vote on this year's budget . we begin this hour in iran where at least twenty seven members of the elite revolutionary guards have been killed in a suicide attack in the southeast of the country. the iranian sunni militant group jaish antel has claimed responsibility iran says its border guards do you regularly come under attack in this volatile area near the border with pakistan for the very latest we can get up to tehran. and our correspondent raises say yeah at raising what will can you tell us about this attack and about the group is claiming

responsibility. this group by daschle idol i is- certainty sepeparatist movement it's been operating in southeastern iraq for left roughly seventeen or eighteen years p prior 220-0-001-12000 te they went by the namame. john goal of the carried out a number of attacks targeting iran's armed forces. in southeastern iran but this one at tonight's attack at devastating results -- if my recollection is correct. this attack today could be the deadly at least for the past decade maybe. longer to recall in september there was another terrorist attack in southwestern you run that killed twenty four people that deaeath toll tonight according to you run in state media stands. forty one in this attack us state media says this was a suicide car bombing. targeted a bus carrying members of iran's revolutionary guard

the leak branch of the armed forces. state media reported that the bus was on the move on the highway. when a suicide car bomber pulled alongside it? into that eighty it's explosives again killing. forty one people onboard pictures of the aftermath show - he of steel and metal that was all that was left. of the bus this incident taking place in sistan b baluchistan in southwestern you ron this is scarcely populated area. it's mostly desert out there the population mostly blue which which are predominantly sunni muslims and as we mentioned before there's been a long running separatist movement there. often times led by joshua no coincidence that this attack happened on the same day as an international conference on middle east peace.

in war so tell us more about ou. yeah obviously muhammad that divides is a reef condemning this attack and and pointing to the us led to middle east -- conference on the middle east in in warsaw that that started today many observers say it's washington's intention. with this something in warsaw -- to rally its allies in europe in the middle east to push back. against what they call -- he runs terrorist activity in the region obvbviously iran its leaders about how much about -- this is a review pointing to totoday's attack to bolsterr thr argument that they're not dating terrorists they're not sponsored terrorist they're victims. of terrorists all right i said thank you very much indeed reside at that reportrting from tehran. and as you just heard iran was not on the list of countries invited to a summit on middle east is taking place today and will so. it comes as the e. u. tries to

rescue the nuclear deal with tehran off to president trump pulled out of it in twenty fifteen there are no senior officials attending. from france germany or russia at least ten arab and muslim countries are represented of the first time in decades they'll be discussing regional security. with israel uncle has this report. an international conference co hosted by the uninited states ad slammed by iran as a circus -- on the b bus war soo conferencei believe it's dead on arrival- dead before arrival i don't think it would do anything and it's another attempt by the united states. to pursue an obsession with it on and that is not well founded. u. s. secretary of state mike pompeii -- both attending the conference in warsaw. initially the trump administration said the two day meeting would focus on the run. the leader broaden the scope to touch on other conflicts inclcluding syria d yemen. muchch of the schchedule has ben

vague and t the deep divisisns over policy towards the region as a set discomfort reflected in the guest list. france and germany chose not to send cabinet level officials russia and china aren't attending nor is the european union's foreign policy chief. middle eastern attendees include israel saudi arabia and its gulf allies. for washington's ally israel it's a chance to tout improved relations with arab neighbors arere uniting againsta common enemymy. i have to go to the courarageous decision of of saddam couples to invite me. to amman. is c changing the world -- it's it's pointing the wayay for many others to do what user. not to be stuck in the past but to see the future. one of the biggest point of contention is the iran nuclear deal. beside israel the us and iran's regional rivals nearly all countries still back the denuclearization of court. spain looks set to hold

elections for the third time in five years after parliament rejected the socialist government's budget plans the prime minister had their sanchez lost the support of the catalan lawmakers who helped him to power in june. an announcement is likely to be made as early as friday feature blindfolds. budget rejected and we think required. listening to the amendments are approved and the twenty nineteen budget proposal is rejected. drew sanches government has accused conservatives and catalan separatists of blocking a budgets that included social spending measures as well as an increased investment in catalunya. with the two parliamentary supports sanches could cool early elections instead of presenting a revised budgets. this could mean a right wing majority in parliament. conservatives accuse the socialist government of treason for negotiating with catalonia's separatist executive has matured

has been trying to ease tensions with the region. the council on foreign minister was almost on phones twenty four if sararatists made the right move in rejecting the budgets given that new elections could usher in a government that's less willing to negotiate -- perhaps that could be a vote we don't in just the boom renews the budget from last year the that's a possible move in fact mistster sanchez suguggested th. a couple of months ago separatist leaders are on trial for their role in the twenty seventeen attempt to make catalunya an independent republic. and on friday negotiations between madrid and the cats around governments broke down. although not i'm joined by merion id vestal may he teaches spanish politics at the university of east anglia thank you for being with us at two night and the given what the the castle and all my kids said did today in. withdrawing their support for the socialist government have they just pave the way for a right wing government to takee power. not necessarily --

i think this says something to bebe said about the they positie didisposition off the sun sentenced to to k keep dialologe open - -- we said dramatically closed on last friday but that doesn't mean that he's not prepared to resume dot said dialogue. so we think we should give him credit for that because he's not a bit of a recession and change consider what we had been witnessed before with a holy visually in in the in. lays in the later stages of his. mandatate so -- i think we should opposite the fact that -- perhaps i into these ---- and that has already made concessions so indicates that t practice he's been brought -- to follow suit to to his set works and therefore i think enough recommended to the political landscape us we're facing staying at this type of attitutude and and the dispositn perhaps is the best one to have. in order to negotiate acrcross e to topicics different interests

and different -- political groups so -- that could be a win in -- within -- sites. for hitting a women out of service plus. and of course it's not clear that the right would not be present in -- too much of a challenge for him in fact we have seen that it seems to be taken and taken the quite a lot of strength in the tests at times. so and is not that clear outcome what we are goioing to face but under hand he's options at the moment of a limitited this. one and he's so ability to boston needles options on those are good to go for elections what well how much would he have to concede. to the castle lands if he was to have a chance to take a bow because he's. in charge of a minority

government n now the numbers jut don't add upp. to him how much would you need to cast us and how much would you have to concede. well it obviously he e has a recently expressed that he was not prepared to go over his sonn as red lines so i think he's not going -- to give in in in there yes that's good actually within another about position with many sectors of the spanish society -- including the cut on society list remember that is within that the cut on society with this conflict is actually taking place catelyn seconds cutlass you know we have. to this about this independencne groups but we have also the citizens the i'm not willing to see that there are now. a separate is from staying so he has to take these interests in mind you gonna just simply -- allow for a referendum one of many. concerned citizens would actually a post that so he would not cross that line i think it out to any. at a any point on so he went.

home with. the refeferendum would have puta referendum on because i need to pay that's a long yeah. and i think and i'm referring to would only exacerbate the something that they they tell us to make the situation better half. perhaps -- to b. as you know drarang from what the constitution ace -- provided already and i think the amendments that one could integrate. and said the facilitates for the changes. to the kind of political asking we have in spain at the moment but it should be within the legal framework and i think that's so what what it is about. you know you have to be given a situation so i give them credit for what they are able to do i don't see that as being a channel that has been explored enough so far. and i think this is an obvious way to go for its. manatee best of my thank you

very much. well maybe to the united states now where another government shutdown could still be on the costs on to d donald trump at still to sign off on that budget deal with the democrats last month's federal shutdown lasted a record thirty five days. after republicans and democrats fails to reach a compromise on funding for border security a deal r reached this week would include a fraction of the five point seven bilillion dollalarse trtrump wantso build a a wall along the bororder with mexico. he says he's not happy about thisis deal but he has thank the republicans who helped bring it about. with the us congress may mall says it would not support a military intervention in venezuela that from the democratic chairman of the house foreign affairs committee. and its angle says he's concerned about what he called the president's saber rattling washington was the first to recognize one why dole as fit as white as president and he said that all options all still on the table. when it comes to restoring order that?

the venezuelan crisis has affected many aspects of daily life including schooling with teachers on strike over pay schools across the border in colombia have seen a sudden increase in demand for places. in one school in cooking tara the majority of students come from venezuela c crossing the border on f foot every day so ty can get to class our team on the ground since this report. crossing the border from venezuela to columbia these young venezuelans make this jenny every day to go to school. my keep last year lives in san antonio in his way into. it takes her two hours to bring her daughter and go daughter to a school in the border town of computer. she says she has the option as the schools where she lives a close. to a bottom and then if they haven't had any lessons in january the teachers are on strike because they haven't been paid. so basically they were having to teach for free and so they resigned that actually on i

don't understand. there are more thahan a thousand venezuelan children who are studying in computer but live on the other side of the border. and imam for places is h high.. the the libertyty medals o on sr we receieive more than nine thousand requests for only six hundred new places in wales. children's uniform helps them get priority when c crossing the bridge into columbia and to get past border guards. then and only for a uniform means. you. go through the middle that's go. for the exit for the elderly people. so for now despite the long school run these venezuelan children can keep ththeir studis going. nigerians all heading to the polls this weekend to elect their next president the incumbents mahamadou bahari is facing a challenge from the former vice presidents attic -- abubakar when the hurricane to bow in twenty fifteen he promised to fight corruption and improve the economy bus has not happened. twenty ninine zero corrrrespondence and c cutting m as a support lycos their hit.

my juries economy the lights heavily. in markets like this people still feel the pinch very small we market student council vice. we also free. times you do. me no -- thirteen thousand nine no fourth no no for your defense on the bunk. you know you know felt. he says he's going. economic godly need yeah he's more now. with winds of one thohousand eus payable a year in advance and one thousand year as a time for each child school. even on two wages taking home a maximum of seven hundred and thirty five fewer it's a month. this family in a preacher say they struggle to make ends meet what what do i do i go out on an

ask okay please can you bring me these knievel me that can you bring id end of that same onene for you and your cell of you can what. you know do from the beginning needs to be dead. i'll tell you off the date you know start the game anybody media's knievel images can you put a meeting at the end of the month ththey gave you pay debts. janice down n so there iss not n an inkling that you can even have the seating culture. in hospitals like this in legal skull so high especially with extras like hiring a generator simply to keep the power on analysts say biharis four year term as many leaving for better pay and sweat. how do you begin to conclude that this s small holes to assit the small fourteen begin hospital? on the average every two weeks from from. the uk the us kinda whoever is elected nigeria's next president economyy that isis far from beig

back o on its feet. an award winning journalist and fierce critic of the filipino government has been arrested it's maria recess ressa is facing libel charges linked to her website. human rights groups say arrestt isis p politically motivated and engage with what's. we cross she too confident regurgitate to fight for press freedom. but now maria ressa is facing fresh criminal charges. the journalist was arrested this wednesday by government agents. in connection with the site and michael case against a website rapla. i have not gotten an official copy of we would have the chance to file a motion. you should -- the fact that. it's been. really interesting. i will follow i just shot in the middle of the law that.

it's the latest in a series of legagal cases against perceived adveversaries of the philippine government. risa is a vocal critic of the totality. rob plans reported extensively on the president's brutal war on drugs. a violent campaign that's left over five thousand people dead. rest as workers been praised by human rights organizations. amnesty international has said her rest is politically motivated. the detective administration is singling out one of its most potent critics with politically motivated charges. rarappers t. is journalism has helped to expose the deadly reality of the so called war on drugs. and the thousands of unlawful killings of poor and marginalized people perpetrated in its name. resta was selected by time magazine as one of its people of the year in. twenty eighteen our coverage of the philippines has received numerous prestigious awards. pakistan is hoping to develop a

reputation as a world class ski destination the country has some ofof the world's highest mountas in the character rom range. the unstable security situation has kept tourists away will now the goverernment is tryingg to change that. terrorists has this report. at nearly forty seven hundred meters skiers speed down the slopes of pakistan's naltar valley. some forty professional skier from a dozen countries came here in january. to take part in the thirird cara corren internationl alpine ski cup. with competitions in the slalom and giant slalom categories. pakiststan boasts some of the world's highest mountains but remains off piste for most winter sports. due to insecurity and lack of infrastructure. thank you son has a lot of things to learn better ways every year is getting better and better. so. this year is much better the years ago.

the notar ski resort owned and operated by the pakistan air force is part of the country's attempts to build up and promote its winter sports tourism. according to media reports. off the beaten path for now. those who have skied here say this may change. i don't think accent is like known for its skiing laughter and now i think it is going to be known for its skiing. because of just the more international people knowing about pakistan and it's very high mountains and the snow conditions being really good. i hope shared by both pakistan's winter sports federation and the military. which seek to promote not just for ism but also a more positive image of the country. let's get some disease may not have made e is here with us s ie studio and indicate your abacus over the e. u. making an effort to crack down on money laundering yeah absolutely twenty three countries laura. have been added to a so called blacklist which will now see increased scrutiny. for u. s. territories including puerto

rico and guam are targeted along with panama nigeria and saudi arabia. riyadh and its allies had lobbied heavily to be removed from the list but in vain. twenty eight you member states will now have one month to endorse the list. the naming and shaming means that individuals or companies based in those countries will face additional checks when trying to do business with european banks. as they try to identify suspicious destination for illicit money. the e. u. financial. system muscle serve as a vehicle for money laundering. and must not serve as an instrument for financing crime including terrorism. which means that we have concluded that making financial and banking transactions was those countries. go to expose you financial system to high risks of money laundering and tererrorist finanancing. the french government is coming under pressure to do more for

towns and businesses impacted by the yellow vest protests. retailers in city centers have reported a drop in sales in many storefronts have been destroyed. government says it will put forwardd more sysystems i in the coming weeks as boston corn explains. like this one in north earlier this month have become almost routinine in cities across fran. leading businesses to deal w wih much more than justst a broken glass sincece the begininning oe yellow best movement on november seventeenth more than seventy two thousand employeeses across the countntry have experienced partial unemployment. a direct consequence of customers deserting city centers and instead shopping in suburban areas or ordering products online. ordering to lose runs through stories that she may have toto close onone of them soon. sionis about general teacher did i have to close one of my stores according to of my employees contracts won't be extended. so essentially i will have to let them go --

unions on some. on wednesday business representatives as well as several mamayors travel to some little doing good this c. d. to clean i decided to work on the universal plan of action. which will allow us to complete is the response given t to business owners which takes into account the impact of these demonstrations on the county budget. and which will also offer adequate security response to she d did a concert secretly. misses. some measures have already been put in place struggling employers can choose to defer payment of social security contributions and thirty eight million euros have been dedicated to the financing of partial unemployment measures. local representative say that is not enough since november businesses across the country have seen some forty million euros worth of damage and that number will likely rise once again come saturday. carlos ghosn will lose out on millions of euros in compensation from who knows. french carmaker said on wednesday its board had voted to waive the former bosses non

compete clause along with some thirty million euros in severance pay and fouour hundred and fifty thousand shares twitching would otherwise have been entitled. following his resignation. statement from reno said it would discuss guns twenty eighteen salary next month. in battled on a titan has been in jail in tokyo since november accused of misreporting his compensation at the alliance partner nissan. and of other financial misconduct. on wednesday his defense attorney resigned and was replaced by one of japan's highest profile lawmaker lawyer. junichiro here naka who is known there as the razor. let's check in on the day's trading action now it's been largely steered by the ongoing us china trade talks -- donald trump and treasury secretary stephen is are going well. that's raising optimimism that e world's two biggest economies will back off their threats to raise tariffs at the end of this month. at the dow jones getting about a hundred points there. rising slightly as it reaches the last hour of its trade. major paean indices closed up higher as well despite new data

showing weaker than expected inindustrial production across e eurozone. fifty one hundred outperformed in lolondon as inflation dipped in the united kingdom. consumer priceces rose one point 8% in january that's the slowest pace in two years. inflation in the u. k. peaked at three point 1% in november raising concerns about the cost of living. far away is back in the headlines this week your secretary of state might come pay -- has been in europe urging governments not to use the chinese giants telecoms equipment. it's especially important as networks around the world begin rolling out five g. technology in which well wait could be a leader. it's been charged in the united states was stealing trade secrets and breaking iran sanctions. chinese government says there is no evidence that the company threatens national security and on wednesday accused washington of trying to suppress the development of f chinese enterprises. well w way also insist thahat is indedependent a and rejectsts suggestions that could pass information on to beijing. if the government decides to to

to banish from f five g. we will continue to take a long view. of the potential sales of our products in poland over time. we hope and expect that the requiremenents for companies tht do sell on the five g. in. in poland will become cleaearer and as they need to be and we believee that someday in the future wilill be a allowed to compmpete f f that b business if we're not allowed to compete for it now. the more you can see more analysis about quality including a report from our correspondent in beijing in this week's people profit all right it on check that one out and that's on our website as well as it all right kay thank you very much indicated that we gonna think. so right don't go away

02/13/19 02/13/19 [captioning made possible by democracy now!] amy: from pacifica, this is democracy now! as the crisis in venezuela continues, a mysterious usair charter company based in north carolina has halted flights to venezuela after being accused of smuggling arms into the country. the airplane had made nearly 40 round-trip flights between miami and spots in venezuela a