fleeing? >> your children will be a part of my group or killed... >> fault lines al jazeera america's hard hitting... >> today they will be arrested... >> ground breaking... they're firing canisters of gas at us... emmy award winning investigative series... fault lines no refuge: children at the border only on al jazeera america >> announcer: this is al jazeera. hello there, welcome to the newshour. i'm nick clark in doha. the top stories - nigeria deploys armies to repel a boko haram in north-eastern borno state jordan condemns the killing of japanese journalist kenji goto jogo by i.s.i.l. and concerns grow over a jordanian pilot taken active free aj staff.

it's 400 days since three of our journalists were detained in egypt doctors carry out a successful double tlansd plant. -- transplant. >> we begin in nigeria, where fighters from boko haram attacked bornio state. an attack was launched on four fronts from maiduguri and lasted four hours. we go to ahmed i'd ris in the capital. what is the latest you have for us? >> basically the attack has been repelled. i spoke to someone in battle this morning. he was wounded. he told me he repels the army and vigilantes that they have

changed boko haram fighters and there he said as of 30 minutes ago battles were ranging. they are quiet for the time being, the guns are silent. >> this is the third attack in a week. all that is coming is the group suffered some setbacks some defeat. the boko haram wanted to take my degree -- credentials on a couple of occasions. the mobilization of youths supporting the military and vigilantes took on the boko haram fighters chasing them out. boko haram on the other side has been suffering a lot of defeat and casualties and attacks from chad and cameroon in that part of the country.

they have suffered a lot of territory which they were controlling before. today, with the loss of several members, probably boko haram will be in the retreat in many areas. but still they hold considerable amount of territory. >> thank you very much. armed idris reporting from abuja at least four people have been killed in a bomb blast in the syrian capital of damascus. an explosion went off in the city center. what do you know steph, at this point? >> what we are being told is seven are dead. 20 injured. it appears to have been a lebanese bus carrying shia lebanese piil scrums from beirut to dammartin-en-goele. this is a shrine in the center of damascus. this happens every weekend.

it is unusual because the capital is secure. the center of it. we have not seen an attack like in in over a year. there is fighting but we have not had an incident like in in a long time. what we are hearing is that this happened in the center of dammartin-en-goeledamn damascus. why shia because we know they are fighting inside syria. there's a lot of back and forth and with the leader of hezbollah, when he spoke on friday accusing the nusra front being aligned with israel. we have not had a claim of responsibility but shows the complications and allegiances of the war. to highlight the rarity and unusual for an attack like this to happen on a bus in dammartin-en-goeledamascus for a long time. >> stephanie dekker reporting from beirut.

japan's government says it's highly likely that a video showing the killing condemned the killing describe it has a heinous act of terrorism. >> shock, sadness and sympathy for kenji goto jogo's family expressed by people in tokyo. crowds gathered at the prime minister's office after they found out the veteran reporter most likely had been murdered in syria by the islamic state of iraq and levant. >> he hoped to make the world a place without war, and save children from war and poverty. i promise to carry out the legacy. >> shinzo abe said earlier that a video showing the killing of kenji goto jogo was most likely real. >> we are deeply saddened by a despicable able to of terrorism

and denounce it in the strongest terms. to the terrorists we will never forgive you for the act. >> kenji goto jogo got into syria, partly to rescue another japanese national taken by i.s.i.l. that person likely had been killed. kenji goto jogo made a video before going, that he knew the risks. >> should something happen know all is on me. >> reporter: some feel the killing of two by i.s.i.l. in a week will change the image in japan. >> i feel it will change the islamic image in japan. this is a shame because the crisis has little to do with islam and more to do with extremism. >> some are worried about a backlash saying it is unlikely

and that minorities are well treated in japan. >> i hope there'll be no misunderstanding because what happened this morning in the news it has nothing to do with islam. >> the news of the death of the two japanese nationals made an impact and it greatly affected some people here. the jordanian government released the statement condemning the killing, talking about a pilot captured by i.s.i.l. jordan made all efforts to save kenji goto jogo's life and ensure his release. we have been continuously community. they are making efforts to find evidence that the jordanian pilot is safe. i.s.i.l. is threatening to kill the pilot. it's unclear why i.s.i.l. would

want him released. andrew simmonds has more. >> reporter: she's the would-be suicide bomber unheard of. he has rarely been mentioned by al qaeda in iraq sending her and her husband on a bombing mission to jordan. it was in 2005. there were three separate attacks, she and her husband. the suicide deft detonated. she ran away and was later arrested. jordanian investigative journalist linda myer interviewed through her lawyer saying that she lived in confinement. she hasn't had visitors for nine years, and is described as illiterate with no apparent value to i.s.i.l. >> translation: if sajida al-rishawi was important to them they would have asked for

her before now. if they had not captured the pilot, would they have asked? i don't think so. why did i.s.i.l. demand the release of sajida al-rishawi when there were more fire-brand operatives gaoled in jordan. that question like whether the pilot moaz al-kasasbeh is alive is unanswered. political establishment here is i.s.i.l.'s motivation is to cause trouble in jordan. i think that the purpose of i.s.i.s. is to embarrass jordan and to create as much internal difficulties for the political decision making process in jordan. >> reporter: there has been protests against jordan's role in the coalition fighting i.s.i.l. they've been toned down in the hope that negotiations for the pilot's

release are happening. the issue has not gone away and the lieutenant has been killed. protests are sure to resume. let's move to iraq where shia militias are accused of preching sunnis prurning -- preventing sunnis returning to their homes. kurdish commanders deny the accusations but ethnic divisions have been brought back into focus. in 2005 this man was forced out of his town by al qaeda. 10 years later, he is back. nor is an iraqi kurd. he took part in a battle against the islamic state of iraq and levant. and formerly al qaeda aligned group. i.s.i.l. may have been defeated. they were not the only ones who left. the predominantly sunni arab population is no longer here. some blame them for allowing the

i.s.i.l. takeover. >> the civilians with al qaeda, they help give them water, food and take them inside of houses. they go out with them, take them to their houses the peshmerga house. they burn it. >> the kurds believe the land is their's. they are cooperating with the shia militia me. they have government backing to fight i.s.i.l. they have been accused of operating outside the law and changing the demography in many areas. we met members of mobilization forces based in the town. they refused to appear on camera. they told me that they are going to allow people to return on condition that they did not take part in the fighting along side i.s.i.l. the kurds say the same

thing, denying that they are punishing sunnis because they belong to the same sect. the displaced can return once the area is cleared of home made devices. they stress that the province was an al qaeda stronghold and many were supporters of the armed group. >> we have credible information that 95% of the sunnis were fighting with i.s.i.l. al qaeda, and other terrorist groups. we are not targetting their families. many found shelter in our areas. >> the war against i.s.i.l. is opening old wound and future conflicts, like other battle grounds. the reality is an example of the need. the united nation mission to iraq says over 1300 have been killed in violence in january. half of them 790 were

civilians. over 2,200 were wounded in bombings in other attacks. the capital was worse affected with 256 civilians killed there. thousands of protesters are taking part in a march demanding free elections, it is the first ralie since demonstrations shut parts of the city. police cleared the camps in december. sarah clarke has the latest from the financial district. >> organizers hoped around 50,000 people would attend the rally. i would suggest it's closer to 10,000 people. it started in a popular shopping district. it's a 5km march to where we are now, in the heart of hong kong's financial distribute where the protest began. people are filling the road in the middle of the financial sector. 2,000 split were deployed to see

the rally. it's a peaceful rally. efforts to resolve this through public consultations with the public failed. beijing said it would uphold basic law. there will be an election in 2017 but they will chose the candidates they will appoint them to whom the hong kong government or residence can approach. given that talks have failed the only way forward is holding rallies like this to address what they want. which is greater voting rights in the 2017 election. more to come including - nowhere to goment the syrian refugees in turkey who hope to return home are crumbling. >> i'm rory challands on the shore line where a russian film was made. a case of small-town corruption upsetting russia's authorities. watch to find out what the

locals thing. >> and in half an hour the latest from the australian open as duels with novak djokovic. it is now 400 days since our colleagues peter greste, mohamed fadel fahmy and baher mohamed were arrested in cairo. the three journalists have been falsely accused of colluding with the outlawed muslim brotherhood in a case that sparked international condemnation. after the conviction in june. the men were sentenced between 7 and 10 years in gaol. the highest appeals court ordered a retrial. there's no indication of when the trial will begin. the court examined the procedures of the initial case but we are waiting for the full initial judgment. mohamed fadel fahmy and peter greste asked to be deported after a decree.

it's unclear if it will be successful. >> the trial of our colleagues has been condemned worldwide. and they failed to provide enough pressure to free the journalists. >> for 400 days this woman and three children have been reduced to prison visits to stay in touch with a husbands and father. the by has only seen his dad in gaol because his mum was pregnant with him. as the months have gone by the sense of injustice has grown and grown. >> translation: i feel the bitterness and sadness. me and my children are overcome with sadness. we pray for the freedom of my husband, unjustly detained for no crime. >> reporter: the last few weeks saw crimes rise and fall. they hoped a hearing would set

them free. instead it decided on a retrial. peter greste is trying to get deported but it has not happened yet for baher mohamed, whose egyptian and nose no option exists. at the same time the world's attention was focused on the issue of free speech in paris. increasingly the question is raised why aren't western leaders exercising pressure on the susan shaprio governments over the gaoling of innocent journalists. >> all the leaders who marched for "charlie hebdo" and free speech were hypocritical. they are not putting pressure on egypt. and the cubing cess of the tactic of locking up the journalists and judges who do whatever the government wants, and are keeping them in gaol is likely to be followed by other

autocratic regimes. >> the swedish journalist would agree with that sent entirely. he was locked up in ethiopia for trying to report on a group hostile to the government. free speech he believes is absolute and its right should be defended absolutely. >> if you look at egypt. it probably sneaked a peak at ethiopia. you can gaol two foreign journalists. it didn't have consequences. you get the military aid and huge conferences and respect from the international community, and are doing the same thing. with fabricated evidence sentencing them as journalists journalism is not a crime. 400 days in gaol for doing nothing wrong should be challenged. the question is whether the leaders of the free world think they have said everything that

they want to well let's take this object joining me from new york is assistant professor of political science at long island university and a lecturer in egyptian law. there's a law that allows the president to pardon or deport and it's abdul fatah al-sisi's gift to make this happen isn't it. >> yes, there is. there's a presidential decree where he can deport foreigners on trial in their own country. it doesn't apply to baher mohamed. if you look at the nature of the charges, they are aiding and assisting a terrorist organization. these are allegations coming under the terror. law. law. -- terrorism law. we know the first trial was

marred with evidence nothing to do with the allegation. if they said the trial was marred with inconsistencies, and we thought it would begin this month, and there's no evidence it would happen second. pending a trial they are held in limbo. the interesting thing about the situation is technically this has nothing to do with the three al jazeera journalists, and has more to do with domestic policies in egypt, and the duel for strategic relationships. if we look at the domestic level, the judiciary was deceived as an independent. the president can appoint the court of cessation. the three journalists are held in a political limbo between the regime and the preserve seized judiciary. >> sorry, i want to jump in

there. given the limbo that we are in at the moment what is your sense, looking from afar of what is going on behind the scenes? >> what is going on behind the scenes probably a political negotiation for good faith release, the improves of public perception of egypt. we saw the three members of april 6th movement. the sentences upheld on similar allegations tied to protest law. we saw the anniversary of the revolution the killing of two females in the streets. if we look at this and strategically in terms of dual strategic relationships, the closing of al jazeera is tv station to egypt was seen as a thawing of relations. this was negotiated by the late saudi king. we have a new king who changed

much of the leadership. there's a hedging of bets to see what is the future of egypt qatar relationships under a new regime. >> threes three journalists are held in a political limbo at the domestic level and the geo strategic level. we'll leave it there, thank you for your perspective on this there has been a growing campaign to save two australians convicted of drug trafficking in indonesia from execution. the government defended its use of the death penalty because the country is facing what it calls a drugs emergency. >> this man is trying to stay clean of drugs in one of indonesia's four run addiction centers. there's a huge shortage of antidrug treatment. 18,000 die because of drug

abuse. my friends using with me have died. i have no more friend left. i took an overdose two or three times. i hate myself so much. i want to die. >> indonesia is an important market for drugs. they say the law enforce. system makes it impossible. early january, 250 kilograms of crystal meth from hong kong was confiscated. other shipments often go through. the largest drug bust. a growing mark the the government says it can only stop traffickers by executing them. back at the rehabilitation center there's a policeman

treated for drug abuse. now he's a counsellor. >> the police need to be clean. it's likely the drugs are entering the country because police let it happen or becoming the middlemen. police should be stopping the trade, they are involved themselves. >> the government commits police and other officials are involved in the drug trade. >> if the president is firm i am sure the police chief and the attorney-general will follow. if the president is not, i am sure others will get the drugs. >> reporter: most indonesians support the death penalties, many see the dangers of capital punishment. joyce has her own rehabilitation center saying the government should focus more on prevention and rehabilitation. >> there's a lot of anger among

the indonesian families. they feel unsafe for the kids. everywhere is suing. education is not in place. there's not a lot of money for prevention programs. and then you have recovery and the question with rehabilitation or recovery is they are serious about doing their jobs. the government says executingeing drug traffickers will be a deterrent. while there's a demand for drugs, one executed drug dealer will be replaced by another surgeons in the indian city have performed a double hand transplant. the first in the country. countries with many below the poverty line have a high number of amputees. >> reporter: two weeks after surgery manu is back on his feet making history with his

hands. he doesn't have complete feeling. some tasks are a little awkward. his rehabilitation is monitored and being able to feed himself now is life-changing progress. >> after i lost my hand i'm scaurd. i'm happy my hands are operated on. i can do regular activities. >> manu was thrown out of a train for stopping a group of men accosting a passenger. 20 surgeons spent 16 hours giving him the hands of a donor. hand transplant surgery is rare and complex. taking the donor hand surgeons have to connect bones, blood vessels and tendons. the patient has to take drugs to suppress the immune system. around 110 surgeries has been done. fewer sthaeften a year. none had been done by surgeons in the developing world, until now. >> that is important because the

developing world has a proportionally high number of amputees. countries at war have land mines and bomb attacks. bigger risks of infection and disease are faced. >> it is certainly cheaper to perform a non-transplant in developing countries than what it has hostels respect. that will certainly show the world that it is feasible. >> surgeons say there's another reason the surgery is urgent. skin colour if it changes colour it's rejected. >> this is the first time it has been done in the asian continent, and on known white skip. we have to document everything.

so that it will be a lesson for the world. >> a lesson this young man is thankful to be a part of. >> a story of hope from india. time for the weather with richard. news of drought across brazil. >> it's a familiar story. part of the story is they could do with rain. the worst drought in 80 years. when you look at the weather, at the satellite. you can see that there's plenty of shower clouds showing up, begging the question who brought about the problem. it seems part is consumption of water. is ironic. brazil produces 12% of drinkable water. there's more rain across the region. when you look at some of the pictures coming out of the agricultural areas, you see how dire the situation is. when we look at our forecast, it

indicates there'll be rain in the region rio and sao paulo. the case not heavy enough for - at the required levels to sustain the demand. we look across the rest of the region we have rain showing up across the amazon basin and parts of peru where there's heavy rain and flooding over the last couple of days. it looks likely to continue. other areas - up in north america, significant areas of snow developing across the midwest through to the north-east. could be travel problems. >> it was a tiny pill bringing change for women worldwide. we look at the legacy of the scientists who revolutionized birth control, who died at the age of 91 up up and away a record-breaking balloon journey.

drama and controversy at the african cup of faces. why this quarterfinals match turned ugly.

you are watching the jazz your newshour. a reminder of the top stories - fighters from bonk attacked the capital of borno in north-eastern nigeria, the assault launched from four fronts on the outskirts of maiduguri. >> japan says it's highly likely that a video showing the killing

of journalist kenji goto jogo by i.s.i.l. is probably authent uk. prime minister shinzo abe called it a heinous act of terrorism. 7 people have been killed in a bomb blast in dammartin-en-goele. it happened in a city center close to a shia muslim shrine. many people who fled i.s.i.l. fighters are straight to return to their home but most houses have been destroyed or are under i.s.i.l. control. >> reporter: they fled as quick as they could as sounds of explosion came. >> translation: three of my grandsons are fighting. i'm so proud of them. when i go back i will eat the

soil. i want to go. even if i want to sleep in a grave. >> going home and what many hoped for after kobane fell under i.s.i.l. control. she is hoping to see her brother. >> i have a wonderful feeling. i am very happy. first time i feel like this. >> many fill inns are controlled, where the refugees live and the fighting is ongoing. and kobane is in ruinsment the border is close to civilians. turkey holds a permanent settlement on the outskirts of the town. >> this camp opened its doors. the biggest in the country. both turkey and kurdish officials say it's too early for

civilians to cross into kobane. despite the wishes of many refugees they have to stay for a while. >> there are 7,000 attempts. it has a playground and opened two schools for 10,000 children. people are settling in the move is as great as the weather. >> translation: even if we had to love in a tent there, it's better. back home we would save our dignity. it is not our country or land. >> reporter: like many this family ran out of money. living in a camp is the only choice. >> i have my home a car and truck. we had to leave this all behind. i did not take anything with me. we are all in the situation. >> moving to the camp a few days

after the recapture of kobane left many disappointed. they wonder if it will take weeks, months or years before they return home. the cars are parked on the border when they left them waiting for the day they could return to kobane the day their lives will end. >> a military spokesman said 30 soldiers were killed and wounded. the government and pro-russian members failed to agree on a ceasefire. the two sides are blaming each other for the collapse of peace talks. the german chancellor will meet. soon the belarussian government may be forced to pick sides.

a new community center opened in doesn't town budapest supporting parents. there's a creche and a place to work. norway's ambassador is guest of honour her country contribute $12,000. this funding is under threat. hungary's authority says money is being funnelled to the political opposition. >> i'm concerned that we do not manage to resolve the conflict so the n.g.o.s can find many good projects. these are not only controversial, they are projects like fighting domestic violence integration. corruption. >> reporter: last september police seized laptops and documents. they say it's an attack on civil society. >> calling ngos foreign agents of course reminds everyone of

vladimir putin's foreign agents and now n.g.o.s in russia are treated. the difference is that hungary is a member of the european union. >> the prime minister called russia and turkey and his critical him corrupted and playing with the constitution. is budapest turning its pack on brussels the government's chief spokesperson said they are tired of the criticism. >> hungary is probably the most scrutinized country. any comparing to other countries where there's a dictatorship or measuring countries is not only harmful, but highly unjustified. >> like most economies in eastern europe hungaries has

not done well until recently. there are signs of recovery. the government wants to take credit. it's seep a slide in popularity in recent opinion approximatelies. it was forced to backtrack on an unpopular tax bringing thousands on to the streets in protest. opponents want the crowds to come out again. the question is whether enough hungarians want change now, the man widely considered the father of the birth control pill has died in california aged 91. the austrian is known for leading research that in 1951 developed a synthetic molecule that became the key component to the first birth control pill. the pill as it has come to be known as radically transformed sexual practices with an estimated 100 million women

taking it. more than 1,200 scientific papers have been published and he made pioneering advances in how nature makes biosynthesis. i'm joined by dr cooper from cambridge. this is an incredible story. the guy fled from the nazis, 28, working for a small chemical company when he made the discovery. >> yes. he has revolutionized life for so many millions of children. >> it came as a surprise to the team because ncial by they deemed it as a breakthrough for fertility, and not birth control. >> it was how a woman's fertility which worked and could be controlled. the pill was an effective method

of conagree essential. nowadays it's effective reversible. there are many other methods that come close. >> i suppose you could say he provided the chemistry behind the sexual revolution. >> yes, he did. and he fuelled a lot of changes to the sexual revolution in the west. in of the developing world his impact was as great, if not greater and meant that women were freed from having a lot of children close together. a lot - it was impressed as a result of availability of the appeal. children's health can be widely spaced. education has impressed for the children as a result. the benefits are literally

endless. >> thank you, it's a remarkable story. >> there are draw backs. it's not a choice for everyone. >> thank you, we have to leave it there. we do appreciate your time. >> fascinating story. >> coming up in sport... >> i'm in the northern indian city. coming up. i'll take a look at why one sports festival produced so many of india's well-known olympians.

it is one of the most acclaimed films of 2014, and is in the running for an oscar. the feature now getting released in the country where it was made. it's causing controversy with its depiction of modern russia. rory challands travelled to the north to see what the locals there think about it all. >> reporter: take the road east and head north across the snow-swept tundra and you'll find a once thriving finishing village huddled on the shore. here, a film called "leviatham" was made a film making waves. it's the story of a mechanic father and husband who falls victim to a corrupt mayor.

it's won awards at the global globes in cairns and is nominated for an oscar. domestically praise is less forthcoming. the themes are relevant anywhere where ordinarily people can be destroyed by corrupt officials. it's the way the film depicts russia and russians that made the authorities uncomfortable. it's not an accurate rendition of a country. because the characters swear in swig vodka does not make them russians. it's been suggested that the russians won't give money for such films. the head spoke against the film but is giving more measured statements. >> translation: this film is an artistic fction. fction. it's not how the director sees things.

it is not about us. it is a generalised image. >> as we left a tv crew arrived people have to get used to cameras and questions. out in the snow different views. the film has not been properly released. villages were given an advanced screening. >> translation: no one should ban it it's a good film about life. they showed it as it is. this is what happens to people. they are cheated on. this is our life. it's a truthful film a woman shouted. this is how we live. we are always lied to. they say one thing but do differently. look at the houses we live in. it's easy to feel forgotten in the run-down corners of russia's regions. the film has, however briefly, blasted away this villages

anonymity. not all welcome that. for many a little attention is what it needs. let's move to the sport. sanaa is here. >> tennis - novak djokovic won a record fifth australian open title. the world number one has taken on andy murray for the third time final in melbourne having won the previous two. tie breakers were needed to separate the pair after two tense steps. novak djokovic a run away with it. taking it 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-0, his i think grand slam in total australia was a dominant figure in global tennis it's been 39 years since a local lifted the trophy at home. with declining figures and tennis courts disappearing there are fears the glory days will remain in the past. >> reporter: another year

another australian open with no home-grown winner. it's been 10 years since an anplayed in a single's final in men's or women's. you have to go back further to find the last australian to have won the open. mark edmon phone in "6. >> the semis are just - i mean against rosewall he is like playing god. i think it's the best win of my life. once i got through him, i thought this is fantastic. >> is it more accurate to say there's basically more things competing for kids attentions these days than back in the day. >> in my view yes. football, whatever variety, cricket, tennis. one reason for success is not enough people were playing center. in 2002, 18% were players,

that's gone down. there is hope. this year's open saw 19-year-old nick kiosk reach the finals the first time an australian has done that since lleyton hewitt in 2005. the white city tennis club in sydney is almost a decline of australian tennis. built in 199 it it hosted five davis cup fines and used to be the home of tennis. this once iconic venue fell into disrepair. the openers want to redevelop the site with a multisport facility and tennis will play a large part. >> if the sport can be accessible maybe a long wait for a singles champion at the australian open could come to an

end. they only got a spot at the african cup of nations due to morocco withdrawing as host. but the equatorial guinea has made the finals. trailling 1-0 awarded a penalty, it sparked a fight among the players. riot police had to be brought in. a score from a spot kick free kick in equal time sent equatorial guinea through. >> the last thing you can call this is a football match. the penalty was not justified and came at a crucial time the the referee was pulling his whistle on one out of the five fouls. we had a chance to win by then if it wasn't for the referee. >> democratic republic of congo came from 2-0. on sunday 4-time champions

ghana takes on guinea and algeria face the ivory coast. now we'll speak to african football writer gary. is it fair to say apart from tunisia everywhere else is not happy about equatorial guinea's progress? >> well that's not really true. equatorial guinea is supported by a wide range of people. as the host nation there were a lot of people believing that the host nation must be given a thank you for taking the african cup of nations as late as they took it. if a referee can give them a yes, some might say that there was a bit of contact. so it was greeted with a bit of trepidation and happiness. it took a moment of brilliance to take them through that.

that score in extra time was a thing of beauty. >> did you expect them - that they were capable of going this far? >> yes. part of me expected them to because there are four groups in the african cup of nations. groups a and b have been called before the tournament as some of the wild groups, are the heavy weights, and that is where they are. >> in groups a and b. it was likely that the host nation with a push from the country and everywhere behind 350,000 people behind them it is likely they were going to fight in the tournament. no surprise she rallied, they should have called the game. i'm not too surprised they got into this fight, the tournament. two of the tournament favourites play in a few hours time.

ivory coast faces algeario. what is likely to progress from these two? >> well unfortunately, i can't help you with that prediction all 14 are good. ghana are coming into the tournament with a lot of pedigree. after an unfamous air lift. gardenian particulars are in this just to get the name of the country up there for positive news. for guinea it is a fantastic back drop for them and the country. ivory coast have not won the tournament since 1992, and algeria from 1990. i can't tell you, it would be foolhardy for anyone to predict their country will go there. there'll be cracking games. >> african football writer thank you for that teenage golfer lydia co-is

the youngest golfer 17-year-old, finishing in a tie for second at the lpga enough to move her to the top of rankings the new zealander following a record set. she was 21 when she game the number one player in 1997. >> the northern indian state of pooun job is holding what is known as the royal olympics. it's also considered a big deal for many athletes as it could lead to selection to the olympic team. >> reporter: this woman starts race day with a prayer. she has travelled nearly 100km from her home town to compete in what is known as india's rural olympics. >> this is a big deal.

she spent the last year preparing for the 400m sprint. >> reporter: this is part of my training for an upcoming ech, crucial to boning selected as part of the team. my dream is to be selected and win a medal for india. >> her competition is tough. she wants to impose the copes, who over the years discovered dozens of olympians on this track. >> our podium winners are usually nationally recognised athletes. one won a medal, but he couldn't be here. what does that tell you. this competition is not a small rural event. it's a national meet of the highest standing. >> that is why every event is serious business. beating the competition brings participants financial reward and public recognition. >> for 79 years the event brought the best of punjab's

talent to india. it's not just about launching careers, it's an important reminder of the traditions that unite people across the region. >> since 1933 people have been coming here to cheer and compete in mainstream support in traditional strengths of speed and agility. >> punjabis are sports people. most are fit, going for even walks or runs. many are in villages. because of this they fostered sporting positions like power lifting. >> reporter: she finishes second. it's not what she wanted but she is happy. for her, the journey towards the dream is a victory reason itself. and there's more sports on the website. check out aljazeera.com/sport.

i'll hand you back to nick. >> thank you sanaa, see you later. thank you for that two men made a record-breaking voyage from japan to mexico using a helium balloon, taking more than 10,000km. >> reporter: the world's longest ever helium balloon fight began with smiles and waves in saga japan. and landed with two eagles off mexico's north-west coast. >> now we are feeling good and optimistic. and very glad to be amongst it all. >> american erik bradford and russian leonid tiukhtyaer endured 160 hours crammed together in a cabin smaller than a king size the bed. the route took them 10,600km

over the pacific ocean, beating all records for cas-filled balloon flights. it used the latest technology to do it. it was stuffed with state of the art data recording instruments. the data will be analysed. it has captured public attention, helped along by the high-flying adventures of richard branson, and steve foss e. here -- fossett. here to become the first person to fly around the world. fossett's balloon was a hybrid filled with gas and hot air, going faster than the two eagles making this achievement a little sweeter. with that very impressive feat that, is it for this newshour. i'll be back in a couple of minutes with a full bulletin of news. see you then. bye for now.

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>> a major boko haram attack in the northeastern borno state. >> also coming up, at least seven people are killed in a blast in a high security area in the syrian capitol of damascus. >> jordan condemns the killing of the journalist by isil. as concerns grow a jordanian pilot taken captive by the group. >> 400 days since our three journalists were jailed in egypt. al jaz