anchor: the tiny island nation devastated by the cyclone over the weekend. 90% of all buildings in the capital have been destroyed. the last day of campaigning as israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu fights to keep his job. opinion polls show his main political rival pulling ahead one day before the parliamentary vote. with a deadline for a nuclear agreement on iran just two weeks away talks into the most critical days yet despite interference from u.s. republicans. those are the headlines this hour on "france 24."

thank you for joining us. the island nation of vanuatu is assessing damage after one of the most powerful storms on record smashed through. almost all buildings in the capital were destroyed. the biggest requirement now is humanitarian aid. vanuatu's president says everything is country needs to be rebuilt. correspondent: a village decimated by cyclone pam. many residents want of the capital return home to inspect the damage. this is all that is left of her house. likes all of my items. everything is gone. correspondent: the category five storm -- pummeled vanuatu overnight. the president saying 90% of the

city was destroyed. in japan for an environmental conference the leaders that he cannot even reach out to his own family and blamed climate change for the cyclone's intensity. president of vanuatua: climate change has caused the damage to vanuatu. correspondent: australia and new zealand have started sending aid. >> i think food and water are the most important aspects. beyond that, basic health care. we understand the hospital has sustained significant damage. up to 50% of supplies and drugs have been lost. correspondent: some relief will come as the airport reopens on monday. power outages in many villages means the full extent of the faster --the disaster is still

unclear. anchor: the last campaigning is underway in israel's parliamentary elections. it is getting down to the wire for benjamin netanyahu. his party is trailing in the polls. that did not keep thousands of his backers from turning out for a mass rally in tel aviv. correspondent: tens of thousands of netanyahu supporters gather in tel aviv as the israeli prime minister makes a last-ditch bid to secure votes for his right-wing party. as always, he focused on security issues and said the country would be under threat if it saw a left-wing victory. netanyahu: as long as we are in power, we will not divide jerusalem. there will be no concessions, no withdrawals. if we don't close the gap between my party and our rivals, there is a real danger a left-wing government will rise

to power. correspondent: a possibility as the latest polls show it trailing the centerleft zionist union. as the election neared, the view on the streets was divided. >> for israel, the most important issue is state security. i absolutely believe netanyahu can bring us security. >> >> i support the zionist union because i hope the israeli government can make some changes. i am not satisfied with netanyahu's rule in recent years. we need someone to replace him. correspondent: netanyahu is hoping his last-minute charm offensive is enough for him to be nominated by israel's president to form the next coalition and when a fourth term as prime minister. anchor: the latest rounds of nuclear talks on iran are back

underway in switzerland. secretary of state john kerry is sitting down with his counterpart. the main goal is locking down the outlines of a potentially historic deal by the end of the month. correspondent: iran and the world powers are convening here to try and complete the framework of a nuclear agreement ahead of a self-imposed end of march deadline. they will then have until the end of june to fine-tune details. we know the will is there. there are bilateral meetings happening between the iranian delegation and the u.s. delegation. there are also going to be meetings in brussels hosted by the e.u. foreign affairs had to mediate these negotiations and bring on board the french, who in the past have been responsible for the railing negotiations -- derailing negotiations.

it seems their stance is more aligned with the gulf monarchies. we have seen some bridging of gaps. other parties are agreeing to the removal of all sanctions. tehran is also agreeing to extending the deal for one year. we see they are coming together trying to make this work. they're ruling out an extension. whether that is true or posturing, this is a particularly important deadline because after march it may not be is he to hold off the republican-led congress from sabotaging negotiations. anchor: for more on the republican influence on these talks, potential influence, let's bring in our international editor. could this letter from republicans bring down the talks? reporter: it is what the administration is saying.

a clear and present danger of what john kerry is calling an unprecedented attempt to interfere in a president's far negotiations. that this could torpedo negotiations which are right now, after 10 years, after disagreements entering a crucial phase. it was germany's foreign minister who said the same thing. he termed this letter modestly, understating it is not helpful. john kerry arguing congress has no authority, zero authority, to modify talks between the two executives, the two leaders sovereign countries. that is why he's using the word "unprecedented." it is a first-term senator who wrote this letter on behalf of the 47 republicans. he is saying he does not feel bound in any way he is not going to apologize he said for

what he sees as the unconstitutional un-thought out action by some he says has been in congress for 67 days. shocked outraged, and offended by what they see as blatant interference by congress in the president's foreign policy prerogative. the white house chief of staff also issued a statement saying this is going to hinder the u.s.' ability to negotiate and set the u.s. apart from other allies around the negotiating table and make things harder. it will embolden the hard-liners in iran as well. all around, this is not good for the efforts in the decisive phase. anchor: despite the move from the republicans these negotiations are still very sensitive, very difficult. barack obama still very determine to pursue -- determined to pursue this strategy and not that down --

back down. reporter: john kerry said if you want to make peace, you talk to your friends and not your enemies. -- john kennedy said if you want to make these, you talk to your friends and not your enemies. barack obama basically making the argument that you have to reach out to your enemies at some point. you have to get beyond what he saw at the time as still ways of thinking, old ideologies. you have to break the mold and take the chance if you want to move on from the way things are. there is a precedent in history. you don't have to go back far. the u.s., an ally of the soviet union in world war ii. richard nixon in 1972 trip to china, that was quite controversial at the time. it did open up relations with china after 30 years of separation.

barack obama made it clear he is open to normalizing relations with cuba. he says change is hard in our own lives and in the lives of nations, but that doesn't mean you don't take the risk. he sent from the beginning he would do the same with iran. one of his early actions in office was writing the letter reaching out to iranian leadership. now with what he sees as a more moderate leadership in iran, he says we cannot squander this chance. this is been his ideology all along. republican saying he is being reckless with national security and the u.s. will pay the consequences of a bad deal. anchor: thanks for that. before switzerland, secretary of state john kerry weighed in on the situation in syria, a country that has now entered its fifth year of war. speaking sunday, the secretary of state said washington would have to negotiate with syrian president bashar al-assad. that seems to be a turnaround

after the u.s. insisting for years his days were numbered. john kerry: we are working hard with other interested parties to see if we can reignite a diplomatic outcome because everybody agrees there is no military solution. there is only a political solution. to get the assad regime to negotiate we will have to make it clear to him there is a determination by everybody to seek that political outcome and change his calculation about negotiating. that is underway right now. i am convinced with the efforts of our allies and others, there will be increased pressure on assad. we have to negotiate. anchor: britain has weighed in on the debate. on sunday, the foreign office insisted bashar al-assad had no place in serious future. british officials were pointing to a spokeswoman who denied john

kerry's comments represented a shift on syria. thousands are expected to turn out for a rally in support of the 71-year-old nun who was gang raped after trying to prevent -- protect her convent. that is the latest in a series of high-profile assaults in india that have intensified outraged over high levels of violence against women. many students took to the streets to protest. the rally today is being led by priests near where the attack took place. asked everyone in the parishes to participate. thousands of brazilians took to the streets sunday to demand the president step down. they are angry about a major government scandal that has implicated dozens of politicians around the country. some protesters are even calling for the military to step in. correspondent: copacabana

swarming with protesters who say they have enough of the president and corruption. >> there's no point in complaining only on social media. we have to show that we are fed up. all of us want correction to end in brazil. we are not happy. correspondent: the final straw was the petrobras scandal which implicated dozens of politicians including those from the president's party. protesters say the whole system was rotten. >> this movement is against everything going on. the country is being sold out with corruption. it is not enough to take them out of power. we need to get back everything they took from us. correspondent: while the more than 50 rallies nationwide were largely peaceful, police did use tear gas in the capital to disperse protesters were some are calling for drastic militaries measures, a military coup.

the government underlined the protesters have the right to exercise free speech but that impeachment or a coup were out of the question as she was democratically, albeit narrowly, reelected last year. >> is not acceptable and should be condemned, the calls for a coup. it is intolerant. the calls for impeachment -- correspondent: corruption is only the latest issue adjusters have rallied against. over the last few years, high prices and spending on the world cup caused huge protests. anchor: british pop star is calling for a boycott of the jean cabut -- dolce and kab

gabbana after comments on surrogates. he slammed the designer for "archaic thinking" on social media. he said it had allowed legions of loving people to fulfill their dream of having children. you are watching "france 24." stay tuned for more headlines. reporter: they dropped points with a lethargic three-to defeat. leon easy winners with a hat trick. >>.

they put us under pressure we had to face up to it. we also knew we could get a few opportunities in the last few minutes because they had used up their energy. we created opportunities. we could not take them unfortunately. it could have gone either way. reporter: manchester united fired three goals on sunday while chelsea opened up a six-point lead despite being held to a 1-1 draw against sanford. >> one perspective is a draw at home is not the end of the world. for me, that perspective is acceptable. the second perspective is we have a lead of five points for

the second and not six points. reporter: liverpool travels today needing a win to close the gap on fourth-place manchester united. they can make sure they do not lose ground with a win at liberty stadium. they could still realistically finish in the top three. he thinks it is too close to predict. >> i think it is going to be very tight if you look at a number of teams who have been up there for most of the season. we have regained the race -- rejoined the race in the last three months. we are looking forward to these games. everything counts in the games. we need to make sure we continue to be aggressive.

reporter: to liverpool captain out with a hamstring injury. another player has been cleared to play great they got back to winning ways after a glorious victory in the capital on sunday. it was 9-0 halftime. fine attacking move scored. they say he used his burly frame to complete the win before they take on england. the player from slovenia secured his second title in his career on sunday. there was a real battle taking place at the front with them all she can clean at the fourth shooting range to set up a frantic finish and was in the

lead as they went up the wall for the final time. it was a slim margin. he inched away finishing just ahead. she shot clean to win the women's race on sunday for her first title. the athlete from belarus lead for much of the race. the athlete from the czech republic made no mistake racing to the front. she took control of the race 6.2 seconds ahead of the german athlete. the 20-year-old norwegian claimed his third book club slalom victory -- third world cup slalom victory. he was third in the men's slalom after the first run. he's not in the run for the title this season but was up for victory on sunday.

the 2010 olympic champion registered his first podium finish since december 2011. the athlete from sweden first. lewis hamilton won the australian grand prix sunday getting his world title defense off a perfect start. 15 cars began the race and only 11 finished. hamilton cruised to his 34th race win. sebastian finished third, 34 seconds behind hamilton. he won the final stage and overall victory sunday in southern france where conditions made it difficult for the riders . the 2013 winner took control with a winning time of 20 minutes and 23 seconds.

he left fatigued as he crossed the line one minute and 39 seconds behind. >> i don't know. i don't have an excuse. i felt good this morning. i just was not ok. like i said, that is sport. it is a huge disappointment. reporter: welcome to the web news with our pick of stories making online headlines. coming up, vanuatu cyclone victims. they remove the "feeling fat" emoticon. and a pro in action. uprooted trees roofs ripped off

houses, storefronts 20 part, and streets littered with rubbish and waste. these images bear witness to the ferocity of cyclone pam that stormed through vanuatu over the weekend. web users the world over have been doing what they can to help the people of the south pacific islands. many have taken to social networks to show support for those affected by the devastating cyclone. they are posted messages of solidarity for the people of vanuatu urging the international community to provide urgent leaf for thousands on the island nation who desperately need help. a number of n.g.o.'s are relaying the same message and have launched online fundraising appeals to help

those have lost everything to cyclone pam. they were asking people to make donations with their websites for the money raised will be used to buy basic essentials for victims as they struggle to get back on their feet. facebook removed its "feeling fat" emoticon last week. the social network's decision comes after an online campaign from activists who complained it was insensitive to people who struggle with eating disorders. campaigning began after an american woman posted this video early february. she talks about her decade-long eating disorder and calls for the emoticon to being removed saying it sends the wrong message to people who have a

problem with their weight. >> when i think i feel fat, i remember fat is not a feeling. there is no such thing. reporter: strong support on social media where they started lobbying facebook demanding they remove the emoticon. the online petition carrying the same message garnered 17,000 signatures. to campaigners have come in for criticism and ridicule on twitter where some have said they were overreacting. i cannot understand why a simple emoticon has generated such outrage. web users the world over have been posting after the italian designer criticized same-sex families.

this of the only acceptable family was a traditional one with a man and woman as parents. this has generated fears criticism online saying they should keep their a aided -- outdated vision of the world to themselves. with a reverse the a's game available, smartphone users can contribute to fighting cancer through play. they have to finish those of games that involve analyzing real cancer data. the analysis is sent on to the british charity as part of the citizen science program to help their scientists learn more about different cancers. >> download reverse the odds. reporter: google street view has

teamed up to send cameras to mount everest and surrounding areas so armchair tourists can now have a glimpse of life in one of the toughest and most inaccessible places on earth along with the villages and monasteries at the foot of the world's highest peak. in this video we see a pro training with a metal hoop and acrobatic device. impressive stuff indeed, and you can watch the video in its entirety on the go-pro youtube channel.

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a wealthy and somewhat eccentric gentleman. they said he could be seen regularly walking the grounds barefooted and in the company of an aging donkey. now they must have been a pretty shabby pair but between them they took part in one of the more extraordinary experiments of the 19th century. an experiment that would lead to significant breakthroughs in medicine and in surgery and would transform our understanding of poisons. come on.