>> hello there i'm felicity barr. this is the news hour live from london. coming up, france summons the u.s. ambassador under allegations that the u.s. spied on three french presidents. >> fighting in yemen kills hundreds in just one day. at least 12 people were killed by a suicide-bomber who targeted a diplomatic convoy in somalia.

and landmark victory for climate campaigners as the judge or so the whole country to lower it's greenhouse emissions. >> i'm lee wellington with the sports news. is formula one under the verge of a takeover. >> hello, france has responded with outrage at the allegations that the u.s. spied on french president françois hollande and two predecessors.

>> i common the u.s. ambassador to tell her one this is unacceptable. two, that we want to know whether these practices have ceased, and three to ask where these practices were only used in relation to the present or more generally. because while we understand that there might be veins concerning terrorists that has nothing to do with listening to the friends of allied states and friends and giving answers rapidly. >> neave barker joins us live from the french capital paris. the french are furious about this. >> definitely. the french are outraged by these claims made in the french media and by wikipedia. as shown by how quickly they convened earlier on in the day with the perms council meeting that formed the backbone of

decisions since. including the decision to call the u.s. envoy to france to the foreign ministry to answer questions. we're still though, waiting to hear from the americans and to see, of course, whether or not they have anything to say publicly about this scandal. but also, also to send a top level intelligence delegation over to washington to essentially investigate matters further. the whole situation comes at a very difficult time in relations between france and the united states. at the end of 2013 into 2013 the french president traveled to washington, and categorically asked president barack obama to make sure that france would not be spied upon by the united states assurances were given then. that was at a time in which edward snowden the former nsa worker turn whistle blower

revealed publicly that german chancellor angela merkel had her telephone tapped by the nsa. that sparked concern here in france also. although the latest revelation by wikileaks refers to documents that date back to 2006 up to 2012, the question is how much did barack obama know about what had already gone on? as you mention there had telephone conversation has happen happened happened between obama and hollande and obama offering assurances that the united states will continue to behave as an ally. but france moving forward are certainly be quite curbs. >> neave barker live from paris. thank you very much indeed.

we have our guest joining by skype. thank you for your time, professor. you are a former cia agent. president obama has promised both the french and german leaders that they no longer will be spied upon by the u.s. is that a promise that he can personally fulfill? does he have the power to do that or will the nsa do things that the president doesn't know about. >> that's a very amusing question. no the nsa or cia do not engage in activityies that the president of the united states does not order. any time wikileaks says something, you journalists accept it as the 100% gospel truth. >> indeed, that's an accusation that has been made before. but the french believe there is truth to you it or they would not be summoning the u.s.

ambassador. how important is it for supposed allies to be spying on each other? >> it depends on your definition of an ally. there are so-called five eyes countries which france and germany ask to be made a member of. but when you have a situation in the world where france generally opposed american foreign policy as often as it supports it, how much of an ally is that? if the united states was listening in on french presidents' phone conversation, perhaps it's because the u.s. government does not truths what the french tell us to our faces. >> so what is it-- >> i also-- >> sorry, carry on. >> while the u.s. ambassador is in having this meeting he might ask the french by industrial spying in a the french service

does against american companies. so the big crocodile tears of the french that oh, my god someone is spying on them, perhaps they should look at their own house at the same time. >> isis that a difference between various forms of spying. you're talking about the french spying on u.s. companies. isn't that industrial spying rather than national security spying. >> i'm not sure to an american company that's had their trade secrets stolen that makes much of a difference, but there are certainly three categories on counterterrorism. countries will cooperate that don't generally even like each other. national interests are seen one point if you have something in common you'll cooperate, sometimes you don't. the former french security back

in the 1980s after he left office even said the u.s. and france cooperates on political affairs but in the industrial world we are rivals and therefore he considered it quite appropriate that french security services do industrial spying against american companies. i consider it hypocrisy if you're worried about america listening in on to the french president on his telephones calls but it's okay for the french to spy on american companies. >> we'll leave it there. thank you for your time. thank you. >> thank you. >> thousands of yemenis have gathered at the border trying to flee into saudi arabia after army forces loyal to the exiled president seized the crossing by

the rebels. >> yemenis are able. but down in southern yemen they were seized by houthi fighters. the men any is persistent and still powerful. houthi fighters and their allies are targeting many places. >> it's strange that they take care of the prayer times and that indicates that they're near. >> the houthis and their allyies are keen to gain the upper hand. itin the center of aden, forces loyal to sad da shield this

presidential area and your many. the government say that the fight something going according to plan. >> the saudi-led coalition the operation is still ongoing on the ground. they're battling on the ground and coordinating the separation exactly how it is planned for them. >> the humanitarian situation it's people are suffering from lack of water and basic services. it could be a while before life returns to normal both there and across yemen. >> let's go to the special envoy for yemen. he joins us live from the u.n. headquarters in new york. i know you have been briefing the u.s. security council just how bad is it at the moment?

>> there was a briefing of the security council, and briefing on the situation. regarding your question i can tell you that the united states is quite dramatic. today almost 80% of the population meaning 20 million yemeni snead don't have access to safe drinking water. we know that there are one million displaced internally. we can go on for the figures. it is dramatic and it's deteriorating by the day. >> you, of course, are trying to arrange another round of peace talks between the two warring sides. why did the previous attempts fail, do you think? >> our operation is not that we failed. we believe there were a number of positive signs in geneva in

which we can build in the future. it was almost impossible to imagine that they would be able to bring the two parties to geneva. even a few hours before they were able to come to the same place to have success. the third point is that they're able to engage on a number of issues like the cease-fire, the withdraw and monitoring system. and both party even at the end are ready to engage. and the only reliable system we have in place is the u.n.-led process, which is, in fact for us a yemeni process. >> they said that you and your colleagues needed more behind

the scenes talk, do you think that they needed more preparation. >> that's a fair point. you always need more preparation. there is no doubt about that. but the fact is we're running against time. the population is in need of emergency and they're keen to have a cease-fire and agreement on on the humanitarian situation. our plan is to go further. i'm going to intensify my interaction on my discussion and consultation with the two parties both in sanaa and in riyadh until we are sure we can agree on a number of points. >> i know, you are again appeal for an immediate cease-fire. there has been talk about sending some of the monitoring

team to monitor that cease-fire. how exactly would that work? >> first, let me clarify. they have made a call to and of course we preface that with agreement on which the united states would rule out not only the cease-fire but would have an monitoring. what they're thinking about is not a military force. and their role would be to ensure that the government can provide the basic services. all are free from any form of armed groups, also distance in

which the groups would have to withdraw. if you remember, you have the five-day pause. almost like a month ago, we were not able to monitor the different violation. if you have monitors in place and the two parties seem to be open to having monitors under the u.n. amen umbrella la . >> are you confident you would find cooperation? >> i think so. we've had discussion with the arab league. i'm sure we would be able to mobilize everything that we need. >> good speaking to you in new york, thank you for your time, thank you. >> thank you. >> to breaking news. the boston marathon bomber has

been addressed by the judge. in may a jury condemned dzhokhar tsarnaev to die. he's now expected to appeal. >> at least 12 people have been killed in the somali group al-shabab. the targets were diplomats from the united emirates although none of the diplomats were injured. the truck was part of the convoy. a suicide-bomber had rammed his car into the convoy. members of the armed group al-shabab are claiming responsibility for the attack.

>> al-shabab calls them targets. >> they're getting support from the 22,000 african union force which is fighting al-shabab. it wants to overthrow the government. on sunday four al-shabab fighters were killed as they tried to detonate a car bomb and shoot their way into an initial agency center. al-shabab has lost territory to forces since an offensive began to push them out last year. >> frustration and misery grow as the pakistan's heatwave death toll pass 800. allowed to pay ransom without fear of prosecution.

>> plus a man who can multi task feeding a baby and catching the ball. >> first opposition politicians are accusing the pakistani government of failing to respond to a severe heatwave crisis. 830 people have now died and many fear that the number will continue to climb as many elderly patients are rushed to hospital. >> they sleep on the streets to stay cool. many residents in karachi are finding no reprieve from the heat. >> no one from the utility company is taking notice of the complaints. people are falling sick and being rushed to hospitals. >> hospitals are overwhelmed. the serious heat has stretched

medical services in pakistan's commercial hub to their limit and morgues are filled to capacity. the army and paramilitary rangers have set up emergency camps across the city to help treat people and to hand out salts. >> we rushed here because we were sure that the treatment and care would be better than anywhere else. >> healthcare workers are urging everyone particularly the elder elderly to drink enough water. >> karachi is part of the tack pakistan federation, and no part of the country is exempt. >> and the frustration on the streets.

one karachi neighborhood is angry at another power cut. >> the dutch government has been ordered to cut its greenhouse gas emission business 25% over the next five years to help fight global warning. it comes after government targets were labeled as inadequate and illegal. we have more on this ruling that could have international repercussions. >> it told the government to cut its emissions by 2052%. it was great news for supporters of the case. >> the judges in the netherlands feel that liability has a role to play in addressing the climate problem. >> the landmark ruling said that the government must protect its

people from the effects of climate change and it's current plans simply don't go far enough. it said: >> the case was brought by the agenda foundation which insists on the temperature rice of 2 dress. wind technologies have taken off here but dutch carbon targets have lagged behind and using law to force the government's hand is a breakthrough. >> we're the first in the world to do this. we're being lookinged everywhere all the countries and this really will be very helpful for everything. >> the case could set an

important legal precedent with similar once prepared in other european countries and the e.u. targeting cuts of 40% by 2030. the dutch government said that it needs more time to study the verdict, and it does have the right to appeal but it just lost a crucial case in which it's own policy decisions on climate change have been judged to be in breach of the law. al jazeera. joining us now from am der dam is the man right at the heart of the story. he's chairman of the foundation. thanks for being with us on the news hour program. are you confident that the government will comply with its court order. it's likely to appeal, but are you confident that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% over the next five years? >> well, we still have to see it but this puts enormous pressure

on the present government. it has the ability to achieve 8% reduction over the next five years, and in parliament it will raise question after question so indeed this puts tremendous pressure on the government to act and to do more than right now. >> how can the government enforce the ruling? >> well, there is not really formal ground to be the government's job. it is eligible to raise the issue in court and the court decided it was eligible and the government should do more and reduce 25% or more in 2020.

where the agenda is really a private party it can legally and financially push the government verdict is left strong. this is what we say as the legal system and now the government has to respond. but it puts lots of fuel on the fires already. >> is it likely this will set a legal precedent for other countries? >> well, that is a shame. our line there to amsterdam.

amster interruptedto amsterdam interrupted but i they we got the gist of what he was saying. >> i'm catherine soi where scientists are focusing on areas like this one to reduce malaria. >> and in sports, the holders at the world cup.

>> challenge the way you look at the world. >> talking about big subjects. >> telling human stories. >> rising waters taking their toll... we go to the threatened marshall islands... to talk to the peole affected most >> is there a plan? >> welcome back tots news hour. a reminder of the top story. u.s. ambassador has been summoned after wikileaks released reports that the u.s. has spied on the last three french presidents.

inal-shabab starting diplomats in mow dish mogadishu. no one was hurt. >> islamic state in iraq and the levant has attacked syria's historical heritage. isil fighters reported to have planted other explosives and mines around historic ruins on friday. >> this is what many fear would happen when fighters from the islamic state in iraq and the levant captured palmyra a few weeks ago. it was not the first time that isil has destroyed ancient

monuments. fighters blew up two ancient shrines they consider unislamic. the shrines are not from the rome era. there are concerns about the fate of the unesco-listed world heritage site. >> it is entirely possible that the organization would destroy all of the historical remnants of palmyra. they started with the clients that had islamic residences, a shrine to the mohammed, a shrine to a medieval mystics. >> i think those were part of the social set associated with the blowing up of the shrines. i have not yet seen any sub

stabbated evidence, any real photos that show mines being laid around the ruins themselves. >> in march isil used a bull doer so destroy a 3,000 syrian city near the city of mosul in iraq after smashing artifacts in the museums. precious antiquities are being sold. >> isil fighters are the only ones sergeanting ancient sites in syria. the structure was seriously

damaged. and walls once covered with mosaic panels are now republic. the museum is an ottoman compound which was also hit. it is not known what the international community can do to protect whatever remains. >> greece's prime minister alexis tsiparsa is back in brussels. theygreece needs 1.8 bail out money to it can repay its debts. we're joined live now. you know that the european finance ministers are meeting right now, but what are the chances of anything significant coming from that meeting?

>> well at the moment i think that it's not a fat loss. there have been small amounts of physical movement. the meeting that we've been talking about all afternoon between the greek prime minister stispras and the creditors which was apparently full of acrimony that's now ended. the representative there the finance minister is there. the imf is there as well all the other finance ministers from the euro zone. but as they went in by and large those ministers were prepared to say something made it pretty plane that the gap between the two sides between the greek government and the creditors have plot been bridged at all. remember, they were trying to get to some type of agreement by

tonight in order that it could be signed off by the heads of state tomorrow. now they seem to be changing the rules as they go along. and there are all sorts of rumors circulating about another emergency finance meeting and potentially more full summit of the eurozone. the greeks reportedly are saying after this meeting tsipras may have to have another meeting with the creditors. but what it says in the end is this enormous gap between the two sides, the greek saying we can't have any more austerity. we tried to make all the compromises that we're prepared to and this is what you're going to get and then the creditors saying it is enough. we want greater austerity reforms, cuts and greater tax rises. it does not appear to be any common ground and what it means in the end these finances

ministers have not got anything to sign up on. they haven't got a piece of players they can go through with a joint set of proposals and it very much limits their ability to do anything substantial tonight. >> lawrence in brussels, thank you. demonstrations against electricity prices are continuing in armenia. first day. the central avenue in the capital remained blocked as crowds staged a sit-in. they're angry about the plans to raise electricity up by 22%. armenia's power network is owned by a russian company. and because of closed borders to the east and west the country relies on russia for its main trade. u.s. president barack obama is clearing the way to families of american hostages to pay ransom to its abductors without fear of prosecution. but a ban directly paying ransom for making other concessions will remain in place.

our white house correspondent patty culhane joins us now. patty, why has this change come about? >> first i want to tell you about news that came out of the white house briefing. we now know that there are more than 30 americans ma that are still being held hostage overseas. but the reason this became a public issue is because of the families of american hostages that rent lay have been killed, they've been incredibly vocal saying that the u.s. government treated them terribly. president barack obama came out and basically agreed several times talking about the fact that families felt ignored or worse, they felt bullied by their own government. in some cases the families were told if they paid ransom to get their loved one out that they faced criminal prosecution for helping a terrorist organization. that's why the president has launched this review, saying there are going to be changes. but they're being very discreate

andcretediscrete and subtle with the words they're using. they're saying that no one has been prosecuted for that, no families have been prosecuted, and it's unlikely to change. they did say that the u.s. government would advise these families but not they're saying they're not going to facilitate the paying of any ransom. they're making that distinction. the president said one thing very specifically is not going to change. >> as president i also have to consider our larger national security. i firmly believe that the united states government paying ransom to terrorists risks endangering more americans and funding the very terrorism that we're trying to stop. >> so he's making a change, but he's going to be criticized for doing that, isn't he? >> he is facing some pretty fierce criticism because people are saying basically he's trying to find the middle ground by

changing his policy in the way that he's doing it. if you think about what he just said. if we pay if the u.s. pays ransom they fear more americans will be targeted for ransoms. will the hostage takers differentiate between private money or government money? they just said it was a complicated situation and at the end of the day the u.s. government cannot abandon these families during a terrible time for them. >> patty culhane live in washington, d.c. thank you. >> research has warned that the ebola outbreak caused an increase in malaria deaths. tens of thousands of people suffering from malaria stayed away from clinics because they were worried about catching ebola. malaria kills half million people on average every year, many of them children.

catherine soi reports from one of malaria's hot spots science is turning to new technology. >> from a big county in kenya scientists and researcher have been here for decades studying the mork mosquito and the parasite it carries, malaria. >> this team of health workers is yet to install a solar power powered mosquito trap. it's one of 4 hup that have been installed. this has been laced with the

human scent. >> you're seeing the mosquito system to for eradication. >> they're more excited about the new light in her house after a lifetime of using kerosene lamps. the solar light is a bonus to entice people to carry out their studies. >> if there are ways to protect may health, i'm glad. all of my grandchildren have died. >> not far from where she lives this fisherman on the shores of lake victoria have just returned from a night of fishing. that's a time of chances of

contracting malaria are higher. the focus now is shifting. many people here get infected after being stung by mosquitoes while away from their homes either out fishing at night or going about their other daily business. the disease is constantly mutating so they have to be a step ahead in monitoring and learning more about this fly. they say they're learning more about the war but there is still a long way to go. catherine soi in kenya. >> the last of hong kong street campaign has been cleared away for electoral reform. the candidates would have had to have been approveed by pro beijing committee. six days ago the city's legislature vetoed the plan. fighting in the south of the

philippines have affected generations of people. many women caught up in the fighting are afraid of being kidnapped by rival chance. >> her world is one torn apart by shame. in 2013 she was abducted along with other female members of her family. they were taken at gunpoint inside their house and were held hostage by their captors for almost a week. the details of their capture too painful to share. >> where do we go for the situation, the military? the police? we fear for our lives because we are kidnap victims. we're women in the middle of the war. this is part of our culture.

>> it was a dispute between warring chance here. a centuries' old practice. this is an island in the southern-most part of the philippines long held back by war and poverty. families squabble over land and property can last for generations. women and children are at the heart of it. abduction of women is one of this war's biggest shame. women are either used as a bargaining chip, forced into marriages or used as payment for dowryies very few women come forward and file cases against their abductors here. the process in the courts are slow, and women find themselves even more polarized. their abductions is considered taboo and difficult to discuss openly. instead families choose violence as a means to solve disputes.

blood money is often exchanged and women are left to cope with the trauma on their own. >> i think they need to make the institutions work in communities one way, of course, is educating them, informing them about their lives and so they can really promote these rights. >> there are organizations helping to assist welcome caught in armed conflict. they're willing to provide counseling. women must not be seen as a commodity here they say and educating men is just as important, too. but changes may not happen any time soon. until then women will suffer silently. >> part two of our series of special reports from the southern philippines. we look at the growing threat of armed groups as they recruit children to become fighters.

that's this thursday on al jazeera. still to come on this program once a luxury, the fur of thee sheep is not selling as it used to and afghan farmers are not happy. plus in the bag, a winner as a build up to wimbledon. that's next.

ail only on al jazeera america >> hello again. the falling price of afghan lamb skin is effecting the country's pelt industry.

some traders say that exports are down by 80%. nicole johnston reports from northern afghanistan on how sheep farmers there are coping. >> under the harsh midday sun he's trying to feed his sheep. without much success. >> we don't have grazing land. this sheep is very thin. there is no grass. we don't have water. they drink at at a garbage dip and get sick. >> these are sheep highly regarded for their meat, wool and lamb skin with its tight soft kills. when times are cuff and tough and the farmers can't afford to raise the lambs they kill the lambs for their pelts now a lot of bargaining goes on to secure a deal as well as checking the

quality to the skins to see if they meet export standards. >> he has brought skins for sell but he can't get the price he wants. >> neither can this man. he walks out in disgust. farmers say insecurity has made grain more expensive. and exportsers have problems too. >> our business has almost collapsed. exportsexporters have only sold 10%. >> they spend time washing sorting the pelts. last year over half a champion were sold. it sounds like a lot but not when you consider that 30 years ago afghanistan was selling over 1.5 million a year. regardless the country's largest

exporter is optimistic. >> people who like it will buy it. we still pay the farmers a good price for the skin. >> to many farmers don't agree. so the pelts pile up in hell up in helsinki helsinki, finland. nicole johnston, al jazeera. >> it's time to catch up with sport now. >> thank you very much. well, the sport of formula one is on the verge of a takeover by a group of american and qatari investors in a multi billion dollar deal. f one is held by a number of stake holders now according to

financial times me may expand the sport further in u.s. and chinese markets. there is 4.5 million television viewers last year but recently attendance has decline: qatar's interest no hosting a race last year but vetoed a plan to bring f 1 racing. they say qatar being involved would make sense. >> i think it's highly likely that we'll see a race in qatar. for me obviously the qataris are

investing very heavily in sport in conjunction with their 2013 vision. as rightly pointed out they've invested and this is a growing portfolio. people in qatar love cars and they love the sport. this is an opportunity for him to cash in chips and walk away. there could be various buyouts of formula one. i think the other issue too there have been questions around the governor nan of formula one. the fact that he's set to walk away may well held a new era when we see new people introduced into the sport.

>> the 12-year-old becomes the second most expensive player in the club's history. he has four goals and the winner against venezuela on sunday. his next duty is to lead the attacks in i absence of neymar. the finals in chile but uruguay's star player could miss the match and leave the tournament all together after his father was involved in a fatal crash. >> he has been affected by the situation in which a family member was involved. obviously he's affected by it as anyone in a similar situation would be. at this time, as time passes we'll see how he adapted to the situation. >> fans from all over latin

america have been in chile for copa america but for more 200 years the region has been plagued by territory disputes. >> ten teams from south africa plus invited guests mexico and jamaica have been battling at copa america. bolivia and peru have taken chi la to international tribunals. brazil has problems with paraguay and uruguay and chile has unresolved issues. >> in south america there have been rivalries between us, usually between countries that share a border. i've got lots of peruvian friends. >> an alleged of chilean

football, one of the stadiums is named after him. spreading the word about the joys of the beautiful game. >> we've always got that 90 minutes in which we can forget everything. we only want to know what is happening on the pitch. that's why the stadiums are full. >> football is steeped in history and nostalgia exemplified by the knowledge of the game, game from chile's biggest collection of football sticker albums. 250 and growing. >> before we had internet people would ask me about the families. who had won championships. which clubs had players played for, about the great players. they would always ask me, and i knew how it was thanks to the albums. >> the shadow hanging over this counter has been the fifa corruption scandal but football has beaten previous scandals and political and economic upheaval. could this be their year?

colombian fans waiting outside of the hotel certainly think so. all sorts of conflicts in the region put to one side for now. the only conflicts that count are those on the pitch. fans from 1100 countries support their teams. glorifying their national characteristics and celebrating their regional solidarity. perhaps some of the answers lie here. al jazeera santiago. >> in the women's world cup defending champions japan beat the netherlands. japan's coach apologized for the finish. they led to this brilliant goal.

japan will play australia. the quarterfinals continue. the japan australia game's first match the match. >> half centuries took them to 317 for six. it was too much for bangladesh's

time. but they win the series 2-1. a chicago cubs fan was bottle feeding his baby when he had this one-handed catch. he says he was protecting his son. well, every time i watch that, i'm not sure if he's a hero or actually is he-- >> he's loving the glory and normally they eject fans for that. >> thank you very much, indeed. that's about it from the news hour team thanks so much, indeed, for watching us. we have more news next.

>> these families have already suffered enough, and they should never feel ignored or victimized by their own government. >> the white house reveals more than 30 americans are being held hostage as it changes policy to allow families to pay ransoms. hello, this is al jazeera. live from london. also coming up. boston bomber dzhokhar tsarnaev is sentenced to death after apologizing for the lives