>> announcer: this is al jazeera. ♪ and this is the al jazeera news hour i'm david foster. these are some of the stories we're studying in detail. the first medical aid flights land in yemen since saudi-lead coalition air strikes began 16 days ago. the cuban and u.s. presidents fly to panama where they are expected to discuss a thaw in their relations.

>> and i have sport and the death of richie benoit who died at the age of 84. ♪ starting with the latest development in the war in yemen. the saudi-lead coalition appears to have kept up its air strikes with the defense men try in the capitol of sana'a. there was a setback for efforts to broaden this coalition. pakistan decides not to join the saudis voting to stay neutral in this. but planes carrying medical aid were able to land for the first time since air strikes began more than two weeks ago. the u.n. says it needs a daily pause in fighting to let the help in. >> reporter: this is much-needed medical aid being unloaded at

sana'a international airport. it is one of two planes that landed here on friday carrying enough medicine and surgical equipment to treat up to a thousand people. >> the first plane finally arrived after ten days. it's now full of 16 tons of emergency medical assistance which is very needed now in yemen. we are expect a second plane tomorrow hopefully. >> reporter: late on thursday a medical team and supplies also arrived in aden by boat. but properly distributing the aid could prove difficult. the undersays roads are being cut off and boats are being presented from leaving many ports. >> i would like to share with you again, that the humanitarian situation in yemen is getting worse by the hour. conflict is now affecting 15 out of the 22 [ inaudible ] in the

country. the situation in aden is extremely preoccupying if not catastrophic. >> reporter: at least 600 civilians and righters have been killed so far in this war. there are concerns now about the long-lasting humanitarian toll on the population. >> we expect in the coming weeks there to be an up serge in malnutrition across the country. it was already a country where 60% of the population was under the poverty line. people's revenues are going down, cost of living is going up and government services -- are -- are weakened if not falling apart. >> reporter: and this attack on grain silos could worsen the malnutrition. they were a crucial store for wheat. forces loyal to the houthi rebels and the former president

saleh, blame the saudi-lead coalition for the increasing death toll and suffering, but regardless of who is to blame, yemen was already one of the world's most impoverished nation before the fighting began, and as the attacks continue conditions are likely to get worse. what has become a daily briefman, the spokesman for the saudi-lead coalition says the campaign against the houthis is still considered a success. he added that intelligence sources on the ground are allowing the coalition to target the houthi positions. >> translator: the operation is still continuing and supporting the resistance on the ground and stopping the militias on the ground and stopping them from supporting their people. this command building seen here contains some houthi leadership and was targeted yesterday. >> in central yemen a car bomb

has gone off outside of a security building killing at least 20. people who live nearby said dozens were also wounded in the attack in another province. al-qaeda says it was behind the attack. over two weeks of attacks has not stopped the rebels from advancing into aden and other population centers across yemen. i mentioned that pakistan voted to stay neutral in all of this despite saudi arabia asking for warships and troops to support the coalition. well pakistan has said all along, that it would take parliament into confidence and that the people's representatives will then decide whether the saudi request for help and what way to respond to

that so 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 her territorial integrity were violated pakistan would go to any level, however, they were against military intervention in yemen, saying this was a tribal war, and what was needed was proactive measures to try to bring everything to a settlement. so the pakistanis saying they will stand shoulder to shoulder with the saudis if they were threatened however, pakistan would remain neutral as far as the conflict inside yemen was concerned. let's bring in a journalist who was based in sana'a for several years. when -- when saudi arabia the

coalition says to pakistan, we need your help how desperately does it need the help? >> well there are nine nations already involved. the saudis have strong air fight themselves. and pakistan is a nuclear power, so at least on paper that makes them look stronger. but really the saudis have got a lot of support from regional powers as well as america and even the british. >> so materially at the moment it won't make much sifrns -- difference. let's take a look at the attacks of what we believe to be sana'a airport, and you explain to me if you can, why it's important to not just the military and the rebels perhaps, but also to the general population.

>> well sana'a airport is the domestic international airport for civilian rights as well as being the air force base, and it has been repeatedly targeted by the saudi air strikes, and obviously every time that happens there is a risk they are going to damage the main runway which they share. and that has an impact on getting people out, and trying to get aid into the country, which is very urgent and if the runway is significantly damaged that is going to make things very difficult. >> we saw medical help being flown in. and we hear that food is being brought in through aden. how difficult is it just in that situation for them to get in what is needed. >> it's very difficult. and i think what has gone into aden so far as been emergency

aid rather than the regular imports of food that yemens need to survive. the country imports 90% of its food stuff, and wheat and rice -- 100% of its rice. so yemenese will be in dire need of food very soon. >> and you said to earlier on it's worth repeating that a grain store has been hit as well. >> yes, and there have been several factories that have been hit, hit, yogurt and dairy factory. a lot of the military bases are inside towns or in civilian areas. the ministry of defense hi was hit yesterday is right in the heart of sana'a. so it's a very dangerous situation when you are dropping

bombs into that and on top of military bases being hit, there seems to be attacks on food supplies. >> let's pick up where we were before. we may see a football stadium in just a moment. but in the meantime do you believe from the people you have been talking to and the contacts you have there, that the houthis are being seriously degraded? or are they still a strong fighting force? >> no they are certainly still a strong fighting force. they have managed to expand. they have been going after munitions storage sites. the houthis have taken away a lot of the heavy weapons before the strikes began. >> is that where the gulf cup was held?

>> yes, i was there in 2010 when the stadium was used for the gulf cup. >> they are saying now it's a storage place for weapons. thank you. we'll talk to you later. now pakistani courts freed on bail the man accused of plotting the 2008 assault on on mumbai. zaki ur rehman lakhvi is one of seven men facing trial over the attacks that left 166 people dead. bail was granted in december but he has now been allowed to believe police custody. >> reporter: he is a hated man in india, but when he shows up for court in pakistan, his supporters follow. india believes zaki ur rehman lakhvi planned the mumbai siege. his trial has dragged on for years, infuriating india.

>> translator: we are very disappointed by what pakistan has done with lakhvi. the recent develop is very unfortunate. >> reporter: six years on from the siege it continues to haunt mumbai. a group of men arrived in the city by boat. over the course of 60 hours, they attacked luxury hotels a jewish center and a railway station. they killed dozens of people. nine of the ten attackers were subsequently killed. india believes it was lakhvi and his armed group that orchestrated and trained the gunmen. but according to his lawyer there is not enough evidence which is why he's now on bail. much of the case is based on the confession of the one attacker who survived. india executed him two years ago. the attack is a sensitive issue between the neighborhoods who historically have had a

difficult relationship. a handshake between the two prime ministers last year was thought to be a defining positive moment but the decision to release lakhvi on bail could be seat back. coming up why india is planning to spend billions of dollars on french fighter jets. also at least 43 members of the security forces killed in anbar province as they prepare a new offensive against isil. and in sports somebody gets a little too close to the action at the chinese grand prix. lee will have more on that and the rest of the sport later. ♪ they are meeting in more ways than one. they are crossing the idealogical divide also geographically the presidents of the united states and cuba will be on the same stage on friday trying to put behind

them 50 years of mistrust. they are expected to eat at the summit of the americas in panama city. white house officials say the pair may have a quote discussion on saturday. obama signaled he could remove cuba from the u.s. list of state-sponsored terrorism. our correspondent are live in havana and panama city. let's go to our latin america editor lucia newman who is there, where the summit is take place. presumably the fact that they have already spoken on the phone means they are set up some kind of framework for discussion as the americans so neatly call it. what would be the best that the cubans could hope for here? >> reporter: hello, david, certainly it's hoped that there will be some kind of a bilateral meeting, although that is not on the schedule yet, but i can't be

ruled out. and the best thing the cubans could hope for right now is an announcement right here that the united states will be taking cuba off of the list of countries that allegedly sponsor state terrorism. that has been a real thorn in havana's side. as you know president obama and president castro both announced a willingness to resume diplomatic relations after more than half a century, but it has been a difficult road so far, and one of them has to do with this nasty list that cuba is still on right now, david. >> 30-plus countries at the summit. presumably a changing of the status between the two countries will be felt across the region. >> reporter: that's absolutely right. because cuba has been a thorn in

the -- or rather the u.s. pollty towards cuba. at the last summit of the americas president obama said there would be not meeting here in panama unless cuba was allowed to join the fold. so certainly this is going to help advance the idea that the united states is now a friend and not a foe of the region. this at a time when china is making huge inroads in to latin america. the united states wants to regain a lot of its lost clout in the region being at least at the same table with cuba should help. >> we saw pictures of demonstrations at the meeting. thank you very much for now. now we cross the water and go to daniel live for us in havana. daniel you spent time in cuba. have you noticed a change in people's perceptions about the

united states? perhaps an optimistic sense, giving that their position in the world could be about to change for the better for them? >> reporter: well i think, david, yes, you have hit the nail on the head there. there is a definite change in attitude here towards the united states. people are well aware that after more than 50 years of animosity, they are not going to solve all of the problems overnight. but the very fact that the two countries are talking, are likely to forge stronger relationships, i think that has raised a great deal of expectation here. as lucia was mentioning cuba want to come off of that list. with that obstacle out of the way, i think people are hoping for big changes in their

relationship with the united states. as we found talking to the people on the streets in the last couple of days. 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 centralized government that only allowed change when they felt the time was right. but now hope and expectations are rising. >> there are 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 and nowadays they are not afraid to express them. >> translator: the most important thing is to lift the

block aid. 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. >> translator: it has 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, but if this relationship prospers they can get to know them a lot better. now it's only a matter of time before this complex behind me becomes the official u.s. embassy, and become the sea becomes a link between two neighbors, but there's still a lot of work to be done. firstly fidel castro and his brother raul have 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. 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

>> [ technical difficulties ] >> and then they will be able to join some of the fruits of that commercialization, and rejoin the 21st century, but it has not happened yet for most cubans. >> fascinating times. thank you. to iraq now, where police say 11 people have been killed in two separate bombings in and around baghdad.

and it's understood that at least 43 members of iraq's security forces have been killed in fighting with islamic state of iraq and the levant in anbar province. the prime minister says a new offensive is to be launched there against the group. charles stratford reporting now. >> reporter: the iraqi army targets isil positions near this city they are struggling to defend the area from a push by isil. the fighting comes days after the military supported by thousands of shia militia took control of the city of tikrit. this is a sunni muslim from the city. he says he is too afraid to go home. >> translator: i can't go back to tikrit because of what we saw, the shia militia do. the destruction that was done. they entered the houses and

after they looted them they burned them and prevented isil did it. >> reporter: it is this group that some sunni residents accuse of a lotting homes and ransacking buildings. many sunni muslims fled to their families in the northern kurdish region of iraq. >> translator: honestly we are far from the actual scene. we don't know what is happening there. but we see that the shia militia has a negative impact. as a family who is not involved with any party, we hesitate to go back. iraq's prime minister visited his troops to congratulate them. and ordered the arrest of anyone breaking military control. they say they want to build on

the victory in tikrit and push into other isil-controlled areas around an ban province. but as the fighting intensifies winning the trust of people will be difficult. let's look at some of the battle in iraq. across the border into syria, whereas many as 3,000 people are trying to get out of syria into turkey every single day. but for the last month that border has been closed. bernard smith sent this report. >> reporter: until a month ago, this man could have crossed into turkey from syria, just by showing her passport at a turkish border gate. >> translator: i have been walking for two hours. i just want to see my son, but there's no way of getting into turkey. >> reporter: she is being smuggled in because turkey has

closed its borders to syrians escaping the war. there are 1.7 million syrians in turkey already, they say, but the government can't say when the borders will reopen. between a thousand to 3,000 syrians a day would cross this border before the government closed it for what it says are security reasons, although emergency medical cases can still get through. now syrians can only leave turkey they can't come back. security is always a concern in turkish towns along the border with syria where there have been car bombings and discovery of weapons cashes. this was an explosion two weeks ago from a car bomb. >> translator: i think this was down to the militias of bashar al-assad. i might not have been the main target. the purpose of the operation may

have been to destabilize security. because an insecond -- incident like this might provoke people. these people were caught as smugglers tried to get them into turkey. the government here wants to minimize any security risks before national elections in june. they fear the border could remain closed until then. days of talks within syria's government and opposition forces have ended in many moscow. some points have been agreed on but to make real progress another conference is needed. >> translator: we agree that we need to send a message to the

u.n. regarding the next meeting in geneva. this has to be in the interests of all. at least 40 people to have been killed when the bus they were in collided with a gas tanker in a southern more -- moroccoan city. i'm andrew simmonds reporting on what could be the legacy of the worst nuclear disaster. also regional power players as nigeria goes back to the polls, we'll tell you why it's local governors are so influential. and found out who was the winner of the toughest footrace in the world. we'll have lee with that and a great deal more in sport.

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♪ >> you are with the al jazeera news hour. i'm david foster and these are

the headlines. planes which were carrying medical aid have landed in yemen. this is the first time this has happened since the air strikes began 16 days ago. presidents of the united states and cuba will be sharing the same stage on friday as they try to end 50 years of mistrust. they are expected to meet at the summit of the americas. and pakistan frees the man accused of being the master mind of the mumbai attacks. it has taken years of talking backwards and forwards france and india have finally struck a deal over the purchase

of fighter jets. phil lavelle reports. >> reporter: modi is more than just a special guest here. he is a man frances, no needs in fact to keep on its side. india is one of the world's fastest-growing economies. it is a friend to fwrans. it has agreed to buy 36 fighter planes, but a disappointment for some considering france wanted them to take around 120, but they will keep talking about more. >> translator: i have spoken to the president about buying 36 jets in a ready to fly condition. >> reporter: they are allies in everything from climate change and nuclear energy to space exploration, but there are some things they struggle to agree

on. case in point, money. how much does a fighter jet really cost or a bunch of them even between friends. france won a contract worth up to $23 billion to supply 126 combat jets to the indian air force in 2012 but the deal hit a snag when neither side could agree on pricing. there has been a resurgence of foreign purchasing of the jets in recent year. egypt ordered 24 aircraft in a $5.5 billion arms deal back in february. it was a major boost for the program which has failed to secure a single overseas buyer since it went into service in 2001. france has already shown the world what these jets can do. most recently using them to fight isil. it needs these deals to keep computation at bay. >> we have a strong competitors

in the west, and those competitors could [ inaudible ] if [ inaudible ] not sold and then the french aerospace industry could collapse in a way, so it will make some big countries in the west having a monopoly of selling aircraft selling weapons. >> reporter: this largely has to do with national identity. france did not go in with much of the rest of europe on its fighter jet project. it chose to go it alone. but now it's the newer friends it really needs to keep on their side if this national pride is to really succeed in the long term. it is almost 30 years since the world's worst nuclear accident took place in cher

knoble and the effects are still being felt. andrew simmonds is in what is known as the chernobyl exclusion jail. >> reporter: this is a school in one of the many areas evacuated after the disaster. there were 50,000 people living in this town now there's no one. it was left as it was. now dilapidated. there's a really eerie feel to this town. around 4,000 people have had premature death because of the disaster according to the world health organization. and there is a new warning for doctors looking after babies with con genital heart disease we went to find out more. this baby only is only three and a half months old and clinging on to life. his heart has been stopped.

a machine takes over. >> without the surgery baby couldn't survive. >> reporter: he leads the cher her 2340eb8 heart team. >> this baby was so big and so different. >> reporter: the tiny heart is beating again, and there's now every chance this baby will survive. half an hour later and the mood is positive. >> the blood pressure of baby is 96 over 52. so we're happy. >> reporter: within an hour the surgeon who 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 thanks to those who did the operation. they have 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. but the 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, we'll not be able to provide surgeries. life-saving surgeries.

>> reporter: as this baby waits in line for the next operation, the reality is unless there's more funding, the life-saving work here will be reduced or might even come to an end. a disturbing warning there in the aftermath of the disaster. and there are more concerns on the site itself. dominating the skyline is a vast arch like structure built to slowly be moved over the whole area around reactor number 4. it's essential to stop further radiation and to try to move all of the nuclear waste at some stage in the future. there is a crisis over the funding to the tune of around three quarters of a billion dollars. that money has to be found if they are to actually guarantee

no further nuclear accidents in chernobyl chernobyl. there has been a massive tornado that has hit the midwest in the u.s. they are warned to stay on high alert for severe weather. the tornado tearing through parts of iowa and ohio as well. what is the most powerful gun lobby in the united states is holding its annual convention and some serious republican presidential hopefuls will be there. more than 70,000 people too expected to attend the convention in nashville. there will be 550 vendors selling guns and accessories. the republicans all scheduled to address the convention. tom abouterman is our man outside of the hall.

tom, you are still outside of the hall. i the list goes on and on and on and on. it would seem this is the place to be seen if you want to get on that ticket and you are a republican. >> reporter: yeah pretty much so. there are nine republican would-be contenders that will be speaking taking their turns, each a few minutes, giving their -- their -- a sales speech to say why they will outdo each other if they get to the white house. that they will defend gun owner's rights and perhaps even expand them. rand paul hasn't been invited because some people in the nra perceive him as too extremist. and chris christie who is per received as being too soft. tomorrow we'll have several

hundred people looking for tighten gun control demonstrating outside of the hall. and with me is the local representative of moms demand action a group that was set up after the horrific massacre of 20 children in connecticut several years ago. we have seen these candidates are talking about things at the federal level, but you are really fighting at the state and local level for for -- for -- fighting for what you conceive to be an expansion of gun rights. have you had any success in this state and other states? >> yes, definitely. here in tennessee all of the moms have been showing up at the state house, testifying making calls, and we have been able to fight off the majority of very dangerous bills that have been proposed in the legislature. right now we are still working against guns in many parksville that would allow guns in the

parks where we take our children. the tennessee legislate rolled out this bill as a welcome item for the nra convention and unfortunately we have put the breaks on that and it is not in effect yet, and we'll be calling on the governor to veto the bill if and when it gets to his desk. >> reporter: those who say the agenda of the obama administration and other democratic politicians is to disarm ordinary american gun owners, how do you respond to that >> i don't think that's the case at all. we're made up of moms dads gun owners, non-gun owners and republicans and democrats. and we along with the majority of americans do not believe fallens, domestic abusers or the mentally ill should have guns. there's no talk of confiscation

of guns whatsoever. we are talking about very basic safety measures to keep our community safe. >> reporter: this is a national group, and you'll see action by them in other chapters during the election campaign because gun rights will be an issue, although the republicans pretty much will be lining up as a champion of gun rights so that will be a pretty divisive issue in this election as it has been in previous national campaigns in the u.s. david back to you. >> tom, thank you. sudan has some of the european union representatives [ inaudible ] after his foreign policy chief said quote the people of sudan deserve better. the president looks certain to extend 25 years in power when sudan votes. between monday and wednesday opposition parties boycotting

the election saying it wouldn't be free or fair. two weeks after dramatic presidential elections in nigeria saw goodluck jonathan defeated nigerians are going back to the polls for state governors. they hold real power in nigeria's national politics. >> reporter: one of the most powerful governors in nigeria, he presides over millions of people and controls huge resources, but most 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. >> reporter: governor forum was very important. it was playing a very important role in making checks and balances in the national

equation and to allow five governors to leave the party together with so many other senior officials of the government those that are really key in ensuring success of the party was a huge mistake. >> reporter: and that set the tone for the crushing defeat of the ruling party. now attention has shifted to the election of governors, and the succession battle is hot and close in many areas. here the largest state in the north, whoever gets elected will have political influence over an estimated 12 million people and huge resources in revenues. and that's the reason why candidates are fighting for every vote. governors have always had a hand in every election. despite the separation of powers

they also exert high level of influence over the legislature, and that is a source of concern to some. >> they are very very powerful. by controlling the grass root and local government and the [ inaudible ] of the government they -- they become more like emperors in their areas. what needs to be done is for the house assembly to standing on their feet and to refuse to be used by the state government to reduce the powers as well as to reduce the moneys that were supposed to go to local government. >> reporter: 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 need or have to tolerate them until the political structure has changed or the constitution is amended.

there is anger amongst civil rights activists in that country over comments made by [ inaudible ]. he said members of the ethnic group would, quote, parrish in the water if they didn't vote for his candidate for governor. he has been accused of inciting ethnic violence. stay with us we have this after the break -- >> i think it's was a disgraceful perform -- >> the cricket world mourning the loss of one of the most extrordanaire voices. the waste of mumbai come here. i'll talk to people who pick through this garbage to earn a living. ♪

♪ there are millions and millions of people in india who rely on recycling to make a living. there are those who actually dig through the garbage to keep themselves and their families alive. they are known as the rag pickers. but thu growth of cities such as mumbai and the rapid increase in consumption is causing a cycle of addiction and poverty. >> reporter: there is no words that adequately describe the filth this man works in. for 25 years, he dug through

this wasteland in search of recyclable items. he can earn up to $5 a day, but to do so he says he needs to be drunk or high. >> translator: when it gets hot and the sun hits this garbage the smell is underable. >> reporter: after years of picking through garbage, this man set up his own recycling business. he says this tin shed is a testament to his determination to live a better life. >> translator: my life has improved 90% since i left the dumping ground. i worked very hard there, up to 18 hours a day picking through garage. i made sure i even saved some from the little i earned. i have progressed a lot.

>> reporter: hundreds of thousands of people live and work where mumbai dumps its garbage, as this mountain of waste has grown so too do the somebody of people who rely on it. activists say this is unfit to people to live near let alone work in. yet it's the only way to make money for some of india's poorest people. because of the stigma attached to this kind of work most who do it remain trapped in poverty. people say the best way to change the fentures is invest in young people. >> translator: we are working to ensure the children don't follow in their parent's footsteps. >> reporter: 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. and lee is with me in the studio this news hour with all of the sport. >> thank you very much david, well he was a successful captain of the australian cricket team one of the great spin bowlers, and he would bat too, but he was also known and loved for his work as a commentator. andrew thomas reports on the loss. >> 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 got to find out if they are still there. yep, he's just checked. [ laughter ]

>> reporter: his commentary -- onning companied hundreds of matches. in his day richie benoit mostly won. he played 63 times for his country, took for thaefr 200 west wickets. >> the first innings total of 242 not very good that. >> reporter: but it was after he retired from playing the game that benoit went from sports star to legend as the king of cricket commentators. >> let me tell you what i think about it i think it was a disgraceful performance -- >> reporter: cricket matches can be slow. there are long gaps in the action to fill. benoit was the master.

>> it has been a privilege to go into everyone's living through throughout that time. >> reporter: most important, though it quickly become familiar. benoit behind the microphone was for a long time essential to the game. >> richie benoit has been the voice of cricket. there would be very few australians who have not passed a summer in the company of richie benoit. he was the accompanyiment of an australian summer. his voice was even more present than the chirping of the chicadas. >> reporter: days in the hot sun took their tool. his long illness with skin cancer he implored young players to wear cream and a cap. but it was a car crash two years ago that ended his media career. >> hi there.

>> reporter: richie benoit will be remembered as a great cricketer, and an even greater commentator, the ambassador for the game who had the golden tones. >> it was a very nice and very memorable moment. >> reporter: andrew thomas al jazeera, sydney. >> he'll be much missed. the american golfer continues to set an incredible pace at the master's in augusta. he is currently 14 under after 17 holes on the second round. also going well is californian charlie huffman who is 10 under with the south african back in 3. [ inaudible ] has continued his sparkling form. reaching 8 under par through 14

on day one. he really is looking to create records there. we'll keep you in touch with that. a man has been arrested after running on to the track during practice for the chinese formula 1 grand prix. he passed just in front of a car and climbed the fence. the man then tried to enter the ferrari garage before being apprehended by police. master was unscathed after spinning his williams car. one of the greatest footballers of all time has decided to give his view on the election of the game's most powerful figure. the argentinian was speaking in columbia before playing in a match to promote peace in that country and clearly wants a change of president.

>> translator: there's no need to do what he does. to believe you are the all mighty. so i'm going to guide the prince. imagine walking over 250 kilometers in six days in the searing desert heat in morocco. it's the world's toughest footrace. after completing the longest and most gruelling stretch of the race on thursday just one last marathon stage lay ahead. this man finished first and retains the title he won last year and claims a third marathon victory. brilliant stuff from him. [ cheers and applause ] and that's all the sport for now. >> new record from [ inaudible ] already. thank you very much indeed lee.

that's it for me. ♪

>> medical aid land in yemeni capital since airstrikes land 16 days ago. [music] >> hello you're watching al jazeera live from london. also coming up. anger in india as a suspected mastermind of the mumbai attack is freed on bail by pakistan. the cuban and u.s. president in panama. they're expected to meet for the first time since relations thawed.