we'll see you online. the u.n. enjoy to libya says the situation is deteriorating rapidly as two rival governments prepare for another round of talks. ♪ we'll have the latest from u.n. headquarters in just a minute. ukraine east prime minister accusing pro-russian separatists of holding up rescue efforts following a deadly mine explosion. security forces in mexico capture another leader of a violent drug cartel. and we look at a rare collection of artwork from north korea. ♪

the u.n. envoy to libya says the situation on the ground is quickly deteriorating. he has addressed the u.n. security council via a video link from libya. representatives from the court appointed government in tripoli have reportedly left for morocco where they will hold talks with the tobruk-based government. there has been tit-for-tat violence on both sides. isil affiliated groups have clashed with government forces at a oil field. and jets from the tra brook-based government have targeted forces also in sirte. james tell us more about what the u.n. special representative

for libya had to say to the security council today. >> reporter: well after more than four years of turmoil, he is trying somehow to bring peace to this troubled country, which, remember as you say as so many different rival groups but has two rival governments. he has announced that there will be more talks taking place in morocco on thursday. and he told the security council that there was a great deal at stake. >> the overall situation on the ground is deteriorating rapidly, and libya can no longer afford to allow the political crisis and armed conflict that has gripped the country for much of the past year cannot allow to fester longer. >> so a sense of urgency there, james. we also heard from the libyan ambassador to the united states who was addressing the security council also today.

and he had some very harsh words. deplored the silence of the international community. how did they go down there? >> reporter: well i think the security council saw for itself exactly how difficult it is going to be to bring peace to libya, because moments after we heard the special representative leon talk about those talks taking place in just a matter of hours, then this very explosive speech coming from the libyan representative, the representative of the government in tobruk because they hold the u.n.'s seat. and he was most critical of the other side in tripoli. his colleagues are supposed to be negotiating with in a matter of hours, using words like ma la shi and terrorists and he didn't only attack those in tripoli. he also had a stinging attack on the u.n. secretary general ban

ki-moon. he said a recent report that he had come up with on libya was not balanced. and he had an attack on one of the ambassadors who is one of the permanent five members of the security council. he said there was one ambassador that was taking sides in all of this, and wanted to split the country. so a really explosive speech that we'll have to see what happens in the coming hours, but the speech itself i think could understood mine the talks about to take place. >> james thank you very much. there are conflicting reports coming out of eastern ukraine of how many minors were killed in a mine explosion in donetsk. the pro-russian rebels say only one minor is confirmed dead so far. at least 30 minors were unaccounted for after the blast. >> reporter: after the blast

came the confusion. >> translator: suddenly there was dust everywhere and people were groaning. >> reporter: outside the mine things were murky. >> translator: there was an explosion it's unknown where the people are, what condition they are in. no one knows so far. >> reporter: most of the 230 men who entered the mine were evacuated some with horrific wounds. >> translator: there was a bang and then it through me so hard i flew for three or four meters. immediately the heat the temperature rose and here are the consequences. and then the temperature became a little lower, and we slowly started crawling out. >> reporter: for the families there was wait and worry. >> translator: he was supposed to retire next year. everyone is angry that say on tv that 32 people died but nobody tells us anything. >> reporter: the deadly blast

left ukrainians asking whether politics depaid help for the men trapped underground. the ukrainian prime minister says the government controlling the region denied entry for rescue workers. the separatists said those rescue workers were not needed. >> translator: i gave instructions to send six brigades, each composed of ten people, but the russian terrorists did not give an opportunity to the ukrainian mine rescue brigades to get to the site and to help to pull out people and save lives. >> reporter: then there is the question of what caused the blast. the separatists government said a build up of methane gas appears to be at blame. the incident was reminiscent of november 2007 when a gas explosion killed more than

220 -- 200 people. iraq's defense minister is holding talks with his turkish counterpart in baghdad. they discussing how to defeat isil and push the armed group out of tikrit. the iraqi military says its forces are advancing on four frokts into the city north of baghdad. they have retaken an oil field about 20 kilometers east of tikrit. a retired military general and political analyst says the fight for tikrit is strategically vital. >> this battle in my opinion is the biggest battle for years. now is the turn of this district. the importance of this battle came from the strategic importance of tikrit. tikrit is a crossroad for four

directions for example. it will open if it will be taken -- it will open the road to mosul offensive expected next -- in the coming spring. for this reason i think the prime minister could within a few months, you know re -- reconstruct, you know, five division -- or four division from the army. now there is two division prepared for this offensive. the number of soldiers 3 -- 35 fighters, including 25 soldiers from two divisions, plus security forces plus tribes plus militia shia. isil fighters have set fire

to a oil pipeline east of tra crete. in syria isil fighters have reportedly killed 14 syrian soldiers east of homs. sources close to isil say the soldiers were killed while trying to withdraw from a battle in the area. the refugee crisis in lebanon is deepening. the u.n. says it is being forced to move some accomodations. many refugees face an uncertain future. >> reporter: this is northern lebanon. this building may not seem like much but it's home for these syrian refugees. the united nations says it was always supposed to be a short-term solution. but a huge number of refugees means the u.n. can't afford to continue housing these families. the people living here say they have nowhere to go.

>> translator: we were shocked after we heard that the u.n. would turn us out of the center. most families here don't have houses, and they can't afford to rent houses. we're looking for a solution for this problem. >> reporter: the u.n. says the solution is cheaper housing. but it admits sheltderring millions of people is note going to be easy. >> when the numbers were much less collective shelters were one way we were able to respond to a immediate shelter need. right now less than 2% of the refugee population are living in collective shelters. >> reporter: there is anger here and a deep sense of disappointment that the world isn't doing more to stop the fighting destroying their country. >> translator: we appeal to the free world and the arab world to return us to our country, which is the best solution for us. we cannot stand more than this. we are losing hope. we want to return home.

it is the most important solution for us it is better than food drink, heating, and housing. >> reporter: these people have fled war and poverty. they have safety here. now they risk losing this basic shelter and their hopes of a better life. u.s. and iranian officials have wrapped up three days of negotiations over tehran's nuclear program. the u.s. secretary of state john kerry has been holding talks with his iranian counterpart. this comes a day after the speech by israeli prime minister benjamin netenyahu in which he urged the u.s. congress to block any potential deal. our correspondent has been gauging the israeli reaction to netenyahu's speech. >> reporter: the israeli media began dissecting the context of mr. netenyahu's speech nearly the second after he stopped speaking. but what is interesting here is the fact that the speech and the context surrounding the speech

has really polarized the media landscape here in israel. that in itself is very significant, because normally when an israeli prime minister addresses a joint meeting of congress it's almost universally praised. israelis like it when the leader of their country, which is a relatively small country, is given such a large platform and given global attention. but the reason this speech has become so polarizing is because many people here in israel don't see the threat that mr. netenyahu sees which is that iran poses an imminent threat if a nuclear deal is signed with tehran. most israelis one could argue, while security is very important to them as they go to the polls in less than two weeks are thinking about other issues most notably the economy, and the housing crisis here in israel, which is essentially the fact that housing here is extremely expensive.

these are issues that most israelis want the prime minister to discuss. he of course is trying to discuss iran. and indeed security that is significant for him, because he is widely seen as somebody who is very good when it comes to presenting israeli's security concerns, but is less good at dealing with issues like the economy and housing. so as mr. netenyahu wakes up he is not seeing that universal praise which he is perhaps used to given the fact he has addressed congress twice before. still ahead on the program. edward snowden's russian lawyer says the whistleblower wants to return home to the u.s. and -- we're back in a minute.

♪ welcome back. our top stories on al jazeera. the u.n.'s envoy to syria says the situation on the ground is deteriorating rapidly. the u.n. announced on tuesday a new round of talks between libya's two rival governments will take place in morocco. the ukrainian prime minister is accusing pro-russian separatists of holding up the rescue mission at a mine following a deadly explosion. at least 30 miners are missing and feared dead after the blast. and talks are underway

between the iraqy and turkish defense ministers to win back the city of tikrit. the lawyer of edward snowden says the american whistleblower wants to return to the u.s. he has been in russia since 2013. he was granted asylum there after leaking details of the u.s. government's mass surveillance programs. washington says snowden will have to face criminal charges if he returns. >> reporter: the man who has been edward snowden's lawyer pretty much since he arrived in russia was launching his book on tuesday, and he made some interesting comments about what seems to be going on right now behind the scenes, legal discussions that would soon potentially lead to edward snowden's return back to the united states. let's listen to exactly what he had to say. >> translator: of course i won't keep it secret that he is

considering it and wants to return back home. we are now doing everything possible to solve this issue. >> reporter: it's pretty much inconceivable if edward snowden did go back to the united states that he wouldn't be put immediately on trial. we heard a little bit from the lawyer as well about edward snowden's experiences here in russia. remember that he came to moscow by fairly [ inaudible ] round about route. he arrived never having been to russia before with no money and not speaking the language. considering all of those things says his lawyer he has settled in pretty well but obviously not well enough to want to spend the rest of his life here. and he would rather go back to the united states it seems and face the very rel -- real possibility of a lengthy jail term. russia's president has called to an end to what he

calls shameful political killings of the murder of boris nemtsov on friday. he was buried on tuesday after being gunned down near the kremlin. the motive is unknown, but putin has rejected suggestions that he had any involvement. >> translator: the most serious attention should be paid to high-profile crimes. russia should be devoid at last at the kind of tragedies we have seen. the audacious murder of boris nemtsov right in the center of the capitol. indonesia has transferred 11 convicted drug smugglers to an island where they will be executed by firing squad. most foreigners and australia's prime minister has said he is revolted by the prospect of the executions. while indonesia's president has told al jazeera, the executions will not happen this week but insists they will be carried out

soon. >> translator: i as the president have to follow the constitution, which still allows executions, and their verdicts have already been decided by the court. >> translator: but you are not only a president. you are also a person. i'm sure you have thoughts about it you have feelings about it. >> translator: if you come to the drug rehabilitation centers, you will see the effect drugs have on these people. 4.5 million have to be rehabilitated because of drug distribution, which we are now trying to stop. don't just look at those people who sell drugs, you also have to look at their victims, 4.5 million people. >> reporter: but executing them is a very harsh measure. i mean there's no way out. if you take that decision there is no turning back the clock. the indonesian justice system is notoriously corrupt. can there be another punishment for them than just to execute them? >> translator: i am still

convinced that the justice system in indonesia, if you look at drug crime is still valid and based on facts and evidence. that's when i rejected their clemency i always -- also looked at their cases, how much drugs they were carrying how kilos were distributed. >> reporter: you looked at all of the individual cases? >> yeah. >> reporter: did you also look at how the people have changed since they have been in jail for a long time. the two australia men are said to be better now. they are doing good work in prison. >> translator: i think the decision was already taken by the court. we can't discriminate between people from different countries. one more time i am looking at our national interest and i see 4.5 million people whose lives are in ruin and who need to be rehabilitated. that's what i see. >> reporter: and you can see the full interview with the

indonesian president on "talk to al jazeera" starting saturday at 430 gmt right here on al jazeera. in the united states the trial of the alleged boston bomber has just begun, and the defense team has already admitted he carried out the attack, but they say his older brother was more responsible. the 26-year-old brother was killed by police. dzhokher was accused of planting the bombs at the finish line. staying in the u.s. an investigation has found that police and the court system in ferguson missouri routinely discriminated against african americans. it's six months now since a white police officer shot sdaed unarmed black teenager michael brown. the report found that most of the incidents in which the police used force involved african americans. in mexico security forces have captured the leader of the

one of the most violent gangs. his detention comes just days after the arrest of another leader of a drug gain. a court in india has banned a british documentary, in which one of the men convicted of gang raping a student blamed his victim. they halted the documentary on the grounds of objectionable content. the rape of the young student on a moving bus sparked protests across india. the girl died 13 days after the attack of severe intern yal injuries. firefighters are battling wild fires raging for a fourth day in south africa. thousands of acres of vegetation

have been destroyed. >> reporter: battling the wildfire and the elements some rain has made conditions bearable, but smoke makes visibility almost impossible. helicopters that are spraying much-needed water, risk being grounded. >> >> we are trying everything we could. we're using all of the resources. firefighters helicopters, bombers, everything. >> reporter: the city of cape town say this year's wildfires have been more widespread. they are struggling with sporadic flairups that spread rapidly to homes. linda and her family were evacuated early thursday morning. they are seeking refuge at a community church nearby. >> the smoke was too thick and dangerous, so they closed off

the whole area. >> reporter: there is still a lot of smoke in the area and it could be days before authorities let them back into their own houses. but it's too late for some. people have lost homes, farms, and property like this and the cost of the firefighting operation has been rising. it's nearly $400,000 since sunday. it could be days before the fire is completely put out. and the demand for boots on the ground is more than ever before. now a rare exhibition of north korean art is on display in south korea. the paintings are part of a dutch art dealers collection, but as harry fawcett reports it's not just drawing the attention of art lovers. >> reporter: healthy happy faces gaze out from the canvases. the pictures tell a story of abundance and contentment. some evoke another time and place. they are according to the title

of the show the hidden treasures of north korea, 147 painings getting a rare outing here in the south. part of a collection of 2,500 bought in cash over several years by this -- art dealer. >> yeah, of course if part of that money are going to -- to benefit the -- the government over there, you know, again, just really not -- not my concern. >> reporter: in another gallery in seoul some very different paintings. this is the work of a north korean defector who painted propaganda slogans until he escaped the country of his birth. he invited him to view this new exhibition. >> translator: when i lived in the north, i found paintings like this impressive, but since i came here, i realized there is

no freedom of art in north koreaia. >> reporter: there have some restrictions in the south too. this painting had to be removed from the exhibition. unhappy with the text which reads in the service of the people people written the north korean way. the idea that a sign on a bus in painting could provoke devotion here might seem farfetched. but people are governed by the national security law, legislation designed to prohibit the promotion of north korean ideology. its use in recent year such as in the work of this photographer, has come under criticism. >> communist ideology is a scheme designed to grab power by capitalizing on social underdogs. it's a grand scam and there are many south koreans prone to easy

scams. no offending texts then and for the organizers it's about a long-term financial investment not politics. but for a nan who has lived inside the real north korea, this brings back darker memories. as more and more people try to get fit around the world sales of exercised-linked technology products is soaring around the world. our technology editor tarek bazley is at a mobile meeting in barcelona, and took a look at think device that is in high demand. >> reporter: around 70 million of these type of bands have been sold in the last year. they seem to appeal to people's desire to get healthier and fitter, and use technology to do

so, but we're also seeing a number of smartphones hit the market that also have [ inaudible ] like the fans in them. these new models will give consumers greater choice when it comes to wearables. but competition will be fierce. analysts say more than 20 million smart watches will be sold in the next year but for many such an expensive watch will remain a luxury item. the prize won this year was by a project dealing with maternal health in morocco. the mobile ultra sound look low-cost portable ultrasound machines into three villages. the pregnant mem were scanned and the images were seen over the mobile network to doctors in the city. they were able to respond within hours and order the necessary treatments or follow up tests.

the cost of these scans go from 80 to just $2 meaning these women for the first time could access life-saving technology that many people in the world take for granted. more news on our website, aljazeera.com. ♪ >> gang rape, among the most shocking of violent crime is stirring a global outrage. throughout asia, it is believed to be far more common than most people think. >> rape is a major problem in all countries across this region. >> women's experiences of violence are well documented but the