a cargo plane carrying medical supplies touches down in yemen as the saudi-led air strikes enter a third week. pakistan's parliament votes not to join the saudi-led coalition in yemen. hello. you're watching al jazeera. also on the program, mending political ties after more than six decades of hostility. u.s. and cuban foreign ministers meet ahead of a regional summit. plus. i'm andrew simmons reporting on what could be the legacy of the wours nuclear disaster in

chernobyl. open heart surgery on babies. in yemen the saudi-led coalition continues to target houthi rebels for the 16th day. 13 houthi fighters of killed in clashes. the defense minister in sanaa was also hit. the international red cross says the first cargo plane carrying 16 1/2 tons of medical supplies has landed in the capital. the u.n. security council is to vote on a draft resolution which would effectively impose an arms embargo on the houthis. the air campaign has not stopped the advance in yemen. rather the international red cross saying, of course, that this cargo plane of medical aid landed in the capital of sanaa. earlier a plane carrying medical staff also arrived. we have more. >> reporter: these are doctors

from the international community of the red cross arriving in the southern yemeni city of aden. they were in the boat after the trip was approved by the saudi-led coalition. >> they could take care of those on board. more specifically for us as a surgical team we have this expertise to treat this very special type of trauma caused by high-speed bullets and bombs. >> reporter: the united 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 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 four days in this queue was 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're still waiting. we have money for gas because of those targeting yemen and the yemeni people. >> reporter: there's lines across the country. dozens of angry soldiers besieged the central bank. they say they haven't received their salaries since september when the 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 the former president and forces loyal to

the current president. in the port city of moha hundreds flee. they have been stranded for days waiting for the first boat to sail away. those that are lucky bought these small boats and headed for eastern africa leaving behind a country on the verge of a civil war. >> some yemenis have escaped the violence and headed towards the border with saudi arabia. they're facing further hardship when they arrive. >> reporter: they escaped the war in yemen only to get arrested in saudi arabia. these yemenese were picked up by oddy security forces after they smuggled themselves across the border. >> translator: if i could have entered legally i would. >> translator: i am simply trying to escape the war in yemen. >> translator: i came here to find a job to feed my family. the war has destroyed everything

in yemen. >> reporter: these border guards are secondary to the army and report to the saudi ministry of instrrterior interior but their job is crucial. >> translator: we're considered the second line of defense after the border guards. our task is to prevent any smuggling activity. >> reporter: the unit has been around since establishment of saudi arabia. many of its personnel now following the footsteps of their forefathers. >> translator: you can track a smuggler with the footprints. they're deeper and more spaced out. >> reporter: so far there has not been an exodus of yemenis tries to escape into saudi arabia. if a ground offensive is launched or the war continues, those patrolling this border could deal with an influx of refugees. pakistan's parliament voted against joining the saudi-led

coalition in yemen. last week saudi arabia formally requested for pakistan to send its troops. let's go live to the capital islamabad. they have now presented a resolution. what exactly does it mean in practical terms? >> reporter: what the resolution is saying is that after the liberations in parliament a move is that pakistan should not get entangled in the yemeni quagmire. there was a consensus that in the intent of saudi arabia or the two holy mosques in mecca and medina that pakistan would you'll all possible means to help saudi arabia. it's a sproe compromise because it's a controversial foreign policy decision.

they will help sawed rib if she's set in but they won't opt for boots on the ground in yemen and opt instead for neutrality with a proactive role to find a diplomatic solution. the pakistanis are saying that the united nations and oic must call for an immediate ceasefire in yemen. >> you mentioned the word compromise there. of course, pakistan has its own regional problems that it's dealing with right now, specifically with the pakistani taliban and border areas with afghanistan. how much is this resolution a recognition of microsoft concerns that pakistanis have about the possibility of sending military aid and troops to yemen? >> well as far as yemen is concerned, there's been tremendous opposition because as you very rightfully said pakistan has launched a major offensive along the border

that's the country's western border. it also deployed a substantial number of troops on the eastern border with india with whom they had some friction over the border with cross hief-board shelling and all. pakistan did say it would come to the saudi arabia in case there was a threat to saudi arabia. there's no eminent threat to saab saudi arabia. it was a strong signal of support for the saudis but also a decision that pakistan will not send its forces into the yemeni conflict. >> all right. live from islamabad. thank you. staying in the region india's prime minister has arrived in paris in the first leg of his three-nation tour. talks over the next three days are expected to focus on a fighter aircraft deal and a nuclear power project that has been going on now for more than

a year. he will then travel to germany and canada to discuss india's defense, nuclear and infrastructure development. iran has questioned the details of a nuclear framework agreement made with world powers last month. ianian president rouhani demanded that all sanctions be lifted on the first day of the implementation. that wasn't agreed to in the talks in switzerland. they would a gradual reduction of sanctions instead, and it's hoped that a deal can be finalized by june 30th. the united states state department has responded to the comments made by iran's leaders. tgsd it said all concerns will be addressed in the final round of talks in june. >> we're not negotiating those details in public so i'm not going to comment on his public statements. as this process goes forward, we're not going to react to every public statement made by

iranian officials. a former u.s. state department legal adviser responsible for u.s.-iran negotiations. he said secures the nuclear deal is part of iran's broader strategy in the middle east. >> iran has a very clear objective in the middle east to create a shiite empire essentially, and they are now fighting or they're supporting fighting in syria, iraq of course in lebanon, but now in yemen as well. so it's very hard to imagine that an agreement that's related to just one part of all the activities that iran is engaged in that we don't agree with and don't wish to tolerate in the long run will have a lasting impact. >> now, it will be highest level meeting between two 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 made progress in talks with cuba's foreign minister. kerry and bruno rodriguez are working towards eventually restoring full diplomatic ties. now, the latest sign of improving relations between the u.s. and cuba barack obama and raul castro had reached a historic deal on december 17th. it included easing a travel ban on u.s. citizens and lifting a trade embargo first set in 1960. the u.s. also committed to reviewing cuba's status as a state sponsor of terrorism. cuba was given the designation in 1982 and is among a list of four countries the u.s. accuses of supporting global terrorism. juan carlos hidalgo is an

analyst from washington. he said cuba is hesitating to part with its victim complex. >> it's been a rallying point for cuba for over half a century to portray itself as a victim and denouncing the embargo and sanctions gathering support from other latin america countries, in particular in the last decade and a half. now all of a sudden the united states wants to be friends with you, and it's interesting. 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 wouldn't be possible until the united states returns guantanamo to cuba unless there's compensation for 50 years of economic sanctions and so on. he looks like he's not that eager to be friends with the united states. >> as those historic talking take place life goes on in the cuban capital of havana. in many ways it feels like time

hasn't changed. we met a few cubans to find out what they think. >> reporter: time often seems to move slower in cuba, shielded from the rest of the world by the half-century long u.s. embargo and a strlized government that only allowed change when it thought the time was right. now change is the main topic of conversation here in havana raising hopes and expectations plus some fears. >> there are changes on a number of issues that are very important for both countries. and that's 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. nowadays they're not afraid to express them. >> translator: the most important thing is to lift the blockade. that's fundamental. that's what caused or 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'd like to see is better human rights 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 exiled community there so vocal, cubans feel leak they know their neighbors, but if this rekindled friendship prospers they will get to know them a whole lot better. they've been enemies for so long but now it's only a matter of time before this well-guarded u.s. section behind me becomes the official american embassy. before these seas that so long divided these two nations become a link between two neighbors, but there's still a lot of work to be done. firstly, fidel castro and his brother raul made a virtue out of surviving in the face of

adversity. >> i think raul castro has emphasized that he wants a civilized relationship with the united states, that he wants to -- he wants people to learn the art of living together with differences. he has attempted that the united states has some legitimate interests to be challenged. >> reporter: more than 50 years of animosity and the resentment that that breeds won't be eliminated overnight, but there is a cautious optimism a tangible expectation these days on the streets of cuba. al jazeera havana. still ahead on al jazeera, the u.s. defense chief arrives in south korea as tensions rise in the peninsula. on the last day of campaigning in sudan, many people are already predicting the winner of next week's presidential election. that's all ahead.

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>> sunday night. >> 140 world leaders will take the podium. >> get the full story. >> there is real disunity in the security council. >> about issues that impact your world. >> infectious diseases are a major threat to health. >> "the week ahead". sunday 8:30 eastern. only on al jazeera america. hello again. let's look at the top stories on al jazeera. the saudi-led coalition took their first air strikes on the capital city of sanaa. medical supplies are unloaded now on the tarmac at sanaa airport. pakistan's parliament has adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in yemen. parliament members have been debating whether or not to send forces to the saudi-led campaign in yemen. a retired pakistani general and defense analyst that joins me from islamabad to talk more

about this. thank you for being with us. this resolution is something of a compromise isn't it for pakistan? there isn't a great desire there to send troops but they want to continue to give their full support to saudi arabia. what are we to make of that? >> well absolutely. i think they were caught in a solemn dilemma as to how to remain neutral but statement support the saudis who have been long-time and very important strategic allies probably the most important steak strategy logic alis of pakistan. they have said they will not tolerate any sort of transgression of saudi's territorial integrity and would fully support with armed forces if need be as far as its territorial integrity is concerned. as far as involving its troops in yemen is concerned, they've

taken a position they would rather play a con ciliary role between iran and saudi arabia and if need be anywhere else but not send their troops. for all you know as you are aware, pakistan at the moment is always sort of supportive and is takes part in training exercises and so on. it's troops are already there on the border and if need be you know, they will defend saudi's integrity anytime and continue to support saudi in terms of training and whatever is necessary from outside. >> what does this say about pakistan's political development, particularly regarding their own domestic affairs and the concerns of ordinary pakistanis there? >> well i think that there were two very important factors, because pakistan is also wanting to retain their good relations with iran although as you

know, sometimes the relations become tense for various reasons. but pakistan wanted to play neutral and it has also a fairly -- it doesn't want that in any case support to saudis to turn into some sort of sharpening of any sectarian divisions within pakistan because pakistan has a substantial population of shias as well. there have been shadow and proxy wars going on in pakistan for years, so it didn't want to aggravate that as well. pakistan has to sort of walk a very tight rope and that is really the sense. i think the parliament is able to achieve that to a large extent and the visit of the iranian foreign minister and assuring him that pakistan will not play such a role as to sort of damage its interests in iran. at the same time it solidly stands behind saudi arabia. it's a very difficult and a complex sort of relationship between the various countries of the region and pakistan, i

think, for the first time being democratic is also following a policy which probably protects its interests. >> good to get your perspective on this. joining us from islamabad. thank you very much for your time, sir. now, in afghanistan civilians have been killed in two separate attacks there. in the eastern city of jalalbad four are dead and 11 others injured following a suicide attack on a convoy and also a roadside bomb has killed 12 people. u.s. defense chief ashton carter is? south korea for a three-day visit. carter's trip comes amid news that north korea fired two short-range missiles off the western coast. defense officials say the missiles only flew a few miles before plunging into the sea, but it's seen as a provocation. there's also controversy over the possible u.s. deployment of a missile defense system to south korea. a man suspected of taking part in last week's attack on

garissa university in kenya has appeared in court. he's one of six suspects arrested. police accuse him of supplying guns to the four men who killed 147 people, mostly students. kenyan officials say the man was arrested at the scene of the attack. thursday was the final day of campaigning for candidates running in sudan's presidential and parliamentary elections. many expect president bashir will win, but 11 other candidates are also running for president. we have more from the capital. >> reporter: mohammed is running for president of sudan. but the independent candidate hasn't spent one day campaigning. he tried to stage a strike with the other presidential candidates at the national election commission. his goal was to highlight concerns about the elections not being free or fair. he was the only candidate who

showed up. >> translator: i agree with people who say that the elections are rigged but i ran anyway for two reasons. to promote my plan offering practical solutions to the country's problem and to draw attention to the potential of election fraud. >> reporter: these three presidential candidates did spend the final day of campaigning giving speeches. one promised if elected he would insure the u.s. sanctions against sudan would be lifted within a few months. there are ten men and one woman running against president omar al bashir but drive around the capital capital, and the only campaign signs you see are of bashir. we asked these men if they could name a single candidate other than president bashir no one did. only one was registered and none of them said they were planning to vote. most of the major opposition parties are boycotting the

elections. they say with the government in complete control of the voting process and the media, the elections will be a sham. bashir appeared before a carefully cultivated crowd of supporters in this stadium. the 71-year-old has shown no signs of giving up office. bashir told the crowd, we're going to draft a new islamic constitution. society will be better with sharia law. as for mohammed come election day he won't be voting. the presidential candidate says he hasn't registered to vote. al jazeera, cartoom. police in the u.s. state of south carolina say an officer charged with murder for shooting dead an unarmed black man was accused of using excessive force before. the revelation comes as police

revealed new footage shows the months leading up to the shooting. a warning, you may find this disturbing. this footage was shot from the police dashboard camera and shows officer michael slager pulling over walter scott for a broken taillight. he tries to get out, but is told to stay in the car. he later runs away. a bystander recorded the moment that the officer shot scott eight times. police say officer slager had been exonerated in 2013 after tasering another unarmed black man. one person has been killed and several have been injured following a large tornado that hit the u.s. state of illinois on thursday. these pictures show a massive twister barrels across an open field. people across the midwest have been warned to stay on high alert for severe weather as tornadoes also tore through parts of iowa and ohio. a leading surgeon in ukraine has told al jazeera the babies

with complex heart problems related to the chernobyl nuclear disaster will die if funding cuts continue. thousands of children are born every year in ukraine with congenital cardiac defects. the rate quadrupled since the 1986 nuclear accident in chernobyl. andrew simmons witnessed one life-saving operation. >> reporter: this baby only three and a half months old is clinging onto life. his heart has been stopped, a machine taking over. >> without this surgery the baby could not survive. >> reporter: this doctor leads what's become known as the chernobyl heart team. he says most if not all of his cases relate to the 1986 nuclear accident. >> these babies are so big and so strong defects and not usual

with a high probability can be related to chernobyl disaster. >> reporter: after all this intense, intricate surgery, the tiny heart is beating again. there's now every chance this baby will survive. half an hour later, the mood is positive. >> the blood pressure of the baby is 96/52. he has a good heart rate. normal ekg, so we're happy. >> reporter: within an hour the surgeon that carried out the operation leads her patient to intensive care. the doctor earns less than a taxi driver in ukraine's underfunded, poorly equipped health service. she reassures the baby's mother. you can touch him, she says. everything is okay. touch him. he'll feel you. >> translator: a very big sense of exhaust they need the

operation. they have goaden -- golden hands. >> reporter: they may have golden hands, but most of the funding for training and equipment has come from overseas. a charity in ireland has been at the forefront of the effort. foreign surgeons are flown in for more complex operations. this doctor says that help may not be enough now. ukraine's government is making more budget cuts. >> we may start to lose kids just simply you know will not be able to provide surgeries. life-saving surgeries. >> reporter: as this baby waits in line for the next operation, the reality is that unless there's more funding, the life-saving work here will be reduced or might even come to an end. andrew simmons, al jazeera, ukraine. the legendary cricket commentator and former australian captain richie beno died in a sydney hospital.

he was receiving treatment for skin cancer since november. he played in 63 test matches but became even more well-known as an author columnist and commentator. lots more on our website as always, aljazeera.com. yes, civilians shouldn't do wrong things once we stimulate that, can we ask hard questions about how police are trained and how they react. it's "inside story". after the shooting of 50-year-old walter scott, a police officer told a story often heard in these cases, a