>> america's middle class: rebuilding the dream on real money with ali velshi on al jazeera america >> fighting intensifies in eastern ukraine. separatists say they are under attack, and a government helicopter is shot down. [ ♪ music ] we have the main stories on al jazeera. secretary of state john kerry heads to juva to talks to try to end the fighting in south sudan. 12 are killed in nigeria's capital in an explosion. most of these students are boys - where are the girls? we follow up on promises of equal

education in china. ukraine's interior minister says a pilot has been killed after pro-russian separatists fired anti-aircraft missiles at kiev forces in slovyansk. earlier the government was trying to retake the town of slovyansk. gunfire and blasts could be herd there. we go to donetsk. what are you hearing about the events, jonah? the referee: well, over the last few hours >> reporter: well, over the last few hours it's been what has been heard, the minister posted on facebook in the last few hours, as he's want to do, suggesting that the operation was launched, an anti-terrorist

part of a phase that has been going on for the last few weeks now. at 4:. 30 this morning, aimed at the roadblocks on the city of slav. his suggestion that nine checkpoints are under the control of ukranian forces. in the process two helicopters are down, one shot down, one suffering an emergency landing and a pilot dead with several others. injured. that information confirmed by the spu, the security - the security network here in ukraine. which used the words blocked to suggest that what they were trying to do was blockade the up to of slav slovyansk, rather than overrun it, the interior minister not giving an idea of the scope and sale. we have heard from people in the city saying the city was calm

with support attic reported of gunfire in the distance. >> do we know what sparked this? kiev is concerned with what happened in the eastern part of the country. >> massively so, of course. the eastern part of the country is largely under the control of pro-russian separatists. 12 cities have seen buildings key infrastructure and buildings occupied by pro-russian separatists. the de facto headquarters is in the city of slovyansk. two days ago the acting president of kiev indicated that security forces, including the police, were powerless to do anything about it. there has been an anti-terrorist operation in progress as far as kiev put it about, for the last few weeks, it's been largely unsuccessful, it has to be said. this, apparently, a new phase in that. an effort to hit the perimeter,

not to overtake the city, but to get a bolt hole to make an independent in the pro-russian preps, or to blockade the city, trying to stop any weapons getting in or separatist fighters getting out. >> thank you. >> the u.s. secretary of state john kerry warns of a genocide in south sudan. john kerry is due to arriving on the next leg of an african tour, making the comments in ethiopia, which has been hosting talks between south sudan's government and rebels. we go to juba for the latest. >> reporter: john kerry is arriving in juba on the pack of some statements he meade in the capital of ethiopia. he cautioned that they were on the brink of genocide. a few weeks ago president obama

signed an executive order paving the way for targeted sanctions to be imposed on some of the actors. these are methods used to have influence on the outcome of events. in the context of south sudan, the u.s. is not just a global superpower, it was instrumental in the creation of the state three years ago. the american people took the plight of the southern sudanese into their heart. the relationship afforded washington a great degree of leverage. the influence seems to have been diminishing. it remains to be seen what influence john kerry will be able to bring to bare. >> egyptian state television is reporting two suicide attacks in south cyanide. one was killed at a security checkpoint, on a highway linking

cairo. police in india say 10 people have been killed after gunmen opened fire. police blame rebels from the faction of the national democratic front of borderland. they have been fighting for a separate homeland for the ethic budda people. >> yemen's army says it killed 22 al qaeda fighters in an offensive in the south. 21 government soldiers died in the fighting in three provinces, following u.s. and yemeni's air strikes. the government says a senior al qaeda leader from uzbekistan has been killed. >> dozens of people suspected of being involved in a global extortion syndicate have been arrested in the philippines. the online scam tricking victims into exposing themselves in front of webcams and they were black mailed for thousands of dollars. a bomb blast in nigeria killed at least 12 people, the

second attack on the outskirts of aboouja in two weeks, close to the site of an explosion last month in which 75 people died. >> reporter: the car bomb exploded close to a check point manned by soldiers and police, a few kilometres from the city center. there were fatalities and injuries. survivo survivors were rushed to hospital. the security agents here were on duty to stop something like this happening. there may be questions about how such an attack could happen under their noses. over two weeks ago a bomb exploded at a bus station in almost the exact same place, killing 75 people. the leader of boko haram claimed responsibility for the attack at the bus station in this video. in it he challenges the government to go after his group. >> translation: look at us. we are right within your city

abuga, and you don't know how to find us. >> hours before the latest blast the government told al jazeera it had the situation under control. [ siren ] >> thousands are fighting. there was a decrease in attacks until the recent upsurge. >> reporter: next week abuja is set to open an economic forum. hundreds of high-profile delegates are expected. the latest blast will raise concerns as to whether it is safe to hold the event. two weeks after nearly 200 children were kidnapped from a school in nigeria, the government cannot say how many are missing. relatives are angry at the government's slow response. [ singing ] >> reporter: these protesters demand that the government rescue at least 190 girls kidnapped two weeks ago from a school in north-eastern nigeria.

they are furious at the government's response. there has been confusion over the number of girls conducted, and misinformation about the effort to find them. the government admits it is not sure how many girls were abdouble, but says -- abducted but says it is doing everything it can to rescue them. boko haram is believed to be behind the kidnappings. >> with the latest incident there are conflicting reports concerning the number. the government has been concerned more about getting the girls out of their place where they have been hidden by the members, rather than indulge in the game of trying to cut numbers that is appearing to be coming from many sources. >> this response is likely to make the parents and relatives more angry. local human rights groups say

some girls have been sold or forced to marry fighters. there's no proof, but the government is adamant it will find them and crush boko haram. >> imagine what would have happened if the government did in the intervene and checked into the exploits of these boko haram members. you must think about the background of what the government is doing. also, reflect on the possibility or the escalation of the situation if the government had not taken the steps that they have taken so far. >> these people say they'll protest until the girls are found. the nigerian military will not give us any details on what they are doing to find the girls, for security girls. the families of the girls say time is running out. one of the four al jazeera journalists in prison in egypt has been on hunger strike for 102 days.

abdullah al-shami has been held without charge since august. peter greste, mohamed fadel fahmy, and baher mohamed have been in gaol for 125 days. they will be back in court on saturday. they are falsely accused of providing a platform to the out-loued muslim brotherhood, now declared a terrorist organization. al jazeera rejects the charges. peter greste's father read a message from his son early on friday, written to mark international press freedom day on saturday. the message emphasis how important the case is. >> we have seen countless protests around the world, extraordinary online campaign, petitions, news conferences and appeals, that together have been unprecedented in the struggle to protect press freedom. we are, of course, deeply moved and strengthened by the outpouring of support. we also under that this is not just about the three of us.

nor is it about the wider and critical issue of the freedom of speech in egypt. our case is emblem attic of the freedom of the press worldwide. >> mohamed fadel fahmy received an award. the canadian committee for world press freedom named him as a 16th certificate. he is a jewel canadian citizen -- duel-canadian citizen. more information on the website aljazeera.com, click on the free aj staff, taking you to a page dedicated to our staff and press freedom, at aljazeera.com. still to come on al jazeera - why somali journalists who fled to what they thought was safety in kenya are fearing for their lives. britain denies claims the arrest

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motivated. top stories - ukraine's interior minister says a pilot has been killed after pro-russian separatists fired anti-aircraft missiles at kiev forces in slovyansk. the government is trying to retake the town. a car bomb in nigeria's capital killed 12, close to the site of a similar attack where more than 70 died last month.

>> u.s. secretary of state john kerry is due in south sudan on the next leg of his african tour, warning of a genocide if the civil war continues. in syria, more than 50 are believed to have been killed. on thursday, the attack happened in a marketplace. air strikes in the city intensified in the last few weeks. we have this report from lebanon. >> reporter: activists say two missiles were fired into north-east aleppo by the government. it's a popular market and residential area. two residential buildings were destroyed. many shot set on fire, coming a day after a similar attack by the war planes, firing a missile into a different neighbourhood. over there the missiles hit a children's school, and 10 children were killed, and eight adults. it seems that the government is

intensifying its campaign to try to regain more control over more areas in the city of aleppo, ahead of presidential elections set for june 3rdrdrdrd. conflict is bruing between the israelis and palestinians over a waste dumping site. fighting for control of this landfill. it is meant for palestinians living in hebron and beth le hen. the israelis gave permission for it to be built and want jewish settlers to use it. >> somali is a dangerous place to be a reporter. many journalists fled to kenya in search of a safer life. kenya's decision to order somali refugees back to the border camps left a large number fearing for their lives. more from nairobi. >> reporter: mohammed feels at home in a radio studio. a somali broadcaster, he has been doing this for years. he's not at home, he's in the

kenyan capital nairobi. he was threatened by the al qaeda-affiliated armed group al-shabab. who is fighting the government. somalia is a dangerous place in the world to be a reporter. >> i came here, and you know when you became a journalist it is to live life formal. no family members here, like sisters and brothers, father and mother. it's a peaceful life. >> the stresses for life for somali journalists are getting worse. registered as refugees many freelance at companies like this one. the kenyan's response to attacks by al-shabab is to order refugees back to the border, including reporters. a nairobi suburb home to many somalis, people are scared of

being sent to camps, rife with violence and infill freighted from the -- infiltrated by the fighters they are fleeing from. somal was a journalist when he fled. for journalist threatened by the group, the camps could be a death sentence. >> because the security is not 100% there. it's like somalia. maybe some elements can kill. maybe they can kill you. so we not looking forward to going there. in a sense, if there's no other solution, we have to face the consequence. >> reporter: there are other journalists here who are refugees from somalia, but they do not have the necessary paperwork. they are not registered. they will not come on camera to talk to us, they know they are at greater risk of being sent to

somalia or the refugee examples. >> for reporters that got out of somalia the streets are a new home. the threat of being sent into danger haunts them every day. anti-government protesters in haiti closed a thorough fair in port-au-prince. riot police disappeared the demonstrators after scattering rocks. protesters say the president is corrupt and call for his resignation. it is the third week. may day in venezuela kicked off with support of the nicolas maduro. the country saw violent progress. some blame nicolas maduro's handling of the situation. others are willing to give him a chance. we have this report from

caracas. >> reporter: honouring the workers rights the way venezuelans like most - dancing. thousands of government supporters gathered in caracas. more than celebrating may day, they came to support nicolas maduro who has been criticised for economic and security policies. >> we support nicolas maduro. he was named by chavez, and we support the beautiful revolution. let's go forward. >> others say they are faithful to the commander in chief. that's why they joined the march. >> i'm happy because by being here my commander is here with me. i give life to his thinking and legacy. i'll march for him today tomorrow and always. >> nicolas maduro told the crowds he will continue to fight for the project chavez left behind. >> translation: what the working class wants is a revolution. that's what i will give the

people - revolution and more revolution. >> the government shuttled thousand to the capital for the demonstration that lasted more than seven hours. >> like government reporters, the opposition was not in a celebratory mood, using may day to continue to protest. >> they say there's no reason to celebrate. >> translation: if i don't protest i'll be indifferent and a conformist to the hurdles our country is going through. >> three months have passed since violent protests left 41 dead and 700 injured. this man chained his hand to protest a supreme court ruling that bans protests without permission. >> wr protected by the con -- we are protected by the constitution, we can protest anywhere. >> though small opposition

supporters say they'll fight until nicolas maduro leaves office. a former bus driver and union leader - many say that is the level representative. >> the leader of the uk independence party that wants brit rain to leave the european union faced a hostile reception whilst campaigning. he was hit in the face with an egg. his body guards were quick to put him in his ka. the man that threw the egg was taken away by police. >> the eldest daughter of kevin connauton vowed to name names to police as officers held muammar gaddafi for questioning in connection with a kidnapping. muammar gaddafi is being questioned by police about the murder of a woman, and denies

having anything to do with her death. we have this report. >> antrim police station, a foreboding place, where the questioning of muammar gaddafi shows how far this place is from being at peace with itself. it was 41 years ago that kevin connauton, a mother of 10 was conducted from belfast. it was claimed she helped a wounded british soldier and she disappeared, her body disorder years lampt it underbin -- later. it undermined a claim of fighting a just claim. and a man who was the architect of a peace protest, as a commander that organised the abduction. jin's son spent -- jean's son spent thursday telling journalists that he was pleased history had not forgotten gerry

adams. >> these people didn't care what they did. if they did care, they would have apologised. >> leading unionists in northern ireland and london said it was reasonable for the police to do this. and did not demonstrate bias. >> we have an independent judicial system in england and northern ireland and there has been no political interference in the issue. we have independent policing authorities, prosecuting authorities. mr adams party, sin finn said the timing was dubious. >> our argument is that it was clearly suspicious. and the police arresting him. >> it proves how close to the surface all the old animosities

remain. for some years northern ireland wrested with conflicting demands. on the one hand the province has to move on. there's a demand for justice from people like the families of jean mcconville. arresting gerry adams might make it look like no one is above the law, but it may run the risk of perpetrating an endless cycle. in the end, in the time here, he has no hero. about 700 people tried to storm the barbed wire border between morocco and the spanish enclave on thursday. 140 people managed to make it across. six migrants and three police officers were injured. some of those trying to jump the fence set fire to their clothing. there has been several attempts

to breach the border in recent weeks. malaysian authorities released audio of communication from malaysia airlines flight mh370. the recording is between the pilots and the control tower prior to takeoff. there were 239 people on the plane when it disappeared in march. . >> in china, boys have traditionally been favoured over girls when it comes to education. three years ago the government introduced a law to buck the trend. as margo orteeing es reports

girls in rural areas are struggling to leave traditional roles behind. >> reporter: for these children in this rural village, an education is the first step to getting out of poverty. they are among the poorest people in china. despite a law making education compulsory for all. only a few students are girls. >> like all the other women, 14-year-old has never been to school, but works the fields with this water buffalo for 15 hours a day. >> i wish i could go to school and make money to send my little brother and sister to school too. >> the grandmother says it's not an option, and life is too difficult for women here. traditionally boys have been preferred, so they get the education. when the time comes, the boys migrate to the cities leaving the women to tend to the

families and the farms. >> reporter: according to the government 99.79% of all children in school are. that figure does not reflect the reality in rural china, where mixed classrooms like this one are a republican party. there, boys and girls are locked in traditional roles. the law making it compulsory for girls to get an education was supposed to suggest deep-seated prejudice. >> translation: the biggest consequence of the girls not going to school - it will pass on to the next generation. the lack of education and poverty will exist in the family. if a girl goes through proper education, there'll be a proper influence in the family. >> this girl's dream is part of a greater aspiration for china as a whole. there's no breaking the cycle. which is why wide-spread poverty

makes it difficult to leave traditional rolls behind. >> headlines coming up in a couple of seconds or so. in the meantime you can log on to the website which has the latest on the stories. aljazeera.com is the address. enough. have them learn the same things at roughly the same time, so you can check, turns out it isn't simple, not at all. the battle over the common core is the inside story.