>> diplomatic disagreement whether a pause in syria's civil war can work as turkey targets kurdish fighters in the country. >> hello, you're watching al jazeera live from london. coming up, the pope takes aim at church leaders to tackle the country's problems. we're with special forces in senegal as they train to counter the threat of founders in west africa. plus. >> a month ago the great burmese

hunt is underway. we'll show why' so keen to get rid of another invasive species. >> hello, attempts to top the fighting in syria, even temporarily appears to be going nowhere as the fighting continues. at a global security conference in munich, the u.s. secretary of state was talking about a turning point in search of a political solution while russia's prime minister warned of a new cold war. inside syria itself they've circled rebel forces in aleppo. russia has continued it's bombing campaign and to complicate matters further they have continued bombing kurdish fighters inside syria. first this report from dana, who is on the turkish border of

syria. >> this high ground gives the allies an advantage disrupting the supply line is not their own objective. they're not far from the only entrance to the opposition controlled enclave in the divided city of aleppo. opposition fighters are trying to keep the roads open to prevent a siege of aleppo. inside the city rebel commanders say a proposed pause in the fighting will only benefit the government. >> the battle of aleppo is carried out by the international community who calls themselves the friends of syria. but we are told that they will not stop until bombardments stop. >> the people of aleppo have come together to prepare for the possibility of a siege. doctors, activists, lawyers,

journalists creating what they call an united revolutionary front. and a call to arms has been answered by civilians, men of fighting age are now receiving training before what could be a major barrel. >> these men will join their brothers in the free syrian army. they'll hold positions and join offenses. we'll teach our enemy lessons they won't forget. >> for those in the opposition the government's military campaign across the country and it's recent battlefield gains will not force them to lay down their arms. >> there is opposition to u.s.-russian plan to pause the fighting within a week. rebel commanders say it is unrealistic because russian airstrikes can continue t continue to target isil and al nusra front. >> they have weakened groups

considered moderates. they're strongest around aleppo for the first time in years the opposition risks losing it's heartland in the north and lifeline the turkish border. but rebel commanders say that the fall of aleppo won't be the end of the war they plan to resort to irregular warfare to loosen the grip on the ground. >> turkey has targeted kurdish fighters inside syria. kurdish armed group ypg said two of its positions were targeted. on saturday ankara threatened to target the group which they consider to be a terrorist organization. >> confirming they're charging positions inside the northern aleppo province, officials saying no, this is not a

retaliation. this is not a response to any provocation. clearly this is intended. so a clear message to the ypg which is the turkish government considered a terrorist organization. over the past two days this kurdish armed group and their allies have been taking ground from turkey-backed syrian opposition groups. taking advantage of the government offensive in the countryside. as we speak we do know that the clear warning telling them not to advance any further, supporting the opposition groups on the ground who are trying to repel their advance. but they did warn that turkey would not hesitate to fake military action against ypg. airstrikes really have been targeting pkk positions over the past few months.

turkey considered the ypg an off shoot of the pkk. a complicated alliances on the ground because at the end of the day ypg is an ally to the united states, and turkey has made it clear to the obama administration that it is not happy about this alliance, but the u.s. saying that their position will not change. >> russia has been among the most skeptical voices fasting doubt on whether a focus in the fighting can happen. dominic kane has more from munich. >> only a short while after the agreement on syria was reached in this city, the u.s. secretary of state was back in munich for a security conference. although some politicians had hailed the liberations as a step forward. others have expressioned extreme skepticism. in his address to the conference john kerry addressed that skepticism by there'sing how critical it is to by making the

cessation of hostilities work. >> this will still require a political solution at some point in in order to make peace no matter what happens. this is the moment. this is a hinge point. decisions made in the coming days and week and few months could end the war in syria or it could define a very difficult set of choices for the future. >> quite how difficult is becoming clear this weekend in munich. the french prime minister has accused the russians of bombing civilians in syria, an allegation endorsed by the u.s. government. the russian prime minister has said comments like these are making his country feel increasingly isolated. >> one could go as far as to say that we've slid back to a new cold war. almost on an every day basis

we're called one of the most terrible threats as nato as a whole, europe or to the united states. >> the russians stress that they have national interests in syria, and that they have no secret agenda. they have repeatedly denied that they are bombing civilians there. the humanitarian tragedy suffered in the past five years has been highlighted by aid agencies and human rights groups alike. hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, and millions more displaced both inside and outside of syria. >> it's been going on for five years. and it's in different parts of the world. what needs to happen, we need to give the protection. flash of protections who needs people who are fleeing from

warring persecution. >> while there may well be international support for a peaceful way out of the syrian crisis, at the same time there are signs that regional players like turkey and saudi arabia are readying their forces for ground operations. dominic kane, al jazeera, munich. >> in iraq four civilians have been killed by army military fire. ten others were injured among them four children and two women. the targeted isil controlled west of fallujah. al-shabab said it was behind an explosion that punched a hole in an airliner killing one person. the group has close links to al-qaeda, said that th the it

was in retributions. the suicide-bomber was sucked out of the plane. according to the libyan chief, a libyan jet was downed. the pilot ejected, but they don't know where he is. it is the third libyan jet to be downed in 30 days. >> in northern senegal, nicolas harp reports. >> barely physical in the distance. senegal's elite making a slow approach. just 50 minutes ago they were

told attackers had taken over a building. among them, according to the military jargon, a high valley target they have to bring back alive. this is part of a drill organized by u.s. special forces green berets and dutch command dose. for security reasons we were told not to film the trainers up close as they went through the drill. >> there is a full description of the individual they're carrying photographs of his face. they can identify him. if we want to get somebody for the government, we also want to prove this is the one they were looking at. >> the u.s.-led counter terrorism training has been held every year for the past decade. it benefits elite units from the african nation. previous years it took place in

the desert. this year some african forces have asked for scenarios involving coastal or urban areas. this is taking place in senegal with the beach resorts popular with french tourists. the seasonga lease forces prepare their ambush. >> they come closer to home. the threat has urban areas including african capitals. these forces have had to adapt. >> more than 50 people died. many of them foreigners. senegal security forces are on the alert. >> we have large rivers in the southern and northern border of mali. it is important to avoid

attacks. this is why this drill is so important to us. >> after the attackers only suffered one casualty, the senegalese commandos capture the target as instructed. this may be only a training exercise, but it is hoped that they're better prepared to face an all too real threat. al jazeera. >> still to come on the program, egypt's president announces i will give power back to parliament. he said that democracy has been rebuilt. a saudi film to make new grounds at the berlin film festival.

>> attempts to stop the fighting in syria appearing to going nowhere. cessation in hostilities have been agreed in germany but now it looks in doubt. syrian government forces have captured strategic high grounds near aleppo. that is the turkish government shells kurdish forces. al-shabab said it was behind the explosion that punched a hole in an airliner last week killing one person. in mexico pope francis urges politicians and cleric to challenge the threat posed by the drug trade helping them to help mexicans escape a life of violence.

the meet something viewed as highly symbolic as none of the predecessors were invited there. although heads of states are usually greeted at the palace. for more on the pope's visit we go to adam raney, who is also in mexico. >> he helped meetings with british and the national pal, and both of these functions he was pretty critical of the status quo. they ask for leaders to be more present to take a stronger role and not just preach though those of wealth and power in mexico, but to actually get involved in the ground level with people who live in these violent communities. and then also earlier speaking at the various national palace he was very critical of the political class in this speech in front of the president.

>> experience teaches us each time we seek the path of privilege for few, to the detriment of all, soon there is corruption, drug trade exclusion of different cultures violence and death. therefore leaders have a particular duty to offer all citizens the opportunity to be worthy contributors to their own future. >> despite that criticism, the president is hoping to get some pr capital out of the visit of the pope? >> indeed, he's one of the most popular presidents in recent memory, but the pope is very popular. popular in latin america. he is also taking a stand in many social and political issues. what is interesting for people who watch mexico closely, president enrique pena nieto

there are critics, but to have someone of the stature of the pope in the national palace making these statements for many mexicos of poor means this has a strong sentiment to it. now whether or not the government is going to react and change course, that's another matter. but it makes mexicans here feel like the pope is standing with him, trying to help them get out of this awful period of violence and corruption. >> he's going to be visiting ricky areas, isn't he? >> he is, on sunday he'll lead a mass for most people around the world. they haven't heard of that place, but it's the largest most violent sub burden on the outcarts of mexico city, and it's home to violent crimes, there are gangs and by leading a mass there, he's standing with the poor masses in mexico. and after he goes there he will

reach out to indigenous communities. this is something that no pope has done ever before. many times the indigenous people have been seen as a challenge to the church, but he said that the church needs to reach out. many priests have been kidnapped and some killed. he'll end his mass that could attract tens of thousands of people in texas and on the mexican side and he'll be saying a prayer becaus for immigrants. he's covering all the base, violence, corruption, migration, he's doing it from the point of view that people on the lower social runnings of society feel good about. >> a really booed visit by the pope. thank you. >> egypt's president el-sisi

announced he's handing authority back to parliament. he made the announce the in cairo. >> president el-sisi delivers his first speech to parliament. the lower house dominated by muslim brotherhood mps was dissolved in 2012. since then all power has been in the hands of the president. but in his speech sisi announc ed he was handing that power back. >> the great people of egypt i announce before you representative of the people the transfer of the legislative authority to the elected parliament. this is held by the executive authority as an extraordinary measure forced upon us by circumstances. >> in theory this seems like a significant shift of power away from the president, but some question what it will mean in practice. >> it's just keeping for the

sake of formalities. >> the impact is that we are going to stay with one dominant power, which is the executive, not is going to be changed. >> sisi said he wants to transform egypt into a modern democratic state. but to many life seems to be getting worse, not better. on friday thousands of doctors in cairo protested against police brutality after two of their colleagues were reportedly beaten up by the police. sisi didn't mention the doctor's demonstration but did praise egypt's security forces. >> the army and the police are playing a high price of blood and are sacrificing their souls to protect the nation. >> sisi's attempts to improve egypt's image abroad was damaged by the death of an italian student who was tortured and killed in cairo. the italian government is demanding answers. they promised nationwide

security and economic stability but violence has surged. human rights watches say more than 800 people were killed in 2014. and the world bank said that egypt's economy is not growing quickly enough to observe the country's rapidly growing population and workforce. during his speech, sisi was optimistic about egypt's future, but many egyptians are not. victorian gazenby, al jazeera. >> the colombian government has confirmed that thousands of women have been affected by the zika virus. the troops are handing out leaflets to educate about the breeding grounds of mosquitoes that distribute the disease. >> the government is working in partnership with local authorities, health services and the army, but we alone can't

stop the zika virus. we can only do it if everyone helps. all brazilians need to fight to stop the spread of zika. for the safety and well-being of our children we must irradicate the mosquito that carries the virus. >> there is confusion about a botched election. half the deputies expected to vote have not turned up to the meeting. there have been protests on the streets. some demonstrators fear martelly is trying to influence the protest. there are protests in athens to campaign against government pension reforms. 12,000 people gathered, on friday farmers pelted police are sticks and vegetables as they stride to storm the agriculture

ministry protesting against plans to increase their contributions. the second time this month thousands have marched in budapest putting pressure on the prime minister to reverse policies that left classrooms short of basics such as light bulbs and chalk. now, the u.s. state of florida is dealing with an influx of unwelcomed visitor to its famous everglades. the burmese pythons have moved in, now there is a campaign to get rid of them. we have this report from florida. >> ozzie gonzalez makes his living guiding tourists through the everglades national park. he grew up here and saw his first burmese python as a child. but the population is thought to have exploded since then. >> we're never going to win the battle.

at least we can keep the numbers down. at least we have some type of control. >> officials estimate their numbers in the thousands and say that the threat to this delicate ecosystem is very real. >> they're unstoppable, and they're so quiet and so deadly. that we could be sitting here and not even know that he could be sitting inside these willows. you'll never see him. >> you'll walk through that bush, and you'll keep walking until you step on one. >> now wildlife officials areish issuinareish--are issuing hunting permits. >> i have respect for them. i love to dance with them, but after that bite i realize if i would have been alone right there, and that python bit me where it bit me, i probably would not have made it. >> when these sanctions hunts began it attracted 100 people

from 2 different states. but it's not the number of burmese pythons that are captured and killed but raising awareness about one of florida's none native invasive species. >> many are skeptical that a reptile so suitable to the subtropical climate could ever be irradicated. from al jazeera, florida everglades. >> a group of young independent movie makers hope to inspire others by bringing their film to the berlin film festival. >> boy meets girl. boy tries to date girl, but this is saudi arabia, and the challenges are enormous. in fact, that sort of the point in baraca meets baraca despite it being presented as a quirky comedy at the berlin film festival. >> in saudi in the last 30 years

has become so much limited, limited in the face of young liberals, the more progressive, the women, the minorities, they're less visible in the streets. no one wants to watch a film on public space. i had to make a love story and then in the background there is the story of the city of public space. >> if you're wondering just how much interest there is in the film have a look at this. it's a complete sellout as the film gets its international premiere. >> the young saudi team who made the film financed it themselves because there is no film industry let alone movie theaters inside saudi arabia. apart from getting around the censors they had to constantly explain to people what they were doing. >> i had this realization that it was a different character, but for other people it was still me. so when someone walking down the street or driving by recognized me, they wouldn't recognize me as bibi.

they would say come by, hi, what are you doing here? i was like-- >> the movie has got a great reaction here and is careful to show traditional saudi culture in a positive light, but it is not pulling punches about the societal problems. >> to make a movie with a critique of the culture, this is not easy to do. [applause] >> well, they have done it against all the odds. and they hope to inspire more saudi movie makers to do the same. al jazeera, berlin. >> and on the sidelines of that festival the chinese artist ai wei wei has an installation of

14,000 life jackets. they have been collected from beaches on the greek islands of lesbos. remember you can always find out much more about many of our stories by going to our website. the address to click on to is www.aljazeera.com. >> this week on talk to al jazeera, katrina adams, she sits atop u.s. tennis as chairman of the board, ceo, and president of the united states tennis association. >> it's been 133 years since we were founded, so it is an honor to be the first... i don't think i have to fight for it, uh...i was just being me. >> adams' climb to the top took a decade, and now the first african american and former professional player to lead the national