swarez. u.s. middle east peace envoy martin has resigned after famed famed -- after failing to broken ideal between israelis and palestinians. i am jane dutton and you are watching al jazerra. also on the program, after the fall of a president, the loss of crimea, and an ongoing rebellion, ukraine finally signs happen his tour us trade pact with the h p.e.u. the fight for iraq intense physician. [inaudible] 10 identifies.

we and kind as grants ambition to reduce a team of wincer. the u.s. state department has confirmed that its middle east peace envoy has resigned. final confirmation that america's effortses broken peace between israelis and palestinians has failed. let's talk to ross lands jordan in washington, d.c. what are you hearing about this? >> reporter: essentially martin is going to return to his job at a think tank here in washington. and the deputy, frank loewen between is going to be the acting special envoy, that's one signal, as it were, that the obama administration has not given up completely on the idea of trying to help the israelis and palestinians achieve a peace deal. that said, the paws is stil paul

on. neither side is coming back to the negotiating table to work out a framework for negotiating the terms of a final peace treaty. it's not clear when they will return to the table. however, it is significant that martin is stepping aside, because he was doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of trying to get both sides to talk about the very difficult sticking points that they each had on trying to achieve a peace treaty. >> what do you think the u.s. loses in the region by his resignation? >> reporter: martin knows people both within the palestinian community and within the israeli political community. he las a lot of influence. there is a lot of respect for him in a number of quarters. so the u.s. in that sense is losing some leverage. however, the actioning special envoy, mr. loenstein, has been on the ground pretty much nonstop working on this issue during the nearly nine months of the intense face-to-face talks

between the palestinians and the israelis. so certainly people now have a chance to get to know him. but whether they believe that he has the clout to persuade his superiors here at the state department that some sort of deal could be achieved, is really one of the big questions. >> thanks for that, roslyn jordan. this comes as a difficult time for the regis. two palestinians have been called in an israeli air strike on gaza. they were killed when a car they were traveling in was hit on a coastal road. a third person was injured. israel says the men were involved in firing rockets in to israel in the past weeks. the u.s. president wants to give syrian rib rebels. $500 million for equipment. president obama has asked for the funding. the u.s. has already given more than 218 million in nonoathal aid to syria's opposition.

e.u. leaders have nominated the former prime minister of luxembourg as president of the european commission. all but two members voted for him. he centered right last month. it came from strong opposition from david cameron. >> reporter: the council vote today nominate jean claude, britain and hungary opposed. we must accept the result. and britain will now work with the commission president. always do to secure our national interest. but let me be absolutely clear. this is a bad day for europe. it risks undermining the position of national governments, it risks undermining the power of national parliaments, and it hands new power to the european parliament. >> in the last hour german chancellor angela merkel voiced her support for jean claude. >> translator: i think the decision for jean claude is a decision that will allow us to

have a commission president who has european experience. as he outlined to us over the past few days and who is willing also to accommodate the wishes. individual member states just as the wishes of the european parliament. now, russia is warning off serious consequences after ukraine's new president signed a trade and economic agreement with the european agreement. petro poroshenko says it may be the most important day for ukraine since the did he sent greg of the soviet union. moldova and georgia also signed similar agreements. paul brennan reports from donetsk in eastern ukraine. >> reporter: it came down to a simple flourish of a pen, a signature on a page. but this association agreement will fundamentally alter the economic prospects of millions of people. getting to this point has cost hundreds of lives and severely strained diplomatic ties. it has brought ukraine to the brink of civil war. president poroshenko said his country had paid the highest possible price to make her

dreams come true. >> of course all of us would have wished to sign that agreement under different, more comfortable circumstances. on the other hand, the external aggression faced by ukraine gives another strong reason for this crucial step. by signing this agreement, ukraine takes enormous commitment terms of reform. but it is a document of joint ownership and joint responsibility. >> reporter: this treaty is not without cost. ukraine now benefits from having access to the european market. but it must make significant reforms to comply with e.u. regulations. full e.u. membership is still a long way off. and russia continue to his express its anger the kremlin predicting grave consequences if russia's economy suffers as a result. in moscow, president putin said the kiev administration had created a rift between the ukrainian people.

>> translator: the anti-constitutional coup in kiev and attempts to artificially impose a choice between our up and russia on the ukrainian team has pushed society towards a split and painful confrontation. >> reporter: the united nations estimates more than 100,000 people have fled from eastern ukraine in to russia this year. fearful of both the conflict and perhaps the future. an army ceasefire due to expire later on friday may be extended, though in reality it has been almost meaningless. both sides have exchanged fire and on thursday separatists militia openly attacked army and national guard units. but there have been positive signals too, in the early hours of friday morning, armed separatists in the eastern city of donetsk released a four-man team from the international monitoring group the osce. the men had been ceased and held since last month. though the timing of their release appeared politically motivated, it was a relief nonetheless. >> we welcome tonight the return

of our 4osce special monitoring mission teammates after 31 days. >> reporter: but for other on. sce members and dozens of other hostages still remain in captivity. paul brennan, al jazerra, donetsk. iraqi kurdish president says the issue you of who owns kirkuk has been resolved. the kurdish fighters took the city two weeks ago, fighting off a sunni rebellion and they have no plans to give it up. the british foreign secretary william haige is meeting with the kurdish president to discuss the ongoing fight for iraq and the role of the kurds. what is the role of the kurds now? where does this leave them? >> reporter: well, the kurds are certainly in a position of strength. i am sorry. they have made incredible gains over the past two weeks as the sunni and shias are at each other's throat. and probably something that they did not expect to happen so

swiftly. now, as you said they are in control of kirkuk and they are in control also of all of the other disputed territories, they say it's not their fault, but it's simply because they had to fill the security vacuum left behind when the iraqi army pulled out. on the other hand, he clearly stated it earliered to, that resolves the issue you of article 140 of the constitution it's an article that was calling for referendum to be held on the future of the disputed territories and is actually this article that convinced the kurds back in 2005 to sign off this constitution that was -- whic which -- negotiations were led by the americans at the time. this story goes back to when the new iraq was building up its political process and its new let's say positions for each of these different ethnic groups, so certainly now he says there is no going back to the position

this country was in three weeks ago. >> i am sure this leaves nouri al-maliki the prime minister increasingly isolated. >> reporter: we haven't heard any reaction from him since this statement. but over the past few days, we have heard from the very close entourage of nouri alleman key condemnation of the kurds. they said that they were taking advantage of the situation. there was also condemnation because several of the tribal sheiks are residing in the kurdish region at the moment. you have heard accusations and allegations that actually the kurds in this one were on the side of the sunnis. but as you said it leaves prime minister nouri al-maliki in a very delicate position because now you have the kurds and sunnis, but then you have very influential shia leaders who only a few days ago pointed the finger at the prime minister and

said it was your fault. and he said also there is no place for this prime minister in the future of this country. a man like who commands thousands of militia fighters, so certainly a very weakened position for the prime minister. >> reporting live. thank you. let's quickly look at some key cities in iraq who holds them. the kurds control a large swath of the north, that's the autonomous region. its capital is i rbi l. and the kurds hold kirkuk. they cook kirkuk as isil spread and the iraqi army collapsed. another city the iraqi army could not hold was mosul. so is tikrit, that's where human watch rights accuses isil of mass kr-z. the military still holds baghdad and all of the south. our correspondent imran kahn reports on the iraqi army's attempts to take bac back at tht

treat. >> reporter: iraqi military aircraft high in the skies over tikrit in a battle not reported by iraqi authorities or in state media elite commander units are alleged to have tried to get a foot hold in the town's university compound. using helicopters they landed in the stadium. witnesses reported fierce fighting. and that two out of the three helicopters used were downed. people here say the military hit targets indiscriminately and used illegal weapons. >> translator: there is no presence of military here. it's rez reds shal residential . families live here. >> translator: two blasts took place, there is no one here, no militants, no one here in the region. >> reporter: the families were displaced, they left to kirkuk. the situation is quite difficult here. there is no gas no, water, no electricity. >> reporter: the government hasn't released any information about this operation, but they have told al jazerra that they

are in control of the university, but they haven't given us aniest to back that up. now tikrit is a crucial town. it's not only the hometown of sadam hussein, the former dictator, but it's seen as being one of the key towns in the sunni heartland, and isil won't want to give it up very easily. isil also says it's captured many soldiers and military equipment, including tanks. human rights watch says nearly 190 of those captured iraqi army recruits were murdered by the fighters. the rights drew group analyzed satellite imagery and photos released by the fighters, but says that further investigation is difficult because of the fighting. weeks in no this crisis, iraq's politicians still haven't been able to agree on a united solution. and for many sunni residents of tikrit who feel let down by the shia government, hopes of stability remain just that, imran kahn, al jazerra. still ahead on al jazerra, they have escaped the fighting but south sudan's displaced now

face new threats in overcrowded camps. plus. >> reporter: i am tim fremd in roam where the mayor is appealing for millions of dollars from international donors to help save the capital's ancient sites. ♪ ♪ >> 99 percent of those arrested in drug free school zones... we're not near a school at all! >> are they working? >> this time i'm gonna fight it. >> the system with joe burlinger only on al jazeera america

♪ ♪ hello again, reminder of the top stories on al jazerra. chief u.s. negotiator for the israeli palestinian peace talks has resigned. his resignation is being seen sass another sign that u.s. attempts to broker peace between is reallies and the palestinians have failed.

russia's warning of serious consequences after ukraine's new president signed a trade and economic agreement with the european our i don't know. petro poroshenko says it may be the most important day for ukraine since the disintegration of the soviet union. the former prime minister of luck on him berg was elected as president of the commission. it was opposed by british prime minister david cameron who says it will make it harder to keep the u.k. inside the e.u. 14 people have been killed in a gas pipeline explosion in india. it happened in the southeast. it caused a massive fire, destroying homes and forced the evacuation of nearby villages. the fire burned for more than three hours, but it is now under control. here is more from new delhi. >> reporter: the explosion took place in the early hours of friday morning around 560-kilometers from the state capital. at this stage the cause is not known. the chief minister has called

for an official inquiry. and the prime minister of india has sent his condolences to the victims and the families of those who have been killed. he's called on the chairman of the state-owned gas company to provide immediate relief and insure that things are taken care of. officials have been on the site and investigations will continue. interestingly, villagers in the area this morning suggesting that negligence may be involved. that the pipelines weren't adequately maintained. but, again, still far too early to conclude as to what may have happened and why it's taken place. in pakistan dozens of journalists have demonstrate the outside the press club against the jailing of three al jazerra journalists ijournalists in egy. the federal journalists union went to on submit a letter to egypt's embassy supporting their release. the union says pakistan and

egypt are suffering an attack on media freedom. the free owe were sentenced on monday and have now been in prison for 481 days. two were given seven years, one sentenced to 10 years because he had a spent bullet in his possession, which he picked up at a protest. the journalists are wrongly accused of aiding the outlawed muslim brotherhood. u.n. general ban ki-moon has called for egypt to respect press freedom. >> they should allow the freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and freedom of covering the news by the journalists. i have also met president sisi today in [inaudible] and i also discussed this matter and i have urged him that the freedom of journalism, expression of -- freedom of expression should be fully protected. supporters of ousted egyptian president mohamed morsi

staged a series of protests on friday. the protesters want morsi reinstated. the military supported by a large percentage of the population kicked morsi out of office this time last year. he egyptians elected the leader of the military abdel al sisi in may. dozens of mourners gathered at the capital's mosque to play. 22 people at least were killed and 17 more injured in the explosion. no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. the world health organization is warning the deadly ebola end deposit i can in west africa too spread. it's urging countries which neighbors those hit by the virus to take precautions. about 400 people have died and hundreds more have been infected since february, in begin i, sarah lyon and liberia. aid agencies in south sudan are concerned about the number of people being forced to leave their homes, more than a million have been displaced by fighting

between rebels and forces loyal to the president. anita mcnaught visited a camp where the u.n. is struggle to go cope with 10,000 new arrivals every month. >> reporter: all aid agencies agree the situation is turning in to a humanitarian catastrophe. and this u.n. protection camp has the worst conditions in south sudan. the rains, which are good for growing crops are instead a torment for these uprooted people. mud everywhere, latrines overflowing, fear of cholera and worse. >> yeah, people are still coming here because everybody is coming to look for protection. yeah, because of this war outside that is why civilian are coming. >> reporter: two months ago there were 7,000 people seeking shelter here. now the u.n. estimates there are more than 40,000. no one had planned for this. in the camp, there is some food, outside there is none. >> there is not any food. there is not any food at all.

it's bans. no one can be here. there is [inaudible] -- people are [inaudible] >> reporter: fled the town on the country's only north south high way. rebels and government are fighting over it. it's already changed hands six times. the warring parties in south sudan's conflict agreed in june to hold their fire and work towards a transitional government. but camps like these tell you what political meetings don't, people come here because they think they might survive. out there, they feel death is more certain. the u.n. is worried too, u.n. peacekeepers here are armed and vigilant. they have lost personnel in this resurgence of hostilities in the past six months and are waiting for reinforcements to move in to surrounding areas which might take some pressure off this camp. >> we have done what we can do now, which was to use the resources that we had to open the gates for those fleeing for their lives. afraid of being killed. and i think we actually stemmed the cycle of violence and saves

thousands and thousands of people's lives. >> reporter: but the u.n. and other aid agencies admit that they were not prepared for a crisis on this scale and are struggle to go manage the humanitarian side. even simple illnesses are proving fatal. three children are dieing here every day. what people most need hear is peace. a peace that they can believe in. only then can they go home. anita mcnaught. al jazerra. the mayor of rome is appealing for international donors to help restore italy's ain't chen city. he says more than $250 million is need today landmarks at risk and the city doesn't have the cash, tim fremd has the story. >> reporter: he got the idea from alexander the great's tomb in alexandria. so when he returned from his egyptian campaign in 28bc. agustus built this as a symbol of his power. but now it's crumbling away. it originally looked like this. and it's survived innin incarnas

as a circus and an opera house as well as some poor respiration and a fascist dictator benito mussolini, he needs $5.5 million just to reopen to the public. >> this belongs to the entire mankind and i believe that we need to look all over the world to gather all of the resources that we can gather together in order to maintain what we have here. >> reporter: archeologist, elizabeth showed me around. without more money, her work is restricted. >> translator: the wall made with traditional methods is wearing out. these ancient walls are crumbling. it's essential that we do something quickly because we are already losing a big part of this site. >> reporter: well, we are about to enter the heart of this mausoleum. this is where agustus himself would have bee buried in the inr

cylindrical nucleus. at least 22 family members were buried here, including agustus in 14ad. the mayor says treasurers like this will remain hidden from the public without urgent outside help. tim fremd, al jazerra, rome. uruguay forward luis suarez is back home after fifa kicked him out of the world cup. he's arrived back home to crowds of media and fans and the president. suarez bit off more than he could chew in uruguay's last match against italy. fifa fined and suspended him for nine matches for chomping in to the shoulder of an opponents. while suarez heads home one man that wants to get in on on the action is american comedian will farrell he made a surprise appearance at u.s. soccer. he announced that he was revved toy play and do whatever it takes to help his country. >> let me reminds you i am not

in the best shape, oka okay? but you will try my best, i will try my best to live up to the spirit of this american team that they ever shown! [cheering and applause] >> if the game gets close i will bite, i will bite the opponents. >> reporter: [cheering and applause] asia is the only confederation that won't be represented in the knockout rounds after all four teams failed to make it through. china, though, who haven't featured at a world cup in 12 years are trying to make a path to the top. adrian reports. >> reporter: southern china is often called the world's factory. and there is never been a production line quite like this one. as with so much else in today's china, it's on a vast scale. a football academy with 50 playing fields with plans for 30 more. he hopes that he can one day

help china achieve world cup glory. out of the school's 2,300 students, this 11-year-old boy is considered to be one of the rising stars. >> translator: right now china's football level is very low. but i hope after one or two decades, china can catch up. >> reporter: despite football being the most popular sport in china, it is only ever qualified for one world cup, that was 12 years ago. today its national side is ranked 103rd in the world. this academy, though, has an ambitious goal that could help to change all of that. it's a plan that relies on players like him, he's an ethic muslim week a from the province. his parents are able to afford the school fees of almost $6,000 a year. a fortunate in china. those from poorer families around a third of the students,

receive scholarships. most of the children see their families only a few times a ye year. >> translator: i saw my parents in april this year. my father came and left. i see my parents once every three months. >> reporter: although there is an emphasis on traditional education, watching football is part of the curriculum. although not everyone gets excited. still, competition for places is fierce. 50,000 applied last year, just 800 were accepted. >> translator: the goal of this academy is to make football stars. china's football level is low and we want to make chinese football better. >> reporter: the academy is owned by china's third richest property developer. now using his vast wealth to help the country achieve success in the one sport that has so far alluded it. adrian brown, al jazerra, in

southern china. this world cup has been so excited and i am sure it's inspired all of them. wouldn't it be wonderful if we saw them one year playing in the next world cup or two. now, muslims around the world are making final preparation to his mark the month of ramadan, we end the program with a look at some of their traditions and aspirations for the holy season. ♪ ♪ >> translator: the purpose of this is to restore the yemen heritage which has been disappearing. >> translator: we pray that alla, our one true god would grant everyone peace, especially

in places where there is violence. ♪ ♪ with spectacular landscapes- new zealand is a pristine paradise- ranked the freest country on earth. but this south pacific nation has the second highest imprisonment rate in the western world.