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tv   News  Al Jazeera  April 29, 2015 12:00am-12:31am EDT

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until 5 o'clock tomorrow and 10 o'clock tomorrow night. i'm antonio mora thank you for joining us, have a good night. good night. a major cabinet reshuffle hello, welcome to al jazeera, live from the headquarters in doha. i'm elizabeth puranam. also ahead - anger on the streets. police and soldiers use tear gas to enforce a curfew in the u.s. city of baltimore. people search through the rubble for survive juniors in nepal. -- survivors in nepal
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nigeria's military said it rescued hundreds of girls from a boko haram stronghold in the north of the country saudi arabia's king has announced changes to the ruling cabinet. his nephew is the new crown prince. he is also the deputy prime minister and the interior minister. he has taken over from the prince the last of the saudi king's sons. his son is the deputy crown prince appointed as the defence minister in january. he's believed to be among the youngest members. and the saudi ambassador to washington has taken over as foreign minister. he's replaced the prince the world's longest serving foreign minister appointed in 1975. the executive director for the
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arab center of washington says the reshuffle has significant repercussions. >> what you have here is a decisive answer to the doubts that many experts have expressed since coming into power. with regards to his health his decisiveness, and his control. over political matters in the kingdom. these repeat n unequivocal answer. number two, the fact that these changes have been in the offing for so long. it was surprising matter and timing to make the changes, particularly on foreign policy
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levels. some have been complaining and showing signs of issues with regards to health for several years. he refused to abdi kate. he demanded in the context of change he plays a lesser role if you will, in terms of day to day foreign affairs of the kingdom. he'll remain as a special advisor to the king but the day to day affairs of the ministry will pass on to the current ambassador of the kingdom of saudi arabia to washington who has been over the past few years playing a growing role in the kingdom's foreign policies, particularly with regards to the relationship with the united states, an important portfolio. >> to other news curfew is in
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effect. police fired tear gas on those dispersing on the streets. riots broke out on monday following the funeral of a black man who died in police custody. over a week ago freddie gray died from a spinal injury days after being arrested. let's cross to our correspondent live in bot more -- baltimore. the curfew in effect. what is happening there. >> as you can tell behind me the streets of baltimore are absolutely quiet now. that is how it's been planned. it's a little after midnight. the curfew came and wept with little incident in the most part. most went home heeding calls to
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go to their homes. because of curfew there were 2-300 that did not. that's when police fired tear gas. the streets are quiet. there's no rioting that we saw on monday night. don't mistake that for frustrations there are people that are upset. and they say it goes beyond freddie gray the rioting that happened here on monday night. there are deeper issues in the african american community here and else where in the u.s. >> reporter: trying to uplit the community in shock from rioting songs of peace and understanding in a city where both are needed. for this woman, the death to freddie gray was part of a system that failed many black people. >> you have law enforcement failing, you have educational systems that are failing are.
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>> in baltimore opportunity and hope doesn't often knock on the door of many african-americans. jobs are scarce. unemployment double that of the whites. and the economic conditions not helping. this is an area that needs economic development. as you see, businesses are closed and locked. on the other side of the street the riot police are out in force, and the national guard militarized the streets. while this police presence may keep the peace, it's not the help they need. >> what they do need jobs, opportunity and hope. it's a familiar call heard before police killings of black men to the shooting of 12-year-old tamir rice in cleveland and other cases. now americans have to pay attention, says the president.
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>> all that requires everybody saying this is important, this is significant. and we don't just say attention when a cvs burns. >> leaders need to focus on what their communities need. >> we need to open schools, open up after school programme, resources in the community to empower our people. >> on the streets, they are taking no chances, boarding up window. around the corner they sing in a city where everyone knows what is broken, and they are looking to fix it. heavy rain is hampering efforts to get aid to survivors of nepal's earthquake and rescue people trapped in the rubble. the prime minister has warned that the death toll could be
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more than 10,000. meanwhile, a man has been alive spending 18 hours under the rubble. 8 million have been affected by the quake, and 1.5 million in need of aid. >> this update sent from kathmandu. on this day of mourning in nepal, and the makeshift in the center of kathmandu. the mood is one of rising anger and increasing frustration. hundreds of people here are concern said each even though aid is getting into the country, it's not reaching those that need it most. not in the city and not in the surrounding countryside or the mountains. because of that they are worried. when you add to that the fact that there's expected to be a
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lot more rain fall and mudslides, they are concerned there could humanitarian crisis spiralling out of control. >> nigeria's army says it rescued 300 women and girls during an operation against boko haram. it took place in a for e. it doesn't know if the girls are those kidnapped from chibok. that sparked an international campaign to bring them back. >> they were pound in the forest. the processes knocked off a few of the camps in which all kind of weapons were. >> reporter: our correspondent ynonne ndedge has more from abuja. >> the nigerian military is planning to release photos and details of women and girls that
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have been rescued. we understand that that's a screening and profiling process ongoing to identify these individuals and figure out where they are from. we managed to speak to a military spokesperson who told us the military believe some of the individuals could be the wives or children of boko haram fighters who have been living in the forest. we know that the military are not ruling out the possibility of some of those potentially be some of those kidnapped from chibok. the military has been engaged in a fight with boko haram fighters considered to be the last strong hold of the group. if boko haram is defeated in the forest. for many the hope is that the chibok girls will be found. >> still ahead on al jazeera, on
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the defensive, why syria's army is retreating from parts of idlib. and why journalists in burundi are under pressure covering the protest of the president.
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>> fall of saigon, forty years later. >> we have no idea how many were killed. >> unanswered questions, a botched withdrawal lives lost. examining the impact that still resonates today. a special report next. on al jazeera america. good to have you with us i'm elizabeth puranam in doha. these are the top stories on al jazeera. saudi arabia's king reshuffled his bett announced in january. one of the biggest changes is the proel -- prom ocean of the
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deputy crown prince to prime minister baltimore - national guard has been brought in after riots broke out on monday following the funeral of a man who died in police custody. rain is hampering effort to get survivors from nepal's earthquake. more than 4,600 are confirmed dead. the prime minister warned that the death toll could be over 10,000. syria's defense minister is visiting iran to discuss military cooperation. the 2-day trip comes as the syrian military losses territory to an alliance of rebel fighters. they are taking ground in parts of idlib, bordering the strong hold of latakia.
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this is activist video of a large number of forces. it's a sign that forces loyal to bashar al-assad are losing control of this part of syria. most rebel groups fighting here joined to make up what they call the army of conquest taking control of the military base. there was four days of intense fighting. during which the fighters sent suicide bombers into the camp on trucks. >> translation: the last suicide attacker just left. he'll be followed by commandos and fighters. >> reporter: as the fighters took control of the camp. there were air strikes. the rebels have taken much of the province including the main city of idlib. fighting continues for control of the base and towns. >> translation: we are engaged in intensifying with the
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regime's forces. >> the latest advance puts them within a few kilometres of latakia's province. it's a significant step by opposition groups trying to push forces loyal to syria's government out of idlib. >> reporter: protests continue in burundi following an announcement that the president will run for a third term in the june elections. journalists are under pressure when covering the protests. the government closed the most popular radio station. our correspondent has more. >> reporter: covering protests comms with risks. this man sells a video he films to tv stations and international press agencies. on monday the government closed the popular radio and turned off
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transmitters of independent stations outside the capital. journalists are worried about their freedom to do their work. >> this is a sign that the government is turning its back on the free press. there was only media created by the ruling party. the radio station is crucial at a time like this. police are depending on them to know where the protests a clashing. the government depends on it to know what the politicians and activists are doing. it's the main form of communication. it's normal to see people glued to radio sets. radio was wide by loved. sunday when the government officials came to its headquarters to close it, a crowd gathered in the street to object. government officials left. the next day, security agents closed it. the government says the live
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broadcasts from protesters was threatening public safety. this independent radio is on air, but only in the capital. management are worried that it may be next. it's been a hive of activity since protests started. journalists say they have been threatened by armed members of the army. >> some people from the ruling party have tape to silencing -- taken to silencing anyone that can right. the independent media. journalists and audiences are used to a greater level of press freedom and are unlikely to let it go easily. like many. they are defiant.
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if the police beat me, i do not care. i'll stay on the ground to cover what is happening, for the world to see. it inspires me to do the job. political tension shows no sign of easing. many are worried about what may happen to the press. the u.s. supreme court is hearing arguments about whether same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry. these are sketches from the session, interrupted by a protesters a focus of the discussion is whether gay marriage must be recognised by states where it's not legal. same-sex couples can marry in 35 states. they'll legalize gay marriage nationwide. the decision is expected in june our supreme court correspondent for the national law journal in washington says it will not be an easy decision.
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>> we found out it will not be easy for the justices to sort through the issues and decide that now is the time to make this step. some of them seem to feel they need more time to see how the same-sex couples work out in terms of raising children. any impact on society, but otherers felt like this is the evidence that all the evidence is in. same-sex couples raise children like other same-sex couples. there's a clash, and i think it's harder to predict than we thought. >> indonesia executed eight presidents despite last-minute efforts to save their lives. they were all convicted of drug trafficking. a filipino woman was spared at the last minute. we have this report from where the executions took place x
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nine families from all over the world gathered at the indonesian port to leave for a prison island, for the last time before the executions. not long after, ambulances arrive. a grim sign that despite the last minute attempts from foreign governments to save the lives of the national officials here that made up their mind. while the majority in the indonesia support the death penalty, many criticized the government for insisting on carrying out executions despite legal flaws. >> we have corrupt judges and corrupt prosecutors. it's not about execution. the government uses politics to cover the bigger problems of indonesia, >> after a last visit relatives
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of mary jane prayed for a miracle. she was arrested in 2010 with 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase. the case of the migrant worker has led to protest, she maintained her innocence saying she was framed by a drug syndicate. her two sons and parents had returned from a tearful farewell when the woman involved in recruting mary jane surrendered to police that set up her daughter. >> translation: my daughter is innocent. she went to indonesia, spent three days and flew to indonesia. she didn't know about the drugs. >> reporter: prayers were heard. to australians, four nigerians and four brazilians faced a different fate. they were shot by a firing squad for drug-related convictions. the united nations urged indonesia to stop the executions, saying their crimes do not warrant capital
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punishment. the executions went ahead despite allegations of legal flaws and political interference. the government says it will serve as a strong deterrent. the observers say they'll use it to show strength in a sign of weakness. president joko widodo continued the executions. previous governments had an unofficial moratorium. in january, six prisoners - a dutch and brazilian national - were executed. both countries recalled their ambassadors in response. indonesia is not worried about international repercussions. wayne hay has more on australia reaction for the executions. >> reporter: there's a certain amount of anger and disbelief in australia after two members of the bali mine, andrew chang and myuran sukamaran were executed in indonesia 10 years after being arrested on drug charges.
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there was a lot that happened in relation to the indonesian government and judicial system. that will continue in the days and hours ahead. tony abbott gave a strongly worded statement in a sombre media conference. >> australia deeply regrets the executions. they are cruel and unnecessary. cruel because andrew chan and myuran sukamaran spend some decade in gaol before being executed and unnecessary bouts both young australians were fully rehabilitate in prison there was a fair amount of caution in what tony abbott had to say, emphasising the relationship. he emphasised it was app important relationship and will
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be. judging by that it seems ipp likely in the short term we'll see fewer short steps other than the move to bring the australian ambassador to indonesia home which is a decision already taken. >> sri lanka has undergone the biggest change of a political system in 37 years. as the parliament focussed. it was aligned with an election pledge. the new changes were answerable to parliament. we have this report. >> reporter: an historic day in sri lankan politics, with changes to the constitution of this country. the main changes will be a reduction to the power of the president. or in keeping promises made by the pledges. he and his government that took
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office in january. they said they'd work to curtail the overarching powerful presidency to bring more fair and divided power. spread out among the cabinet. now, a huge majority voted in favor of the changes in the parliament building behind me. 215 of the 225 seat assembly voting for the chance. another thing brought in will be a constitutional council, an apex body which will oversee the appointments to key institutions. was there a negotiation regarding the constitution it has been expanded and all the parties agreeing to this expanded body. a very much overall windows of change seen to the regime and rule of the former president,
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and some of the chance that his government brought in. so in coping with the winds of change and a new government and system in sri lankan politics. >> u.s. president hosts japanese prime minister shinzo abe at a state dinner after making progress on a long-discussed trade deal. he addressed the u.s. congress on the ttp as the trade deal is known. that's the trans-pacific partnership. some members of congress say the deal is bad for u.s. workers. people living near chile's calbuco volcano have been forced to evacuate following ash emission. the national muning and geology service recommended a 20km exclusion zone. >> the leader of a russian bike gang described poland's refusal of not allowing its members into the country as a farce.
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they are fans of vladimir putin, and say they are victimized due to regional tensions. >> reporter: when the night wolves reached the polish border cameras were waiting for them. it was a controversial trip. the warm welcome from the belarussian border cards was not matched. warsaw warned that they would not be allowed in calling the ride a provocation. they were turned away. >> translation: the reasons for refusal were unknown. they denied entry without giving a reason. they denied entry to all participants and the head of the group was put on a sanction list. >> reporter: on tuesday the night wolves leader slam the decision as petty and farcical. their trip was an act of commemoration for the u.s.s. r's
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war-time heroism. >> we'll continue with the trip. i won't reveal the details, i don't want to create problems for the guys. if you see how ridiculous it comes, russian phobia will come to no good. on the eve of victory we should hide hour and intentions and go to the graves of ancestors. more will attempt the journey. the night wolves are wattry otic. vladimir putin rode with them several times. their involvement in the takeover of crimea earned them a place on the sanctions list and they are at the forefront of o movement auld aind maidan staging a rally in february in moscow aimed at preventing a pro-western ukraine style uprising in russia. the group insists it's a bunch of bikers defending russia.
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the ultra dox church. in the climate of east-west tensions that is why they make some europe answer states nervous. just a reminder you can keep up to date with the news on the week side on aljazeera.com. jazeera.com. you might not know it or like it, but you are being watched almost all the time. >> they know more about you than you know about you. monitored. >> don't put personnel information out there. there's people that eat that up. >> this is an american tonight special investigation - your secret's out." >> i'm julie chen, it's no exaggeration it say we live in a