>> on high alert - world leaders arriving in wales for a 2-day n.a.t.o. summit - the crisis in ukraine topping the agenda. hello from me, david foster. you are watching al jazeera live from doha. also in the next 30 minutes... >> we'll follow them to the gates of hell, until they are brought to justice. united states will build a coalition to destroy the islamic state group, after the beheading of a second american journalist. >> west africa's ebola outbreak

kills more than 400 people in a week. and bad news perhaps for chocolate lovers. turkey's hazelnut crop has been devastated. we'll tell you why. world leaders arrived in wales. tight security for a critical n.a.t.o. summit, and the crisis in ukraine will be among the important things they'll discuss. it's been described as the most significant meeting of the military alliances, the fall of the berlin wall. ukranian's president petro porashenko will be briefing world leaders on event in his country before the summit starts. more than 2,500 people have been killed in five months of fighting in the army and pro-russian rebels. we'll have paul brennan live from donetsk. my colleague craig bays our

diplomatic editor. sergey lavrov, russia's foreign minister, says we are ready to take practical steps towards deescalation - the head of n.a.t.o. a few hours ago said he didn't believe a word the russians were saying. what is the situation? >> they are deeply concerned for a reason, which is in the last two weeks they've seen the situation on the ground. they have seen thousands of what they say are russian troops inside ukraine fighting. they have seen the ukranian government losing ground. there's talk about the ceasefire, but there's concern among nato members about the situation in ukraine and the n.a.t.o. members in the east. concern about their own security. that's why there's a host of different crisis, top of the agenda will be ukraine.

on his way to the nato summit, president obama on a visit to estonia, a destination deliberately chosen to send a message. the baltic state is a neighbour of russia with a large ethnic russian minority and concerns about its security. >> as n.a.t.o. allies, we'll meet our solemn duty, article five obligation to our collective defense. i want every estonian, latvian to know you'll never stand alone. >> n.a.t.o.'s situation in eastern ukraine has changed radically. government forces have been losing ground. according to western officials, that's because thousands of russian soldiers are fighting on the ukranian side of the border. at this summit n.a.t.o. is expected to respond by announcing the creation of a 4,000-strong spearhead force

ready to deploy within two days. the situation this ukraine will dominate the formal discussions, there'll be talks about the brutal tactics of the islamic state group, now controlling large swathes of iraq and syria. >> the question is after iraq, afghanistan, after, you know, over a decade of being at war, n.a.t.o. allies, and particularly the public are a little war weary. of course the n.a.t.o. government is reluctant to get involved in a conflict where they can't see how the strategy would play out, and whether using military force will be a challenge. >> in a speak, it was said there's likely to be discussions on other issues. ranging from afghanistan, to ongoing conflicts in africa. >> alongside the rise of islamic terrorists we are dealing with other geopolitical threats too. when margaret thatcher spoke to

the last n.a.t.o. summit, the internet was in its infancy. now there's the birth of cyber warfare, while contending with a fallout from rogue and failed states. there'll be wide-ranging discussions, a senior official telling me the situation in ukraine alone makes this the most important n.a.t.o. summit since the end of the cold war. >> so many challengers for n.a.t.o. leaders, western leaders meeting here to discuss in the coming hours. and one of the other items on the discussion - upped discussion, i think, will be how n.a.t.o. can deal with this, and how n.a.t.o. can pay for this, the u.s. pushing other n.a.t.o. partners to increase defense budgets. there's a bench mark as to how much nations are to allocate to defense spending. it's supposed to be 2% of gross

domestic product. currently under that bench mark, only 4 of the 28 n.a.t.o. members reached that right now. >> thank you very much, james. now to paul brennan, as promised, our man live in donetsk in eastern ukraine. i was quoting to james what sergey lavrov said, he said "we hope the cause by putin will be heard especially by kiev and the rebel leaders of donetsk and luhansk." is there any sign that that is happening? >> there isn't at the moment, and from the people's point of view, the civilian point of view in the separatist-held city in donetsk, there's a huge amount of skepticism and exhaustion. we have been speaking to people, to the railroad which a nonoperational. what people want is piece, resolution to it. they are not overly bothered as

to which side delivers it to them. on wednesday, we heard that petro porashenko has said that a peace deal has been agreed. it was denied and vladimir putin came forward and said he had a peace deal. the reality is there is no running water in the center of donetsk. the predicament of the people is dire, and all the time there is sporadic shelling and gun fire around the fringes of the city, as we found in the north erp districts. >> the -- northerb districts. >> reporter: a shell that crashed into this apartment made a whole that may nod easily be mended. as a child she survived the famine following world war ii. in her frail years, she's enduring hardship again. . >> translation: i survived all that. painful and offensive. we started to live well, and they started killing us. we don't need this.

>> donetsk is a shadow of itself. the northern districts bearing scars of the shelling and more tar attacks taking place here over recent weeks. >> a ceasefire will be welcome for the residents of the housing blocks. the sound of gunfire and explosions mean it's far from being a reality on the ground. >> for an hour on wednesday, the ukrainian president announced an end to the conflict. that was until the kremlin denied the news, all leaving civilians in donetsk feeling the same as before. >> translation: yes, we heard about the ceasefire, there were crazy explosions everywhere. we were in the bus, came out and shelling started. >> the russian president, blamed by the west for stoking the conflict says he does have a plan, containing seven proposals, most of which look similar to the 14-point peace

plan which the ukranian president put to pro-russian fighters in june. the russian leaders wants ukranian forces not just to stop operations, but to withdraw from iran's big cities. >> translation: the warring parties should immediately agree on and implement the following. firstly, to end the offensive operations by the armed forces of militia, donetsk and luhansk, pull back the ukranian army and not shell populated areas. ensure international observers monitor the ceasefire and ensure that combat aircraft are not used. >> separatist leaders claim to have not seen vladimir putin's plan, but were in broad agreement with its proposals. >> let them go away and stop bothering us. we didn't bother them. we didn't go to kiev, and we don't kill there. do they want us to go to kiev

and shell. leave us in peace. go away. >> the coming days promise to be important. ukraine's troubles will be top of the agenda. the contact group representing kiev, moscow and the separatists will meet in minsk. and on the same day the e.u. will decide whether to hit russia with more sanctions. >> so you can see while ukraine is the top of the agenda at the meetings, the reality is - let's bring it back to the n.a.t.o. meeting. their hands are tied. according to a 1997 treaty, they can't bring n.a.t.o. forces too close to the border. they may announce in the region of $16 billion of aid for ukraine. but military aid can't be direct guns. it will be assistance in cyber security and that sort of thing. the announcement was made by

rasmussen about a rapid force, the reality is because of the 1977 treaty, all they can do is government some strategically placed supplies, but not the soldiers themselves. there'll be war games, military exercises between the ukranian army and the u.s. army this month, but that is way out west. and the reaction of the west has been far slower than the ability of russia to move quickly during this whole crisis. >> thank you that's paul brennan live in eastern ukraine. >> the u.s. vice president joined president obama in condemning the islamic state for beheading a second american journalist. steven sotloff was kidnapped in syria and was seen in an online video showing the murder of fellow journalist james foley. >> as a nation we are united. and when people harm americans,

we don't retreat. we don't forget. we take care of those grieving, and when that is finished, they should know we will follow them to the gates of hell, until they are brought to justice. because hell is where they will reside. >> president obama under pressure not just from opposition republicans, but also many in his own party, to step up the fight against the islamic state group. our white house correspondent patty culhane takes a look at the political debate in the united states. >> reporter: the american airwaves have been soaking on one thing of late... >> growing threat on i.s.i.s. >> take action. >> reporter: asking many questions of obama administration. but you would be hard pressed to find anyone questioning these claims.

>> threatening our people and froms in the region, and left unchecked they'll carry out attacks closer to home. >> the arguments, americans are arguing with the islamic state group, and they could pose a threat to the u.s. homeland. that is evidence enough for politicians from both parties to demand the president take steps. he's cautious. maybe in this instance too cautious. >> we ought to bomb them back to the stone age. >> they have to be destroyed, not stopped. not humanitarian effort, but destroyed. >> media critics have seen this before and call it dangerous. >> i think what we start to see is an either or dynamic play-out. either we escalate, start being aggressive in posture, or we are effectiveness, indecisiveness or projecting weaningness. >> instead, what we need is

incredible journalists to ask what comes after the bombs drop. >> reporter: the coverage is impacting american opinion with growing support, and criticism that the president is not showing enough strength. it's not clear if it played into president obama's policy, but it shifted. >> our objective is it clear, and that is to degrade and destroy i.s.i.l., so it's a threat not only to iraq, but the region and the united states. >> a former general had a suggestion on how to accomplish that mission. >> if you put two brigades on the ground, they'd push i.s.i.s. back into syria in a heart beat. >> a claim that went unchallenged. >> iraqi forces are pushing towards the strategically important city of tikrit. trying to retake the city from three sides. the home town leader of saddam

hussein was captured. iraqi forces are facing stiff resistance in their attempts to take back tikrit. these pictures shot on tuesday. sunni rebels claiming it's the aftermath of an attack. some shia promising revenge against the i.s.i.s. group. >> translation: we will march towards tikrit and seek defense. no army or country will stop us. evenge, we will seek revenge with the sunni tribes. blood has been spilled. why did they kill them, why did they help the radicals. we'll wipe tikrit off the face of the earth. an iraqi tv showing these pictures of troops. they claim to have driven out islamic state fighters on the main road, linking baghdad, kirkuk - we are joined by jane arraf from baghdad.

i have given the details we have received. what are you hearing, jane, about tikrit in particular, and mosul, which we mentioned 24 hours ago. >> well, despite claims by iraqi military that they were in the center of tikrit, the special forces said that they had reached 100 metres from the main government building there. it appears that that fight is ongoing with the troops, led by special forces still on the outskirts. tikrit is a city that they have tried to take back twice before. it's a stronghold, the islamic state group, the home town of sus sane, and -- saddam hussein. it's not like amerli, where they were waiting to be rescued by security forces. this is extremely complicated. calls for revenge, sunni, shia

tensions and an iraqi military not tested at the best of times. >> where you are, baghdad, they are discussing the best ways to tackle the islamic state group. what kind of conversation are they having. well, the conversation on all fronts, everyone recognising this is not a military strike. this country has been petitioned and fractured. the area has been cut off due to protests and military intervention. there's an effort going on to reconcile, and put together a new government, and to clamp down on the anger. relatives of what is believed to be more than 1,000 young me. they were in parliament. the acting defence minister was telling them, if there were

tribal members, do not blame the tribes. this has the potential to make a horrific situation worse. the calls for revenge that could get out of control. >> jane arraf, thank you. at least 18 people have been killed in a twin car bomb attack in central afghanistan. a police building and intelligence office in ghazni province were the targets. most of the victims, police and intelligent officers. more than 130 people were wounded. 13 taliban fighters were killed. >> still ahead on the programme on al jazeera - india looking to boost exports to russia in the wake of sanctions. doubts exist over whether the markets are a good fit. plus... >> i'll andy gallagher and los angeles. workers are protesting for higher wages. we'll show you how one family

are struggling to make ends meet.

hi there, you're watching al jazeera, i'm david foster and these are the top stories - world leaders arriving for an n.a.t.o. summit in wales. u.s. vice president joe biden promised he and his country will crush the islamic state group after the beheading of a second american journalist. the u.s. says it will build a coalition to fight the

self-styled islamic state. >> 18 people have died in a twin car bomb attack in afghanistan. a police building and an intelligence office were targeted. the provincial government said 13 taliban fighters were killed. the al qaeda leader has announced that the group has plans to expand the network it has in the indian subcontinent. in a videotape, he said he wanted to spread islamic rule and raise the flag of jihad, adding that al qaeda would fight to revive the islamic caliphate in india, myanmar and bangladesh. >> european, and sanctions on russia have given india a chance to boost its export. not everybody is convinced. >> business is brisk at this

topics plant outside new delhi. most of the speakers and electronics are for the market. since 1952, the company has gradually increased its exports, and with the government's encouragement, it's considering russia. >> i think we are having a great opportunity because of the sanctions. once we enter at this point in time in those countries, possibly we can have a bright future. >> a future in russia many export companies here never considered before. >> india had an opportunity to increase exports to iran a few years ago, an opportunity some say was wasted. this time around the government is trying to be proactive by encouraged industries to increase or start exports to russia. not everyone is convinced it's the right fit for them.

>> a few kilometres away, the garment business exports, but not to russia. >> they buy from china. >> clothing and bags made are high end, with intricate hand work. the company is not sure that exporting to russia is right for their type of business. russians don't look to india for the high end products. >> they still prefer to buy made in france or italy, rather than made in india. in that segment of the market. the government is encouraging export companies to give the russian market a try. >> russia has an appetite for huge imports. the c.e.o. of a government agency oversees india's exports. while the russian market may not be for everyone, he said companies should see it as a way of getting a foot in the door. >> sanctions will provide a temporary respite.

you can get an entry was someone vacated the place. if you are in the market on a long-term basis, you have to be on the business of your strength. >> india's export to russia shrank by 6% to over $2 billion, a trend the indian government hopes to reverse. as the e.u. and the u.s. shut the doors on exports to russia, india hopes it could be a window to opportunity. >> the african union says it will have an emergency meeting next week, and will talk about a continent-wide strategy to deal with the outbreak of ebola. more than 1,900 people are reported to have died. 400 in the last week alone. >> the world health organisation says about 60 people in the nigerian oil hub are the high risk of infection after an

infected doctor kept on treating patients. the united nations says $600 million of supplies are needed to fight the fast spread of ebola. most of the cases reported in liberia, sierra leone, and guinea - but nigeria and senegal have ebola patients. fast food workers in the u.s. plan a mass walk out on thursday, demanding better wages and health care. andy gallagher reports. edgar and melinda are proud parents, but for this couple life is a struggle. they work at mcdonald's, but earn little more than $9 an hour. edward is a student and community workers says it's not enough. >> i have to work for three people, in the lobby, cleaning tables, doing the delivery, and taking orders, so it's stressful. we are not taking.

we are asking mcdonald's to give back what they took from us. >> reporter: fast food workers campaigned for months for the right to unionize and see the minimum wage rise to $15. those in the industry are among the lowest-paid employees. the national restaurant association said the protests are organised by unions desperate to boost their members. >> malila who worked at mcdonald's for five years says being paid $15 an hour would make the difference. >> will we be able to pay our rent on time, will we put food on the table. every two weeks we get pain and we don't see the money. we go through our hands. >> reporter: there are an estimated 4 million fast food workers, many have families, his fight for a higher wage is part of a growing political movement. >> the campaign to raise the

wages of fast food workers is gaining momentum. when you look at the economics of the situation, it's not hard to see why. according to a study. 17% of all workers live below the poverty line. president obama lent his support saying all they want to do is provide families with pride and dignity. >> don't be surprised if hazelnuts are missing at your market later this year. a freak storm in the biggest producer turkey wiped out much of the global harvest. bernard smith has been investigating. >> reporter: it's crunch time for the hazelnut farmer. his crop down by 90% this year. it's a scenario repeated across turkey's hazel nut producing provinces. at best the yield will earn the family $2,700 profit for 12 months work. we need to continue with and

increase the government subsidies as soon as possible so the farmers could survive the winter. otherwise there'll be an exodus having a negative impact on the economies. >> a hard frost in march, and a hailstorm killing off much of the hazel flowers. now, with the harvest, is the scale of the loss becoming clear. >> turkey's hazelnut trade group says the harvest has been all but wiped out. >> 70% of hazel nut said come from the black sea region. it's hard vest time. the orchards should be hives of activity. fewer hazel nuts means not only could a jar of this become very expensive, it means no incomes for the community around them. >> hazelnut traders are paying $5. that's $2 less than last year. it's not much, the price is set at the hazelnut exchange in

germany, where turkish producers have little influence over the multinational organizations. >> ferrero and nestle buy hazelnut at the price they want. the farmers are the last considered. >> reporter: traditionally labourers gather earning $17 a day gathering the hazel nut. the effect of failure are widespread. they'll rely on next year's harvest to pay this year's debts. everywhere is scratching for a living. >> while responding to one crisis russia's threats to ukraine, president obama talked about another, the growing power of the so-called islamic s.