(technical difficulties) . >> we seem to have lost barnaby phillips. we've had a few technical problems connecting to him. we have the gist, of the group of o.s.c.e. monitors, missing, abducted in slovyansk, in the eastern part of ukraine. more on that as soon as we get it. in the meantime other news. >>> the palestine leadership is meeting to discuss peace talks after israel said it was pulling out. the decision followed a unity deal between fatah and hamas. the palestine prime minister quit his job, and that makes way for the formation of a new unity government. under the agreement elections could be held as early as 2015. >>> now, the u.s. president barack obama says leaders on both sides of the israeli-palestine conflict lack the will to make the compromise necessary for talks. he said it may be time to put the peace process on hold. rosalind jordan reports from washington. . >> reporter: u.s. president obama conceded it may be time for what he called a pause in mid east peace talks. >> what we haven't seen is the political will to make tough decis

barnaby phillips reports >> reporter: on both sides, funerals are becoming political event did. this time, it was pro-russian separatists laying one of their heroes to rest in the town of slovyansk. lubinetz killed by ukrainian soldiers two days ago, now a martyr for his cause. >> love live dombus. ukraine with russia russia. long live donbus >> it's also in slovyansk that the military observers are being held who have ignored the demands of several who have been released. >> they are not observers. they are spies. we have information confirming that, information confirming the spy activities was in their papers >> this is the administration center in donetsk. as you can see, there is no sign that pro-russian groups are giving up their control room. their barricades are still up. but let's go over here and see the other side of life in the east because for most people, things are going on as normal. they might be anxious, but they are keeping their opinions to themselves. >> that's the same, not just in donetsk but across eastern ukraine. >> closer to kiev, they were marking a g

barnaby phillips with an update there. >>> attacks in iraq has security before elections. five people were killed in an explosion in western baghdad. we have the latest now. >> there is an unprecedented security operation going on in baghdad. i've spoken to senior military commanders and ministry of interior. they won't tell us officially how many extra troops check points they're placing in baghdad. they're playing the cards very close. off the record they say they know they face quite serious challenges in dealing with security. let me give you some figures. there are over $7,000 polling stations. there are 22 million registered voters here in iraq. now, now the military state hee in iraq have threatened the election campaigns. there have been multiple suicide car bombings which have killed 31 people and we've seen a number of incidents throughout the day. also the kinds of incidents we're seeing, suicide bombs, we're seeing gun attacks. so they are certainly making good on their threats to trying to disrupt their elections. having said that, i've seen the atmosphere, ce

barnaby phillips, ukraine. >>> tens of thousands crowded st. peters squares. as john paul and john xxiii were canonized. never before had the catholic church made two popes saints at once. our nick schifrin with more on this holy day. >> reporter: in front of a million faithful. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: and ancient ceremony became one of the catholic church's most modern moments. never before has the church sainted two popes at once. [applause] >> reporter: never before have two living popes publicly celebrated mass together.and never before, have this many people made the pilgrimage to rome in st. peters square. with a single statement, pope francis canonized two popes in two different papacies. john xxiii and john paul ii. for 48-year-old andreas widmer. >> a lot of people come here for meaning and expressing their faith. there is bonding of a call of john paul ii who says do have faith. >>> when andreas first met john paul he was agnostic. >> i came here primarily because i thought being a bodyguard was the coolest thing you could do. when i first met john paul i s

now for the latest from barnaby phillips in donetsk in eastern ukraine. we have been hearing from the separatist leader in slovyansk. what has he been saying about the moves? >> this is a man who appointed himself, effectively, the mayor of the town of slovyansk a couple of weeks ago. he is firmly under groups who are pro-russian - if we can call them that. he is talking about the possibility of some sort of exchange with prisoners taken by the government in kiev, in the eastern region, and whom we believe are in kiev itself. he's saying there could about a quid pro quo and this is what he said. >> translation: it was not our plan to take prisoners for a swap. you under that prisoners have been coins to exchange during times of war. it's an international practice to swap prisoners. there's nothing scary about it. >> you're in donetsk, an urban area. what is life like there, amid the turmoil. >> well, for most people it's a time of anxiety. it's unclear what will happen. they are trying to get on with their normal lives. if you go across the city, you'll s

barnaby phillips has more. >> reporter: the skiein the skya helicopter was exploded after it was taking off. the pilot survived. a helicopter crashed. there were firemen, four fire engines. you can see the smoke is probably still billowing. >> reporter: another explosion, a police roadblock, one report said that a grenade was flown from a passing vehicle. the police say seven people were injured. >> over the board in southwestern russia military exercises continue. the size and scope of the exercise aalarm the yo ukrainian government and many governments in the west. at a volunteer camp, they are learning new skills. there are some 100 ukrainian men here, most not prepared to show their faces in the current uncertainty, but they say they're preparing for a russian invasion. of course these men are no match for the russian army. the existence of this camp suggests one thing, that if the russians were to invade they would encounter some resistence in the ukraine unlike crimea. >> we gathered to save ukraine from the uni--they're learning battlefield first aid, another skill they hope they

. >> barnaby phillips joins us from kiev now. we heard some very strong words of support for your next question from the vice president there, but has he promised enough to satisfy kiev? >> to a certain exsent. obviously the rhetoric is welcome. the government is beleaguered, weak. it needs friends, they don't come more powerful than the united states. but at the end of the day joe bide sen going to fly home, and ukraine is still going to have to live with its very powerful awkward neighbor russia. there will be financial assistance towards those crucial may elections, but really people here were hoping for military assistance. that is what they believe their country needs in the face of essentially an exsa sten shall threat. and the americans are restricting their military assistance to non-lethal aid, communications, uniforms and so on, and there was no situation that that is likely to change any time soon. >> yeah, and joe biden also made it clear that ukraine also had obligations. key concerns, corrupt shun, and the economy.

barnaby phillips reports. >> reporter: the skies above the town of kramatorsk, ukraine an governmentays one of its helicopters exploded off it was shot in the fuel tank just as it was taking off. the pilot survived. >> the helicopter was taking off and then crashed. it was on fire and there were firemen, four fire engines, you can see smoke is probably still billowing. >> reporter: over the border in southwestern russia, military exercises continue, the size and scope of these exercises has alarmed the ukrainian government and many governments in the west. russia has said if the lives of ethnic russians in ukraine are threatened it reserves the right to take action. these men are learning knew and lethal skills. they say they are preparing for a russian invasion. of course these men are no match for the russian army in terms of numbers, in terms of training or equipment. but the existence of this camp does suggest one thing that if the russians were to invad they would encounter some redistance in eastern ukraine. unlike crimea. >> translator: we have gathered to save ukraine as a un

barnaby phillips reports. >> reporter: the skies above kramatorsk. ukrainian government says a helicopter exploded after being shot in the fuel tank, the pilot survived. >> it was on fire and there were firemen, four fire engines. you can see. smoke is still probably billowing. >> reporter: in the southern port of oh best sa another explosion at a police roadblock. one report said a grenade was thrown from a passing vehicle. the police say seven people were injured. over the border in southwestern russia, military exercises continue. the size and scope of these exercises has alarmed the ukrainian government but also many governments in the west. russia says if the lives of ethnic russians in your next question are tlehreatened it reserves the right to take action. these men are learning new and lethal skills. are some 100 ukrainian men here. they say they are preparing for a russian invasion. of course these men are no match for the russian army in terms of numbers, in terms of training or equipment, but the existence of this camp suggests one thing,

. >> well, let's go to barnaby phillips, monitors are still being held. any change to that situation or negotiations ongoing? >> no substantial change, stephen. the people who are holding them, the armed separatists say there are spies amongst them. they're referring to the ukrainian contingent. there has been reports from the last hour within the german government that some type of mediation is on its way here to try and talk about these people. but let's not forget the largest foreign elements within this small group is german. we think there are four germans, a dane, a pole, a swede, and someone from the czech republic as well. russia also said they would be working to secure their release, but it has not happened yet, i'm afraid. >> rebel militia continue to up occupy the cities. series tension there. what is the mood where you are like? >> reporter: i'm in donestk, the regional capitol. it is also the capitol, people's hubble of donestk. where they are firmly controlled by separatists. i was just there a half hour ago. the barricades are up. russian

barnaby phillips on the ground in donetsk with the latest >> reporter: on both sides in eastern ukraine, funerals are becoming political events. this time, it was pro-russian separatists laying one of their heroes to rest. in the town of slovyansk, a man killed who is now a martyr. >> long live donbas. ukraine is with russia. long live donbas >> it's also in slovyansk that the european militariary observers are being held by pro-russian gun men who said .1 way the observers could be released would be in exchange for the governments of kiev holding a number of pro-russian activists >> prisoners have always been pawns to exchange during times of war. it's an international practice to swap prisoners. there is nothing scary about it. >> this is the administration center in donetsk, and as you can see, there is no sign of pro-russian groups are giving up their control. their barricades are still up. let's go over here and see the other side of life in the east because for most people, things are going on as normal. they might be ang. they are keeping to themselves. >> that's the same not jus

barnaby phillips, don estk. >> the european union has will adadded 15 more people to their sanctions list. nine of them are russian. vladimir putin said russia will not counter sanction western powers but he did say that russia would reconsider allowing western companies to participate in its energy projects if sanctions continue. >>> today was supposed to be the deadline for a framework for a mideast process. after trying to bring both sides together the talks are off, at least for now. nick schifrin is in jerusalem, nick, it seems like the talks have hit a roadblock yet again. >> yes, a really rather massive roadblock. richelle, since they began they have been one of the top foreign policy priorities. there is shuttle diplomacy, press conferences, private meetings, and today's deadline passed with a whimper without even a phone call between the two sides. >> reporter: for nine months america's top diplomats worked tirelyless on mideast peace. >> this can be achieved. >> reporter: secretary of state john kerry has met with israel i officials 39 times and met with palestinian officia

the divisions in the east are hardening- barnaby phillips al jazeera donetsk. >> both the u-s and european union are ramping up sanctions against russia. they're hoping to convince the kremlin to change course in ukraine. today, the e-u imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 15 more individuals. washington went even further yesterday, adding 17 companies to *its sanctions list. critics say western leaders aren't being tough enough on moscow. and the crisis in ukraine has rattled nato members in eastern europe. secretary of state kerry says . the unrest is a wake-up call for the alliance . he's warning members .to *not let their defense budgets shrink >> we have to make it absolutely clear to the kremlin that nato territory is inviolable. we will defend every single piece of it, article 5 of the nato treaty must mean something and our allies on the front lines need and deserve no less." >> ukraine's current government says billions of dollars in assets were stolen from the country by ousted politicians. the u-s and britain are pledging to help get the money back. john terrett has that par

let's cross to barnaby phillips. he is in donetsk, in eastern ukraine. the latest, please, as those military observers still being held after being seized on friday. are negotiations still ongoing? >> the only piece of good news is that the russians are calling for their release. whether the russians are calling for the distinction of foreigners, a dane, a poll, germans, a swede, a czech republic national, and ukrainians - five of whom come from the ukrainian military is important. we don't know the answer and don't know whether the armed men doing the detaining will draw the distinction between the different kind of hostages, prisoners, who they are holding in slovyansk. . >> reporter: the town of slovyansk at the heart of a kidnapping. slovyansk's self-proclaimed mayor said the foreign observers were accompanied by a ukrainian man suspected of being a spy. >> reporter:. >> translation: i have heard there was someone from the headquarters. it doesn't look good. if people come from the european union and bring a spy, it doesn't look good. >> a helicopter

barnaby phillips has the latest. >> reporter: on both sides in eastern ukraine, funerals are becoming political events. this was a russian separatist laying a hero to rest. it was in the town of ben lovejoy. killed by you -- town of slovyansk. "long live dombask. ukraine is with russia." >> military observers are being held by pro-russian gunmen, saying one way the observers could be released would be in an exchange with the government in kiev, holding a number of pro-russian activists. prisoners have been coins to exchange during times of war. it's an international practice to swap prisoners. there's nothing scary about it. >> this is the administration center in donetsk. there's no sign that pro-russian groups are giving up control. the barricades are up. let's go over here and see the other side of the life in the east. for most people things are going on as normal. they may be anxious, but they are keeping their opinions to themselves. that is the same not just in donetsk, but across eastern ukraine. >> closer to kiev, they were marking a grim anniversary - 28 years since the chen

in kiev - barnaby phillips reports. >> the day began with an american show of support for kiev. any government in a desperate situation as ukraine's would be grateful for america's backing. vice president joe biden was warmly received. both the vice president and ukraine's acting prime minister had tough words for russia. >> but no nation - no nation has the right to simply grab land from another nation. no nation has that right. and we will never recognise russia's illegal occupation of crimea and neither will the world. . >> translation: russia should stick to its international commitment and obligations, we demand that they fulfil those obligations and not behave like gangsters in the 19th century. >> they want ukraine to reduce dependence on russian gas. that will take time, and that is one thing the government in kiev does not have. the news from the east is ominous. in slovyansk, pro-russian groups fear an attack by government forces. after ukraine's acting president oleksandr turchynov said the body of a local body, tortured and murdered, was found near the city. he blame

barnaby phillips is in kiev where he sends this report. >> reporter: joe biden's visit to kiev is a well welcome support of what is a w beleagued government. we talk to people here in kiev about what they would like from this american visit. they're talking about more economic insistence. they're talking about energy assistance, ways in which ukraine could be weaned off it's dependence of russian natural a gas. obviously that is a long-term measure. in the short term the americans are talking about non-lethal military assistance, and they're talking about further escalation of sanctions against russia if latino week's geneva accord is not followed. activists occupying towns in the eastern part of the country not showing any inclination that they're preparing to anywhere yet. >> syrian parliament has announced elections, a vote scheduled to take place jun june 3rd. candidates have until the end of april to submit their applications. bashar al-assad has not officially said he will stand again but he has made it clear that he intends to do just that. in 2000 bashar al-assad succeeded his fa

barnaby phillips reports from the city of donetsk. gungun. >> reporter: the pro-russian crowd forced their way into the government building in liuhansk they seemed incapable or unwilling to take on the crowds. they refused to hand their weapons over. then they were escorted away. the crowd revelled in their victory. they took over more buildings in the town. later pro-russian gunmen opened fire in an attack on the police station. so pro-russian groups extend their control. they want to hold a referendum in early may. in order for the vote to be credible they need a large enough area under their authority, that is driving them on at the moment. how fair would such a vote be. this man runs a website. we are going to his office. he's taken down the name plaque and most of his staff are too afraid to come here after a visit by masked men and baseball bats. >> it's the influence of the people. it will be diff and dangerous for journalists to work. it's dangerous now. i have one colleague - he's fled with his family to kiev. some of those o

. >> that was barnaby phillips reporting. in a few minutes we'll hear from regional expert joe henry, telling us why now is the time for n.a.t.o. to step in. >>> breaking news, five collision troops were killed in an n.a.t.o. helicopter crash in southern afghanistan. the cause of the crash is under investigation. there's no indication of whether it was shot or crashed due to mechanical failure or where the troops were from. >>> two hours ago president obama laned in kuala lumpur, the third leg of his asian tour. his arrival coming 70 days since the malaysian airliner disappeared. he is expected to discuss that in a private meeting. >>> two popular pops in history will -- popes in history will become saint. nick schifrin joins us live from rome. nick, i understand the canonization accused controversy in the catholic community. why is that? >> good morning, morgan. absolutely, there's a big controversy, a debate about an historic day. it will be the first time we will see two popes canonized on the same day. last summer francis

al jazeera's barnaby phillips has more from danask right near the russian border. >> on both sides funerals are political events. this time it was pro-russian separatists laying a hero to rest. in the town of slow yafk is now a martyr for the cause. >> long live dabansk. >> it's also in slow yank. >> they're not observers. they're spying. >> the barricades are still up. let's go over here and see the other side of life in the east. for most people things are normal. they might be anxious and that's the say in dansk and across eastern ukraine. closer to kiev they were marking a grim anniversary. 28 years since the chernobyl nuclear accident. it was events on the eastern border that seemed to preoccupy the politicians who came to this event. >> translator: if russia continues its aggression and ignores decisions made during negotiations including the ones from geneva, ukraine has to stay strong and resist the occupant's forces. >> reporter: he -- she hopes to be the next president, although the legitimacy of the election could depend on a successful resolution of the crisis with russia. >> st

barnaby phillips is live, barnaby the tell us what happened. >> we understand that about 300 pro-unity activists, pro-ukraine activists tried where are tried to march through center of donetske, their rally was broand ubroand -- broken up by are pro-russian group. they are putting out a statement that say they are doing their best to keep the order certainly they appeared relatively powerless to put it mildly and more than adozen people were injured in the clashes in the center of donetske. >> barnaby paint us a picture of how you feel things are shaping up in eastern ukraine and outside donetske as well. >> well, it feels lauren as if the government's authority, bit by bit, is being eroded away. pro-russian separatists are controlling a larger area. they took over more government buildings outside donetske today. this is very important for them. remember, they are trying to hold this referendum on the status of eastern ukraine and they say they want this happe to happen on may the 11th. they need a certain administration behind them if such a vote is to be credible. and they seem to b

barnaby phillips is in eastern ukraine with more. >> reporter: the pro-russian crowd swept into the building unopposed. dispute rumours that the take over was imminent, the police did nothing. they are incapable or uparing to -- or unwilling to take on the crowds. they were escorted away. and so pro-russian groups continue to extend their control in eastern ukraine. they want to hold a referendum in early may. in order for the vote to be credible they need a large enough area under their authority. that is driving them on at the moment. >> how fair would such a vote be? this man runs a news website. we are going to his office. he has taken down the name plaque and most of his staff are too afraid to come here after a visit by a group of masked bep with baseball bats that said he should report more favourably on the people's republic of donetsk. >> translation: if the influence grose, it will be difficult -- grows, it will be difficult and dangerous for people to work. i had a colleague that received death threats and he and his family fled to kiev. >> some of those opposed to russia say they

. >> barnaby phillips sent this update a bit earlier from kyiv. >> joe biden's visit to kyiv is a very welcome show of support for a very beleaguered ukrainian government that has already lost crimea and seems in danger of losing the eastern part of the country as well. if you talk to people here in kyiv about what they would like from this american visit well, it is american military hardware, even a commitment for america to send troops here but there's not the slightest sign that the americans are inclined to do that. they are talking about more economic assistance. they're talking about energy assistance, ways in which ukraine can be weaned off its dependence on russian natural gas which of course is one of the underlying causes of tension in eastern europe. but obviously that is a long term measure. in the short term the americans are talking about non-lethal military assistance and they are talking about a further escalation of sanctions against russia if last week's geneva accord is not implemented. but that geneva accord it has to be said is looking very ropey now with mutual a

barnaby phillips live for us now from liverpool. over to you, barnaby. >> thank you, david.mber atmosphere at the stadium. you can see where supporters of liverpool football club have been tying scarfs throughout the morning and early afternoon, not just liverpool fans, everton fans as well. and indeed football fans from all over england and scottland and in fact beyond. i have met people here from holland, germany, italy, and you can see the memorial there as we. most of the crowd are inside the stadium. we expect some 30,000 people to mark this event. what is evident, david is that although a quarter of a century has passed, hillsborough has an enduring impact on this city. football and liverpool go hand in hand. but also commemorated here, the terrible events of april 15th, 1989. that was the day many liverpool fans were crushed to death. they had gone to watch an important match, and the game had started, but something was going horribly wrong. the liverpool fans were crammed in too tightly. they couldn't escape because of the fences that were common in english football.

. >> barnaby phillips for us in donetsk in eastern you a crane, thank you. >> parliamentary elections, first time they have headed to the polls since the u.s. pulled out in 2011. there are reports of attacks outside the capitol. we are at a polling side in baghdad. how has the turnout been so far where you are? >> this polling station in central baghdad, they are voting just through those doors, has about 3,500 registered voters, about 1,000 people have turned up so far. now what an independent election monitoring body told us that across baghdad, they think the turnout has been 40-45%, quite good so far. still about three hours of polling to go. one big issue is voter fraud. in 2010, the supreme court had to step in, so they changed the way voting, you can probably see this card, has a chip in it like a credit card to try to stop voter fraud. the turnout has been quite good and it looks like it could be quite a good turnout. >> current prime minister promising security if he gets elected to a third term. is that a promise he can keep, considering the infrastructure already in place a

barnaby phillips has more from near donetsk in eastern ukraine. >> reporter: the european military observers were paraded before cameras by the self-ponded major -- appointed mayor of slovyansk, vechislav ponomaryov. they are in no position to complain about what happened to them. >> we are not prisoners of war, but the guests of mayor vechislav ponomaryov, and are treated as such. >> at least they were able to show their families they are alive and well. later, one observer from swedeb was released on the grounds of you will health. others have not been treated so kindly. these three men were captured by pro-russian government need slovyansk. ukrainian intelligence officers, and this is what they locked like after the interrogation. >> on the road into slovyansk. the ukrainian army. this is not a town under siege, but the soldiers are working to prevent more weapons from coming in. this is the ukrainian army trying to show that it is in control. throughout this crisis the approach as been hesitant and cautious. that is because the government in kiev is very concerned how russia will respond

barnaby phillips reports now from kiev 12,347 they have tough words for rush. >> no nation has the right to grab land from another nation. no nation has that right. >> russia should stick to its international commitment and obligations. we demand that russia fulfills it's international obligations and not behave like gangster notice modern century. the americans are promising more support for the ukrainian economy. to help ukraine reduce it's independence on russian gas. that will take time, and time is one thing that government in kiev does not have. >>> in kiev's independent square the crowds have gone. the roads are still blocked. the mood still defiant as if there is unfinished business here. last week's geneva agreement said the illegal occupation of all public spaces in ukraine should end, and the russians argue this applies as much here in kiev as it does anywhere in the east of the country. but here in independent square they say that their country is under attack from russia, and that these barricades and this occupation should continue because the future is still so uncertain.

barnaby phillips has the details. . >> reporter: the european observers were paraded before the cameras. they are in no position to complain about what has happened. >> we are not prisoners of war, we are the guests of mayor vechislav ponomaryov. and we are treated as such. >> at least they were able to show their families they are alive and well. later, an observer from sweden was released on grounds of ill health. others have not been treated so kindly. these three men were captured by pro-russian gunmen near slovyansk. ukrainian intelligence officers. this is what they looked like after the interrogation. on the road into slovyansk, the ukrainian army. this is not a town under siege, but the soldiers are working to prevent more weapons coming in. >> this is the ukrainian army trying to show that it is in control. throughout the crisis the approach has been hesitant and cautious, that's because russia will respond to any use of force by these men. in the next town a demonstration in favour of rubbisha. it's a -- russia. it's a small crowd, they have some support on the sidelines. pro-

barnaby phillips is in kiev. >> vice president joe biden was warmly received in kiev. any government in a desperate situation as ukraine's would be grateful for america's backing. both the vice president and ukraine's acting prime minister had tough words for russia. >> no nation. no nation has the right to simply grab land from another nation. no nation has that right. and we will never recognise russia's illegal occupation of crimea and neither will the world. >> translation: russia should stick to its international commitment and obligations. we demand that russia fulfils its international obligation and not behave like gangsters in the modern century. >> the minister are wanting support, helping ukraine reduce dependence on russian gas. that will take time. that is something the deposit in kiev -- government in kiev does not have. >> in kiev's independence square, the crowds have gone. roads are blocked, the mood is defiant as if there's unfinished business. last week's geneva's agreement said the illegal occupation of all public spaces in ukraine should end. the r

barnaby phillips was there. >> outside the anfield stadium a large crowd. but they had not come for a football match, and the atmosphere was sombre. liverpool fans, but also other people from this city and beyond paid their respects. [ singing ] >> and inside the stadium the list of names of those who died. >> kevin trainer. >> patrick john thompson. >> peter ruben thompson. >> on and on. >> for us who have witnessed these 25 years, the family of the 96, we have been struck by your determination, courage and absolute love. >> there were many famous faces in the stadium, players who were there that day at hillsborough, and the current first team, some of whom were not born in 1989. >> 96 individuals that were all loved, cherished and all wept too soon. those who we lost, and for those that have fought and campaigned tirelessly on their behalf and on the behalf of the survivors, you are the real true inspiration for us. >> the day's event may have been a comfort to those affect by the hillsborough disaster, ultimately those who lost loved ones want answers as

from east ukraine barnaby phillips reports. >> reporter: the pro-russian crowd forced their way into government building in luhansk. despite widespread rumours, the police did nothing. they seemed incapable or unwilling to take on the crowds. they refused to hand over their weapons. they were escorted away. the crowd revelled in their victory. they took over more buildings in the town. later pro-russian gunmen opened fire in an attack on the police station. >> reporter: and so pro-russian groups continue to extend their control in eastern ukraine. they want to hold a referendum in early may. for that vote to be credible, they need to have a large enough area under their authority, and that is what is driving them on at the moment. >> how fair would such a vote be. this man runs a news website in donetsk. we are going to his office. he's taken down the name plaque and most of his staff are too afraid to come here after a visit by a group of masked me with baseball bats who said he should report more favourably on the self-declared people's public of donetsk. >> if the influence of the

. >> barnaby phillips joins us from a ukrainian city. let's start with the operation in slovyansk, and thereabouts. what are you hearing about that? we heard an estimate from the ukrainian defence ministry saying that up to five terrorists, as they call them - that is it armed pro-russian separatists we should call them, have been killed and that they captured three checkpoints. they are asking slovyansk, whic been a center, if you like, of control for the separatist movement, if that's what we can call it. they are asking people to stay indoors. the latest reports we have heard from our sources inside the town itself, is that things are calm now, but there was gun fire earlier in the morning. >> and you are in holiska because there's a funeral under way of a ukrainian politician found near slovyansk. tell us about that. that issue has been a flash point as well. >> yes, that's right. that's v laked mere rearbak. the announcement came a couple of days ago. the body had been mutilated, tortured. the ukrainian government is claiming the se

barnaby phillips, al jazeera, kiev. >> u.s. troops will be deployed to poland and the baltic states to underscore the u.s. commitment to its n.a.t.o. allies. the first troops are due to arrive on wednesday. >> russian he's aggression in ukraine has renewed our resolve to strengthening nato's defense plans and capabilities and continue our commitment to enforcing our n.a.t.o. allies in central and eastern europe. a company-sized troopers from 173rd infant try brigadry briga. this is the first in a series of expanded u.s. land force training activities in poland and the baltic region that are scheduled to take place for the next few months and beyond. additional companies from the 173rd will move in the coming days to lithuania, latvia and estonia for similar exercises. >> let's get more from roslind jordan, she joins us from washington, d.c. talk us through what the u.s. has decided to do? >> well, what the u.s. has decided to do, darren, is to send 150 pai 150 paratroopers fe 173rd. first poland, lithuania, latvia, they will al

barnaby phillips has followed the events on the ground in eastern ukraine. >> reporter: on the edge of sloyvyansk these pictures show ukraine's army doing something new, going on the offensive against pro-russian separatists. they advance and take over a roadblock that has been abandoned by the separatists. in the skies, ukrainian helicopters, but on the ground it's still the separatist gunmen very much in control and at least some residents seem grateful for their presence. >> translator: it's just not possible to live with this government that has passed these kinds of laws. i don't know. people say we don't love ukraine. my dear, everyone born here and who grew up here loves ukraine, but that doesn't mean you love the policies. >> reporter: the attack on sloyvyansk never comes, and by mid-afternoon pro-russians have taken back the checkpoints. so another day of hesitation and confusion, although the government in kiev continues to talk tough. >> translator: we demand that the russian federation stop interfering in the internal affairs of ukraine and stop permanent threats and blackm

barnaby phillips, al jazeera in eastern ukraine. >> joining me is alexander cooley, a professor at barnardollege. thank you for being in today. we appreciate it? >> my pleasure. >> let's talk about what we saw on the report. do you get the sense there is a growing sense of lawlessness in this eastern ukraine? >> yeah, absolutely. lawlessness overlapping authority, different types of militias, rumors of external sponsors, actual external sponsors. the region really is descending in a. an arkans an arkansanarchy. >> do you think russia is pulling strings or do you think this is more the work of local activists who are largely doing this on their own? >> i think both. the relationship between them is complicat complicated, special forces operating. sometimes agents are different to control. some of the self-proclaimed mayors, separate tests, even though they might have ties to mosc moscow. both are operating at the same time. >> as to the uncertainty. >> with that in mind, do you expect sanctions? more are expected to come down tomorrow -- to really make a difference in eastern ukraine? >> i

apparently released because he suffers from diabetes, but seven colleagues are held hostage as barnaby phillips reports. >> reporter: the european military observers were paraded before cameras. they are in no position to complain about what has happened to them. >> we are not prisoners of war. we are the guests of the mayor. we'll be treated as such. >> reporter: at least they could show their families their alive and well, and later one observer from sweden was released on grounds of ill health. others have not been treated so kindly. these three men were captured by pro-russian government near slovyansk, ukrainian intelligence officers. this is what they looked like after their interrogation. on the road into slovyansk, the ukrainian army. it is not a town under siege, but the soldiers are working to prevent more weapons from coming in. this is the ukrainian army trying to show it's in control, but throughout the crisis its approach has typically been hesitant and cautious, and that's because the government in kiev is very concerned at how russia will respond to any use of force by these men

barnaby phillips, al jazeera, liverpool. >> michael phelps has taken the first step of competing at thefter announcing he is coming out of retirement and the most successful olympian of all times and will compete in arizona in two weeks time and he retired after the 2012 london olympics and will be 31 by the time the rio games begin. it was his second olympics in athens where he started to win meets -- metals and he broke mark spitz of 7 gold metals in one game by winning 8 and london 2012 they over took the gymnast 18 metals to be the most successful olympian in history. with four golds and two silver he had 22 metals over all. red bull lost appeal against daniel suspension from the australia formula one grand prix and stripped a second spot for breaching the new fuel regulations. fia international court of appeal upheld the decision after a hearing in paris. the team has 18 points in the championship race. tuesday is jackie robin son day in the united states, annual tradition which honors the first african/american player in major league baseball in 1947 and john henry smith has more.