see you next time. i'm ray ♪ ♪ this is al jazeera: welcome to the newshour in doha. good to have you with us. here is what's coming up in the next 60 minutes. a cargo plane touches down in yemen at the saudi-led airstrikes entering a third week. pakistan's parliament calls for a diplomatic solution in yemen and claim diagnose won't play a military role. >> what could be a summit of the americas to remember as u.s. and cuba

cuban relations take center stage. >> would be inadams, one of the most iconic figures in critic has died. we will look back at the career of the australian ledgegend a little later in sports. hello. in yemen, the sawedudi-led coalition targets houthi rebels for a 16th day. let's look at the latest development. 13 houthi fighters were killed in clashes with tribal fighters in schabwa. the defense ministry? sanaaa was hit. the international red cross says the first cargo plane has landed in the capitol. the u.n. security counsel is to vote on a draft resolution which would effectively impose an arms embargo on the houthis. pakistan's parliament calling for a diplomatic solution.

there is no clarity on whether it would give military support to ally saudi arabia at any point. >> iran stepped up its criticism of the saudi-led airstrikes. so far it has not stopped the houthi advance. a report. >> these are doctors from the international committee of the red cross arriving in the southern yemeni city of aden. after their trip was approved by the saudi-led coalition. more specifically for us as a strategcal team we have the expertise to treat in the very special. trauma caused by high-speed bullets and bombs. >> united nations chief is concerned about yemens'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. he electricity is cut most of the time and people have to queue for days to fill their cars. >> we have been waiting for four days in this queue for some gas. today is the fifth day. we are still hopeful, but due to the airstrikes the gas trucks were not able to fill the gas station. we are worried. we have little money for because. >> there is discontent 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 capitol, sanaa. in aden civilians take cover in the city sender where fighting continues between houthis backed by the soldiers loyal to the former president and process loyal to the present president. in the city of moha hundreds flee waiting for the first boat to sail away. those who are lucky board these small boats headed for eastern africa leaving behind a conduct country on the verge of a civil war. ays. now as we have been saying pakistan playing a possibly pistol role in this kamal hyder is with us in islamabad. the parliament has passed this

resolution which doesn't mention anything about providing ex plicit military support to yemen in the form of troops but it has reaffirmed its support for saudi arabia in this. what exactly are we to make of this resolution? >> well pakistan has said all along that it would take parliament into confidence and that the people's representative would then decide whether the houthi requests for help and what way to respond to that. after a debate they came to a conclusion that while there was no compromise on the defense and security of saudi arabia in the eventuality that the territorial integrity was violated that had pakistan would go to any level. however, pakistan was against any military intervention in yemen, saying this was a tribal war, not a sectarian war, and what was needed was proactive

measures to try to bring everybody to a negotiated settlement and to arrange for a cease-fire. so, the pakistanis are saying they will stand shoulder to shoulder with the saudis if they were threatened. however, pakistan would remain neutral sparse the conflict inside yemen was concerned. >> and, of course the day before the iranian foreign minister wrapped up a two-day visit to the packkistanpakistan what do you think -- what was arrived at there? >> well, first of all, it was there to discuss ongoing tensions between iran and pakistan especially over the killing of border guards on the iranian frontier in the province on the pakistani side. there were other issues as well. what the pakistanis were saying to the iranians is to play an active role in trying to bring this conflict to an end. also telling the iranians that pakistan would stand shoulder to

shoulder with the saudis so the iranians were told that if push comes to shove, pakistan would stand with saudi arabia. but pakistan would also support any move en by iran to try to bring a negotiated settlement to involve the political fax in yemen and find a yemeni solution to the problem. >> kamal hyder live for us in islamabad. thank you. significant opinion jury to the iran nuclear deal in both washington and tehran. many in the u.s. congress are trying to pass a bill to give it the power to review any final deal before diplomatic talks are concluded. the white house argues this would derail negotiations. earlier on thursday iranian president has a.m. rhouhani demandedsam rhouhani demanded demanded be lifted on day one. the world powers want a gradual reduction of sanctions instead. then it's hoped that a deal can be finalized by june 30th.

the u.s. state department has responded to the comments made by iran's leaders. it said that all concerns will be addressed in the final round of talks in june. we are >> we are not negotiating those deals in public. i am not going to comment on his public statement. as this goes forward, we are not going to react to every public statement made by iranian officials. joining me to talk about this from london a former iranian minister of culture and islamic guideance. thank you for being with us sir. first of all, i want to ask you: what are we to make of what we have been hearing from iranian leaders over the last 24 hours? president rhouhani saying all of the sanctions have to be removed right -- you know from day one which goes against what was agreed in principle in those talks in switzerland last week. i mean is this just sort of

posturing for domestic consumption? how do we -- how are we to read this? >> i think the first thing a little bit misunderstanding conception is in two parts. iranian leaders who is the main decision maker in iran t with all of the decisions, repeatedly he says that sanctions, relief of sanctions is a part of negotiation, not the result of negotiation. it's been when we receive the last round of negotiation in july all of the sanctions should be relieved. iranians accept to do or to act the other part of the deal. for instance decreeing the numbers of centrifuges.

something like that. >> again, i go back to the point that there appears to be mixed messages here because that framework deal. the allies western powers want to be able to have this assurance that they can reapply sanctions whenever needed and to have it in stages is what they are calling for. now, we hear the iranian leader saying no, they don't want that to happen. it's got to be all in one go. so what are the chances of this final deal actually happening? >> i think, to be honest, it's a matter of trust. two sides to trust each other. if iranian trusts the countries, they should access to all of the demands of the or side and the american on the other european side they trust, i think, they should accept to lift all of the sanctions. not, for instance first iran

accept all of the demands of the other side and, for instance during they leading the sanctions. this is i think. >> i want to move on then to the other big issue, of course that iran has been voicing its opinion on over the last couple of days and that is of course the conflict in yemen. where do you see iran's position in this? especially with regard to their influence in that conflict in yemen? there are, of course accusations they are giving material as well as political support to the houthi reynolds in yemen. what do you -- rebels in yemen? what do you say to that? >> i say we are facing a situation about the role of iran iran. you remember the first decade of our revolution in iran yemen was supporting saddam hussein in the war in that.

we captured so many yemenis. after that i think there isn't any military basis of iran in yemen. there is no troops of yemen. and it seems that maybe we can say that iran has. for instance all of the hows are mostly the yemenis when they see iran for them and for instance, ran concerned about the future of yemen because of this, i believe, that i absolutely support pakistani's parliament. two points resolution. pakistan, i believe, that all of iranians and all of pakistanis they should believe to the power of this war. i can say they are confident

about the future because it says it is easy but it is so difficult including this part i can say this is a great for all about the future of saudi arabia and the future of yemen. i think as ban ki-moon says we have for the region. we didn't want another, i think -- >> all right. let me just jump in here for a second because -- because we are running out of time. but i just want to ask you very quickly if you believe that there should be some sort of a political diplomatic solution to the conflict in yemen, does statements like calling the saudi-led coalition what they are doing there a generalocidegenocide is that sort of language helpful to any kind of dialogue do you think? >> i think so. i believe. i believe that we are all of us against war.

i think it's for all of the people. in the everywhere i think the innocent people children families women, i think they are the victim. so every one should be against the war. >> good to get your experience on this. joining us in lon don. thank you. >> modi has arrived in paris in the first leg after three-nation tour. he will travel to germany and canada to discuss india's defense, nuclear infrastructure and developments. talks over the next three days in france are expected to focus on a nuclear power project and a fighter aircraft deal that's installed for more -- stalled more than three years. france won a contract worth up to $33 billion to supply combat jets to the indian air force in 2012. the deal hit a snag can when both sides couldn't agree on pricing. foreign interest in buying the

fighter jets has surged especially after egypt ordered 24 aircraft nat $5.5 billion arms deal in february. until then rapale had failed to a single overseas buyer since it had been introduced in 2001. french used the aircraft in their combat missions in mali libya and iraq. still ahead, on the last day of campaigning in sudan. many are predicting the winner of next week's presidential election. plus: >> i am libby in the financial cap at thattol. the waste of this city comes here coming up i will be talking to people who picked through this garbage to earn a living. find out how tiger woods fairfar fard onfar far -- fared on his return to the master's. robin will have details in

sports. >> all that still ahead. first, it will be the highest level meeting between the u.s. and cuba in more than 50 years. u.s. president barack obama and cuban leader raoul castro are expected to meet at a summit of the americas in panama city. obama said the u.s. says secretary of state john kerry made progress in talks with cuba's foreign minister. >> few people back then were certain of a brighter future. fewer probably thought we could turn the tide. today, the tide has turned. it has been turning for some time thanks to efforts of everybody in the region, itself. >> life continues in havana where where in many ways t feels like time hasn't changed.

daniel schiem schweimler. >> shielded from the rest of the world by the half century long u.s. embargo and the 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 and some fears. >> there are changes on a number of regions 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. >> with washington and havana talking and the summit in panama on the horizon, everyone has opinions. nowadays they are not afraid to express them. >> the most important thing is to lift the blockade that is what caused our people the most damage. >> the united states must

establish relations with cuba to reach an agreement. they must respect one another. >> what i would like to see is human rights. it's been 50 years of hostility. we will wait and see what happens. >> with the united states so close and the cuban exile community there so vocal, cubans feel like they know their neighbors. it has rekindled prospect prospers. >> they have been enemies for so long. now, it's only a matter of time before this well-guarded intersection behind me becomes the official american embassy. what has so long divided these two nations become a link between two neighbors. there is still a lot of work to be done. >> first, fidel castro and his brother raoul have made a virtue out of surviving in the face of

adversity. >> castro 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 things that should be challenged. >> more than 50 years of animosity and the resentment that breeds will not be eliminated overnight but there is a cautious optimism a tangible expectation these days on the streets of cuba. dan daniel schweimler al jazeera, havana. >> a latin american studies lecture at the middlesex university joins us from london. what are we seeing unfold here? do you expect a breakthrough to come out of this summit? >> i think so. i think what this is going to mark, is a massive celebration

within the united states and the whole region. it was the latin american countries, many who assisted they would not attend the next summit, that is to say this one. the transformation is going to have to take place within the united states. that's where the difficulty lies. >> we mentioned earlier, that the u.s. may be close to taking the united states off of its list of state sponsors of terror and then there is of course the possibility that it will eventually left the economic blockade on cuba. what do you see as the sort of time frame here? first of all, when will that happen and when do you think it will happen? >> taking cuba off of the list is going to be i think, rather easy. i think this is going to be a problem. this is a result of sixty years

of accumulated legislation. and the u.s. congress and the u.s. senate are key to date. it depends very much on what there is. at the moment there is a republican majority. and, therefore, obama is going to have to contend with that. however, i think that at the moment he's got momentum behind him and very few republicans will try. this will continue only if a president is committed to this change. >> remains to be seen. >> i am glad you brought up thevan majority in the u.s. majority. there are a lot of people in the u.s. particularly some republicans in washington who are opposed to any kind of raprashmaw with cuba because they say it's a reward for bad behavior the cuban government is locking up citizenship who criticize them and cubans are

being denied basic rights. what do you say to that? >> i think basically, if you look at it historically there are two in the united states. one which is realistic, realizing the world has changed and that will be by obama back in the past. the one for the cold war mentality 13 a dying breed although they are powerful. i wondered to what degree cuba could determine this. the key point is that every time the mosh more isolation is current has the momentum then the united states is heavily isolated. it seems the summit demonstrates the complexity. >> good to speak with you francisco domingas speaking to us from london. thank you for your time sir. thursday was the final day of campaigning for candidates running in sudan's presidential

and parliamentary elections. many expect the president will win easily but there are 11 other candidates also running for president. natasha gname has more from the capital city. >> humdi mohammed is running as president of sudan but the independent candidate hasn't spent one day campaigning. he tried to stage a strike at the national election commission. his goal was to highlight concerns about the elections not being free or fair. the but he was the only candidate who showed up. >> i agree with people who say that the elections are rigged but i ran anyway for two reasons: to promote my plan offering practicalclusions solutions to the country's problems. and to draw attention to the election. >> the three can dits did spend the final day giving speeches.

one promised if elected he would ensure the u.s. sanctions against sudan would be lifted within a few months. there are 10 men and one woman running against president omar omar al basheer. but drive around the capitol and see only campaign signs, of basheer. we asked this group of men if they could name a single candidate other than president basheer. 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 a government in complete control of the voting process and the media, the elections will be a sham. bas had. eer and at this stadium. now in his 26th year in power after a coup in 1989. the 71-year-old has shown no signs of giving up.

build asheer told the crowd we are 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. kartoom. >> for the presidential vote in nigh nigeria nigeria, people will be heading to the polls this time to elect regional leaders. on saturday voters will choose state governors who some view as the most potent political block in the country. a report now from the northern city. one est most powerful governors presiding over millions of people and controlling huge resources. not importantly, he and his colleagues across the country have enormous influence on state and national decisions.

ignoring them has cost the current ruling party a lot in last month's elections. >> it was very important. it was playing an important role in making some checks and balances in the national equation. >> to allow five governors to lead the party together while so many other senior officials of the government those that are really key was a huge mistake. >> that set the tone for a crushing defeat of the ruling party. attention is shifted to the election of governors and the secession battle is closed in many areas. so much is at stake. >> here, the largest state in the north, whoever gets elected in saturday's election will have not only political influence 12 million people but huge

resources. >> that's the reason political parties and candidates are fighting for every vote. governors who constitute one of the most institutional political mrokz have had a hand in every election. despite powers they exert high level of influence over the legislature. >> is a source of concern to some. >> they are very very powerful by the controlling the grassroots and by controlling local government and later, the government. they have become more like empirors in their areas. >> what needs to be done is for the state housing assembly to stand on their future and to be refused to be used by the state government to reduce the powers and the monies that were supposed to go to local government. >> but for now nigeria's powerful governors will continue to influence the way government is run at the local and regional

level and at the center the president and federal lawmakers will lead or have to tolerate them and tell the political -- until the political structure has changed for the constitution is amended. mohammed agree did al jazeera, nigeria. >> the south in nigeria, a political storm is brewing by the comments made by the influential king of lagos during a campaign speech which has gone viral. the traditional ruler said members of the ebo community would perish in the water if they don't vote for his preferred candidate for governor. he has since tried to backtrack. some civil rights campaigners argue it's inciting ethnic violence. human rights commission and the international criminal court. for the latest weather with rob mckelway and more on the tornados on illinois? >> at least two touchdown a look at the satellite picture.

this is where we pick it up. a line here, it's almost innocuous but it built and the sun came up and kept going overnight, these tornados. they are sort of self fulfilling. you can get close. you have seep it already. this is as it touches down northside interstate highway. a nancy looking thing. strong enough winds to blow over vehicles of that size. a different shot but this is in the road, itself. it kept going for hours, went through a few small towns this is on the est earn side of the road. since that a lot has moved. this is the progress. it's a fast line. it goes all the way down almost to texas. it's now a line that really is from ohio to kentucky to tennessee. tennessee is a state, i think it's more tornados than anywhere

else in the united states. >> position now and of course the sun's coming up. things are getting warmer. >> line cold front, moves east wards. in the next few hours, that heads toward the appalachians. it will be thunder symptoms. >> thanks rob. still ahead, the powerful gun lobby in the u.s. gets set to flex its political muscle you see. annual convention. >> i am andrew simplyons reporting on what could be the worst nuclear disaster open-heart surgery. >> a sgraifldisgraceful performance. >> a loss of the cricketet world's most iconic

. >> hello again. let's get a reminder the top stories on al jazeera. the u.s. says secretary of state john kerry made progress in a meeting with his cuban counterpart in panama city. barack obama and raoul castro are expected to meet in friday the highest level meeting between the two countries in more than 50 years. >> a saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes in the capital sanaa. many while, 30 tons of urgent medical supplies are being unloaded on the tarmac at sanaa airport. a diplomatic sloouks in yemen.

it didn't provide any direct clairety at any point in the conflict. >> so let's stalk talk more about this, then with mohammed kubati a former advisors to 3 yemeni prime ministers. a closer look then at the countries that have a stake in the war with yemen. obviously, the main marry in this saudi arabia leading this arab coalition what's at stake for the saudis and particularly the couple countries. >> the core of the coalition is the dcc. all apart from aman and egypt, which is very much vochltz and

the westernflakeinvolved and the westernflake -- around the red sea. the west side of the arab world is a good addition to the whole of the opportunity cun trees. but i think pakistan now has come out. we will talk about pakistan in just a moment. i want to get to the u.s. they have been taking kind of a backseat role in this point

supplies of arms and so on. and also besides that the refueling of the aircrafts of the allied forces started two days ago to refuel these aircrafts outside the yemeni air control zone. >> of course pakistan as we mentioned they have passed this resolution in parliament not calling, not supporting sending troops in to yemen but they had reaffirmed their support for saudi arabia in this. >> let's not forget. the egyptian defense minister in islamabad back to real. within these three groups, any boots on thethegrond people would have thought it came from these cun trees. obviously pakistan now says it will not get troops on the soil of yemen but obviously, it will defend saudi arabia.

these are messages to iran which have got involved more directly over the past two days, you know ships to the gulf of aden which was quite worrying for people around that area. he specially with the end the international aid. >> mohammed kubati thank you very much for your perspective on that as always. the recycling industry supports millions of people in india, those who dig through garbage with growth of cities in consumption is encouraging a vicious cycle of poverty. >> no words describe the filth manish works in. for 25 years, he dug through

this wasteland in search of recyclable items. he can up to $5 a day collecting plastic, but to do so he says he needs to be drunk or high. we have to use substances to work here and then they become addictive. when the sun hits this garbage, smell is intolerable. we get high. >> at the hoped to unearth a better opportunity. after years of picking through garbage, he set up his own recycling business. he says this tin shed is a destament to his determination to live a better life? >> my life has improved 90% since i left the dumping ground. i worked very hard there: up to 18 hours a day picking through garbage. i make sure that i even saved something from the little i earned so in the 10 years since i stopped checking garbage, i progressed a lot. >> hundreds of thousands of people live and work where

mumbai dumps its garbage. as this mountain of waste has grown, so too, has the number of people who rely on it to make a living? >>. >> this dumping ground is full of danger: a place activists say is unfit for humans to live near let alone work in. rumaging for garbage is a job few choose to do but it's the only way to make money for some of india's poorest people. because of the stigma attached to this kind of in india, most people who do it remain trapped in poverty. groups trying to improve conditions here say the best way to change the community's fortunate is to invest in its young people. >> we are working to ensure the children don't follow in their parents footsteps. our focus is educating them and giving them the opportunity to do something else. >> with the little he has he is trying to build a better and safer life for his family. his children are his best chance of leaving the dumping ground

that has sustained and scarred him and this he says is a chance worth fighting for. al jazeera mumbai. the leading surgeon in ukraine has told al jazeera babies with complex heart problems related to the chernobylily chernobyl will die if funding discontinues. thousands are born with congenital cardiac text. the rate has quadrupled since the nuclear accident. andrew simmons joins us live from chernobyl. how bad is this problem right now? >> reporter: the problems right across this region of all sorts of health problems hassam especially cancers, the world health organization have estimated that at least 4,000 premature deaths have occurred but many researchers believe

that the figure is much larger than that and now we are hearing more and more of congenital defects at the hearts of babies. behind me you will see that the whole skyline has changed now in chernobyl. >> vast structure is going to encase the reactor number 4 eventually, although there is a funding crisis surrounding that. and there is some hope that this will make for a safer future but there is a legacy. we traveled to ukraine's second city, hakim, to find out what part of that legacy is. >> baby zagaroko is clinging on to life. has hard has been stopped. a machine takes over. >> without this surgery, the baby couldn't survive. >> dr. igor polivinov leads what's called as the chernobyl

heart team. he says most if not all of his cases relate to the nuclear accident. >> this baby is so big and it's so strange, notnub. a very high probability it can be related to it. >> after all of this intense, intricate surgery, the tiny heart is beating again. and there is now every chance this baby will survive. >> half an hour later and the mood is positive? >> the blood pressure of the baby 96 over 52. a good heart rate normal seg. >> within a hour the surgeon who carried out the operation leads her patient to intensive care. dr. olga buchnava owns less than a taxi driver in the undeequipped health service. she reassure the baby's mother. you can touch him, she says,

everything is okay. touch him. he will feel you. >> a very big thanks for the operation. they have golden hands. >> 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. but doctor polivinok says that help may not be enough. ukraine's government is making more budget cuts. >> we may start to lose kids simply. life-saving surgery. >> as this baby waits in line for the next operation, the reality is unless there is more funding, the life-saving work will be reduced or might come to

an end. >> there is a funding crisis here as well. with that vast structure behind us something like $3-quarters of a billion u.s. dollars are needed to bridge the gap in this project now. it's running way behind schedule and it will actually be moved at a pace of something like 10 meters per hour to encase a reactor number 4 in order to stop the process of trying to get some of the nuclear waste out of there. this area is incredibly contaminated. there are levels right now. we can tell from the standard accessory you have here a geiger counter you can telling we are within safe level as a speak. so many areas around here, a radius of 30 kilometers are highly radioactive still and the question is: how much longer this will go on. no one really knows the extent of the problem of cancers developing, of problems

developing within genetics passed on to generations. the whole problem seems to be getting bigger in some ways rather than smaller. >> funding issue is very bill. it was 2007 they were supposed to put a cap effectively around what is already a mess a sarcopha gus wrapping around the con concrete, around the reactor n could be another nuclear draft disaster if that isn't encased reactor number 4. >> andrew simmons, livetorious in chernobyl. >> the biggest gun lobby in the united states is gathering in the state of tennessee. 70,000 people including some presidential hoechz are expected to attend this weekend's

national rifle association con convention. the n.r.a. has successfully mobilized to blunt most gun proposals. tom ackerman reports. >> as america becomes more and more urban, the share of households that earns guns has steadily declined but the shear number of guns in private hands keeps growing. so does the power of the national rifle association, which claims a membership of more than 3 million. to save our great american freedom, well, stand and we will fight. >> when a young gunman murdered .20 schoolchildren and six adults in connecticut two years ago, gun control activists hoped the horror would spur tighter regulation the n.r.a. mobilized political muscle to blunt any new federal legislation. despite pledges to act, it's been more than a year since president barack obama has negotiated any gun control measures? >> i will tell you to try to get

something through congress has proven to be really difficult. it's heartbreaking. >> the n.r.a. says obama's skript 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. that's what they are passing and that's what this administration is supporting. >> last year, gun control activists spent millions to elect cab dates to bring tighter background checks and new limits on high powered rifle and ammunition sales. >> my daughter was murdered with a gun by a man with a criminal record. i bought it at, at gun show without a background check. >> that referred failed? >> i am a proud lifetime member of the n.r.a. >> since pro-gun rights republicans have certain control of both houses of congress the n.r.a.'s influence has become stronger. now, the organization is shifting 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 .5th state to allow again no criminal record to openly carry a gun without a permit or training. the n.r.a. argues legitimate gun owners should not have to sacrifice gun rights. >> nobody goes to jail for possession of those guns. >> a recent gallop poll indicates the appeal 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. tom ackerman al jazeera. >> coming up we will have all of the sport for you. why a bellly dancer caused controversy. >> and the rest of the sport in just a moment.

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sport now here is robin. >> thank you very much. legendary cricket commentator died at a sydney hospital. he was receiving treatment for skin cancer. a report from sydney in the last of one of the sport's most iconic voices. >> to australians, he was the sound of summer the voice of cricket. you have to find out if they are

still there the one constant was australian team's won, lost or drew. on he played 60s 3 times in this country. two 00 test wickets and scored more than 2,000 runs. as captain, he never lost a series. >> first innings total of 242, not very good that. >> but it was after he retired from playing the game after hanging up his green hat he went from sport star to legend as a king of cricket commentators. >> let me tell you what i think about it. i think it was a displaceful experience. >> cricket matches can be slow. there are long gaps in the, still, he was the master. his voice was mellow measured

and calm. >> it's been a privilege to go in to everyone's living room throughout that time. >> most important, though it quickly became familiar. behind the microphone he was essential to the game. >> he has been the voice of cricket. there would be very few australians who have not passed a summer in his company. he was the accompaniment of an australian summer. his voice was even more present than the chirping of the cicadas in our suburbs and towns. >> days in the hot sun eventually took their toll. his long illness with skin cancer when he went public he implored young players to wear cream. it was a car crash that ended his media career. >> hi, there. just enjoying some iced milo.

what a difference it makes to keep you in top form. >> he will be remembered as a great cricketer and an even greater commentator, the ambassador for the gain who had the golden tone. >> came out for that 45 minutes, it was a very nice and very memorable moment. >> andrew thomas al jazeera. sydney. >> the second end of the masters underway for now the jung jordan spithe the 21-year-old american finished with a 3-shot lead in thursday's opening round. a report. without a i want of a breeze prime scoring figures. charlie hoffman excelled himself, this his first masters since 20s 11. he went out in the first group of the day and shot 67. such were the conditions his score was matched by south

africa's earnie els and 2013 u.s. open championship justin. >> rory mcelroy is trying to create a career grand! he went around in 71. >> tuesdayiger woods is facing his 15th major. struggles until '73, nine shots behind the leader. we don't know what the masters are going to do what it's going to do to the greens or the gavel course. you know how they like to change things every now and again. so queue jordan spieth. he topped the leader board on the opening day. >> first round sacrifice to put

myself in a position now where i can really stay patient, dig in and keep giving myself opportunities. and not worry about anything else. he finished with a flourish finishing with an 8 under 64. kate riley. >> latest motor sport news. a man arrested after running on the track during the tracker section for the chinese formula grand 'before the he climbed the fence and was apprehended by police. lewis hamilton dominating. half a second clear of his closest r i have a l who was unscathed after spinning his car at a long back stretch. details emerging at this week's

confeddishonesty of capital football. a belly darningser has can caused controversy. unimpressed, walking out during the performance by one of the country's most well-known performers. she said she honored egypt and presented a respectable performance. the egyptian fa doesn't seem to agree. they were shocked at why the performance was needed at the event in the first place. african football journalist joins us to talk more about what has been an event week in african football. why must it be a belly dancer at an event of this magnitude? >> well i mean for anybody who watches football it is an event. you expect a two-3-minute dance from a well-known group. a dancer or entertainers iffrom

their host country. she doesn't know about it adds well. i suppose it has something to do with the shaking of the hips. >> that isn't the only controversy. there is talk about the algerian officials very unhappy about the process for voting for the africa 2017 host. you would think that ghana and algeria had a good shot. ? >> well i got an e-mail response from the confeddishonesty of african football. asking him about algeria and an

official response. can i be president with the top executive? to keep u.s. up to speed. it's normal international bidding purposes. those were the complaints from ghana. in the last 24 hours, algeria has complained. he doesn't feel the process is good enough. >> all right. that's where we leave it for now. always insightful. >> much more ahead. stay with us.

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♪ ♪ >> a cargo plane carrying medical supplies touches down in yemen as the saudi-led air strikes enter a third week. pakistan's parliament calls for a diplomatic solution in yemen, claiming it won't play a military role. you are watching al jazeera. also on the program what could be a summit of the americas to remember as u.s. and cuban relations take center stage. plus, -- >> it's been a privilege to go into everyone's living room. >> a cricket and a legendary