muslims across the world are marking the start of ramadan. the central african republic celebrations are being marred by the religious conflict engulfing the nation. armed rebels and christian militias have been accused of killing thousands and african peacekeepers say at least 70,000 more people have died in bloodshed over the recent dates. >> a celebration for muslims across the world but in the central african republic, the festival will not be observed by everyone. the country is still rife with religious violence with thousands of civilians having fled their homes. >> we have money but we cannot leave to go and buy food. our christian brothers and sisters cannot come here and sell goods. i wonder how we will manage during the month of ramadan. >> the central mosque in the tk five district has been taken over by displaced people. many of them are concerned about securing supplies for their fast. >> i hope it will be ok. we believe in a law tom about we worry about the lack of food. -- we believe in allah, but we worry. nation where christ

everybody stops on ramadan. we're not going to launch air strikes during ramadan.ve never done that unless a u.s. unit was about to be overrun. number two, they will stop because the fast goes from literally sunrise to sun set. of course, they party all night just if make um for loss of food and water. what you are about to see, i believe. is isis consolidates its control of anbar. isis has already surrounded the bases. what you are going to see is entire logistics group that the iranians have been using to go from iran/iraq border west all the way to -- now in the hands of isis, isil. the iranians need that open. in other words air support for al assad and hezbollah. if they see during this ramadan, 30 days of fasting, that they have an opportunity to do that, they will do that. i don't think you are going to do see mass movements between now and then. what you are going to see right up until saturday when ramadan begins. you are going to see isis try to take as many places they can. maybe buy -- bilad. they will not be able to take baghdad. the idea you will take

muslims players on algeria's soccer team will died whether to observe ramadan.he coach says each player can fast. customairily muslims fast from dawn to dust but can shift if they are travelling, doing hard labour or with medical issues. al jazeera plays germany tomorrow, following the match between france and nigeria. >>> next on al jazeera america - a new way to fight the war on drugs. a seattle programme giving suspected criminals a choice - get hep or go to gaol. plus rebecca stevenson tracking weather. >> when it comes to storms, they are impressive. tornados rips across iowa and missouri. i show you where the storms are headed, and tropical storm development. that is next. >>> welcome back. facebook published details of a vast social experiment performed on users. the social media company manipulated information on 700,000 home pages. researchers found they could make people feel better if they filtered in positive content. negative content made them feel worse. the study was done with scientists from cornell and california, but not with the users knowledg

and marking the holy month of ramadan. >> welcome to al jazeera america. i'm del walters. these are the headlines. the set back for obamacare and the the affordable care act. the company can refuse to provide certain bit control to its employees. >>> a group calling itself islamic state has declared its leader. >>> iraq's government forces are still fighting forces of islamic state and takrit. president obama has asked congress for $2 billion to deal with immigrants crossing the border alone. he's calling it humanitarian crisis. >>> jeffy fowl and matthew miller committed hostile acts against north korea. they each entered the country as tourists. kenneth bae was also arrested and convicted to 15 years of hard labor. >>> well over the weekend four teams earned their way to the world cup quarterfinals. >> team u.s. has now arrived in the coastal city of brazil gearing up for tomorrow's win or go home world cup match against undefeated belgium and the american fans are optimistic. >> i think the u.s. is going to win. it will be a tight game. >> i think we have a really good

isexpectation in baghdad isis will continue and renew its military campaign during the month of ramadanbut the declaration of the caliphate shows it is also trying to keep the political initiative. that might change this week as iraq's parliament meets in the capital. but if those politicians cannot create a sense of national unity and a survival plan, the chances are this country will continue to break up. jeremy bowen, bbc news, baghdad. >> tonight, president obama says he has ordered 200 additional u.s. armed forces to reinforce security at the u.s. embassy in baghdad. for more on the threat isis is posing, i spoke to the former american ambassador to iraq. are we looking at the creation of a new country in the middle east? >> i heard that word breakup from the last speaker. i think people may be rushing to conclusions. i saw it on "time" magazine, the end of a rock. i don't think we are at that point. i think there will be respect to what isil has been doing. it has been going on for some time. i don't think it is as catastrophic as described. i do think there have been steps taken

whether they know it in washington or not, i've spent 11 out of 13 ramadans in that part of the worldhere's what's going to happen. come june 28th when ramadan begins, the battle lines are going to be static because they're not going to attack, unless we've killed a whole bunch of civilians with air strikes without air controllers on the ground. you see, what this administration has done is created a cascade of catastrophe with their dithering and delay, going all the way back to december of 2011 when obama did what the troops call the obama bugout. and you ought not to put americans in harm's way outside that diplomatic mission without a status of forces agreement. >> so if you can just explain what that means, though, if we get to ramadan and the fighting doesn't continue, the instinct is, well, that's good. but what is the point you're trying to make? >> what's going to happen is that the battle lines, wherever they are -- which by the way, wants to try to overrun baghdad before ramadan. but wherever those battle lines are, that's going to be the stalemate that divides iraq into a

mosque in baghdad, they said the crisis was scaring people away from the meal breaking the daily ramadanast. for them, the insurgency against iraq's shia led state is not just isis against the rest. >> they call them diosh but mostly they are fighters from tribes defending themselves against oppression and the rest. they are extremists are they are not part of my religion. these tribes are just defending their rights. >> expectation in baghdad is isis will continue and renew its military campaign during the month of ramadan. but the declaration of the caliphate shows it is also trying to keep the political initiative. that might change this week as iraq's parliament meets in the capital. but if those politicians cannot create a sense of national unity and a survival plan, the chances are this country will continue to break up. jeremy bowen, bbc news baghdad. >> tonight president obama says he has ordered 200 additional u.s. armed forces to reinforce security at the u.s. embassy in baghdad. for more on the threat isis is posing i spoke to the former american ambassador to iraq. are we loo

ramadan obviously has for workers and there are quite a few of them on the building sites. you know high meaning and i think it's really right now as these things come up more and more and you know with higher frequency i think it's time to really face a possible rerun of the world for the world cup in qatar that's something that you know comes into reality with all human rights issues with all the corruption issues coming up on a daily basis right now i think this is what we had in front possibly. of a quick look at what we've got online for you now starting with the watching from the international space station nasa astronaut films like. from above during a thunderstorm over the united states you can check out the pictures for yourself on the video. call. plus german also killed joyful football fans threatening to punish land cheering and advise and against any thanks painting we'll tell you why. now death row inmates in oklahoma are protesting against the use of lethal injections to execute them they say it's akin to experimenting on humans a lawsuit filed against the st

and ramadan obviously has for workers and there are quite a few of them on the job site. and i think it's really right now as these things come up more and more you know with higher frequency i think it's time to really face a possible rerun of the vote for the world cup in qatar that's something that you know comes into reality with all human rights issues with all the corruption issues coming up on a daily basis right now i think this is what we're heading for possibly. right screams worldwide have condemned the treatment of migrant workers in qatar time and time again statistically say activist one word dies every day as a country prepares to host the twenty twenty two world cup on top of hoss conditions workers are left without pay for months with their documents taken away by the same companies that hire them. coming up and turning off the taps it leads to any increased flow of anger. i don't know how you get your children do you go to the war department if they help my children but they don't hear a us city of detroit is close to a humanitarian crisis with the you w

religious clerics on both sides said stop fighting for the month of ramadan.he biggest points is the iranian supreme leader ayatollah sharm -- itemar ali al-sistani. he said they need to put pressure. >>> there was good news for the iraqi army. the u.s. is sending more hell-fire missiles. how will this help their offensive against i.s.i.l.? >> we are calling it good news, for the iraqis it's the speed up of he'll fire missiles, that they have been asking for. the u.s. has been sending 800 he'll fire missiles, and iraqi is running out. when they are shot, they are in conjunction with u.s. advisors who monitor the use of these missiles. they were used today in mosul, so they are likely to be used against pinpoited tar -- pinpoid targets. they are running out. >> it's something they were promised and waiting for for a while. imran khan reporting. thank you for being with us this morning. >> the u.s. military is phasing out landmines. the white house vowed to stop making and buying the deadly bombs. the administration hopes to join the 15-year-old run are treaty.

and ramadan obviously has four islamic workers and there are quite a few of them right. you know high reading and i think it's really right now as these things come up more and more you know with higher frequency i think it's time to really face a possible rerun of the vote for the world cup in qatar that's something that you know comes into reality with all human rights issues with all the corruption issues coming up on a daily basis right now i think this is what we're heading for possibly. rights groups worldwide have condemned the treatment of migrant workers and qatada time and time again citizen please say activist one worker dies every day as a country prepares to host the twenty twenty two world cup and conditions work as they left without pay for months with their documents taken away by the companies that hire them what is coming your way just up to the show a break here on our team to national. there's a media leader so we need to be. part of the same motions sure. that your party years ago. for shoes that no one is that stood with to get that you deserve answ

ramadan obviously has four islamic workers and there are quite a few of them on the right. meaning and i think it's really right now as these things come up more and more with higher frequency i think it's time to really face a possible rerun of the vote for the world cup in qatar that's something that you know comes into reality with all the human rights issues with all the corruption issues coming up on a daily basis right now i think this is what we're heading for possibly international human rights organizations have condemned the dire conditions for construction workers in qatar a number of times us the country prepares for the world cup in two thousand and twenty two according to reports more than more that one worker is dying each day in the attempt to build stadiums and infrastructure many don't get paid for months but are forced to stay as their documents are taken away by the companies that hire them still to come here in r t divide and rule the french government is pushing for a regional shake up but while some are unhappy with the immediate effect is there also

promoting extreme islamic views let's talk about this subject in more depth now with shafiq from the ramadan foundation that's a group aiming to foster interfaith dialogue first of all do you think this movie is specifically directed against british muslims. well there is a concerted effort by michael gove the education secretary with his neo conservative ideology to demonize and attack muslims this report into the schools in burma has not produced any evidence whatsoever that there was an extremist plot or there was extremist muslims taking over schools in burma this is being a witch hunt which is damage the standing of the muslims but more importantly it's damaged the confidence children have in the education system this week here in the u.k. g.c.s.e. students are having their exams i mean now some of those schools those peoples have to come through the media scrum to go and take their exams and this is very damaging for the education standards of our schools and that responsibility rests with michael gove the education secretary and his cronies and supporters who are engaged in this witch

ramadan obviously has for islamic workers and there are quite a few of them on the right. you know high really and i think it's really right now as these things come up more and more you know with higher frequency i think it's time to really freeze a possible rerun of the vote for the world cup in qatar that's something that you know comes into reality with all human rights issues with all the corruption issues coming up on a daily basis right now i think this is what we're hearing from possibly rights groups worldwide have condemned the treatment of migrant workers in qatar time and time again statistically say activists one worker dies every day as the country prepares to host the twenty twenty two world cup and some of us conditions workers are left without a pay for months with their documents taken away by the companies that hire. or have more news after this short break. first class costs russia yet seen russia today i'm going to be on the cost of not sky since a revolution nobody ever came to us and said i'll. choose your language call if we can over the internet or

and ramadan obviously has four is workers and there are quite a few of them on the building sites. you know meeting and i think it's really right now as these things come up more and more you know with higher frequency i think it's time to really face a possible rerun of the vote for the world cup in qatar that's something that you know comes into reality with all the human rights issues with all the corruption issues coming up on a daily basis right now i think this is what we had in front possibly rights groups worldwide have condemned the treatment of migrant laborers in qatar time and time again according to activists one foreign worker dies there every day on top of the harsh conditions staff are left without pay for months and are even prevented from leaving the country still to come in the program a neo nazi attack sparks street protests just north of london are to speak to this two are willing to take drastic action in their stand against extremism this and much more after a short break watching like the international. media leave us so we leave the. bush and secure the oth

ramadan obviously has four islamic workers and there are quite a few of them on the building sites. you know meaning and i think it's really right now as these things come up more and more you know with higher frequency i think it's time to really face a possible rerun of the vote for the world cup in qatar that's something that you know comes into reality with all human rights issues with all the corruption issues coming up on a daily basis right now i think this is what we had in front possibly international human rights organizations have condemned the dire conditions for construction workers in can't tell a number of times as the country prepares for the world in twenty twenty two according to reports more than one worker is dying each day in the attempt to build stadiums and infrastructure many don't get paid for months for the force to stay as their documents are taken away by the companies that. bring you a quick will that they now israeli fighter jets have launched air strikes in the gaza strip leaving two dead and critically wounding another the men allegedly belong to the

the day before ramadan, everyone's minds are on religion. what sunnis fear most now is a return to the bad old days when the men would disappear and wind up in a ditch with a bullet in their head. and there are some reports that it's already starting to happen. sunnis in baghdad fear the government will make them suffer, because sunnis further north are cooperating with isis rebels. >> ( translated ): ramadan is the holy month, so, in this month, god forgives the people. i ask god to save iraq and all iraqis. >> ( translated ): i feel unsafe even just going the mosque. there's no security. i'm afraid whenever i go out in case i never get back home. all iraqi families are suffering because of this situation. >> reporter: prime minister nouri al maliki was meeting military officers today. his mind was on the security of baghdad, too. >> ( translated ): we will not pardon anyone who makes troubles and he will be brought to account severely and strongly punished. baghdad's safety should be secured and cannot be under any danger. >> reporter: thi

depend on on food aid it, is far removed from the traditional holy spirit of the holy month of ramadan. >> let's get the latest now. and what is the latest you're hearing about the situation in tikrit? >> reporter: hey, tim. actually the latest is the fighting is going on on the outskirts of tikrit. around this military base, there is heavy fighting since yesterday, but so far there are conflicting reports between who's getting advance. the sources on the sunni militant side saying they are pushing back the iraqi military armed forces while iraqi still exists show pictures of their troops advancing in a desert, which we can't confirm from here. however, we use the flow of the refugees as indicator. so far the rate is normal and we haven't seen increasing in numbers, which give you an idea that the reports coming from tikrit and the surrounding area, that means that the fight is ongoing and there's no -- any parties are getting advance there. >> also, delivery of russian helicopters and jets to baghdad over the last couple of days, just on this declaration, though, the caliphate since b

and this is the first time that ramadan has coincided with the world cup since 1986. some soccer fans worry that the observance will put extra strain on teams with muslim players. . >>> a southern california family might be making progress in their fight to fire a nanny and get her out of their house. 64 diane stretton was hired three months ago to watch three finish and do housework in exchange for room and board. she soon stopped working claiming health problems and when the family fired her and asked her to leave, she refused, threatening legal action. >> when i called the police, they are telling me it's now a civil matter and i have to evict her. so this lady is welcome inside my house, anytime she wants, to eat my food, anytime she wants and harass me basically -- i'm now a victim from my own home and it's completely legal. >> all right, a little update. it appears stretton finally did leave that house. she was seen last night in her car outside of the upland police department. had he hid niradash cover refusing to speak to reports. >>> the stockton felon who go

they say this is a time of ramadan, and that's, they say, good owe men. and today is independence day of algeria from france, robin. >> as algeria crashed out and germany you would think there's a revenge factor to this as well. >> a lot of people say if they win as they hope they will, speaking for the algerians, this will be ar justice for because f an comeament agreement between germany and austria. they say they know it's going to be a very tough match against the germans but again they are confident. >> enjoy the atmosphere and the game, live for us in porto allegra, thank you for that. >>> wimbledon day 2, andy murray has reached the quarter finals for the seventh time. the britt won 6-3, 6-4, 7-6. >>> number 5 seed stanford brinker has also moved forward. >> looking at the final, i'm looking to the next match now. i know if i want to get through it's going to be a really tough week. but coming there april that, i was expecting a tough match today, but i did play really well, very aggressive, to do it in seven sets was perfect there. >> number 5, 5-

. >> the muslim holy month of ramadan starts this weekend prompting millions around the world to embark on a day of fasting. those observing the fast refrain not only from eating and drinking during the day but also from sex, smoking, and other worldly pleasures. during the day, the focus is on good works and spirituality. the evenings are marked by communal celebratory meals to break the fast. world cup action continues today with the decisive knockout phase. hosts brazil kickoff the round of 16. they face chile, who are brimming with confidence after coming out on top of group b. the last time chile beat brazil was in a qualification game 14 years ago. they have never won against the brilliant solutions -- against the brazilians in a world cup match. expectations and hopes on both sides are very high. >> getting warmed up for the big match. for those in the home country, the expectations are huge. brazil are taking nothing for granted. after your first conversation with the players before the match, you look at their faces and think it is all going to be ok because everything is in pl

. >>> well, if you planned to celebrate ramadan this year you have to wait just a little bit longer. if your ramadan celebration will begin a full day later because crescent moon was not spotted on friday evening. worshipers now to have wait until sunday to begin their in long fast. citing the the new crescent moon is important for start of the any month, for the islamic calendar. >>> prices are on the rise, still ahead what you're buying that might be a highest in six years. also ahead they are magnets tea signed to keep those shirts talked inside your pants all day long but do they really work? we will put this new product to the deal or dud test, dominica. >> heading to the ballpark tonight, it is going to be a warm one, 7:15 start, temperatures in the lower 80's and the heat, makes a huge come back for the beginning of the >>> we want to update you on the breaking news at the top of hour, a bizarre accident, kills a three-year old girl in brewerytown. police say a metal security door crashed down at the the rita's a water ice, that happened just after 4:30 today on the 2800 block

. >>> muslims around the world are preparing for ramadan, which is expected to begin on saturday. here in palestine they are decorating the streets and this gentlemen here is making treats for when you break the fast of the ramadan comes with problems, especially in parts of iraq. what we expect to see was a temperatures getting up to 118 degrees, and people will be fasting for over 14 hours. in syria, it is the drought situation, in an area going to civil war, and many people are in refugee camps. not as many people in this area, about 20 million. severe drought is going to cause problems and they are fasting for over 14 hours. towards the u.k. we were going to look at less of a population. they are looking at fasting because of sunrise and sunset in the summer. over 16 hours. this will get longer as we go through parts of july. that is a look at your weather, news is up after this. >>> new orleans is known worldwide for great food, and nine years after hurricane katrina the restaurant industry is booming. the number of restaurants in the big easy doubled, and there aren't enough

al-shabab vowed to attack during ramadan. it follows a suicide attack on thursday killing two african union peacekeepers and a somalian officers. >>> in nowhere nigeria attacks on churches killed 15. it took place near chib oak, ner where 200 girls are abducted. apped rue simmonds is in abuja with the latest. >> reporter: boko haram ipp surge ents are believed to have attacked three churches in kata carry. near to where school girls were abducted. 219 still missing. according to reports guns and explosive devices were used, and four churches attacked. it was clearly an statement to intimidate and terrorize the people in this area, which is a no go zone to anyone, apart from those who lived there, and the nigerian military. we are hearing that the attacks were prelonged over a period of four hours, but are now over. this is a really intense part of the operation involving boko haram, it would appear, with attacks all over the north-east and, indeed, here in the capital on wednesday, 22 people were killed in a bombing, and the

we have the onset of ramadan and all they want to do is have a peaceful ramadan with their families andeaceful future for their children. and that's a challenge for all of us right now. >> jane pierce from the world food program, we appreciate you being with us. >> thank you very much for having me. ♪. >> after the break on "america tonight" when losing that's a win anyway. the u.s. team moves on to the knockout round. the fans go wild. what's ahead for team u.s.a. in our next segment. later, venzuela divided. prices keeping food out of reach. desperation and fighting in the streets. >> we have just seen tear gas being thrown. it looks like police have showed up. >> sebastian walkers explains how resign venzuela has spun so badly out of control. ♪ >> al jazeera america presents the system with joe berlinger >> new york city has stop and frisk >> some say these laws help serve and protect... >> we created the atmosphere that the policeman's the bad guy... >> others say these tactics are racist >> discrimination is wrong >> 99 percent of those arrested in drug free school zones... we're n

we have the onset of ramadan and all they want to do is have a peaceful ramadan with their families andeaceful future for their children. and that's a challenge for all of us right now. >> jane pierce from the world food program, we appreciate you being with us. >> thank you very much for having me. ♪ . >> after the break on "america tonight" when losing that's a win anyway. the u.s. team moves on to the knockout round. the fans go wild. what's ahead for team u.s.a. in our next segment. later, venzuela divided. prices keeping food out of reach. streets. >> we have just seen tear gas being thrown. up. >> sebastian walkers explains how resign venzuela has spun so badly out of control. ♪ the stream is uniquely interactive television. we depend on you, >> you are one of the voices of this show. >> so join the conversation and make it your own. >> the stream. next on al jazeera america and join the conversation online @ajamstream. real reporting that brings you the world. giving you a real global perspective like no other can. real reporting from around the world. this is what we do. al jaze

we have the onset of ramadan and all they want to do is have a peaceful ramadan with their families andeaceful future for their children. and that's a challenge for all of us right now. >> jane pierce from the world food program, we appreciate you being with us. >> thank you very much for having me. ♪ . >> after the break on "america tonight" when losing that's a win anyway. the u.s. team moves on to the knockout round. the fans go wild. what's ahead for team u.s.a. in our next segment. later, venzuela divided. prices keeping food out of reach. streets. >> we have just seen tear gas being thrown. up. >> sebastian walkers explains how resign venzuela has spun so badly out of control. ♪ >> on tech know, >> the system is paying attention... >> life saving technology... >> i definitely slowed down as a result... >> transforming the way you drive... >> maybe crashes won't happen any more... >> smart cars of the future... >> whoa...i would have driven straight through that... >> tech know, every saturday go where science meets humanity. >> this is some of the best driving i've every done, eve

the bomb went off in a popular marketing where people were shopping preparing for the month-long ramadan. >>> in nigeria police say 11 people have died in an explosion at a brothel. this happened in the north of the country following wednesday's blast at a mall in abuja that killed 11 people. intelligence agency said that there were warnings for two weeks about the impending attack by boko haram. it's president is saying that the country is facing one of its darkest periods. >>> violence continues. >> reporter: this is the market one of the biggest text tile markets in africa. traders from western and central african countries and north of the continent come here to buy or sell. this is where he grew up. it's the only thing he knew. trading in apology near i can't, but over the last three years has impacted people like him. >> people have suffered because of insecurities. >> the security is improving. >> but many of his customers from neighboring countries are staying away. only a few of them who with stand the stress of nigerian security check points come to buy. >> now i have my passpo

tomorrow is the start of ramadan.e year when the world's 1.6 billion muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. ramadan ends on july 27th. >> my favorite part of the parade is the energy! >> in new york, it's gay pride weekend. the event cheommemorates the to wall ride. this year's event will mark the one year anniversary of the supreme court's decision to strike down the defense of marriage act. >> you can't keep spending money on junk. i think we found a transformer. >> all right! mark wall berg taking over. the latest installment. he pulls the leader of the auto box off the scrap heat. and if you're looking for a more real life adventure head to kansas city kansas where the world's tallest water slide has the opening day. it's 17 storiy ies tall. the ride's four-person raft is expected to reach speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour. >>> time for political note today. we start with a statistic that may shock you. then again it, it may not. a new pugh research 0 study shows 4 in 10 americans can't correctly identify which poli

the passengers were illegal migrant workers trying to return home ahead of the muslim holy month of ramadan. that's where clashes between police and followers of an anti taliban preacher in eastern pakistan have left at least eight people dead another eighty five have been injured police fired shots and tear gas when supporters of the cleric refused to remove barricades from around the scholar's complex. canada based preacher has announced plans to return to pakistan next week to lead rallies against the government. i. will protest in rio de janeiro's ended in scuffles with police demonstrators were heading to the planned protest site in copacabana when police raided the bus and as they were being a score to the way violence flared up more than fifteen arrests were made people around greed there at the high cost of staging the competition. and despite that street anger over the world cup showing no sign of calming brazil is still very much in the party spirit with hundreds of thousands of fans flooding the country obsessed with just one thing namely the beautiful game ortiz graham phillips

with developments surrounding iraq, the muz limbs around the world are getting for the holy month of ramadan and there are indications that in new government formed in iraq is not including the prime minister. it is sad a new government needs to be formed right away and the next prime minister and speaker and president should be in place by tuesday when the parliament is scheduled to meet for the first time. in a report, spent the last four days reporting from iraq and people are caught in the cross fire and the divisions that are tearing the country apart permeated the camps for those displaced. >> we are driving along the highway. iraq's second largest city and overrun by the sunni rebel group. hundreds of thousands have fled the city. many to camps and most of the camps are divided along the ethic and rereligious lines. >> we don't have clotheing with us. i have nobody to support me. i'm living by god's mercy. the army and isis is fighting and we are caught in the middle. >> so this woman that we met here told us that her home was destroyed a couple of days ago by drones and they have fle

leader is going to deliver a message for the month of ramadan, and has an ultimatum for the iraqi government. >> reporter: to the west of baghdad the army says it has secured the road leading from the west to the south. >> translation: we are securing the highway linking the western side of the country. it's leading to the jordanian and syrian and iraqi borders, and towards the south from basra to kuwait. >> reporter: iraq strengthened its air force, accepting delivery of fighter jets from russia, which will be seep as a snub to the american government. it hasn't delivered the first of 34 fighter jets. they say the u.s. is stalling. an accusation deno idea. relations between nouri al-maliki and the u.s. had already been strained. this likely will further damage relations. it's not just abroad. a key political bloc will not tanned the -- taped the opening of -- attend the opening of parliament. >> translation: we will not attends in the political powers put a -- not attend unless the political powers put a roadmap. >> reporter: this will be a blow. they are not an ally of the prime minister,

>> the timing is just before the holy month of ramadan, which is always a month that draws a lot of tourists to lebanon. tourism has suffered recently because of the security situation, but things are improving. the king of saudi arabia lifted the travel ban. it is hoping tourists will return, big spenders. two attacks before the season starts seems to be planned so tourists will not come and lebanon continues in instability. >> thank you. railway workers are continuing their strike for a 10th day. there is some good news for weary travelers. train traffic is closer to normal. many train drivers have voted to get that to work. the overall number of strikers has been on a downward spiral since last week. rail workers have been protesting a series of new reforms on the service. the fight for french company -- the french company is heating up as siemens, mitsubishi, and general electric each bump up their bids to win over the government. >> upping the stakes in the stretch. general electric is improving its offer for the energy branch of the french group. ge is ready to create two point -- join

. >>> on the first full day of the muslim holy month of ramadan fighting rolls on. a top official says forces have taken the city of tikrit from isis fighters. a tribal leader says the isis militants held by tribal fighters have retreated by a militant fighter disputes that account and says tikrit is still in the hands of isis. >>> today people in cities across the country are rallying to stop deportation of undocumented immigrants in the u.s. organizers are calling it the national day to stop separating families. today marks a little more than one year since the democratic-controlled senate passed the immigration reform bill and demanding the house pass a reform bill. >>> a scathing white house report sites chronic failures at the veterans affairs medical system and blames unresponsive leadership and a, quote, corrosive culture. the report just delivered to president obama comes in the wake of alarming revelations by a whistleblower that some veterans died while waiting for care at the phoenix v.a. hospital. the white house report recommends overhaul leadership of