heavy fighting in iraq's anbar province as i.s.i.l. launches more attacks on government forces. hello, here from doha coming up the bodies of 17 migrants who died trying to cross the mediterranean arrive at a port in sicily. the e.u. hits out at russia after it issues a travel ban against 89 european politicians, and months after the devastating earthquake children in nepal get to go back to school.

>> reporter: in iraq fighters from the islamic state of iraq and levant have launched a string of attacks. eight suicide car bombers attacked an army headquarters near fallujah killing at least 20 soldiers, and 13 soldiers from the iraqi army and allies were killed by an i.s.i.l. rocket attack on the air base east of ramadi. the city is seeing some of the heaviest fighting in recent weeks. let's go to imran khan live in baghdad. is this i.s.i.l. trying to make a push and expand their territory? >> what we are hearing is that i.s.i.l. are making a push. whether they are trying to expand their territory we don't know. they are mounting ever more brazen attacks and using car bombs to devastating effect. this is a tactic they used

several times before. they are uparmouring the vehicles reinforcing them. some that they are using are powerless against them. there are a lot of complaints in the security forces that they don't have the recognisance and intelligence in advance. in ramadi attacks have taken place, some suggesting there was an ambush in the last hour where 33 soldiers died. this is not to say that the iraqi security forces are on the back foot. they have taken over several towns and are waiting for a push into ramadi. the battle is in full flow. what is the picture then. what is happening to the government offensive trying to re recapture territory from anbar, is it faltering? >> it's not faltering, but what we so is a number of soldiers

moving into anbar, and what the government says is when you have the movements, and they are vulnerable, they are getting into place, is there an appetite for the fight, which i think is what you are asking. a mistakesman says we are able to take ramadi we are gearing up to do that. we need help from allies they've been critical of air strikes, saying they are too slow in coming in and need more support. there is the will to fight imran khan thank you for that in syria sources close to the yam say the group is -- islamic state of iraq and levant say the group is taking control of areas in northern aleppo following fighting. it is strategic, on a road leading to opposition strongholds. 16 people are reported to have

been killed in shelling in idlib. in yemen, there has been more fighting between houthi rebels in tiaz. a houthi leader was killed and four civilians, and along the border a saudi border guard killed and others wounded taking you to the southern island of sicily where the bodies of 17 migrants is being taken to port augusta. more than 5,000 people have been rescued since friday. hoda abdel-hamid is live at the port. the scene behind you tells it all about the risks which people take trying to make the journey. >> absolutely. as you mentioned, 17 bodies have been found on a dingy at sea.

according to the commander of the ship the italianship behind me that found them. they were dead when they arrived. there was no shipwreck, the boat had not capsized. they are investigating how the people lost their lives. it could be just because the conditions are so difficult. usually hen they travel on the rubber dinghies they are overpacked - 100 people on a 12-meter long dingy that should take at the most 10 people and they have little water or food. we saw some people uploaded to a ship earlier that had quite significant blisters some were completely exhausted, could not walk off the ship and had to be carried. you could see from that from the expression on their face that it has been an ordeal. we see the bodies the coffins coming shortly.

those are the numbers we know of who have died. we have to remember before reaching this point these migrants have crossed the desert of the territory that is arid a territory of wore lords and armed fighters no one knows how many cross through the desert and how many died. you might wonder why do they take the journey. >> if you look at the figures, 5,000 rescues over 2.5 days. out of the 5,000, 17 died. and we heard that over and over it is an indication that they could take their chance and despite the risk there is a chance that they'll make it. we met earlier with a young eritrean migrant. and this is her story. it's a moment she's been longing for. the chance for a new life away from the turmoil she was born into. her journey started across the sea, 4,000km away in eritrea, it

took her nearly three years to reach the shores of europe. it's a world away from where we met in misrata's detention center. that was back in libya, it was a few weeks ago. she is the girl at the back in white and orange, tense and silent. there were no smiles at the time. >> the prison was awful. we knew nothing. where we were for how long. i was thinking all the time, what will i do, where will i go, how. i thought it was the end. the day you came to visit. we were happy, we were hoping you could get us out. next day they took us to tripoli, they put us in a building. we were not allowed out. we were not allowed out until we paid. when we got the money we paid the sea smuggler $2,000, and he paid the guys at the prison. and we left. first, we walked in the sea. the water was up to my chest. then we got on a small boat and

reached a big boat on her third day in italy, by coincidence or fate, we meet again, by a sidewalk in front of a detention center for newly arrived migrants. with her, some other girls held in misrata, now travel companions. they met along the journey through the sahara desert. they gave each other courage, and are making the baby steps in europe together. she is 7-months-pregnant. her final destination is holland. but she says that some are held in tripoli. they don't have money to pay for the bribe to be freed or the smugglers to make the sea crossing. soon she will be on the move again. she wants to reach her cousin in denmark.

>> i found europe just like i dreamt of it, my country is nice. if there is no war, i would have stayed there, there is no work. i don't know how i will travel. there are other people. i might travel with them. then i will study, first learn the language and work. any job, whatever will give me some money. i have nothing now. but i am happy. i am out of libya. here i can walk around, even sleep in the street, no one attacks you. here there is peace and safety. at the moment her most prized possession is this piece of paper filled with phone numbers, and hope that dreams of a new life could come true. now, just as salam as been re-elected to the migrant center

in rome these people here will end up somewhere around italy in the next 24 hours. at the moment they have to go through medical procedures and then they are taken away by the authorities who have to figure out where they will relocate them. and it's been very diff for the italian, they basically are in every region available to provide an empty building or facility. but the journey for the migrants is not over. many despite what they have been through will rest for a day or two and try to get out of india as soon as possible. they do know the system. they know they have to move as quick as they can. however difficult, they are illegal, and don't have money, and have to find a way to really fuelful the dreams they have. >> the journaly continues, thank you so much.

hoda abdel-hamid in sicily. >> 89 politicians and security officials from the european union have been banned from travelling to russia in retaliation for isanctions and bans against the ukraine ban members of the european union called a travel ban. at the at least those lists should be made public or people should be formed. at a time we are trying to diffuse a dangerous conflict it does not contribute to that. >> reporter: among the europeans banned from travel is the secretary general of the european council in brussels. he's due to take over as foreign affairs provider.

there's 18 pols on the list and nine britains, including the deputy prime minister and the head of domestic security agency and a former belgium premier who leads a group in the parliament and the head of the tax authority. >> translation: we have asked for an explanation and asked the russian ambassador to give us motivation that is transparent and gives a reason why certain names are on the list. >> the russian foreign ministry confirmed the travel ban was imposed in relation to bans against russians, introduced after russians took control in crimea last march. since than 6,200 died in eastern ukraine, where pro-russian separatists and pro-russian forces are fighting for control.

still to come - hipping syrians feed themselves in areas where hunger is a weapon of war.

welcome back let's recap the headlines. in iraq i.s.i.l. fighters launched a string of attacks. an army headquarters in fallujah was attacked and 13 soldiers killed by an i.s.i.l. rocket attack on an air base east of ramadi. the bodies of 17 people arrived at port augusta on the italian

island of sicily. they were found during friday's operations saving more than 4,000 migrants crossing the mediterranean sea the european union condemned a travel ban on 89 politicians as arbitrary and unjustified. moscow says it's in response to e.u. sanctions imposed on russia and similar travel bans. the unagency dealing with hunger says 10 million are in need of assistance after four years of war. a lack of security funding and access means it's proving hard to help everyone. as caroline malone reports, a new scheme is under way to help people help themselves. >> this farmer is helping to provide food for hungry people in syria. it was set up in an opposition held part of aleppo eight months ago. 30 families get a regular supply of eggs. others have an option of buying into a cooperative that makes a

living off the farm. >> translation: the aim of the project is to achieve food security for aleppo. it's a means of protection if a blockade is imposed on the city's liberated areas. it's funded by the koran foundation, a u.s.-based charity. they provide smart aid, finding the most effective and impact of the ways to help syria based on their requests. >> of course it creates food security for civilians, and general life security for the people that we serve. and that is why we are so passionate about giving this smart aid. >> reporter: people without food in war zones are vulnerable not just to malnutrition but exploitation. in this video al nusra front aned out food to people, part of a campaign to win them over the world health organisation is providing aid to 1.25 million. because of war many areas are

inaccessible to the programme. including palmyra. the world food program can't get into parts of eastern douma, and can only reach some people in aleppo and other areas. some are so desperate to find food they eat whatever is available. like in yarmouk refugee camp, a place blocked from food supply and aid. >> in syria, what we see is two types of tactics using food as a weapon of war. the first is that parties are confiscating the food production and distribution services. that include farms and markets. the second is that they are impeding access to humanitarian aids. farmers in aleppo, with the help of donors created something sustainable. there are more than 4,000 people who need more food in this neighbourhood. with this project, a growing number of people know where the next few meals are coming from

mohamed soltan a human rights activist freed on saturday arrived in the united states. the egyptian-american was arrested in 2013 and sentenced to life in prison. police looked for his father but arrested mohamed soltan instead. he has been on hunger strike for over a year. burundi's president pierre nkurunziza will not attend a summit in tanzania focussing on the crisis in his country, a group of african leaders are meeting finding a solution ending weeks of protests. demonstrations were triggered after pierre nkurunziza said he'd seek a third term in office. we have more from the capital. >> translation: the president says he did not attend the summit because he's campaigning,

preparing for elections. the last time he went to a summit there was an attempted coup. perhaps he doesn't feel comfortable leading the country. we are hearing that some of the leaders will ask him to postpone the elections by a couple of months if that is the case people are waiting to see what the response will be. lots of people watching closely, awaiting the outcome. people are trying to go on to the streets. it's difficult as there's a heavy police presence an accused bombing on a mosque killed 16 people. following an attack in the suburbs of maiduguri. we have this report. >> as people gathered for afternoon prayers at the mosque an accused bomber blew himself up.

witnesses say he posed as a trader and was pushing a barrow. psh psh so far no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing. it was not the only violent attack. most civilians were killed in the western suburb when rocket propelled grenades hit homes. it was believed boko haram carried out these attacks. >> it's the first test in

fighting a group that killed thousands. and displaced more than a million. in response to the attacks they promised swift action to punish those resonsible china reacted angrily to u.s. criticism on reclaimed land on the south china sea. the row is dominating a meeting on regional security in singapore. the u.s. secretary is opposed to the militarization of the disputed area. china says the building project is to improve conditions for people working on the islands in. >> translation: china's air defense zone in the south china sea will depend on whether security in the air or at sea is to be threatened and to what extent. the situation has been peaceful and stable. there's no reason for people to play up this issue.

the u.s. secretary of state john kerry is receiving treatment in hospital after a cycling accident. the u.s. state department issued a statement confirming john kerry may have suffered a leg injury. he was riding in france a day after talks with iran's foreign minister. doctors say he's in a stable condition 2,200 are estimated to a died in a heatwave in india textures reached more than 40 degrees in many days. we have this report where 125 people died. >> reporter: in some of the most impoverished pockets of this area hundreds of families are holding last rites for their loved ones. this man says his father, who works in the family rice field, died from heat stroke. he was 85. >> translation: my father was sick because of the heat.

he was not well for a few days. we gave him water. that did not help. we decided to take him to hospital. he died on the way. stories of illness have been told across the area and neighbouring andrah pradesh. some doctors say they are equipped to deal with the growing health crisis. >> oral liquids, intravenous food, it's the basic medical treatment required to treat the patient. that is for each health center in my cluster. >> in this district an unprecedented heatwave, described as such by a meteorologists, raised questions about an old problem - water supply. for communities across the area, pools like these are an

important source of water for farming and drinking. many of them have run dry, leaving villages parched and desperate for alternatives. villagers tell al jazeera that they are lucky if the taps run for more than an hour a day. the authorities long struggled to fix the problem, and as a result residents have learnt to live with little. over time our water problem has gotten worse. we had drought and don't get as much rain as we used to. groundwater has dried up. this is a serious problem, particularly for the elderly. >> in a twist of irony, it's water used to cleanse themselves, purifying themselves with a life-saving resource in short supply. schools have reopened in nepal a month after a

devastating earthquake killed more than 8,000. harry fawcett has more from the capital kathmandu. >> reporter: this is a high school on the outskirts of kathmandu. it looks okay on the outside. the cracks are so bad the red sticker means it's been condemned, it has to come down. the teachers, local n.g.o.s and u.n.i.c.e.f. have done is put these together, bamboo huts. the principal never expected so many kids to be here, but it is important that they be here. to give them a sense of normality, of being together again. he gave is speech saying if another earthquake comes, it will be okay, it will be fun, it will be like dancing trying to reassure the children. >> this is the official first day at school. not every school will be in this shape. all schools will get together and chart a way forward to make sure children have an educational future to look forward to and a chance to be together after a traumatic few

weeks. now, a muslim woman is accusing united airlines of discrimination prompting a social media campaign to boycott the carrier, she says a flight attendant refused to serve her an unopened can of soft drink saying it could be used as a weapon. she then served another passenger an unopened can of beer. the woman was recognised as a leading muslim female by the united states winemakers are turning to a plant and it's proving beneficial to people with

allergies. winemakers are turning to the plant. it's beneficial to people with allergies. we have this report from the western cape. >> reporter: this is known for scenario and vineyards. like other producers wine makers use okay to make wine. >> we used to add wine to the barrel. now we add okay chips. >> reporter: what he means they don't use barrels, but oak chips and other derivatives are added to the wine. they discovered oak could be replaced with a south african planned, roybust. >> here it is. it looks like a tea bag. >> reporter: it is known for leaves to make tea. using it to make wine is similar to brewing a cup. . >> we want anxiety oxidants. we don't want a lot of flavours, we don't want a cup of tea. we want a proper good red win. >> these are the plants grown here in south africa. for the process of making tea, it's the leaves they want, but for wine, it's the stems, the wood that they need. there's another reason that it has proven beneficial, it eliminates the need for preserves. it's so full of anti-oxy dents,

and that means no sulphur. >> a lot of people are allergic to sulphur. when they drink the wipe, it affects them. the other thing is there's a consciousness throughout the world about using preservatives in wine. >> reporter: he's patented the concept hoping that it will give the wine a selling advantage. >> i wanted it to be south african, because inherently it's the right thing to do. if you do the right thing, you'd have to look after your own people. you need to find a way to create jobs. >> a lot of wine is sold to china, it's won several awards and popularity locally, trevor is hoping the sulphur free win will plant the region on the wine-making map

hundreds attended the funeral of american blues legend b.b. king in mississippi. he died at the age of 89 and requested his body be returned to mississippi, where he gained fame as a young singer. you can get more on that story and the others at aljazeera.com. hello, i'm richard gizbert, and you are at "the listening post". here are some