. >> i'm nicole johnson, reporting on afghanistan's highly prized landfill ends up in finland. >>> i.s.i.l. destroyed two ancient shrines, close to the syrian city of palmyra, a u.n.e.s.c.o. world heritage site. amateurs photographs show the shrines being blown up. smoke can be seen rising from the hilltop tomb of mohammed bin there were reports that mines prophet muhammad's cousin. there were reports that mine s were laid in the ancient city, raising fears that more art factors would be lost. i.s.i.l. vowed to destroy statues and shrines, which it regard as idol worshipping. our next guest wrote about the shrines, saying it's likely i.s.i.l. will target religious sites. >> it's entirely possible that the organization will destroy all of the historical remnants of palmyra. they started with shrines that had islamic references. a shrine to the companion of prophet muhammad. mediaeval, and few such shrines, memorabilia as a form of idol worship. they have a severe kind of pure tan religion, were there should be nothing between the human and god. the world is waiting to see if the roman ruins

. >> i'm nicole johnson in afghanistan. i'll take a ride with the only female taxi driver - finding out what challenges she faces on the road. >>> rebel groups in syria launched major attacks against government forces in aleppo at a city south of damascus. after two years of fighting for control of the strategic square in aleppo rebels say they have seized the area. they have also taken control of the surrounding government barracks. further south rebels attacked government-held areas in deraa. heavy fighting has been reported in that area overnight. fighters from the islamic state of iraq and levant have entered the syrian town of kobane for the first time in six months. 12 people have been killed and 70 wounded. according to kurdish fighters from the y.p.g. i.s.i.l. entered the sworn side of kobane and i.s.i.l. fighters stormed al-haas anger in north-eastern syria and seized several areas, and a suicide bomber attacked the city. we'll go to our correspondent, monitoring our costs. let's start with kobane it's a matter of

. >> i'm nicole johnson. coming up, we'll be on a roadtrip through the mountainous and remote province to find out what development there has been. >>> the u.s. is planning to establish a new military base in iraq's anbar province. it's the first major shift in the plan against i.s.i.l. president obama is considering sending hundreds of troops to iraq to train local forces. the city of ramadi, the capital, was overrun by i.s.i.l. last month. iraqi forces are having to plan how to retake the city. mosul is another city that i.s.i.l. has under their control. it's been a year since they seized it. iraq's government, at the time under under nouri al-maliki at the time declared sa state of emergency. mosul is the second largest city, home to around 8 million people. hundreds, thousands, fled after i.s.i.l. moved in. erbil was the destination for most of them fleeing. zeina khodr is on the outskirts of mosul. . >> the road behind me is the road to mosul. a few kilometers from here is the i.s.i.l. controlled city. w

. >>> i'm nicole johnson, and i'm taking a ride with a female taxi driver. find out what changes she faces on the road. >> fighters from the islamic state of iraq and levant have entered the syrian town of kobane for the first time. 12 people have been killed and at least 70 wounded. a suicide car bomber blew himself up at a border crossing with turkey. kurdish forces say i.s.i.l. fighters entered from the south-western side of the town on the border with turkey. the latest offensive coming days after fighters withdrew them from a town, blocking them from raqqa and hasaka. overnight i.s.i.l. fighters stormed the city of hasaka and seized control of several districts. activists say a suicide car bomb attacked the western entrance. dozens of government and i.s.i.l. fighters have been killed. >> meanwhile, the syrian state tv said i.s.i.l. fighters entered kobane through the turkish side, but the turkish foreign ministry is denying that allegation. we are joined by the director of the carnegie middle east center in beirut. she says i.s.i.l. will find it difficu

nicole johnson has more. >> there were no paved roads until three years ago. when this one was built. it connects dozens of poor villages. unfortunately, it ends here. >> 14 years ago the taliban destroyed the market. now it's peaceful. because the hazar ark s are muslims, and don't support the taliban. >> there's no work or business for shopkeepers. the government helped other provinces. in bamiyan they didn't do much. i don't know why. i'm here all day and can't feed my family. >> there are a few signs of progress in the district capital. there's only enough electricity to turn on the lights for a couple of hours a night. if you can afford it. power costs 10 times more. than it does in kabul. there's no public transport either. this man walked three hours with his sick son to visit a medical clinic, and had to borrow money to buy medicine, and has to walk back. on the main road out of town we came across students walking to school because there's no bus. 13-year-old hadisa tells us that she walks 3 hours a day to school and home again. the principal says it'

. >> i'm nicole johnson reporting on how afghanistan's highly priced lamb pelts end up in finland >>> we begin in syria, where i.s.i.l. fighters destroyed two islamic shrines, close the ancient city of palmyra. it's the first time they targeted historical sites since taking over the city. experts fear there's more destruction to come. zeina khodr reports. >> reporter: this is what many feared would happen when fighters from the islamic state of iraq and levant captured palmyra a few weeks ago. it was not the first time i.s.i.l. has destroyed ancient monuments. it's the first reported damage in the city in central syria. fighters blew up two ancient shrines they consider un-islamic. the shrines are not from the roman era. unlike other 2,000-year-old buildings in palmyra. there are concerns about the fate of the u.n.e.s.c.o. lifted world heritage site. >> it's possible that the organization will destroy all the historical remnants of palmyra. they started with the shrines that have islamic residences, a shrine to a companion of the profit mohammed. a shrine to the medieval >>> an activi

nicole johnson is our correspondent joining us live. hundreds of taliban were controlled in the fight. we believe it's ongoing. what is the latest you are hearing. >> that's right, the local police told us they were overwhelmed by the taliban attack. hundreds of fighters. afghan security forces 200 of them they ended up retreating to the mountains. since then we have heard that an operation started to try to retake the distribute. special forces have been flown in, dropped into the district from kabul, via helicopter as well as afghan security forces. reinforcements sent in from different districts and they have arrived or are on their way to take on the taliban, a serious attack. not the first attack in badakhshan that we have seen. there has been a great deal of fighting between the afghan security forces and the taliban >>> it's a remote place, not even a road going to where the attack is going, so why is the taliban interested in targetting it. >> there are roads going there. you are right, it's a remote area. normally at this time

. >> nicole johnson in kabul. thank you >>> peace talks between yemen's warring factions have been pushed back bike a day to monday. saudi fighters killed more than 60 targetting sites used by the houthis. 20 houthi fighters were killed in clashes with forces loyal to abd-rabbu mansour hadi. saudi arabia air strikes killed people. the area is listed as an area site. the remains of the prime minister arrived in am jp there were reports that the body was snatched before being loaded on to an airlines flight. many family members where in jordan. >> australia prime minister denied accusations that his country paid smugglers to take them back to the waters. it was reported that australians offered crews $500 to turn back. the thai navy was searching the sea. >> the islands off thailand's west coast are exquisite. this is no joy flight. the captain is flying off the andaman see looking for boats. in may thailand was criticized for pushing back boats of rohingya. helicopters dropping food. under pressure thailand promise

nicole johnson, al jazeera kabul. >> landslides triggered by heavy rain have killed dozen of people. two area had escaped serious damage which kilted over 8,000 people. 21 bodies have been recovered but it is still estimated three dozen are miss. french prosecutors have given more details of the medical condition suffered by the german winged pilot who deliberately flew his plane into a mountain, killing 150 people. they met investigators in paris to discuss compensation prosecutors say the co-pilot wasn't fit to fly buzz didn't tell his employer they say he was concerned he was going blind which caused him huge anxiety. he continued to lose his eye site. he said he only slept two hour as night and sought help to get to sleep and he doubled his dosage of anti-depress sents. he also mentioned his fear of becoming blind on march 10th he had a long appointment with his doctor who said the diagnosis was a threatening psychos issue accompanied by poor eyesight onot explained by any organic causes. to chili knew where major roads have been blocked. the president wants to bring public schoo

nicole johnson reports. >> 18,000 students go to school here but for the last eight days all of the teachers here have been on strike. and they're not the only ones. this industrial action is spreading. in at least four provinces 200 schools are now on strike. the teachers say they don't earn enough money enough salary to live on and that the government has failed to deliver on its promise he. >> translator: the president promised increased salaries and land and to change the timetable. if nothing changes the strike will get bigger and more schools will support us. >> translator: teacher salaries are low and we can't afford rent, food for our children but we are still motivated to teach. >> these teachers say they are the poorest paid government employees in all of afghanistan. they earn around $120 a month. now the government is urging them to return to work and says it will look into their demands. >> we are telling them that they should be patient and the government is new. there are no, in our finding from outside now. >> for now there's no agreement between the government and teachers u

plus -- >>> i'm nicole johnson, reporting on how afghanistan's highly prized lamb pelts end up in finland♪ >>> hello, at least 12 people have been killed in the somali capitol after a bomb attack on a convoy of cars by the armed schoop al-shabab. none of the diplomatings were injured. caroline malone has more. >> reporter: witnesses say a pickup truck was completely destroyed. it was part of a convoy carrying diplomats from the united arab emirates. members of the armed group, al-shabab are claiming responsibility for the attack. the somali government is also getting support from the 22,000 african union force which is fighting al-shabab. it wants to overthrow the government and is behind many similar attacks. on sunday four fighters were killed as they tried to detonate a car bomb and shoot their way into a national intelligence agency training center. they have lost territory to government forces since an offensive to push them out began last year. >>> we are joined by a journalist who has worked expensively in somalia. thanks for being with us. why would the uae be targeted by app shab

let's go to nicole johnson on the phone from the area. do you know more about what is happening up there. deaf conversationlocal police are saying that numbers were high they were attacked from four different directions. that district had around 200 afghan security forces. they couldn't take on the attack so they did a retreat to the mountains to get out of the way. we are hearing from a local mp in that province. seven police have been killed three taken hostage. that information has not been confirmed by the afghan security force, but they have told us that they are launching an operation to try to retake this distribute. there'll be some helicopter support, not a great deal. the air force is limited. there's a way to try to retake that. that area in the far north of the afghanistan bordering pakistan, has seen a lot of fighting over six weeks. it has become a new front along with neighbouring kuehned us province with the taliban. >> why, why in particular the north-east remote mountainous area. the taliban seems to be throwing a great

nicole johnson is on the phone. what do you know about the battle that is under way. . >> they are in the stages of planning on how to re take this district. taliban that attacked them - it was high. the afghan security forces many were in that district but they were overwhelmeded, forced to retreat to the mountain. seven police have been killed three hostage, that's the information from a member of parliament from the province, it has not been confirmed by the afghan security forces. people are calling for reinforcement and backup. a certain series of attacks that took place. >> why do you think we are seeing this sort of activity in that part of the country. what does it suggest about the status of the taliban, if you will. >> well as you said. ordinarily they are cop sen trait on the south in this time of year. so it's a surprise to see them in the north, in kond use province. it's been easier for the taliban to carry up attacks and get close to the provincial capitals. the other reason in badakhshan is up there

nicole johnson joins us now. that battle is ongoing, what are you hearing. >> that's right, the operation is under way. afghan special forces have been dropped in by helicopter right in the middle of the district coming from kabul, and african security forces came by road to try and retake that district. it's not the first time that the taliban managed to take control of the district usually they are not able to hold it. what they are able to do is loot the district hours are, and that means taking weapons and vehicles left behind. the northern provinces have been the scope of a lot of trouble over the last six weeks. the taliban spring offensive is under way, and has been focussing on the north, an area where there's not as many security force, and it's exposed. >> what is the impact on the insecurity. it may be up in the north. where you are, it's a tourist area, what impact does it have on that? >> that's right, the impact is felt across the country. we are here in the province regarded as one of the safest if

asian nations it's considered a tourist attracts with the famous remains of buddhist statues nicole johnsons the significance of of this award for afghanistan. >> reporter: as you may know europe has a cultural capital every year, now south asia has decided to have one as well it's a real coup for afghanistan and this valley that they have decided this should be the first one, but in many ways, though, this is a symbolic, largely symbolic naming of the cultural capital because major security concerns. now, in weekend we have a huge delegation of hundreds of officials from across afghanistan here for the inauguration, we were also expecting some south asian hypo visuals and minister to his come here to celebrate it as well. buff we have just heard from local officials that they won't be coming because of the security concerns and that's the real issue and challenge for afghanistan, and for bamiyan the issue is you how can they secure the country to receive foreign tourist to his bring in investment and development to create a tourism industry. >>> just remember, you can always look up those

nicole johnson is on the phone. what do you know about the battle under way. >> first of all, just to update you how the initial attack took place. it happened around 4:00am in the morning. hundreds of taliban descended on the district hours. they have taken control of that. we are told they had fighters from some of the central asian countries with them. they are in control of that district. and the district is 3-4 hours from the provincial capital. so it will take a little while for security forces to get to bad abbing shan to take on the taliban. the numbers were high they were attacked on four sides. the afghan security forces retreated to the mountains as for the numbers of police killed. we are hearing that seven members have been killed, three hostage and the police have been hit hard in a lot of battles with the taliban. they seem to be on the front line of the fighting. as you said preparations are under way for security force, reinforcements to get to the area to try to retake the distribute. and people fr

assumed the campaign as nicole johnson. >> a strain on the fragile education system. >> there have beenclasses at kabul's largest high school for other a week. corridors are quiet and classrooms empty. on the steps oif school it is rowdy, teachers are on strike. government officials are trying to convince them to go back to work. they are not listening and the strike has spread. >> we want our salary, we want to distribute the land. >> during last year's election campaign, the president promised that within six months every teacher would receive a free plot of land. the government says it is doing something about the teacher's demand, the minister of education can is here and he is giving away 300 plots of land on the outskirts of kabul. >> the process of distributing land is continuing in the provinces we have $13 million to meet teacher's demands like overtime pay and bonuses. this is some of the land, rocky, undeveloped and a one hour drive from kabul. the government is more land than people, vast land, i am hoping it isn't just on paper but is real. >> not everyone is so optimistic.

nicole johnson as more from kabul. >> reporter: there has been no classes at kabul's largest high school for a week. corridors are quiet, classrooms empty. on the steps of the school it is rowdy, teachers are on strike. government officials are trying to convince them to go back to work. they are not listening. the strike has spread. >> we want to increase our salary and distribute the land. >> during last year's election captain, the president ghani promised that within six months every teacher would receive a free plot of land. >> the government said it's doing something about the teachers' demands. the minister of education is here, giving away 300 pots of land to teachers on the outskirts of kabul. >> translation: the process of distributing land is continuing in kabul and the provinces. we have $13 million to meet demands like overtime pay and bonuses. >> this is some of the land allocated to teachers - rocky, undeveloped and a 1 hour drive from kabul. >> the government has more land than people, fast land. we are happy it started this process. >> not everyone is optimistic. the tea

fighting going on and that instability and insecurity is indeed felt in the north of afghanistan >>> nicole johnson reporting from kabul. >>> seven years ago milwaukee public defender kim motley travelled to afghanistan to help train attorneys. she never expected to stay but now has a practice and is known as a defender of human rights taking on difficult and dramatic cases. >> reporter: she begged for her life. as police looked on a mob beat and burnt her on a kabul street accusing her of burning the koran. in a case that shook afghanistan, the woman's family was represented by american attorney kimberley motley describing the changes of representing kabul in a 2013 ted talk. >> i have been accused of being a spy, had a grenade thrown at my office - it didn't go off though. >> reporter: a wisconsin beauty queen turned public defender, she came on a programme to train local lawyers, and she stayed, she told n p.r. because something resonated with her own experience growing up in the projects of milwaukee. >> when you grow up poor in america, i think often you feel very invisible. and i think you fe

> off the radar - a woman breaking stereotypes in afghanistan from behind the wheel of a taxi nicole johnsonts on the risks she is taking is provide a valuable service. >> reporter: it's a typical day for this woman. quick look under the bonnet much wipe away the dust. and she's ready for her shift driving a taxi. this job is anything but typical for a woman in afghanistan. >> translation: i feel happy behind the steering wheel. how can i say it, i'm proud. i share this with other women. i want to give them more courage. >> reporter: this driver is like a sister to us. it is better to drive with her than a strange man. sara borrowed money and bought her first taxi two years ago, after her brother-in-law was killed. she was determined to support 15 people in her family. >> translation: many male taxi drivers tease women or girls, giving them their phone numbers, check them out. other women encouraged me to become a driver. >> reporter: it's hard to imagine it that 30 years ago during the communist period, there were women in kabul driving electric public buses. now it's rare to see a woman be

. >> nicole johnson 70 thus update from banyon. >> reporter: the afghan government started its campaign retake control of the district. special forces have been dropped in via helicopter from kabul and reinforcements of afghan security forces sent into the district as well. it's not the first time that the talibantable has managed to take control of the district they tend to looked any weapons and vehicles that have been left behind behind. we are seeing a shift from the south of the country to the north. >> many go without professional help in nigeria. there are only one 30 in nigeria which has a population of 174 million. the world health organization estimates only around three % of the health budget goes to health. psychiatric treatments are expensei. many have no choice but to turn to traditional healing. a report from abujua. >> hadiva was hearing voices telling her to harm herself. her family handcuffed here and brought her here to a traditional doctor just outside of abuja. she believes she is demonized. she is using herbs, leaves and other natural i needngredientsingredients. >

first round leaders are dustin johnson and henry stinson at five under. erika? >> nicolethank you. coming up in the next half hour of "eyewitness news" the latest overnight developments on the charleston church shooting suspect gets ready to head to court today. philadelphia city council has wrapped up its work for the summer. jan carabeo live in center city coming up finds out how couple of items could have big impact on your wallet. >> jan, thanks. also frightening day on the job for some pennsylvania construction workers. see what it look like the moment a bridge collapsed with them standing on it. and, vittoria and katie return. they have your traffic and weather together on the 3's. how is your weekend looking? how is fathers day going to shape up? katie is tracking it for up. we're back in just two minutes. >> charleston church massacre waking up in jail this morning. he is getting reds toy face a judge, after being charged with killing nine people. twenty-one year old dillon roof is awaiting a bonds hearing. >> he is charged with murder in the mass shooting inside