>> targeting cyber crime. crime. >> hello, welcome. i'm steven cole in doha. the government struggles to unite the country. on strike in aleppo, protesting rebel fighters. >> reporter: i'm simon mcgregor in paris. attaching the fringe and expression of their devotion of

each other has some locals up in arms. >> but first the u.s. has charged five chinese government officials with hacking to gain tray secrets. it's the first time that the united states has brought charge like these. the u.s. attorney general said that offices i offices in chinad into companies. >> as president obama has said on numerous occasions. we do not collect intelligence to provide a competitive advantage to u.s. companies or commercial sector. our economic security and our ability to compete fairly in the marketplace.

>> we go to kimberly halkett. which areas are chinese hackers are accused of hacking. >> reporter: this really is a case that focuses on six companies in the u.s. state of pennsylvania pre-somely i predon the steel and solar industries. it is here that the u.s. government is alleging five high-ranking military officers in the chinese government based in shanghai conducted and conspired, working together through cyber hacking, cyber he is meaespionage stealing plans m these companies. and it resulted in economic lo loss. stealing the fruits of american label. the chinese were able to

manufacture cheaper comparable goods to products being made in the u.s. flood the market and force some of these companies out of the market that they were involved in resulting in an knee moranenormous amount of jobs, te cost to the u.s. economy is between $24 billion to $120 billion. the attorney general was vague. >> china has been quick to deny the allegations and said it will damage relationships. saying this: so a very clear, kimberly, denial by the chinese government. a lot of tensions with china at

the moment and the fact that the administration is naming names is perhaps significant? >> indeed, it is significant. this case is significant. it's landmark in that the u.s. justice department never presented a case such as this before. so the fact that it's named these officials individually, the fact that china is now denouncing this saying in one statement that i saw this has been translated so there are going to be variations but that the u.s. is fabricating facts, and the allegations are absurd. attorney general americ eric hor said that his position is that these officials need to come to the united states. that is certainly unlikely but the u.s. is coming down very hard saying it intends too use every means available to see them prosecuted. they want to see these individuals in front of an american jury.

this seems symbolic, this is not the only nation that the u.s. is concerned about. a number of nations seem to be named over and over, china at the top, but even some u.s. allies that the u.s. is concerned about that is responsible for cyber hacking and responsible for espionage. >> thank you, kimberly. >> the government is trying to secure the capitol. attacks leaving two dead. we are in tripoli. one recent development, omar, is

libyan air force or report there are reports that libyan air force base has decided to join forces with this retired general. is that significant, if true? >> reporter: that is very significant because that air base in eastern libya is considered one of the biggest in the eastern--in the entire country. i did speak to a spokesperson who confirmed the news that we have a lot of weapons and fighter jets. however, the answers to the libyan government and the libyan defense ministry said that the base is still under the control of the libyan army. the legitimate libyan army. stephen, i need to give you breaking. we just received this statement from the government. it's basically is an initiative sent to the general national congress to end the crisis.

it has ten points. i won't go through all of them, but i'll have to translate to you some of what is being said. it said libya is entering a critical time, and has responsibility to the nation. it suggests the following. that the gnc holds a new session to repeat the voting process in which the g this, gnc had chosw prime minister. it is suggested that if the gnc fails to choose a new prime minister, they will remain until a new parliament is elected. this is very important development. now the gnc will stay with its own mandate until approving the budget because of pressing issues. then the gnc will have to take a break until a new election is

held. finally, stephen, let me just leave quickly, i'm translating, yes, given the critical condition and the timing. the government needs to be in full consultations with the chief of staff and the other military forces to take jointly decisions that effect libya security. so i think what we are seeing here is an initiative to bring in the forces that general haf haftar is leading, i think the care taking and officials of this country are taking this crisis very seriously. >> thank you for that breaking, as you say, good to have that first. let's look at it. what this statement means, the significance and some perspective. because he's also talking about

allying with the chief of staff for joint action. so in effect civilian and joint army joint action all because of the actions of this retired general. how much power does the care taking government have, such sway it has in east of libya in the parliament where they've had three prime ministers already since march. >> yes, that's very true, stephen. now the interesting in all of this crisis is that there seems to be some sort of an agreement on the personality and individual represented by the caretaker. let me remind you that he was the one chosen by the gnc after his predecessor was kidnapped and then voted out. the whole crisis started when

they considered the prime minister. he is accepted figure by the eastern forces and we've heard in the past that they would accept if he will remain in his place continuing to lead the caretaker government. this is an important development because i think they are trying to appeal to general haftar as well as other militias who accuse the gnc as supporting the armed and the extremists. this is how they've called it. i think this is why they're trying to freeze the actions of the gnc. >> good explanation. omar. thank you. reporting from tripoli. to syria, an activist say people in aleppo are on strike. activist video shows shops and businesses closed as people protest against anna an al-qaeda

linked group. they have found that they have carried out arrests and executions. we were told people live in fear of the isil. >> isil from the first day they controlled after a battleishes they started to patrol them with weapons and frighten them. the people were so frightened by them because they arrested a lot of activists and a lot of people. the last was they executed 13 years old boy because they claimed that he raped a 17-year-old woman, and it was not so--it wasn't clear for us.

so people was against this. but they couldn't do anything because they're controlling. >> the leader of the pakistani taliban has released a statement saying they'll continue to fight. they made comments in a video which shows him being welcomed by fighters. stephanie decker reports. >> reporter: it's a carefree, orchestrated video. for the first time we see the leader of the pakistani taliban since he was appointed last november. he's seen here greeting his men. he vows to continue fighting until islamic law is imposed across the country. he told his men that it would be suicide-bombers should prepare for confrontation with pakistan security forces but some see the

significance of this video as more of an internal power play at a time when there are differences within the taliban. >> he has exerted his authority on the foot soldiers because when he took over many of those who understand the tribal society knew from day one that they would not easily be accepted. >> he is not from this tribe. there is infighting within the tribe, too, and something that this video is trying to create a bit of unity reminding his men that the pakistani government is their common enemy. >> and we have results suggesting that nour nouri al maliki will win another

election. and it's election time in malawi. coming up, can the government shake off a corruption scandal there to pull in the votes? [♪ music ] >> reporter: and we'll have this no love lost in paris. a famous bridge shudders under the weight of the dispute. with joe burlinger only on al jazeera america

>> welcome back. libya's government has called on parliament to suspend work until

new elections can be held it's meant to ease tensions. the united states has laid unprecedented charges against five chinese military officials accused of hacking into private american companies to gain trade secrets. the pakistani taliban leader said his men will continue to fight until islam i governs the country. a fear of new flood search will reach balkans plant. what is the latest, are they keeping the waters at bay? >> reporter: this whole area has fallen into panic mode in the last couple of hours. they're evacuating again we've

been told that further up stream ledams have been broken releasig a torret of water. we know that the death toll has risen. we've been told that within the last 15 hours, and more water is heading this way. people are extremely worried right now. >> are we talking about the river sivar here and are we looking at the possibility of the power plant being put out of action or not?

>> reporter: they're trying their best to put up fence he is around the clock. if as expected we're being told this for rent of water is heading this way. now we spoke to defense minister. and interior minister. it's absolutely overwhelmed by what's going on. it needs more equipment. and also so many people, not u.s. here. serbia is another issue where there are landslides and that is

another issue there in the balkans. >> thanks. >> russia's president putin has ordered thousands of troops to end military maneuvers on the border with ukraine and go back to base. ukraine says while there has been a drop in russian activity in the past there is yet to see any signs of the soldiers pulling out. the situation is tense in the east ahead of next week's presidential elections. south korea's president has made a tearful apology over her country's handling. she said she's planning to break up the cost guard and replace it with a new safety agency. harry fucett reports from seoul. >> i apologize to the nation for the pain and suffering that everyone felt. as president i shall be responsible for the safety of the people.

>> this was also a speech designed to set out her plans promised in the aftermath of the disaster to reform her nation. the first target was the coast guard criticized for helping the captain and crew to safety but not doing enough to get to those in their cabins. the entire service would be disbanded. >> the cost guard continued to get bigger in size but did not have enough personnel and budget allocated for maritime rescue training. >> all employees of the coast guard will humbly embrace the nation's opinion and tell you once again as we promised their families we will do our best until we find the very last missing passenger. >> reporter: but for the relstives still missing it was all an unnecessary distraction from finding their loved ones.

this man said that the coast guard will be agitated and the certain operation will continue. >> personal distress was laid bare in this speech, but she also has a political fight opposite her hands to retain her presidency. her popularity has fallen and there are elections coming up on june 4th. >> because of the significance of the issue and the shock that ordinary people face there is political momentum that she can take advantage of. those crisis, but i think this is an opportunity for her to take critical actions. >> reporter: another of those actions is to end the bureaucratic mafia. just one of many long-standing deep-seeded problems revealed by this disaster in which the president is promising to set right. harry fawcett, al jazeera,

seoul. >> al jazeera is demanding the immediate release of its journalist who is have been held in prison for 148 days. their trial was adjourned again on thursday. they're falsely accused of conspiring with the muslim brotherhood. al jazeera rejects the charges and they're due back in court on may 22nd. in malawi voters go to polls to elect a new president and parliament on tuesday. it's corruption that is will be the key election issue. we have reports. >> reporter: this seems normal. people working very hard just to feed their families. civil servants are often not paid on time. and millions of dollars just disappear, state money stolen by government officials. the government is struggling to pay bills.

>> from our companies. so it's difficult. >> the reality that many people don't have work. they do whatever they can to make ends meet. >> to me, not having a job, i feel very sad. then i feel very sad. >> more than 7 million people have registered to vote on tuesday. some of them say they are concerned about post election violence. the police say they are on stand by in case anyone tries to

create trouble. >> india's new prime minister elect is expected to introduce reforms to kick start the economy. we have more from the city of mumbai. >> reporter: markets of india welcome the country's new government. narendra modi and his bjp cured secured a landslide win in the elections. >> he is industry-friendly. he is business friendly. investor friendly and so on. the guy who makes decision very fast. he will give us a stable government. >> india's economy is in pour pr

shape gdp growth has moved from 8% in 2010 to less than 5% now. the outgoing congress-led government is wildly blamed for failing to push through reforms. with a new pro business administration investors are anticipating business changes. >> the basic problem of the economy has been lack of decision making but really we needed someone who would make the decision while manufacturing and infrastructure stocks are expected to go up, there is threat to the export industry. the currency opened at an 11 11-month high. >> it would be very bad for the

market because growth would slow down. >> still the activity on the stock exchange suggests that investors are cautiously optimistic about the new government. tradtraders are celebrating, bue state of the market means the party may not last long. the business community is waiting and watching for urgent economic reforms. al jazeera, mumbai. >> a bridge in paris has become the focus of a bitter argument over love. for years the bridge has been draped with thousands of pad locks placed there by lovers as symbols of their devotion to each other. it's also become a huge tourist attraction. but some are saying its damaging one of the city's great lan landmarks. simon m mcgregor wood reports

from paris. >> reporter: a sunny spring day in the city of love. the bridge straining under the weight of loving couples and pad locks. up close the names of those happy to be locked in love. the idea has traveled far and wide. they come from all four corners to express their love in metal. even those no long north springtime of youth like brian and audrey. >> it really is lovely. great idea. >> i think it's a very romantic idea, really, and i thought paris was the place for romance. >> on such a day it's hard not to get drawn in by all this love. unlicensed pad lock sellers are on hand in case you feel the ean. but not every is carried away. some hate it and started no love locks to reclaim part of the city's heritage.

>> if it is okay to start vandalizing people's heritage, then we can't get up in arms if somebody is pillaging a museum in other part of the world. just because it's in the name of love it can't ever be okay to vandalize peopl people's herita. >> the locks are damaging the bridge and many who used to picnic here feel that their bridge has been hijacked. >> reporter: this puts business authorities in a spot. on one hand you have the cultural sensitivities to think about. on the other you have all of this wonderful tourism based on the city's reputation as "the" city of love. it's hard to see them do anything to turn all this away. >> no end in sight. no part of the bridge is spared. every now and then panels collapse under the weight of it all, but they're quickly

replaced. the price for all this love and all those tourist dollars. >> lovely story. that's the home page. and obviously it's leading at the moment on our website about a story of the u.s.