knowledge as science and technology is not only a repository of knowledge, but an access point to the world beyond. ah, this is al jazeera. ah hello, i'm sammy zaden. this is the news. our live from dow coming up in the next 60 minutes . the cranes president plays down the threat of russian invasion that the u. s. says may happen as soon as next month. russia's foreign minister, sir gala rob says moscow will not start a war, but once the west to respect its interests, abridge in the u. i. city of pittsburgh collapses hours. i had a president,

jo biden's visit to the city to discuss infrastructure. leaders of west african nations suspend became a fossil after a military coup. and then spool raphael and the dog has moved a step closer to make in tennis history. spaniard have made it to be fine all the australian open for a rapport 21st grand slam title. ah, ukraine's president is urging western nations including the u. s. not disturb panic about a possible russian invasion for la them is the landscape though, didn't rule out further escalation is russia masses, tens of thousands of soldiers at the border. on 1st day president joe biden told ukraine's leader is a distinct possibility. moscow may invade next month. charles stratford has more from don yet skin, easton, ukraine,

which is controlled by pro russia separatists. the situation can only be described as as very calm. i was the last here in 2017. then my cell phone, countless other international journalists were banned by the oh sorry, it is in the separate controlled areas. so this is the 1st time that we've been given red access. again, the situation does seem calm here, but it's really interesting coming across through i suppose you describe the border area that the check point between the ukranian government side and the separatist side. and it basically feels like you're coming through to another country. they're all very saw checks. there's even a customs declaration post. there is a large amount of infrastructure in that demarcation area. and then you come into on it and say the situation is calm, but there is very much

a sense of russia's influence. if you see a lot of russian flags, a lot of signs expressing allegiance with russia, we haven't yet had any chance to speak to your sources or indeed really gauge the mood amongst the people. it's fair to say that there's a lot more traffic if you like on the roads than we saw 5 years ago. we haven't heard any kind of shelling or any kind of shooting that we so often used to have in 2017. but i think it's fair to say that very much at the top of people's minds is this recent escalation, certainly in rhetoric between ukraine and russia, and of course, ukraine's nato allies and russia. felicia, stop and grateful to the united states for their ongoing support for our sovereignty. but i am the president of ukraine, and i'm based here and i think i know the details more than any other. we do understand what the risks are. it's important that the president should know the

situation from me, not the intermedia series. we do not see a bigger escalation. yes, the true numbers have gone up. but i was talking about the same thing in 2021. when there were drills in the russian federation, there was a big build up. we were supported by the u. s. europeans called on russia to pull back. i don't think the situation is more intense than that time in early 2021. there was no such coverage of ukraine at that time. so there's yes, we hear level of mia zalinski, the ukrainian president in what so many people are saying seems to be an attempt by him very much to stamp his all sortie on this crisis. we have heard so little fraud, him certainly being as assertive as that. bear in mind that the ukrainian president is suffering some of the lowest popularity ratings he has in his presidency. here is a man that one the election with a promise to return these separatist controlled areas of don bass and crimea back

to you grain. oh, it's fair to say that he seems to be trying to de escalate the situation. and as i say, very much stamp his authority on it by saying that no agreement can be made without ukraine's full participation. it should not be an agreement between russia and the u. s. alone and him saying that, sir, it doesn't seem to be any worse than the crisis in 2014. well, of course, bear in mind that in 2014 ukraine, last crimea, to russia and arguably, or without much of an argument, actually indeed the areas that we're standing in here on net can new hanks. the separate is controlled regions. so we're, yes, there is very much a crisis, still a foot arm, but it certainly seems as if the ukrainian president is trying to stamp is authority on the situation and calm the rhetoric down has thank you now to the us where the defense secretary is holding a briefing, let's this and then going to up old are, aren't, aren't quiet,

commitment or made or wash. as you know, for months now, russia has been deploying forces to crimea in a long ukraine's border, including in belarus. it has progressed at a consistent and steady pace involving tens of thousands of russian troops. and it is being supported by increased rush and naval activity in the northern atlantic in the mediterranean sea. oh, we don't believe that president putin has made a final decision to use these forces against ukraine. he clearly now has that capability. and there are multiple options available to him, including the seizure of cities and significant territories. but also course of acts or provocative political acts like the recognition of break away territories. indeed, we're seeing russian state media spouting off now about alleged activities in

easton ukraine. this is straight out of the russian play book and they're not fooling us. we remain focused on russian dis, at this information, including the potential creation of pretext for further invasion or strikes on don boss and any russian attack or further incursion into into ukraine, but not only ignite conflict. it would also violate the bedrock principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self determination. so this is something that we're taking very seriously, both as a strong partner of ukraine and, and as one of 30 members of nato who were unified in opposition to russia's attempts to undermine those core values and threatened peace and security in europe . so let me be clear on where things stand today. first,

conflict is not inevitable. there is still time and space for diplomacy. yet, states in lockstep with our allies and partners has offered russia a pass away from crisis and toward greater security. in the department of defense will continue to support closed diplomatic efforts. second, the united states remains committed to helping ukraine defend itself through security assistance material and says 2014. we've committed more than $2700000000.00 in security assistance to ukraine. that includes more security assistance to ukraine in the past year, 650000000 dollars than a at any previous time. and so in december, president, by an authorized and $200000000.00 and assistance which included additional

javelins and other anti armor weapons, grenade launchers, large quantities of artillery and small arms, ammunition and other equipment. those deliveries are ongoing. indeed another a shipment. another shipment just arrived today. and 3rd, the united states will stand shoulder to shoulder with our nato allies that includes reinforcing security on nato's eastern flight. and as you know, we place thousands of us troops on prepared to deploy orders earlier this week. if nato activates his response forces, these troops will be ready to go out. a situational ukraine's borders is changing rapidly. but as we look ahead, there are couple of things that we can count on. one. this department will continue

to provide president biden with options to defend our national security interest in response to russian actions. and 2, we will stay united with our nato allies. earlier this week i spoke with my polish counterpart yesterday i spoke with my romanian counterpart. and this morning i had 2 very good conversations with my counterparts and france and germany. as we may clear, in addition to the significant economic and diplomatic cause that russia will incur a move on ukraine will accomplish the very thing. russia says it does not want a nail nato alliance, strengthened and resolved on its western flight. it will contribute to nato's response forces, and we will coordinate with our nato allies. we will make sure that they have the capabilities that they need to defend themselves. article 5 is clear on his point.

an attack against one nato member is an attack against us all and as president biden has said, the united states whole, this holds us as a sacred obligation. and we will do right by that commitment. and mister potent can do the right thing as well. there's no reason that the situation has to devolve into conflict. he can choose to deescalate, he can order his troops away. he can choose dialogue and diplomacy. whatever he decides, united states will stand with our allies and partners. i want to briefly address to other items before we open it up for questions. first on wednesday, i was honored to join the president when he signed an executive order to help us

deliver on the promise that all men and women in uniform should be able to serve their country free from fear of violence or harassment. this executive order will improve the military justice systems response to sexual assault, harassment, and related crimes. and i welcome it be. and finally, as you know, yesterday i directed changes to the departments, civilian har, mitigation and response policy, oversight, and process. within 90 days we will unveil a plan to specify the range of actions that will take on civilian har, mitigation and response, including important steps, building our mileage and best practices and tools for pruitt preventing and mitigating and responding to civilian harm. but i also ordered some immediate steps including the establishment of a civilian harm center of excellence. reporting to me that walk on parallel to

learn from our mistakes and to make changes and strong. i know personal conflict is not inevitable in the words there, all the u. s. secretary of defense, austin lloyd, outlining his perspective on what is happening in the stand off over ukraine. he said that he does not believe fuson has made a final decision. you're on invading your hind. but as ruth in now has that option available to him according to what the u. s. o. defense department is observing of usa glittery move sooner on that spring in alan fish is joining us now. live from washington. d. c. a clear message, i guess you trying to send there that they will stand with their nato allies like ukraine. it's refreshing the message that has come out from the by the ministration over the last several days. that war is not inevitable. that is

still the chance of diplomacy, but if called a point, then the united states will support all natal actions. it was interesting that the defense secretary was talking about how he'd spoken to both his polish and romanian counterparts in the last couple of days. we know that joe biden is going to make a decision about whether or not to move 8500 troops in to europe. they wouldn't go on to ukrainian soil, but there would be based on the countries neighboring ukraine, which of course, are romania and poland. i. it's clear that the americans believe that there is agitation and some level of agitation that there is this information from the russian side, that they are using this as a pretext to move in and start moving troops across the border. but there is a very clear warning, ah, that, that is not what the americans want to see. what the 2 does not want to see. and if

it happens, then there will be a response diplomatically economically and of course, militarily. all right, alan fish f, washington d. c. that robot kosky is a senior fellow at the democratic initiatives foundation joins us by skype from care of. good to have you with us. i guess i've got to start with the obvious one is going to be a war or not. well, the events of the last several days, i think, could demonstrate that there was science discrimination. and the reason is that the russians in my assessment unpleasantly surprised by the level united response by the west and on the level over the readiness both in military terms and in terms of sanctions. the read enough to want. busy to the possible, at the same time, by the threat,

the russian did not achieve their goal. they did not make other sides either you or your be us to make concessions to russia. so even if they start invasion, that would be maybe the worst scenario where the russians themselves, what can, what can they be as a solution to a basic russian concern has it does not want, he wants a commitment that it does not see the front line. if it were with nato become ukraine, that you, that, you know, neither rooms could be station. i think it's something like 800 kilometers from moscow. if they were to move into, if you crime was to become an 8th member, 1st on the strategic level, i think that the state has made this have made this clear. they are ready to discuss station of the 3 digit reference in europe. you for us also agrees to

discuss this session with the picture graph on close to the nato allies now in the baltic region and in the lecture region. as for the ukraine, well, the west is united and the rest are just the russia to stop. pretend that it is not the parts of the conflict right now. the western message is very clear. you other parts of the, in the bus, and you're also, if you want to your brain to make concessions, you also have to make concessions on your own. and step for what should be the fire then the release of the just and prisoners of war and the opening of the entry exit checkpoints. so in the 2 weeks in berlin, we shall see whether russia understood this. busy message and whether rasa rush up the best for the war, or whether you are best for collation because you see why he's established and the exit check once and them, but that it would be clear. assigned that so far they are. we are moving to what

the escalation, i wonder if the tensions drag out how much of a threat does this situation become, not only to ukraine's economy, but to lot of sharon ski himself think he's popularity ratings and up pretty high right now. yes. right. a lot of take is not pretty high, but i think these crisis will increase, keep the collaborative because the goal here to stay. and he says, determine protecting the country, but at the same time, on continuum books towards a diplomatic solution or crisis. so i think from this point of view, i expect that people out of it where they can start to increase and do you think, do ukrainians feel they're really getting enough support to deter invasion? we've heard well, moments ago, lloyd austin,

the u. s. defense hackers talk about an iron clad commitment to in, to securing nato allies. ukrainians really feel they getting that. i inclined commitments are well, when you are dealing with russia, you could be sure 100 percent or even 50 percent. what we do understood in the law, in the last 8 years, the all the way to the, our independence independence depend on us, not on the external a. so, so we resist satisfied with what we get from the back, but they composition of forces on the hour, but there's really formidable. we expect to get most of the weapons in order to present our skies in the air defense and michelle defense, not assault weapons about their weapons, to protect our guys from that possible russian us. all right, thanks so much. been good talking to

a bridge in the u. s. city of pittsburgh has collapsed, causing 10 mine. the injury happened just hours ahead of president joe bivens visit to the city will be there to discuss improving the countries infrastructure cause of the commuter bridges collapses. being investigated, whitehouse corresponding, kimberly how kit is in washington d. c. so there's very strange timing for a bridge collapse when is that to talk about infrastructure, how the impact thing is message? well we know that it's changing the calendar in terms of how he is proceeding with his visit to pittsburgh. we are now hearing in the last few moments. the president will be visiting this bridge because it underscores the point that he's trying to make at this visit to pittsburgh. he was scheduled to talk about the importance of repairing america is the crumbling infrastructure in the state. of pennsylvania, which is about a 4 hour drive north of washington dc is

a really good example of it because it has not won as we're showing on television, but about $3300.00 bridges. just like the one that crumbled today that need to be repaired. and this is an example of the problem all across the united states. and it's not just bridges, it's airports, it's highways, and it's even rural areas that need internet. so this is what the president, according to be talking about, look at, we've already passed part of my agenda. this in the case of bridges, provides 27000000000 to repair these crumbling bridges. and fortunately, no one was killed this time. but what about next time? this is why we have to do it. and in turn, this will bring jobs, and this will inject money into the economy and it will help bring things back and address the inflation that we have, the, that's a problem in this country and get things on track from the pandemic. so this is the case the president is going to make, but also why there's a need for congress to pass the other half of his build back better agenda,

but still has yet to pass congress so. well, initially this looked bad for the president like this may detract from his message in pittsburgh. this really is going to be used as an example of why the president believes his messages on track and why the white house believes that congress should support him as well. as the american people. all right, thanks so much. kimberly how can are plenty more still ahead on the news hour, including stark warnings about the humanitarian situation in afghanistan from the norwegian refugee council. we'll hear from them in a few minutes. in sports, some painful moments for play as aiming to reach this year's world cup and cutoff action from south american qualify. hang out. ah,

now the west african blogger was suspended burkina faso. the leaders have been holding an emergency meeting following mondays, military coup for the john to leader paul 100. remember address the nation on 1st day. he said that only be a returned to constitutional order when conditions are right. i co us is calling on him to release political prisoners. go over to nicholas. hark, now he joins us live from the cleaner faces, capital y, good to go. so nicholas, 1st of all, let's start with what a course is decided, how is it likely to impact the country? well, in principle it excludes ricky and also from the union and they're treated as outcasts . but it leaves the foundation perhaps in the future for future sanctions. but in, in matter of fact, it has very little effect. i mean there's been 3 who's in the region. there's been sanction put in place in guinea and in molly and that has done very little to

change things. but there were strong words in that meeting, chaired by gone as president, no, not approval. he said this was a set back for democracy in the region and then they were where it's from new harris foreign minister. i've heard, he says, we do not understand that military leaders after having failed in the field of war, take political power and call on mercenary to defend the integrity of their territory. now he's referring to, to russian fighters from the wagner group that are active in neighboring molly and the central african republic. they said on thursday that they would be happy to help him fall. so if they were called upon now, the heads of the military in the region will be meeting with the new strong man of the country to 10 colonel. but all he sent me back on saturday to try to apply pressure on him. sammy and nicholas. we had the 1st speech by the maybe they didn't wait. how is that going down? what's the general mood in the country?

well, it depends who you speak to. it's. it's back to this weight and team for many people . he put this ro, if he did this rousing speech, less of a leader, but more of a commander in chief, but what people wants to see is, will he be able to regain control of those border areas, the north of the country that's under attack from arm groups linked to al qaeda and i, so there's numerous actors in the region from the us and neighboring molly that has its biggest un peacekeeping operation to the g. 5 held the regional force and as well as the former for no power that has base a special forces right here. and was that deployed with forces? despite all of these forces, they have not been able to regain control of those areas. and of course, the army has said that it will invest more in the billions arming up to defend their countries. now this is a step that was taken by president the post president job what way?

and this will expanded through the leadership of paul than me, but we spoke to one of those commanders of the militia group in the north. and he said that they were sent on the front line, their ill equipped compared to our group that they're fighting, such as al qaeda. and are you still? and they're saying that the fossil forces are following from the back. he had a cynical read on what's happening right down. you said that the routine of us army, instead of taking over power in walker, do, who should be on the front line defending the integrity of the country. remember, 2000000 people this place to me point 5000000 people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. this is a looming humanitarian catastrophe, as well as an involving crisis on the security front here in brooklyn. so that's why there's so much pressure being applied on the gentle leader here in walk. i do that. me. all right, thanks so much. nicholas hawk there. millions of afghans can't receive the urgent

aid they need under the economic sanctions. that's the conclusion of a new report published by the norwegian refugee council. it says it's impossible to reach people in need when aid agencies can't move funds into and within the country . the u. s. and international institutions have frozen billions of dollars to pressure the taliban government. more than half the population is facing extreme levels of hunger. earlier we spoke to annette gland the secretary general of the norwegian refugee council. the main reason that we are asked an international community today losing the battle of the race against the clock. a rig race against the winter race against death in afghanistan is not the taliban authorities, nor the war which is largely over. it is the international sanctions. so we're trying now with this ripped port to tell the western world that when 40 in nato

egg, when all of these nato countries left the country, they switched off the lights when they left out the door. and let us behind with a civilian population with less funding, with no functioning banking system without an economy that is functioning at all. and where loosing lives because of it rallies have been held across iran and so forth. are the people of yemen, at least a 100000. the emanates have been killed in the civil war there since 2014 for many and others have been forced from their homes as the country is hit by asked, strikes from a saudi life coalition, brussels side of that has more from a demonstration into on from there most of you are yeah, most of the most, the largest mosque in terra, now, a thousands of people are now starting to protest. a man just before

did, did the different idea pre or we can assume that what's happening in yemen is a human tragedy. how's baby is rarely saudi arabian coalition and he's called body lanterns and runyan runyan was them to be in solidarity luther hemmings . and we can see that thousands of people know, counting against israel against older a man is caused by dis, forces. so human crisis is in 7th year and so far it caused town thousands of the lives they could. i, the senior man has been one of the major issue between iran and sold here area. in bloss september, these 2 companies initiated a process to normalize relations, bus softball. no break through yet. and dashboard here says that, you know,

a solution to the war in yemen. it's going to be quite difficult to see the normalization of relations between iran and saudi arabia. that the, the protest are not going to happen in, in toronto, but in tens of cities across you run still had an al jazeera publication of the report into a legit reaches of locked down rules by the british prime minister faces delays and book bands in the us fuel by there's about teaching about races in school and as for we look ahead to the port finally after the combinations, the latest from cameras on this way. ah,

there we go. very cold, wind was blowing down the gulf. this weather, the cold wind blowing down gulf mode by saturday, it'll be a little bit weaker. your back to levant, a few light showers tempted to come up a little bits easier. if anything's on the mend, quite that i'm afraid. on sunday, this swirl of cloud hints another late winter storm, quite lightly c sandstorms in north, in egypt, and libya of the time being. it's a rain one, but this focus in go 24 hours ahead and that rain easy converts to snow and the higher ground of central and eastern turkey properly worked possibly with getting intruders mountains. so suddenly breeza comes into the levant, so from the gaza strip right up to the syrian coast, it's like to be rain and fairly windy. this is tuesday or so we move things across and it sort of falls apart. but there is snow now showing in iran it spreads across was afghanistan. it's not particularly heavy, but it's brought attempts back down once again to where they should be in southern

africa, we still have not said good bye to allah. that is the remains of their logo. tropical sy, cards producing huge amounts of right in southern and gola, probably north botswana or cr vancho delta. for the time being at least in madagascar, things are caught may not last. ah, ah, education is the beacon that lights the future of any society. but for those who live in abandoned places, getting an education takes inspiration and determination with it to live in the remote areas. don't have electricity, tv, or computers. too short films show how a love of learning finds a way. a j select on al jazeera accounting, the cost of rough style for the year after full run is barrier sentiment in stock

market here to state the price is on assets and yes, hi. well, the cost of cooking become even more affordable. and nigeria, petroleum minister on reforming the nations oil sector counseling the cough on al jazeera, a showcase of the best documentary films from across the network. on out to sierra lou ah, thinking back to that press briefing by the secretary of defense in washington, let's this 9 eastern european countries and those forces and that, that's, that's been going on for quite some time. and those forces i provide great value,

just their presence, reassures a our partner, sir, that, that we're, we're interested in, am interested in helping them. the types of things we do with them routinely is, is a train with them and enable them and, and, and really increase their level of readiness. and, and so that's been very helpful to them. and it has a strengthen our bonds. but with our, with our eyes and partners in a region, and these are a temporary deployments. and, and so again, we will continue to sort, sort this out as we go forward. but again, we're focused on nato. we're focused on reassuring our allies and, and that's what this is all about. in terms of a trusting putin. i don't think this is about trusting pohden. this is about our allies trusting us. and so that's really what we're focused on. and

we, you know, mister putin, i've, at some point table will reveal what he's thinking. but again, i'm not sure that he's made that the final decisions on what he's going to do yet. so and barbara, let me 1st say that is a pro, as a secretary set up front. but right now we don't think final decisions have been made to conduct any sort of offensive operation to ukraine by the russians. and we firmly believe there's still room for diplomatic outcome here. having said that, given the type of forces that are arrayed, the ground maneuver forces, the artillery, the ballistic missiles, the air forces, all of it packaged together. if that was on leashed on ukraine, it would be significant, very significant and it would result in a significant amount of casualties. and you can imagine what that might look like in dense urban areas, along roads and so on and so forth. it would be heretic,

it would be terrible, and it's not necessary. and we think a diplomatic outcome is the way to go here. very quickly follow can you. we think that you have a diplomatic outcome is the way to go, either via you wanting say, or the was there of us military officials, outlining what they see is very problematic scenario for russia. if you did invade ukraine in the u. k. london's metropolitan police is weighed in on a report being prepared by a civil servant into a legit social gatherings at the prime minister's official residence. the gatherings happen during a corona virus lockdown. offices say they want minimal references to be made amount event. they're still investigating events goals taking place at the high for the pandemic restrictions. but here are some of the key events leading up to the scandal. gatherings during current, a virus lock downs at downing street were 1st reported last november. a leaked video showing staff joking about the christmas party for sparse johnson press

secretary to resign. on december, the 9th, the government launched an inquiry into gatherings now laid by senior civil servants to gray. its findings yet to be released more evidence of repeated gatherings during not bound surface over the last 2 months, including a party on the eve of prince philip's funeral. already facing calls to resign. further allegations emerge on monday that boss johnson had a birthday party, attended by 30 people in june 2020 already channel joins us now live from outside number 10, downing street in london, quite embarrassing. no doubt, to the prime minister. how unusual is the statement by the police? well, i think it's very surprising considering that su grey's reports her investigation has been ongoing for some time now. and during that time,

sue gray's team and the metropolitan police have been in communication with each other. that has been ample time for the metropolitan police to raise any concerns that they might have had with sue gray and their team and have left it very late in the day to do so. so this decision on their parts has raised some eyebrows here in london. they have basically completely changed their position them at place from some weeks ago when they said, well, this is not the kind of thing that we are going to investigate retroactively. we don't think there's enough evidence. su grey started her investigation, then the police decided that there was enough evidence and they, so they did start an investigation. and now they are saying that c, grey's report should not be published in full because as a protect, it might prejudice their own investigations. that word prejudice has raised eyebrows as well because that's the kind of language language you would use. the

police, if you are investigating something that might result in a jury trial, not the kind of misdemeanor offences which it looks like su gray and the police have been investigating now the police have sort of gone some way towards clarifying that that, that, suggesting no, they don't have any evidence of anything more serious than the parties they're investigating. but again, it trials the whole thing in a bit of mystery. in a bit of murkiness. c. grey's now in quite a difficult position. she have basically 3 options. she can either ignore the police and what they recommended and publish her report in full. she's very unlikely to do that. so the other 2 options are she can do what the police have requested. publisher reports that has large parts of it. redact said essentially water down all she can wait until the police have done what they need to do. and

then she can publish neither of those a particularly good outcomes because everyone in the u. k. has been waiting for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and what it seems like we're going to get it, at least in the short term, is not that resulting as something that is that is that is basically half a report or even less all we're going to have to wait for some time before we see the whole thing. and remember, many of the people waiting for this all angry tory m p. 's, who said that they wanted to see what su grey had to say before. they could decide whether they're going to get rid of that leader forest johnson or not. all right, we'll leave it there. thanks so much for the challenge. library associations and free speech groups say they're facing an unprecedented campaign to banned books in the u. s. parents are objecting to a wide range of titles, they climb so division and induce distress in white students. she have written c

reports. battle is waging at school boards across the united states. i'm sure we've got hundreds of people out there that would like to see those books before we burnam books deemed to be sewing division in the classroom by republican control boards, a being reviewed by authorities, some of being removed from the shelves. i don't know that any advocate who's been working on tracking or paying attention to the freedom to read can recall the time when the same book was removed or targeted with such vitriol and haste. in so many places all over the country at one. yeah. and then the involvement of politicians, the state legislatures, governors. this is categorically different to this is next level. we're going to embrace our parents, not ignore them. the issue is key to the republicans re taking of the governorship of virginia for the 1st time in 11 years. even after donald trump,

popularity had slept last november. this was one of the advert used by the victorious campaign and my son showed me his reading assignment, my heart song. it was some of the most explicit material you can imagine. he's referring to beloved by the nobel prize winning with attorney morrison and account of american slavery. that does contain some explicit scenes. a son would have been 17 or 18 at the time of his assignments. it's all part of a wider cultural war against c, r t or critical race theory, and academic discipline, using law class from gender to analyze racism in america, country to the claims of right wing politicians though it is not taught at school, but at universities, we're trying but some argue that discussing race at all, either the school classroom or anywhere else is itself a form of racism. nobody wants this crap. ok, this is an elite driven phenomenon. abram x can these book stamps was the 2nd most targeted book for bombing in the u. s in 2020. according to the american library

association of traces, the current mood of censorship to a backlash against the black lives matter protests of 2020 more people, particularly more, more white americans seeking to understand the history and the, and really the prevalence of you know, racism, the history of all the different groups that have formulated this country, then you have this bitter attack to prevent people from learning their history from understanding the history from seeking to understand how it was that george floyd was, was murdered in such a boot away. but the range of books being taught should go way beyond those analyzing race in u. s. society. the selection suggests hostility to any consideration of gender sexual identity, reproductive rights, or, in this case, just a simple acknowledgement. the 3 african american women were crucial to nasa in the sixty's. in fact,

many of the list circulating and objectional books have not originated locally from concerned parents, but have been compiled by groups funded by national republican party donors. it's pretty clear that one side of the political spectrum believes is a winning political issue and issue that republicans who will mobilize the suburban white electorate ahead of the upcoming mid term elections. she ever times the al jazeera washington. all edmond phone is an associate professor of political science at the university of utah join us now from salt lake city. good to have you with us for so why do you think right now in particular, the issue of critical race theory of teaching race in schools has become so divisive? well, we have a long history of our race bathing tactics. i think conservatives and so the theory over critical race theory isn't the latest on the sort of pattern around this. the idea is to take something that seems, are unfamiliar, controversial,

perhaps immersive, and especially around race and sort of with that up into the outrage. and i think with the pandemic, you know, lots of parents have already sort of been under sort of stress and you're asked about what's going on schools with mandates and what have you. and so this is a kind of perfect storm. let me jump if i could and present to you the concern to wagner, they would disagree with them. they would say that basically what's being told in the schools is to make white kids feel bad about themselves for being white almost guilty. what to make of that mean? unfortunately, those claims are misinformed or exaggerated beyond perspective. i mean, just the school district, north of me in salt lake city, is being investigated by the department of justice for students, students of color who have been made to be discriminated again. bullied, you know, with an administrator is not doing anything about that. so, you know, if they are,

and i haven't seen a document claims of why students being made to feel guilty. i mean, those are going to be drawer far by, you know, sort of discrimination in, in the schools against students of color in the report. we just ran, there was a sound by that statement, by an official talking about book burnings. are you concerned about where the u. s . is, is heading with talk about book burnings book fannings. it's not will leave us is known for. yeah. i mean, yeah, absolutely. i mean, i think the level of what's being proposed is, you know, kind of far beyond what i would have expected. um, you know, i think the measure of how state legislatures, you know, across the country have sort of really targeted school boards. and what's being taught in schools is something a little bit unprecedented. certainly in 21st millennium. you know,

so i think as your spot indicate it goes beyond say, you know, kind of handful or, you know, kind of hard hitting controversy or books that can go beyond things like even to kill a mockingbird or, you know, start classes in the american can. so yeah, it is cancer and i want to to what extent is this being driven by the grassroots, by parents who are not happy with the curriculum books that kids are reading. to what extent this being actually driven by political acts as trying to exact political advantage or gain from this situation. i think it's fairly safe to say that it is primarily driven by political actors. i mean, the whole focus on c, r t critical race theory began with the work of even a kind of a single conservative activists. i think his name was christopher, rueful, who was quite explicit about wanting to make critical race theories sort of the next target and make it

a toxic brand that can be sort of stretched to cover all manner of things dealing with, you know, criticisms of race. so i think that and many of these parents groups even hear in utah that are outraged, concerned about c r t r, you know, are funded by, you know, conservative groups. so i think it was largely driven by no. oh or says it's good to get your thoughts on the answer on that. thanks so much. thank you so much. i must. hm. loya in sri lanka, detained for the past 21 months, has been denied bail. he jazz has viola, was arrested initially on claims of aiding and abetting the 2019 east the bombings . but it was either charged with fostering hate speech. he denies the charges. now fernandez reports from petroleum. he jones, his viola, arrived at the high court in the town of put them on friday, hoping to be released on bail. the sheila can lawyer has been in detention since

police arrested him in april 2020, vaguely. and then it was because he hit the easter sunday bummers who caused this carnage in 2019 killing 270 people. but almost a year later, his below was formerly charged with inciting, communal disharmony under the prevention of terrorism act. for a lecture he allegedly gave at this may draw sir oil la mc school, you don't even know what you're fighting against and you don't even know what's going to happen tomorrow. so there was always uncertainty and everything. and i think that was the hardest part of it. and the last 21 months have been difficult. mom found out she was pregnant with their 1st child off to her husband was detained . to day she heard, he wasn't coming home despite local and international criticism of the case against the judge, his viola, and mounting pressure for his release. he's back in raymond,

the high court judge maintained she did not have the authority to give bail toward tara suspect. his bull as legal team applied for bail based on government lawyers saying they wouldn't object, but in the media, is it a lot there are provisions to do do video conference, buddy, shoot guns when a trailer started. and in this situation a child has started. and then does lack of legal obligations you've been in the trial. i started the trial based on testimony of a former student at the dresser began on friday. the now 18 year old senior and the orange shirt told the court that his bullet had told him about muslims in palestine being attacked. his belie and his family have denied the charges, saying the case is fabricated. it was a clear, very, very clear message to to anyone who wants to

defend minority rain or defend muslim rights. that this is how you're going to be treated, that this is what we can do to you. but it's not silence tis we'll learn. and let's keep fighting till he does come home. he daughter will have to settle for his picture or no foreign menendez, i'll just 0. put them. i'll catch up with the sports news here. thank you very much . samuel host nation cameroon, are making final preparations ahead of their africa. a couple of nations called the final. the last 8 will kick off with the home team it taken on torment debutant, gambia into auda. come on, are looking to win determined for 6 time. they beat camaro to reach a la 16 la gambia, not called guinea to advance. also inside the book enough i will take on tennis. yeah. and then on sunday 7 time champions, egypt, faith, morocco,

and synagogue are up against equatorial guinea. we've been speaking to john this como geisha. he believes there's plenty of potential for shock results in the last 8. it's been so many surprises. that's why at this point and it's on them and we don't have my, i'll do what the defending champion gotten. you know, it's been the exciting like that the gumby or the lowest run team is going to make $150.00. but do not, you know, doubt them. they can do anything. they have nothing to lose in this one. they've been promised each player $20000.00 if they can defeat cameron. that's a good motivation for them. and also for cameron, obviously to have a bull because he's the current leading folks for at the one i met with 6 goals and also took what it can be with another 3. so that's enough quiet power to sort of, you know, get the job done. hope looking good if not last,

at home in about 34 years. that's a good record. if you look at it that way, however, the books are not, you know, the african since 1972. so it should be interesting, you know, for camera to go all the way more looking, also very solid, but they have the test to beat the 7 time champions, egypt in north africa. but then ago, you know, grinding the results in their said, your mind that is a doubtful that you're on the lions. but they should also be one of the type of a debate at this point. ah, in south america woke up qualify in brazil who's already booked a spot in cut our hell to draw by a quote all taken early. the brazil were reduced to 10 men midway through the 1st half of the senate, giving a red card off. so that challenge ecuador finally will brazil, down with felix toys, getting the equalizer in the 2nd half. you 11 draw means ecuador sit,

said in the 10 teams you all like brazil, argentina, already qualified for car. they be too late to one. it's damaging results for the 2 ladies who sit outside the qualification spots in 7th and the top 4 in south america called find progress automatically to the finals. the 5th place that team head into an inter continental payoff. those matches will take place in ca, taught this tune canada are looking good. teresa woke up up for the 1st time since 1986. they be home to us at 2, anela, to say top of the hall. 5 good for for north and central america. top 3 qualify automatically for cutter. canada have a home game against the united states. coming up on sunday. you said 2nd in the standing. i dish.

it's, it is now up on the die is now just one, went away from a history making 20 for as a grand slam title is in to the finals of the australian opened, a spaniard will be taken on down in medford f in sundays. that final, andrew richardson reports ah, found the dell is a step closer to the grand slam title that will not jim ahead on the all time list . the 35 year old had a relatively easy time of it in his australian open, semi final against mateo, martini of italy. ned, our winning this match in 4 sets to move in inside of a record breaking 21st grand slam title. oh, this victory coming just a few months after a foot injury came close to ending his career

with them as asians with with the day with her family about her. what can happen or what? going to happen if the things going dinner like this, her thinking that maybe in the chancel to say good bye. oh, he'll be taking on weldon, but suit danielman, the dev in sundays final. the russian was far from happy during his semi, against a foreigner. cit, to pass a med but have claiming his greek opponents was receiving encore coaching which is against the rules. i don't know. how can you call the method of eventually going on to when the match in $0.04 is a small cas. why. why that reference here? well i, i was the, i see, i mean,

you guys are laughing so i think we can say it was funny, but i was definitely of out over out of my mind if we can say like this, like i was, i was not controlling myself any more about ancient and that's actually why i'm really happy to win because many matches like this. i would go on just to, in all, to, to do mistake. his emotions and the patience of the empire could well be stretched to the limit. again, in that title decided against no doubt. and he richardson algae is here full time, major champion. roy mcelroy is in contention to wendy divide desert classic around $6.00 to $6.00 on friday. move to not an irishman at to, within 4 shots of beneath victory and divide for con mcculla would that see him replace at john rom as well? number one, but the american is 8 shots off the pace. that's a for me summit. thanks so much senate but says from me for this news out,

but we'll be back with another for both and that's coming up from london. so to stay with us. ah. a world best athletes to care for the winter olympics aging is bracing itself for the arrival of an estimated 11000 people. kind of 0 tolerance corvette strategy work. and despite diplomatic voice, which one is winter game try moving you the latest from dating 2022 winter olympics on al jazeera join the debate, the eraser of black people from the american and global story was very powerful on

an online at your voice. the comment section is right here, join our conversation. we had all protected when everyone is protected. it is not by being nationalistic about us. you just look at it in a very different way. say that perspective men and men meeting each other and they don't have any pollution. let me put it clear for you. this dream on al jazeera, a coming of age story in the community, fighting to preserve the heritage in an ever changing world. thing on an ancient ritual to future generations. in an award winning documentary, i'll just say we're world follows a group of young men on their right to pass the challenge in the remote forest of ivory coast the sacred woods. on al jazeera, i

al jazeera ah, all the. ready ready ready grange president thinks to come, what he says is panic over the escalating tensions with russia. wild game a fusion is saying, the west has ignored russia secures he can sons. ah, lo, i'm marianne no mercy in london, you're watching al jazeera also coming up on the program. the keynote faso is suspended by west africa main regional blog following this week's military.