into western climate, a sure for family must choose between going against their religious beliefs and guiding a group of mountaineers, or rejecting much needed income. the wall of shadows on al jazeera. ah, this is al jazeera. ah, hello there, i'm this darcy, hey, this is the news. our line from our headquarters here in durham coming up in the next 60 minutes. tanks and military vehicles crossed into democratic republic of congo as uganda repairs a ground offensive against an armed group will get the very latest from the government in kinshasa for as or progress here in vienna of iran for clicks to draft proposals to walk forward,

negotiating the revival of the nuclear b r. maniachi. good luck. i'll give you more. corona virus cases, double in a day in south africa as the new army con, variance spreads, then the u. s. a reaffirms that support for ukraine and discusses possible sanctions against russia or moscow denies it. has any plans to invade its neighbor about peter? similar to the school to me is alive from our fee for arab cup studio as jordan, michael wouldn't start again. saudi arabia and over in the states will keep you across the 1st lockout in major league baseball for 26 years. ah, now uganda is increasing its deployment of troops in neighboring democratic republic of congo to fight an armed group that launched a joins campaign with the congolese army on tuesday against the allied democratic forces. also, as the adf,

you can blame z a d s said 3 suicide bombings in its capital can parlor last month . well, let's bring in patrick maria. he is the democratic republic of congo as government spokesman. he joins us now from kinshasa via skype. mr. mia? thank you for your time. i want to ask you about the scale of this operation. how involved is your government? is this more of a situation where you've allowed uganda to operate in your borders or are you actually also deploying troops to support them? thank you. so much to bring me on this show, the government is fully, we'll need to change the prison to, to get to the office. there is one objective to bring this discount off the country, which is the best time to buy all of those arms. and it was originally from uganda, really bad. it's been talking about since last june and the last name. so now

i need to re decide to go to get in the ground before. ready before that, they'd been sharing entered the gens folder. now we just trying to go together, so we can make sure we destroyed all those orders. there we surveys, and then we see that we're going to be part of the country. you have the, the whole been plan somewhat for some months now you've been intelligence sharing. how long have you been planning this whole offensive? i can, i can get to more detail on that because the, some strategic i need to regression. right. the thing is year most country between you got the year see we me to the new plane where we do more on economy clever in the past, june, june to 25 most he then lunch because of constructing

2037 killer mental all the way to metal for between the country to make sure we are connected to anything. but we cannot do this kind of project without ringing sick or reaching the ground, which is especially the best that we've been in the past. but in the past month, the geron that they were asked of the school now for us to go in the ground. and we are doing the best to make strategy, cooperation, to make sure we batch or, or anything into forage. and then we can see the way we can move on. so just to be clear, so you are saying that they're all commonly troops fighting alongside the ugandans . yes, both. both of these special forces we've got into a special forces can get in at the moment. yes,

they're working together. there are obviously some historical sensitivities over uganda and involvement in your country. many people in the communities and those areas are worried about how this is going to work out for them. when will you deem this operation is over? do you have guarantees that the guns and forces will then actually leave we know that in the past there was a little question that seems to present to take you to the office. you stopped working closely with our different unable to make sure we are building between us to make sure we are doing more for help with the nation, especially in economy level. i understand that some of these federal have some worries about the past, but what we are doing now is 1st to make sure we finish re restore from we've done that and then we can start doing things inside the country

. we as government speaking, we probably different swimming to explain that you know, great action ship between country in coal. if in the past years there was some issues with vendors today. well, presidents are, will close the both raises. i agree to make, make it could meekly or it's kelly. and now strategically because we need to defend a common enemy because marketing in year or more than they are doing to bring these precision. so i don't want to, i don't, sorry, you say that the adf is killing. do you have any guarantees of protection for civilians in these areas as this offensive continues? now we know that those are ending in different ways. the less world, where are they going? and now there is no relation to countries but one think. and i think

both army united darrow walking in there respect human rights. if there is some, if there is they have to serve. and while people are like that, we care about how to balance discretion of human. right. and i think there is also new school sort of keeping sort area we are make sure we're making sure that we have it for the national. so the or direction we'd bring was that everybody, i think we've seen them all set for you guys. these are quality well briefly. so let me ask you, then you say the a t s has been active in these areas. fee is you've kaylee tried to get rid of them before. are you confident that you now have the capacity to get this done despite past failures, we are fighting terrorists, you know, fighting theresa very complex issues. that's why we decided to get our, our services. and now we bring together hospice or working the grounds to make sure

we are ready if we can, when you see reduce 100 persons of their procedure we need to do so by the 18 year is that early we want to destroy, we're the catch it and we know that the way to make some refresher and they can getting, they can genuine, to ask for permission to doing some research as a, as they do. but that's why we start looking for the nation to be vision that those people, when they've been arriving, running after the army, they can go get multiple edition. we are aware that they can act like that. that's why we are asking for sure what's going on and to be very vigilant and to the north, all the police to the army. when you see something, something not it's not clear about the movement of stores. patrick maria,

that democratic republic of congress, government spokesman, speaking to us from kinshasa. thank you so much for your time. so here with us on out of there. well, it's now being taught, corresponded malcolm web. he's following all of this for us from the kenyan capital nairobi. now continue took us through the latest that you are now hearing about this offensive. on tuesday, you got to just cross on foot on wednesday refill. sang zalman vehicles and trucks going across. we did here to few hours ago from the right group, just north of the penny that on wednesday at around sunset, a truck carrying some cargo and some people gillian passengers was attack. the 3 people were killed and some people were abducted. i respected that this could be the f. what we do now is it been a whole series of attacks on the main road to connect no tv province with it to be

proven over the last month. and i suspect that the idea is responsible for the attacks while that being going on. you've gotten the military in preparing at the cross preparing soldiers and for months now to cross into the congo. they say it defeats this group not from web there with all the nations for us from nairobi. thank you. you're welcome. now moving on and iran has submitted to draft proposal for european powers negotiating the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal. this is now the 7th round of talks in vienna and bringing iran and the u. s. back into that agreement, it's meant to limit iran new k program and exchange for sanctions relief. on wednesday, the us nuclear watchdog said iran is expanding its uranium enrichment capabilities despite these negotiations. well, that's now speed to alley hush him. he's following these talks for us in vienna, ali the lifting of sanctions. clearly the top of the agenda here for the uranium

strike, the lifting of sanctions has been on the table for the past couple of days. and right now, with the iranians announcing that they already submitted to draft proposal to the world powers negotiating to revive the nuclear deal. it seems that is something solid to talk about now with respect to what's in the draft proposal as we understood from an iranian diplomatic source that these proposed, those one is going to be on the sanction lifting the sanctions and all that would be on iran. rolling back the measures it took after the united states withdrew from the nuclear view. the elements of these proposals are going to be based on what was agreed on in the past 6 rounds of talks between iran and the powers. however, no new point where did one at this, you got it in the past talks and iran believes that they are

a crucial in order to rich to reach an agreement. so these are for now what we know about the draft resolutions. however, there are speculations whether this round of folks is going to continue on. it's going to be all that for now. the iranian delegations want to stay in in vienna and continue the for europe. 10 countries believe that it's time to go back to the capitals and have some consultations. we don't know much, much about the american delegation stands. however, it was significant to see the american delegation walking around this area where the talks out of taking place between the indians and the europeans and russia and china, and obviously the u. s. as in participating directly. but i'm curious if they're thinking about going back to the capital, do you have a sense of what the other european signatories and russia and china,

what their reaction is to these proposals that we've been that have been put for both of the moment. there are no stance is coming out from the powers, negotiating with iran on these issues. however, with the inflammation we said regarding having points, that's what i agreed on in the past 6 rounds. of course, that means that is something to talk about and giving that this is going to maybe if there is a decision to extend the bounds of talks, then the positivity, some of the european diplomats show it in the past couple of days at least in what they were saying to 2 journalists here, i'm dep, it seems that there might be a real progress happening in vienna and we should maybe wait to see if we're going to have something to maybe i know at least some, some real progress from this coming hours or days from now with all the latest for

us from those talk can be on a thanks so much. i look hall still plenty more heavy. this news, including warnings, was named humanitarian crisis. so un highlights ethiopia as it appeals to aid the debate that's divided the u. s. supreme court, his arguments on abortion rights, and inform people action from the fee for our cup. all that, coming up shortly with me until the pandemic now and the new ami kron variance is fueling an increase in the daily number of current of various cases. and so of africa for africa was the 1st countries identify on the crown. the number reported curb at 1900 cases that has since doubled in the day. scientists say the strain was in europe before flight bands were imposed on countries in southern africa. on for more, let's not speak to semi mila. she joins us now from johanna. spec to me, the shop,

very worrying. rise and infection say, but people seem to, thankfully still be showing just mild symptoms. that is the case and that's what experts continue to say. that even though they are about $2500.00 people in a hospital with covert and also they point out that, that i'm a product variant is likely to be the cause of that the cases are still mild. they has been a resurgence in numbers in about the last 3 weeks. and while they is concerned around the daily rate of infections increasing just a day ago, there are about $4000.00 new infections. and now they're 8000 new infections. the last 24 hours. while that is the case, the infections appear to be mild and also what experts pointing out is a comparison between the 3rd and 4th wave, which south africa appears to be entering right now. hearing the 3rd way,

there was an average of about 400 deaths a week. and while so that's the case in the early stages of the 4th wave exploits are saying they are seeing an average of perhaps 25 deaths a week. and potentially the number of people who are seriously ill become seriously ill, all could potentially die from cold that could potentially be harmed compared to the 3rd wave, primarily because the vaccines. well, let me ask you a little more of the vaccines for me, because i understand of africa has vaccines in stock to the point where they've actually been even rolling back orders. so what's stopping people there from getting job and so that's ok is in a unique position compared to many african countries who just don't have as much access or may not be able to afford those vaccines. there is a certain amount of vaccine hesitancy. and when this information trickles down to people, for example, the new variant with scientists are saying, well,

we not quite sure we know it may be more transmissible. we're still investigating just how effective vaccines may be. this is the kind of information that adds 2 vaccine hesitancy and concerns are from people around just what, how effective the vaccines are. and we're, if they're worth taking south africa in terms of disease has had a great role out of m and t retrovirus. for example, with regard to h i v aids in south africa. so there is a certain amount of educational information that has done well in terms of people listening to health authorities. but they instill some hesitancy in south africa. the government is saying that it may make vaccines mandatory in the coming months, especially in the new year as people return to universities. and for people who use public transport and public facilities who may attend to public events. but it's likely that the government could possibly see some resistance to that they're hoping or they had hoped to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the population by the

end of the year. that's 300000 people every day. the average right now is about a 150000 people a day, so they're far below their target. but really trying to push people to go out and get vaccinated, saying this is the best way to protect themselves from either mila, there, with all the latest for us, from johannesburg. thank you so much. mena. well in the united states, other possible cases of the new coven 19 variant are being studied, and the government is planning to impose new travel restrictions to stop the spread of on the chron. rob reynolds reports not from los angeles. san francisco is the 1st known person in the us to contract the omicron variant of colbert 19. the individual was a traveler who returned from south africa on november the 22nd and tested positive . on november, the 29th, the individual is self quarantining and all close contacts have been contacted. the

person was fully vaccinated and experienced mild symptoms and is said to be getting better. this individual has not been hospitalized the individuals that, that this individuals come into contact with. i have not tested positive yet to our knowledge. ah, and we are all full of full recovery and expect nothing less. according to the world health organization, the variant has spread to at least $24.00 countries. since the 1st cases were found in botswana, it should not surprise us. this is what viruses do. and it's what despite us will continue to do as long as we allow it to continue spreading, but remains unknown about omicron. we don't know how infectious it is, although there is a strong likelihood that it is more infectious than delta. we don't know how sick it will make people with that has been studied furiously right now across the world

. pharmaceutical companies are working to tweak the existing vaccines to give people protection from oma kron. in the meantime, the biden administration has ramped up testing capability nationwide. and is even more strongly urging on vaccinated people to get the sharp season. the best protection against army crop is getting a booster shot right now, but a 135000000 americans are eligible for a booster. but only about 40000000 have gotten one thus far. countries including the u. s. japan e u members and the u. k. have all imposed travel restrictions in an effort to slow the spread of omicron. but as the world knows, all. busy too well, the virus recognizes no borders. rob reynolds al jazeera los angeles. now living on an u, a secretary of state antony blinkin, says he is deeply concerned about russian policy towards ukraine. he met ukraine's

foreign minister, demitra labor and sweden, and to discuss moscow's troop held up along their shed, border thinkin, as usual, talks with his russian counterparts. aguilar rav shortly. moscow meanwhile, denies any plans to invade its neighbour. elaborate said, the chance of conflict remains high up both russia and ukraine of used each other ramping up 10 tensions in recent weeks. and ukraine says more than $900000.00 russian troops and near its border there moscow's dismissed claims that it's preparing an attack for its parts. russia uses ukraine of plotting to recapture areas in the east that a hell by pro russian rebels and says ukraine has gathered about a $125000.00 troops near the conflicts or something that killed has denied. ukraine is not part of nato, but russian president vladimir putin has warned that any expansion of the the alliance is military infrastructure into ukraine would be a red line. well, let's bring in alexi herron. he is a professor of comparative politics at the national university of care,

modular academy. he joins us now from care. alexi in your reading, how real is the threat of a russian invasion him? well, the question is that we don't know why. for example, in 2014 russia or goose by 8th grade year and started zoom war in gun parsons at east eastern part of ukraine, and at same time 0 where russian ukrainian 3, this moral ah, russia was again under all very tauriel. and thank you, chris and russell saint lou early. so nobody actually expected the thrasher would move it soldiers ha, to premier and to them. but nobody expected that nobody expected zak and age. certain theme was short by ransom. missa laraca, in green earned 300 civilians were killed. i saw nobody expected birds

focusing on know, focusing on what's happening right now. do you think an invasion is possible or likely if this possible so we should prepare for the worst scenario? we don't know where the future is planning for large scale offensive a limited military offensive, or it's just a bluff. it's black, maybe like a cabin in the spring ah, this year. so the basic answers that we do not know. i would like also to stress zuraw no late the military structures in ukraine. no basis. and that's very important because what we're doing is saying about nate or, you know, it's just an excuse him, he's aggressive. lance and ukraine doesn't want to start offensive for a very simple reason. we do not want to travel,

always russia. we understand that groceries nuclear power at this has been the issue. it's army is much stronger, zen z, ukrainian, the one in slogan him korean interest to start offensive. vice versa. the ration of firms is forcible as a crap. and in 2014 and in 2015 alexi, russia has already dismissed direct talks as requested by k as. so what is the next move now for kids? what is but what i can options in terms of moving forward now? well, 1st of all, we have a negotiation format, which is called normal on the floor is russia, ukraine, for france and germany as the the so there would be negotiations is form of

a just that there talks. so we are added fully sports, but you would prefer talks in the presence of international medi, like france, germany, or by the way that he simply president don from turkey. he also says that he could be more than a russia and ukraine, but russia refused. so basically, you demonstrates who would like to go talks and who is again well, we'll see how it plays out. over the coming days and weeks, alexey her on their professor of comparative politics at the national university of kiev muffler academy. great to get your expertise on out there. thank you for joining us professor. thank you. thank you. now, the international olympic committee has held a 2nd video call with chinese tennis pay upon tre, amid concerns for her. well being. the former double wild number one accused

a politician of sexual assaults and then was not seen in public for nearly 3 weeks . the women's tennis association has since suspended all of its tournaments in china. as a result, beijing says that opposes what it calls the politicization of sports. well, let's bring in michael caster. he's a human rights advocate researcher, and a civil society and civil society consultant. he joins us now from bangkok. my go, let me start with this latest ios, the video cool. does that give you any reassurance at all? frankly, no. i mean we've seen this play out before. china has a, a long track record of these scripted and coerced appearances of individuals who are otherwise held at undisclosed locations. and frankly, it's not quite appalling, that the i o c has allowed itself to be part of china's propaganda efforts of disguising what is otherwise

a gross human rights violation in the recent disappearance of entre michael, there have been some observations that this whole narrative essentially shifts a focus, we're now talking about how well being rather than the sexual assault allegations she's made. might that have been passive the plan, especially if the government then produces her safe and sound. i do think that it is concerning that we have yet to get to the root of her allegations. and i fully unpack the severity of sexual assault and massage any in china. but to say that her disappearance is part of a orchestrated attempt to disguise from bad gives the party too much credit. what this abuse against and punctual i is, is also very much part of a long trend of the wide spread and systematic use of arbitrary and secret attention to remove from public any one seen as

a counterpoint to the will of the party. it is part of a number of high profile disappearances over the years from the former interpol president, mung hong way or an actress on bang bang for earlier this year for jack moth. but also just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the 10s of thousands of chinese citizens who have been disappeared into similar situations of arbitrary and secret detention. this is part of the tool kit the china uses to impose its totalitarian will. and it's unfortunate that it is masking a very concerning allegations, but it is part of a larger campaign to silence and intimidate the population. life of the international community has already been very vocal about human rights issues in china. this just really the latest that we're seeing that what sort of an impression can be exact, a g, thank the fact that the women's tennis association has shown more credibility than the international olympic committee. or

for that matter, more credibility than interpol in resisting these types of clearly scripted and coerced ah, performances from china is, is really shocking. and it shows how far we really do need to go still. the fact that the io c or interpol have been turned into tools for china's propaganda. whereas the w t o has resisted it, is really a mark for the w, sorry, the w t. i. and really we should see more organizations behaving such as them resisting clear ally us from the party these propagandizing efforts. we also need to see real coordinated action between governments. china is a powerful state actor of course, and what we need to confront them is to hold, trying accountable through the coordination of multiple countries and marshalling various other mechanisms that exist for accountability. such as the global magnen ski act, which can be used to hold

a perpetrators of gross human rights abuses individually responsible for many, many other things as well. and michael cast at human rights advocates speaking to a staff from bangkok, thanks for joining us and sharing the thoughts on out as aaron lincoln. thank you. hullstead i had here on out zara. protecting the past campaign is fine to say the historic palestinian village from development ancient storytelling fem modern day challenges. how artists and kirsten are dealing with corruption and crime. i'm joanna roscoe and catherine going behind the scenes that is tough. nasa re growing the next well. cockpit to ah hey there, good to see we've got some dangerous conditions across europe. so.