fighting isil, the u.s. air drops weapons to kurdish forces in kobane, despite kurk i's objections. ♪ ♪ i am adrian finnegan. also on the program. a bad day for japan's prime minister. two of five correctly appointed female cabinet minister rez sign. indonesia swears in its new president, but can he live up to expectations.

nigeria looks to become the second west africa state to be declared ebola free. kurdish forces in kobane have confirmed that we have received a las large cash of wes and ammunition. weeks of battles in kobane along with a number of u.s. led air strikes have devastated the kurdish trial. isil is trying to surround the town and take control of a strategic border crossing in to turkey let's take you to the turkish side of the border with syria. bernard smith is there. tell us about the air drop. three coalition aircraft were involved. >> reporter: well, adrian we think it happened to the west of kobane, out to my left hand. that area from the edge of the town out to some villages about three-kilometers of it is controlled by syrian, kurdish

fighters and we have had a look through your binoculars just this morning and we can see some wrapped up ballots on the backs of a couple of loris. we think that is where the air drop went. the syrian cureds inside co began i has confirmed that received weapons and medical supplies. what they said they received will be enough they say to help them push isil forces out of the kobane town. they say if this level of aid continues they will be able to push isil out of the whole kobane area, adrian. >> how is turkly likely to react to this? on saturday night u.s. president barack obama spoke to his turkish counterpart. the white house says the two leaders agreed to keep the fight up against isil. it's hard to believe that turkey would have given its permission for this air drop. >> reporter: well, no. i mean, turkey has, for a long

time, resisted calls from inside kobane to allow weapons to be delivered. and that is essentially because erred juaerdogan reminded journs he was flying back from afghan that, he reminded the journalist that his he views the syrian kurdish as kobane as terrorist. the kurdish regis of syria, that is their political party. that is allied to the kurdistan workers party an armed group that operates across the region with which turkey has had a 30-yearlong conflict. you can see erdogan's resistence to supply kurds in kobane, and this is what he had to say. >> the p.k. y is for us equal to the p.k. k. it is also a terror

organization. it would be wrong for the u.s., with whom we are friends and allies in nato, to talk openly and expect us to say yes to supplying arms for a tower orist organization. we can't say yes to it. >> reporter: so no response yesterday from the dish i can government now that we know that the u.s. has delivered the weapons to the kurdish fighters, but we know the turkish view you just heard erdogan reiterate it there. but clearly when obama and erdogan spoke earlier, this issue of dropping weapons, of defending kobane must have been high on the agenda, adrian. >> bernard, many thanks. bernard smith on the very breezy turkey-syria border. at least 23 houthis have been killed by al qaeda fighters in yemen. houthi rebels seized the town on friday. in the capital the governor has

resigned after houthi took over his office. let's take you live there. these houthi fighters who were killed in that town, they withdrew from on friday. they had only just taken that town from al qaeda, hadn't they? >> reporter: yes, they have. they were driven out by sustained attacks from al qaeda fighters, including some suicide bombings we were told. we understand they are located in an area just outside of the town, a mountainous area in some sort of a building there. it's not a castle, but somewhat similar to that. and we understand the bombing and the fighting has left at least 23 of the houthi fighters killed. that's according to local sources in the area. just to tell you, adrian, it is a strong hold for al qaeda and

is considered to be one of the al qaeda strong holds in yemen. >> what are we to make, omar, of the resignation of the governor of sanaa? i don't think omar can hear me anymore -- >> reporter: i think it's an indication that the -- >> carry on, omar. >> reporter: it's -- i think it's an indication of the rising power for the houthis. we understand that the houthis were demanding the governor to leave his post. and they surrounded his home and his house and therefore because they hold the power in the capital, i think he answered their call and he left -- he resigned. it's just increasing power for the houthis it seems in many parts of the country that things are going their way. let me give you a quick update in the province of ib. we understand the heidi fighters

were trying to send reinforcements, they were stopped by armed tribes men. i think the sentiment anti-houthi sentiment is increasing and really could escalate in different parts of yemen. >> many thanks indeed, omar, live there in yemen. the libya the supreme court is set to rule on the legitimacy of one of two rival parliament. the country has been in political crisis since the former leader muammar qaddafi was killed three years ago. rival militias are battling for control of eastern ben gas and i towns west of libya. more than 100 people have been killed in violence in the past 10 days, al jazerra has a report. >> reporter: this mosque is one of the few remaining buildings still functional in libya's western mountains region. batters homes and streets tell what happened here. many residents of the town have left after the heaviest fighting since the fall of the c go qaddi

regime but some had nowhere today tann the house was hit by a rocket causing serious damage, tearized my family and damaged two cars, mine and a friends. this is true tear on, it's undez presented. >> reporter: dozens have been killed here in the last 10 days. groups and forces loyal to the remember gate general are trying to take control of the western mountains. the opposition fighters are backed by the dawn of libya and alliance of conservative militias. these men are waiting for reinforcements and until they arrive making improvised rocket launchers from old rockets. they say they have been able to stop the advance of better equipped trikes men and troop with his their limited cash of weapons. >> they shell us with mortars and tank shells the spread of fire is hitting hospitals and

civilians. we are all in the dawn of libya. >> reporter: as the fighting rages on, supplies are running home the unitelow. the united nations plea to stop have been unheard. there are two rival parliament and no government. the triply based leadership appears to have the upper hand at the moment. but they are not recognized by world powers. the elected house of representatives influence is limited to the eastern city, but it has international recognition and regional backing. besides the western mountains there has been more finding in benghazi. more tribes men are believed to have joined the advance of the forces. but they say they are remnants of the former regime and must be defeated to preserve the gains of the revolution. the fighters seem con i confidet they'll win the battle.

but the war they are fighting appears to have no real end in sight. al jazerra. japan's prime minister has told the nation that he deeply apologizes for making bad choices for his cabinet. he's accepted the resignation of his justi justin minister just s after his trade minister resigned. both women resigned over allegation that his they misused election funds. last month he appointed five women to the cabinet as part of a reshovel. part of efforts to promote women in politics and business. jeff is an asian studies prefess or at temple university's japan campus. he says the resignations are hitting the prime minister hard. >> the conservative newspapers which have clearly been in his corner have headlines of the domino effect. now the opposition smells blood in the water. so this is not looking good for him. especially since the public actually disagrees with him on

all of his signature policies. restarting nuclear reactors, on all these issues, the public disagrees with him and now they are losing faith ha in him. i would say this is a begin of course a really bad outed u the good thing for him is there are no new elections until 2016. he has to deal with gubernatorial election in okinawa, basically the pima pose the plan regarding u.s. bases there. and then next spring he has unified local elections and there are deep doubts about that out in the countryside and so he's gotta try to stem the blood flow right now and it's really hard to see how he is going to do that. nigeria is expected to follow senegal in being declared free of ebola on monday. more than four 1/2 how people

have died of the disease mainly in west africa. a report from the capital of nigeria. >> reporter: christina became a nurse because she wanted to help people. but the last person she tried to help had ebola and she became infected she was 30 year old old and pregnant with her first child. her husband can't accept that she's dead. >> why would she leave me? this wasn't in our plans. i had so many things that i wanted to achieve. we had so many things that we wanted to do together. i feel lost and left alone. >> reporter: the man who infected christina came on a commercial flight from liberia in july. he collapsed at the airport in laying owes and was taken to the hospital where she worked. he was nigeria's first case in

the current end december epidem. the index patients. most that have died are health workers. measures you were put in place by the government to try to contain the virus such as screenings at air on boards and borders. it's a process that everyone has to do go through. this machine takes your temperature. if it beeps you will be asked a few questions about what countries you have traveled to recorrect limb the world health organization says a country can be declared free of ebola after six weeks without any new cases that's twice as long as the maximum incubation period of the deceases, there was relief and excitement in nigeria. some of the health workers helped trans potential patients. and did thousands of follow ups. it's good news but officials are still warning people to be cautious even though the president has already announced the country to be ebola free.

>> it's not over until it's over. that means it has to be over in liberia, gay, sierr sierra leond everyone before we can relax. >> reporter: this certificate issued by the government says dennis is ebola free. it's an a chev. that he's not yet ready to celebrate. he says it won't bring back his wife. al jazerra. lagos. presents more still to come on al jazerra. including gio politics could get in the way of plans to create some of the largest marine reserves in the world. we'll tell you why. plus. >> reporter: i am adam in mexico, for years the beauty of this colonial gem of a city has been overshadowed by news and headlines of drug violence, despite that, we'll tell you why it's worth a visits.

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hello again, the top stories here on al jazerra. the united states has air dropped weapons and supplies to kurdish fighters in the syrian border town of kobane. it's been devastated by weeks of fighting. the armed group isil is trying to surround the town to take control of the strategic border crossing in to tuc turkey. at least 23 houthi rebels have been killed by al qaeda fighters yemen. houthis seized the town on friday. the governor of the sanaa province resigned after houthi fighters stormed his office. japan's prime minute officer send the resignation of his justinster hours after the trade minister resigned both stepped

down over allegations these misused election funds. indonesia has a new president. he was sworn in to office at a ceremony in the capital jakarta. he narrowly won july's election as a political outsider many hope that he can push through important reforms in the world's third largest democracy. let's take you live to the indonesia en capital jakarta. al jazerra is there. so, can the man of the people live up to people's expectations? >> reporter: yes, of course that's the big question right now. but first we all here celebrate, the whole of i understand felicia is celebrating. they promise to throw him the biggest inauguration party ever and they certainly did. the main traffic circle here in jakarta, he just arrived here and he has been on a horse carriage on the way to the palace right now accompanied by his vice president. and there were people from all over indonesia, from all the corners of this very vast nation

they were here. the chinese were here all wearing their traditional dress. it was a very colorful parade, a carnival and there will be more, there will be more festivities until tonight then of course the really, serious hard work will start. it was a day of unification so far. the political divide was very serious in the last couple of months, mainly because the main contender, was not conceding defeat until very last minute, only three days ago has actually congratulated him with the victory and arrived at the swearing in ceremony earlier today. so a huge applause of all the people in the hall really appreciated the unification by the politicians rights now. so these are very good steins for the future fosigns forthe fe years. >> has many challenges ahead of him. what are the main obstacles ahead as he tries to get his reform program through?

>> reporter: well, the main problem is that he has only 44% of the seasoned parliament. so it's going to be very difficult. if he really wants to put through this very -- this reforms that will bring change to the country, then he has to make compromises and convince politicians to agree with him. he wants to do something really very drastic like raising the fuel price, this is a very sensitive issue in indonesia but it has to be done, because top cities are costing the country so much money that he can hardly do anything else to contribute to the people. that will be something that he will be doing in the next few weeks. a lot of economic reform has to be put through. infrastructure has to be built. a lot of things have not been done and that's the main complaints of people for the last president who didn't do enough. and they really hope that he will work hard. and that's what he said this morning in parliament that we all need to work together and work really hard to make this country better. >> stef, many thanks, live from

indonesia's capital jacquard a. at least 21 people have been killed in a suicide bombing in iraq. it happened at a shia mosque in west baghdad and 35 other people were injured it's just the latest in a series of sectarian bombings in the iraq a capital. as immaterial ron kahn reports the government insist that his baghdad is safe. >> reporter: in marketplaces and neighborhoods like these, 31 suicide bombers have truck in the last 45 days. that government statistic has people worried that iraqi politicians aren't doing enough to protect the capital and its people. omar says even a short walk from his home to his shop is

dangerous. >> translator: we are flip fear. every day i open my shop i think a bomber could attack. we shut the shop by midday after that it's too risky to open. >> reporter: angry at the government. >> translator: enough conferences, enough meetings, i hope this government will change things. but nothing has changed for us. for us iraqis it's a cycle of violence and death. there is no hope. >> reporter: in order to calm fears the ministry of defense is on the p.r. offensive and it's issued this video insist that go baghdad is safe and they are ready to face any challenge. shia militias will also be important for the defense of baghdad. and they have held rallies like this one to show how ready they are to fight. but these shia militias make many sunni muslims nervous they are afraid there rob a return of the sectarian bloodshed that kneel drove iraq to war years

ago. sectarian tension is a real issue and dealing with that is the only way that you will be able to build a lasting peace in this country. sectarianism is one of the reasons for the rise of isil and dealing with that will be crucial. however, there is a more pressing concern, isil fighters are now on three sides of this city. and they show no signs of slowing down. the capital has always been in their sight and with each village and town they take, they get even closer, making people here even more nervous. imran kahn, al jazerra, baghdad. there have been more protests at universities across egypt. at cairo university students chanted slogans against the government. the protesters were confronted by police. the protesters are demanding the return of colleagues who were expelled for demonstrating. al jazerra continues to demands the immediate release of its journalist in egypt. they have been in prison now for

296 days. they are falsely a cased of helping the outlawed muslim brotherhood and are appealing against their convictions. hong kong's chief executive says that external forces are involved in the ongoing protests there. but he refuse today name the countries that he thinks may be to blame. protests are now entering their fourth week. as the political deadlock continues, activists want free and fair elections in the territory. there has been another exchange of gunfire between north and south career arm the incident took place after several north korean troops approached the demarcation line inside the heavily fortified border zone. it follows release of new photos of kim jong un they showed him using a cane while inspecting flight drills. earlier this week he made his first public appearance in over a month. scientists and policy makers from around the world are meeting in australia right now to try to stop over fishing in

ants arca. they want to create two of the largest marine reserves in the world, but there are fears that gio politics may get in the way. our environment editor nick clark reports. >> reporter: life in the southern ocean is a bun dance. far from human populations an environment that allows thousands of piece toys flouri flourish. here it's replenish by the cold nutrient rich waters of ant art ca. it's a living, breathing driver of life on earth. >> it is a huge reservoir of ice and fresh water. the cold water that drains off it drives the entire planet. it's like the heart of the entire earth. >> reporter: the thing is, you guessed it, change is happening. fishing bolts are hauling out vast quantities of cill which is the food that fuels the

ecosystem and other fish are being heavily targeted too. like the ant arctic tooth fish. sign tiff testers saying the tooth fish is being caught in unsustainable numbers, it's sold as chilean sea bass in up market restaurants, so like tiff it's known as white goaled the recent film the last ocean documented the story. >> this is probably the most popular size. >> there is no socially redeeming value about taking a tooth fish out and serving it up on a plat tore people in the most expensive restaurants in north america. what is that? >> they are sending it here and we are eating it? >> reporter: now delegates from 24 countries and the e.u. are trying to get these zones designated as marine protection areas or mpas, commercial fishing would be banned over wide swaths of ocean. >> i think that protecting the sea in antarctica is very important. the ross sea is one of the most

intact large marine ecosystems remaining on the planet and i think we have a chance now to keep it that way. >> reporter: now factor in foreign policy in conservation, russia has been amongst those to foil the proposal and it's feared this year given the increasing tensions with the west it will be no different. but comprises have been made on the size of the mpas with the growing movement for the preservation of that unique environment. >> we have a chance to protect it. or to lose it forever. >> reporter: scientists hope that conservation may prevail. nick clark, al jazerra. thousands of film fans have descended on the mexican city for its international film festival. the colonial city is a world heritage site known for its beauty but in recent years it's attracted more attention for being the capital of a vie lint

state. adam rainy is there. ♪ >> reporter: postcard, for centuries it's been known for its art, culture and food. he is the grandson of one of mexico's most beloved presidents, he grew up here. >> this is the best kept secret in mexico and we want it to remain unknown, but very well known at the same time. so i think people should come here, and see what we have to offer. >> reporter: it was one of mexico's most important colonial cities and grew rich from the spoils of nearby mines. the colonial elite who pocketed most that have profit wanted a world class city to enjoy and that's exactly what they built. the surrounding state offered them agricultural riches too, like the famous avocado. with abundant delicious local produce, it is now on the food lovers map.

>> really, you go to all the parts and you will find really good products. marvelous producers, and really nice food and flavors that you are not going to forget. >> reporter: the calendar is packed with events all yearlong, like the current international film festival that draws thousands of visitors each year from home and abroad. it also has centuries old conservatories and colleges. we are here at st. nicholas college in the heart of the city, it's within of the oldest centers of higher education in all of americas. as beautiful as it is, it has become synonymous with violence and organized crime. but the governor says it's changing. >> we had a lot of problems with organized crime. but now i think this is getting behind us. and now it is much better.

>> reporter: if that turns out to be the case, it will surely attrac even more people to enjoy all of its delight. adam, al jazerra, in mexico. you don't need a tv to catch up with the latest al jazerra news, just head to our website and take a look, aljazerra.com.