voter will be voting for the parliament that will be choosing the supreme leader. and andrew simmons has more

from tehran in tonight's segme segment. >> reporter: iran is used to elections but this is billed as a poll that will take the islamic revolution into a new era. one that could be more moderate. >> back in 1979 she was the voice of resistence. aged 19, spokeswoman for iranian students who held 52 american hostages for 444 days in the u.s. embassy crisis. she's now serving a third term as vice president this time under hasan are a had hassan rouhani, and she believes the conservatives will be overturned . >> i believe that the people will change the course of

events. if people had not voted for rouhani, come to the polls two and a half years ago, we would have not been successful in the nuclear deal and lifting the sanctions. >> reporter: but there are powerful institutes who are against her. they've cut the number of standings for parliamentary elections by half. it has had an effect on the assembly of experts cutting the standing for that body by more than three-quarters. most of those disqualified were either reformists or moderate. >> the way that it's actually done, i think that's open to a lot of criticism. >> what is your view of it? >> we should be more open in terms of allowing people particularly those who are coming, for example, with strong

political credentials in the past, or people who are coming for the first time, and they don't have that much experience in the political arena. i think they should be given a chance. >> even if conservatives did lose control of the iranian parliament, the supreme leader ayatollah can h ayatollah khamenei would up hold the conservative institution. >> we're joined by at lecturer at the university of massachusetts boston. very good to have you with us. the election arguebly is not fair to begin with because the guardian council banned many reformists from even running for office. but will the tallying of the

votes be fair? >> um, hopefully, yes. i believe president rouhani's government will try to protect the people. but one important the accounting of the vot vote for the council to oversee the election has the opportunity to avoid miscounting of votes or not. >> the key anti-voters--even if there is a huge turn out, is it likely to be a close election? >> definitely the turnout will be very critical of all in this election because i need to explain that election is pluralized, and it is right to mobilize people to come to vote,

and the voter turnout might lead to a more moderate parliament. >> if the opposite happens and hard liners win, what message will that send, and what will it mean for the iran nuclear deal. >> nothing that even the hardliner--nothing will happen to the deal. everything is done, and everything is set up. president rouhan rouhani, this time his focus is the cabinet approvement and the economy.

the hard lining election may impact his economy policies, and we don't know what will happen. >> so a couple of questions about what will happen if the reformists and moderates end up controlling parliament. first, do you think it will lead to those changes to inside iran especially the economic changes that the iranian people are so desperate for? >> yes, definitely this is the goal why people need moderate has created a coalition to be able to support rouhani's government to implement policies that may impact improvement of economy. >> and what would it mean for relations with the west? would there be more openness? because the supreme leader still has the ultimate word. >> yes, the supreme leader has the ultimate word, but this is also in so having a better

relationship with the west will impact the economics inside the country, and actually would be added value for countrie country's development. >> what about the election, the assembly of experts, which elects the supreme leader. is that election expected to make a difference? >> well, the combination of the assembly of expert even by this election will not diplomatically change, but it may create a better atmosphere to a little bit balance politics also it needs to be pay attention to pay attention to other players who are not inside, and more

influential clergy and the moderate as well. it is not just the vote within the assembly. the political landscape by the time they're going to correct new impact, they'll have a choice of new leader. >> a former member of the iranian parliament, very much a pleasure to have you with us tonight. thank you. >> thank you very much. >> the issue of asylum seekers is straining relations among countries from turkey all the way to greece. coming up, the demands, deadline linedeadlines and eviction m antonio mora.

coming up a victory for same-sex couples in italy also come with a defeat. but first a look at the stories making headlines across the u.s. in a court filing today apple accused the fbi of violating the company's constitutional rights by forcing it to unlock a san

bernardino attacker's iphone. fbi said it wants it's own back door so it can quickly unlock other users phones. a toronto killed three people wednesday. their bodies from profound 300 yards from their mobile home. the storm caused power outages for tens of thousands and heavy snows forced flights to be cancel. shooting in kansas has left four people did and 14 others ended. the harvey county sheriff said the gunman is among the dead. he worked for excel industries 35 miles north of wichita. the company makes lawnmowers and employs 500 people. the shootings took place four different locations including the excel industries plant. president obama met with his security team and discussed several issues, including defeating isil.

hours earlier his top defense officials testified before congress. jamie mcintyre reports from the congress about the house of appropriation sub committee was reviewing the budget and seem particularly concerned about whether the u.s. military could keep up with threats from moscow and beijing. >> in his testimony before a house sub committee defense secretary ash carter listed five strategic challenges, isil, iran, north korea, russia, and china. but he called russia and china the most stressing competitors to u.s. military superiority. >> we saw it last week in the south china sea. we see it in crimea and syria as well. in some cases they're developing weapons and ways of war that seek to achieve their objective rapidly before we'll be able to

respond. >> reporter: it's china that is seen as a longer-term threat challenging u.s. influence in the vital asia pacific region. something that earlier this week the commander of the u.s. forces in the pacific made clear in testimony before a senate committee. >> in my opinion china is clearly militarizing the south china sea, and you have to believe in a flat earth to think otherwise. >> china has been building up reefs in the south china sea while deploying missiles and warplanes and military hardware to man-made and natural islands in what is an overt effort to exert control over the united states. >> when they put their missiles systems, when they build three 10 10,000-foot runways on the spratley islands, when they do that, they're changing the landscape in the south china

sea. >> the u.s. is spending billions to counter both russia and china. he listed everything that more than tripling the number of cruise miles on attack submarines from 12 to 40, and new range bombers on ship missiles, underwater drones and swarming micro drones which could be made on a 3d printer. in his testimony he said that the u.s. still has the edge, but unless spend something increased that is at risk. >> there is no doubt in mind that we have the competitive advantage over china today. it's equal len clear to me that we cannot maintain the profile as outlined in the current bundle we would lose our competitive advantage over time and advance our interests in the south pacific. >> they thanked congress for some of the relief from the so-called sequestration spending limits but both warned if

sequestration not permanently lifted within five years the u.s. could find behind it's rivals. antonio? >> jamie mcintyre at the pentagon. the clock is tick forgive european leaders to find a way to address the refugee crisis. the continent's free travel zone could unravel in ten days unless turkey acts to cut the number of migrants heading to greece. also today bulgaria's parliament voted to send the army to police its border with turkey. greece has recalled its ambassador to austria over that country's handling of the refugee crisis. at theathens is upset over the meeting with the balkan states this week. they agreed to close borders and take steps that would effectively trap many refugees in greece. tens of thousands of people have been stranded at the border between greece and macedonia for

days. we have more from the greek-macedonia border. >> here on the ground one gets the impression the situation is already gradually imploding. certainly it's becoming more and more complicated not only for the refugees that are stranded here at the border, and other reception centers along the road buts are for the greek authorities. 12,000 refugees and migrants are already on the territory not counting those who keep arriving on a daily basis. the border is closed and has been closed since thursday morning, and there is no indication when it will open again. the afghans have discovered that they will not be able to go through any more. either they go back and try to find another solution or they will be using smuggles people di some said they sold their

property to be able to make the journey. there are two fences now, and it is very difficult to go through, but people will continue trying. what will happen next, they don't know. do they have now the right paperwork to start a whole new application process in macedonia? that registration process will allow them to go through the balkans route and reach western europe? they just don't know. they have enough to keep in the reception centers, and you do have people who leave those centers and walk all the way

here some for 20 kilometers. simply because they're following the news. they're confused. they're hearing that the borders might close permanently for everyone on march 1st, and many just take their luggage, and their families and just walk. they want to be here. a french judge has given the go ahead to demolish part of the french camp in calais known as the jungle. >> nadim baba spoke with asylum seekers who once again face eviction. >> reporter: this refugee has been in the jungle camp for a month. helping out at the food tent means he stays warm and busy. local authorities have been given the green light.

they won't use force and communal areas like the library will be left in place. abdul says he has enough to move on. he decided to apply for asylum. >> i am going to register for asylum on friday. i'd like to bring my wife and four children to iraq. so we can live in peace. and my children can be safe. >> reporter: others see the planned eviction as another hurdle to clear. they are determined to reach britain, where they have friends or family. >> i'm waiting here, i want to go to u.k. >> translation: there are places for refugees in france and germany, people have strong reasons. they have family, they don't

want to stay here. >> reporter: the government has a better solution. >> translation: with the help of organizations, as we have done previously, we'll offer a decent shelter for migrants of calais. and importantly we will get them out of the hands of traffickers. >> reporter: behind the trees over there, is the southern part of the jungle camp. the authorities in calais would like everybody living there to move into a new accommodation center. not far away. it's made up of heated containers saying it's safer and cleaner. psychologically it's a great leap. >> aid organizations say there are more people than can stay in the container park or other reception centers. >> france is telling migrants they can live in a container or temporary shelter.

it will prompt people to set up small camps, like 10 years ago. there will not be enough space in shelters provided by the government. >> charities say the french government should do more to help children and teenagers. however quickly they clear this part of the jungle, a lasting solution seems out of reach four coptic christian teenagers have been convicted of blasphemy in egypt, found guilty of mokking muslim prayer rituals, mokking islam. three were sentenced to prison terms, the fourth in a juvenile detention facility. it's the late ness a number of high profile blasphemy convictions an argentine prosecutor nisman was murdered. he was found dead last january, hours before he was supposed to testify about the

then president. he accused her of helping iranian officials covering up details of the 1994 bombing. his death was called a suicide. a former medicine student attacked donald trump, ridiculing donald trump's plan to build a wall along the u.s. border. >> i declare, i'm not paying for that [ bleep ] wall. he should pay for it. he has the money. >> reporter: are you afraid he'll be the next president of the united states. >> not at all. not at all. democracy cannot take up to crazy people. not with what is going on in the world today donald trump responded saying the former president of mexico used the f word when discussing the wall. if i did that there would be an uproar tomorrow, 200 countries would cast their votes to select a new head of world soccer.

they have an unenvoyable task of picking a head amidst the corruption scandal. >> reporter: an extraordinary congress in zurich to select a new f.i.f.a. president. after the dissent through corruption and chaos through the football world governing body. who would be the man the federation selects to create a new improved f.i.f.a. >> are you confident you have the votes you need? >> i think so. >> reporter: the feature is sheikh salman, with power contacts and influence. his role in the crackdown on protesting bahraini athletes reportedly tortured in 2011 makes the candidacy controversial. the main challenge from the secretary general in u.e.f.a. in europe. he stepped in for his banned boss. now he has enough pledges of support to look like a serious

threat. his hopes of f.i.f.a. presidency were ended after a $2 million payment from ex-president sepp blatter was exposed and the judge corrupt. they lost their appeal this week. african businessman and frenchman lacked the level of backing they need. as does jordanian royal prince ali, who lost the election to sepp blatter. who resigned. ali complained bitterly at the process, having had an idea for transparent voting booths rejected. they remain a distracting sideshow, banned for corruption, discredited but claiming he didn't resign and has rights. popularity in africa was important to blatter's hold on power. this time support for a candidate was a factor, and they held further internal talks in

zurich. the african president, the interim leader pledged his association, official support for the sheikh a month ago. there is a secret ballot. >> it's important to remember that f.i.f.a. is voting on a reform process on the big day. it tries to convince the world it can be a cleaner face. the probing continues, largely on the 2018 and 2022 world cup, and specifically the individuals involved. so the first few months of the new president's reign are not going to be easy. >> tomorrow night we'll have the results of f.i.f.a.'s election and what they mean for the future of soccer. >> italy is on its way to grant some right to gay couples. the senator approved a bill legalizing same sex unions. it does not include marriage or adoption rights. italy is the last western

european country to deal with the issue. the vote comes out of the european court for discriminating against gays. >> coming up, diving for sea cucumbers, and the boasting of problems threatening the future. >> also, how a 5-year-old boy in afghanistan got the attention

the bbc failed to act on warnings about saville for decades, but did not find evidence of a cover up disturbing revelations about a clinical drug trial gone wrong in france. one volunteer died and four left with possible brain damage after participating in the trial. now a report says several dogs died when exposed to the drug before human trials began. european officials are upset over the secrecy of the investigations into what went

wrong sierra leone recovers from the worst ebola outbreak history, it's turning attention back to boosting its economy. a species called the sea cucumber may be a way the country can thrive. as we report from the banana islands in, there are big changes, not the least of which is overfishing. >> banana island - quiet, remote, peaceful. it lays off the south-west coast of the freetown peninsula in sierra leone. it's not a wealthy village, but some found a way to make a good living diving for the sea cucumber, a species found in waters worldwide, and popular in asia. there's money to be made for local divers. >> i come from a poor family. that caused me to dive. >> he can make about $100.

>> he runs a team on the island and hires divers, and has the task of processing the cucumber, which can take several days. they are usually boilted and salted. he tells to foreign investors. most work is done at night. that's when the creatures come out, crawling over the ocean floor, searching for food. it's getting harder to find the mysterious species. >> some time we leave them alone for some time, so they can develop again. >> little research has been done on the sea cucumber says this professor, doing a report raising concerns, including the decline in population that could be due to overfishing and pollution. there's no official numbers. >> i call them the cleaners of the sea. they ingest rubbish, including everything. and they squirt it out and makes

a long trail. and they are recycling the marine echo system. the professor hopes the government will pay more attention regulating and monitoring the species. right now it's a free for all. many say the community here should benefit. people say they were promised a generator from chinese investors, there's no electricity on the island. >> i am discouraged about it. if there was power here, i would have light in my house. it's a bit of a discouragement to me. >> if people were to come and use up resources the community should be compensated. locals continue to manage. business has declined in recent years due to less stock, and until more regulations and research are put in place, the overall fate of the small feature remains unknown

now, our global view segment, a look at how news outlets react to various event. a period peace arguing that a racist backlash against refugees is a real crisis. european countries that close the borders are being nationalist and pitting country against country, ruining decades of harmony and disrupting the fabric of the e.u. that's more dangerous than the migrants themselves. "the times" of india blog highlights how i.s.i.l. recruits in libya doubled over the last few months, and how the country said warring two governments are unable to stop or slow i.s.i.l.'s growth. it says a coordinated effort is needed. that government must be formed to coordinate operations with international partners under the full blessing of the united nations. "the economist" took a shot at donald trump, saying it's time

to fire him. the magazine called a trump presidency an appalling pros mect and he is up -- prospect and he is unfit to lead the party. the thought of him near the presidency is terrifying and it's difficult to imagine anyone less suited to be president. >> an iconic steam train made a return to the tracks. the flying scotsman made the journey after a 10-year, $6 million makeover. emma hayward went along for the ride. >> it is the symbol of o bygone era when rail was king. almost 100 years after the flying scotsman made its debut, it's back on the track. thousands turned out as it made a long journey from london to work. >> this is an incredibly deep appeal. it's elemental here, it's fire,

water, and really is something deep within the dna. >> reporter: in its heyday the loco motive was a record breaker, the first anywhere in the world to hit speeds of 100 miles or 160 k/hr. the modern name sake can travel twice as fast on the same line. what this lacks in speed it makes up for in charm and character. it's wrapped up in nostalgia for the past. ron kennedy started cleaning the engine before becoming a flying scotsman driver in the 1950s. >> some of us record drivers. some called enginemen. >> i like to be called an engine-men. you can nurse it along. >> the flying scotsman has gone out of service, sold, and gone overseas, before spending 10 years in the workshop.

>> it's been difficult. we stripped it back, every nut and bolts. it's as good as it was when it ran in the 1920s, originally. >> reporter: the cultural icon represents a time when british innovation changed rail travel around the world. nearly a century on, the flying scotsman beats the pack for different reasons finally, an afghan boy who made his own lionel messi jersey out of a plastic bag scored the real thing from the argentine footballer himself. 5-year-old motassa was an online sensation after someone took a picture of his jersey. he worked with the organization to get an autographed jersey and soccer ball to the youngster. that's it for the international news hour on al jazeera america,

work. mexico will pay for it. it's not a question of if, it's a question of when we have a debt crisis. >> we are hopeful that the violence will cease, there's reason to be skeptical. >> immigration, the economy, security and more. we'll separate the policies from the mud slipping in the debate. >> two days until the democrats vote. bernie sanders is