk the talk but walk the walk. i am very proud to be the only candidate up here who does not have a super pack, who is not raising huge amounts of money from wall street. >> there is this attack that he is putting forth, which really comes down to, you know, anybody whoever took donations or speaking fees from any interest group has to be bought. i just absolutely reject that senator. >> reporter: when pushed for transparency to reveal whether promises had been made to corporate america, clinton dodged the issue. >> are you willing to release the transcripts of all your paid speeches? >> i will look into it. i don't know the status, but i will look into it >> reporter: he says her

defiance may not be enough to convince voters >> she has to prove that she is as progressive as bernie sanders is and he has got arguments to say she is not. one of those is her taking money from major corporations and paying some financial institutions at a time when many people in the democratic party, especially the more progressive left wing in the democratic party is really angry about that >> reporter: clinton has little time to change the minds of the voters. the primary is now days away and clinton trails her opponent in some polls by as much as 30 points still ahead here on al jazeera the virus spread by rats. it has already claimed the lives of dozens of nigerians. plus the story is wikileaks

founder, perhaps having a lifelong.

the top stories here on al jazeera. tens of thousands of syrians are fleeing to turkey's border to safety. fighting has intensified in aleppo following more air strikes. hillary clinton and bernie sanders have faced off in new hampshire. they went one-on-one exchanging questions about health care, wall street and other other's progressive kre deny shams. the government of china has been

removed from his post after being disloyal. it comes from an anti corruption campaign. the u.n. peace-keeping mission in the central african republic says it has identified seven new cases of alleged sexual offences by its troops. the alleged victims, including women and girls, were gang raped. troops were sent to car to restore order in 2013 after a spike in religious violence. the claim comes on top of more than 20 allegations last year of sexual abuse by u.n. peacekeepers. >> due to the aggravate of these allegations and given the information collected through the initial fact-finding, the u.n. has taken immediate measures, including the repatriation of the soldiers from congo. this will occur after an investigation is carried out. in the meantime the soldiers

will be confined to barracks more than 80 people in nigeria have died from an outbreak of lassa fever. it is caught from food and water contaminated by rat droppings. >> reporter: this is the infectious diseases unit. one died here from lassa a few days ago. there are still patients suspected of carrying the disease which is spread through ingesting rat waste. they include this man. he does not want his identity released. his fiancee died a few days aago >> it was a horrible feeling.

it was a disaster. i was not feeling very well. i was told it was lassa fever. >> reporter: he is not sure how rat waste contaminated the food that led to his fiancee's death. he thinks he will be cleared of the disease. those who are suffering experience vomiting, backache, bleeding, severe swelling and rashes. the outbreak has led to a massive increase of demand for rat killer products. more than 15% of those who contract the disease die. the government partly blames it on a food called garree. it is stored in often unhygienic conditions where rats roam freely. it you can also catch it by inhaling tiny parcels. people here say they are not to

gain. >> it is fairly stock standard. >> reporter: the government says it is doing all they did to stop the virus, but it is very hard getting the drug that stops it. >> we have our response teams to do the case management. i don't think we have the laboratories that can make it. we need assistance >> reporter: those suspected of carrying the disease are hoping the outbreak will be over soon, but the government says good sanitation, hygiene and fumigating rat infestations should see an end to it soon there have been violent scenes in the greek capital during a protest against government pension reforms. fire bombs were thrown and cars torched while police responded with tear gas. the government says the latest

round of austerity measures are necessary. moor from our correspondent. >> reporter: this is a parade of broken promises. everyone here has a story to tell. this small group represents private day care centers. they were promised government money if they took in children whose parents couldn't pay. >> translation: to promise free benefits to members of families and others is one more lie. >> reporter: pensioners have already seen their benefits cut a dozen times. >> translation: when we applied for our pensions, we did so under certain legislation. so we're entitled to receive that amount of money. >> reporter: the president came to power an end of year to end austerity. now it is the enforcer.

it says the billion dollar line will be the last pay out. >> reporter: this general strike has brought support from the urban middle-class and the countryside, particularly self-employed professionals and farmers. it is they who comprise the one million taxpayers who would be called upon to pay 27% of their income for health coverage and pension contributions, effectively doubling their taxation. >> reporter: >> reporter: the head of the athens bar association says a lawyer earning 22,000 now spends 54% of that income on taxes and social security. under the proposed law it would rise to 69%. >> translation: all these tax demands won't be met. the result will be that a very large number of pre-lance professionals will simply leave the economy, going into a grey zone and won't pay taxes and social security because there won't be any choice. the whole system will collapse

because it is not realistic. it doesn't take into account people's ability to pay. >> reporter: widespread taxi invitation would, obviously, undermine the very purpose of the law which to increase the government's revenue. so the country might follow another path of squeezing money from a small economy hundreds of people have taken to the streets in chile angry over the tpp. the deal involving 12 pacific nations aims to slash tariffs and trade barriers for 40% of the global economy. opponents say the tpp will cost jobs and hurt the sovereignty of asian pacific countries. the signing marks the ends of negotiations, the deal still has two years before it becoming legally binding. dozens of people gathered outside the headquarters of a

major drug research facility. the tpp will make it difficult for patients to get access to life-saving medication. the israeli supreme court has suspended the detention of a palestinian journalist. he has been held without charge since november. he has been on a hunger straight for 72 days in protest against a law that allows israel to hold suspects without trial. he plans to continue with his hunger strike until he is free. in the swedish government said that assange is a victoria of arbitrary detention. he has been living in an embassy trying to avoid extradition to sweden. >> reporter: it is a life line he should hope for after three

years. >> as wikileaks stands under threat. >> reporter: he filed a complaint in 2014 claiming that his stay at the embassy was a detention because if he tries to leave, he faces immediate arrest. the u.n. group here is almost certain to rule in his favor. it presents its official findings on friday. one of his swedish lawyers is now calling for his immediate release. >> if the u.n. report states that he has been detained for three and a half year by sweden, then i see no other way out of this for sweden and the prosecutor, but to cancel the decision to detain him in absentia and to close the case. >> reporter: the swedish government already says that it disagrees with the ruling, so too does the >> k. it's-- u.k. it is unclear what the findingss are likely to have on the

british government who say this isn't an unlawful detention or arbitrary detention but is, instead, a voluntary decision by him to evade arrest by staying on here. the british government says that they are obliged to extradite him because of serious allegations of rape in sweden. he denies the allegations. he believes he will be handed over to washington if he is sent to sweden. he has agreed to face questioning but only within the embassy and only by prosecutors of ecuador. he posted thousands of documents on the internet about world governments. he has always said he would leave the embassy if he lost his appeal. he is now expected to demand the right to travel to ecuador where he was been granted asylum. as the decision is not legally binding, they will make every

effort to arrest him the film sensors are allowing bangladeshi to see their movie. there is a tense relationship with the government in their lives and languages which are rarely represented in film. more from our correspondent. >> reporter: film festivals here are a rare occasion to promote bangladeshi movies, not just for a global audience but for the people here themselves. the local cinema is in decline with crowds dwindling since the 1990s. >> the old cinema halls are dying and the new film theaters has not been replaced them in that way. this is one crisis that you cannot show the film to the larger audience. >> reporter: at the same time local movies have been receiving more recognition abroad, but this film with most international attention this

year won't be screened at home any time soon. my bicycle, the first movie about bangladesh's indigenous communities. >> translation: we financed the film by asking around. my wife and my friends gave money. the crew worked for free. it was sort of a crowd-funding model. >> reporter: he showed us a letter from the sensors showing there are concerns that it portrays the military in a negative way. a long running rebellion ended in 1997 but the army came down heavy on areas. it is pretty difficult for any kind of independent film maker in bangladesh to get their movies screened in theatres like this one, but the stakes are particularly high with my

bicycle. it is a rare glimpse into the lives of the indigenous minorities who are usually ignored. leaders are in fear their culture is disappearing. >> reporter: a language survives through its use. we can't afford to print books in our language. we can't keep up with it. >> reporter: it is a state of affairs he hopes his film will help change, but for that to happen, he needs a board of sensors who are a little less sensitive singer songer maur ice white has died. founder of earth, winds and fire. he had a few hits. they sold more than 90 million

albums worldwide. he was diagnosed with parkinson's disease and died in his sleep aged 74. aljazeera.com is our address where we have all our news. [ ♪ music ] thanks for joining us for "america tonight", i'm joie chen. there is new terrifying indication that europe's refugee crisis is spiralling out of control, has tone on another frightening dimension. "america tonight" investigates