entertaining. talk to al jazeera. only on al jazeera america. mendsing ties after more than six decades of hostility. u.s. and cuban foreign ministers meet ahead of a regional summit. ♪ ♪ also on the program a cargo plane carrying medical surprise touches down in yemen as the saudi-led air strikes enter a third week. a power gun lobby in the u.s. gets set to flex its political muscle at an annual convention. plus. >> it's been a privilege to go in to everyone's living room.

>> end of a marathons innings. richie benaud has died at age 84. hello, it will be the highest level meeting between adversaries in more than 50 years. u.s. president barack obama and cuban leader raul castro are expected to meet later at the summit of the americas in panama city. before that historic encounter the u.s. government says secretary of state john kerry has, quote made progress in talks with cuba's foreign minister. carey and bruno rodriguez are working together eventually restoring full diplomatic ties. it is the latest sign in improving relations between the u.s. and cuba. barack obama and raul castro reached a historic deal on december 17th. it includes easing a travel ban on u.s. citizens and lifting a train embargo first set enough 1960. u.s. also committed to reviewing cuba's status as a state sponsor

of terrorism. cuba was giving the designation in 1982 and is still a among a list of four countries the u.s. accuses of supporting global terrorism. juan carlos is a latin america policy analyst in washington. he says cuba is hesitate to go part with what he calls its victim complex. >> it's been a rallying point for cuba for over half a censure toy portray itself as a victim of u.s. aggression denouncing the embargo the economic sanctions, gathering support from other latin america countries particularly in the last decade and a half. no all of a sudden the united states wants to be friends with you and you know, it's interesting because if you see some statements by raul castro in the last months he looks like he's trying to raise the price tag of engaging the united states. he said that restoring diplomatic ties won't be possible in the united states returns guantanmo to cuba,

unless washington pays compensation for 50 years of economic sanctions and so on. it looks like he's not that eager to be friends with the united states. now, as those historic talks take plays life goes on in the cuban capital huh van and in mean ways it feels like child time hasn't changed. >> reporter: time offense seems to move slower in cuba. shielded from the rest of the world by the half century-long u.s. embargo and a centralized government that only allowed change when it thought the time was right. but now change is the main topic of conversation here in havana. raising hopes and expectations plus some fears. >> there are technical negotiations on a number of issues that are very important for both countries. and that is the way of building blocks to build trust, which is one of the most important things that over the last 50 years has been lost. >> reporter: with washington and havana talking and the summit in

panama on the horizon everyone has opinions. and nowadays, they are not afraid to express them. >> the most important thing is to lift the blockade. that is fundamental that's what caused our people the most damage. >> translator: the united states must establish relations with cuba to reach an agreement. they must respect one another. >> translator: what i would like to see is better human rights. more social justice and freedom of speech. that's what cubans want. >> translator: it's been 50 years of hostility. we will wait and see what happens. >> reporter: with the united states so close and the cuban exile community there so vocal cubans feel like they know their neighbors if this rekindled friendship prospers they get to know them a whole lot better. they have been enemies for so long now it's only a matter of time before this well-guarded u.s. i intersection behind me becomes the official american

embassy. before they sea that his have so long divided these two nations become a link between two neighbors. but there is still a lot of work to be done. firstly fidel castro and his brother raul have made a virtue of surviving adversity. >> rah call has emphasized that he wants a civilized relationship with the united states that he wants people to learn the art of living together with differences. and he has accepted that the united states has some legitimate interest that shouldn't be challenged. >> reporter: more than 50 years of animosity and the resentment that that breeds will not be eliminated overnight. but there is a cautious optimism, a tangible expectation these days on the streets of cuba. daniel, al jazerra havana. now in yemen the saudi-led coalition continues to target houthi rebels for a 16th day. let's take a look at the latest

developments. 13 houthi fighters were killed in clashes with tribal fighters. the defensemen industry in san nah wasinsanaa. the international red cross is saying the first cargo plane carrying 16.4-tons of medical aid has landed in the capital. u.n. security council is to vote on a draft resolution which would effectively impose an arms embargo on the houthis. pakistan has just held a debate on whether it will be joining the coalition against houthi rebels. some yemenis have been fleeing the violence and heading towards the board we are saudi arabia, but as this report states, they are facing further hardship when they arrive. >> reporter: they escaped the war in yemen only to get arrested in saudi saudi arabia. they were picked up by scurry forces after they managed to snuckal themselves across the boarder. >> translator: if i could have entered legally i would.

>> translator: i am simply trying to escape the war in yemen. >> i came to find a job to feedly family. the war has destroyed everything in yemen. >> reporter: these border guards are secondary to the army and report to the saudi ministry of entire i can't. but their job is crucial. >> translator: we are considered the second line of defense after the border guards. our taft is to prevent any smuggling activity. >> reporter: the unit has been around since the establishment of saudi arabia. many of its personnel now follow in the footsteps of their forefathers. >> translator: you can track a smuggler by monitoring their footprints they are usually deeper and more spaced out. >> reporter: so far there hasn't been an exodus of yemenis trying to escape in to israel but if the war continues they could find their december dealing with an influx of refugees, al

jazerra. so far the air campaign has not stopped the houthi advance in yemen. the international red cross says the first cargo plane landed carrying 16-tons of medical aid in the capita sanaa earlier a plane carrying medical staff also arrived. now here is more. >> reporter: these are doctors from the international committee of the red cross. arriving in the southern yemeni city of aden. they set from djibouti by boat after their trip was approved by the saudi-led coalition. >> it's a mandate to take care of the victims of war more specifically for us as a surgical team. we have the skills and expertise to treat these very special type of trauma caused by high-speed bullets and bombs. >> reporter: youunited nations chief is concerned about yemen's deteriorating security and humanitarian situation.

>> ordinary yemeni families are struggling for the very basics, water, food, fuel, and medicines. hundreds of civilians have been killed. hospitals and schools are shutting down. some of which and are direct targets of the fighting. >> reporter: the conflict in yemen has made life difficult for millions of people. no clean water. electricity is cut most of the time. and people have to queue for days to fill their cars. >> translator: we have been waiting for four days in this queue for some gas. and today is the fifth day. we are still hopeful but due to the air strikes the gas tanks were not able to arrive to fill the gas station, we are still waiting. we have borrowed money for gas because of those targeting yemen and the yemeni people. >> reporter: there is discontents across the country. dozens of angry soldiers besieged the central bank, they are they say they haven't

received their salaries since september when the houthis houthis took over the capital sanaa. in aden, civilians take cover in the city center where fighting continues between houthis backed by soldiers loyal to former president saleh and forces loyal to president hadi. in the poured city, hundreds flee. they have been stranded for days. waiting for the first boat to sail away. those who are lucky board these small boats headed for eastern africa leaving behind a country on the verge of a civil war. al jazerra. pakistan's pardon me lament has adopt aid resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in yemen of the parliament members have been debating whether or not to sends force to his the saudi-led campaign in yemen. the resolution also says pakistan will extends all possible support in case the

territorial integrity of saudi arabia is threatened. let's cross live now to kamal hyder is live for us in the capital islambad. what exactly does this less resumptionresolution en entail. first of all it was passed unanimously which shows that the debate in parliament certainly yielded results. the prime minister had said that saudi arabia's was a crucial strategic ally. so the resolution passed unanimously saying that any threat to saudi arabia's integrity would be met with full force from pakistan with all available means. what that means in essence is that if the saudis want pakistani troops to go and man defensive positions within saudi arabia that pakistan will be willing. however, there were questions from the oppositions which turned down the resolution a little bit. which said that pakistan should not have any boots on the ground in yemen and that there should

be an emphasis in trying to find a diplomatic solution as soon as possible. >> and on thursday, ca fall, the iranian foreign minister fish you should up a 2-day visit to pakistan so yemen was likely to be on the agenda, what have been saying on that issue? >> reporter: the pakistanis gave him aing welcome but they also told him. the iranians that pan stack would stand by saudi arabia if their sovereignty was threatened. at the same time the pakistani military chief said that pakistan forces a peacal means but they have left it to parliament to decide on which way or what way they want to ridiculous to the saudis. the pakistanis telling the iranians they will find support on the diplomatic front if it was for a resolution of the crisis but at the same time,

pakistan will stand by saudi arabia if saudi arabia was threatened. >> thank for that, ca fall hyder live for us in islambad. iran has questioned the framework of the nuclear deal. the iranian president has demanded all sanction on his iran be lifted on the first dave the final deal's implementation, that wasn't agreed in the framework thrashed out during marathon talks in switzerland. the world powers want a garage you would reduction of sanctions instead. and it's hoped that a deal can be finalized by june 30th. u.s. state department has commented on the statements made by iran's leaders saying all concerns will be addressed in the final rounds of talks in june. >> we are not negotiating those details in public. and so i am not going to comment on his public statements and we are not -- as this process goes forwards, we are not going to react to every public statement

made by iranian officials. much more adhere on al jazerra. when we come back, the u.s. questions are being raised over the use of police-controlled videos as evidence. that's all ahead. >> go one on one with america's movers and shakers. >> we will be able to see change. >> gripping. inspiring. entertaining. talk to al jazeera. only on al jazeera america.

>> al jazeera america brings you a first hand look at the environmental issues, and new understanding of our changing world. >> it's the very beginning >> this was a storm of the decade >>...hurricane... >> we can save species... >> our special month long focus, fragile planet welcome back. the top stories now on al jazerra. the saudi-led coalition carried out its first air strikes on the defense ministry building in yemen's cap tam meanwhile over 16-tons of medical aid has arrived in sanaa.

pakistan will not be joining the saudi-led campaign in yep end. parliament has adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire but says pakistan will extends all possible support in case the territorial integrity of saudi arabia is threaten. the u.s. second -- the u.s. says second of state secretary of state john kerry has made progress in meeting with bruno rodriguez in pan that matt city. barack obama and raul castro are said to meet later on friday. the highest level meetings between the countries in more than 50 years. return to the war in generally, and we are joined by a former adviser to the last three yemeni prime ministers. thank you for being with us, mohamed. let's talk first of all about this decision by the pakistani parliament. what does this resolution mean for you? and is it something that the saudis had hoped for? >> i think it's quite reasonable to understand that the

pakistanis because of their pilot al relationship with the saudis that they would defend saudi you integrity territorially. but hesitant to get troops or foot on the ground on the yemeni soil. and we have to take another dimension, the visit of the defense minister the the egyptian defense minister both islam bat and then later on further. i think perhaps clarify the position of the three countries both saudi arabia, pakistan and egypt. egypt because it's part of the arab coalition and the whole question of giving help to yemen is included in the arab lead pact considerations. pakistan would be outside the arab league, so i think they have left that to both the egyptians and the saudis if that's what my thoughts on that. if there is going to be foot on the ground. and if pakistan is needed then will he will be on the saudi soil as a bilateral

relationship. >> what possible support would egypt supply? is that boots on the ground? >> egypt has the trite do that, because the yemeni president asked the arab countries and states to interfere. and within the arab league, you know considerations and relations, i think that's possible. i think that's -- the egyptians are playing a very important role now. yesterday we followed the briefing his shot caused by egyptian airplanes or air strikes in yellen. i think egypt has got to play a much bigger role know. because i think the question of interference in the red sea is threatening egyptian, you know, interests and fever influence. and in terms of the effect of this campaign is having on the houthi positions, some reports are saying that they virtually

continue to advance some in areas of yemen. >> i think they are trying to -- yet moving they are trying to show some sort of recovery. but i think as far as things go in aden, things related to this southern military command, they are losing there aden that area which is near the corner of the southwest corner of there. and the entrance of the red sea i think their positions are on the run there,. >> thank you very much. now, in afghanistan civilians have been killed in two separate attacks in the eastern city. four people dead and 11 others injured after a suicide attack on a convoy. in the eastern graph ins a roadside bomb has killed 12 people. a man suspecting the taking part in last week's attack on garissa university in kenya has appeared in court. he is one of six suspects

arrested. police accuse him of supplying guns to the four men who killed 148 people. kenyan police say the man was arrested at the scene of the attack. the indian prime minister my has arrived in paris in the first leg of his three-nation tour talked are ex-pocket today center on a fighter jet deal. mr. my will cha travel to germany and canada. new video shows the moments before a police officer killed a black man. it's from the police officer's patrol car. we have the latest from north charleston in the state of south carolina. >> reporter: here on a peaceful plot of green just over the bridge from downtown charleston

south carolina, george knight thinks he knows the answer to a question that's been asked many times this week. would a police officer now be in custody accused of murdering an unarmed black man had there not been cell phone video of the incidents. >> as long as it's on video, you have what the truth is. >> reporter: george knight speaks from experience. his cousin, darryl lee drayton was shots several times by police his body fell here. dashboard video of the incident isn't clear. but in this case, the police'sth was believed by investigators. butthat darryl had threatened the police, they felt they had no option but to use stun guns when that failed she shot and kill him it's a similar explanation offer booed the officer charged of killing walter scott last weekends. in darryl's case there was a key difference. >> no one took a video that night. >> reporter: dashboard footage from walter scott's initial

encounter from the police has now been released it appears to show that at no points does scott pose any sort of danger to the police officer who had stopped him or anyone else, the legal requirement for the use of deadly force. but without the cell phone video of scott being shot as he ran away. questions have been raised as to mr. it could have been used to support the original police narrative that scott was the difficulty party. another reason why at north charleston city haula thursday there were demands for an independent civilian police review board to be formed not just the introduction of more police-controlled cameras. >> we no longer are going to have the police policing the police. we would have to have an outside independent agency to investigate the police department. >> reporter: but that was exactly how it was decided of the officers that killed george knight's cousin darryl could resume their duties. the biggest gun lobby in the

u.s. is gathering for its an mull meeting. more than 70,000 people are expected to attends this this weekend's national rifle association convention in the u.s. state of tennessee. tom ackerman reports. >> reporter: as america becomes more and more urban the share of households that owns guns has steadily declined. but the sheer number of guns in private hands keeps growing. and so does the power of the national rifle association. which claims a membership of more than 3 million. >> to save our great american freedom, we will stand and we will fight. >> reporter: when a young gunman murdered 20 school children and six adults in connecticut two years ago gun control activists hoped the horror would spur tighter regulation. but the n.r.a. mobilized its political muscle to blunt any new federal legislation. despite his pledges to act it's been more than a year since president barack obama has i in has initiated any gun control measures. >> but i will tell you that

trying to get something through congress has proven to be really difficult. and it's heartbreaking. >> reporter: the n.r.a. says obama secret agenda is to disarm the american public. >> they have an initiative that would make it illegal for individuals all over the world to own firearms. and that's what they are passing and that's what this administration is supporting. >> reporter: last year gun control activists spent millions to elect candidates favoring tighter background checks and new limits on high-powered rife rifle and ammunition sales. >> my daughter was murdered with a gun. by a man with a criminal record. he bought the gun at a gun show without a background check. no questions asked. >> reporter: but that effort largely failed. >> i want you to know i am a proud lifetime member of the n.r.a. >> reporter: and since pro gun rights republicans have taken control of both houses of congress the n.r.a.'s influence has become stronger. now the organization is shifting

its attention to battles at the state and local level. where gun control proponents are trying to get public opinion on their side. but this month kansas became the fifth state to allow anyone with no criminal record to openly carry a gun without a permit or training. the n.r.a. argues that legitimate gun overrers should not have to sacrifice their constitutional rights because of criminals. >> we take more guns off the street than any police department in the country. and nobody goes to jail for possession of those guns. >> reporter: a recent gallop poll indicates at peel of more gun control may be fading further. a record 63% of americans surveyed said having a gun in the house makes it a safer place place. tom ackerman, al jazerra. the u.s. defense chief ashton carter is in south korea for a three-day visit. >> reporter: his trip comes amid news that north korea fired two short-range missiles off its western coast. there is also a controversy over the possible u.s. deployment of

a missile defense system to south korea. he was the voice of cricket richie ben as commentary was as legendary as the cricketing he was describal even describing. he also captained the australian national side when practically everything there was to win andrew thomas looks back on his career. >> reporter: to australians, he was the sound of summer. the voice of cricket. >> isn't that one of the most brilliant things you have seen first of all you have to find out if they are still there. yep, he's just checked. [ laughter ] >> reporter: his commentary a coupled hundreds of matches the one constant whether all inning teams won lost, or drew. >> he end the stands. >> reporter: in his day richie mostly won. he played 63 times for his

country. took more than 200 test crickets and scored more than 2,000 runs. as captain he never lost a series. >> a run in for five. >> first innings table of 24 two, not very good that. but it was after he retired from playing the game after hanging up his green cap that he went from sports star to legends. as the king of cricket commentators. >> let me tell what you i think about it, it was disgraceful performance. >> reporter: cricket matchs can be slow, there are long gaps in the action to fill. risk was the master, his voice was mellow, measured and calm. >> been a privilege to go in to earn's living room throughout that time. >> reporter: most important though it quickly became familiar. richie behind the microphone was for a long time sensual for the

game. >> we won't miss a ball of the cricket. >> richie has been the voice of cricket. there would be very few australians who have not passed a summer in the company of richie ben as aou. he was the accompaniment of a australian summer. his voice was even more present than the chirping in our suburbs and towns. >> reporter: days in the hot sun eventually took their toll. his long illness was skin cancer when he went public he em floyd young players to wear cream scare cap. but it was a car crash two years ago that ended his media career. >> hi there. just enjoying. what a difference he makes to keep you in top form. >> reporter: richie will be remembered as a great cricketer. and an everyone greater commentator. the ambassador for the game who had the golder tones. >> when the australians came out to field for that 45 minutes

there was a very nice and very memorable moment. >> reporter: andrew thomas, al jazerra. sydney. and as always lots more on our website al.com. get the latest on all the stories we are following there. alaljazerra.com.