>> hello there, and welcome to this al jazeera news hour. our top story. uganda's president has declared the winner in the election marred by opposition figurers and allegations of vote rigging. agreeing to a cease-fire if russia stops it's airstrike. the worst cyclone ever recorded in fiji. winds batter the south pacific

islands. >> i believe we'll be safe center a reformed europe. >> david cameron on whether britain should stay in the european union. >> we begin this news hour where we have museveni has been declared the winner of the presidential election. he's africa's longest serving leaders having spent 30 years in power. let's take a look at the results. museveni won with 60% of the vote. his rival only secured 35% of ballot cast. the polic.

>> it was not transparent. i would say the failure concerning the vote staffing or rigging. we have information from media. we've asked observers all over the country, and we have to say that this is not confirmed. they did not witness any kind of these things which have been mentioned. i have to speak on the findings that they have in the region there. >> we join malcolm webb in kampala. the results have been rejected by the opposition. they're calling for an independent audit. will they get it? >> we don't know yet.

kizza besigye, the opposition candidate, are in their homes surrounded by police and soldiers. kizza besigye said that his phone and internet seem to have been blocked as well. they seem fairly isolated and they're not able to communicate at all. the election audit in 2006 when he ran against museveni for the second time, he said that time he and his supporters took it to court. and in the court process the high court judges ruled in several different cases of irregularities they had confirmed that it had happened. they didn't rule that that would effect the outcome of the election.

besigye would say that they made that ruling under duress. he ran against museveni again for a third time in what he called a rigged election. he didn't bother going to court because the court system here is not free and fair. this time we don't know what will happen if they will try to pursue it. >> kizza besigye has been put under house arrest. that would calm any opposition supporters. what is the mood mr. on the street? >> at the moment heavy deployment of police and soldiers, but things have been largely calm since the result was announced just two hours ago. crowds have clashed with police and soldiers.

this is why we think that the security forces have kept under house arrest. but that was go on forever. we'll see what happens when he is allowed to leave his house, and if he'll try to gather people in protest as a result. they try to stop violence or insecurity here in the capital of kampala. >> it sounds like the next few days are crucial. thank you for joining us from uganda's capital come pa kampala. >> you they have released prisoners and access to aid to be delivered across syria. the fighting continues on the ground despite the deadline they

back up forces. >> they agree to a two-to three-week truce that could be renewable. they would stop the air bombing campaign. aid would be delivered to the we sieged area. but the opposition is also demanding that the al-qaeda linked al nusra front is included. they believe the very fact that it is excluded from the deal gives it a pretext to target other forces on the ground. at the end of the day al nusra brace on the ground where the moderate rebels wait. they feel they could target the

rebels and say they're targeting al nusra. we still have no reaction from the russians, but the u.s. and russians have been holding intensive discussions over the past few days. secretary of state john kerry saying they've been constructive and say that key issues need to be resolved. this is a complex operation but this is in regard to a hostil hostilities, but undoubtedly on the ground the war rages on. >> turkey claim claims russia of ethnic cleansing. >> theall those who are against the regime. based on humanitarian grounds

there are the syrian refugees. >> issue i can't's foreign minister say that staff members have been taken hostage in november. that's where u.s. planes struck a site they identified as an isil base killing 40 people. >> the 23rd of june is the day britain will decide if they're in or out of the european union. eu members have agreed to reforms. they'll campaign to keep the uk in. they'll be safer and better off. >> which are approaching one of the biggest decisions this country will face in our life times. the choice goes to the heart of the kind of country we want to be and the future we want for

our children. this is about how we trade with neighboring countries top create jobs, prosperity and financial security for our families. >> the chair of european movement u.k. and joins us live from london what do mean of this deal, this special status for the u.k.? >> well, for me personally it wouldn't make a difference. i would still vote to stay in the european union. however, what i think it does is it illustrates how important britain is to the other european partners. in many ways shows how nation states can come together and make an agreement and give the u.k. a special status within the e.u. it shows many ways the cohesion of europe, but also the select ability. >> do you think its enough to sway voters within britain who

might be tempted to opt out of the e.u. all together? >> well, i think the swing voters have been very concerned about the fairness of immigration, and the prime minister has addressed that. i think that there is som something in the u.k. psyche that has been concerned about the term. never has three words meant so much. but i think that is an important sense for people to be able to vote for what is on the table rather than what is speculated by those people who want to create a fear about europe. that it's moving into. i don't think that if you talked to people in germany or france they would want a separate state either, but it's an important point for many of the swing voters. >> what do you think the impact on the u.k. would be if it does leave the european project?

>> well, i personally think it would be detrimental. the problem is those of us who want to leave haven't got a clue. somebody was talking about inventory or socialists countries. somebody was talking about sings pour, libertarian. there are people who are saying we need to come out haven't got a clear view of where they're taking them. and until they have a clear view i don't think the british electorate will trust them. >> we'll find out in four weeks time. thank you for joining us from london. >> thank you. >> well, european leaders and brussels have been discussing ways to ease the crisis. greece has threatened to block the new deal for britain. until they promised to keep borders open. unaccompanied minors often face

dangerous border crossings. >> the they set off from their homeland for a better life. inspired by the messages of what they see of refugees streaming across europe. but soon a harsh reality sets in. >> these days they are allowed their journey. so these boys are now stranded on the greek side the border unprotected and vulnerable to criminal gangs and smuggler rings. many wanted to remain anonymous telling us their stories but not their names.

>> there was four of us. we were trying to cross, and we ran. my friend is 15, the youngest among us. he was caught. they took him to a house like this one. they raped him. i saw it with my own eyes. we through stones at them, but they pulled knives so h we escaped. >> no one knows how children are traveling alone. >> they were targeting others. >> that is the story of a boy who escaped from the town of sinjar in northern iraq hoping to reach his family in germany. he was lucky enough to end up in

a shelter here in greece. it's very scary. you never know what smugglers will do to you. they can take you to the forest, rob, rape or kill you. it happens. it happens and it will continue. some of my friends worked hard to get money. they were robbed and beaten, and now they've disappeared. >> ahmed, a 16-year-old algerian said he lost contact with his travel companion. they've also gone silent on social media. it's a story many told us. still despite the risks these young travelers will continue to cross borders walking under the cover of darkness hoping by daybreak they'll be safe and one step closer to their destinati destination. al jazeera. on the greek macedonian border. >> coming up here on the program. the latest on the acrimonious presidential contest. we'll be live from the u.s. state of south carolina where ballots are being cast.

political tensions are high in niger as the sitting president vows to crush any security threats. >> and going out with a bang, new zealand cricket captain in his final test. that's coming up in sport. >> the islands are being battered. the category five hurricane with winds speeds of 125 kilometers an hour. >> racing to get out of the way of cyclone winston, the strongest storm on record to hit figi. it's been battering the eastern island with high winds and heavy rains. the nationwide curfew was

imposed 6:00 p.m. local time. many opt to stay at home rather than go to government shelters. many homes are flip did flimsy and may not with stand powerful winds. >> fiji is an archipelago of 300 low-lying islands. this massive storm is slow moving and likely to sto bring lots of rain on land destroying

crops further along the coast they would help the barrier to limit damage. >> there is only so much that islanders can do to prepare for such a massive storm coming in full force hitting most of the population of fiji other night. caroline malone, al jazeera. >> doctors and medical staff in egypt have been staging a sit-in protest against what they say is police brutality. the demonstration was held. another sit-in was held in suez.

>> there has been a marketed increase over the years. but of course, police abuse excessive, the police being above the law is a longstanding widespread issue. and torture has been systemic for decades. one has to understand the historical contacts but the specific market increase. >> now republican voters in south carolina are deciding who they want as party nominee as

president. observers say that ted cruz led the field in iowa could also do well. we'll go live now to colombia. there has been some nasty campaigning in south carolina. some negative ads. is that likely to turn voters off from going to the polls? >> just sitting through any tv show here in south carolina over the past few days the number of negative ads have been staggering. of course it has gotten nastier on the campaign trail as well where the candidates are calling each other liars openly. here its gloves off and full force ahead. will it suppress the voters? unlikely. what we're told is that the republican establishment here is expecting a record turn out. that is because people are energized by this campaign. they're interested in the candidates, and they're following every twist and turn.

the big question in the exit poll will be just how many people from minority communities have turned out. that's been the big challenge for the republicans. >> south carolina is population here greater than iowa and new hampshire combined. the challenge for the republican party is to tap into that diversity so that their voters do not look just like republican voters from iowa and new hampshire. >> in south carolina, it's a diverse state in terms of ethnicity and race, the republican party remains a largely white party. it is not deepened derbly its region to citizens of colors.

that's ironic give that two of the most influence members of the party in south carolina include an african-american governor an senator. >> the democrati democratic party has tried to convince black that is they're the only option. but many are opening their eyes and saying so where has that gotten us. we have more crime, and everything is much worse. maybe if it's not working you should look at something else. >> they'll vote for the first time in the election in november. they don't want to see party pandering to groups. they want to look at issues faced by real people. >> what really matters is you

can consider the democrat and you can say you're a republican, but i think it's the passion and what the issues are. >> it's been said that the road to the white house goes through south korea. win here and you can win anywhere. >> what are the polls predicting? what should we be watching for? >> well, we should be watching how donald trump does. remember the last few days he has been involved in a spat with the pope. if you're going to take on an iconic figure he seems like an unlikely one when you're trying is to win south carolina. particularly when many identify themselves as evangelical christian or strongly christian. but donald trump has gone through these trials and process and it has done no damage to his

base support. people just think that's just trump being trump. he's predicted to win according to the polls. it will be interesting to see how big the margin of victory is if that's the case. the battle might nobody second place. ted cruz has had a lock on that for several weeks, but the marco rubio campaign campaign believe they have gained a momentum. they think they're doing very well and talking up the chances. when did they do that last? they did it in iowa and they finished third there. for jeb bush he has got to finish in the stop three or his campaign is over. if he can't win in south carolina, then he's really going to be struggling. john kasich has not paid attention here. and ben carson this is his last horro horrah. >> what about in nevada where we've got the democratic can y

democratic caucus starting in a few hours' time. >> everyone here, although they're watching the republican race, they would be interested to hear what is happening in nevada. hillary clinton might squeak out a win over bernie sanders. that would be a bit of an embarrassment. they have been talking down chances over the past few days. the saw cusses poin caucuses have not seen the same level of public support there. that is going to be very interesting, indeed. the polls are predicting a narrow win for hillary clinton. >> an interesting day for american politics. thank you for bringing us up to speed. more than 7 million voters are expected to rally behind the

ruling party. we have more from the capital. >> a moment in niger's capital. on thursday thousands of the ruling party supporters turned out for a final rally of the stage in. >> they actually won in africa. we are a country under rule of law. we have reduced corruption and put the country where democratic institutions are being built. >> the president is running for a second term, but faces a determined opposition. one of his most series

challenges is x prime minister. the opposition says the case is political and warns the election could be rigged. greet and fraud are there. we'll make sure all those who have the right to vote are allowed to do so. the kind of means we'll use depends on the nature of the problem at hand. >> security is at the heart of this election. niger is in a regiona region war and it is shoring up

security along the northern borders from the conflicts in libya and mali. the most pressing demands are employment, education and health. the country is rich in natural resources but almost half of the population live in poverty. al jazeera. >> still ahead here on al jazeera, free at last. one of america's longest serving prisoners released after 43 years in solitary confinement. and in venezuela, subsidies on petrol has been removed, but is it just tinkering with the economy. and plus sports find out if arsenal can continue their streak in the english cup.

>> hello again. you're watching al jazeera. these are our top stories. official results in uganda's elections have been declared the winner of the contender kizza

besigye has bee said that it was rigged. tropical storm winston hits fiji, a category 5 storm. deciding whether the u.k. should remain in the european union. prime minister david cameron made the announcement after they agreed to push demands for reform. one of america's longest serving prisoners has been released after 43 years in solitary confinement. many believe that he was kept in isolation because of his ties to the black panthers during the civil rights movement. >> on his 69th birthday, alfred woodfoxed walked out of the louisiana penitentiary a free man. he was convicted twice for

killing a prison guard. he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. both convictions were overturned on appeal. last summer the judge ordered woodfox's release, but the judge decided he had to stay behind bars while the state of louisiana challenged the release. in a statement woodfox said although i was looking forward to proving my innocence at a new trial concerns about my health and my age have caused me to resolve this case now and obtain my release with this no contest plea to lesser charges. i hope the events of today will bring closure to many. woodfox was one of the so-called angola three. he along with robert king and herman wallace would spent long stretches into solitary. many of the angola 3 supporters believe that the men were political prisoners being held for their involvement with black

panthers and because they fought for better prison conditions. >> they were the scapegoats. there was the opportunity. but the prison administration to continue in the federal effort to destroy the black panther movement. >> in a statement friday woodfox thanked wall his and king for their support. herman wallace was released in 2013 after 30 years in sol deer confinement. he died two days later. woodfox said that albert survived the extreme environment of solitary confinement because of his strength and character. these inhumane practices must stop. jonathan martin, al jazeera, new orleans. >> director of the national prison project at the american civil liberties union. he joins us live from washington, d.c. thank you very much for being with us. 43 years in solitary confineme

confinement. how does anyone survive that? >> it's quite extraordinary that he's able to survive the torture and mistreatment that is unknown any other democratic country. the damaging effects of solitary confinement are really quite well-known. they range from anxiety, panic attacks, to cognitive difficulties, inability to think clearly, to concentrate, self mutilation, suicide, and sometimes frank and irreversible psychosis. the fact that mr. woodfox has survived 43 years of this kind of abuse is really quite extraordinary. >> what might someone have access to if they're in solitary confinement? >> well, it's a level of deprivation that i think is really impossible for most of us

to imagine. think of locking yourself in your bathroom and staying there for the next 10 or 15 years. that might give you some sense of what solitary confinement is like. most prisoners in solitary confinement spend all but five or six hours a week in a cell that is maybe two meters by three. when they're allowed out it's typically only into a slightly larger cell where they can exercise. but there is typically no equipment or any other environmental stimulation. really, the most salient and damaging feature of solitary confinement is the deprivation of interaction not for a day or week but for months, years, and in some cases decades. >> a prisoner who spends this amount of time in even a regular prison struggle to cope in the outside world. what would woodfox need to do to be able to get his life back

with and amongst people now? >> well, mr. woodfox is not a typical person. i mean, first of all the length of solitary that he has suffered is atypical. but he also has had tens of thousands of supporters. he has attorneys. he has had even within the extraordinarily deprived environment of solitary confinement, he has had continuing engagement with the outside world. that will help him as he adjusts to his long-delayed freedom. most prisoners in solitary don't have that, and they're released often directly from solitary to the community with absolutely no assistance to reintegrate. >> how common is solitary as a punishment in u.s. prisons? >> well, the u.s. is really an egregious outlier in this area. i'm not aware of any our country where long-term solitary

confinement is such routine and normalized and integral part of the criminal justice system. on any given day there are between 80,000 and 100,000 people in solitary confinement in the united states. and while mr. woodfox's four decades is certainly extraordinary, it's not unusual for u.s. prisoners to spend five, ten or twenty years in solitary. this is a massive human rights problem in the united states. >> thank you very much for taking time to join us from washington, d.c. now, the police unions in three u.s. cities are advising their members to refuse to work at up coming concert but one of the world's biggest music stars. beyonce's performance at the super bowl had an anti-police message.

venezuelans are trying to feel the effects of the petrol price rice in 20 years after the government set the higher prices on friday, gasoline still costs less than $1 a liter. they say what the economy needs is wider reform. we have more from the capital of caracas. >> on wednesday the government announced that fuel would increase 1,000% per liter and 6,000% per premium. those numbers may be daunting, but in reality it's still cheap to fuel up. a tank of fuel only costing him $2.50. and yet, from the perspective of a bus driver who has seen his costs rise and without his salary doing the same the government price hike didn't go far enough.

>> it's still too cheap. it's a give away. they should have increased it more. >> despite the hike its still the cheapest petrol in the world. and yet this pre-supposes that everything else will cost more. one of the first to feel the impact of the new price of petrol were bus drivers. but this increase will soon have an affect across the board. from bus fares, spare parts and even produce. >> there is no way that no matter how large or how important to solve the problem if there are no changes in other parts. very importantly at the micro level. at the level of the petition that have generated the distortions that venezuela is

facing. >> according to the price increase on its own does little to solve the structural problems on a model that favors surprise controls. as the most vulnerable sectors of society tend to feel the pain of reform the most. >> the hike came late. when it came it was so abrupt that the effect will be huge. >> in a country with chronic shortages of good and services, where queuing has become the norm and with runaway inflation, the point effect are still being calculated by the government and it's people. al jazeera, caracas. >> china's chief security regulator has been forced to step down after months of turmoil on the stock market. he was removed from his post after a serious of policy mistakes. last year he oversaw a free fall in china's exchanges in which trillions of dollars were lost from the price of shares.

india has promised $250 million to help rebuild quake-hit menal. the prime ministers of the two countries are meeting for the first time since the end of a border blockade. we're in new delhi on. minority groups claim that the constitution was discriminatory. three gunmen have attacked an military convoy in kashmir. two police officers have been killed. the gunmen are believed to be in a government building. officials say around 20 people have been trapped inside have now been rescued. one person is dead and almost 80 injured. members demanding more state

benefits protesters want to be headed to that list given access to government jobs and university places. we have this update in northern indian state of hariana where a curfew is in place. >> this is the major highway. as you can see her the police have set up a blockade but further down protesters have set up their own blocks. they're stopping carts, smashing windows and slashing tires. but it's not as violent as what is going on further in the state where there are thousands now main of the protest areas are under curfew. but many say they'll continue until they get what they want. >> we want the community to get resolution status. we're prepared to battle to the

end for this. >> the protesters want reservation status. it will entitle them to special status. they're traditionally a farming community and well represented in the government and politics, and they're not necessarily seen as under privileged. >> still ahead on this news ho hour. book lovers define security threats under a last-minute change of venue for the literary festival. lindsey vonn back on top of the world. we have more back in sports.

>> this is one of the most important sites in the century. >> this linked the mafia and the church. >> why do you think you didn't get the medal of honor? >> i can't allow you not to go into that because that is

your job. >> we gonna bring this city back one note at a time. >> proudest moment in my life. >> authors, poets taking part in a literary festival in pakistan. they work to change the venue due to a security alert and say that it is intended to defy an environment of fear. >> there are few in pakistan who

know the female artist and activist who began her career more than 50 years ago. she has plenty of experience of political instability. she said her journey has not been easy. but create a balance that is growing in pakistan continues to give her hope. >> the thing that amazes me is the ability to innovate against all kinds of odds and surprising way remaining free. >> that freedom of speech does not come naturally to pakistan and other parts of south asia. from new delhi in india where artists have been returning. hopeful that the region's freedoms will continue to shrink. >> india and pakistan are bigger followers in terms of ideas, and

you know, localized government can only plan situations for a certain point. >> one of the many delegates from 40 countries at the festival. the line up includes multiple book launches with performances as well as multiple sessions with foreign delegates. they say this is a rare treat because there have been fewer public gatherings and open discussions. >> it is crucial to stand up to fear and intimidation. >> we despise the ideology of taliban. all the more reason to keep overturning any challenges from that standpoint of security. there is no turning back for us. >> and the thousands are expected to attend the yearly event. similar events have taken place in other pakistan i any cities. and with security improving

other heart artists are beginning to reclaim their spaces. >> let's get to sports now. >> thank you very much. it's the oldest football competition in the world and the place in the fa quarter cup are in the fines in england. the gunners are going for a hat trick of titles but they were held to a 50-0 draw meaning a replay will be needed to split the site. one game down and there are two more taking place right now. they're hosting west brom. it's halftime there, and the score is 0-0. as you can see they're goalless against watford. the late kick off is with everton going to bournemouth. moving over to spain and leaders in barcelona also in action at the moment. they're facing las palmas on the

canary islands. four minutes later the home side found an equalizer and it is currently 1-1. for barca to win this they'll have the nine-point lead at the top putting plenty of pressure on this team. real madrid who are in a playful mood at training earlier. they will play the away team in malaga on sunday. >> i'm glad to be here and it's all new for me. but the most important thing for us, for real madrid, is to keep getting points. we have to keep doing our best, training well and thinking none of this is going to be easy for us no matter what. >> this is what the la liga table looks as it stands. barcelona as you can see they are on 60 points. that's clear of atletico madrid. moving ton cricket now, playing

his 101st and final test manage, but brandon mccallum is not going quietly. he made history on the opening day on the second test against australia by scoring the fastest test hundred of all time coming in for three. he reached his century after 54 balls. in total he made 145 living hit six sixes, and he would go all out for 370. the australian 53-1 at stump. and mccallum's hundred came off 54 balls making it the quickest century. that beat a record originally set 30 years ago by the great west indian batsman. he's smashing with a 56-100. that was matched by the test captain. and his effort coming against

australian abu dhabi in 2014. and fourth on the list coming in 207 against england and perth. here is the thing. setting the new record, mccallum had no idea that he had broken the milestone first set. >> it was cracking play. it was incredible cricketing. and embarrassed to go past. i had no idea that i was trying to hit every ball. all those who had been in before and held it before, but it would be nice to win the match. that's the most important thing. >> when one cricket captain prepares to exiting the pitch another comes to enter the game. michael clarke quit the national when he lost in the ashes last year. but he was back in the crease in a club game in sydney saturday. he had some luck when he was

dropped twice during the innings. he made 48 before being dismissed. his future plans are unclear but he previously said he may return to the limited over in cricket. >> it was a nice feeling walking out there. it was a good feeling. >> to golf now, jordan spieth can say that he played better on friday than the day before. but it was still not enough since the world number one missed the cut in the opening in california. rory mcilroy was heading up the leaderboard from 58 feet away. he's just four shots off the pace at the halfway page. out in front is jason who holds the one-stroke advantage over chez breeze did i. it's all down hill for lindsey vonn, that's in a good way because she's back on top of her

sport having won the title in italy earlier. it's a record 20th world cup for the american. she finished second in saturday's race. and it makes up for vonn's fall on saturday which left her fuming. she apologized for posting this video on facebook. she destroyed her ski and binding with a hammer after falling in friday's race. she took the video down and remembered it was okay to lose and if makes winning feel sweeter. that is all the sport for now, laura? >> thanks very much. now author harper lee spreads the message of racial tolerance with her prize-winning novel to kill a mocking bird. she withdrew from the public eye until publishing its sequel i in 2015. she was 89 when she died in her sleep on friday. john hedron has her story. >> the words of harper lee

painted pictures of life in america's deep south. it was a world she called home. >> we didn't have much money. nobody had any money. we didn't have many toys to play with, the result was we lived in our imagination most of the time. >> her childhood was reflected in the narrator of the pulitzer prize winner best seller "to kill a mocking bird." a little girl named scout. in aticus finch, the author's mother's maiden name was brought to life by greg by peculiar in the 1962 film adaptation. >> now gentlemen, this country, our courts ou, all are created

equal. i'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and our jury system. that's no ideal to me. that is a living, working reality. >> though set in the depression era in the 1930s, "to kill a mocking bird" fueled in part of the 1960s movement and there after. >> this is before the black panthers and before the march on washington in 1963. this book coming out in 1960 was a time when civil rights were becoming very visible, were controversial, and fortunately the book was not scolding. it was not blaming. it was an engaging and compassionate look at injustice in america threw the eyes of a nine-year-old girl. >> she emerged from seclusion only rarely to receive the presidential medal of freedom from george w. burn. >> it sold some 40 million

copies since it was published in 1960. it won the pulitzer prize. it was a beloved movie. >> mocking bird was harper lee's sole publicationing in ghost of a watchman. it shows the fate of aticuk finch to something less than a critical acclaim. >> she was trying to write a tribute to her father, whom she loved very much. the first attempt completed in 1950 was full of anger. the second attempt "to kill a mocking bird" was more understanding when it was told through the eyes of a girl who admired her father a great deal. >> but her enduring classic will live on in history. a story tell who are has shown a light in some of the dark corners of american history. that's it from the team in doha for the moment. do stay with us, though. barbara serra has more from

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

>> welcome to al jazeera america. more reporters, more stories, more perspective. >> from our award-winning news teams across america and beyond. >> we've got global news covered.

>> uganda's long-serving president wins an election marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging. the opposition calls the result a sham. hello there i'm barbara serra. you're watching al jazeera live from london. also coming up on the program, running for cover. the most powerful sigh loa cyclone to ever hit fiji. >> and i believe we'll be safe center a reformed europe. >> britain's prime minister set debates on membe