Bangkok on the eve of thailandses general elections. The news from europe, including thousands turn out in the spanish capital to voice their opposition to strict new abortion laws. All aboard the momo rail, how mumbais aging transport system is getting a modern makeover. Ukraines opposition leaders are in germany to discuss the political standoff with their government. The u. S. Secretary of state, john kerry and the president of the European Council are backing protesters demands for more political freedom. Mcgregor wood has the details. Reporter its a long way from the barricades of kiev but ukraine is dominating the gathering in munich. It finds itself at the center of a strategic tug of war. U. S. Secretary of state, john kerry will meet with other opposition figures. They are asking for support. It feels authorities back home are about to crack down. Its pretty clear where u. S. Sympathies lie. The vast majority of ukrainians want to live freely in a safe and prosperous country and they are fighting for the right to associate with partners who will help them realize their aspirations, and they have decided that that means their futures do not have to lie with one country alone and certainly not coerced. Ukraine having the right to forge closer ties with europe. Russias foreign minister is here to protect his countrys interest in what russia regards as its sphere of influence. He is accusing the eu much stirring up trouble in ukraine and taking sides. Why dont we condemn those who sees and hold government buildings, attack the police, torch the police, use racist and nazi slogans . The case of opposition figure balarkovs beating has been widely condemned. The foreign minister told al jazeera on saturday, he thought his plight had been exaggerated. Now, it looks like that the alleged story that he was kidnapped and tortured is not absolutely true. The investigation is going on fi. Physically, this man, is in good condition. The only thing he has is a scratch on one of his cheeks. The crisis in ukraine is causing significant diplomatic tensions between russia and europe. The latter now clearly backed by the u. S. Its rimnicient that the bad old days of the cold war and the language being used here is doing little to a couple of those tensions. Simon mcgregor wood, al jazeera. Well, at a time diplomats discuss the enter the National Consequences of the situation in ukraine. Antigovernment protesters are wags again on the streets of kiev although the numbers are dwindling, the scene, a central part of kiev where riots took place in the middle of january, all looking calm there at the moment. But meanwhile, the activists, demittra blatov remains in hospital. On friday, he claimed to be tortured during an 8day long kidnap or deal. First, this report from david chaser reporter in kievs independence square, the opposition activist standing a frozen vigil appear a state of emergency could be declared as a power vacuum grows. The president running a high fever and the parliament is in recess. A close associate of the yanokovi yanokovich things a peace moo maker should be brought in. Who can this mediator be . Only someone acceptable to all sides. They must be from europe. All sides will trust them. The u. S. A. And russia must stay out of it. A growing need for effective mediation of any kind in this crisis is underlying by that issues by the ministry of defense. Ukraines top military commanders have demanded to know from president yanokovich what measures he intends to take to stabilize the country. The opposition activist is now in intensive care after surgery for the wounds inflicted during his kidnapping and torture. A vigil has been mounted by Opposition Mps and friends at the hospital and ambassadors from the European Union and the u. S. Came to express their concern. On the frozen waters of the river that runs through kiev, fishermen were trying to forget the turmoil in the country and bring home some supper. Its time to do something. I have had no salary since last may. But the hopes of a breakthrough in the crisis still look forlorn. The nation is locked in a conflict that shows no sign of abating. David chater, al jazeera, kiev. Live from kiev. The foreign minister of ukraine was speaking earlier say ting t government has made concessions and the ball is now in the oppositions court. How has the opposition responded to that . Reporter well, the ball is in the oppositions court. They are not prepared to hit it back. They have repeatedly rejected a list of concessions offered by president yanokovich which started with the resignation of the unpopular former Prime Minister, but continued with a repeal of a very unpopular antiprotest law. After that, a new amnesty law was signed into being. Happened on friday. That would pave the way for the release of hundreds of prisoners in return for the protesters giving up their occupation of this square and other government buildings. The opposition have also rejected the offer of making two keep opposition leaders, both the Prime Minister and the deputy Prime Minister. In terms of the coming out of it munich, the indication is from the opposition that they need something a little stronger, concessions that go much, much deeper. The head of the uda party has called on the International Community to help mediate the dispute. But perhaps one of the most immediate things that the people here, the more dedicated protesters as it were, want the president to step aside. Clearly isnt on the cards any time soon by the looks of things. In germany today, we have been hearing comments from russia, from the eu, from the u. S. Ukraine is being called a playing card stuck between the east and the west. Is that the case . Is that how it is seen there . I think historically, ukraine has often been described as something of a bargaining chip between east and west because of the clearcut influences at play here clearly geo politicly, closer to russia, the voter base as it were for yanokovich are leaning a little bit closer towards russia because it has been populated by ethnic russians going back to soviet times. The west is a country also has more of a leaning towards po land, towards the eu. Naturally, it feels that it should be part of the European Union. Also, there was a divide between the old and young here maybe the younger people have seen neighboring postsoviet countries join the European Union and prosper. They want the same thing to happen here. The end of the day whatever deal the opposition and the leadership come up with, its a deal that needs to solve the schizophrenic geopolitical status of this nation. But over the last decade or so, there has been a flipflopping between prorussian governments, prowestern oriented governments and neither have been really able to hold the course. Maybe if a break through is possible a government needs to be elected that is truly representative of the entire name. You just finally, if you will, just bring it up to speed on the some of numbers that we are looking at there in the capital, kiev, number of protesters. We showed live pictures earlier. Previously we have seen tens of thousands of people. Now, it appears there is just a handful. Absolutely. As i said earlier, the people who have gathered here on index square are more the dedicated movement. Many have camped here overnight to keep that opposition presence alive it was something of a protest villagers now become more embedded more like a protest town. People are keeping warm around camp tires throughout the night despite plummeting temperatures. You are right in saying that the numbers have dwindled. Traditionally, sunday has been the main day of protests. Of course, those opposition leaders are going to be coming back from munich with news potentially of a breakthrough. They may scatage largescale rallies. Thank you for joining us there from kiev. Three people have been wounded in the latest antigovernment demonstrations in thailand ahead of sundays election e gunshots were heard in bangkok. Dwayne hey is there reporter this is exactly the sort of build up to sundays election that everybody in thailand had feared. These people moving down this road here are antigovernment protesters and they are coming from one of the central bangkok stages at another building a few meters down the road here also in the area is a progovernment group. As they are protesters are moving down here, there has been a lot of gun fear coming from somewhere and, also, explosions. There is very little security in this area. There are some soldiers, unarched and, also, some police but very little security at the moment. As you can see, protesters moving down this road. This was an area of bangkok that the Security Forces, both military and police had warned could see violence on election day. We havent even reached the day, yes. Already, a lot of gunfire and explosions here. Campaigning begins on sunday in afghanistan for the successor to the current president , hamid karzi. Many wont be able to vote in the election. Over 1 and a half million of them are in pakistan. A large number of after gans there are living in refugee camps. The u. N. Efforts have helped bring almost 4 million after gans back home since 2002 reporter originally from afghanistan. This is his country home, a refugee camp. He has been living here for the last 35 years but still struggles to feed his family. My car earns me one or 2 a day. Many, i dont earn many. This summer, i owned one 80. I 0 the grocerier two 00 for buyer floir to feed my family. The government wants them to leave the 81 refugee villages across the country. This population has grown into hundreds and thousands of people. Many of those who returned home have come back. Local Officials Say the growing number is making commissions even more desperate. Almost three years ago, 100 or so families returned to afghanistan. They had to return because it wasnt safe for them there. Refugees complained of limited opportunities there. They say aid agencies and pa pakistans government have abandoned it. Many, writing religious education in the absence of proper schools p the cash strapped administration wants the government to find a solution. They are burdens on us. For the last 30 years, there have been more limited resources. We ha we will . Some revelling huge ease were afraid to say they were rounded up. They accused the Security Forces of miss treatment and unlawful detentions. Lafi says he has gone through difficult times all his life and he wants to go home. My hometown, there are many. People are my great from that period. As their parents continue to dream, another generation is growing up as refugees waiting to return to their homeland. Coming up here on this news hour, rations where the cash scandal has many thinking food is being stolen from them. Inside the first privately run hotel. In sports, a golfer hitting a hot streak in dubai and he will be here with that story. United nations says the number of People Killed by attacks in iraq during january was at least 733. They include 24 who died on thursday alone and six suicide bombers attacked transport Ministry Building in bag daig. Some counts put it as the deadliest in the six years. The army is battling fighters linked to alqaeda. They took control of fallujah at the beginning of january. In egypt, one of the four trials of deposed president Mohamed Morsi has been adjourned until tuesday. He is being tried along with 14 others on charges of inciting the murder of protesters in 2012. Earlier, cars carrying his lawyers were stacked by demonstrators as they arrived at court. Morsi whose overthrow could face the Death Penalty if found guilty. Its been 35 days since the egyptians detained three Al Jazeera English journalists, mohammed fami, bajh mohammed have been held without charge since december 29th. They are accuse of spreading false news and having links to the muslim brotherhood. The golf in cairo says their cases have been referred to the criminal court. They have not been notified of any formal churches. Some have been detained for over section months. Al jazeera rejects the allegations against all of them and continues top demand the unconditionable release of its journalists. A Syrian Government and the opposition are set to sit down until 10 days time, the first round wrapped up without any significant break through. Meanwhile, no let up in the fighting on the ground this report. Fighting in syria continues. This is fit with fouls fit and dropped from a helicopter. I was in the house with my family. Just back from the hospital. My mom is under the rubble, dead, in pieces killing up to 60 people on friday. The Government Forces target opposition strong holds. Explosive barrels seem to be the weapon of choice now. South of damascus fell in front of the cameras got it share as well. Causing death and disstruction. Air raids in the northern suburb hit the city of morik causing civilians to flee from the town. Rebels for their part athey have games on the ground in several areas. The Golan Heights says it has advanced on government posts. Rebel fighter use tapings to stop Government Forces from advancing into areas out of damascus. This vigil, the state is syria says it has taken control of several government agent check points north of aleppo. After more than two years of hit and run between the warring sides, i think so fleeing. There is no likely winner in this war. After the long days of talks in geneva, here in syria, the sound of war is much louder than the calls for peace. Mohammed fial, access. That has driven 2. 5 Million People from their homes into neighboring countries. The lebanese border town is now home to hundreds of refugees. Some new arrivals are being forced to set up camp out of town and out of reach of aid agencies reporter far beyond this lebanese checkpoint near the border with syria is a hum humanitarian tragedy. Syrian refugees have out numbered lebanese residence so new rivals have no choice but to set up makeshift shelters in remote areas. Best to care for her family after sher husband went missing in syria. Her biggest worry is her elderly mother who is spending her last years as a destitute, cold and impoverished refugee. What happened in syria wasnt worth it. We had everything we ever wanted there, security and a lifeline. Now, i feel nothing but fear, p pannek, hunger, cold and thirst because we get no water here all i can say is that there is nothing worse than our life here. The saying, out of sight, out of mind could not apply more to these. Aid agencies dont reach them. The refugees say they feel forgotten and neglected because they have been forced to find shelter in an area beyond the last Lebanese Military checkpoint near syria. They say only little aid reaches them and they feel they have almost no contact with the outside world. To the receive aid they have to walk through the checkpoint and into asad. Every passing day is a struggle for survival. We are not receiving any aid. We were promised water tanks and fuel to stay warm. We were also promised by the landowner but got nothing. We pay for everything you see here. The syrian army has shelved this area several times in an attempt to destroy al smuggling route. Thats why aid agencies are not allow to arrive theyre. We encourage people to come forward. We encourage people to come and for those who cant, we are working with local groups that are in these areas to try to help them heavy the refugees reporter the people say struggling for survival is something they can get to. I seet invisible is much harder to accept. Al jazeera. 14 villagers have been killed in the latest eruptioin of the volcano in indonesia. The area has been evacuated after recent e wrappings. Correspondent Sarah Bassett on the line from the capitol, jacks has been following this quite closely. Stand by for a major eruptioin. Why were these villagers caught off guard after five months, it had calmed down the last couple of days. Actually, this morning had said people could go back to the villages that were further away than 5 kilometers. The group of people then decided to go back to a village that was closer and thats where they got killed they hadnt been to their village for a long time due to this constant eruptioin. Basically they violatelated the rule that you cant got within 5 kilometers to the top of the mountain. This volcano is totally unpredictable office reporter it is totally unpredictable. Nobody knows when it will stop. It was dormant for 400 years two years ago, it stopped again and started again five months ago. Every way thought it couldnt take that long. They were in the evacuation camp but it kept erupting and got worse in the last couple of weeks until it stopped and erupted again today. Are there still people who need to be evacuated . Mostt people most of the people didnt go back to their houses. More than 27,000 evacuees are still in these Evacuation Centers waiting for further development. Poor harvest has resulted in rationing of maize. And corruption with the cash gate trial now underway. Public figures are accused of stealing millions of dollars in state funds. Mike hanna reports reporter people queue to put foot odd table. Each allowed to buy 10 kilograms of maize at a time. All will have to come down again. Drought followed by floods is one reason for the flood. Many believe corruption contributed to it as much as climate and that food is being stolen from their mouths. People in the villages with fertilizer. Subsidies for fertilizer and seed account for half of the annual agricultural budget. These are among the funds provided directly by International Donors that have gone missing. The bulk is produced by small sub cystens farmers like james nuango, a local pastor whose income relies on an excess crop that he can sell. This year, i didnt get any vfot liser at all, a huge garden. All of this maize was planted at the same time when the rains came unusual late in december. Part of the crop was fertilized. This part of the crop was not. The farmer said he had a fraction of the vert liser needed. If we have to ask another question, who is getting this vert liser. This is the nations bread bact, the green fields of the core. While climate has a major impact on the size of the harvest, the rampant corruption be