-- is collapseing before our eyes. >> the u.n. security council holing a meeting on the situation in yemen. as the military launches air strikes on al-qaeda after an attack on an army base. ♪ you are watching al jazeera live from our headquarters in doha. also coming up another attack on a market in northern nigeria kills at least five people. after 411 days in journal,

two al jazeera journal listists are granted bail. and a break through on the ukrainian conflict as warring parties agree to a ceasefire. the u.n. secretary general ban ki-moon has appealed for urgent action. there is instability after houthi rebels officially seized power in a coup last week. >> yemen is collapsing before our eyes. we cannot stand by and watch. the country is facing multiple challenges but dangerous political crisis continues in sana'a. the president, the prime minister and government

ministers and other state officials must be granted freedom of movement. i'm concerned about reports of excessive use of force to disperse peaceful demonstrators, and the use of arbitrary arrest and defense of civil society, activities and journalists. i call for the protection of human rights especially the rights of peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression. crossing over to ta'izz in yemen, not only was bankky moon speaking at we also heard from the social advisor. he was highlighting all of the challenges that the country is facing. what do we expect the next stepses for the security council to be? >> reporter: well that's a very good question doreen and actually a question that a lot of the civil society here in yemen, particularly those

opposed to the coup are asking the united states. what is your next step going to be? because a lot of them have lost faith in the process, because they believe that these negotiations as long as they have taken place, all that has really been consistent with them is the houthis have gained more and more power as these negotiations have gone along. so a lot of people are looking for more direct strong action from the u.n. not just strong word, and sympathy with the -- with the president, but also some sort of action that could empower those in yemen who are opposed to the coup particularly that they don't have much power in the face of the military might of the houthis and militia. >> and it is a very unstable situation on the ground is it not? and especially with the threat of al-qaeda as well. it just seems to be growing now. >> reporter: it is. i mean the violence is just

multi-layers wherever you look really across the country. not only the violence from the houthis and the al-qaeda threat the protests taking place across. today there was that attack on a military base where the understand the death toll now risen to 15, 8 from the army and 7 from fighters. we understand that the al-qaeda militants had attacked the army base they say because they were angered at the fact that the army surrendered its bases to the houthi rebels as they advanced in another city just a couple of days ago. the particular point with this army base its close proximity to the oil production center of yemen. it goes to show that the violence is increasing and spreading quickly, in what is a

very lawless country at the moment. >> jamal thank you for that. an egyptian court has granted bail to two al jazeera journalists, mohammed fahmy, and baher mohamed have been detained for 411 days in a cairo prison. they are accused of colluding with the outlawed muslim brotherhood, charges they as well as al jazeera deny. their colleague, australian peter greste was freed and deported on february 1st. their trial will resume on february 23rdrd. our correspondent reports. >> reporter: this could be the beginning of the end of an ordeal that lasted for more than 400 days. al jazeera's bureau chief, baher mohamed, and producer mohammed fahmy have been granted bail at the start of their retrial. fahmy was asked to pay a

security bond of around $33,000. >> we'll abide by everything in the egyptian law, and i'm sure he is being vindicated by this and vindicated later on when the whole case falls apart completely. we wanted to keep ourselves not too excited or -- and just expect -- wanted to expect the worst, but we got something, so . . . >> reporter: but the judicial might for the two will continue until the charges are dropped. fahmy was initially sentenced to seven years in prison, and baher received ten. egypt's highest court of appeals has challenged the evidence presented by the prosecution, saying the proceedings were flawed and ordered a retrial. [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: earlier this month,

peter greste was deported to australia after 400 days in detention. fahmy who is an egyptian canadian, was told by the authorities that his only way to freedom is to renounce his egyptian citizenship. which he has done. the three al jazeera journalists, baher, fahmy and greste were arrested in december 2013. they were wrongly accused of promoting the banned muslim brotherhood. their trial was widely condemned by the international community, and human rights organizations. it was described as a travesty of justice. protesters from around the world demonstrated in solidarity with the detained al jazeera skrournallist -- journalists. six other colleagues were sentenced in absentia to ten years in prison. al jazeera continues to call on egypt to have all of its

journalists exonerated. the united states has reacted positively to the ceasefire deal agreed for eastern ukraine, but its voices concerns about the continued fighting despite the agreement being reevened. leaders from russia ukraine, france and germmy held talks in minsk. withdrawal of heavy weapon also be completed in two weeks. it includes the withdraw of foreign military forces and this should allow the ukrainian government to get full control of the border by the end of the year. all prisoners and hostages must be released as well. >> reporter: president putin has described it as not the best of night of his life. more than 15 hours trying to

reach a break through on ukraine. the waiting journalists that had many hopes of an announcement dashed then well into thursday morning it came. >> translator: the first thing is the ceasefire starting at midnight on the 15th of february. the second thing is the withdraw of the ukrainian troops in today's contact line and withdraw of the militia from the line specified last year. there is alls the political settlement which takes into account the rights of the people who live in the region. >> reporter: his have been incredibly tough negotiations going in the germans were particularly down beat about chances of success, even know angela merkel says much hard work remains. >> translator: i am under no illusion and we are no under no illusion that a lot of work is still necessary, but there is a real chance to improve things. germany and france france and germany together show that we

have made a contribution in accordance with europe. >> reporter: of course we have been here before literally, minsk welcomes leaders leader back in 2014 but the ceasefire quickly fell apart, the agreements were never properly implemented. you can sign as many pieces of paper as you want. but it is what happens on the ground that matters. [ explosion ] >> reporter: and in eastern ukraine the fighting and died continued as the leaders talked. the separatists representatives have signed the deal though enforcing the agreed demilitarized zone pulling back heavy weaponry and pushing through political reform in the east will be a torturous process. in northeast nigeria at least five people have been killed and eight other injured when a female suicide bomber

blew herself up at a market. the attack took place in borno state, a boko haram strong hold. joining us on the line is [ inaudible ] to tell us more about that attack what you are hearing about whether there has been a claim of responsibility. >> basically our security sources told al jazeera that inside people have been killed and many more injured because of -- attack it looks like the [ inaudible ] which is market [ inaudible ] perhaps now the attacks we witnessed in the last few days [ inaudible ] for a few days now, but now it looks like boko haram [ inaudible ] particular areas. >> okay. we'll leave it there.

reporting for us from nigeria. still ahead on al jazeera, we'll be live in the u.s. where the funerals of three young muslims who many believe were gunned down because of their faith are taking place. plus the former korean air executive who flew into a rage over a packet of nuts faces a sentence of a year in prison. ♪

♪ you are with al jazeera, the top stories, the u.n. secretary general has appealed for urgent

action to stop yemen from descending into anarchy. there is growing political instability after houthi rebels seized power last week. five people have been killed and at least eight injured when a female suicide bomber blew herself up in nigeria. and leaders from russia ukraine, france and germany have agreed to a ceasefire in eastern ukraine. the deal which includes a complete withdraw of foreign troops comes into effect on sunday. but fighting continues in eastern ukraine, at least one person has been killed in the city of donetsk, and the separatists seem skeptical over the ceasefire deal. >> reporter: hours about the ukrainian military fired rockets

at this road. there are few fighters here they say their primary role here is to try to monitor ukrainian army movements. we're south of donetsk, the fighters tell us that ukraine yab forces are about a kilometer in that direction. they tell us we can't go in front of this building because there's a danger of snipers. >> translator: we will stay here unless we get an order from our commanders to retreat or advance, we're holding this position to help protect the town. >> reporter: the separatists leaders said the agreement would have far-reaching implications. >> translator: we can't deny ukraine this chance, because the whole country will change as a result. the attitude and the people will change. in fact the people of ukraine, we are still with them. this chance is given to ukraine

to change its constitution to change its attitude. >> reporter: the minsk agreement fails to define the status of the people's donetsk republic. >> translator: donetsk should be independent. unity won't work. to return to ukraine means to be governed by an inadequate government. >> translator: how can we return to ukraine after everything they have done to us. >> reporter: thousands of people have been killed in indiscriminate shelling on both sides of this conflict. three shells hit this hospital in separatists controlled donetsk on wednesday night. at least one person was killed. >> translator: we hid where we could. the penitentiary -- patients were laying under the dust. >> reporter: so many people have died since the last ceasefire collapsed in september, and there is great uncertainty as to

whether this latest truce will be implemented and hold. a former south korean airline executive is beginning a year-long jail sentence over a bag of nuts. heather cho was found guilty after forcing a flight attendant off of a plane. harry fawcett has more. >> reporter: in custody since the end of december heather cho was at least spared the gauntlet of cameras. it wouldn't be long before she would be making the return journey as a convicted criminal. it's cements an incredible fall from her position only weeks ago, as vice president of korean air, one just arm of the giant family firm putting her among south korea's elite. cho's lawyer said no decision

had been made on whether to appeal. on december 5th in the first class cabin, cho reacted with volcanic fury to being served nuts in a bag and not on a plate. she assaulted the cabin crew member who served her, and order the head flight attendant from the aircraft forcing the pilot to return to the gate. he would later testify that she treated him and his colleagues as slaves forcing them to kneel before her. another executive was sentenced to eight months for impeding the investigation. but it was for cho that the judge reserved his harshest language saying her expressions of regret were insincere, and she trampled on the self regard of fellow human beings. >> translator: the fact that she

only got one year is just another instance of how much power these people have. >> translator: from an ordinary citizen's perspective the sentence was small. >> translator: people make mistakes. i don't think they should have been viewed as an issue of the powerful versus the rest. >> reporter: as heather cho erupted in anger two months ago, she could have hardly imagined that her actions would lead to a one-year prison term. but for many she has come to symbolize the sense of power and impunity the elite have. a failed braekout attempt at one of the largest prisons in taiwan has ended with six inmates committing suicide. police asked a well-known gang leader to talk the prisoners into surrendering skwashgs but the siege ended when the inmates shot themselves.

they taiwan's president condemned their actions. in columbia the latest round of peace talks ended in a truce between the government and farc rebels. farc has said they are renouncing their recruitment of minors, but the government says that their move is not enough. al jazeera's correspondent traveled to the northern region where in the past some of the worst fighting has taken place. >> reporter: once a month for the last 15 years, the people here in columbia's war-torn region have danced the night away as a form of resistance. they danced through the worst of times when fighting between the military and farc rebels were an almost daily occurrence and they are still dancing even as the guns have fallen silence, falling a ceasefire in late december. >> translator: there is a sense of serenity that's new. we don't hear clashes and explosions and for us and our

sons this has been a blessing. >> reporter: it has been a promising start of the year in columbia fewer people have died in the country's armed conflict than at any other time in the last 30 years. so there's renewed optimism in the air, although everybody knows this trust is fragile and the war is far from over. manuel runs a motorcycle shop in the town where people have long found themselves caught in the middle of this conflict accused of aiding either farc or the government. while his business has gone up since the ceasefire, manuel worries that this lull is only temporary. >> translator: we still have doubts because they have tried many times before to bring peace and failed. so it is difficult to believe this time it would be real. >> reporter: this remains a central drug corridor the surrounding mountains providing

a safe haven. the president insists the military must maintain an offensive until a full peace agreement is reached. but many observers say there has been already a slowdown in their operations, something the military denies. >> translator: yes, there has been a reduction of farc attacks on the population but that's because of our military control of the territory. we now are in control of every town and area and the rebels are unable to move easily. >> reporter: the fighting may not be over but the calm here has renewed hope that the dancing from now on will be to a different tune and not to the drums of war. the yates is -- united nations is says that tens of thousands of civilians are needed to fight ebola in west africa. it follows the united states

decision to withdraw troops. they have provided health services community support and help trace victim's families. south africa has one of the most competitive mining industries in the world, and pressure on the country to meet the demand is now becoming a struggle, but some are saying the big companies need to do more to help families impacted. >> reporter: a beautiful seaside location but nowhere near any of south africa's mines. this is where around 7,000 mining executives and industry people have gathered for a four-day conference. >> this is one of the major conferences in the world that brings the mining industry together with investors, with other interests to try to learn what is going on right now, what will change in the future how they can do better. >> reporter: much of the agenda is contend traited on the slump

in commodities prices and taxation affecting international investment. nelson mandela's widow says the executives must change the way they deal with the people and the communities they are impacting. >> look beyond the space where you are mining the people who report to you daily, and the communities which are surrounding you. think of the countries. >> reporter: and similar calls are being made at an alternative conference here in cape town where activists and ngo's say mining companies are exploiting africa's minerals and people. >> they are not concerned about communities, about social issues, or justice, profit at all costs. >> reporter: and minors say they are not getting a fair share of those profits. last year a five-month strike over conditions and the

platinum mines all but shut down pro production of the metal in south africa. and 2012 more than 40 people were killed when police opened fire on the workers. people like malcolm damon at the alternative minerals conference say the mining industry isn't doing enough to work after those who are working. >> make national resources work for the people. >> reporter: but it's a delicate balance, many of the minerals and metals used are extracted from mines across africa and so much of the continent's labor force and economy depends on the strength of the mining industry. african governments and industry executives are just waiting for the clouds to lift and for commodities prices and profits to recover, but the people who work in the industry don't want to wait. they want things to change and soon. erika wood al jazeera, cape

town south africa. leading marine scientists are warning that this year could prove devastating for corral reefs. they are worried their they colors may soon fade threatening sea life. steve choi reports from indonesia. >> reporter: for decades this incredible underweather landscape as been the focus of study for martin. a marine scientist and conservationists, he is working to protect this diverse region. it is home to 75% of the world's corral species, 3,000 different kinds of fish. >> it's the home for fish nursery ground for fish feeding ground for fish corral leaf is life shelter in the desert. >> reporter: but climate change is warming the ocean, causing

corral bleaching and die off around the world. he worries this year's el nino will further warm the waters and take the reef another step closer to distinction. >> if the reef disappear, fish will also disappear. >> reporter: there are other threats to the corral. a dive resort operator has been battling an iron ore mine that has set up shop here. protests turned violent last year. the mine is protected by local officials. authorities we're told have been very aggressive in keeping divers away from their operation, so we're going to dive in here swim over as close as we can get to the jetty under water. the visibility is so poor it's all we can do to stay together. and when we find the reef it's covered in layer of thick silt. after only a few minutes we surface.

how was the corral here before? >> it was really beautiful, healthy reef lots of colors lots of fish and now, i mean it's nothing. >> reporter: but not all is lost. welly's research has found that climate change isn't having as big of impact on the corral here because the reefs lie closer to deeper colder water. he has formed community teams to guard the triangle's reefs. >> if we do something, if we protect this corral reef, the corral reef will be still access. live resources of the people still access. people still can eat for tomorrow and in the future. >> reporter: and the way currents carry corral throughout the oceans welly believes preserving this underwater paradise would ultimately save reefs worldwide. well for more on this

story, you can watch steve choi's full program on thursday at 2230 gmt. also let me just point you to the direction of our website, where you will find all of the day's headlines and top stories aljazeera.com. are in the stream. some say it is a violation of their constitutional rights. we will check out the online movement. >> correct me if i'm wrong did i stumble into mexico, or is this still the united states. >> plus, futurist predict that by 2020, we'll have our own digital twin. who may make our daily lives even easier, performing tasks and even consoling our loved ones after we are gone.