that's our show. i'm ali velshi. thanks for joining us. ♪ > >> paying his respects - president obama arrives in south korea on the second leg of his asian tour. . >> hello, i'm martin dennis. you're with al jazeera, and we are live in doha. israel suspends peace talks with the palestinians over plans for a unity government. syrian government forces accused of bombing a busy marketplace in aleppo. 30 at least are dead.

and why the u.s. is planning to tighten regulations on a multibillion electronic cigarette industry. president obama is warning north korea against carrying out another nuclear test. the u.s. president has arrived in south korea as part of a regional tour. he's just visited the national war memorial to pay his respects. his visit is being seen as an effort to improve relations between south korea and japan. unresolved historical grievances are causing tensions between the two neighbours. let's go live to harry fawcett, in the south korean capital seoul. first of all, north korea, there are indications, perhaps, that it's preparing for a fourth nuclear test. tell us about what the

indications are. >> well, they've been coming out pretty regularly in the last couple of weeks. there was another report on friday from the johns hopkins university of united states, which has an institution that looks at north korea carefully. a lot of satellite imagery is analysed there, and they are saying, again, that there is increased activity around the nuclear test site and it indicates a desimation could perhaps be imminent. similar words from the south korean defense military saying that they were monitoring increased activity. the foreign minister telling the national assembly on thursday that it's a question of a political decision as far as north korea is concerned, whether it wants to detonate another nuclear device. they have been saying that, but added to the indications coming from the satellite images, and the fact that president obama is in the region currently on the

peninsula, there are analysts looking at that thinking a fourth nuclear test a year after the third nuclear test could happen soon. >> north korea likely to dominate the agenda, which is perhaps what pyongyang wants. president obama has a thorny task of shoring up relations between south korea and japan. why is it important for the americans that the south koreans get on with the japanese? >> well, a lot of this visit, not just here to south korea but throughout the region, is about the white house, the obama administration saying "look, we are committed to our rebalancing of our efforts to the asia pacific region, away from the last decade and warfare in the middle east. despite the concerns about the united states dealing with syria and the ukraine, keen to say we are committed to developing

security, trade ties in this region." and for america it's important for the two key allies in north-east asia at a time when china is on the up and there is a continuing issue with north korea - for them to work closely with the united states, not just on a separate bilateral effort, but a trilateral partnership. since shinzo abe took office and park geun-hye in south korea, relations have deteriorated, and a lot is about the historian issues, shinzo abe moving away from the attitude that previous administrations had to the comfort women, is what south koreans feel, the use by japanese soldiers during the second world war of south korean and others as forced prostitutes, many claim.

as well as that, of course, the history of the imperial system that japan imposed here in south korea. as far as the south koreans are concerned shinzo abe is returning to something getting closer to the old-fashioned nationalistic way of political leadership in japan, and that is something they are opposed to. trying to meant that fence for president obama is going to be difficult. >> all right. thank you. harry fawcett there. our correspondent following president obama's trip to south korea. now, the secretary of state accused russia of stoking instability in you craning, john kerry -- ukraine, john kerry warning moscow that it would be a grave and expensive mistake if it didn't change course. >> vladimir putin and russia face a choice - if russia choose a path of deescalation, the international community - all of us - will welcome it.

if russia does not, the world will make sure the cost for russia will grow. president obama reiterated we are ready to act. >> both ukraine and russia sent more troops to the border between the two countries. al jazeera's hoda abdel-hamid has more on the military build up in the area. >> reporter: they were deployed a day after crimea voted to leave ukraine in midmarch. the ukrainian border guards set up base in an abandoned farm, the first to face russian troops crossing into ukraine. >> translation: i don't think anyone is going to come, but looking at the big picture, if that situation comes about, we will be the first to meet them. we are really to fulfil all duties that stand before us. >> russia has tens of thousands of troops stationed across the fields that separate the two countries. >> reporter: we are on the

border. russia is on this side. russia said they were military exercises. the ukrainians are not taking chances. >> they have been digging trershes, an ob -- trenches, an obstacle they hope will hold back the damages. moscow's military exercise are in response. they took control of the east of the country. ukrainian soldiers say the russians moved closer. there's nothing they can do for now, except monitor the movements from the sky. the sound of helicopters rumble above the villages. this woman lives in one of those villages and feels at home in russia and ukraine and has been concerned about the military build up. >> translation: my sister lives in russia with her two children. i visit them. if something were to happen, i don't know how i would see them. on the way to college i see

tanks. is it scary? of course it is. >> the border never really existed for people living here, now it's a fortified barrier, a symbol of a growing divide. >> we can go live to hoda abdel-hamid, who is now in donetsk. so you have been off to the border region as your report showed us. it seems as though the tensions are building there, reflecting the strength of language that is now being volleyed back and forth between moscow and washington. >> absolutely. when we were there, there were prorps of russian -- reports of russian troops and convoys. you could feel the tension among the border guards, the ukrainian paratroopers who had been deployed to that area. i have to say, when you see the amount of troops that the russians have on the other side

of the borders, and the pictures of long convoys, you do wonder what could the ukrainians do, and how long would they withstand, if, indeed, the russians cross that border. you know, a little down the road, leading to the official crossing there are several checkpoints by the pro-russian sprautists. so -- separatists, they are isolated there. i don't know how the ukrainian government could send reinforcements on the road, unless there are confrontations with the men holding the checkpoints. there's the issue of the people living in the area. clearly their allegiances are for both sides of the border. some of the people have half the family working in russia, working in ukraine. others are born to russian parents but are ukrainians. you feel, when you talk to them, that they don't want to take a position, but when you press them and ask this is an identity

crisis, they say yes. when you ask where would you go, some told us that they'd go with russia. >> you have documented clearly for us the increasing fortification around the border area. now you are back in donetsk, the regional capital. what is happening there. it's pro-russian protesters urged under the agreement to vacate the public buildings that they have taken over. >> i think they haven't taken into consideration the agreement. it was dismissed from the beginning. some said "we were not at the talks. no one asked our position." you get a feeling that they are in a holding position at the moment. they don't know what will happen next. what we notice over the past few days is you have pro-russian activists or protesters moving around. we have seen people that we met

in crimea, when events were unfolding there. we have seen people who, from luhansk that came to donetsk and moved as the town became more and more volatile. you see them moving around, giving help to each other and supporting each other, but you do not get an impression that they know where it is going next. >> thank you for updating us on the situation in eastern ukraine. >> now, the u.s. says it's not giving up on peace in the middle east, even as latest efforts to broker a deal lie in tatters. israel suspended all discussions a day after fatah and hamas agreed to form a unity government. we have more from washington. >> back and forth from the u.s. to the middle east. 11 trips in all. secretary of state john kerry tried to help the israelis and palestinians cut a deal on peace.

kerry says the matter is out of his hands. >> we may see a way forward. if they are not willing to make the compromises, it's elusive. >> kerry spoke after a reconciliation with hamas. >> what happened is a great reverse for peace. as long as i'm prime minister for his rail, i will never negotiate. israel accused palestinians of reacting a proposal for future talks and blamed president mahmoud abbas for not recognising israel as the national state of the jewish people. congress is threatening to cost hundreds of million in aids. hamas and fatah leaders insist they are sticking to their plan. >> we say that with national will, we have taken strength in

and will triumph. >> translation: we truly hope that america understands the unity of the palestine people, and will not give in to any threats. >> some analysts say the obama administration should think about why the second efforts to broker peace have failed. >> despite the investment and time spent. they continue the same format of supporting israeli positions first, and trying to push the palestinians to agree with those positions, instead of acting as a genuine mediator. >> for the time being, the special envoy to the mid east peace talks is staying in the the n. region. as long as hamas is doing business with fatta, it's difficult to see how that could happen. we have a lot more to come at al jazeera - including how a 19-year-old cancer sufferer handwritten asked the power of

social media to raise millions for charity. well it's official...

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a reminder of the top stories at al jazeera - u.s. president barack obama visited south korea's war memorial to pay respects. he warned against a possible nuclear test from north korea. ukraine and russia sent military personnel to the borders. the increase in troops follows accusations that russia is stoking instability in the

eastern ukraine. the u.s. says it will keep pushing for peace between israel and the palestinians. israel suspended all discussions with the palestinians after fatah and hamas agreed to unit. now, syrian government forces are being accused of killing 30 civilians after a busy marketplace in aleppo was bombed. rebels say they have seized heavy weapons after taking over a syrian army post. we have the latest. . >> reporter: activists are calling this a massacre. syrian government jets dropped bombs on the market in the village north of here. instantly it was turned into a place of death, grief and fear. the market was crowded at the time - the dead included women and children. more from injured. the bloody ground was evidence

of the about carnage. also rebels say they destroyed weapons hidden in a cement factory. fighters used heavy artillery in the attack with spectacular results. al jazeera cannot independently verify the footage. to the south and in the country side rebel forces claim advances. despite the opposition's political divide, fighters from the islamic front, rebel brigades and free syrian army say they are in charge of the hill near golan heights. it is near a syria military base known as brigade 61. the rebel commander said his forces seized tank, weapons and vehicles from government troops based here. it could be good news from the rebels. elsewhere, bashar al-assad's

forces advancements are continuing. now, oil security will be a major issue in the parliamentary vote in iraq next week. the pipelines and infrastructure are under attack, and losses have run into the millions. imran khan reports from naj af. >> reporter: in the land of black gold these men are responsible for keeping the oil flowing, they are the iraq oil police. the commander here briefs his charges for a day on the front line. here in naj af and across iraq they found defensive operations and intelligence gathering of threats. it's a dangerous job. this place they commemorate those who die in the line of duty, from this unit alone. the iraq oil police were formed in 2007. after the american invasion in 2003 iraq's energy

infrastructure was in chaos. gangs would smuggle oil from pipelines and sell it to foreign countries. it has come to an end, but the threats that the oil police face are more dangerous. iraq's oil pipelines and facilities are attacked on a weekly basis, damage running into millions. the oil police are controlled from here in the oil ministry in baghdad. it's a big operation spread across the country. the brigadier general is aware of the threat his force faces and said they need more help. >> translation: we are facing a fierce assault, especially during 2013, and going through this year. the enemy considers oil as a weapon. so the strategy is to bomb and attack facilities. i ask for weaponry and vehicles.

none has been received. >> looking to the future, iraq knows energy security is important. all political parties are aware that securing iraq's future depends on securing the oil pipelines. south -- south sudan government demanded the release of prisoners. a former national security minister and others are loyal to former vice president riek machar, accused of plotting a coup in december, leading armed groups against the government. it led to a conflict on the verge of becoming a humanitarian disaster. we have this report from the south-west of the country on fears of a growing threat of famine rfferents this is a market in the south-west of south sudan, and it is called the green belt.

there's no shortage of food. there are people with severe acute malnutrition, people on the brink of starvation. the country is capable of producing enough food to feed itself. it's difficult to get the food around. there were logistic difficulties, and they are much, much harder. pakistan's prisons are under scrutiny after a series of gaol breaks over the past year. taliban and al-qaeda-linked fighters freed hundreds of inmates. we take a look at what karachi's main prison is doing to protect itself from becoming the next target. >> reporter: the new arkts at pak -- arrivals at pakistan's oldest and largest prison - anyone from petty criminals to political prisons are held. so, too, al-qaeda-linked fighters. it was established in 1899

during british colonial rule. it's been on high alert. groups claiming responsibility for a series of gaol breaks in other parts of the country, freeing fighters and top commanders threatened to attack the facility. taliban and al qaeda-related prison breaks followed the same pattern. suicide fighters blast through the gates. follow-up fighters plast through killing guards, and they free senior commanders. >> mobile phone jammers, armoured vehicles and forces are used to improve security. the 115--year-old gaol is in need of modernization. most inmates are held in the barrack-style cells. guards rely on outdated equipment. this is the inspector general of prisons, and says despite the challenge he's confident the facility is secure.

>> we are serious about the threats. we take any threat very seriously. that is why we have geared up a number of security measures, which is - the different forces as well. >> the central gaol is in the heart of the megacity with a population of 20 million. in recent years taliban and al qaeda-linked groups expanded their influence over the capital, which is why many of their fighters and commanders are held here, and the threat of a prison break is so high. this man oversees the day-to-day running of the prison. >> the prison is double the capacity. security forces are arresting many people, including the talibanment we are managing, but it is difficult when we are receiving regular threats. >> threats which have become a

reality. a u.s. defense official warns that the search for the missing malaysian airliner could go on for years. a u.s. navy plane joined the search operation from perth's international airport. ate military aircraft and 10 ships are taking part in the effort. mh370 went missing on march the 8th, on a journey from kuala lumpur to beijing. the u.s. is planning to introduce its first ever regulation on electronic cigarettes. under the rules e-cigarettes, as they are known, would be banned for sale to minors, and there would be advertising and health restrictions. tom ackerman reports rfferents it has taken five years for the foodadministration authority to exercise authority. it's a $2 billion industry with sales doubling by the year.

big tobacco companies are leading new products with advertising like this. >> i get to have a blu, no ash, odour. >> it requirements ingredients to be registered and lifted. limit claims of risk to those based on scientific efforts. improve health warnings. ban sales unless their located where underaged use is barred. >> they will stop short of restricting sales, ads or fruit flavour ourings, which, according to some critics, are targeted to other users. >> at this story restricts customers to 18 and up. the regulations are welcome. >> there's a lot of companies that are making product that may or may not bereputable. it's up to the vendor to put out solid products that are reliable. made properly. >> promoters hope to reduce conventional rates in america,

which has not fallen below 20%. >> e-cigarettes, i think, will be more likely part of the solution, than part of the problem. >> anti-smoking campaigners are skeptical. >> the big question about ecigarettes is are they going to reduce the number of people that smoke or act as a gate way to smoking. >> the answer will depend on the shape of the regulationing and research to determine whether e-cigarettes convert habits into something safer. a 19-year-old british teenager was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he started a social media project documenting his story. steven sutton has raised millions for cancer research, and his latest online update on thursday prompted more donations. we have this story. >> even in one of his time pictures he gives a smile and a

thumbs up. since being diagnosed with cancer three years ago steven sutton has never lost his positive attitude. he turned his illness into action, creating a facebook page and online documentary about his struggles against a disease taking its toll. >> people have loads of time, but no motivation. they can't really give me their time. what i can try to do is give them my motivation, that is the aim. >> he created a bucket list of things to accomplish, including sky diving. at the top of the list raising £10,000 for a cancer charity, roughly $17,000. he surpassed the goal, raising more than $3 million, thanks to the hundreds of thousands around the world following his story. >> the use of social media is a trend. the no-make-up-selfy swept the

internet to highlight research. >> it can be a powerful way to one person. if you talk to one person, they talk to someone else, and they talk to someone else and you are talking to a network of people interested in what you are doing and the effect you are having. >> a third of charity supporters were inspired to donate because of social media. 50% knollo their favourite -- follow their favourite charity on twitter and social media. last year more than 20% donated online, compared to 4% by phone. >> the internet may get the message out quicker, it carries more risks. >> i can be anonymous and untraceable and this is where it enables scammers, cyber criminals to deliver attacks and steal money from individuals without risk to them personally

of being taken to court. >> steven's story is a positive example of how one person can use the virtue world to bring people together to raise awareness and funds. >> you can find out more about the teenager brandon sutter. -- steven sutton, who is 19. for a long time these e cigarettes existed in a very lightly regulated world. now the fda is proposing new rules. it's the inside story. does a cigarette stop being a cire