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>> and now, "bbc world news." >> president saleh broadcasts an audio message to the nation hours after surviving a mortar attack. human rights activists say at least 34 people have been killed by security forces in syria. and worrying news for the u.s. economy. unemployment rises to more than 9%. welcome to bbc news to our viewers in america and around the globe. 30 years since aids was first identified, new research gives hope of possibly eradicating the epidemic. elections will go ahead in bahrain despite the unrest. is money driving the decision?

-- the grand prix will go ahead in bahrain despite the unrest. is money driving the decision? welcome once again. state television in yemen has broadcast a brief audio message by the president less than six hours after a rocket assault on his palace. he called the attackers and outlawed gain of rockwell anemones -- outlaw gang of rival enemies. it appears the country is sliding toward a civil war. we have this report from the capital. >> prayers for peace and hope for change. for almost four months now thousands have gathered in the streets demanding one thing, that's president saleh leave power. all along, they have insisted their revolution is peaceful.

demonstrators here are determined to continue until president saleh is out of power. without the international community stepping up and asking president saleh to leave, this crisis will continue. for the first time today, rivals hit the presidential palace. television showed the aftermath of the attack, which it said skilled seven people. in an audio message broadcast late friday night, president saleh ordered security forces to purge the gangs he said were responsible. so far, protests have been centered around university square away from the fighting at the presidential palace. president saleh has been asked

to leave office three times, but is still there. street battles have left 135 dead in recent days. what has brought the country to the brink of a civil war in the last 10 days is the president's decision to attack leaders of yemen's most powerful tribal group. this violence has allowed citizens -- allowed militants to extend their influence. it is allocated in the south of the country that is of growing concern -- al-qaeda in the south of the country that is of growing concern to the west. the arab uprising has turned into a power struggle which will soon leave a troubled country in chaos. >> our correspondent in

washington has recently returned from yemen. she has been giving us more information on the latest developments. >> what we do know is that there were very quickly many fingers pointed at the al-ahmar family, which is an influential family of businessmen and politicians. they have been involved in fighting president saleh. their house has been shelled and attacked recently. very quickly many fingers pointed at them. we have heard sense that the office of the al-ahmar brothers has denied all reports that they're responsible for the attack on the president. it is very hard to imagine why they would attack the presidential compound, although obviously, tensions are running so high. passions are running so high. it is hard to predict what is going to happen.

>> there are reports that yemeni troops loyal to president saleh who have been trained by the united states to fight al-qaeda have entered this conflict. yet, one presumably has to presume that still the united states needs president saleh and is still cooperating with him to fight al-qaeda there. >> i think the u.s. is in an extremely tricky position here because for the last 10 years, they have cared about one thing and one thing only in yemen, and that is al-qaeda in yemen. they have invested their energy and hundreds of millions of dollars into president saleh and his family, and counter- terrorism troops. the republican guard is involved in fighting the tribesmen. some of the crackdowns and protests have plenty of evidence that the u.s. funded

troops and equipment are involved in the conflict. at the end, the result of a decades-long relationship is that they do not have anyone else on the ground. i think they realized that president saleh has turned from a source of stability to a source of instability. they want him to go. >> we are just getting some news from the reuters news agency which says that syrian human rights activists say the number of people killed by government forces has risen from an initial -- it was believed to be 34, the human rights activists now say it is 63. they are protesters in the central city that have fired on government forces. the syrian leaders dispute the figure and say three people were killed. a number of anti-government demonstrations were held across syria after friday prayers. on a day dedicated to the dozens of children who have been killed

since the uprising began in march. we report. >> a day of widespread protests in syria and a day of violence. in towns and cities across the country tens of thousands turned out after friday prayers to call for the president to resign. despite the threat of military action, children were prominent at events such as this one. unicef says around 30 children have been killed by the security forces since the uprising began, and protesters dubbed it, "the friday of the children of freedom." this 13-year-old boy from the south has emerged as the unofficial icon of the revolution. activists say he was tortured to death. although the official demonstrations were peaceful, there were reports of heavy violence elsewhere.

in the central city, the site of a brutal crackdown by the president's late father, activists say at least 34 people were killed when the military opened fire. the syrian government says the demonstrators set fire to government buildings and injured around 80 members of the security forces. meanwhile, outside syria in neighboring lebanon, protests were held by both sides. the pro-government demonstrators held up pictures of president bashar al-assad and chanted in support of the syrian regime. although the international pressure is growing, the president is showing no sign of leaving power just yet. all the while, the shelling and gunfire in in the embattled cities continues almost a week after the military operation began. >> the former bosnian serb army commander ratko mladic has made his first appearance at the war

crimes court in the hague. he refused to enter a plea on the charges he faces, including the massacre at srebrenica which claimed the lives of up to 8000 muslim men and boys. he told the tribunal he was gravely ill and needed more time to understand the charges. a former u.s. senator and democratic vice presidential candidate john edwards has been indicted on felony charges by a federal grand jury. during the 2008 presidential race mr. edwards is accused of spending nearly $1 million of campaign money to cover an extramarital affair. he has pleaded not guilty to the charges. european and imf officials say that greece will receive -- say that greece will receive another bailout. they have had a notable pickup in exports. the greek government plans further austerity measures. there has been a further sign

that the economic recovery in the united states is weakening. unemployment has risen above 9% and only 54,000 jobs were generated in may, far fewer than expected. it is the latest in a series of disappointing economic figures that have led to sharp drops in the u.s. stock market. from boston, our north american editor reports. >> boston is better off than many american cities, with some thriving high-tech companies and you're out of work than the u.s. average. but the people here -- for people here the past is -- fewer out of work than the u.s. average. but for people here the past is not straightforward. the number of new jobs grew by a measly 54,000 and unemployment is at 9.1%. economists had expected jobs to grow at three times that number. >> these numbers are more than just a pick up on the road to

recovery. these figures show deep and abiding uncertainty. everything i have heard from people i talked to today, manufacturers, people in construction, financial services, is they do not know where the economy is going. >> today the president was during a chrysler car plant in ohio. he cannot pump any more money into the economy. congress will not let him. anyway, adding to the national debt is not attractive. he said nothing directly about today's figures. >> this economy took a big hit. it is just like if you had a bad illness, if you got hit by a truck, you know, it is going to take awhile for you to amenmend. that is what is happening to our economy. it is taking a while to mend. >> many large financial institutions are unable to help

anymore. today the dollar dropped in value. with interest rates already at zero and no appetite for more money being printed, economists do not expect much more government intervention. >> the economy is almost on its own. >> what does that mean? >> it means that progress is going to be very slow and for many americans it does not even feel like a recovery. >> building the economy up to full strength may be painfully slow, a job not completed until after next year's presidential election. few economists think there will be a second recession, but the recovery is precarious. bbc news, boston. >> still to come, we are going to paris, and it is coming down to the wire in the -- to peru, and it is coming down to the wire in the presidential election. he was the doctor who helped spur the right-to-die debate.

on friday, jack kevorkian passed away at the age of 83. we report on his life. >> the detractors called him "dr. death." he was a qualified physician who helped and lives using a homemade contraptions he called the mercy switch. >> the patient leans over and touches that switch once. >> he supplied the drugs. the patient activated billy fell injection. those who -- activated the lethal injection. those who did supplied videotapes to show that they were acting of their own will. >> i want to die. >> i will continue to assist humans to alleviate their agony and interminable suffering. yes, and if that means they have to kill themselves to do it, yes. >> the medical establishment was aghast. kevorkian assisted dozens of suicides.

prosecutors tried in vain to have him convicted of murder. >> we are injecting your right arm. >> in 1998, jack kevorkian had decisive evidence, a nationally televised video in which he himself administered a lethal injection. >> what do you say to your patients? >> i am talking for my patients. >> what do you say now that you are going to jail? >> do you want patients to continue suffering? do you call that a civilized society? >> released in 2007, kevorkian would run for congress, provoking a debate. today, doctor assisted suicide is legal in three states. for some, he was a pioneer of compassion. to others, a morbid self publicist. after an illness, jack kevorkian died overnight in hospital of natural causes. bbc news, washington. >> this is abc news, the

headlines. state television in yemen -- bbc news, the headlines. state television in yemen has issued a video message from president saleh less than six hours after his palace was shelled. to peru, where it is down to the wire in the presidential election. the country remains divided as they head to the polls this sunday. for weeks now, popular candidates from opposite sides of the political spectrum have been technically tied. now it is the people who will decide whether the daughter of a former jailed president or the army commander who tried to depose him will rise to lead the young democracy. from peru, we report. >> fanfare and a lively welcome

foreign keiko fujimori reflects her popularity here, despite the stain on her family name. her governing style -- her father's governing style is still remembered fondly in peru. voters like her, and she and her husband have learned to work the crowd. her challenge has been how to praise her father without highlighting his abuses, and how to fend off questions about who is calling the shots. >> keiko fujimori began her presidential campaign two years ago. she stands a good chance of first femaleu's president. how much of a say will her father have in running the country? >> i am the one that gives

interviews, give speeches, and i am the one that will be the president. i am the one that makes the decisions. i am the one who is going to leave my country. >> middle-class peruvians are afraid of the economic policies of the other candidate, ollanta humala. media coverage accuses him of being a puppet of venezuelan leader hugo chávez. in fact, he has recently moved more to the middle politically and become business friendly, that his central message about sharing the wealth remains the same. >> if they really look at what we're proposing, they will see that we are not a threat. we want to solve this country's social problems, extreme poverty and inequality. >> whoever wins the race will have to keep political

polarization from dampening economic growth and satisfy the demands of millions clamoring for a greater share. bbc news, peru. >> it is 30 years now since aids was first identified. next week at the united nations in new york, heads of government are gathering to discuss how successful the world has been in tackling the epidemic and what more needs to be done. there is new hope that it may be possible to eradicate the epidemic. there are currently around 6.5 million people in poor countries on anti-viral drugs. there are at least 9 million more with hiv and aids who are not receiving them. u.s. aid has set up and investment framework which aims to prevent more infections and debts. it estimates the total cost will be $22 billion. that is an increase of $6

billion over current spending. however, the executive director of yuen aide says he is concerned that economic problems in some -- unaid says that economic problems in wealthier countries might actually hurt the chance of fighting the epidemic. >> if we do not have the resources, the people on treatment will have to stop. then they will die. that is why there is global solidarity needed to continue to be active. if not, we will have a major problem. >> in philadelphia, part of the campaign health group organizing the rally outside the united nations in new york city next week is matthew kavanagh. let's take the figures. 34 million people around the world have the hiv virus.

most in poor countries are not receiving the proper drugs and treatments. but is it really only a question of money? will that solve it? >> that is a big part of it. what we have seen in the last two weeks is some of the most exciting science we have seen in a decade. not only do you see the unaid figures coming out showing that not only can we make some progress but begin to win against aids, two weeks ago we saw the data showing that if you put people on treatment, their 96% less likely to transmit hiv to their partner. not only do we save lives, we are actually able to halt the virus. if we can scale that up we will change the course of the epidemic. >> the research was called the game changer, was it not, in this battle? what has your organization planned to tell the united nations when you go to new york? >> there are a few key priorities. one, we need the finance.

we could save 7 million lives, bend the course of the epidemic. $6 billion may sound like a lot of money, but it is a tiny fraction of what we spend on even pet food in wealthy countries. mobilizing that is possible even in an economic crisis. second, we have to scale up. if we can do it faster, cheaper and better, and if we do, we are going to be able to significantly change a crisis like this. >> let's talk about hard facts. let's talk about perception. the man who eventually became the current president of south africa can say that to cure himself from potentially getting the hiv virus he just has to have a shower. >> you know what is interesting. under huge pressure, we have

been able to get rid of massive amounts of stigma, that information, including to the president. he has actually completely transformed south africa. they are now planning to cut 3 million people in retro -- anti retro viral drugs. he was shamed into doing it by aids activists. if we can get that happening around the world, we can combat aids. >> is hiv/aids and manageable disease now? >> not yet, but it can be. this is what figures are showing. we can bring down new infections. what happens is that if we can bring 12 million new infections down, 7 million averted, what happens is that the cost to people, communities and governments around the world comes down to. but if you do not invest now, it is an infectious

disease. it keeps on going. do we take the path where we invest a bit more now and break the back of the epidemic? >> thank you very much indeed for your time. organizers say the baring grand prix will go ahead later this year in a spirit -- bahrain grand prix will go ahead later this year in a spirit of reconciliation. there was more shooting on the streets there today. the race has been given the green light. it should take place in october, having been canceled earlier in the year because of the political situation. >> the by rain grand prix -- bahrain grand prix. this year it was postponed until today's reinstatement. the governing body says the decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation. the grand prix is a means of helping unite people. one of britain's most famous

driver's believes his sport has gotten it badly wrong. >> if you turn a blind eye and go on as if nothing is happening, i think you can be accused of abdicating responsibility as a world sports. >> of course, this was why it stayed away. the protests started in february and are still going on. these pictures apparently filmed in bahrain today, where many believe formula one has made a mistake. >> people are disappointed. they cannot believe an organization like that would put human rights below their financial interest. that is the case here. >> was money their reason? they were set to lose 21 million pounds had the race been cancelled. the team would have been 24 million pounds out of pocket.

ferrari would have lost 7 million pounds of income. arriving at today's meeting, the head of formula one said that was not an issue. >> nothing to do with money at all. nothing in any shape or form. >> but some of the drivers are uncomfortable. mark weber wrote on twitter yesterday, the issues are bigger than sport. will the race really go ahead? >> i would say it is 50-50. it depends on the kind of backlash generated over the next few months, both from bahrain possiblend protesters there, and within the formula one community. >> for some, the sport may have lost its sparkle. >> just a reminder that in the past have our human rights activists in syria say 63 people were killed, pro-democracy

demonstrators killed by government forces on friday. you are watching bbc news. >> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the top stories from around the globe and click-to-play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its financial strength to work for a wide range of companies, from

small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles.