> announcer: this is al jazeera. welcome to the al jazeera newshour i'm jane dutton in doha. in the next 60 minutes - more than 4,000 are rescued from the mediterranean in 24 hours. [ siren ] more than 70 killed in northern syria by barrel bombs dropped by government helicopters. civilians in south sudan flee what the u.n. says is the worst fighting in months.

>> i'll have all your sport - including... >> i forgive but i don't forget sepp blatter comes out fighting as he begins his fifth term as f.i.f.a. president, rejecting that he is to blame for the corruption scandals engulfing his organization. we begin this newshour with a rescue operation in italy saving 4,000 trying to crosses the mediterranean in the past 24 hours. distress calls were made from 22 different boats on friday. in one operation 17 bodies were found or two boats another lot of people on board were rescued. more than 700 migrants have been taken to the port in south-east

italy, rescued by the british navy off the coast of india. we go to the sicilian harbour of catania. huge numbers today. zeina khodr - what has been going on? >> well huge numbers, at the moment all the people rescued are on their way to sicily in the afternoon and throughout the night there'll be a few boats docking around the island and further north on sardinia. there's another rescue operation that started today. this was led by the german navy. there's no details as such. just to give you an idea of the numbers. 4,000 that we are talking about now. in a couple of hours that number could have rich to five, 6,000 or 7,000. a huge influx to do with the

weather conditions over the past few days. there has been a drop in the number of migrants arriving and the distress calls that the it -- italian coast guard had received. the weather has improved and they expect things to increase. >> i know the rescue operations are underway, but what do you hear as far as their stories, where they come from, what they flee? >> i can't gi you the details -- give you the details of those on board. the stories are the same. mainly people coming from sub-saharan africa fleeing war and poverty, travelling month, years, to earn the money to reach this point.

some have been in prison some have been robbed. some have been raped. they have risked everything they had, everything the families own to come here to italy. and then italy is not their last point. from here most want to go further north either because they know people in other countries or they have relatives in other countries or they believe there's better job opportunities. >> that's what they want. where they want do go. briefly, what is likely to happen when they reach shore? >> when they first arrive here they'll go through a medical screening by the authorities. if there are minors they'll be taken to a specific place for the miners. the others will be dispersed across italy.

the italian government called for empty buildings or locations to host the people to give time to the authorities to do fingerprinting and screening or identify the people. by and large most of them will try to leave and get on a train to wherever they want to go as quick as possible. more than 70 people have been killed in northern syria after government forces dropped barrel bombs in two areas of aleppo. medical sources say the worst attack was on a marketplace in a town under the control of the i.s.i.s. that attack killed more than 55 people along. we have this report. >> reporter: the scene this morning is grim. activists say government helicopters dropped bombs. this ambulance is rushing to help survivors much many are

dead including women and children. many groups fighting in syria are in aleppo. in idlib next door the syrian rebels overrun the town and the field rebel leader it promising gains. >> we have weapons we never use. we promise our brothers they'll see the new weapons. >> reporter: a coalition of groups including those allied to al qaeda, have plans to attack president bashar al-assad's stronghold on the coast. syrian forces have been on the retreat in idlib. these military vehicles are said to head into the province of hama and the coastal areas. the area known as the plain is the next crucial battle for rebels and the government in hama and lies between the power base of the president's

mountains to the west and idlib in the north, held by the rebels. on the other side of the country there's a fast-moving battle between kurdish fighters and fighters from the islamic state of iraq and levant. the kurds say the village has been cleared of i.s.i.l. activists show a destruction of a church overrun by i.s.i.l. kurdish fighters backed by the u.s.-led air strikes drove them out. this woman says she lost everything. >> translation: i built this house with my sweat and blood. i don't have anyone and i'm barely surviving. they don't fear god. millions of civilians lost their homes and livelihoods. as fighting continues, more could face the same fate. >> the saudi-led coalition bombed houthi positions across

yemen. on saturday morning planes targeted an air base in sanaa. kurdish plains hit two government compounds. dozens of houthi fighters were killed in the attacks. meanwhile, two civilians were killed by houthi shelling. reinforcements arrived in the province for the houthis. there has been heavy fighting. seven houthi fighters were killed there, and three from the popular resistance forces. the u.n. special envoy to yemen ashed in the capital of sanaa in part of an effort to leave. talks will take place, despite the first round being postponed thousands are fleeing violence in south sudan's unity state as the government battle had rebels. the u.n. says the fighting is

the worst for months. >> these men arrived at a camp for displaced people in unity state, coming from a village in the country, and have been on the road for 24 days. hiding in swamps during the day. daring to walk at night. in fear of government soldiers. they carry a man who was weak and sick. he decide on arrival here. >> my dad's health improved. he was walking and talking. i went to look for his food. when i returned, he died. >> after days on the road, a young person arrived. her mother gave birth on the day they escaped from the village after an assault by a man in military uniform. they beat us and killed people. we ran to the bushes. that's where i delivered my baby.

>> reporter: this man had to undergo surgery, he had a gash to his arm. doctors without borders received patients with bullet wounds. >> my son was with other people at the cattle shed when the armed men came. they started to shoot and they took our cattle. my son hid in the swamp. we had to leave the next day. >> reporter: thousands left the villages. a government offensive s.p.l.m. was going on. many came to seek refuge here 21,000 in the last few weeks. their heavily burdening the crowded camps. they are exhausted. traumatized and afraid. they'll receive basic supplies like food, blankets mosquito nets. some of these people have been through this process before, and those that talked said it seems like a never ending cycle of

suffering. at the camp. the family is making funeral arrangements. he'll be buried in a town he never visited before. and so far away from the home he lived in and loved all his life. she will start her own life here again, so far from home. in burundi two top election officials fled to rwanda. parliamentary elections are due to be held on friday and a presidential poll scheduled for june 26th. there has been weeks of protests for the president's bid. let's go live. they have fled. why? >> well we know they took a plane and went to rwanda. they say they cannot be part of

an election that is a farce. some say there's no time for the two officials to be replaced. others say it doesn't matter others can be put in place. the key thing is what does it say about the credibility. the african union refuses to stand on elections, the catholic church which is influential, pulled out of the election commission progress. people are wondering what is the way forward. the average person on the street feels like the international community is abandoning a sinking ship. they are worried. >> how important are the elections, what is up for grabs? >> they are important, there's the parliamentary and controversial elections scheduled for 26 uni. june.

the president wants to go for a third term. opposition members say they can't participate in elections that are flawed much the president's people feel that conditions on the ground are conducive. people are concerned about the violence, saying it could pick up in the weeks to come. there are grenade attacks going on for the last weekend. it is gaining momentum. opposition members allege they are targeted by the ruling party, they have been beaten arrested. lots are concerned and are watching closely an quake with a magnitude of 7.8 has shakenic tokyo, 200km

from the islands in to the south-east of japan. authorities say there's no threat of a tsunami chinese claims over the south china sea have been dominating a meeting in singapore. several countries say they have rights to several parts of different waters. u.s. secretary of defense ash carter is criticizing the chinese. >> reporter: angering the chinese, a u.s. patrol plane flies over disputed waters, capturing a portion of the chinese reclamation in the area. china built at least 7 man made islets. the u.s. calls the activity unprecedented. and at an asia pacific conference ash carter criticized

china's aggressiveness. >> with actions in the sea, china is out of step with rules and norms underscoring architecture. and the regional consensus that agrees with diplomacy. >> china disagrees, and ignored pleas for it to stop. as far as china is concerned. china is causing problem. >> it's groundless to organise -- to criticize china for construction activities, since china has never taken a proactive measure. disputes in the south china seas have been there for decades. and over the past decades it has been stable because china's great restraint. >> reporter: philippines, vietnam and malaysia, three of five others have their

own installations the but nothing on the scale of chinese reclamation. philippines bringing the dispute to an international tribual. china refused to participate, maintaining historical sovereignty. >> the chinese are not quite trusted. because on the face of it it appears the chinese will say one thing and do another in action. this is where confusion and mistrust lies. >> reporter: the u.s. and allies fear struggles over ownership of the south china sea could destabilize peace and affect trade in the rest of the world. no permanent solutions are

expected at the end of the security conference, but it's hoped the talks about give all parties the space to share perspectives and find a way to work together. china sent a big delegation. it is seen as a positive sign. coming up as nigeria's new president takes hold of a country in crisis we talk to people in the north about their hopes for the future. plus in sport, the first finalist decided for ice hockey's stanley cup. rahul will have the details. details. a defiant sepp blatter says he doesn't fear arrest and the newly elected f.i.f.a. chief denies he's to blame for the corruption scandal. during a news conference in zurich, he said it was his job

to restore the reputation of world football and faced fierce questioning. >> if somebody is making investigation, they have all the right to do so and if they do it the correct manner and if they do it as it is usually the international right done i have no concerns about that. and i have specially no concerns about my person. >> joining me in doha is a former international footballer commentating on the sport. it's a big day for blatter, and a big day for football. what is your thoughts and response to what is going on? >> it's very sad because a game we all love the best game in the world. so many love and follow football but f.i.f.a. have huge problems. when you have sponsors threatening to pull out, things have to change. sepp blatter is at the head of

an organization where this happened in the last 10 15 years. f.i.f.a. has problems but he is there should. how long he'll last we'll have to wait and see. f.i.f.a. needs to make big changes. >> there's talk of u.e.f.a. boycotting the world cup. how would you feel as a footballer if told "sorry you are not going to play." >> devastated. you try to build your career to the tournaments. i was fortunate i went to the european championships, it was the pinnacle of my career of the to have it taken away will be devastating. then you look at u.e.f.a. yes, they are the ones saying that. we have south america, north america. asia africa oceania. they are huge groups that have more power. that's where the vote went. as a player it would be devastating. >> reporter: if f.i.f.a. is as riddled as it is why are you

not hearing current players speaking out about this. what is stopping them? >> for me is looks like the way it's structured. the voting the executive committees and you have to look at the marketing rights for the world cups. the amount of money involved is incredible. as a player, we want to play football. we want to go out, put the ball in the back of the net. >> are you told to play football keep your nose out of politics. >> exactly right. in my day, get out there and play and you hope the people running the game have the best interest of football at heart. >> reporter: cristiano ronaldo and lionel messi spoke out about this. do you think it would make a difference? >> it would make a difference will they do it? the great, great players know it's about playing in big tournaments and being the star. if they spoke out, maradona made the world cup his own in whatever year that is remembered. >> you have an fa match to go

to. >> i have. aston villa and arsenal. news of the u.s. emoving cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. many are optimistic that life will get better nick clark reports from the capital. >> those that would export terrorism. it was announced, especially cuba and libya, we'll act with firmness. with the words ronald regan consigned cuba to a state sponsored terrorist list. today old cars crewed the street. reminders adorned the walls. cuba is on the cusp of change. coming off the list. that was an important milestone. some cubans we spoke to were

skeptical about the difference to their life. those that would go on camera were positive. this was always a political move. everyone knows cuba does not support terror. their relationship with the united states is really new for us. >> there's a few that the move does more than open the door to the united states. . >> the facilitates the relationship with cuba with the rest of the world. for now, it's difficult for any country to have a good relationship with a country that the united states says that is a terrorist country. >> shortly after the revolution, the u.s. shut down the embassy. the next step is to reopen. it will be 53 years after the freeze. there's a suggestion that there could be announcement next week.

>> the embassy was shut down in 1961. the flag poles are erected by the cubans, to mask that side of thing about from a screen which they perceived to be american propaganda. they prepared to re-engage. human rights activist mohammed soltan who was on hunger strike is headed to the washington d.c. he is a citizen of egypt and the u.s. and was arrested in 2013, when police came to look for his father. a member of the muslim brotherhood. he didn't eat solid food for 1400 days they were indebted to those that launched a media campaign. people in the province are voting in local elections, and

are unable to choose local councillors due to instability there. 13 million are registered to vote. many returned from other parts of the country to cast their votes. we have more from peshawar. >> reporter: various parties are participating in the local elections in the province. the nationalists religious parties, and secular parties. over 13 million people will be voting. they are registered voters. it's not certain what the percentage of the voter turn out would be. you can see the banners of various candidates that will be participating for the local government for mayors counsellors. the election is taking place after 10 years because of a worsening security situation, and political instability. people are turning out at the polling booths.

it is a hot day. there are security concerns. but a large military operation is also under way in pakistan's tribal areas, close to the city of peshawar. and it is that relative calm giving the people the confidence. however, it will be interesting to see how this election goes through, and what the people have to say about this particular election that is taking place. >> reporter: these elections mean a lot to us as candidates are from the local communicate communities and available all the time solving issues of their own peep -- people. political parties will want to show they enjoy the support of the people. the outcome of this election is of crucial importance to the various political parties in this province. >> reporter: leave has been cancelled for doctors in many indian hospitals to deal with the growing numbers of people

falling sick because of heat. hospitals are urged to give emergency treatment to those suffering heat stroke. around 1800 died so far because of the extreme temperatures. weather experts say the heatwave could continue for another two days more from one of the areas which has been hit the hardest. >> the distribute in the state is described as one of the most severely water scarce areas in the state. it's been an issue that the government here sh as well as people who have been suffering through this have tried to deal with for decades, and the issue of not having enough water to farm drink or use for every day living has been compounded by temperatures. people are sitting outside the houses because their homes are actually very very hot. the corrigated iron sheets used

as sheets are trapping hot air and the soaring temperatures inside creating dangerous living conditions. the dangerous that the people the communities face when it comes to water supplies for many years is highlighted. there are calls for action. the problem is that this is an issue that many governments tried to deal with and it's proved to be an increasingly diff change how to provide for communities, give them as much water as they need to survive. >> let's find out if it will get better for them. >> over the next few days the heat will ease over the southern parts. it doesn't happen every year. the pre-monsoon heat. this is the second deadliest heatwave history. looking at the satellite. here is where the mitchell johnson rains -- where the

monsoon rains are. there's cloud across the south-west. >> temperatures getting to 48 degrees celsius on a friday afternoon. where do we expect the rains to be at this time of year? rite cross a good part of the area and including sri lanka. as it is at the moment we have not seen the rain pushing in. that rain will break the heat. the dotted line indicates where the rains are, they should be northwards. we are five days, eight days or so behind schedule a week or so. rain will be to the north-east of sri lanka. as we go on through the remainder of the weekend into sunday some showers around the south-west as well. you can see it's hot for hyderabad. nagpur at 45.

going on into monday. something cooler. chennai with a top temperature of 34 thank you for that. coming up on al jazeera. an education crisis in kenya, why teachers are leaving the east in droves. farmers in peru say a proposed copper mine will destroy crops and in part how f.i.f.a.'s corruption crisis is threatening to overshadow south america's biggest football tournament.

thanks for joining us. here are the top stories on al jazeera. italy's navy helped to rescue 4,000 migrants trying to cross the mediterranean in the past 24 hours. they were found on 22 different boats more than 70 people have been killed in northern syria after government forces dropped barrel bombs in two areas of aleppo. medical sources say 55 were killed which is under i.s.i.l. control. a defiant sepp blatter says he doesn't fear arrest and denies he was to blame for the corruption scandal. the f.i.f.a. president said it was his job to restore the reputation of world football. in nigeria, at least 10 people have been killed by boko haram in the north. the armed group attacked a village. coming less than 24 hours after the new president announced

perhaps to relocate the military command center from the capital to maiduguri. insecurity in the north is not the only challenge that the new leader will face he's handled a country with a struggling economy. we have a report from gomba, and what people hope the president will achieve. >> this man and his family were forced from their home in borno state. they found refuge here trying to re-organise their lives. they want one thing from the government. >> security security. the reason is simple. without it you can't achieve anything. that is my expectation, and people like me. we have been through so much. you don't want to have it all. >> reporter: six years of unprovoked violence left tens of thousands dead millions

displaced and a rise in poverty, in a region struggling with low literacy levels and high unemployment. >> reporter: six year after his graduation they are looking for work. >> i'll take care of myself. i'll take care of my family and all my issues. >> like millions of nigerians, he puts his hopes in this man. >> expectations are high right now. when he can count on is the amount of goodwill. people expect him to resolve the major problems the country is struggling with. insecurity corruption and crisis. >> he is inheriting a country in crisis. security corruption and the economy need urgent attention. observers know it will be tough. >> it will be difficult because

people have gone through a lot of things. it will be difficult because people i expect expect the magic to happen and i wouldn't know what plan they have. most important thing is to carry people on board. the drop in the price of oil. nigeria's export left the country short of cash. >> that will limit the option and no one knows how long the people's goodwill will last in kenya, the country's north-east has been hardest hit by the ongoing threat from al-shabab. the government said the region's education sector is in crisis. more than 100 schools have been forced to close. there has been a massive exodus of professionals. we have this report. >> reporter: until recently this

was some of the safest streets in kenya, but it has become a point of al-shabab attacks. >> business is bad. this town is empty. people have flooded in the curfew involved. this region is at the border of kenya and somali. al-shabab had an almost free rein in recent years. stopping whatever progress is made to end poverty. >> they have skills that are open. it's not enough to reassure teachers from other parts of the country. >> those sitting for examinations. time is running out, and the clock is ticking. >> edwin has been at the country hall for the last 27 years.

he's one of many that decided to stay. >> i don't feel threatened. i know everyone around. my colleagues have been here they don't know the outskirts or anything about somali culture. when they see a somali they think he's a terrorist. >> to ensure the continued operation, they've been forced to recruit some of the best performing students that graduated last year saying it's the only way to recruit teachers and avoid closing the schools. >> the u.s. and iran are among talks. the u.s. secretary of state and the israeli counterpart are in indonesia for the first time powers agree to a framework deal. iran wants sanctions to be eased quickly after a final agreement the founder of online illegal drug marketplace the silk road has been sentenced to

life in prison in the united states. prosecutors say the website allowed the anonymous trade of 200 million of drugs. kristen saloomey has more from new york. >> reporter: in an emotional hearing ooul bright said he -- ooul bright said he started silk road but acknowledged he made mistakes. the father of a victim whose son died from a drug overdose after using the service, he believed his son would never have bought heroin from a street dealer. got prosecutors argued for a harsher sentence. to deter others.

you'll bright's lawyer said the judge went too far providing a life sentence. >> every drug case has the same elements here, yet mr you'll brick was saddled with all of is it. it's unfair, unjust and unreasonable. >> ross was crying during his statements. you know, he's looking at his life being destroyed, and, of course, he's - he was very moved by the stories, as we all were. >> a documentary called deep web premiered in the united states on the same day as sentencing. he has developed a cult following. >> the fact is it's not a deterent. the silk roads - there has been hundreds of copy cat services. technology is in its infancy. the dark net is in its infancy.

it is not going away. the judge said she struggled with the sentence but aused ross ulbricht of flouting the law. she said that he didn't fit the typical profile. but he was a criminal. no better than any drug dealer in the u.s. more than 2,000 gathered outside a mosque in what they said was a demonstration against islam. some wore fatigues. there was a heavy police presence standing between the organizers and a counter demonstration. farmers in southern peru are refusing to give up a deadly fight against a copper mine. four people have been killed in two months of protests. the farmers say the line will destroy their cops. they are convinced the new mine

will not bring new jobs. >> 78-year-old lopes has been farming in the valley for more than 50 years. he has seen a decline in the quality of the land and water supply. the dust comes from the melting facilities kilometres away. >> this alive tree is covered with dust. they say it is dying. now the rice fields ready for harvest may be lost. farmers abandoned their crops, and have been protesting for more that seven weeks against the project, which calls for the construction of a new mine. farmers say it's too close and fear they'll lose their likely

hoods. >> we want to be healthy. they will disappear. farmer leader says the mine will not bring them new jobs. >> translation: the company comes and offers jobs it's a lie. they are bringing in people to do the job. they believe if the projected begins they'll start explorations here. all has been divided. people are afraid that one day they'll be forced out of their property as it happened in many other places in peru. >> reporter: last year the government approved an environmental impact study. they say the government misled them. now the rice is ready for the harvest. it will fall on the ground. they say the protest is more

important than saving his crops. >> it would not be fair that i harvest and the others protest. i will be with them. >> reporter: 20,000 people make their livelihoods from growing rice potatos and sugar cane. the agronomist agency says six crops were at list. but they'll never be given prosperity health and the future for their grandchildren. coming up on al jazeera, living that brings old and young together in the netherlands and in sport 2-time grand slam champion andy murray books his place in the fourth round of the french open. find out who will join him. that is coming up with raul.

the cost of elderly care is rising in europe and young are fining it hard to get on to the property ladder. in the second of a 4-part series jessica visits a projects in the netherlands with a unique solution. >> reporter: max heads home after a day at university. home is not a messy shared apartment or a college dorm room. he lives in an old people's

home. he is one of six students living rent free at the humanitas center. in return they spend time with the elderly. >> sometimes before all this when i move here i get a little bit of annoying by people - elderly people for example. when i'm here i think about it differently. so 50 minutes for me is not so many. but for some people in the house here some elderly retirement people it's 15 minutes of their lives, and you see the smile on their faces. >> reporter: the old people and the students have an easy relationship. they tees each other, the warmth is evident. >> translation: we get along well. they are like our sons they are part of the group. >> reporter: the center won prizes for the student resident

concept, the brainchild of a man who came up with the idea when faced with the challenge of dwindling funds. she's been surprised by the resounding success. >> when they have a bad knee and it hurts when you are 96 the doctors can't fix it. the youngsters telling stories about girlfriends, music, parties in amsterdam. they bring in life they bring in stories, they bring in joy and a smile. >> there is no down time to this experiment. the young and the old benefit alike. it's no surprise that they have had inquiries from around the world. from people wanting to know how it works. >> like all great ideas it's so simple you can't imagine how it was not thought of before. the concept looks back to decades earlier in europe when the elderly lived at home with multiple generations. but the scheme has been updated

for modern economist, and importantly, it brings some benefits that can't be measured. the students learn caring skills, and for the elderly, the last years of life are more enjoyable. and in the third part of that series about an ageing world, jennifer glasse reports on kabul, on the role elders play to keep society together. that's on al jazeera on sunday. now it's time for sport. >> f.i.f.a. president sepp blatter is not concerned about the federal bureau of investigation's continuing investigation into corruption at the world football governing body. the 79-year-old giving a conference since being elected for a fifth term and questioned the timing of prosecutors, arrested on wednesday, looking back at u.e.f.a.'s criticism.

let's go to andy richardson. >> it sounded like a heated atmosphere. what was it like. >> he was defiant. determined and a little angry. he'd been chairing the first meeting of the f.i.f.a. executive committee and the new term. that is the panel that makes the top decision in world football. there was a notable absentee david gill of britain, director of manchester united. he was elected on to the panel. and says he will not take up that position. he can't see there being a meaningful change in world football. sepp blatter not happy that gill reiterated that the timing of the arrest was part of a wider

conspiracy about what he had done at f.i.f.a. >> i have said i forgive, i don't forget when it comes to persons, and i said yesterday i have been elected by 133 national associations that i am the president of anything. >> have you had contact with the swiss or either that have conducted the investigations and if not, are you concerned you may be arrested. >> question number one no question number two - arrested for what. >> ufi is the biggest, you -- u.e.f.a. is the biggest, you have the the best competition, if you don't play with other continents they'll not be so

rich or good in football. they have to be a sample. they should help come in and take responsibility and the responsibility you cannot take when you are elected. you don't come to the first meeting. this is no responsibility. >> as you have been saying f.i.f.a. are used to the crisis and sepp blatter used to surviving them and going on. it starts another four years in charge. do you think with all that is going on with the fbi investigation, there's a chance that he may not see out his full term? >> he has immediate concerns and longer term concerns. on the immediate concerns it's u.e.f.a., the european government body meeting in berlin on saturday saying that they will discuss the topic of pulling out of f.i.f.a. it's pretty much a nuclear optionment the fact that it's on the table cannot be good news

much beyond that it's the two world cup said. there's an investigation by swiss authorities. as far as f.i.f.a. is concerned the ones will go ahead as scheduled. it has to be dependent on what the swiss investigation uncovers. sepp blatter says he's aware there are more tough times ahead. the u.s. justice department is confident there'll be more arrests. the reason he is reelected is because he has wide support across the world and has given many member associations huge backing. he has to ashore them the good times will role. that will not happen. the organization will not generate cash if the top officials are arrested. >> good point. thank you for that. >> during that news conference. sepp blatter announced that

indonesia's football association has been suspended. the domestic competition was cancelled because of a row between local government and football association. and it means that indonesia will not commence world cup qualifications but they are allowed to compete at the south-east asian games. south america had some senior football officials arrested in zurich casting a shadow over the copa america competition. daniel schweimler reports from san diego. >> there's not much signs on the streets. not yet. unless chileans express support for the choice of hotdog. with the biggest tournament in latin american football kicking off here the sense of corruption is examining

corruption. >> a shadow hangs, we don't know who from the federation will be there, or the chilean federation or others federation. an official escaped. we don't know. >> while questions are asked about alleged irregularities during the last copa america preparations of this tournament have been smooth. although chile has been dealing with problems off the pitch. football is football and the crisis in f.i.f.a. will not stop the copa america kicking off in the national stadium less than two weeks from now. the action on the pitch will be a refreshing distraction from what is going on elsewhere the players, as they prepare for the biggest football championship in the americas are doing their best not to let the scandal get to them. the players obviously watched

the news and it was surprising we keep out of all that our minds have to be on working towards the copa america to play well and not be distracted. those officials not vetted try to stay calm in the face of a crisis that many believe has just begun. >> the brazilian championships continue as normal. the national team plays, football continues as normal. it's a crisis involving the administration. some of the biggest players in world football will perform at the copa america, hoping to win over the fans disillusioned and angry with the running of the game they love. to matters on the football pitch. and saturday sees four finals played across europe. kicks things off is arsenal and aston villa. arsenal looking to retain the

trophy aston villa trying to win for the first time since 1957. >> there was more demand last year we have our own demands inside the group here and we have high expectation for the game on saturday and we want to do it. >> barcelona in cup action playing bilbao in the copa del ray. they have won the league and play juventus in the champion's league final on saturday. there's a shadow looming over the club and the star forward. former club santos announced they are suing him and barcelona over his controversial transfer in 2013. apart from spain and england, it's cup final day in germany. jergen hoping to end his career as coach with a trophy facing the bundislega runners you will wolves berg. psg could complete a treble winning the league cup title.

they face the second tier in the french cup final. french minister admits a suicide bomber was responsible for an explosion outside lahore during a one-day international. the police claimed the explosion that killed two including the bomber, was accidental. the game inside the stadium passed off peacefully. they are the first 4-member nation. on the pitch, pakistan won the second rdi by six wickets in the series. >> to the french open it's been a busy seat at roland-garros. novak djokovic and serena williams in third round action. williams facing victoria azarenka later, but novak djokovic is already through, having beaten kukanakis, andy

murray saw off the check of nick kyrgios, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. marin cilic was a strait-set winner over me leonardo meyer. >> and facing the new york rangers, tampa bay lightening. keeper henrik lundqvist won six successive game 7s for the rangers and made a number of key saves. the lightening scored twice and face chicago or anaheim in the western conference. more sport on the website. for the latest check out aljazeera.com/sport. anaheim - not easy to say that. >> i was impressed. thank you for that. we have another bulletin coming up in the next couple of minutes. it's a full half hour.

i expect to see you then. thanks for watching this one. his one.

>> well, 4,000 people are rescued from the mediterranean in just 24 hours. i'm jane dutton. you're watching al jazeera. also ahead. [ sirens ] >> more than 70 people are killed in northern syria by barrel bombs dropped by government helicopters. nigeria's new president takes charge we talk to people in the troubled north about their hopes in the future. plus... >> i forgive but don't forget when it