it marks the first ever democratic handover of power in the country, despite threats of violence andtruction from the taliban. afghans turned out in record numbers the final tally is not expected for weeks. we to have some preliminary results to suggest voters cast their ballots largely along ethnic lines. what does it mean for the new government and sectarian tension in the region? well, joining us is retired army lieutenant colonel tony shafer, senior fellow at the center for policy. policy research and robert kaplan, author of the book "asia's cauldron." thank you both for joining us. a mouthful there. let me start with you, robert. we have looking at, as i said, what our preliminary indications that you have. abdullah abdullah, the former opposition leader and ashraf ghani. abdullah ran before once in the 2009 race. what would a victory bieth of these men mean for afghanistan, and of course, for our interests there? >> well, first of all, keep in mind that over the last decade despite the war afghan literacy rates have climbed dramatically, afghan urbanization rates have climbed

it speaks to people looking not at a democratic handover, but what happened after. they expect the taliban there before the u.s. and international community who arrives to be there after the u.s. and international community leaves. there's app overriding factor. you mentioned the civilians, they have paid a heavy price for years and years of wore thousands have been injured and killed. more were killed last year. civilians in the past five years, close to 2300 civilians died in 2013. when you look at the numbers, it does raise a con certain you bring up -- concern that you bring up, that the country is not ready. >> right. exact lay. when we were out there i was talking with our staff, and they told us the top three concerns of communities is security. two and three are jobs, livelihoods, education. they are asking for support. please don't abandon us now, let's build on the fragile gains we have made, and prepare for a stable future. >> a lot of people will say wait a minute. afghanistan - the united states does not want to abandon you, but the current president, h

the government aims to complete the handover by the end of the month. danish and norwegian vessels will transfer the stockpile. ship to ship. >> we believe that they have the tools that they need to hand, to get on with the removal of the remaining chemicals, and at the same time we feed to stress the time is running out. >> come out of the reactor, down through the mixers, through the pipe and dumped in. what you have to start with is hot water... >> it's here where it will be handled with the utmost care. here is where the mustard and serine gas will be neutralized. water renders the chemicals into industrial waste where it will be able to processed in commercial plants. >> after the process, those involved in the operations will come here and begin their own decontamination process. >> they'll be watched all over. >> the whole process is expected to take place with respect two months. in international waters of the mediterranean sea. they are banking on syria to live up to its promise of delivering its stockpiles on time. >> al jazeera's demanding th

. >> >> afghanistan goes to the polls in the first democratic handover of power. >> hello, welcome to al jazeera america, live from doha. coverage is dominated by the vote in afghanistan, and what looks like enthusiasm. >> thousands of homeless in the solomon islands, thousands of communities washed

. >> >> afghanistan goes to the polls in the first democratic handover of power. >> hello, welcome to al jazeera america, live from doha. coverage is dominated by the vote in afghanistan, and what looks like enthusiasm. >> thousands of homeless in the solomon islands, thousands of communities washed away. bush art with a difference. this is how the former u.s. president sees other world leaders. >> security is tight across afghanistan, as voters choose a new president. despite threats of violence from the taliban, there has been a steady flow of voters turning up at polling stations. it will be the first democratic transfer of power. hamid karzai has been in power for the past 12 years, but is barred by afghan law of running for a third term. eight candidates are competing to replace them. including abdullah abdullah, but lost to hamid karzai in 2009. another is ghani, a warmer world bank official and afghan finance minister. he contested the vote in 2009. and a previously serving foreign minister, one of hamid karzai's closest allies. >> let's cross to our correspondent bernard smith

the papers are awash in speculation about how the hostages were finally liberated, if there was a handoverr if they were rescued. it is reported that the french intelligence services were involved, but to what extent and for how long, it is not yet clear. the speculation as to whether there has been a ransom paid as well. and the french president continues to say as previous governments have said, the french governments do not pay ransoms. aresituation in the -- they quoting people familiar with past cases, that they can truthfully say that there is no ransom paid by the government, too, for example, the kidnappers but this could very easily have been arranged through a third-party, they could have had people in other countries, for example, neighboring turkey, neighboring to syria where these coordinates -- these journalists were kidnapped and held, there could have been arrangements with a third-party exchange, in exchange for the freedom of the captives. we don't know any of this, this is speculation but this is based on previous incidences where there were these kinds of arrangements s

agreement that president obama reached with president park geun-hye was to reconsider the timing of the handover of what's known as operational control in the event of a conflict on the korean peninsula, which is due to transition to the south korean forces by the end of 2015. south korea wants to delay that, seen as an indication of the level of the security situation on the peninsula, as north korea pursues nuclear weapons. president obama spoke about that in his speech to u.s. forces here, saying that anybody can brandish a missile. what shows true strength is to open the political system to democracy. little question that the words are being taken heed of in pyongyang, at a time when there's various indication that is the nooe jans are preparing -- north koreans are preparing for a fourth nuclear test. president obama is on his way to malaysia, they are reeling with the disaster of the missing flight mh370. the officials characterise them as an emerging partner, unlike a strong ally they described south korea as. he will speak to civil society leaders, and his national security leader will b

nation monday night to announce the resignation of loyal foot soldiers on the stool and susie's handover ceremony was a new prime minister sounded like a man in her. the yield on tv the presence of the republic as a roadmap to go even further. the defaults to post it on to the call for justice and social justice in our country. the dong the witch finder is important to you colton was the last local elections revealed an even greater extent the folks alright so institutional reforms on the one hand. okay good on you when you put this to you. on the other on one hand there's the oldest talk about his competitiveness and competitiveness. packed responsibility to act as it's been cold here in france which is lower taxes for companies exchange for more jobs. so sort of reform of the economic front. what is the mean. the new prime minister when he talks about a social justice. he he he the message sent by the voters up on sunday the second round of the election. calling for social justice poverty in the form of tax breaks that could boost up your choosing our formula costs and working class pe

closely involved in getting those stockpiles necessary he gave as his feet will this area the syrian handover of the removal of certain chemicals from syria has gone actually quite well. began in january of this past week there were two more treatments to the portable ikea. and it's about sixty three point something percent removed lots of thirteen hundred and thirty five metric tons so this summer probably over six hundred and fifty or seven hundred tonnes i removed today. this is still delayed. of the syrians had agreed to remove everything by affair with her so we're talking months behind. at this point but i'm i'm quite optimistic actually the old chemical severe moved on by the end of hopefully by the end of april to syria has now promised but possibly can to may sometime. regarding allegations of other mobile locals use. this will be no proof. notice the wording on this we know for sure what's been used if it's been used and it's been over the statements about actual chemical agents used if it's chlorine. chlorine is a dual use chemical also very deadly and are used almost a hundred yea

the fog of war this handover of the information now only crean some western officials aren't making the situation any clearer coming up. we report the american policy has been resorting to insult and profanity. it was washington's agenda on the crisis. the difference in britain can get the right upon shale gas under people's property and there won't be anything that homeowners can do about it. ministers want to make it easier to access the controversial fuel currently companies need permission from landowners to build tracking tunnels. if the owners of jack the developer has the option of appealing to the court when a major push toward share of gas in britain could overhaul the system. uk ministers see frankie will be a huge boost to britain's economy by creating thousands of jobs. and a three minute speech on capturing it involves sinking a vertical shaft on the ground and re handling and gas deposits hours and extracted by fracturing shale rock with high pressure blast of chemicals. the problem is that these chemicals polluted soil the nearby lakes and rivers as they migrate back to s

i have done such handovers. i would expect the same thing from our strategic partner, the united states. these are the attempts to threaten national security. they should be handed over if necessary. >> do you expect the u.s. to do that, to hand over mr. gulen? >> i hope so. well, at least, they can expel him. this is someone who does not have a passport. he canceled his passport. he left his country on an illegal passport. this person now lives in the u.s. on a green card. >> you know what your critics say. they say you only began to speak out against gulen when their friends in the judiciary and prosecutorial elements began to press corruption charges against your friend. that is when you turned against them. only because of the corruption charges they were pursuing did you finally turn on them. >> this began on december 17. there were things before that. it did not start on the 17th of december. when we look at what was going on, it is already clear now that there is significant corruption. we will be unearth

i have done more than ten handovers like this so far, and i would expect the same thing from our strategic partner the united states because these have been attempts to threaten our national security. >> charlie: but you know -- hand over to us so we can do what's necessary. >> charlie: do you expect you have to do that, to turn over mr. gulen? >> i hope so. well, at least maybe they can expel him. because this is someone who does not have a passport. we canceled his passport and he left this country on an illegal passport. but this person now can live in the u.s. on a green card. >> charlie: you know what your critics say. they say that you only began to speak out against gulen when their friends in the judiciary and the prosecutorial element began to press corruption charges against your friend, that is when you turned against them, only because of the corruption charges they were pursuing did you finally turn on them. >> these characterizations of slander began on december 17t december 17th, and there were things before that, actually. it did not start on the 17t 17th of december. so wh

that speaks to people looking not just at the possibility of a democratic handover, but what happensfter. they expect the taliban who was there before the international community arrives to be there after the international community leaves. there's that overriding factor hanging over all of this. >> you mentioned the civilians. they paid a heavy price for years and years of war. thousands have been injured. more killed last year. civilians, than in the past five years. close to 2300 civilians decide in 2013. when you look at the numbers it raises a concern that the country is not ready to see the international community step away. >> when we were out there, i was talking with the staff. they told us the top three concerns of communities. one is security, two and three is jobs. they are asking for support. please don't abandon us now. let's build on the games and prepare for a stable future. a lot of people will say wait a minute, the united states does not want to abandon you, but the current president wants united states to pull back. he has not signed a deal to keep american forces

the handover of buildings, the disarming of illegally armed groups, you know, that's an important steptoday underscored the role that impartial international monitors through the osc could play in actively facilitating that. but overall, the situation remains very grim, as we've heard earlier in the broadcast, there's strong evidence that russia is behind the illegal armed takeover of a number of municipal buildings in the eastern ukraine. these were coordinated efforts. this is not grassroots activism. this is russian organized criminality. the guys who are taking these over are operating in a professional way, professionally armed, with equipment that would cost many, many months salary in eastern ukraine. so the situation remains very grim. we've said all along that there needs to be a diplomatic way forward, and that includes engagement between russia and ukraine, and the use of international monitors. and obviously, part of what was discussed today was how those monitors can play a role going forward. but we're very much still in a test and verify, not in a trust and verify zone r

until the end of june to abandoned the program, but the handover is running several weeks behind schedule it's emerged in recent days that rebel fighters have acquired sophisticated and toe anti-take missiles. it's not clear who supplied the weapons or where they came from. the fighting hasn't abated. it's not just syrians suffering. pam stennians in damasc us have no food. the united nations says supplies have run out and continue flighting is preventing the deliver of aid. hunger, disease, death, a cycle that's come to define syria's war. gerald tan, al jazeera. >> thousands gather they are morning to remember the oklahoma city bombing. today marks the 19th anniversary of the day timothy mcveigh detonated a truck full of explosives in fronts of the federal building. 168 people were killed. it remained most destructive act of terrorism on u.s. soil until the september 11th attacks. the annual memorial honors those who lost their lives and rescue user who worked to save them. >> on the monday, the boston marathon will be run for the 118th time. 136,000 people will participate with a milli

but the handover is running several weeks behind schedule. it's emerged in recent days that rebel fighters have a quite sophisticated, american tow and detank missiles. it's not clear who supplied the weapons or where they came from. the fighting hasn't abated. it's not just syrians suffering. palestinians in damascus now have no food. the united nations says supplies have run out and continued fighting is preventing the delivery of aid. hunger, disease, death, a cycle that's come to define syria's war. jerold tan, argues. >>> four french journalists have from been freed from detention in syria yesterday. they had been held for 10 months before being released across the turkish syrian border. harry smith has their border. >> they looked unkept with the long hair and beards but officials who met them said their morale was good and there was no disguising their delight at being free. >> i am very happy to be free. thank you. >> he was asked if they were now on their way home to france. >> i hope so, yes. >> but first, the four climbed into a mi

hundred police strong mandate to use force when necessary the security council unanimously approving a handover from african peacekeepers that will double the number of foreign forces in soft copy. there is a catch however. the new force will be operational until september to fifteen. earlier we spoke to france's ambassador to the u n j awful in the shooting of september the africans. we'll be delusional but you know we do the job and that we just reported by the way to do it because the african contingent suffolk england but they are lacking the basic above the eight years. they're necessary for footage of may upi the norm in terms of the bbq combines had gone four for instance so the un is going to push them so it means that there are going to be mauled by a more effective. so we are going to need to prepare the deployment of a force to pray the prayer of the deployment of more good jobs. ford engineers and again it's not that the snow patches in italy ninety for instance you know i still think small stock of the beagle to unconditionally to the fountain conclusions so it's a bit but it would

he did not have a smooth handover. broughtrolled in and his own people -- it has not worked out. >> a bad tim cook. i wonder what ryan giggs will be feeling. let's talk about business. they announced it on twitter, that is the vehicle they used. the fastest way. world's a guest sporting brand. you think some of the guys with big sponsorship deals are going to be nervous? >> to some extent. some of the massive chevrolet $559 million. they are still set to sign a $1 billion deal with nike. my question is whether those deals show any sign of fatigue over the next couple years if their performances continue to do badly. this just impacts manchester united as a club. but the primarily as a brand. we have had the primarily ceo say viewers are dropping away as time.is having a bad a lot of foreigners support manchester united. >> if you are in asia or the gulf watching primarily , premier league football is everywhere. >> you could lose interest. that is a concern for the primarily as a whole. >> jon, thank you so much. the v

did he say we are headed for a handover? >> not quite, maybe the lights are about to be turned on.oing on fundamentally, there are a couple indicators market is nothe as robust as investors would like it to be. one of them is that chart that shows a concentration in health care issuance. for the market to be healthy, you went issuance to be across the board in all industries. i asked moriarty about that, listen to his take. few loan at the headlines that come out. they tend to be focusing on the toivity level comparable 2000. the natural question everybody has is how sustainable is it? if you look at the lions share ssuance in health care, that cannot be sustainable. there are stories that come out when a company with minimal earnings or revenue gets a huge multiple. the market has been separating and quality of revenue. that would suggest it is somewhat sustainable. >> what about the offerings in the pipeline? fearing in the question -- one thing is the question whether this is sustainable. the key point there is that last year we saw every single -- almost every offering pop and

it's considering many options, including a handover of its unit.seems as though the chipmaker unit has dropped a profit and apple currently buys all of its iphone display chips from the country. the quality is becoming a crucial selling point for smartphones and this acquisition would allow apple to incorporate the design of core display components into its overall product development. now, meanwhile, renesas is likely to have stayed in the red marking its ninth consecutive year of losses. following the report, renesas soared nearly 20% today. >> thanks for that, makiko. staying in that region, stores in japan has soon a 6% right thanks to strong demand for the spring products. uniqlo stores profits come from japan. the nikkei closing up 2% today before the release of the sales figures. >>> just a reminder what's on the agenda in asia tomorrow, australia is reporting its retail sales and its trade figures at 8:30 hong kong time. the rba governor is speaking in brisbane. the currency so far this year, we'll get china services pmi out, as well. that

the flight sim mu lay tore, the air traffic control handovers, any of the debris, all these things yousome great gotcha piece of evidence. we know that they don't. they have said that there is nothing that they are keeping back that is particularly material. they have said the australians said yesterday on wolf blitzer's program, they said, we don't believe there is some smoking guns somewhere that we have not been told about. listening, carol, to just what the australian was saying in paula newton's report, this is by far and away, the most difficult and complex than anyone has ever seen. >> rich yaard quest, thanks as always. >> still ahead in the "newsroom," how the perfect honeymoon has transformed into 25 days of agony for the family of one young couple aboard that flight. at your ford dealer think? they think about tires. and what they've been through lately. polar vortexes, road construction, and gaping potholes. so with all that behind you, you might want to make sure you're safe and in control. ford technicians are ready to find the right tires for your vehicle. get up to $120

. >> the way these fund-raising committee's work is that you handover a check, give to the rest of my team. that is handing over the check to that candidate, a create significant risk of indebtedness on the are of the candidate. party leaders are going to be the ones that solicit those contributions have particular indebtedness to candidates because of their power and authority depending on the party retaining or getting a majority in the legislature. they're going to feel indebtedness that this person is helping only them but everyone. >> the third point is that every candidate and party is going to be affected by this because every candidate is going to get a slice of the money, and every candidate is going to know that this person who wrote the check has helped not only the candidate but the old team, and that creates indebtedness. every member of the party is likely to be leaned on by the party leadership. >> the limits might stand or fall together. take this example and walk me through this step by step. we have somebody who wants to corrupt member of the house. this person strat

a handover or takeover? create machines smarter than ourselves, and will those machines replace us? what i learnedded is that we proceed on the course i'm currently following, and i want to explain why, we'll create machines not benign or harmless, but develop their own drive like resource acquisition and self-protection. they'll start out being our tools but quickly become their tools if we continue to exist at all. my book is called our final invention, artificial intelligence, the end of the human era. we have to develop a science for understanding smarter than human intelligence before it's created, before we create it. this threw me into a world of people always driven to create smart machines. scientists working at high levels in ai wanted to create these machines since they were teenagers and children. they run with their goal their whole lives. it's involved in the lives of people who are just as determined to stop the wrecklessness development of advanced ai. the two years i spent writing the book w

video shows troops being forced to handover their assault rifles to separatists. one even did tricks through the square. this is not going well. president obama spoke about this at the white house with major garrett yesterday. we'll get to that in just a moment. at this point, though, we're hearing lots of different points of view as to what the united states should be doing. clearly the sanctions that are expected now that they're moving forward, the russians will happen and they will hurt. it will just take time. >> no doubt about it. putin again speaking to the russian people. he's talking about how ukraine and not just ukraine but other areas south and west of russia have traditionally been russian and that the entire country of ukraine is a fiction that was created basically by map drawers. and there's no doubt that he's staking a claim, at least in the hearts of russians, to that territory. >> let's go to eastern ukraine. joining us now, nbc news correspondent jim maceda with the latest. jim? >> reporter: hi there, mika. the pro-russian militias have already

the syrian government aims to complete the handover of chemical components of its sites by the end of the month. danish and norwegian vessels will receive the chemicals. and when that happens, cape ray will go where the stockpile will take place ship to ship. >> we believe they have all of the tools they need to get on with the removal of the remaining chemicals and at the same time, we need to stress the time is running out. what you you have to start with is not water. >> it's here where it will be handled with the utmost care. on this pressurized deck is where the mustard and seron gas will be neutralized. it renders the chemicals symbol industry waste where it will be able to to be processed in commercial plants. after the neutralization process, those who have been involved in those operations will begin their own decontamination process. >> washed all over, head to tow. >> the whole process is expected to take place within two months in international waters in the mediterranean sea and they are banking on syria to live up to its promise of delivering the stock piles on time. on

one hundred percent sure because i headed by to the mainstream media to attend and to witness this handover or to at least why to bought it and in some form. and r.t. news with the only media station that we were happy to come along and witness for us so does that surprise you given this surprise you that none of the mainstream media reached out in some ways it does surprise me but in other ways it does and i think there's a general epicene and again it's about their own beliefs that there's nothing much that they can do and maybe this is going to fall on deaf ears so once again it leaves the ball in the court of the whistleblower to to push this forward to to keep this conversation ignited and to keep the conversations going around preventing the victimization of the whistleblowers. and whistleblower who handed in a petition through number ten downing street today cheers to you and thanks for being in the now. thank you for that does it for us tonight stay in touch with us online find us on facebook and follow us on twitter i want to leave you with some pictures of parties that fifi might