playful is a 50 meter 40 tom puts in a great way and it's co, one of the great. so it's the civic coast from mexico to alaska. but in the last 4 years, the great wells numbers have gone down by almost 40 percent. according to the national oceanic and atmospheric research administration, the u. s. agency. there's a phenomenon called skinny whale in which you start seeing that their body condition is getting worse. they're getting better, it's because they're not getting enough food. climate change can be leasing so. precedent for these in the late 1918 and a game in 1999, there was a big drop in way. none of those scientists believe that there is a natural top out point in the number of very way it was a very quick system school that she uncertainty here every time the numbers for the researches i'm for the curious friendly and that they're watching over

ah, israel's cabinet discusses the creation of a national guard under the command of the far right. security minister. ah, you're watching al jazeera life from a headquarters in ohio getting navigate. also coming up. bulgarians are voting for the 5th time in 2 years, hoping to break a political deadlock. where on indonesia, as borneo islands, where a new capital is being built. but critics say the project is a threat to the environment. green transportation, or public nuisance people in paris are voting on whether to do away with electric scooter. ah,

hello, we begin and israel with the debate about creating a so called national guard. the cabinet is voting on the proposal, which the national security administer. it's m r been give era says it's critical and the fight against what he calls terrorism. the new armed units would report directly to bon give air. he says, prime minister benjamin netanyahu agreed to put the matter to a vote in exchange for his support and delaying controversial changes to the judiciary. and critics are concerned that the national guard could be used to unfairly target palestinians or to silence distance life western them and speak to natasha the name. so do we expect this resolution to be approved? i'm actually not going to predict anything, right? we're an uncharted territory in terms of the political situation and the crisis here in israel. but we do know that the cabinet is expected to be discussing the formation of a national guard. it's important to note that there is already

a national guard. it operates within the police department here in israel, for example, in 2021. it was dispatched to combat violence between israeli settlers and the palestinians. this is also not the 1st time that a proposal for a new beefed up national guard has surfaced. the last government actually allocated about $277000000.00 to staff, a guard $1800.00 strong. but that proposal fizzled. this is what's different this time. the political climate prime minister benjamin netanyahu is said to have promised this to his national security minister as the country last week was brought to a standstill due to protests, over the judicial overhaul. netanyahu hit the pause button on the judicial overhaul . something that the national security minister was greatly opposed to. he threatened to leave the government, which would have put the governing coalition in great jeopardy. there is

a very slim majority. this is a pet project of national security minister. it's m r been give year. he has a controversial far right figure that has been convicted of racist incitement and supporting a terrorist group. and as we're hearing now, this new national guard would fall under his purview, right? and perhaps that is why natasha in those opposed to this. and there are people who criticize this. this move is national guard, could target palestinians and, and could also be used to silence government descent bend vere is saying that this new national guard is needed. it would strengthen security and the government as a whole. he says it would target organized crime, including jewish criminal organizations. and it would operate in these so called mixed cities. where is riley's and palestinians live side by side. the opposition

is very concerned vandeveer in the last 3 months has moved or at least lobbied for a more heavy handed approach. with protesters and opposition leader and former prime minister year le pete says with the formation of this proposed new god national guard, it would mean cuts in all areas of the government such as education, health care, public transportation. and he says, those cuts would quote, be used to finance an army of pri, a private, excuse me, a private army of thugs. so essentially, the opposition is worried about this national guard being used as quote, a private militia for bending revere. in addition to the opposition, you have 2 members of security agencies saying that this is unnecessary. there is already a national guard that there's a high cost and in fact this could even jeopardize security of citizens. and you also have the legal advisor of the government saying that she opposes this new

proposal for the national guard or in natasha. the name report from west to russo. i'm thank you. david sir is a former district commander of the police until the v. if he says there is not a need for a separate force. i think we need to strength the existing force of the police, which is lack of 2000 police officers flores in general, and regularly policing good uses. and then it would be blessed if they will add those in this budget into the police officers which they want to, to, to do in this program. but under the commissioner and under the police, it's not only by their cannot make sense. it's also by, in the meaning that we can accept that there will be any kind of law enforcement which is not under the regulation, the law and order of the police commissioner and that faith. i mean,

it's very strange that the, the government will decide to create another, a police officer, and the concern to his will be kind of a private militia, or it will be part of the parallel to the existing forces to walk at the same territory with the different commanding, it will be disaster. the syrian defense ministry says 5 military personnel have been injured and is really airstrikes. israel has declined to comment on the report of the latest attack in western syria on sunday. and this comes days after 2 members of iran revolutionary guard were killed in damascus. israel has intensified airstrikes on syria in the past year to disrupt what it says or rainy, an arm supplies to militias. the prime minister benjamin netanyahu of israel did not directly mentioned the strikes in the cabinet meeting, but he said that israel continues to quote, fight terrorists who go in misuse. we collect

a heavy price from the regimes that support terrorism outside the borders of israel . and i suggest to our enemies that they should not gloat over the internal diffuse among us, as it will not affect our firmness, our ability, and our drinks, to act against our enemies on all fronts. in every place in time. the main candidates have cast their ballots in the bulgarian general election turn out is expected to be low because the voter fatigue polling station bomb threats linked to russia. hackers, bulgarians last voted 6 months ago, raising inflation accusations of corruption and the war. and ukraine have been major campaign issues. the seller turnover is from the european council on foreign relations. she says a positive outcome is vital for the future of bulgaria. clearly everybody who goes to ro today hope that there will be an end of the stalemate. rain because clearly in time of war in terms of becoming crunches in times of

shifting the hour away from the parliament in the hands of the president who keeps appointing government, it is now high time to to get a regular government. so this is the hope of hearing today. it looks like people really understand that this is a serious moment for the country and that wasting another 6 months, probably for another. the government and another election is not going to change much the result, but it's going to make space for, you know, people who try to 3rd countries agenda into giving you mentioned the bomb threats in the schools. there are many other attacks cyber attacks and other hybrid sacks in people know that it's only

a stable government that can bring the country to be tomorrow, just watches, voters and finland are also casting their ballots. and what's expected to be a tight race, central f prime minister, son, marin has been in power since 2019. the vote comes days after 30 years, became the last nato member of crew. finland's bid to join the military alliance. the creation of what will become in denise as new capitol. no son, tara, is being pitched as a safe haven for endangered species. the government hopes to undo some of the damage caused by decades of deforestation. but conservationist fear the construction will destroy even more of the natural environment. just the washington report from east kelly, one time the visible news most famous residence. and this land is intended to be a haven for the endangered species. the sambota le, sorry,

sent a rehabilitating injured and often to run returns before they are released into the wild. but even in this sanctuary, they still face threats. that is the thought of illegal mining and for the lightly in this a, surrounded with humble, jealous, 30. so this is, is quite dangerous for the establishment of the conservation unauthorized to land encroachment is a major concern for the foundation altree anto hopes the indonesian government plans to relocate the capital to a location near by will result in more vigilance against longstanding environmental problems. such as deforestation for mining and pamela plantations. the new capital in the center is due to be inaugurated in august next year. this will be the main area of the new capital set to be a sprawling metropolis, 4 times larger than the current capital carter authority fe, new centera will work with rather than against nature. the government has pitched

the project as a model for sustainable development. you know that the development of fur and you'll keep it though, is not just so making been use it. this is not yes, a building infrastructure, but you also thought is thor, either degree, if your environment this nursery is part of that initiative? seedlings grown here will be replanted in new center l by occupy under the local vendors in the upper electrical. but we're actually transforming industrial forest back into natural for example, because the president wants 60 percent of the new capital area to be green. but some are skeptical groups, like green peace have criticized to the project and ball. and he guy looked into how you must think about more than development. just the korean de la will destroy more of the natural environment. all the conservation is to raise concerns about the clearing of hundreds of hank days, if mangrove forest for infrastructure to service the new capital and the impact on some endemic species. but back at the, around the 10th century,

algeria anto says he can also see the positives. this is like opportunity law in the hands of the government as well to showing to us that government also care not only moving blissfully my band, but also seen this is that you goodness of the government. let the conservation fit these then as important as that development of our country. the challenge for the government is to prove that can reverse some of the environmental damage of the past and not create further destruction along the way. jessica washington out to 0 east cali mountain. so for car amyris and associate professor of science technology and society than young technological university, he says the decision to move the capital city fails to address regional economic disparity. there are 2 major reasons that prompted the current nation government to relocate the capital from jakarta to east cali month. and the 1st one is related to

regional disparity, which has been suffering for many tickets in which jeff islands has been predominantly contribution to economic growth, which is about 50 percent of the g d p. so by relocating the capital to outside of the news and government inspect that it will trigger more even distribution of economy growth. the 2nd reason is that the caught though just the current capital, is considered no longer suitable to function as a capital for on the run, due to traveling just sions and flood risk. so the government believes that it is cheaper to build a new city, dan, fixing a jack carter's complex organ problems. now the problem is that this relocating and building and your capital, this doesn't necessarily address this to each other because original disparity is, is less about the location of capital. and more about, you know, how to enter

a government and distribute the fiscal policy to all future governments and also how to improve the lack to address the lack of power, the new for us, tractors across many parts of a nice outside java. so i think relocating and building new capital in italy month, which is what the nation government is doing now, does not really address the problem and may not achieve the goal that they want to accomplish. still ahead on i'll just 0. the us vice president wrapped up a week long, 3 nation tour of africa. we look at the struggle for influence on the continent. on the head of the roman catholic church in palm sunday math a days after leaving home. ah,

april on out his era from tortilla and syria, al jazeera reports on how earthquakes, survivors are hoping. during the holy month of ramadan, $11.00 east meets the young russian men refusing to fight hooton's war in ukraine as they seek safety in past extent. 25 years since the good friday agreement and the decades of violence. we report on how bricks it is forging newly added to this in ours. in the lead up to date, i'll just say we're exploring the environmental significance of action. and inaction, paraguay holds general elections with corruption and organized crime high on the agenda. can the wound in colorado park, you hold on to power. april on al jazeera. it's a $1000000000.00 money, no drink operation for coal mafia is bigger than the company with financial institutions, regulators and governments complicit about where to go with it. right. describe

that in a 4 part series al jazeera is investigative unit because under cover a sub in africa pittsburgh, we can fill the 90 percent of dylan once it's falling. it's perfectly brandon, good part to on al jazeera. ah ah. hello again. the top stories on al jazeera this hour. israel's cabinet is discussing the creation of an armed unit, which would report directly to the national security ministry. to mor bang there. critics say it could be use to target palestinians or to violence. the main candidates have cast their ballots in the bulgarian general election turn out is

expected to be low because a vote or fatigue on polling station bomb threats linked to russian hackers bulgarians last voted 6 months ago in the u. s. bad weather has been hampering clean up operations. after days a severe storms. tornadoes swept across 8 states in the south and midwest, that all has risen to at least $26.00 since the storms hit on friday. my car has the latest, the, the tornadoes shredded homes and shopping centers and console, and ripped on power lines throughout much of the state. right now for me is just to clean up what i can and get this cleared and then try to see who else i can help. man, it was, it was, there was a you with an airplane and it had to take higher is like they're about the blows. that's what it sounds like is a lot of pressure. the states governor says more bodies are being discovered as

emergency crews comb the wreckage left in the wake of the storms. i've had the opportunity for the last couple of hours to speak with both the homeland security secretary as well as president biden, who have offered a tremendous amount of support, anything that arkansas needs. they have assured us that those resources will be here on the ground and we really appreciate their willingness to help our console out from a city county, a state and federal perspective. yeah, the state of emergency has been declared in indiana with tens of thousands of homes without electricity. in illinois, at least one person was killed and dozens were injured. when a roof collapse occurred during a concert at the theater. there was a show going on that night and upwards of over 200 people present in the building when the collapse occurred. luckily,

do the response and all the 1st responders and the bi standards helping assist everybody out. i believe the conditions could have been much worse. the full extent of the damage is still to be measured as more storms are on their way. my cannot al jazeera nigeria is resuming oil exploration in the chant batson to increase its reserves. and i move is worrying some environmentalists ash my. the driest reports from the new oil frontier of a g bu nigeria is pushing inland to grow its own reserves by more than the 3rd. by 2040 the move is being welcomed by many local. so see the potential for jobs and economic growth will, will have a co my, shall. i'm a discovery thou will. mit that will tend entail photon of nana as at lags

by exploring further inland away from the niger delta and n p c. the countries oil company wants to raise daily output and profits you, i did this contrast partition. you also bring your product closer to his uses. and you're also, i've been multiple sources over a supply and in the, in the country. that's why didn't is dawson new petroleum industry bill was signed into law last year, freeing the countries all company from government intervention. although many countries are seeking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, now just as a toilet will continue to be in demand, if not internationally, at least point 200000000 people. this one, well is the 2nd to be open in less than a year. an environmental needs are worried about the rate at which nigeria is exploring. it's on activists, i demanding more action from government to hold a powerful industry. i go to the point to the devastation caused by more than half

a century of all exploration in the oil. producing nyja dealt preserve our rivers are streams from the spillage from the destruction that comes with all of that careless presumption or oversight that leads to that poisoning official say the new investments in oil will minimize the risk of pollution the pipeline would have been, i think that, you know, have any need for the long pipeline, and that was probably the total control of the environment and investment and what i'm able to very minimal. but environmental is point to the industry's long record of failing to make good on such commitment. i'm a decrease, i'll g i g niger in working if also has excel journalists working for french newspapers, limone to nibble, i see only effective sunday. this is the latest crackdown on french media after the front 24 news channel was taken off air last week. a military spokesman said the

broadcaster acted as a quote, communications agency for terrorists. after its journalists interviewed the leader of al qaeda in north africa channel called the decision outrageous and defamatory. the u. s. vice president comma la harris has wrapped up a week long tour of africa. she's the 4th biden administration official to visit the continent this year. washington is trying to counter a growing russian and chinese influence. nicholas hark reports. walking down a path where enslaved africans, whence marched in chains headed to america, is the united states, 1st black vice president, kamala harris on a visit to what was a major hub for the atlantic slave trade in gone. now, the tour guide explains many of the captives didn't see a way out and believed only death would bring them freedom. i believe that we must remember that it should teach us not only about our past,

but about our destiny and future. we must learn in a way that we may be more than just a charm offensive. harris is on a week long 3 nation tour of africa, an attempt to counter the growing influence of china and russia on the continent. russia has signed new military cooperation agreements with 17 african countries. china is the continents largest trading partner with 2 trillion dollars and investments in construction projects. after the u. s. africa summit last december, harris is when of several senior white house officials to visit the continent in recent months, marking a contract with a previous trump administration. the united states is trying to catch up to, to rush on china. this is the most recent iteration of a suppose that policy with regard to africa at the u. s. has not demonstrated out in terms of investment in terms of sustain engagements, with various governments after gonna harris traveled to towns and near to meet the nation's 1st female president. she then went on to zambia,

promising more american investment. but with 20 went african countries on the verge of bankruptcy, their leaders say they want that really 1st. what is keeping us down for now by president? is that this over we cut it did, but didn't that really is like the difficult for us to continue with us any possibility. comalla harris announced more than $7000000000.00 in private sector and u. s. government commitments during trip. it is an attempt to renew relations from this shared history. harris says the united states would build a common future alongside african stickler talk to al jazeera iran judiciary chief has threatened to prosecute women who ignore the strict dress code . it comes in response to a video showing a man throwing yogurt at a mother and daughter who had not covered their hair. both women and their attacker,

i've been arrested christians around the world, are marking palm sunday. pope francis led madison saint peter's square in the vatican city and will hold a general audience. 86 year old pontiff was released from hospital on saturday after being treated for bronchitis electric scooter, as are seen as a cheap and green way to get around. are they also clutter streets and they pose a danger to pedestrians? so a vote as being held in paris on sunday to decide whether to allow scooters in the city. natasha butler reports lunacy. anat is a big fan of paris is electric scooters. he says he hires one most days to get around the city could present him. he scooters are really useful because paris is so busy, especially in rush hour. it's impossible to move around. so thanks to these, we can use the cycle lanes. it's much better than a car, and then it will ease scooters were introduced in france in 2018 since then. they've become part of the landscape in most cities, but some people say they're

a nuisance cluttering pavements and endangering pedestrians. now the french government launched a new plan to regulate them. writers will have to be at least 14 years old and they'll be tougher penalties for misuse. cotton industrial to people on an east good who is forbidden to day, but the fine is only 35 euros. so it will be raised to a 135 years. the messages that dangerous behavior will be paralyzed, dedicated parking zones, and lowest speed limits are already in place. while the french government is stepping up its regulation of electric scooters here in paris, the city hall is asking people to vote on whether or not to ban them. the 3 companies that provide paris is ease grew to say, a band would make no sense in a city that's often led the way in promoting low carbon alternatives to cause and motor bikes. we very hope indeed that's our vote will be positive and that perishes . people will continue to welcome scooters in

a safe and sustainable way in the city opinion. on the streets, though, is divided saucers. webb's anchors, i can see they offer an alternative form of transport, but at the same time they can be dangerous for pedestrians. the elderly as if it was with don texas, i think they've not been around long enough to just scrap them. we need more research on things like dangers, mortality, and perhaps we need better infrastructure for them. because the folks taking place in polling stations, rather than online, it's expected to be dominated by older people who are more likely to favor a ban. once the results are in, it'll be up to paris is mer to make the final decision on whether it's really the end of the road for a scooters in the city. natasha butler al jazeera paris. that's it for me. thanks for watching alta 0. the news does continue on al jazeera, after inside story, bye bye.

ah hello. they will have a look at the weather across east asia and it changes the ready come to china, particularly across northern areas. easy that dense cloud showing a weather system that's got a bit of a wintry edge up in the very north, very wet across those central areas as some torrential downpours. how could be flooding? rains moving their way further east? they're going to knock temperatures down, not just the beijing, but also shanghai and eventually for the east. but ahead of that, we have got an area of high pressure bringing lots of sunshine to the korean peninsula and into japan. temperatures really only up here about 10 degrees above the average, but we are going to see a dramatic drop of 10 degrees in sol by the time we go from monday to wednesday. and that heavy rain comes rolling in and was moved to south asia. we could see some heavy rain effect, southern parts of india,

some severe thunderstorms popping off in colombo for sri lanka. much of the wet weather, however, confined to the north east of india. certainly by tuesday, heavy rain coming in from the pole and bhutan and it dries up for that northwest corner. that westerly disturbance pushed its way a further north, bringing some snow to the mountains. we will feel more in the way of warmer weather as well as sunny skies for new daily actual weather update. ah. oh gone. a time of spirituality reflection and gratitude. raise the flags over every color. i wonder, is there a world well, how leo hau reveals the stories behind some of the arab world songs and chants for the holy month. you'll need this song touched the hearts of all.