tv News Al Jazeera May 20, 2015 5:00am-5:31am EDT
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>> is turned away but now there's hope. indonesia and malaysia offer temporary shelter for thousands of desperate migrants. hello, welcome to al jazeera, i'm nick clark. also coming up on the programme. risking it all. protesters in burundi are trying to stop the president exercising a bid for a third term in office israeli police shoot a palestinian driver saying he tried to ram border guards.
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>> 34 million cars recalled in the united states over exploding air bags that have killed and injured drivers thousands of migrants stuck at sea and turned away from several countries have finally been offered a life line. malaysia and respond eeshia will offer thousands shelter each rear. it should help the 400 migrants rescued off aceh province. they were starving and dee hydrated. steph has this report from jakarta. the green boat was pushed back after being rejected three times by thailand. they are given food and water.
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and the same treatment was given by malaysia witnesses on the boat told us they were exhausted. they could barely speck. the second time they were pushed away they basically thronened the passengers. if you come back again we'll sink your boat, they said. they pushed them to indonesia and. indonesia and malaysia have now agreed to accept more migrants on land but on the ground in aceh, in indonesia, the military is saying it is continuing with the old policy of sending people away if they come across any boats, they'll give them food and water, but send them away unless the government the minister of foreign affairs gives them different instructions. that has not happened until this point. the policy is the same and thousands of people are still stranded at sea since violence broke out in
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myanmar in 2012, u.n. estimates around 100,000 ethnic minority rohingya left the country, making their way to cox's bizarre in bangladesh the starting point of the journey, down through thailand indonesia and malaysia and migrants through bangladesh. since 2014, 88,000 rohingya and bangladeshi migrants left by sea. in a sign of how desperate they are getting 25,000 attempted the it journey. nearly 1,000 died. rob mcbride is in kuala lumpur. >> reporter: the change in policy comes amid growing criticism amid the way the three countries have been handling the crisis. season so the three countries ministers insisted that their countries have been fulfilling
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international obligations towards migrants and more. even so, the controversial policy of pushing back boats is to stop, according to the statement. migrants will be allowed ashore given temporary resettlement in locations to be designated, while claims for permanent settlement are processed. thailand will take some time to imple pt the policy. as far as indonesia and malaysia is concerned, is comes in effect immediately. >> indonesia and malaysia agreed to provide humanitarian assistance to those 7,000 migrants still at sea, and we agree to offer them temporary shelter provided the settlement and repatriation process will be done in a year by the international community >> reporter: in their statement the three countries spoke about the strain they are under in dealing with the influx of migrants and called on the international community for assistance. many people in this part of the world will see that as a reasonable request to share the burden for what is after all, a
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global phenomenon. others critical of the three governments, will see it as shunning to some degree their own responsibilities. what is important for the thousands of migrants at sea is that from today at least there'll now be a refuge a palestinian man who drove his car into a crowd in east jerusalem has been shot dead by israeli police. he was said to be driving towards a group of border patrol officers two israeli officers were wounded a plan to make palestinians travel in separate buses have been cancel. it would have meant palestinians would have had to travel to and from israel via the same checkpoint. critics called the pilot programme a form of apart height and unnecessary communication. it was overruled by the prime minister binyamin netanyahu the u.n.'s middle east envoy warns that gaza is in danger of
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implode implode imploding. during his first briefing he described his shock at the devastation in gaza after the war between hamas and israel. >> gaza is desperate, and gaza is angry, angry at the blockade at the closure of the crossing. at hamas, including for imposing an illegal solidarity tax, and donors for not honouring commitments to reconstruction, at everyone there is a moral and humanitarian imperative not just for the united nations and international community, but the israeli and palestinian authorities to prevent the implosion of gaza burundi's president pierre nkurunziza delayed parliamentary elections by a week after calls to put off the presidential election due next month to allow stability to return. top generals tried to topple the
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president after weeks of protest demanding that he drop his third bid in office. we have a report where police fired shots at demonstrators. [ technical difficulties ] >> reporter: even though burundi's foreign ministery warned protesters not to go out. they are doing it anyway. there were more on dues. there are police not letting them march into the central district of the capital. tear gas is fired, people run for cover. police don't want this shown on television. especially when they make protestors clear the road they had barricaded. in another part of bujumbura, others are on the street. they seem defiant. >> we will demonstrate until there is no third term of the power, yes.
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>> reporter: government officials say some of the protesters are armed and dangerous and were involved in the failed coup. . >> people were hacked to death in the streets. it means that those people were - they agreed they were working closely with those persons who can and say now there's a coup. and the president is no longer president of burundi. we are now the new one in power. >> this could be a long drawn out stand off. people say they are doing everything they can to protect themselves by carrying sticks when they protest, or putting out barricades along the road. they hope it helps to protect them from police and soldiers. as you can see, some soldiers are in the community on foot. many here say they know coming out on the streets could be dangerous,
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but they say they will not be stopped by guns. fighting in idlib, syria, has intensified around a hospital. the government parachuted in reinforcements in a bid to reach the hospital. where fighters are under siege. fighters from jab ab al-nusra say they have taken control of the largest military base in idlib u.s. president obama is said to have plans to speed up weapon supplies and training. iraqi military has got tanks around the city of ramadi to tack the i.s.i.l. zeina khodr reports from baghdad. >> reporter: they are preparing for a war that could deepen the shia-sunni sectarianism. they plan to push deep into the sunni heartland to recapture
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territory from the islamic state of iraq and levant. >> we are announcing that the popular mobilization forces are getting ready to take back anbar. the people have asked about our health about a month ago. politicians were reluctant. >> the anbar provincial council requested assistance when they fell to i.s.i.l. on sunday. the council is not representative of all sunni tribes. many don't want shi'a forces on their land and would have preferred arms to wage the battles alone. officials in baghdad nist the fighters backed by iran are no longer militia and operate under the government, the iraqi government says. the u.s. expressed concern about deploying them in a sunni province. now it says it backs the government decision. there are those that don't agree. they say the paramilitary troops are stronger than the
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state. at moment they are the only force capable of fighting i.s.i.l. despite months of u.s. training, regular forces are weak and were not able to hold ground in the face of i.s.i.l.'s offensive in anbar. the u.s., which leads the coalition against isil is stepping up air strikes, promising to help the iraqi government recapture lost ground. i.s.i.l. is still on the offensive. people on the contested town is on the move. the armed group targeted security forces in the east. fighting over recent days has displaced thousands. makeshift camps are being set up in pockets of territory under the control of the government and local allies in anbar. not all sunni tribes support the government, and dissent is growing. >> we are here to help our people who have been abandoned by officials. provincial council members and the government are not doing anything. >> reaching out to the people of anbar is needed to win the war. the government has done little.
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>> what have our children done to deserve this. we have not eaten for two days. >> the battle for anbar has not begun in earnest, and there are fears of consequences. sunni leaders demanded that they secure their province, defeating i.s.i.l. is the first challenge. if shia forces fill the security vacuum, it could mean another war still ahead - dozens missing after a landslide in columbia. plus... >> my legs are trembling, because i keep feeling after shocks. >> people in nepal chasing fear and anxiety weeks after two devastating earthquakes. >> ocean experts have made some miraculous discoveries. >> octopus everywhere.
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>> but are the most important discoveries yet to come. >> implications for energy and also for climate change. >> techknow's team of experts show you how the miracles of science... >> this is my selfie, what can you tell me about my future? >> can affect and surprise us. >> don't try this at home. >> "techknow", where technology meets humanity. monday, 6:30 eastern.
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is welcome back the stop story - malaysia offered a small break through, confronting thousands of migrants stranded at sea. malaysia and indonesia say they'll offer temporary shelter to the migrants, provided resettlement takes place in the year. burundi's presence delayed parliamentary elections by a week. next month's election will go ahead as planned. police will fire tear gas provided burundi drops his bid in office. a palestinian man that drove into a car was shot dead. he was said to drive into a group of border control officers. the international organization for migration
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issued a report on migrants reaching italy by sea. this month alone estimates more than 12,460 migrants arriving. that brings the total number arriving in italy to 38,690. the greatest number were from eritrea, many were from syrian and sub-saharan countries. for many west african families sending a child to reach a beater life. richard hart from senegal has the story of one teenager. >> reporter: this boy worked here since he was 10, learning to be a mechanic without pay. the hours are long, and without work. in a few years hopefully he'll get a job for a small wage. like most 16-year-olds, he wants more from life. so does his family. his mother sold all their
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belongings to pay for a journey to italy. the visa to european countries cost $100. they are rarely given to africans. she paid $3,000 for smugglers to organise the trip. one spare t-shirt, jeans and the flip-flops he is wearing is all he'll carry, travelling thousands of kilometres through the desert and sea. his father gives abdu his final words of advice. "throw your passport into the sea. who you are doesn't matter in europe. you are there to work, have faith in god, we love you." >> no one send their son like this. we have nothing, not enough to eat, not enough work. abdu is what i have the most precious. he is our hope. >> reporter: so many have never come back.
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he knows he might never see him again. >> translation: put yourself in my place. for my family, i'm willing to do whatever it takes. the trip is not about me, it's about saving the people i love. >> this is what he's leaving behind. help comes only from those that leave. europe is a boat ride away. the journey across the sea is difficult. many get caught. abdu is travelling by road. west africans can travel freely to the libyan border. three times a week a bus loaded with migrants leave the station. the smugglers signal which to board. this is a well-organised trade. crossing the mediterranean is the easy part of the journey. travelling by bus through the sahara desert to libya is increcibly dangerous. especially during the hot season. one breakdown could leave them stranded in the middle of the desert.
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>> alone the journey feels scary and exciting. his name, age, where he's from is now irrelevant. ahead is a possibility of a new life, an opportunity worth the risk. egypt appointed a new justice minister after the predecessor resigned over comments said to be thought elitist. mab u stepped down after saying that children of rubbish collectors shouldn't become judges. he said the remark was a slip of the town. taking his place is a man a fierce opponent of the muslim brotherhood syrian jets on opposition held areas in aleppo. up to 10 barrel bombs a day are dropped on the city. victoria gatenby has this report. >> reporter: this man is the latest victim of a barrel bomb
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attack by syrian government forces. the ancient city of aleppo has seen some of the fierest fighting in syria's civil war. the government's use of barrel bombs had a devastating effect. despite the increasing attacks people are resilient. >> we will never give up. we'll never retreat even if they bomb the entire city or shell us everyday. we lost 10 people from my family and are ready to lose more. we never give up. >> this woman and children survived a barrel bomb attack. but her husband and relatives and home were destroyed. >> translation: we have nothing left. we don't know what we can do. should i feed my kids or not. or do i take them and feed the turkeys. thank be to god we'll remain here and remain steadfast. god help us. we are not afraid. may god grant us the strength to protect us. >> barrel bombs are not the only
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threat. campaign group the syrian group say backed by hezbollah fighters, control some of the northern parts of aleppo but face resistance from nusra front. the central parts are held by an alliance of opposition groups. some of the countryside to the east is held by i.s.i.l., and aleppo's people are trapped. in chile, mobile phone shows the moment a house was kept away. it was cut off as flooding left roads impassable columbian rescue teams have been working nonstop. 78 died, more are missing in the mountainous towns. from there we have this report.
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>> reporter: searching in the mud with his bare hands. this man lost his wife in the landslide that wiped away his village. her body was found, but the son is still missing. >> translation: when the mud slide hit the house, i was able to hold my wife but not my son. the mud slide hit the house. i lost my grip. >> reporter: survivors have been helping the military and rescue teams. no one knows how many are unaccounted for. this floor of cement is all that was left of the house standing here. you can imagine how strong and fast it was hit by a wall of mud and debris that no one was able to escape alive. >> a temporary bridge was built to cross the ravine. while food and supplies were
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delivered by cable. families have been overcome by fear and grief as news of more victims spread. this mother was distressed when the body of a young girl, the same age as her young daughter, was found. more bodies arrived at a local cemetery. dozens waited outside to see a loved one. >> we keep being called to go to the cemetery. they may have found the girl we were looking for. she was not there, she never is. >> the first round of packages arrived on tuesday, for those that survived but lost everything. while electricity and gas were mostly re-established. drinking water was supplied by trucks. the tragedy could be the deadliest in columbia for years. meanwhile they continue to look for those they have lost. nepal's government is
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appealing for aid after two recent earthquakes. money will go a long way. damage is deeper for many. health workers say the aftershocks are taking a toll on mental health with many too afraid to go in their own homes. we have this . >> reporter: their smiles make everything seem all right. but it's not. these people used to live across the street in this house. since the earthquake the children are too afraid to go inside. she goes in once a day to cook. it's not easy. >> translation: my legs are trembling now, i keep feeling aftershocks. when we are hungry, we are angry because we are citizens, and no one is helping us. >> reporter: locals and international donors are trying to take care of needs. but it's pointed out that
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people's mentatl health is not always a priority. this tent provides a distraction for children affected by the earthquake. the routine and sense of normalcy it provides is as much for the parents as it is for the children. >> for the parents to take care of their needs, set up new homes, find shelters, without having to take care of their children, it actually reduces stress and anxiety on the parents, and the children react positively to that. when the parents are stressed, children are stressed. >> reporter: to give you an idea of what people endured, more than 200 aftershocks have hit the country, adding to stress and fear of what people suffered since the april earthquake. there's mental health support in the capital, but little in rural and remote areas. >> translation: the people on this u.n. sponsored call-in show are trying to help. this is where they work. people from all over nepal phone or text counselors to share
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their feelings. >> the biggest concern right now is regarding fear or anxiety because of all the aftershocks, people were anxious to go in the house, or even like small noise or small vibration, it disturbs them. >> reporter: there's no more money for the call-in show. as food and medicine are distributed many dealing with fear, stress and anxiety have to do it on their own the governor of okinawa wants a controversial u.s. air base removed. residents of the japanese island have been protesting against the base complaining about crime, noise and other issues. it is home to half of 50,000 americans stationed in japan as par of a defense alignment. a portion many say is too high a norwegian cruise ship ran
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aground in bermuda. it has been freed, but thousands of passengers bound for boston are aboard when the owners say it lost power and hit a reef. no other passengers or crew were injured. police in waco texas were relieved by the quiet after a bikie gang shooting. the threat of revenge attacks may occur. they're on aalert. of 18 injured 7 are in hospital. 9 were killed. 107 have been arrested 34 million cars in the united states have been recalled from 11 different manufacturers, it's the largest in the industry's history, and all because of faulty air backs. brent coulombe reports. >> a minor accident should not lead to this, but it did. to cory of florida. his airbag deployed and an 8 centimetre chunk of metal flew
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out of his air bag into his rihgt eye. >> all i remember was an explosion, sounded like a shot. my right side went black. >> reporter: it was the last thing he would see out of that eye. he's not alone. more than 100 have been injured, as many as six killed, and investigators say takata air bags were to blame. tens of millions of vehicles have been recalled worldwide and the manufacturer great to recall -- great to recall 34 million cars in the us. something they have been loathe to do. despite calls from the national transport safety board and the u.s. congress. u.s. congress.c >> does takata support the recall. >> it's hard to answer yes or no so you allow my... >> it is not hard to answer yes or no. >> with fines piling up, the japanese manufacture said it would replace the driver's side.
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u.s. regulators admit they don't know what has gone wrong with the air bags and have not studied the replacement kit, and cannot guarantee the same thing will not happen again. >> right now, we know the ones going in are safer. the concern is are they safe over the long term. that has yet to be determined. >> safety analyst clarence ditlow is not convinced that is true. >> what they are doing is they are using a different composition with additional chemicals in it, which is supposed to stablilize it. people shouldn't be guinea pigs to see if it works. we need assurance that it's a safe propellant today. if that means going to different suppliers, that's what the government should require. >> another problem, it's believed takata could only produce half a million replacement kits each month. meaning it could take years before millions of drivers won't have to worry about facing the same faith. realising the very equipment that was supposed to keep him
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safe stole his sight. before we recap the headlines, we point you in the direction of the head lines, all the news we've been covering where a migrants journey begins that's niklas hart's interesting report. night. [ ♪♪ ] using marijuana for fun in colorado and washington state is already legal. and there's a longer list of states where meddiesinal marijuana is -- medicinal marijuana is available. but the federal government lists cannabis as a schedule one drug. that big disconnect between federal and state law left
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