and san jose and across the street, here's our geneva car barn, our historic landmark buildinghat could be the catalyst for coming together all these improvements, bart's putting in about 12-15 million dollars of improvements so i think our time is now and i would like to see through this supplemental budget appropriation or part of the budget process that we move this project forward and create a neighborhood asset that really it should be, it's a diamond nr the rough and it could be something much better and actually if we're going to put 85 units of housing at this location, it just can't be done in isolation, it has to be done in the context of all the other improvement that is are taking place, so once again, i urge you either through the budget process or both through the supplemental appropriation that we move ahead with this. thank you very much, and i appreciate your time. >> thank you very much, next speaker, please. >> overhead projector. my name's rich chord rof man and i'm not a district 10 resident but i am interested in preserving murals, wpa mural ins the city a

brokered talks aimed at ending the syrian conflict due to get underway in geneva. ♪ hello there and welcomeal jazeera,s i'm laura kyle in doha, also ahead [sirens] a powerful car bomb in the turkish capitol ankara injuries and kills. it carried out attack on a beach resort in the ivory coast, 16 people there are dead and thousands of coal minors defy authorities in china to take part in rare protests. ♪ a new round of talks to try and end the syrian conflict are due to get underway shortly in geneva, diplomates are hoping to build on a fragile truce which reduced the level of violence in syria since it came into effect at the end of february but not all sides have been invited to the talks and the syrian government agreed to attend but foreign minister says it will not discuss the presidency and main opposition representative will there be but only will accept a govern body within six months and the high negotiation community represents the coalition and the free syrian army. russian wants ethnic kurdz in the talks but not invited and i.s.i.l. and the front el nusra front have also been exc

--retary rusk: to reconvene >> to reconvene the geneva conference. that's efficient -- that suggestion has been made many times, chiefly from our side. the other side has been unwilling to come to such a conference. we indicated, and it was one of our 14 points, we would welcome a conference on southeast asia or any part of it. we thought nine months ago there ble in this direction on the other side. hanoi sent a delegation to moscow. they seem to approve to the possibility of a conference on cambodia and perhaps on laos. we were ready for a conference but something happened after the meeting broke up in moscow. perhaps it was a move to interrupted. those comforters were not held. we would -- those coverages were not held. -- conferences or not held. we would be happy to see a conference on vietnam, laos, cambodia. >> do you know of any other channels that you can follow toward bringing about a negotiation? a conference? secretary rusk: let me say simply that the problem here is not that of technique or channel or contact. or the ability to be in touc

i doubt there to the geneva car barn that he is an amazing project. i look forward to hopefully turning that into a reality i however do feel the same way a supervisor tang around doing this is a supplemental during the budget process. will be happy to support during that period time. so, that being said, dropping a deuce board a motion saying this forward with no recommendation to the full board of supervisors. if there is a intend to revise that ugly happy to do that. otherwise we can take a roll call vote. my colleagues be 6 supervisor wiener >> as i stated last week or 2 weeks ago whenever it was before us before, sport this project. if the project we should be funding. i think it's obviously a legitimate topic of conversation whether we do this be a supplemental or try to do it as part of the regular budget process but clearly it's a project that deserves support. since there is it seems like everyone is in favor of sending this out of committee and to the full board of supervisors, seeing as there's a split about with a recommendation or with no

. >> hold your horses >>> syria is accused of stalling the geneva talks. now the opposition is calling on russia to put pressure on the bashar al-assad government. the u.s. steps up air strikes against i.s.i.l. in iraq as the pentagon deploys more troops on the ground. greece says it needs more help before it can send refugees back to turkey under a new e.u. deal. after half a century of hostility between the u.s. and cuba, president obama is trying a different approach. he has become the first u.s. president to visit cuba in nearly 90 years. >> reporter: with this single step obama is hoping to change the course of history. the first sitting president in 88 years to step foot on cuban soil >> i'm glad you have brought your families here because i always like pictures with kids. that's the future that we hope for. young american children, young cuban children. by the time they're adults, our hope is that they think it's natural that a u.s. president should be visiting cuba. they think it's natural that the two peoples are working together. >> reporter: that

staffan de mistura has been meeting with the main syrian opposition in geneva. he is outlining the progress that has been made. >> during the last three days surprisingly calm, according to the report of everyone, including those who have access to additional information. there have been a few incidents and at least three people killed, sadly, and one life is lost is too many. when you are comparing to what there used to be in particular in the last three days these have been noticeable in the task force >>> staffan de mistura says both sides in the syrian war are holding detainees, but the numbers are way higher on the government side. activists say tens of thousands are being held. >> reporter: near the top of the agenda for the main opposition block at the geneva talks, the release of detainees. they organized a conference detailing the inhuman conditions facing prisoners of the bashar al-assad regime. reporters were told-- this woman told her her brother was jailed and then executed >> he was in prison for two years and two months. they killed him there >> re

what is supposed to happen is there is a coordination center here at the u.n. in geneva. it includes u.s. officials, including military officials, russian officials, military officials from russia, as well and the united nations and they, too have succumbed to military officials for a number of countries. they're supposed to look at all the reports of violations. russia it seems doesn't like that approach. it would like a more punitive approach towards those that have violated the cessation, the problem with that is that most of the violations have actually come from russia's allies, the syrian government, and there have been even been violations, according to some of the other countries monitoring this by the russian air force themselves who have been on occasion bombing members of the opposition who are here in part of these talks, even though the cessation is technically in place, so big question marks about what the russians are trying to achieve by these statements. the suggestion perhaps that with the u.s. secretary of state on his way to moscow for meetings with his

to hear this item and also for all the previous work that the board of supervisors has done for the geneva car barn and the newest version or newbesting building that we're trying to restore in district 11 are the emergency hospital on onondaga and the home and health site on onondaga and elevate, these latitude buildings are two public buildings under the department of public health jurisdiction that had been empty, i believe it's been around 7 years that they've both been empty, they've been sources of blight fwl the neighborhood and just along the corner of alamani and onondaga, there have been homeless encampments there on the build, there's been people squatting inside the building as of last year, the corner building and it's also a part of the commercial corridor in district 11 that we're trying desperate toy to bring up to viability and economic viability, we've made some really good improvements close by on that corner, but you know, being able to activate vacant buildings is going to be a major part of our effort to bring economic vitality to this part of san francisco. and, clea

>> well, the briefing is taking place right now, closed briefing by video link from geneva where mr. de mistura is speaking, to the security council. the permanent representative of russia at the u.n. spoke to journalists a bit briefly and we already had the preefg from brim president putin about the withdrawing of forces. what about russian air strikes, does that mean they will stop? he didn't say yes or no. he says there were still drone strikes going on so you need to ask other people as well. the most interesting thing he did when he was asked why is this happening now? he said because we are in political mode, we have a cessation of hostilities and we have received our marching orders, speaking of russia wants to pick up its diplomatic role, and that the fact that russian air strikes had degraded and destroyed infrastructure of terrorists, regarding el nusra and i.s.i.l, and talks going on now, in in geneva, it was a good time to visitor a proposal from 2014 where russ and the syrian government worked against what he called terrorism. this could raise the question of a federal sy

now to the talks to geneva and the push for the bashar al-assad regime to release thousands of people it is holding behind bars. both sides in syria's war are holding detainees, but the numbers on the government side is much higher it is said. >> reporter: near the top of the agenda for the main opposition block of the geneva talks the release of detainees. they organized a new conference detailing the inhuman conditions facing prisoner of the bashar al-assad regime. reporters were told this woman's brother was jailed and executed. >> they put him in prison for two years and two months and then they killed him there. >> reporter: when you listen to the whole story, you begin to realise the appalling brutality and suffering involved. -- brutality and suffering involved. he was arrested after visiting her in jail. a peaceful activist she was tore tored in 2012. she began to envy prisoners who lost their minds >> i saw there are a lot of when they get crazy, we used to very very jealous of them. now they are happy, they don't know what's going on. i saw men die and they just putting them

that's the geneva convention. that's what mr. want to get rid of it, michael? is that what he said? >> i don't know. steve says trump misspoke on the abortion question. that implies he even knows what he's talking about or has a core position on these issues. i think what's clear from both of these instances, very different issues is that donald trump doesn't actually know what he believes. you can see him searching for an answer on the abortion question. he kind of sputtered off about how the geneva conventions are holding us back or that america needs to be involved in torture. a lot of people argued that water boarding is different than torture. donald trump comes in with his lack of knowledge or core principles on the issues and blows up a lot of what republicans and conservatives and smart people who have been thinking about these issues for a long time have been working toward. >> you mean the establishment. >> the establishment? that's nonsense. mike makes an important point. too often trump is making statements. sometimes

and san jose and across the street, here's our geneva car barn, our historic landmark building that could be the catalyst for coming together all these improvements, bart's putting in about 12-15 million dollars of improvements so i think our time is now and i would like to see through this supplemental budget appropriation or part of the budget process that we move this project forward and create a neighborhood asset that really it should be, it's a diamond nr the rough and it could be something much better and actually if we're going to put 85 units of housing at this location, it just can't be done in isolation, it has to be done in the context of all the other improvement that is are taking place, so once again, i urge you either through the budget process or both through the supplemental appropriation that we move ahead with this. thank you very much, and i appreciate your time. >> thank you very much, next speaker, please. >> overhead projector. my name's rich chord rof man and i'm not a district 10 resident but i am interested in preserving murals, wpa mural ins the city

who is at the geneva talks? the foreign ministers say that the syria sir post for the syrian president is not up for discussion. they do not want bashar al-assad to be part of it. russia wants ethnic kurds to be part of the talks, but they have not been invited either. anand alqaida-affiliated al nusra also has not been invited to the talks. >> i don't know whether anyone else has a plan b, i'm only aware of a plan a, which is giving the maximum chances with the maximum pressure by international community in order to insure that this type of talks and the cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian task force is given the maximum opportunity. the alternative to that to my knowledge would be regretbly returning to where we were, which was basically an ongoing conflict, which is going to be celebrated sadly and tragically until this time. >> diplomatic editor james bays is in geneva and joins us live now. hi there, james, what does syria's chief negotiator have to say? >> he said that they've had an useful meetin

also coming up for you this hour, gas guzzlers in the drivers seat at the geneva motor show. we will find out how low oil prices are affecting the car industry in our business update three that an more on the way. first, our top story live from paris. genie: super tuesday voting is now underway in the united states. it is the biggest and the most presidentialn the campaign, with 12 contests underway today. republican donald trump and democrat hillary clinton are hoping today will be the day they finish off their challengers and seal their respective nominations. the first day to open and politician -- in polling stations stay was in virginia. our washington joins us, gallagher fenwick it talk to us about the importance of super tuesday. gallagher: extremely important. a little under 12 states voting all across the nation, most of them southern states, many delegates up for grabs. remember, you need over 2000 of those in order to clinch the nomination, come july, when the moment -- or the nomination is set in stone when those delegates and superdelegates get together at the con

was talking about why pyg didn't get an invite to the talks in geneva, howu think this will impact the political influence? >> i feel that the other component in this region from the beginning they believe in federalism as a solution for syria in general and for the crisis that is going on for more than five years. now in syria without the federalism there will not be an in for them. so if they attend the geneva or not, what is going on the ground is the federalism that represents the region of the component of the region for the solution in syria. >> so you keep using this word federalism for certainly what the kurds want to do, do you think this is the beginning of the federalism in the country, do you think it could be a leading event? >> actually, the components they believe federalism is not just for north syria or the kurdish region and must be for them in general because the federalism and the diplomacy is going to be granted otherwise there must be another kind of, you know, system which will bring teourne for syria. >> you said preparations have bee

i doubt there to the geneva car barn that he is an amazing project. i look forward to hopefully turning that into a reality i however do feel the same way a supervisor tang around doing this is a supplemental during the budget process. will be happy to support during that period time. so, that being said, dropping a deuce board a motion saying this forward with no recommendation to the full board of supervisors. if there is a intend to revise that ugly happy to do that. otherwise we can take a roll call vote. my colleagues be 6 supervisor wiener >> as i stated last week or 2 weeks ago whenever it was before us before, sport this project. if the project we should be funding. i think it's obviously a legitimate topic of conversation whether we do this be a supplemental or try to do it as part of the regular budget process but clearly it's a project that deserves support. since there is it seems like everyone is in favor of sending this out of committee and to the full board of supervisors, seeing as there's a split about with a recommendation or with no

the launch. entering a fifth day in geneva, the u.n.nvoy says the divide between the government and opposition delegates is large but both agree on uniting syria. the turkish prime minister has arrived at the european union summit which enters the second day of talks over the refugee crisis and look to finalize a deal with turkey that includes ankara taking in eu refugees in return for increased funding and other political stipulations. well greece has called for countries that shut borders to face sanctions and refugees left stranded by closers are urged to move to organized camps and thousands remain on the greek-macedonia border and we have this report. >> reporter: the camp in northern greece where 13,000 refugees are stranded, officials from the european asylum support office encourage them to the location, with the borders closed they are told the only option for them is to seek asylum officially. all officials engaged in the camp and she is one of them. >> since october 2015 which is the operational date starting days on the grou

auto stocks are the winners on this side of the atlantic after the geneva show opened up and the news flow we got out of that show. let's talk you through other stories that we have been watching for you in the stock markets. shares in the london stop exchange itself popped on tuesday. it follows the news that american rival, intercontinental exchange is eyeing a take over bid. it set the scene for a take over. a german company is also in the market for a deal. a stand off between apple and the f.b.i. has gone from the court room to the u.s. congress. the f.b.i. and government are facing off off a locked i phone that was used by one of the shooters in a terror attack. they say the technology could endanger the privacy of i phone users everywhere should it fall into the wrong hands. bill gates has been named the world's richest person by gary forbes. the microsoft co-founder has a net fall of >> 75 billion. that is $4 billion less than last year but still $8 billion ahead of number two. the american investor, warren buffet is number three with a elt of nearly $6 -- a wealth of nearly 6

still to come --"dw news" is at the geneva car show. and how the vw ceo is taking on the admissions scandal. remember that one? and you can always get "dw news" on the go. downloaded on google play or the app store. you can enable push notifications and you can send us photos and videos. we like it when you share. i will be back after a 62nd break and mariano will be here with the business news. stick around. brent: you are with "dw news" live from berlin. time for the top stories at this hour. it is make or break time for u.s. presidential candidates. it's a chance for would-be republican and democratic nominees to secure a big chunk of the party delegates that they need to run for the white house. germany's highest court has begun hearing a landmark motion to ban a party. a ruling is not expected for several months. our time now for business news. mariano rivera -- mariana is there with that. mariana: we start with volkswagen? that's right. six months after the omission scandal report came out, it is far from over. cars have been refur

i think in this context of what has been seen since the first geneva and the third geneva, anything is sacred. at the end of the day convening with each delegate separately will discuss whatever he seems necessary and in so many ways for the time being he is backed by moscow and washington. that's why for our viewers to know that staffan de mistura might walk the talk, but it happens elsewhere. there are two many players in this game and staffan de mistura is the person who is trying to hold a couple of threads to get the most interested and concerned, which is the regime of bashar al-assad and the syrian opposition on the same room, same building and eventually on the same table. whether that will happen remains to be seen >>> you say there are too many players in this game. the russians and the americans, of course, are the two main players. the russians have a lot at stake. do you think that the russians are genuinely interested in ending this war in syria? >> i think everybody would be. if it ends to their favor >>> ending it in their favor would be what? >> maintaining the bashar

james bays, al jazeera, the united nations in geneva. >> u.s. president barack obama has announced his nomination to take his seat at the supreme court. there is an empty seat on the supreme court after justice antonin scalia died in february. president obama's choice must not be confirmed by the u.s. senate. >> he walked away from a comfortable and lucrative law practice to return to public service. merrick accepted a low level job as federal prosecutor in president george h. w. bush's administration. he traded in his elegant office for a windowless closet that smelled of stale cigarette smoke. this was a time when crime in washington reached epidemic proportions, and he wanted to help. he made a name for himself going after corrupt politicians an and criminals. >> what are the implications of obama's nomination? >> well, it's basically made very plain, felicity, the tough partisan nature of government in washington right now. even before the president had decided that he was going to nominate judge garland to the high court, republicans in the

the u.n. brokers a new round of talks in geneva to try to end the five. year conflict in syria. funerals begin for the victims of a car bomb in ankara. turkey's president vows to crackdown on terrorism. and the coal miners defy authorities in china to take part of protests. and search for life on mars. we look at a new mission that has been launched to investigate the red planet. we begin this news hour with the latest round of talks in geneva aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to conflict in syria. the u.n. special envoy has called this a moment of truth for the country which has been ravaged by war for the past five years. he insisted the only plan b available would be to return to war. and they also said that they would like presidential elections to be held within 18 months. >> i don't know whether anyone else has had a plan b here. i'm only aware of a plan a, which is giving the maximum chances and the maximum pressure by the international community in order to insure that this type of talks and cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian task force is given the maxim

the next round of talks. james bays reports from geneva. >> reporter: in the spotlight and under pressure at the geneva talks, the chief negotiator for the syrian government. while the opposition represented by a committee of political figures, the bashar al-assad regime's interests are in the hands of one man who is ambassador. he is known to his loyalty to his bosses in damascus. he shows he is prepared to defend his country's case even when countered with clear facts to the contrary. for instance, these images in madaya were fabricated she had >> the best way to torpedo the geneva talks and prevent the talks taking place is by raising a humanitarian issue, defaming the syrian government, demonizing the syrian government, bringing us again to the security council, as a guilty government to defend ourselves >> reporter: many observers believe that both sides are in geneva, it is he who is doing his best to tore people dough the talks. it is a role they played time. last time there were negotiations in 2014 he argued constantly over the agenda items. a compromise was suggested. >> unfortunately, the governmen

negotiations on the cease-fire resumed today in geneva. we are going to talk about turkey now and last night car bombing that triggered reprisals by the turkish military. warplanes struck camps in northern iraq and 11 people have an arrested in connection with the last. it is almost certain the separatist kurdistan workers carried out the bombing that left 37 people dead. reporter: sorrow and fear mounting with civilians at a busy transport hub. the city's residents look ahead with unease. there is no guarantee of safety. these will do whatever they want. if they can set off a bomb in the middle of the city, how can you not be worried? but security is what the president cross party pledged to win elections last year. people have grown angry and distrustful at the failure to provide it. >> he can arrest me but he cannot give me back my nephew. i will insult him to his face if he comes here. he wanted the presidency and many people lost their children here. reporter: investigators are busy determining who was behind the attack. evidence point

>> the geneva conventions are a law. d the united states senate ratified. if there were to be any changes under our obligations under the geneva conventions, thaud have to be negotiated and passed by the senate. we can have a debate about whether the geneva conventions can be changed, but president trump, like any president, is not allowed to do it unilaterally. plus, the military has always been a very strong supporter of the geneva conventions. they believe it's the most effective way to fight a war, and it also protects our soldiers from other countries that honor the conventions as well. >> i want to talk about the meeting that we learned about today. i want you and chris to weigh in on this. reince priebus meeting with donald trump. >> i just spoke to somebody very familiar with the conversation that took place today. this meeting had been on the books for several days. >> it had been. >> it had been for several days. one, the secret service has to go in and have to secure the building. this wasn't just a drop-by by

the geneva convention. i thought it was weird, someone could parachute out of a plane with a weapon and i had to wait for them to land before i could shoot them. why do we need any of that stuff anymore. >> it's trying to have some sort of civilization and prevent the total war and brutality we saw beginninbeginning with world wad earlier than that. if you want civilization you want the geneva convention. donald trump mused maybe he would use nuclear weapons in europe and maybe he wouldn't. a lot of crazy talk coming out of him. charles: how crazy is it japan and south korea should pay for their own protect and have nuclear weapons as china's ambitions become more imperialistic. >> i don't think to have more nukes in the world make us any more safe. to be fair to trump, and i have been quite critical of him on foreign policy. there are plenty of governors who run for president who don't have foreign policy experience. i wish mr. trump had done that a year ago. i hope he sees the importance of doing it now.

as i read the 1951 geneva convention for refugees, it fear," thatounded is the standard. when i see this standard, you are talking about credible fear. when you go to webster's or a dictionary, " well-founded" is credible and credible is "well-founded." i don't understand what all the bickering is about. isn't it the same standard as the geneva convention? >> know, the geneva convention establishe what has become the international convention standard for asylum. nationality,n, shows a group, or political agenda. what is race religion nationality, and put the goal opinion? of law to whole body has developed around the standard in the united states and internationally. >> we're talking about credible fear. >> credible fear was something that was made upon it the fly convenience.ative >> it seems very close to the geneva conference. if you look it up, credible well-founded. it is not totally made up. i know in application it is different. and i am pushing that. all i can say, everyone on the ground who was dealing with that issue at the time, credible fear was clearly dictat

he's at the talks in geneva. good to have you with us. i'm not sure that you heard the syrian spokesman speaking in the last couple of minutes or so but he said he's feeling positive after speaking to staffan de mistura. he has submitted ideas for a political solution. any idea what this is? >> you see we are here to see whether this can negotiation starts. we came and as we keep repeating, we're keen really to see a solution that lifts the suffer from the syrians. we heard, you know, what mr. staffan de mistura said yesterday in fact, we heard it from him when he met with us here where we are staying. i agree there are positive points. we are willing to do anything for our own people there. >> would when you say you are willing to do anything for your own people there, where does this leave bashar al assad? that seems to me the main sticking point, the opposition wants him to go. we heard yesterday the syrian government say that's not under discussion. >> it's, you know, they can say whatever they like. i mean, the representative of assad

ironically enough citing the geneva convention as the excuse. larry, over time, from editing the book, and hearing his voice, has become part of ould slahi. ould slahi can't have the book but has seen the great work larry has done. i want to -- we have quoted a lot from the book from his words and i want to read a brief passage from larry's introduction because i think it really talks to this relationship between two writers who recognize each other's gift although they cannot meet or speak to each other. larry is talking about the world of guantanamo bay which is a world of moments of brilliant humanity of guards who, you know, at risk to their own career, show compassion to the prisoners. so this is the secret world of guantanamo bay. a world with startling premeditative brutalities and incidentals and a world with justice and kindness, acknowledgment and recognition, mutual curiosity and mohamedou ould slahi was able to experience all of this and it says a great deal about his character and humanity. it says more about his skills as a writer

james bays, al jazeera, the united nations in geneva. >>> the u.n.seth up a commission to investigate human rights abuses in south sudan. the panel will look at whether rains and attacks on civilians constitute war crimes. thousands of people have died in a sieval war that began in 2013. more than 2 million people have been displaced. >>> time for a short break here on al jazeera. when we come back. these argentinians say barack obama is not welcome. >>> and meet the man on a mission to give indonesia's endangered orangutans a future. more on that, stay with us. , stay with us. hoy s'oi gho, esak ? hoesak hoy s'oi gho, esak th la p hceotas hke hy wn'retht ey llkelicaots? cthstcainusiness an fiwi, ro cd ju dd a czetomi hy wn'retht ey e ytowir ro pasplgepa an u'yo rlleastcusererwheithesey aa - dd a czetomi hy wn'retht ey e yt diresicpasplgepa orupr odtrg in pfiwi, hthatyow us bs.es howgrr ounes. u y'n'e se eat dvery ascomc.ss odtrg in pfiwi, htht ilbur ssnees howgrr ounes. u y'n'e se eat dvery when groups garth earlies for mr. obama's visit. >> transla

guy: rupert stadler talking to ryan chilcote at the geneva motor show. ill check more on those in a few minutes. let's check in on the markets and show you what is happening. every sector is higher on the euro stoxx 50 under. the reason why barclays, banks are down is because barclays -- the markets is seriously, thursday unimpressed with what -- seriously, seriously on impressed with what the ceo announced. the ftse trading north of 6100. 36.t crude is trading at 59. so, the markets -- but barclays absolutely battered this morning on the back of what stayey'ley's done. not going far enough. the market is looking for more. we're also going to carry on the conversation on cars. up next, we will talk about the high roller end of the market -- rolls-royce unveiling its plans to grow its business. we are going to speak the ceo. what are they going to be making down there? what is going to be the story they will deliver next? to get the consumer excited. we'll have that conversation. equity markets, maybe they need to bounce back before we start buying a few m

which 2.5 million will be used in the recreation and parks apartment focusing on improvements on the geneva car barn at 2.5 million will be used in the department of public health for facility improvements >> this item is sponsored by supervisor avalos. >> thank you for sharing this item this week. we heard it last week and at that point i had continued it so we can have further discussion with the mayor's office in my office about to move forward. the big question is, looking at her budget at the close of the budget season that will be having our discussion about what will be owed to me in the budget. to me, it was important that we set this as a priority before we get to the budget process. so, today i would like to be a portion of the supplemental forward. the portion about the geneva car barn. this is been a multi-decade issue for people in district 11. our district is totally united around the geneva car barn to actually have the facility that will have available for the public and for the arts. we currently do not have any venues for real in this part of san francisco in this part of

. >> near the top of the agenda for the main opposition bloc at the geneva talks, the release of detainees. they organized a news conference detailing inhuman conditions facing prisoners. a reporter was told a brother was gaoled and executed. >> they put him in prison for two years and two months and killed him there. >> reporter: when you listen to the whole story you realise the appalling brutality and suffering involved. her brother was a military judge, arrested after he came to visit her in gaol. a peaceful activist, she was imprisoned and tortured in 2012. things were so bad she envied federal prisoners who lost their minds. >> i saw a lot of men get crazy. we used to feel for them. now they are happy. we don't know what is going on. they just putting them on the dirty water to throw them somewhere out. >> the issue of detainees has been added to the work of the task force. on humanitarian issues led by january agerlin. >>> nothing would be important than to get out some groups in particular, women and children, and the sick and the wounded among the d

beginning with the war in syria, both sides set to meet in geneva on monday, but already negotiations have begun. the foreign minister says they will attend the indirect talks with the opposition, but there are conditions. the government warns that it will only wait for 24 hours, then head back home again if the opposition doesn't show up. he added that breaking up the country was not an option and called any discussion on the presidency a red line. on friday's syria main opposition confirmed it would take part but said that president bashar al-assad should not have a role in this period of transition. that's part of the proposal. staffan de mistura has said the presidential elections will be held within 18 months. he said he has no right to set a date for syria's presidential vote. he said a transitional period should mean moving from the chifting government and constitution to another one-- existing government >> >> we are adamant to hold it as one state. at least this is what has been reiterated by the international documents released, including those released in an attempt to reso

the opposition. james bays reports from geneva. >> reporter: in the spotlight and under pressure at the geneva talks,egotiator for the syrian government. while the opposition are represented by committee of political figures, the assad regime's interests are in the hands of one man whose day job is syrian ambassador to the u.n. in new york. he's known for his loyalty to his bosses in damascus, he's shown he's prepared to defend his country's case even when it's countered by clear facts to the contrary. for example claiming these images filmed earlier this year in madaya, a town besieged by his government were fabricated. >> the best way to torpedo the geneva talks and prevent the talks to take place is by raising a humanitarian issue, did hdemonizing the syria gover. bringing us again to the security council as a guilty government to defend our selves. >> reporter: but many observers believe now that both sides are in geneva, it is am the ambassador who is doing his best to torpedo these talks. it's a role he has played before. last time, though, in negotiations in 2014, the ambassador argued constan

>>> the kurdish party pushing for wider autonomy hats not been invited for the talks in geneva. this has sent ripples through the various factions. james bays has more >> reporter: the group that has not been invited forced themselves onto on the agenda here. staffan de mistura decided to excluded pyd from the talks now. staffan de mistura's deputy told reporters that the question of fundamental ralism was an issue to be decided by the representatives of the syrian people at the talks. >> translation: the u.n. position is very clear when it comes to this. every syrian that i spoke to stands with the unity and sovereignty with the nation. gentleman the head of the pyd actually turned up for the last round of talks in january before he found out he was not invited. other opposition members say his party should be excluded because they had been working with the bashar al-assad regime. >> translation: only when they openly announced that they're disengaging with the regime completely, only then will they have a place in the syrian revolution and they will then be welcomed with open

the latest negotiations are being adjourned. james bayes sent this update from geneva reporter: these talks have been underway for almost two weeks, and on the key issue, political transition no progress at all, the syrian government has not properly engaged the opposition says on that issue. now the u.n. special envoy will announce a next date for these talks. we are told it is likely to be the 9th or 10th of april. in that puts the syrian government under pressure. also putting them under pressure, i think, is this paper, that staffan de mistura is giving to both sides. interesting the title of the paper, essential principles of a political solution in syria. almost exactly the same title the syrian government gave at the beginning of these talks. what is key is what has been agreed by the international community. the idea of a transitional government leading syria after 18 months to free and fair elections, and that's the issue that the syrian go hasn't engaged in, in these talks over the last two weeks. >>> coming up on al jazeera, will it be the union jack or the

. >> reporter: it is the timing on this, not only just day three of the geneva, even though they weren't invited, managed to insert themselves back into the talks, the announcement comes just a few days before the kurdish new year on march 21. could it be that the kurds want to announce autonomy in syria as part of the new year celebrations >>> the proposals have immediately come across opposition from many sides in aleppo many said partitioning off the kurdish area went entirely against the aims of the revolution as being one syria for all respectivive of ethnicity or religion. >> translation: this announcement is a tyranny. they are a group on the terrorist list. this is just like i.s.i.l. announcing a caliphate. >> translation: this is really bad. the occurred are making themselves enemies of the syrian revolution. they're part of the syrian people like everyone else what is they say they want their own state. it is unacceptable >> reporter: the delegation is holding these talks and trying to offset these arguments by claiming their block would be a home for turks as well. nor once th

we have the latest from geneva. >> both main sides now say they're coming to geneva for the talks. the confirmation from the government coming from the deputy prime minister and foreign minister at a news conference in damascus. a role they said was not up for discussion. >> we are adamant on holding the integrity of one state. the documents released including release and attempt to resolve the situation in syria. >> those comments have angered the opposition, the u.n. have always made it clear that there should be no pre-conditions for these talks. the u.n. special envoy said that they hope to get to substantive issues on day one. >> we can say that when we started talks in earnest the substantive talks on the 14th, then we have some appropriate tore meetings. if one is not enough and we need to push further. two, now we can concentrate on realizing that. the political process. what is that? well, it is a new governance that is a very carefully chosen word in vienna to include something completely different in terms of what we're having at the moment. second a new constitution not

nancy a the geneva motor show. you've been talking to a whole bunch of ceos, but it's fair to say a lot of people are still focused on the emissions scandal. >> reporter: that's right, louisa. several of the executives we've been speaking to from the likes of daimler, other companies outside of volkswagen, bmw, are all still trying to adjust their business to this new reality. a big press here coming from european regulators when it comes to emissions standards and how to get the real road results to comply closer with laboratory tests. that could mean higher costs and lower margins. when we get to the volkswagen case specifically, i spoke at great length with the ceo yesterday on their progress when it comes to finding a fix in the united states. we now know that a california judge has set a march 24th deadline for volkswagen to finally get a fix for the some 600,000 impacted vehicles in the u.s. fixed. i asked the ceo whether he was confident he could reach that deadline, and if not, whether buybacks of those cars

brokered talks of ending the five-year conflict enter the second day in geneva and carolyn malone has >> reporter: russian air strikes in syria have allowed the syrian government to regain lost ground while also killing hundreds of people. now it appears they are coming to an end. russian president vladimir putin says they achieved what they came to achieve, back in december that was helping bashar al-assad what they call terrorists. >> translator: i believe that the goals with the ministry of defense and armed forces have over all been fulfilled and i order the minister of defense as of tomorrow to start a pull out of the military grouping from the syria republic. >> reporter: they were told about the decision a statement from assad said it was a joint one, the syrian opposition is cautious, the timing of the announcement was significant and made while u.n. led talks were going on in geneva, the message from putin to diplomates it's their turn. >> our diplomacy received the marching order to achieve a political settlement in syria so i think it should be well we believe we have helpe

it's the timing of this that is so extraordinary. not only on just day three of geneva have the kurds even though they weren't invited manage to insert nemsz back into the talks. the announcement comes a tu days before kurdish new year on march 21st. it could be that the kurds want to appear nounce oughton my in syria as part of the new year's celebrations. there's opposition from many sides. in aleppo many said partitions off the kurdish area went against the aims of the revolution being one syria for all irrespective of ethnicity or religion. >> translator: this is a tyranny from the ypg. they're a group on the terrorist list. >> translator: this is really bad. the kurds are making themz enemies of the syrian revolution. they're part of the syrian people like everyone else. what if the drews and ellow would its sapt they want their own state. it's unacceptable. >> reporter: the kurds tried to offset the arguments by claiming it will be a home for turkman and arab citizens as well as kurds and their federalism can be a model for the rest of the syria to follow. for onc

overwhelmingly what it does, i think, is to wrong foot the syrian delegation in geneva. whether they knew about this in advance is unclear. the negotiating position must be more difficult that they don't appear to have the backing of a military sponsor >>> the syrian state newsagency released the following statement from bashar al-assad's office saying after the successes achievement by the syrian arab military in cooperation with the russian air forces in fighting terrorism and bringing back security and safety to many areas in syria, and after reconciliation areas widened across syria, the syrian and russian parties agreed during a phone calls to reduce the number of russian air forces in syria in correspondence to the operational phase and the continuation of end of ceasefire. >> i'm joined from dough hoe by a senior -- doha by a senior analyst. it's interesting listening to the words used by the syrian state newsagency, that the syrian-russian parties - making it sounds like they came together, as opposed to vladimir putin saying what he was planning to do, what is yo

our diplomatic editor james bays has just left the meeting in geneva. james, what else do we know? >> this was a briefing on the humanitarian task force which is part of all the process here in geneva, the idea at a meeting of international leaders in mine nick was to take out of the main negotiation process this desperate need of people in besieged areas to get help to them. one of those besieged areas is an area that is besieged by isil. there's no way to get convoys in there, isil will not allow the convoys in there. a short time ago, we were hearing from the humanitarian advisor to staffan de mistura, the special envoy. he explained more about trying to air drop aid to isil. he said their tests hadn't worked and he ordered new parachutes. he then explained that they had to do these high altitude air drops because the danger the air drops faced and he raised a very interesting prospect and worrying prospect. he said he had been advised that they couldn't go any lower than the height they were trying to operate these air drops from because of the threat of surface to air missiles

to geneva for the talks. they made it clear that the role of president assad was not up for discussion. >> we are adamant on holding the sovereignty of one state. at least this is what has been reiterated by the international documents. including those released in attempt to resolve the situation in syria. >> those comments have angered the opposition. they always made it clear that there should be no pre-condition for these talks. they say that they hope to get to the substantive issues on day one. >> in concrete we can say that when we sought the talks in earn's, the talks on the 14th, we'll have some preparatory meetings. before that we will be to at least tell everyone this is happening, therefore, one is not enough when we need to push further. and two, now we can concentrate on the real agenda. what is it? the political process. what is that? well, it is a new governance that is a very carefully chosen word in vienna to include something completely different in terms of what we have at the moment. secon

jame bays has the latest from geneva. >> reporter: both sides say they are coming to geneva for the talks, the confirmation from the government coming from the deputy prime minister and foreign minister at a news conference. he made it clear the role of president assad was not up for discussing. >> we are adamant this is what is reiterated by the international documents released including those released in attempt to resolve the situation in syria. comments have angered the opinion zies. the u.n. made it clear there should be no preconditions for these talks. the u.n. special envoy, steffan dimastur on an al jazeera program says he hopes the substantive issues on day one. we can say b we started talks in earnest, in other words, the substantive talks on the 14th, we would have some meeting before that before that, we will be able to tell everyone, this is happening. therefore, one is not enough and we need to push further. two, now we can concentrate on the real agenda. what is it? the political process. what is that? well, it is a new goshance that's a very carefully chosen word in vienn

pete, is there any chance in -- on god's green earth of trump changing the geneva convention? no. but he can get lawyers out of the way. but ted cruz and marco rubio and others have said, they'll get rid of the lawyers, too. here's the problem with trump, he says torture, kill the families. what happens when people follow those orders or don't follow them? it's not clear that donald trump will have their back. he's often times about donald trump. so if you're not changing the law and just saying it, you create even more ambiguity. >> even if he had their back, they would be in trouble. i had a dad stop me in an airport this morning and said my son is going to west point next year, and they asked him during the interview if you're given an order you know illegal, do you follow it. he said even my 17-year-old knew the answer is no, i will not, because your duty is to the country and constitution and to uphold the law. his point is, how can my 17-year-old know that and the man who wants to be commander in chief not? >> what trump is meaning, he's not going to commit to a foreign