♪ >> hello, and welcome to the news hour live in doha. our top stories. an egypt court reduces the sentences against 21 female protesters, their lawyer says it is not enough. militias leave hundreds dead. the world trade organization reaches it's first ever deal. not everyone is happy with the

agreement. >> i'm in london with the news from europe. including round-the-clock protests in ukraine as the president returns from russia with no deal from moscow. >> 21 egyptian women and girls are expected to be freed from prison after an appeals court ruled in their favor. they had been sentenced to 11 years in prison after protesting the city of alexandria in october. this relates to a relatively ruling. >> yes, the severity meted out to the women, young girls age

15. that's what brought international outrage that prompted this swift appeal hearing for these young women. in fact, they had already said that they were going to pardon the women after the sentences. but their lawyer explains to us, that's not enough. >> because let them go free. they are innocent. rather than one year. we do not think that they ar--tk

that they are innocent. this is unjustified. we want 100% success. >> there was international outrage after those original verdicts. some people pointing out that the sentences meted out to those women were longer than police convicted of killing civilian demonstrators. or jurying them. what does this tell us about the egyptian justice system or is this purely in response to the outcry? >> this was to begin with swift justice for the young women. they were in court, tried and sentenced within a couple of weeks of being arrested at the end of october. many of the supporters thought the government was trying to make an example of them. if that's the case, it

backfired. what the government is desperately trying to present to the international community is egypt, a country, returning back to civility. again we have to focus in on the continued crackdown of the security forces on the propertiers of the muslim brotherhood and those who ousted president morsi back during the summer. >> now to developing events in central african republic. 600 soldiers crossed over from cameroon. the red cross said 300 people have been killed in fighting between christian and islam militias over the last few days. [ sobbing ] >> the fighting it was driven

thousands from their homes, forcing them to find shelter at churches and even at the airport. >> the people here spent another terrified night neither their homes, churches, or thousands of people camped out at the airport. >> everyone you see here is a christian. there are no muslims here. we have no protection. we have nobody to defend us. >> we've got nothing to drink and there is nothing to eat. we don't even have any money to buy anything. >> we are hearing quite credible reports that the militia group, the christian group has a has been surrounded, and they're waiting for enforcement.

the president of this country, the rebel leader, to step down. and it says it is willing to take on even the french in order to do so. at the same time we're hearing that the french are taking a more active role here on the ground. we heard that last night there was an attempt attack by seleca, the main muslim security force on that church, and the french interconveniented preventing a possible massacre there. >> for months fighting has led the u.n. to send in peace keepers. they took pow of a coup in march and named themselves the first muslim leaders. they are accused of committing

atrocities against christians. and they are also accused of killing civilians. peter, you're right 300 kilometers north of bagui. what is the situation there right now? >> well, thank you for having me. we saw very fires fighting. the troupes have fought very hard to separate the christians from each other and they have killed 11 muslims within the border. both sides are committing atrocities. just a few hours ago seleka

fighters left a mother's body right next to her crying baby. >> what is in control right now? >> after the seleka forces were defeated. they took their forces to the catholic church where 35,000 people are sheltering. ththey sent them outside of the church and fired into the compound. if the peacekeeping forces were able to negotiate a departure of the anti-balaka forces, but both are using atrocities against the people to rule and take control. right now it's the seleka

forces. >> you mentioned the african peacekeeping troops, they managed to help many civilians, though, haven't they? >> i was here when the gun battle took place on thursday, and i have to say it was incredible to see the courage and determination used by the congolese peacekeeping forces here by the republic of conga. they took one casualty themselves, a peacekeeping shoulder who was shot in the chest. his life would have been saved if he had had bulletproof vest. but unfortunately the peace keepers here on the ground do not have that kind of equipment. they don't have the equipment to do their job the way they would like to do, and they would like

to see french reinforcement on the ground as soon as possible. >> thank you very much, indeed, to let us know what is going on. it's being hailed as first-ever worldwide deal to boost trade after failing to set agreements for 18 years. the head of the organized trade union said it's back in business. 159 government ministers stayed an extra day to over come hitches. it will boost economy by 1 trillion-dollar boost jobs by 20 million jobs. >> it was and a dramatic four-day long meeting in bally. suddenly the impossible was

discussible. >> for the first time in our history, it has really delivered. >> they have accepted a deal that will bring down some of the trade bear areas worldwide. it's a smaller package than was on the original deal in 2001 but it could bring in wider agreements to come. also it will be more transparent which will make it easier worldwide. and countries like india will be able to protect it's country for food subsidies. many in the united states it would affect world market prices. >> i view this as a victory for the farmers of india, for the

farmers and the countries that india was able to put together with its partners which withstood all pressures and demonstrated solidarity and achieved this. >> not everyone is happy with the deal. farmers organizations and activists say that farmers in the developing countries will suffer from free trade. >> by including agriculture into the agreement, agriculture will disappear and this would be very dangerous for the basic existence of many gleeman here worry in indonesia that not everyone will benefit from the free trade deal. many are not ready to compete. but at least the deal is a step

forward that would be reformed worldwide. >> it's tough to explain what is a complex deal in just a few seconds but here is "t" is, they want to cut red tape and treatment line port procedures and agriculture with improving access with cotton producers for countries who are least developed. and there are a whole range of rules including export from least developed nations to richer ones. they say the trade package has been watered down from what was first discussed ten years ago. >> it prefers and shows treatment of any kind unless they're part of a free trade

agreement or any other types of measures. in this package it has been impossible to make profitable measures for developing country. the most important development of this package in terms of big trade numbers is the panel in custom procedures which is the real nitty-gritty in international trade custom procedures, port procedures, hidden fees and process that take place when going into another country. much of the hidden discrimination that we see in trade has been implemented through this cuss tomorrow procedures. now exporting fresh goods and vegetables from one country to another, just the fact that it's

kept at the port for inspection than one or two days longer than it's supposed to be to make an entire shipment entirely worthless. >> still plenty more to come. including we're live in johannesburg where people remember the life and legacy of nelson mandela. >> what would you like to do? >> go home and see my disbelieve the u.s. war veteran released from north carolina i--from norh korea is finally on his way home. >> ukraine's president has returned from talks in sochi without an agreement on trade ties. more than that from our european

news center in london. >> reporter: adrian, yes, victor yanukovych's rejection of the e.u. he was expected to conclude a deal with vladimir putin instead, but nothing has been signed. well, pro e.u. and anti-yanukovych protests in kiev are now in its third week. it began when yanukovych pulled out of a deal with e.u. will there be a deal be made between russia and ukrainian is? is it still going to happen? >> reporter: they haven't signed on the dotted line but discussions are still open and ongoing with moscow. unlike for the moment

negotiith the european union, which you were saying were rejection of that trade agreement. sparked off these pro european demonstrations. some reports even suggesting that the ukrainian president may be aging towards a deal worth $17 billion with moscow. now he desperately needs that. but the economy here is in dire straits. the deal with moscow clue the possibility of a cheap deal on gas and perhaps direct aid because reserves here are running out fast. the central bank quite simply is seeing its stock pile of cash ebbing away very quickly. >> tim, we can see behind you the di demonstrateors are still

there. what would you say the mood is? are they still very determined? >> they are very determined. it is very cold, but there have been lots of warm words for the demonstrators. by coincidence there was a meeting for the meeting for the organization in kiev this week. they have made a point of coming out and support for peaceful demonstration. that was a rebuke from moscow, seeing it as interference in their own backyard, as it were. we have the former president of georgia, who has had his own battles with russia, standing here and telling them our

important it was. earlier in a press conference i asked him what his words would be to the demonstrators. >> so it's not about a political fight here. it's about way of life. are we going to have normal life for our children, decent life for ourselves. or are we going back to the soviet disaster which my generation lived through, and we do not wish on younger people. they have not own soviet union, but they know that it's not good. it was a disaster, and in this respect because they are in this region europea european union ie only alternative for this great nation. >> a big protest planned for sunday, but the fear is that with thousands of police still on the streets here in kiev there could be a repetition of the violence that was witnessed last weekend during those

demonstrations. back to you. >> thank you. joining us now for more on this is the moscow institute of international relations joining us live from moscow. thank you so much for being with us here on al jazeera. i mean, considering the firm reaction that there was when the ukrainian leader decided not to sign a deal with the e.u. perhaps it's surprising when he does go to moscow, talks with president vladimir putin and co come out with a deal right away. >> the whole problem with the ukraine from the russian point of view is not only the problem of policy. it is a geopolitical struggle of

who is going to take control of ukraine. any mass demonstration in kiev in ukraine is always seen as a general repetition before repeating the same thing. >> if i could interrupt you. you said the geopolitical struggle of the west over ukraine. but it seems that president yanukovych chose russia. so why do you think they don't have a deal. or do you think its just a matter of time. >> well vladimir putin, president of russia, is not going to make yanukovych's life any easier after being cheated by him personally and other ukrainians. yanukovych lowering in putin's

eyes. if he signed he had--now he would have to do anything that putin tells him. which takes his power. which he does not want to do it. which means that he still-- >> please continue. >> well, he's still did not decide mass demonstration in kiev and opened a new perspective. now his game for power. because it's safe for him. >> how do you think it's perceived in russia, the reaction that we have seen to president yanukovych. the demonstration is now in its third week. how do you think that that sort

of is perceived in russia. >> well, it could worrisome parts of russian elite. after seeing what happened here after parliament election and last year presidential election. nothing is going to change the whole thing. also serves russia to show that that they should be polite to russia because it is the only country that could give them power. it is not seen as a threat here

this year. >> sir, i'm sorry, we'll have to leave it there, thank you. we'll be back with more news from europe. now back to adrian in doha. >> barbara, people all over the world are continuing to celebrate the life of former president nelson mandela. this is the scene where he used to live in soweto. mourners bring flowers and continue to sing and dance to celebrate his life. he died at the age of 95. we're live in johannesburg. remind us of the significance of that particular location. >> well, this was essentially the nerve center. it was here that nelson mandela stayed for a number of months. it was the armed wing of the anc

of the they would gather and meet to discuss strategies, what to do and where to go next. nelson mandela was dedicated to speak to a senior anc member at that particular time. other members of the anc were here. 50 years ago. the police raided the farm. many were arrested. we had the trial, the moment in the country's history, the scene of his very famous speech. among those who would have faced trial was harold wolkey. he fled overseas into exile. his son, nic nicholas is now the trustee and he joins me now.

nicholas, what type of legacy do you think has been left by these giants like mandela and others? >> i think the legacy that they have left comes down to selfless sacrifice. the desire to bring about a change, putting their own needs, their own wants, their own desires second for the cause to insure that a better south africa, a democratic free south africa where all south africas are equal regardless of race creed religion. they are personified those ideals, they carried forward those ideals not only in word but in deed.

to one where democracy and equality ruled. as mandela said, he wasn't going tgoing, he said i fight against white domination. i fight against black domination. i cherish a society where everyone is found equal. that goes to the heart of what the struggles were about. >> now in this time of grief and mourning for nelson mandela, the dangers are is that people are thinking about the man rather than what he stood for. and south africa today, 50 years later, are those ideals still there? do they need to be refreshed.

>> we had a conference, and one of the speakers spoke about the moment of reckon. and then i heard yesterday that it's time for reflection. i think what you just said we are at that moment where we need to reflect. we need to reevaluate. we need to rethink and reconsider where we are today in relation to what the liberation struggle was about. yes, we are honoring and remembering the man. but more importantly we must honor what that man stood for. what he epitomized. what his ideals were about. as we jump forward to 1994. he said never never allow this beautiful land to be oppressed. again it is those very poignant words. if you live to the words that he

spoke in the trial, and those words that i spoke in 1994, they really articulate the essence of our struggle. we must not lose sight of it. while we meaningfully rejoice. this is not a time of mourning. we're rejoicing that we were privileged to have such a great leader a great man, who guided the country through a very turbulent, very--well, we could have fallen in to civil war. we must also not just recognize the man. we must recognize what he stood for, what he was about, and whey articulated. >> remembering the past, remembering nelson mandela's li the days ahead, and also pledging themselves to the future that nelson mandela promised. >> mike hanna live in

johannesburg. just ahead we'll update the top stories of the day. desperate syrians search for alternatives ways to get out of the country as the fighting intensifies. >> and one step closer to regaining cricket's ashes series. we'll have a full sports in 20 minutes.

>> hello again with the news hour. we have our top stories. 21 egyptian women and girls are expected to be freed from prison after some were given probation and others suspended sentences. they had been sentenced to 11 years in prison after protesting in alexandria two months ago. after nearly 20 years the world trade organization has

agreed to its first deal to international commerce. >> protect civilians from violence. at least 300 people have been killed in two days of fighting between rival militias. the crisis has been high on the agenda at a meeting of african leaders in paris. we're there following events for us. jackie within a last few minutes both the u.s. secretary general and president hoed land have been speaking the final declaration. the summit is out. what do they say? >> there has been a lot of emphasis on security and president hollande reiterating that africa should take responsibility for its own security. he looks ahead to the eventually

deployment of a rapid reaction force. and he said that france hopes to be able to train troops, being that african troops should respond quickly to crisis, or in mali earlier this year but also deploy to other issues facing the content, for example, trafficking and piracy. >> what have we learned that french troops will be doing in central africa republic? >> it is up to troops on the ground in central africa republic. there were 650 in place at the time that president hollande announced the operation was going to happen. since then there have been many

who have come over the border of camerooned, and now those troops are spreading out and carrying out their mission to the north and to the west. now, part of the mandate is to take control of main routes. so eventually the humanitarian aid convoy can get into the country. aid workers have been urging the french to go into the neighborhoods. they say that a lot of atrocities and attacks have been taken place away from those main roots. >> reporting live from paris. not a good day to be flying in or out of london. for more on that let's rejoin barbara in london. >> that's right. thousands of passengers have been stalled at united kingdom.

officials of the national air traffic control service said that engineers were still trying to fix the problem at a control center. we have more now from heathrow. >> reporter: more than 200 flights have been canceled at heathrow airport alone but the technical glitch at the air traffic control center has been affecting many more airports. most of the airports in southern united kingdom, the air traffic control usually looks an after 5,000 flights a day. potentially that many flights could be effected even though it is still running at 80% capacity. the problem was trying to switch from nighttime operations to daytime operations. during the night it will combine air space because it does not have any flights coming through,

but during the day they have surprised air traffic. they say they have identified the glitch, and they're working to fix it, but they can't say how long that may take. meanwhile, airlines are advising people to check in to find out about delays or cancellations of what could be a very long wait. >> greece's parliament is preparing it's budget for next year. trade unions are gathering outside of parliament in athens. they say the spending cuts in athens wino carrierringringno c0

>> many facing today's matches. suggests that the results from friday's draw with a total of 32 teams were drawn into eight groups. brazil will face croatia in the opening match. mexico and cameroon make up the other team in that group. it will be tougher this time around. >> very complicated.

>> we are proud to be pra playig against brazil. >> spain will take on the netherlands. chile and australia round out that group. off to group c, colombia, spain and ivory coast. uruguay are joined by costa rica. >> well, it's not an easy group, is it. i don't think there are many easy groups. you don't pick your group. you get the group that you've been given. i think with italy coming into that group we've got really two number one seeds in uruguay and italy. and. >> onecuador and france and

honduras. to group f. messi and argentina in their campaign. and african champions algeria and iran iand--nigeria and irant group. >> bosnia and m nigeria, the champions of africa. now fantastic. now it is in our hands to be ready. >> group g includes portugal and critiano ronado. and it mean.

>> i think this is something that is a bit special for us both. we have both worked together. he knows all the players. he has worked here in german with bayern munich. he knows the german mentalit mey like his own. we'll have to push forward. >> belgium, russia managed by fabio algeria and south korea. we have more on on the world cup groups on our website with more. go to www.aljazeera.co www.aljazeera.com/sports. june 19th when the tournament starts proper. champions have been crowned after a final day of the season. needing one win from their final two games to secure.

but last week it was followed by a 1-0 defeat on saturday. two goals to win the championship by a single point. they become the first team to intend defend their title since 2009. as you can see, it's heartbreak all around. cricket has a pretty big job ahead of them. mitchell johnson starred for the aussies on saturday. johnson twice on a hat trick as he claimed five crickets in a space of five over. >> i think for me to be able to back up the performance like i did in brisbane, to do it here, it's really a nice feeling for me. i guess there has been talk in the past i can have a

performance where i blow a team away, and then the next one not to turn up. that's what made is more emotional for me an me. >> they battled back and alway . >> the first inning you have to get brought back under 200 you're not going to get anything. it's obviously very disappointing and you can't get away from that. there are no excuses. it's just not good enough. we need to make sure that we put that right. >> tiger woods with the lead in california. he equaled his own course record at the sherwood country club. he shot 10 birdies in an under par round of 62.

johnson is a runner up, he's end. >> well, i played well. i obviously hit a lot of good shots. i made--i made more puts than i did yesterday. i missed a couple of kick-ins. but today was good. >> the boston celtics have maintained top spot. they beat the denver nuggets. they were given a chance off the bench and responded by providing 17 points and 7 rounds. as for the nuggets they have lost two straight. that's all your sports for now. we'll have more for you later. >> that will do it for the news hour. stay here on al jazeera. we'll update the day's top stories for you straight ahead. thank for watching.

>> welcome to al jazeera america. i'm richelle carey. here are the stories that we're following for you. merrill newman i has been relead from north korea and freed overnight. and the largest art show in the u.s. what many cities want to have. at this hour the american war veteran who has been detained