>> clashes in the distance. egypt declares it it is in a state of war. >> hello i'm barbara serra. you're watching al jazeera live from london. greece's prime minister urgeed it's cash strapped people to vote against the referendum. >> we don't have to be imprisoned by the past.

>> forthe u.s. and cuba in full relations for the first time in 50 years. >> and the climate change climate change is wreaking havoc on australia's great barrier reef. can it be stopped? thank you for joining us. there has been a wave of attacks in giant's sinai peninsula. raids were launched by a group calling itself province of sinai. there have been conflicts accounts of the death toll, but military statement said that 17 soldiers and 100 attackers have been killed. in response to the fighting egypt's prime minister said that his country was in a state of

war, and in a separate some nine members of the muslim brotherhood has been killed in a police raid in cairo. first, we have reports on a violent day in the sinai peninsula. >> these pictures filmed from the gaza strip shows an air force strike. the joins military has now put the area in lockdown following a deadly attack on its soldiers. in a statement air odd state television they said that 17 soldiers were killed, but that the. >> the area supported by air force hunted down and killing not less than hundred terrorist

operators, and wounding dozens of them. >> it comes a day after egypt buried it's public prosecutor who was killed in a car bomb attack in cairo. president el-sisi has ordered his cabinet to change current laws to face what he calls terrorism. in the past two years violence in the sinai has increased. there have been a number of attacks killing dozens of soldiers. the group that became known as province of sinai and pledged allegiance to the islamic state in iraq and the levant. it carried out more attacks and proved to be one of egypt's biggest threats. the egypt military intensified it's campaign carrying out attacks what it says were terrorist hide outs. it has killed dozens of fighters and arrested many others. approximately 700 people fighters soldiers, and some civilians have been killed this year alone. the government has demolished

hundreds of houses along the border of the gaza strip and israel. it said it's creating a five kilometer buffering zone. hundreds have been forced out of their homes. but sigh nine's problems are not new. residents complain of neglect, under development unemployment and poverty. many hearsay they've been treated as second class citizens by consecutive egyptian governments. al jazeera. >> well, the increased violence in egypt began with the killing of the state prosecutor on monday and that's prompted a government crackdown. the muslim brotherhood said nine members have been killed by egyptian security forces outside of the capital of cairo. one of the dead is a prominent muslim brotherhood lawyer. the government says that the brother hood were armed, a claim that the banned organization denies.

>> there was a meeting of a group of persons of the committee responsible for supporting the family of victims. they were in a meeting when they were all assassinated in gold assassinate cold blood. the president is murdering many of those members. they were supporting the bereaved mothers children and widows of the victims. among the victims was an engineer the head of the committee for supporting the victims' families, and the deputy head of the bar association, he is the legal adviser to the detainees. they both along with the other fellow committee members were murdered. they were not armed, nor were they engaged with any fighting with their assassins. they were following the affairs of the families of the martyrs and detainees. the raging thugs stormed the pal

and murdered them instantly without any warning. >> well, to talk about developments in egypt in more detail we're joined by the egyptian political activist and heads up the egyptian american alliance. sir, thank you so much for joining us here on al jazeera. so looking at all the developments, the violence in sinai which was the worst in decades, and the further crackdown we've seen in the muslim brotherhood. would you say that we're the turning point when it comes to the already tense relation there is? >> it certainly is a turning point although of a lot of people had expected that before to happen. the turning point in the sense that it its qualitative leap upwards in the level of

violence. and the put to do of it. not to mention the reaction of the authorities, which is another much escalateing factor. all this would lead me to expect a very unfortunate issues circle that would continue until some how, somewhere there would be some sort of sentiment. i don't think they are nearby and i see the sacrifices are going to be very high. >> you said a sentiment but it seeming to going in the option direction because the cabinet has approved an anti-terrorism draft law which would give quick response from the cabinet and that would seem to escalate

fence or put more focus on tensions existing. >> maybe the sentiment was not the right word. i meant to say a balance. what i see the political situation in egypt is for many reasons simply great. now, there is a struggle political, now semi military that is going on. there is also a country that is really fragmented among ideological which is ironic becauseironic egypt has gone the rid of racial tribes, and now they're in ideological tribes and these ideological forces driven by interests and perceptions about the world like islam missesislamists with a

certain level collapse of the state which we're witnessing the beginning of right now. the state has shown that it has nothing, it knows nothing but the stick. only the stick and it has no carrots except for the point that is level showing that the state is in the way of collapsing. if that happens, then it is going to be the sentiment i would say the world balance where the survivor is going to be for the fittest. the definition of the fittest is not the strongest right now. but the fittest is the one group that will be able to develop that will be able to change. a change that is being refused by the bulk of these arab societies right now. >> i'm guessing from the international communities point of view change in egypt is the last thing that they would want or need right now in an area,

the whole region being quite unstable. at least egypt was relatively stable, and we've seen increasing support from western states. the secretary of state john kerry is going to travel to cairo at the end of this month for meetings with the egyptian politicians. what role do you think that the u.s. and other western powers is going to try to play to try i guess, to stabilize the situation? >> you're comment about the fact that the change is the least that will be needed for egypt is exactly how the rest of the world-views the problem. i have no doubt in my mind that secretary carry and most western capitals and officials would like quote unquote stability in the country. but the problem in the country is that it is not living in

modern--they wanted quote/unquote a modern state. that sounds strange to western ears. we don't have in the middle east. we don't have modern states. we have 75% of the values are medieval and you see that blatantly in areas like yemen iraq and isis and so on, you don't see that in egypt but there is a degree of that. that's what i meant by the change. if we don't have a modern state and if we don't have separation of powers, if we don't get rid of the authoritarian mentality that not only governs the ruling ruling but governs the masses and establishment if that does not change we're going to continue in the same vicious central. right now the old regime, the

old paradigm is collapsing because it's only elements are fighting each other. the military, the islamist, the religious establishment and most of the masses are providing against each other although different in form, but their mentality is the same. they're rooted in the same doctrine, and most of it is medieval, that's what i mean by change. that's not only a political issue. it is deeper than that. >> egyptian political activist and head of the egyptian american alliance, sir, thank thank you for sharing your views with us. very interesting. thank you. >> thank you. >> the u.s. and cuba are set to open embassies in each other's city restoring diplomating ties

after 50 years. president obama announced the deal he made with cuban president raul castro from the white house. >> when the united states shuttered our embassy in 1961 i don't think anybody expected it would be more than a and a half century before it was reopened. after all we're separated by 90 miles but there are been real and profound differences by our governments. >> well, we're joined live now from miami. so the president talking about profound differences which i guess still remain many issues unresolved even though they are now due to open embassies in each other's capitals on the 20th of july. >> yes, there are many differences along the way, and mound to be happening in the

months ahead. but here in miami it's still a polarizing subject. there is basically a party in the streets for the preceding 48 hours. there has been a change in the attitude here. i think people like this engagement as opposed to isolation approach. obviously there are people here who think that an u.s. president sitting down with castro is nothing short of treason. so it is still bolarizing. but there is one issue here that people aren't really talking about, that is the fact that people from cuban are still making that perilous journey to the united states. but we end up with a few cubans who just arrived in florida days ago.

>> the world service was established in 1960. back then it would aid those fleeing the revolution. they have helped thousands resettle here. these new arrivals would spend months planning their journey and built boats. for many the driving forces are the same. >> i came here because of the economic situation we have over there. we're poor. we don't receive a salary. we don't get a chance to better ourselves or do what we like. we can't. there is no way to do that. [singing] >> an sentiment that has led miami to become affectionally known as cuba's second city. generations of cuban-americans have helped to shape south florida, but few would guess that the last few months would bring monumental change. >> when you decided to make that

perilous crossing, many would give the same reasons as to why they did it. many already have family here. others want better job prospects and, a better standard of living. since the historic announcement there is now other reason why they're risking their lives to come here to the united states. >> for years cuban migrants have enjoyed unique privileges that give them status as soon as they reach u.s. soil. but case workers now fear that normalization could change thattings, bringing to an end the so-called wet foot-dry foot political. policy. >> they believe that change also come quickly here, and they would lose that status and they won't be welcomed any more. >> for these men life has you altered dramatically. if they are aware of changes in cuba, most won't say. >> this man refuses to talk about change on the island. like many he still has loved

ones back in cuba, and won't risk the possibility of repercussions. >> so those embassies are due to open on the 20th of july. for the most part my experience here in little havana is that people are cautiously optimistic. something that would not have happened years ago. it's still polarizing, but most people are hopeful that something good will come of this. >> andy, thank you. still more to come on the program including calls for help in yemen as the u.n. says 21 million people need aid and raises it's level of alert to the highest level possible. more violence in burundi as the country waits for the results of parliamentary elections.

>> now a reminder of the top stories on al jazeera. egypt's prime minister said that the country is at war after fighters launch the series of attacks while military check points in north sinai. the army said 17 of its soldiers were killed while 100 fighters also died. egyptian special forces have killed nine members of the outlawed muslim brotherhood group. among them were the prominent lawyer. the greek prime minister has reaffirmed that a referendum will go ahead on sunday. and alexis tsipras is urging citizens to vote no. they will cease negotiations with the government, however

they're reaching out to creditors a day after greece missed a crucial payment to the international monetary fund. he told lenders they could agree to the offers if conditions were changed. he asked for a $29 billion loan to cover the debt repayment for the next two years. he's under growing political pressure to end the stand off from banks and with signs that the bank notes are running low. here is barnaby phillips. >> this man has a difficult job telling pensioners they have to wait. they're allowed into the bank one by one to collect some money. they've been here for hours. these scenes are not helpful for alexis tsipras just days before the referendum, but he's telling greeks their money is safe and they should vote no to strengthen greece's position in negotiations.

>> it does not mean a split division but to return to values. no means strong pressure from an economically viable agreement that will give solutions to the debt. >> the greeks moment has prime minister has made a new offer but now many politicians are giving him the cold shoulder. >> i always kept to what we agreed on. what our roles are, what we agreed on in europe and our national roles are. if we had all done the same greece would not be in a desperate situation. looking for a culprit outside ever greece may be helpful for greece, but it's not helpful in reality. >> tourism is vital to greece's economy. we found tourists trekking up to the average acropolis. some oblivious to the financial crisis. others taking it in their

stride. >> i heard that the banks might be closed so i brought cash from home. >> there are problems over here, but now we'll carry on as normal as far as we're concerned. >> for the greeks themselves the situation is much more worrying. they can't escape their country's financial crisis, and yet for all the tensions and disagreements in this country the fast vast majority of greeks have dealt with this situation with great calm and patience. >> lila gives advice to those claiming bankruptcy. what can she possibly tell them now. >> even as lawyers we're afraid about what will happen next. there is a lot of insecurity and uncertainty at the moment, so we just say wait and see. we have a referendum at the end of the week maybe some things will happen, maybe not. we'll see.

>> some how amidst all this greeks have to make a decision about their country's future. barnaby phillips, al jazeera, athens. >> the u.n. has raised its emergency response to the humanitarian situation to level three. that's the highest. it says more than thousand 400 civilians have been killed by fighting and saudi led airstrikes since march and that as many as 21 million people need aid. many of them children. [ baby crying ] >> this young girl is inconsole inconsolable. shocked by what's happened to the homes in her neighborhood. houses that hours ago were still standing. why did they do this? she asks through her tears. in yemen devastation has become the norm. >> the situation in yemen is

very critical, especially for children who are the most vulnerable groups. >> a collective trauma physical and emotional it grows by the day. >> we don't have protective environment to live in. they feel scared and really unsecure. >> hundreds have died since the start of the fighting. some from wounds into retreatable if only they had access to better healthcare. >> the crisis here says this nurse gets worse because of the fuel shortage because children like this don't have access to transportation and can't get to the hospital when they need. in this shelter for the displaced boys and girls recite the qur'an. praying for an end to a war that's brought more misery upon them. like the shortage of water in a

country already running out of precious resource. and a spike in child malnutrition rates for a population already without enough food. a situation so dire the u.n. warns yemen could be on the verge of a famine. the misery is difficult to see and hard to miss. the pain in their eyes is easy to recognize as the bruises and burns on their bodies. then there are the others. they're youthful appearance hides suffering no one their age should endure. mohammedal jazeera. >> the u.s. justice department is investigating whether u.s. airlines are working together to keep prices high. patty culhane has more from washington. >> the u.s. jut department has confirmed to al jazeera that in their words they're

investigating possible unlawful coordination by some airlines. we have more information from the report by the associated press. they said that the justice department is looking into whether or not these airline companies were talking to each other in order to reduce the amount of seats that are available before increasing the price of flying and getting--the getting--ther. >> apologize we'll try to bring you patty culhane's report later in the program. now poor water quality pollution and climate change means that the future is being for australia's great barrier reef. andrew thomas has been to see the extent of the damage. >> when you're diving on t most threats to australia's great barrier reef aren't that obvious. although half of it has

disappeared over the last 30 years, choose your spot carefully and there are still bright corals and plenty of fish. you the cold ports being built along the coast are from here far out of sight but one threat once pointed out is all too obvious. the spikey crown of thorn starfish. there is a plague of them down here. they feed on coral and can be toxic to fish. scott is fighting back injecting starfish with poison. it works but it takes a lot of effort. >> the damage that the thorn fish create it's something that we can actively do something about. >> the starfish are thriving because of the increase in the sea of the plankton that the

larva feed on. one starfish can produce 60 million eggs a year, and far more surviving than should. >> the worst cause is the human activity on land that is largely to blame. >> growing sugar cane is big business. it's farmers use fertilizers. but when the excess washes off the lands into rivers and down to sea the fertilizers feed the plankton. tony has changed his farming practices applying fertilizer much more precisely than he once did. >> we apply it to 40% of the area. >> but once you put it everywhere. >> oh, yes the run off from our parties,er and it goes into the saltwater. so what we do on this land does effect the reef. >> but bugeja is a relatively

young farmer around here and getting his older neighbors to change their practices is not always need. when barack obama came to australia he told students he was worried about the great barrier reef and wanted it to be there for his yet to be born grandchildren. his concern echos the united nations action locally and globally for the reef to survive. >> five civilians and one police officer have been killed in gun battles in burundi. the violence in the capital is the latest in weeks of unrest. people of burundi are waiting to hear the results of the parliamentary election. they were boy boycott by the opposition. beijing said that because of growing security threats to chinese networks, the security law outlines tougher measures against online attacks.

the wide-ranging law also covers control over territorial waters and air space. more detail on that and everything else that we're covering on our website. the address www.aljazeera.com. >> baltimore's sandtown neighborhood. the heart of west baltimore, and one of the city's poorest areas. this is where freddie gray grew up -- known to friends as pepper. >> why was his nickname pepper? >> i never heard of pepper being bad for nobody, salt is bad for you, salt will kill you. i never heard nobody dying from pepper, everybody loves pepper.