[ shouting ] yemen's houthi rebels seize a crucial air base as they are advancing on the southern city of aden. ♪ hello, i'm darren jordan you are watching al jazeera live from doha. united in grief, heards from france germany, and spain, arrive on the site of the germanwings plane crash. arrested live on television during a cabinet meeting. ukraine goes after officials accused of corruption. ♪

now they pushed him from the capitol sana'a and now houthi rebels appear to be closing in on yemen's president in aden. the airport has been closed due to security concerns, and there are reports that the president has left the presidential palace. but the foreign minister says he remains in the city and is safe. earlier the houthis captured an air base in the south. the united states used that base to fight al-qaeda until pulling out a few days ago. now echoing president hadi yemen's foreign minister has called for other countries to help fight the rebels. the foreign minister said he will take necessary measures to protect yemen's sovereignty. >> reporter: it shocked many people but houthis have

advanced this far south. ta'izz yemen's third largest city. every day they have taken a stand chanting for the houthis to leave. houthi fighters relied with gunfire and tear gas. several were killed many more injured. paramedics say some of the shooters wore police uniforms. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: other reports say the internal security officers themselves, the ones meant to be keeping the peace have joined the houthis. these forces are said to be loyal to yemen's long-time ruler ali abdullah saleh. people here are no longer sure who they can trust.

the houthi rebel group has morphed from a small armed unit fighting for more government jobs and autonomy, into a larger force. in september it took over the capitol. the president hadi escaped to aden in the south. and it's in the south that most of the fighting is taking place right now. the tribes here say they are protecting their region against the rebels. saudi arabia has sent soldiers to protect its border with yemen. the saudi foreign minister had this to say. >> we hope that this can be done peacefully but if it is not done peacefully [ inaudible ] will take necessary measures to protect the region from their aggression. >> reporter: right now the

houthis are fanning out across the country. they insist they are fighting for a fair distribution of wealth for everyone not just shias, or their own sadie community. these people are grouping in large numbers with guns tanks, and ammunition. this crisis appears far more political than it is religious or even tribal and very fragmented. leaders of spain, germany, and france have arrived in the french alps close to where the germanwings plane went down. jacky tell us what has been going on. >> reporter: well it really is a very grim task for the search

teams who are going up on to that mountainside, where the plane crashed. it's very difficult to get up there. the access is really only by land or foot. other searches teams have been walking, trekking across that hillside. one of the key things will be to identify the bodies of the victims, something which we're told could take weeks because of the state of many of the human remains. if you see the way in which the plane was torn to shreds it gives you some idea of what happened to the people on board. but a lot of hope is being pinned on a flight recorder which was found early in the search. it is the black box that contains the sound recordings from the cockpit. and investigators are keen in particular to listen to the last words exchanged by the pilots

and also any other sounds they may be able to pick up from the cockpit. >> we know the leaders arrived just an hour ago, it does doesn't it underline the international dimension of the crash and the subsequent investigation? >> reporter: it does yes, because this was a plane carrying 150 people crashed here on french soil, but was carrying largely citizens of spain and germany. the plane was flying from barcelona to dusseldorf f. we know there was a school party on board, 16 german students and their teachers. 67 germans, 45 spaniard also turks, british, australians, americans, so clearly an international disaster and the fact that the plane was a german

plane, that really brings in the german jurisdiction and the authorities here and also in france and germany have called for detailed information now from that german airline about the maintenance of the plane that crashed into the mountainside, and also as much detail as possible about the conditions of that flight. >> jacky just a final thought from you how have the local people there within reacting to the tragedy. i mean this is a tuneny community that has suddenly been thrust into the international spot light. >> reporter: yes, it is a small remote town more used to receiving foreign tourists than the numbers of people who have been pouring into the town. local people have really been -- they have risen to the occasion tremendously. they have been handing over all available resources, buildings, to the emergency services

giving them use of a local sports hall. local families as well offering to host the families of victims who may wish to come and -- and visit the -- the area where their loved ones died. and always just in terms of the help that they have been getting from the emergency services and even members of the media who have descended in the absolute hundreds. the leaders of france germany, and spain who arrived here just about an hour ago, president hollande in particular took the moment to help all of the people. >> jacky thank you. there has been a large explosion in the afghan capitol, kabul. let's get more now from jennifer glasse who is there. gen-jennifer gen -- jennifer what more can you tell us about this explosion. >> reporter: it was a car bomb in the center of kabul just

before sunset here. police and health ministry sources tell us seven people were killed and 31 injured in this massive blast. darren it left a big mushroom cloud over the city and officials say that the dead and wounded are mainly civilians. they were heading home from work during the rush hour. a very, very large bomb blast. it was not far from the ministry of finance, right outside of a police station. >> and this comes off of the back of the afghan president visiting washington where it has been agreed to slowdown u.s. troop withdrawals from the country. >> reporter: that's right. president ghani is in washington today. he is going to address a joint session of congress but yesterday he was at the white house for several hours, and he has president obama have agreed that b 10,000 u.s. troops will stay here through the end of the

year. about 5,000 u.s. forces were going to leave by the end of 1015 but now they will remain in the country. 6,000 of those forces are here for train, advise and assist mission. the other 4.5 thousand or so are here on a counter terrorist measure. we have seen several drone strikes here around the country on terrorist targets on fighter targets around the country. so certainly, the afghan security forces will get a little bit more help from those american forces through the end of this year at least. >> jennifer thank you. libya's rival factions are resuming peace talks in the moroccan capitol rabat. they have both welcomed the u.n. proposal. so here are some details about what could be landmark deal. it calls for the formation of a

national unity government. the house of representatives will still be based in tobruk but will include members from both sides. a presidential council will look after the immrenthation of the agreement. as the two parties resume talks fighting continues across the country. earlier we spoke to the human rights director in libya, he says in addition to the humanitarian emergency, human rights violations are also on the rise. >> there is a humanitarian crisis but also a human rights crisis. there are several conflicts taking place at the same time in various parts of libya, with its associated abuses such as attacks on civilians, indiscriminate attacks, people are being abducted sometimes simply because they belong to one side or the other. so this is one -- one aspect

that is particularly concerning. however, we want to appeal to these militias particularly their commanders and the political heards who have influence on them as well as on any countries outside of libya that has leverage on these groups. my colleagues in morocco are negotiating to try to achieve a political agreement. but also fwheed pressure for these abuses to stop. >> time for a short break. fears of sectarian violence in nigeria, ahead of this weekend's presidential election. more on that. stay with us. ♪

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welcome back. a reminder of the top stories here on al jazeera. houthi rebels in yemen have seized an air base. fighters loyal to president hadi had gathered there on tuesday to defend the area. there are reports that the president has left the presidential palace. but the foreign minister says he remains in aden and is safe. at least seven people are dead and 31 people injured after a car bomb exploded in kabul. and the leaders of france germany, and spain have arrived in the french alps close to have a passenger plane crashed. now 16 children and two teachers from a high school in northwest germany are believed to have been among those killed

in that plane crash. dominic kane visited their school in the small town. >> reporter: the mourning after the flight came down and this town is in shock. at the school lessons were canceled but pupils and teachers came anyway to share they grief at the loss of so many of their own. >> translator: some of the children were the music school. yesterday everyone was talking about it. sadly one of my students was on that flight. everybody is disturbed. the atmosphere in the town is ghostly. >> reporter: outside of the school a carpet of candles and floral tributes. nothing sums up the sense of loss and grief here at the school and the community more than the placard behind me which reads yesterday we were many today we are alone. this town is not used to this

sort of attention, nor to the size of the task it now faces. >> translator: no one, no power in the world can take away the pain of someone who has lost a close relative or friend. we can only share it and through that sharing, a little consolation might develop. >> reporter: across the town people have left marks of respect. here official flags are flying at half mast and in the town's roman catholic church some people sought solace in prayer. the loss of the flight has shocked germany. but nowhere more so than here. dominic kane, al jazeera. ukrainian police have arrested two government officials on corruption charges during a televised cabinet

meeting. the director of the emergency services ministry and his deputy were lead away in handcuffs as the prime minister looked on. >> translator: the government gave firm and clear orders for a real fight with corruption in this country, in a country which is at war, in a country which spends billions on the army and defense, where people are helping our armed forces state and country to survive in this horrible war with russia. the trial of two al jazeera journalists in egypt has been adjourned until april 22nd. baher mohamed, and mohammed fahmy are accused of aiding the now banned muslim brotherhood, charging they and al jazeera deny. after several weeks of delays witnesses for the prosecution took the stand in a hearing last week. natasha ghoneim has the latest in the journalist's retrial. >> reporter: the evidence against baher mohamed and mohammed fahmy seems to rest on a report that includes videos. it's supposed to prove the al

jazeera journalists harmed egypt's national security. but the members of a committee who issued that report testified they either didn't see the videos, write the report or remember what they wroted. so a new committee was sworn in to review the evidence. earlier this year an appeals court ruled there wasn't enough evidence to conflict the journalists of aiding the banned muslim brotherhood. mohammed and fahmy, along with their colleague, peter greste spent more than 400 days in jail. legal experts have called the charges against them baseless. [ cheers ] >> reporter: last month, gresta was dpoerted to his native australia, and a judge released mohammed and fahmy on bail. mohammed said last week the prosecution's witnesses actually helped their case.

>> they all said they were not responsible for, or didn't write the statements. >> reporter: both men might be free on bail but have to check in with the police every day. fahmy who was a citizen of egypt and canada was forced to give up his egyptian citizenship, he is now trying to get deported to canada, but his passport has disappeared. now he and mohammed can only hope they the retrial will prove their innocence. egypt's president is in [ inaudible ] where he had addressed ethiopia's parliament. the two countries are working to improve relations over the controversial renaissance dam. they signed a deal addressing the fair use of nile waters between the three countries. there are fears of sectarian violence in nigeria. the incumbent goodluck jonathan

faces stiff competition from a muslim candidate from the north. our correspondent reports from the city of jost. >> reporter: song and dance on the busy streets of jost. >> one man one vote, one woman, one vote. one youth, one vote. it should be done peacefully. >> reporter: nowhere is that more important than in this city. this is a melting pot of different ethnic groups. it is also divided along those lines. deadly clashes have erupted here since 2001. the conflicts routed in disputes over access to land power, and

jobs almost always take on a religious tone. this man has been married to a christian woman for the past 45 years. he also lead a presidential commission tasked with investigating the religious crisis. he blames politicians for the conflict. >> if you have nothing to give your followers, economically morally, educationally, or even health wise an empty-head politician will pick religion to replace that. >> reporter: tension has been high here ahead of the elections. the closest in nigeria's history. and these men are trying to diffuse those tensions. >> i worry a lot, but worries

don't solve problems so i pray and then i try to engage in dialogue, like we have done before with the chief, and the dialogue, the consolation and peace center. >> if we can elect our representatives, we can do but with no case of religion in site. >> reporter: for now they continue preaching peace everywhere. they hope this time jost will choose peace over conflict. dozens of student activists in myanmar have appeared in court. their protest march 2nd weeks ago turned violent after they were confronted by police. scott heidler reports. >> reporter: the student protesters detained since they were arrested after their march 10th rally, arrived at the court in a column of trucks. their families and other

activists were there showing their support. the students were rallying two weeks ago against an education bill one the activists say limits student's freedom. but the rally was brought to a violent end, when baton-wielding police smashed back as the protesters try to push through police lines. police even attacked a truck used by the students. the action by the police caused international condemnation. but the government says the police action was justified. back at the court, the parents of those detained say they don't even know what charges their children face. >> translator: i want them to be lenient on the children and free some students who don't need to be detained. >> reporter: as the world watches the images of this violence, some are beginning to question how well the reforms in myanmar are going. earlier this month, the united states expressed concern over the government's commitment to human rights but here the

focus of those outside of the court right now is to see that their children are set free. scott heidler, al jazeera, bang kong. at least nine people are dead and several more are missing in a mud slide in central peru. hundreds have been made homeless. the main food supply line to lima has been blocked and it will take days to clear the roads. >> reporter: panic in the town. people run in every direction, not knowing where to go. there is an alert right you. authorities are telling people they have to leave because there might be another mud slide coming this way. this woman and her children run for safety. they are terrified. this man can hardly catch his breath. >> translator: municipal watchman are saying a reservoir has collapsed and the water is heading this way. >> reporter: police guide residents to go up the hill.

>> translator: we're telling people to go in that direction. >> reporter: but then calm returns. a police patrol road by saying it was a false alarm. residents here are on alert way into the night, carrying shovels and pickaxes people are beginning to clear up debris. they are afraid some homes left by a mud slide may collapse. >> translator: look at the hole it has made. power lines also went down. >> reporter: a series of powerful mud slides destroyed dozens of homes and vehicles in central peru to save their lives people ran and climbed on trucks as the water levels from the river rose. authorities say there are children among the dead. rescue teams are sending tents, water, and blankets for the victims. in some area drinking water has been cut off. power lines are down.

and police say several people are still missing. government authorities say the main food supply root for the capitol will be blacked for at least five or six days. police and army units have been deployed in the region dozens of trucks remain stranded throughout the night. the alarm is far from over. >> translator: this has happened before, and with all of the rumors we're hearing, we are alarmed. >> reporter: many like him remain on alert. torrential rains will continue to fall through the end of the week leaving this area especially vulnerable to more mud slides. olympic organizers in rio insist they will be ready to host next years games. the brazilian city has been marking the 500-day countdown to the start of the olympics.

but many venues have troubled waters still lying ahead. >> reporter: this is the bay in rio de janeiro. idyllic from above, but the surface tells a different story. pollution, junk, and toxic runoff more than visible. and in 500 days it will be hosting olympic sailing events. >> reporter: we'll have the bay and its waters ready to host athletes from the entire world, and these waters will be equal for everybody. >> reporter: at this market shipping son ter, items have been put on display to raise awareness. the bay receives the majority of the city's raw sewage and officials promised to clean up 80% of it. the city's mayor admits this goal is no longer achievable. >> translator: it's obvious that it is the responsibility of all

of us, all of us meaning the government. society has also its part. i think we have missed the opportunity to clean the bay. >> reporter: west of the city at the main olympic park officials say all of the venues are on time and on budget. >> different than the other games, 60% of our budget comes from the private sector. so we are using the public private partnership to reduce the high cost of public money. so that's our honor. so we are delivering the games with a huge legacy and saving public money. >> reporter: after the rush preparing for last year's fifa world cup in brazil officials are adamant they won't face the same problems. test events will start in july building towards the opening ceremony on august 5th, next year. everyone hoping it will be smooth sailing until then. and a quick reminder you

can keep up to date with all of the news on our website. we have all of the latest on the crash and the recovery effort of germanwings flight. aljazeera.com is the address. there it is on your screen. aljazeera.com. ♪ suwell, a feeling is not a fact. our country is almost unique in people believing that global warming is not a human cause. >> robert kennedy, jr., a lifelong advocate of the environmental movement thanks in part to memories of his dad prior to his father's assassination in 1968. >> my father considered this part of our heritage and our purple mountains' majesty.