>> good luck with that! hours after word powers reach a breakthrough on syria, russian planes reportedly kill 18 people in homs. you're watching al jazeera live from our headquarters in doha. also ahead in the next 30 minutes: tension in athens as greek farmers angry about austerity try to storm a ministry building. in egypt, thousands of doctors protest the release of police officers accused of attacking their colleagues. we meet orphans caught up in

the fighting in eastern ukraine, even though there is supposed to be a ceasefire. >> a u.n. task force on syria is set to meet in geneva to bring relief to thousands caught in the conflict following an agreement by world powers in munich to put an end to the civil war. the leaders agreed to halt has stilts within a week, but armed groups, isil and al-nusra front are not included in the deal. the deal includes the deliver of human aid in besieged towns and villages. all this will be monitored by the task force by russia and united states but r.b.i. is pressing on with air raids on cities including homs. we are a report from the syrian border. >> rebel fighters understand the need to hold ground on this

front line. if they are defeated, the syrian government and allies will be one step closer to aleppo city where tens of thousands live. after losing much territory in this northern province, the opposition is trying to prevent its stronghold inside syria's second largest city from being besieged. they are killing us, but we will remain steadfast. we are still on the front lines. we will liberate every inch of territory they captured. we won't surrender. we are here. >> within a week, the bombardment is supposed to stop, but the russian-u.s. agreement reached in muenich for moss stilts being seeds is met with skepticism on the ground. >> i don't think the international community represented by the u.s. and russia is serious about a ceasefire for now. they are postpones the peace talks to give the regime more time to take more ground. it means the rebels won't be able to regain the territory after the ceasefire takes place.

>> in the countryside of homs further towards damascus, the aerial bombardment is only intensifying and the casualties rising. the rebels no longer control supply lines into their strongholds. the u.n. warns that the 120,000 people inside risk hunger and disease. >> members of the opposition inside and outside syria have told us that they have little faith in the syrian government and its backer, russia. they say that the munich deal will only give them time to fake further gains on the ground to further weaken the opposition and force the armed groups to surrender. >> a pause in the fighting and the delivery of much needed aid to the hundreds of thousands trapped in beseeminged areas cannot come fast enough for the people. the battle for aleppo has according to the united nations left more than 50,000 people homeless, adding to the millions who have been displaced over the years. what have the people done to deserve this. they are not sparing anyone, not the children, not the women, not

the elderly. it has been five years and we continue to suffer their oppression. that this is enough. >> the allies are cast they are claims to a victory but victory will not mean anything if there are not peace. the agreement to end hostilities has been welcomed but urged russia to stop targets syrian opposition groups. >> we will welcome a more constructive role of russia in the fight against isil. so far, russia has mainly targeted opposition groups, not isil, and the intense airstrikes of russian planes against different opposition groups in syria has actually undermind the

efforts to reach negotiated peaceful solution. >> let's get u.s. reaction now and speak to ross lynn jordan in washington, d.c. the u.s. wanted of course an immediate end to the hostilities, a ceasefire immediately, so how satisfied are they with what was agreed in munich? >> well, basically, they were able to achieve what they did not want to give to the russians, which was until the end of february, the beginning of march before a ceasefire could take effect. while the u.s. eye deli would want the hostilities to stop at this moment, at least having a week is much better than letting the russian military carry out airstrikes on behalf of bashar al assad's government and go after opposition fighters for three weeks. so it's not perfect, but it is something that the u.s. can at least live with, according to officials. what's also worth stressing is that the fact that this does seem to be bringing new life to

u.n. security council resolution 2254, which allows for human aid, which allows for this ceasefire, too, which does allow for the efforts of the syrian government and the syrian opposition to try to talk about a way to end the civil war. that is also giving officials some degree of comfort that this is not going to turn into an allout military situation. there had been growing pressure as you know, on the obama administration to strongly consider using military action to try to help bring an end to the syrian civil war, but that is something which president obama has long opposed, so they are considering this a victory. it's not perfect, because certainly this could all change at any time as we've already seen in the past several weeks. >> indeed, thank you very much for that, live for us in washington, d.c. >> let's now take a closer look at the human crisis in syria,

which the u.n. it is is getting worse every day. it's highlighting the dire situation in madaya and areas outside damascus. 35,000 civilians have endured intense shelling and infants are among those who have died of malnutrition. in madaya, 26 people have died of malnutrition and hundreds need immediate evacuation. they are living under an isil imposed siege where fighters have reportedly executed people trying to smuggle in food. the situation there remains grim for 20,000 people. under siege by the armed groups and the al-nusra front. >> a middle east regional director at the norwegian refugee council said they are

ready to deploy to syria as soon as. >> the imperative thing here is that access is provided unhindered and safely and of course the entire humanitarian community is ready to continue and scale up its support to the people of syria. we have seen on going reports of starvation, of terrible bombardment, et cetera, et cetera, so of course, prioritization needs to be done, but this is what the humanitarian community is tailored to do, and we are ready all in a joint effort to do so. the deal has to be effectuated. we have to see the fighting stop. we have to see how it's actually going to be implemented. one thing is the good news we hear and the good thing we have seen, but action needs to be taken, so that has to be enforced and we are following this very closely. we are having our hopes high,

but we also have our concerns that it is indeed extremely important that everyone applies to this in a coherent manner. to egypt, where thousands of doctors are rallying in front of the union building in the heart of cairo protesting against the release of nine police officer who they caused of attacking their colleagues. the incident happened at a hospital at the end of last month. for more, let's speak to a doctor who is a member of the doctors union joining us on the line from cairo. dr. kidari thank you for joining us. can you tell us what is happening in cairo and what it is you are protesting? >> it is an unusual meeting in cairo and after what happened in

the last two weeks rewarding the violence and the discussion about the rights of the doctors to work. >> can you tell us what it is that happened actually at the hospital at the end of last month, which provoked these protests today? >> no, i don't, i am not going to discuss what happened, because it's not my subject. i was not involved personally, all the information i have is just coming from the media and sources, and i don't like to -- >> ok. tell us about the meeting today, what are your demands? >> it is a provisional meeting, ok, looking for giving the doctors in egypt to work --

rewarding everything. we are working in difficult situations and they would like to make it -- last two weeks there has been an issue about the security of the doctors, where they are working in the hospital. when physicians working together, they can seek their rights. their rights is to have a chance to deliver better care for the egyptian patients -- >> ok, so what then has been the response of the government to these issues that you've raised, the working conditions of doctors in egypt. what have they told you? >> no, not the government --

what the concern of health care sector is not enough tools, supplies to meet patient demands. this between what patients need and what is available for the doctors or for the minister of health to offer for the patients is the conflict. what is facing this conflict is the doctors. complaining the hospitals, the conditions, their salaries, everything, but what is today is not the salaries or the condition, it is rewarding the issue about the security and that they feel they have to work because the government the last two weeks, some violence coming from some of the security people in one of the hospitals, one or more hospitals and all what they

ask for is to -- not less, not more. subject of politics at this time whole meeting, but the part i was there, there was around 10,000 to 12,000 doctors there. the doctors agree about the patients have to have the care. >> ok. ok, i understand, i hear what you're saying. thank you for taking the time to

speak to us. the doctors joined us there on the line from cairo. south sudan's president has repointed his average rifle as the countries vice president. rebel leader deputy appointment is part of a peace deal brokered last year following two years of civil war. the vice president was sacked in 2013 after accused of a coupe. he fled and it's not cheer when he will return to the capital of south sudan. >> police in greece have fired tear gas in athens to disperse farmers protesting austerity measures. there were chaotic scenes as the farmer tried to enter the agriculture minister building. riot police barricaded themselves across the entrance. we are in athens, where the farmers have set up a two day protest. >> in the square outside

parliament, some of the farmers gathered here have set up tents, say they are going to be here for at least 48 hours. the atmosphere is somewhat festival like but there were clashes earlier in the day when a group of farmers stormed the minute city of agriculture. riot police pushed them back, using tear gag to disperse the crowds. many farmers have already taken part in up to two weeks of protest, blockading various highways across the country. they want to bring their protest to the capital. they are out in force against a series of new measures that the government hopes to introduce that could see an increase in the amount of contributions that these farmers have to add to their pensions. that adds to financial strain that many say is pushing them towards president of. >> coming up after the break, u.s. 39al hopefuls argue over race relations ins their latest televised debate. we have detected

gravitational waves. we did it! [ applause ] >> the landmark discovery that could change the way scientists observe the universe.

>> "inside story" takes you beyond the headlines, beyond the quick cuts, beyond the soundbites. we're giving you a deeper dive into the stories that are making our world what it is. >> our top stories on al jazeera, russian airstrikes reportedly killed 18 in syria just hours before a u.n. task force meeting on human aid. world powers hope to end hostilities within syria in just one week. in egypt, doctors are rallying in cairo protesting the

release of nine police officers who they caused of attacking their colleagues. police in greece fired tear gas at farmers holding an anti austerity protest in athens. hundreds gathered in the city streets and try to enter the agriculture ministry building. the farmers are angry at government plans to bring in new austerity measures as demanded by lenders in greece's bailout. >> an agreement signed one year ago was supposed to end fighting in eastern ukraine between government forces and pressure separatists, but as both sides accuse each other of breaking that agreement, orphans are among civilians suffering. we have this report from eastern ukraine. >> these children used to live in an orphanage and now in a war zone. brought up in poverty and two with severe learning disabilities, they will now live with their adopted parents in the village in the so-called gray zone between pressure

separatists fighters and the ukrainian army. despite repeated calls for a ceasefire, the fighting continues and especially at night. >> nadia is always very afraid when versus shelling. she cries and screams at night. we try to calm the girls. we try not to show them that we are afraid. >> an agreement signed last february in minsk was supposed to end the fighting. this is the ukraine, an army front line close to what was the airport of the separatist controlled city. heavy weapons are supposed to have been withdrawn as part of the minsk deal but both sides accuse each other of breaking that agreement almost every day. this area has seen some of the feesest fighting since the conflict began, now the ukrainian army tell us that the separatists regularly target their position here with anti tank weapons and mortars.

they tell us the towers are 2.5 kilometers away and the separatists use them as lookout posts and sniper positions. they've moved 78-year-old grandmother to so-called safety four times since the fighting started, but she's come under fire every time and every house has been destroyed. >> i'm not going anywhere, because i got married here. my children were born here, my grandchildren were born here. everyone said gone and i don't want to go, because if i do, how will they find me? i won't move until there is peace. >> the conflict hasn't finished. i personally believe the ukrainian military are needed here in order to deter the enemy onslaught. the conflict is frozen. we have to be here to protect and help the people who decided to stay and bring an end to this conflict. >> at a nearby checkpoint, volunteers entertain the soldiers. these men are fiercely patriotic

and anti moscow. >> it's important, because people are strong in their unity when we are united and together, we will defeat our enemy and the evil moscow invites. >> people wish only the fighting will end. >> we'll take a closer look at the violence in ukraine later with a special program on "inside story," examining why the two sides keep violating the ceasefire agreement and whether there's hope for peace. the leader of the catholic church will sit down with the head of the russian orthodox church. they are expected to address the

millennium long wrists between muslim and christianity. in venezuela, the supreme court overruled the opposition controlled congress and granted draw decree powers to president nicolas maduro. the court ruled on thursday that the president did not need congressional approval after all. the move was deannounced as tantamount to a coo. poor white farmers accused of killing two farm workers have appeared in court in south africa. the victim's families say the men went to ask for wages owed to them and were murder road. the farmers say they were being robbed and acted in self-defense. the trial is adjourned until april. we have this report from outside the courthouse. >> we have spoken a all the

farmers involved. the white farmers heard a farmer was out in his farm at night. he said two men approached him. he said they tried to rob him. he fought them off, ran into the house and pressed the panic button, mobilizing the farmers in the air and somehow these men ended up dead. the families are saying no, one mother saying to me my son called me the night before and said he is going to see his boss to get his wages, because he wants to come and visit his mother. she said something must have happened. the stories aren't right somewhere. it has raised tensions in an already tense part of the country as it is. it's a small town, very divided. you can see it. the whites live in one part of town, the blacks in another. how prosecutors or the state or lawyers and the judges deal with this trial is very important, because it could ease tensions or make things worse.

three people are dead and another 30 injured in an attack on a united based in northern mali. a spokesperson for the u.n. said shells hit the camp. no group has claimed responsibility yet for the attack. in the united states, former secretary of state hillary clinton has tried to regain the upper hand over her rival bernie sanders in their latest televised debate. they are facing another primary vote this month in the long race to the presidential nomination. we have a report from washington. >> we have seen young black men -- >> hours before the democratic debate, presidential hopeful certain sand released this television ad, featuring the daughter of eric garner, killed by police during an arrest for selling cigarettes. now an activist, erika garner

backs certain sand. >> the leader of the black caucus backed hillary clinton. the battle for the support of african-american and latino voters was the focus for the democratic presidential candidates in their latest debate. at issue, who is more supportive of latin american immigrants allowed to stay after entering the united states legally. >> i voted for comprehensive immigration reform in 2007. senator sanders voted against it. >> when we saw children coming from these violent areas of honduras and neighboring countries, people who are fleeing drug violence and cartel violence, i thought it was a good idea to allow those children to stay in this country. that was not as i understand it, the secretary's position. >> they argued over the causes of systemic racism in the u.s. sanders blaming a political system that favors wealthy

elites, clinton arguing the causes are institutional and when it comes to supporting america's first black president, clinton went on the attack. >> today senator sanders said that president obama failed the presidential leadership test. this is not the first time that he has criticized president obama. in the past, he's called him weak, called him a disappointment. >> madam secretary, that is a low blow. i have worked for his reelection, his first election and his reelection, but i think it is really unfair to suggest that i have not been supportive of the president. >> clinton's counting on the backing of the minority voters which have in the past supported her. the next major contents are in nevada and south carolina, about the with significant latino and african-american populations. >> middle class and younger voters, including young voters of color, making the so-called

minority vote one that hillary clinton can no longer count on. al jazeera, washington. scientists confirmed the exitance have gravitational waves. they are thought to be tiny ripples in space time that could provide us with a new way to look at our universe. tom ackermann has that report. >> space and time, the two basic elements of the universe that once seemed distinct until albert einsteins general theory of relativity changed our perception of them. it was a perception explored by science fiction in a movie one could travel through a collapsing star or black hole where time and space medal into a fourth dimension. now scientists say they've witnessed a colossal merging of two black holes one some 1 billion years ago. >> the colliding created a violent storm in the fabric of space and time, the storm in

which team speeded up and slow down, speeded up again, in which space was bent this way and that way. >> last september, two facilities located on opposite sides of the u.s. detected the wave which ratcheted just a fraction of a second. it was heard as a chirp, slowed down here for the human ear. >> that's the chirp we've been looking for. this is the signal we have measured. >> in the next few years, scientists from india, italy and japan some of whom are hear plan to expand the mon are tarring. >> antenna and he had indicated to gaffe takessal wave detection could explore more than black holes and new tron stars. >> as we open a new window on astronomy, we may see things that we never saw before. >> phenomena now actually

observed by einsteins successors. a reminder that there's plenty more world news, analysis and features on our website, aljazeera.com. world powers agree to halting the war in syria, but it's unlikely to stop all the fighting. >> once i'm in the white house, we will have enough political capital to be able to do that. >> secretary clinton, you're not in the white house yet. >> hillary clinton and bernie sanders faceoff for the first time after the new hampshire primary. the government is promising zika