>> raising the stars and stripes and resuming diplomatic ties. the u.s. embassy in cuba reopens after 54 years. >> hi there, i'm felicity barr. protests in egypt mark the second anniversary of the crackdown that left hundreds dead in cairo's robust square. >> so many people lost their lives, and we bow our heads and

show our deep remorse. >> 70 years on japan's prime minister on the suffering inflicted during the second world war. plus... >> in ramallah in the occupied west bank where it's hoped this recent archeological discovery could lead to a boom in tourism. >> the u.s. and cuba start to hold regular meetings from next month. u.s. embassy was officially reopened in havana on friday with a formal flag raising ceremony. the u.s. broke off diplomatic ties in cuba in 1961. after it's revolutionary leader fidel castro took the country closer to the soviet union.

despite the warming ties between the two cuban issues leaders say big issues remain. >> i discussed with the secretary of state that the total lifting of the embargo in our view is essential to be able to have normal relations between the countries. as well as a focus on the territory that is being usurped from our country and guantanamo and compensation from the u.s. to cuban citizens because of the human suffering that has come about over the course of more than five decades. >> this administration, president obama, and his administration already advocate for and support the lifting of the embargo. we believe that that is important. so it's our hope that over the next days we will be able to layout a road map whereby steps are taken and make it possible for us to move to the next level. >> so the reopening of embassy

ies is another step. it was back in 1961 that the u.s. formerly broke diplomatic ties with cuba. a year later congress introduced a trade embargo, which is still in place today and the cost of cuban economy trillions. in 1966 the u.s. allowing cubain's to seek citizenship in the u.s. prompted hundreds of thousands to leave, many drowned trying to reach u.s. shores. in 2008 the cuban leader fidel castro handed power to his brother raul. he began a limited program of economic reforms. the following year, president barack obama lifted travel restrictions to cuba allowing visits for religious and educational reasons. in 2014 cuban announced plans to restore diplomatic ties and the u.s. removed cuba from its state

sponsored terrorist list. lucia knew man is in havana and has this update. >> it was not just a symbolic date but an emotional one. after 54 years the u.s. flag finally flying again here. three u.s. marines who were the one who is took it down 54 years ago, were present. they said they weren't thrilled to be alive to watch that flag be put back up on the same poll once again. u.s. secretary of state john kerry the first foreign minister or secretary of state to come to cuba since 1945. he did not try to under play the differences that continue to divide the united states and cuba particularly on the issues of democracy and human rights, but he said that there is still so much to be done to normalized relations between both countries that they could no longer waste any time getting to that. most cubans are happy to see the

renewal of diplomatic ties all around the area where i'm now where the u.s. embassy is, cubans hundreds of them were outside of the ceremony, watching the flag going up. some of them with tears in their eyes and applauding as it happened. >> thousands of iraqis have taken to the streets to stage a mass demonstration in support of recent reforms made by the prime minister. protests also say that they're calling on hyder al abadi to make social changes. and >> tired of seemingless roadblocks they decided it was time to hit the streets.

>> i'm left with no other option but to go out and fight corruption. >> the medical students and activists like so many other members of his generation said that he's tired of feeling despair and decided to do something about it. >> we created groups to help our friends and families because they're all in need of important services that aren't being provided. the most basic ones are electricity, water and jobs. >> now he meets regularly with the growing group of like minded activists, discussing and debating strategy they use every tool at their disposal to plan demonstrations. social media has become as important as physical publications in spreading the word, and conveying their most important message. all these protests are peaceful in nature. but it's not just violence he wants to avoid. he wants to keep politics out of the protests, too.

so far it's been working. later in the day as thousands gather the mood is celebratory one. with parliament having passed sweeping reform members from rallies like this one the crowd feels empowered. men and women of all ages can be spotted throughout. but it's the youth groups who really dominate here. many clearly enjoying themselves as they chant against corruption against iraq's judiciary. >> the beginning of a civil society movement that will empower them and so many other iraqis to demand much-needed change. >> the group can barely contain its excitement. at long last despite all the challenges ahead of them and their country they feel a

budding sense of optimism. >> i'm happy and i'm feeling proud because of groups that have become bigger and bigger. we're keeping up the momentum friday after friday demanding our basic human rights and doing that in the most legitimate and peaceful manner. >> while this youth movement may still be in its infancy renewed hope for old and young is growing far faster than anyone expected it to. al jazeera baghdad. >> egyptian police have used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in cairo. thousands mark the second anniversary of the break up of protest camps. hundreds of people were killed when police raided a camp. here are our reports. >> two years on and they still take to the streets albeit in smaller numbers.

anti-democracy protesters continue to demonstrate across egypt. they mark the second anniversary on friday of what has been described as the worst massacre in egypt's modern history. august 14, 2013, when the army stormed the squares in cairo and guiza. 150 people were killed, hundreds of others were injured or disappeared. human rights say that the massacre was a crime against humanity and is now calling for an international investigation. >> very clear orders that were given. there were snipers that were positioned, when the warnings were given immediately there after people started shooting. there was a lot of indications that there were clear orders to use live fire on mostly unarmed protesters. the deliberate killing of civilians that may make the

dispersal arise to the level of crime against humanity. >> a major part in the campaign to bring the perpetrators to justice is documenting the crimes committed. at the forefront of the campaign campaign:run by egyptian activists who have been producing videos, graphics and other media detailing the crimes that detail services are accused of. the foundation has unveiled architectural designs for a memorial museum that it wants to build. it wants the memory of rabaa to be set in stone. solidarity events have been taking place around the world. in london activists stage what was called a die-in protest. not only to raise awareness of the massacre but also to demonstrate opposition to president el-sisi the former military leader accused by many

for being responsible for the killings. although the massacres with one of the worst single incidents in egypt's recent history, since then hundreds of other people have been killed, and more than 40,000 detained. the security services continue to meet with brutality. the fight for justice it seems will be a long one. al jazeera. >> at least seven civilians have been killed during shellling by houthi forces in yemen. medical sources report that most of the casualties were women and children. witnesses say there are other parts of the city hit including one of the biggest mosques. three members of turkey security forces have been killed in a battle with kurdish fighters in the southeast of the country. six members of the security forces also injured in the violence in the hakkari province which borders iraq. still to come, chaos on the

greek island. new challenges for those who already struggled to lead their home country. and stunning energies in the scale of the exposes since expose--of the explosions in china's port city of tianjin.

>> al jazeera america primetime. get the real news you've been looking for. at 7:00, a thorough wrap-up of the day's events. then at 8:00, john seigenthaler digs deeper into the stories of the day. and at 9:00, get a global perspective. weeknights on al jazeera america. >> welcome back. a reminder of the top stories here in al jazeera. the united states reopens its embassy in cuba's capital

havana. many gather in support of the recent reforms by the prime minister. and egyptian police disperse demonstrate necessary cairo on the second anniversary of the break up of protests. in syria a cease-fire in the damascus countryside has been extended until sunday. rebels and it's ally hezbollah began on wednesday. for now negotiations to evacuate fighters and deliver aid. we have more from bay root. >> after fighting for weeks they now stand a few meeters apart a temporary truce has been reached where rebels have been besieged by the syrian army and it's lebanese allies hezbollah. it is part of a deal that stopped a rebel assault. it could give safe passage to

allow aid to reach civilians. international organizations are waiting for that to happen. >> we the entire community working with both local and international ngo partners to develop the plans for transporting food and other assistance items immediately. as soon as roads open up and the possibility becomes a reality. >> a similar deal last year allowed aid to enter the city of homs which was cut off for months. but these agreements are rare, and hundreds of thousands of people who live in besieged areas rarely receive assistance. >> there are some areas outside aleppo that we have not accessed in months. >> the lack of funding has forced the agency to cut food assistance up to 50% in

neighboring countries. and those inside syria have been affected as well. >> we had canned meat. we no longer have canned meat. we had pasta. now we give pasta or we give rice we cannot give both. >> those caught in the conflict and have not received aid in months, but there is still no indication that a deal has been reached. al jazeera. beirut. >> syrian refugees make up a large proportion of the people arriving by boats to the greek island. by the end of this month a quarter million people from there and elsewhere will have made that journey across the mediterranean into europe. a ferry has been made into a reception center. >> more than half of all migrants to the european union now travel the short distance

from turkey to greece arriving on islands. a passenger ferry, it's with full crew and facilities on board has been deployed to act as a reception center, the latest desperate measures by greek authorities struggling to cope with the influx. on land for a second day there are long queues to enter the sports stadium where immigration papers are handed out. many are desperate to continue their journey into the heart of the european union. it's not greece they've come for but germany austria and other countries where they believe they'll find work and protection. >> we've been waiting since 7:00 in the morning. we arrived here yesterday, and we get nothing. we're just here under the sun and no one is taking care of us. >> near bankruptcy greece has

made an urgent appeal for help. the european union is promising money. >> almost 50,000 migrants arrived in july compared to less than 6,000 last year for the same month. earlier this week the european commission approveed the national funding for greece, but 4,747,000,000 474 million euros. >> the money could not come soon enough. >> migrants numbers are now a quarter of the island resident population some kiss the sand when they arrive. most have no intention of staying. jonah hull al jazeera. >> ahead of the monetary

international monetary fund say that greece needs support to sort out it's finances. they greed to a bailout program for the country. they will lend up 86 billion euros, equal to $95 billion u.s. dollars. >> we just finished the euro group and have come to a positive conclusion on the proposals by the institutions. all the intents work the last week has paid off and let me here extend my thanks to the teams of the institutions and the teams of the greek government that have worked the hardest in the last months to reach the agreements. >> south korea said that it will closely review comments by japan's prime minister on tokyo's role in world world ii.

prime minister shinzo abe has spoke of the suffering of world war ii, but stopped short of apologies. >> he stopped at his father's grave side, he made a vow there to build a prosperous and proud japan. it's a hint in his language that would mark the statements. he spoke of silent pride in japan's peaceful post-war path and remorse and apologies. >> japan has repeatedly expressed the feelings of remorse and heartfelt apologies for its actions during the war. we've engraved in our hearts the histories of the suffering of the people of asia as our neighbors. >> unlike his predecessors he didn't offer that apology personally. china and south korea talk of

japan's 20th century aggression. abe's predecessors have admitted the charge saying it led to tremendous damage and suffering. the current prime minister used the word but threw it to the future. >> we must never again repeat the devastation of war. we shall never again resort to any form of threat or use of forces or means of settling international disputes. >> we shall abandon colony rule forever and. >> there was more personal language in the clear reference to the asian mostly south korean women forceed into prostitution by the japanese military machine. >> we must never forget that there were women behind the battlefields whose honor and dignity were severely injured. >> he also acknowledged the pain

and sacrifice endureed and noted the 6 million who returned home after the war helped to build a peaceful democracy. he stepped out in historical context in japan's wrong course in war and spoke of the pre-destined need to apologize. it was part of heated discussions between historical experts. the problem for him is that officials in seoul and beijing will be pouring over every one of those nuances and there is plenty for them not to like. harry fawcett al jazeera, china tokyo tokyo. >> in china fire is burning two days after the blast. chemical experts have been sent in as the the explosions

billowing in china are toxic. >> firefighters are young this one with his center is just 17. an known number of firefighters are still missing. were they trained for a chemical disaster on this scale? military chemical experts have now been deployed to an area that remains highly combustible. on friday morning the fires were still burning with many people worried about whether it's safe to breathe the air in a city without a face. >> it's an explosion from a chemical plant after all. there must be hazardous stuff in the air. it will not be good for our bodies. >> but her friend is not worried. >> the government said that the air quality is okay. we should feel safe about it. we should trust the government.

>> the clock shows the hour and minute of the second more powerful explosion 11:38. below is a bus depot. imagine the death toll if the blast had happened just a few hours earlier. at a news conference given by local government officials, none was able to give a categorical answer to that one question on everyone's mind right now. >> sir, just one simple question. is the air safe to breathe or not? >> i think the air quality is supposed to be safe to ordinary people. >> not reassuring reply. it's still not clear what caused the multiple explosions in a warehouse owned by a local logistics company. local officials now confirm that up to 50,000 tons of dangerous chemicals including cyanide were stored in that warehouse every year. apartment blocks over looking the industrial zone were damaged.

the shattered windows could be repaired. for now the occupies are living in tents unsure when they can return. >> there was a pungent smell in the air and we couldn't breathe. we rushed downstairs and started to vomit. we had our stomachs inside out. >> tianjin is now the focus of a national debate on how china's government is handling the latest manmade disaster. the leadership will be worried if the anxiety and despair among some survivors turns to anger. this disaster has raised renewed questions about safety standards in china's chemistry where there have now been a total of 15 explosions in plants this year alone. adrian brown al jazeera, in tianjin. >> in brazil 19 people have been shot dead within three hours of the sao paulo district. ten victims were shot in a bar and another victim was shot outside in a nearby ice cream

store. people are investigating whether the killings are related. palestinian archaeologists have discovered the burial place of the first martyr in christianity stephen. the site was found in the occupied west bank. it is hoped that the discovery could boost tourism in the area. >> inpalestinian archaeologists in ramallah uncovered the ruins of the byzintine era. both historians and archeologists now believe this is where christianity's first martyr was once buried. stephen, who has since been given sainthood was stoned to death any jews.

he was first lady to rest by jerusalem, but because christians were persecuted then, his remains were brought here and removed for at least several hundred years. >> this is one of the earliest churcheschurches in christianity. it's important because of that, and also because many christians believe this was where jeez was jesus was lost when he traveled from jerusalem to nazareth. >> palestinian leaders leaders hope that this will attract tourism from around the world. >> in order to open this to tourists over $1 million is needed. but it's not just money that stands in the way. theville government has long made it difficult for palestinian archeologists to carry out excavation work in areas of the west bank that it controls. soldiers also restrict the movement of tourists preventing

the palestinian tourism industry from growing. >> there is no free movement or access. our heritage sites are often demolished to make way in settlements and military bases. we're facing many challenges in with regards to preservation of heritage because of israel's control. >> it is hoped that it could be become an important destination but it's not liking because of israel's restrictions. >> on saturday you can watch the next on preserving heritage series as we look at philippines sites being destroyed for development. >> comets made its closest approach.

the proximity of the sun forced the sun to throw out gas, but rosetta remains at a safe distance and remains unharmed. >> this week on "talk to al jazeera": international piano superstar lang lang. >> the art, you know, it's about, you know... the distance and in and out, big picture, precision. >> billions of people around the world have seen him perform. at the beijing olympics... the world cup in rio... even jaming at the grammys. >> as a musician we will collaborate with great musicians. >> lang lang grew up in an industrial city in northern china. his father was a tough task