out of time, until next time welcome to the news hour. i'm richelle carey in doha with our top stories. searching for survivors scenes of devastation in nepal after an average kills hundreds and flattens sites. in search of a better life, people from ethiopia willing to cross land and sea to reach europe. and people voting in togo where the incumbent president

looks to continue his family's 48-year rule. and we take you to a coastal community. >> we begin in nepal where an earthquake has hit the capital. houses have collapsed. historic temples have been leveled. we go to the full extent of the damage. the earthquake rocks central nepal in the area of katmandu and the city of pokhara. it also shook bangladesh's capital dhaka. we have reporters covering the story from kathmandu in new delhi, but first nicole johnston has the latest from this report.

>> it's the most powerful earthquake in nepal in decades. people describe waves after waves of tremors. the army is sifting through the rubble brick by brick looking for signs of life as well bodies. the number of people killed is rapidly increasing. hundreds of bodies have been recovered. >> people are trap in the rubles in the ministry the destruction. >> kathmandu is full of narrow winding lanes. and 19th center tower has been

knocked down. at least 16 bodies have been pulled out. around 2.5 million people live in kathmandu valley. there are reports that whole villages have been destroyed. india has also been hit. tremors from the quake cause buildings to collapse in the three states. nepal is facing a major disaster, and it is asking its neighbors for help. nicole johnston, al jazeera. >> just a short time ago the minister of information and communication gave us this update. >> the situation has not calmed down yet. they're trying to put together

to cater to the needs of the army. i'm sure it's going to take a little while in the search operation, and then comes the instan relief. now concentrating on the search and rescue operation. this is a calamity.

we are asking people to stay calm. >> subina joins us from kathmandu. but the darker it gets, the later it gets, can you tell me the feeling there among people who have been through so much in the last few hours. >> most people are very scared. it's not surprising it seems that we are on shaky ground. we're getting aftershocks and

just outside of my house there are a bunch of people who are setting up tents. >> what are you seeing and in terms of rescue efforts. are they more organized or not quite yet. >> it looks like the community which had been preparing for earthquake mobilization, they're trying to help to remove the rubble and that's what i see from where i am.

they have, however the apple in nepal are working in various arrests that weather they have been mobilized. >> we see some of the buildings leaning, and it's clear how dangerous the situation still is. i think it bears repeating subina take us back to the moment when this quake hit. on the main row road a lot of

people are in strong. there is a lot of devastation that has happened. we're seeing various people on the streets people are in shock, people are crying and there is a lot of nervousness. there is aftershock after aftershock and it's just been continuous. >> difficult times ahead. from kathmandu, thank you so

much. indian states bordering nepal let's did to let's go to india. what can you tell us about travel and getting back and forth and how this is all coming together? >> there are a few updates from the indian side. there have been four air force planes that have been deployed from india to nepal carrying tons of relief aid and materials as well as relief response agents as well as sniffer dogs. the aid and the sniffer dogs now with the nepally current part to start operations relief and recovery and where they are need: however we do understand

and we're following this in terms of the capacity of flights to land in cat man do kathmandu. that is still posing a challenge. there are suggestions that there are some ground efforts round up from the indian side into nepal in the coming days. we may see some of that mobile gas station. i know we've been talking about that. indian has suggested it is doing all it can to help communication lines to help india and nepal stay open and keeping in mind that there are many indians in nepal as well. restoring them and dropping the coal rates the indian government said that that's taking place to ensure that people can remain connect: the indian army has helped to recover 13 bodies of mountaineers on everest.

it's suggested that some people have died on everest as a result of avalanches that have occurred after the quake took place. can air efforts being undertaken considering the situations that they're in as well as land efforts. >> let's go to new delhi via skype with the spokesman. have you been able to get to nepal. >> that has been the biggest challenge. there are still some with whom we have no communication.

>> time is the essence. how do you tackle the situation and get it people who need your help. >> we have a global team around the world preparing assisting us in every manner that is required. food water and other assistance, they're getting in to nepal as early as tomorrow. we'll figure out what role we need to play and how we can help the children in particular in nepal to get back to normal lives. >> let's talk more about the

children. let's talk about the unique needs that children have in situations like this, and in dramatic situations like this. >> going on to the psycho-social support they require but they cannot bear the trauma that they and their families are facing right now. they have no experience with it. with their own families so besieged with this kind of a crisis this will come together and they have temporary shelters which they can come and learn and behave like children ought to be. instead of having to behave like grownups adjusting to life.

this is not what they should be doing at this age. >> the goal is for them to be children as long as they possibly can. with save the children india thank you so much. and best of luck as you begin on this process to get to these children. >> thank you. >> lots more to come on the al jazeera news hour. one month after iraqi forces force isil fighters out of tikrit. we'll also have the latest and the fighting from yemen where the saudi-led coalition continues their airstrikes. and making a big impact in the nba playoffs. >> italy's coast guard has rescued. thousands of ethiopians leave

every year facing the possibility of death. we speak to people in a local town why they're about why they're so desperate to leave ethiopia. >> five young men have been killed by isil in libya last week. they were headed to europe. the plan was to cross the mediterranean sea to italy. in the neighborhood where three of them grew up many join their families in mourning. they were inconsolable. their pain hard to describe. >> they were looking for a better life. many of their friends are also desperate to leave. those we talk to say that life is difficult. staying in ethiopia is not an option. >> these are some of the childhood friends.

even though they grieve they do not abandon their plan. >> i know it will be dangerous. >> they attempted the journey. he never got to his destination. they were turned back at the libyan border. he said smugglers failed to agree on a payment for the border police. >> they don't care about anybody. they only care about money. they beat us. >> ethiopia has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, still it's a poor country and many people are unemployed. many analysts say its mentality that causes people to leave. >> this idea of going to dream land destination with plenty of

opportunities has been a driving factor. >> back in the neighborhood the vigil goes on even as some of the young people here dream of plans to leave the country no matter what. catherine soi al jazeera. >> many who wish to reach europe leave from libya. >> for the libyan coast guard. for one day they don't have enough equipment. then they say the smugglers continue to adapt their tactics on the ground. one coast guard member told me that they're pretty sure the smugglers have informants who tell them when they send of this coast guard on patrol migrants

say that one of them quickly agree to passage. and then they find that the engine has broken down and completely abandons the migrants in the middle of the sea. they also say going after the migrants in libya alone is not going to work simply because this is the last leg of a very long journey. now most of the migrants have been through several countries before reaching the coach of libya, and you have smuggling networks some of the heads of these ned works are not in libya. according to the coast guard at least their point of view is if you want to go after the smugglers you have to carry out operations in several countries.

certainly a very difficult time for the e.u. >> and in yemen saudi-led airstrikes target houthi in aden on saturday. they have been tryingforces loyal to ali abdullah saleh have been trier to push their way into darsaad. >> rounds of artillery target houthi fighters. in aden fighters from popular resistence communities loyal to abd rabbuh mansur hadi have been trying to keep the city from falling under houthi control. these men have never received weapons training, and for some of them it's the first time they've held a weapon. >> they have not had any kind of

training but they're the ones keeping the houthies from controlling aden. >> on the outskirts of aden battles continue to control the the area. and they manage to hold back the houthies. local resistence fighters attack other houthi positions. >> we call on them to join you go to do it. this is for yemen. >> fighters loyal to president hadi have been on the offensive for the last few days. they've been pushing forward in areas largely controlled by houthis and loyalists of deposed president ali abdullah saleh.

>> many government spokesperson say that yemen is ready to negotiate but only if the houthi houthis commit to peace. >> there is no doubt that government believes that diplomatic route is the only way out. we're waiting to engage in negotiations and talks with any party provided that the other party is genuine serious and will be committing to the out outcome. if the houthies are prepared to agree to the diplomatic solution to commit to all the continues laidconditions laid down, saleh

was supposed to ask the houthi toss lay down arms that he himself also should lay down arms. he is a big ally to the houthies. he's implicated and involved in fighting in the south. what he has been doing is nothing but political maneuver in an attempt to clear his image before the initial international community. he's wanted by criminal courts now. >> three people are dead in an explosion near the border of jordan. it took place at the border crossing in the western part of the country. the victims were all members of the iraq's security forces. it's been one month since iraq's forces drove isil out of tikrit but residents are still afraid to return fearing sectarian attacks.

>> many parts of tikrit has been destroyed. battle scars are everywhere. there are also signs of looting and arson attacks carried out. the government admits that some members of the mobilization forces commit these acts and says they will hold them accountable at all have left the city and they're calling on the people to return home. >> i'm from tikrit and we tell the families to return. we are your brothers. the conditions are good and your neighbors are returning. >> a trip to tikrit has been pending for almost two weeks. our camera person was able to film inside the city center.

the new slogansen signs and flags may reflect the sectarian nature. many are outside of the city and fear attacks if they return. isil fighters are also present and still fighting in the surrounding areas. the big battle for tikrit could be over but winning the trust of its residents is not easy. the people can't return now because there is a lack of basic services. water pipes are broken. there is a surge of electricity. there was a battle in tikrit that is now destroyed. security is good, but there are no no restoration restoration forces. >> we found this family. >> there was still talk of the fighting. we came back to our home, thank

god. >> the fight against isil is not over but many feel they're caught between government forces. there are growing fears that what happened in tikrit could be replicateed in anbar province. but pushing them out of tikrit could be harder than winning this war. >> the fighters captureed large parts of idleb province after four days of fighting. meanwhile, the united nations said that they will impose an arms bar go on syria.

our diplomatic editor reports. >> they're briefed by the humanitarian situation each month. 20,000 people are dead, 6.6 million forced from their homes. this was the last briefing by outgoing humanitarian chief valerie amos and she used it to describe the continues itself. >> the failure to stop the violence has undermined the credibility of this council and eroded the ability to take responsibility. >> she spoke of arms embargo and targeted sanctions. invited to the meeting the u.n. refugee agent certainly envoy the actress angelina jolie.

>> i wish some of the syrians i have met could be here today. >> she hoped that her presence would bring the crisis back in the international limelight. she and others stress the only resolution is a diplomatic one. >> after briefing ambassadors, they have a new proposal. >> this is not a council this is a series of consultations one to one between myself, my team, and one each delegation from each country but also each delegation from the syrian environment, all of them. >> so a series of new proposals on syria but humanitarian coordinator salary amos' ideas would almost certainly be vetoed

by russia if they were put to the security council. as for the new plan from special envoy, even he admits there is a near impossible task. james bays al jazeera. >> still to come, people on the turkish republic are about to role about the future of the divided island. more on the evacuation and in chile after the volcanic eruption. and we meet golfers who refuse to pack it up for the winter.

>> monday. >> it's crazy money that you can make here. >> behind america's oil boom.

>> it's a ticking time bomb. >> uncovering shocking working conditions. >> do you know what chemicals have been in that tank? >> and the deadly human cost. >> my big brother didn't wake up the next day. >> "faultlines". al jazeera america's hard-hitting... >> today they will be arrested. >> ground-breaking... >> they're firing canisters of gas at us. >> emmy award-winning investigative series. "faultlines": death on the bakken shale. monday, 10:00 eastern. only on al jazeera america. >> part of al jazeera america's >> special month long evironmental focus fragile planet >> welcome back. here are the top stories on al jazeera. hundreds have been killed in nepal after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the capital of kathmandu. the earthquake has caused an avalanche at everest's base that

has killed eight people. in india 30 people are dead and dozens are injure: india has dispatched rescue teams to nepal. we're in kathmandu with this update. >> a few hours after the devastating earthquake of 7.9 richter scale hit cat than kathmandu temples have come crumbling down. this is a world heritage site, and you can see that it's completely devastated. reports of death and devastation have coming out. it's been mostly monuments. a lot of people we heard more than 600 people have died around here. and there have been reports of an avalanche at everest triggered by this earthquake. reports are coming in about how bad this devastation is. it's still very difficult, and

emergency lines have been cut off. communication has been quite problematic, and most people are still afraid to go into their houses. it looks like a storm is coming through and most people have taken up shelter in open squares. they have prepared to spend the night, and if the storm comes it will be a very cold and wet night for a lot of people here in kathmandu. >> we're getting news that more people have died on mt. everest. it's only a week since the country paid tribute to 16 people who died. >> a rich history is etched into its architecture. nepal is situated between mainly hindu india and predominantly buddhist tibet. this is where both religious

converge. it's known as the only hindu kingdom and revered by lord buddha. it's a colorful tappest try of tapestry of culture and tradition. kathmandu's square looked like this. now the u.n. world heritage site brought in much needed tourist dollars. for all its cultural wealth nepal is a poor country. it's people rely on foreign aid and tourism. the industry enters nearly the same number of people as the visitors that it attracts. nepal's attractions include everest. april is a start of climbing season. over last few weeks hundreds of people have been preparing to begin their expeditions.

>> we have had avalanches coming down off those faces. we've had quite a bit of rockfall. most of the party are okay. some people are going up towards camp one. we should hear from them soon. i hope all is well up there. >> al jazeera. >> unesco's representative in nepal joins us from kathmandu. we appreciate your time. can you tell me what you know so far about what sites have been damaged? >> yes, good evening. i could see this afternoon on the area in kathmandu where four main temples have been destroyed. i have news from our counterparts that also kathmandu

kathmandu, are destroyed. what is amazing is that not so many houses actually are destroyed but the temples we're expecting a lot of contrary to that. >> can you put in perspective for us all of the things that these sites, that's temples had made it through until this awful earthquake happened today? >> could you repeat your question? because the lines are bad sorry. >> absolutely. i said, could you put in some perspective some of the things that these temples have survived only to crumble today? >> yes, most of these temples have already fallen down in the 1934 earthquake, and have been we rebuilt or rehabilitated.

and some have been renovated. so it's rather surprising that so many temples collapsed. >> can you tell me the emotional impact that losing sites losing temples will have on a community that is already going through a difficult time. >> yes the communities which immediately helped to recover. and the communities have newly formed groups, and there was

absolutely no panic but the people immediately tried to help. >> i realize this is very early on but will we see some of these beautiful temples rebuilt? >> yes after this earthquake, we're speechless there will be a lot of work to rehabilitate them and reconstruct them. >> loss of life and loss of history as well. thank you very much.

>> the 2005 agreement which ended the britney yes, sir civil war said that the president could only serve two terms. it's president said that no one will stand in the way of the ruling party's decision. polls have opened in the west african country of togo where the president is the clear favorite to win another term. we have reports from togo's capital. >> this is the polling station where the main opposition will cast his vote earlier. the whole place went wild as they saw the opposition leaders. now togo's election is significant because the incumbent is fog going for a third term in office. this debate whether a president should have a third term in office is something that has been talked about across the continent. in this west african region there are only two countries where there are no president

term limits. that is here in gambia. that is why there is a lot of attention and focus on this election. and just in neighboring burkina faso last year the then president was forced out of office when he tried to change constitution to run for a third term. that was a popular contest that pushed him out. now in togo the world is watching but also from a local perspective. this is the first time that the local observers will have the opportunity to compare their results with the official results. so if there are any discrepancies this is something that is going to be highlighted quite quickly and it will be up to the head of the electoral commission to deal with this. >> turkish will be voting on sunday to choose their next president. whoever is chosen will be mandated to hold talks on the

divided island. >> it is the starting point on a pass that many hearsay should have been taken a long time ago. they're walking together with with an ma who they believe will take them on a road to a better future. it is election time in the self declare turkish republic in cypress. one of two candidates vying for the leadership of this enclave which is only recognized by turkey. he wants that to change. >> there i would very much like to see a kind of more brotherly relations rather than mother-baby relations so to speak. >> they say they want links with the world as an united country. >> this is the last day to campaign for the country's run-off vote. this election is about change, and they believe that there is an opportunity. as of late the diplomatic efforts have picked up pace to

find a solution to the decades-long conflict in cyprus. >> the main challenger is incumbent his camp wants turkey to remain the motherland and turkey to have their own internationally recognized state. reunification for the supporters doesn't mean economic revival. >> i don't think the economy will be better, and the turkish kypriots. they have all the connection through turkey. >> the divisions are deep at a time of international interest and reviving the peace process. they believe that all those involved in this conflict can gain economically and politically if this island reunites. >> we also have the exploration and exploitation of the natural resources in the eastern mediterranean, which can best be utilized and be viable if cyprus reunites and her political relations with turkey

normalizes. >> the opening of ports, markets and the potential off-shore oil and gas reserves can bring huge potential. while people here may differ on politics they are reunited on the open of ending their isolation. >> millions of women for rural areas in southern india are using a government community based initiative to form jobs. >> they're all in it together. they work on a small cooperative farm sharing the risks and profits. like the others she is from a poor family. she began working when her husband had an accident eight years ago. >> my family is from the fishing community, but gradually the work became less and less. i think it's the best thing that has happened to me. i'm getting a good pay and supporting my family.

>> the women's are part of the respectful family program employing rural women in different types of jobs and giving them an income. the local leader was herself december institute a few years ago. now she runs this program. and she said the greatest part of the program is the self reliance it promote. >> i used to shiver when i spoke to others. now i'm very confident. that's how i became the head of this program. it's a poor village but now it's progressive. >> the program helped local farmers. when laborers left to go to the middle east, women came and took their place. >> this has helped a lot of people. women who were in poverty are now doing well. their self-esteem and confidence are higher. the women have come into the forefront of the village. >> and an accomplishment that is helping the initiative to spread. the program has become

successful enough that it's being replicated in other indian states and even some african countries. supporters say that it's the example of empowerment of rural women. but critics say that the program only reinforced traditional roles. >> while women are being uplifted economic italy those critical of the program say that it's not helping them break social barriers. >> here even if a woman is an engineer or a doctor, she's tied for the family. respect in society comes from serving them. women in this program are not able to break out of conventional roles to become something more. >> back at home vincent said that the program allows her to care for her son and disabled husband. she also says that it has given her the emotional and moral support to almost an active part of the community. al jazeera. >> the chilean volcano is still

pumping out ashes. there have been more people evacuated from their homes and airlines continue to cancel flights. the ashes continues to rise in the area. >> like a sleeping giant rudely awoken it reminded chili that 43 years of lying dormant is just a cat nap in the life of an active cool vain know. the more than 10 million-year-old volcano erupted. now many of the 4,000 residents who were forced to evacuate from briefly allowed to return to the so-called red zone to check on their homes and clear roads and roofs as best they could. >> we are nervous and don't know when we'll be able to return

home. >> the the volcano is very unstable and could erupt again. i mean it could mean larger laugh shah flows that could put people's lives at risk. >> as they continue to build huge clouds of volcanic ash in neighboring argentina where air traffic has been severely disrub disrupted. here they come to salvage their belongs or to find their pets. these cows used to sit in lush, green pastures. now they will be evacuated. >> there are animals we need to take elsewhere because there is too much ash and they will

starve if they remain here. >> most of this volcanic ash looks and feels like a collection of little stones, as you can see absolutely everything here is covered in it. but the worse part isn't trying to clear this all away, which could take as long as a year. it's the uncertainty about whether the volcano will go back to sleep or whether it will erupt again at any time. >> that's something experts tell us only the volcano knows for sure. lucia newman chile. >> canada is the second largest country in the world, and almost half of it lies in the arctic. this week it finishes a two-year stint as chair of an eight-country international body. the council set up 19 years ago to work on environmental shipping and other issues facing the arctic. we have reports from canada's northern-most city. >> the discovery of a sunkenship

for canada was an assertion of sovereignty and it's capabilities in the arctic. the divers exploring the icy waters have military support and they're part of a project to map the sea floor in waters often disputed with the united states. even canada's prime minister stephen harper got in on the act announcing the find both as a history buff and a man with a plan for the north. then there is the arctic council in which the only inuit cabinet minister set up a northern business council promoting indigenous knowledge. >> it came in with a fairly modest agenda. it did not seek to do very much. it has not done very much, but it continues to support and maintain a body that provides space for western countries in

russia to work together. on arctic issues. and in that respect it has been a success. >> the canadian government's low key approach can contrasts with repeated promises to bring jobs to the north in a region that is crucial to the country's future. here, too, some see gaps between rhetoric and reality. >> canada has made some commitments that have come through and others that haven't. but i think the rank and file people are waiting for some real bread and butter issues to be acted on, more than the arctic council. >> temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else on the planet. entire ways of life are threatened. senate's northerncanadian's northern coastal communities face icy summers. they can only look forward to

the next two years where the u.s. promises to use its leadership of the arctic council to do something about the climate change in a place where it is felt most acutely. >> a lot of sport to get to. >> yes, a lot of things coming to the end at the moment. bars loan that looks to move five points clear. they are two incidents pup a win will extend their run to 13 games. and real will play on sunday. six games coming up to full time in the english premier league, liverpool's hopes of qualification has taken a further hit drawing 0-0 at west brom. earlier, 3-2, 2-2 against

tottenham. >> we look at emulating that rather than looking at negatives. i want to make sure that i don't take my foot off the pedal. >> new york city's first season in the mls is not quite going to plan with their winless streak now stretch to go six games on friday. new york city have one just once all season. in the nba playoffs the washington which is arizona are one win away from a first-round

playoff series sweep against the toronto raptors. the raptors did build up a ten-point lead, then it was time for wizards paul pierce to step up when it really mattered. no nba team has overcome such a big deficit. washington could wrap up that series on sunday. >> i'm readily available for those type of shots. and i was able to deliver. >> we missed a lot of shots that we normally make. we have to keep competing like that and keep taking those shots. those are great looks that our guys got and we just missed them. >> a couple of other games to tell but. a career high 42 points the

spurs took a 2-1 series lead over the clippers. and to cricket now and england have taken early wickets to give themselves an early chance against the west indyies. they have now have four wickets. a short time ago the win 282-7 their lead only just over 100 runs. sydney crosby's 100th clear game ended in defeat. the penguins have been knocked out of the nhl playoffs. they would score in the 11th minute of overtime to wrap up a-1 win and take the series 4. they face the winners of the washington islanders series. the book boxing world counting down to the pacquiao-mayweather

showdown in vegas. >> jen ijennings will go up against klitschko and he is the favorite. now it's the turn of the game of golf. we go to iceland where there is a challenge just to find the course. >> there is no buggy to take you to the first tee no card for your yardage and no one will help you find your ball. this is extreme arctic golf. and you're on your own. members of the golf club in the

mountainous north of iceland. when greens aren't available the pro shop offers colored balls to the brave. >> we have the run here in the golf tournament where they can tee off until 1:00 a.m. the sun never goes down during that time of the year, so we can always see it by the horror horizon, and then in the wintertime we can offer ice golf and play golf in the snow. you can play all sorts of golf here under extreme conditions. >> over 50 foreigners every year take part in the arctic open here on lush green fairways. but extreme golf, it's not for everybody. just managing to walk to the second tee is an achievement. hitting your ball in the snow takes practice. that's if you can find your ball when everything is out of bounds. >> you know, the walk is pretty

hard up there. it's like 700 meters above sea. it's not like hitting it from the bunker. it's really soft. and you have to hit the ball first. >> putting down the hill. the ball would roll 200 meters, and you couldn't stop it. it's really fun. >> extreme government also has its own set of rules. including don't put your life in danger while trying to retrieve your ball, and any players who finishes with balls in his or her bag is a win. >> the polite handshake is in place. attacking your friends in the snow seems more appropriate. al jazeera iceland. >> they looked absolutely freezing. >> yes they did. keep it right here for a full bulletin of news is straight ahead.

>> digging for survivors in kathmandu after nepal city is flattened by earthquakes. 800 people have died. the need for shelter and food is enormous. live from london, i'm david foster. coming up in the next 30 minutes battles continue in yemen as fighters loyal to president hadi try to repel houthi bellows. hundreds more migrants