the city of timbuktu is one of the hardest hit, where ancient tombs have already been torn down.athan rugman of "independent television news" narrates this report. >> reporter: they used pickaxes and hoes and even chisels. islamist militants destroying then tombs of ancient muslim saints in one of the world's most fabled cities. and when asked why, they cried, "only god is great and claimed that all timbuktu's monuments to the dead were unislamic and would be destroyed." these are the men of ansar din which means defenders of the faith and they now control much of noerthern mali including timbuktu. they are in a loose alliance with these fighters from al qaeda in the islamic maghreb arabs from algeria and mauritania now exploiting the power vacuum in mali after the government there was toppled in a coup back in march. yesterday, the islamists hacked down this door to a 15th century mosque, horrifying locals who believed it would only open on the day the world ends. in may this one of timbuktu's best known monuments was attacked, an image of the genie protecting the city. this mil

and timbuktu is one of them.fghanistan, we heard about those buddhas. >> yes, and there's another endangered site that was the focus of an attack 11 years ago, right? >> reporter: right. and these are artifacts that can be used as bargaining points. and this is what i want -- this is an interesting point. these artifacts, historic monuments with the international community, you have a militant group that is not getting attention so they look at this as a site that can draw attention to their cause. in 2001 the taliban flexed their muscles and dynamited the world's largest buddha statues that overlooked banyan valley in afghanistan, they stood there for 1,500 years. though restoration efforts are under way, future generations will only hear stories about these monuments and places and they'll never get to experience the future -- there's no future for them to actually be able to see these sites in person. and the international community will respond and say, okay, what are you going to do to preserve these sites f

the city of timbuktu is one of the hardest hit, where ancient tombs have already been torn down.athan rugman of "independent television news" narrates this report. >> reporter: they used pickaxes and hoes and even chisels. islamist militants destroying then tombs of ancient muslim saints in one of the world's most fabled cities. and when asked why, they cried, "only god is great and claimed that all timbuktu's monuments to the dead were unislamic and would be destroyed." these are the men of ansar din which means defenders of the faith and they now control much of noerthern mali including timbuktu. they are in a loose alliance with these fighters from al qaeda in the islamic maghreb arabs from algeria and mauritania now exploiting the power vacuum in mali after the government there was toppled in a coup back in march. yesterday, the islamists hacked down this door to a 15th century mosque, horrifying locals who believed it would only open on the day the world in mes in may this one of timbuktu's best known monuments was attacked, an image of the genie protecting the city. this mi

and the destruction of is, enshrined in timbuktu -- of islamic shrines in timbuktu have been described as hate crime spirited -- crimes. firefighters now say they're getting the upper hand in attacking a blazing hot water that has left two dead. >> it has been a long wait for the tens of thousands of residents forced to flee to evacuation centers more than a week ago. now for many, and the marginal return. -- an emotional return. >> it is wrenching, rather sickening. -- heart wrenching, rather sickening. i do not think we ever feared being harmed by the fire, but when you all of a sudden realize who lost to -- you have lost the thing you have been working for all of your life. >> almost 350 homes have been destroyed or damaged in the waldo kenyon -- the waldo canyon fire. firefighters say it is now 45% contained, but is still being tackled by some 1500 personnel. firebreaks have been built in an effort to stop its spread. humans have not alone in fleeing the flames. now with an dera'a common sight in urban areas, and opposing -- and bears opposing further danger to homeowners after bei

radical new muslim islamists have destroyed at least half of the tombs in the city of timbuktu. the people have been practicing a moderate form of muslim. could they ever do this stricter version? they're trying to find and send this report. >> chanting their hypnotic prayers'. most practice a minor form. [unintelligible] these are the pictures of last week's destruction. there are central to the beliefs. the loss of these shrines has caused great sadness. the brutal fourth says it is against the basic principles of islam. islamists militants lead to al qaeda. they also force cushions out of the northern towns. >> i was scared because they said they would impose it in timbuktu. i cannot follow it. if they did impose it, i would be their first target. >> the leader of islamic radicals has taken over the northern regions. they distance themselves from the rebels actions. >> a hard line has been growing in recent years returning from study in saudi arabia. they come back with funding for these mosques. >> i approve. i wish it would be a state, but this method is wrong. these factor

>>> our third story "outfront," timbuktu.fore they fell to islamic militants, bono, lead singer of u2 came to mali in january and came to perform one of the most famous and special music festivals around the world, outside timbuktu nine miles north of the river, called the festival in the desert and it's been a bright light in mali for the past decade. the idea started when rival tribes burned their guns, 3,000 of them, in a bonfire to symbolize they weren't going to fight anymore. for nearly 700 years, tribes even when fighting each other, preserved tim buck tu's history. and its history is hard to imagine. there are 333 shrines in tim buck tu which date from when it was one of great capitals of learning around the world, even a university in the desert there. timbuktu is one of the most prioritiless, cultural capitals around the world and really a human sackery ledge that militants have been using pickaxes to destroy the shrines. tonight, the city is a military zone, and it's under the radicals' control. a spokesperson for

unesco, the un's cultural agency, recently added timbuktu to its list of world heritage in danger sites. >>> and, there's been international controversy after unesco placed the church of the nativity in bethlehem on its endangered list because of the poor condition of the ancient structure. palestinians say the designation helps their quest for statehood recognition. israel and the u.s. opposed the action. the christian bodies that share custody of the church expressed concerns that this could lead to too much un interference in the site many christian revere as jesus's birthplace. >>> in kenya, muslim leaders have promised to help christians protect churches in that country, following deadly attacks on two churches there last weekend. at least 15 people were killed. the leaders say they hope to prevent the violence from escalating as it has in nigeria, where a series of church bombings has killed more than one hundred people so far this year. >>> for as long as there has been christianity, followers of jesus have felt called by his "great commission" to try to convert everyone in the w

timbuktu has long been a center of learning, with its rich heritage dating back to the 1400's. this week's destruction has been likened to the taliban blowing up in 2001. >> this is gmt from "bbc world news." i am george alagiah. the headlines -- barclays chief executive, bob diamond, has quit over the interest rate rigging bank scandal. evidence emerges of syria's involvement of widespread torture and crimes against humanity. the british pharmaceutical giant, glaxosmithkline, has agreed to pay $3 billion for what u.s. officials call the biggest health-care fraud in history. the consistently broke u.s. law s in marketing certain products. >> glaxosmithkline has broken a record it wishes it had not. the u.s. justice department said the british drug maker of pled guilty to criminal charges and agreed to pay $3 billion. american officials described the punishment as the biggest ever. >> today's settlement is unprecedented in both scope and size. it underscores this administration's firm commitment to protecting the american people and holding accountable those who commit health ca

militants have been destroyed two ancient tombs in mali, a 14th century mosque in the mali city of timbuktu. militants linked to al-qaeda say they will destroy all mausoleums that do not comply with sharia law. u.s. secretary of state hillary clinton has arrived in the communist country, the first 97 years. she is set to discuss concerns about a controversial dam. she will also discuss the be and not more, and during which the u.s. dropped two million tons of bombs on laos. britain's coalition government -- more than 90 conservative members of parliament opposed plans for a mainly elected house of lords. liberal democrats warned of consequences, if there coalition partners failed to back the bill. police in london have arrested a man in connection with what they're calling the unexplained death of one of the world's richest women. she was found dead at her home in an exclusive london neighborhood. officers have refused to comment on reports that a 49-year-old man arrested in connection with the death is in fact her husband. jason has more. >> her body was found an exclusive area of london b

scientific and cultural organization, is condemning the destruction of three sacred tombs in tum timbuktu, mali. i spoke with unesco's director general about what, if anything, can be done to stop the destruction at this historic site. we'll have that full interview in our 5:00 p.m. eastern hour. >>> the wedding with a majestic view. ow one couple had to adjust their big, big day with new found inspiration. >>> the wildfire in colorado almost threatened a couple's dream wedding. our sandra endo shows us how they were still able to say "do i." >> reporter: the view is breathtaking. that's why this couple dreamed of getting married in the foothills of these majestic mountains. >> being a mountain boy, i wanted it with these views. >> reporter: they planned for the big day for months. only to find out just a week before the wedding, the inspiration of their dreams was going up in flames. the sweeping waldo canyon fire burned just three miles from their ceremony site and uprooted the lives of friends and family involved in their wedding. jacob's sister is a colorado springs firefighter workin

and islam is so keep lying molly is northern desert region destroyed whole its size in the city of timbuktu it comes a day after militants with ties to al qaeda declared they had gained control of the region after at least twenty civilians were killed in violent clashes and middle east expert only isaac a ways that the violence and monica follows directly from u.s. and nato action against conduct his government last chair wishing to mind stability in the whole region. all of this of course is with later a war that was waged against libya last year doing twenty eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two out forces who have been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilizing polarize the situation and sap and north of the country and of course affected the capital up of mochel as well the nato forces led by the united states destroy the social fabric and national infrastructure and the national economy of libya libya was the most prosperous of the most stable state on

united nations to take action after al qaeda linked to extremists destroyed holy sites in the city of timbuktu and west african nation has seen constant attacks since it was taken over by a military genting notch made a nice tax cut of the young me as a k. we blame state nato backed revolution in neighboring libya for the violence and. all of this of course is related to the war that was waged against libya last year during two thousand and eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two large forces who had been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilizing polarize the situation inside the north of the current through it of course affected the capital up of moscow as well if the u.s. is not going to be in libya last year we would not have the current situation that we have right now in mali. this week seventeen pakistani soldiers were captured under beheaded by taliban militants seven more died in a separate roadside bombing experts believe the country's paying a high pr

united nations to take action after al-qaeda linked extremists discharge holy sites in the city of timbuktu they west african nation has been constant attacks has seen by the constant attack since it was taken over by a military giant in march madness text that by you know me as a kiwi blames the nation backs revolution in neighboring libya for the financing. all of this of course is related to the war that was waged against libya last year during two thousand and eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two out forces who have been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali it's further destabilizing polarize the situation inside the north of the currency and of course affected the capital up of moscow as well if the us is not going to be in libya last year we would not have the current situation that we have right now in mali. the deadline for drilling our songes extradition to sweden has passed but the whistleblower remains holed up in a quarter was in the same london has defined a bri

extremists destroyed holy sites in the city of timbuktu but the west african nation has seen constant attacks since it was taken by a military junta in march middle east expert by me as a kiwi blames the nato backed revolution in neighboring libya the violence in mali all of this of course is related to a war that was waged against libya last year during two thousand and eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two iraq forces who had been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilizing polarize the situation inside the north of the country and of course affected the capital up of mochel as well if the u.s. is not intervene in libya last year we would not happy current situation that we have right now in mali. but the libyan revolution has so far failed to bring peace almost fifty people killed as a result of tribal warfare in just the last several days alone ethnic groups in the south of the country have been locked in bitter conflict reportedly to control smugg

mollies a northern desert region have destroyed holy sites in the city of timbuktu this week militants with. eyes to al qaeda claim control of the region following a violent shootout that left at least twenty people dead a middle east expert by me as a kiwi believes it's up to the people of mali to find a solution saying that u.s. or nato intervention would only further destabilize the region. all of this of course is related to the war that was waged against libya last year during two thousand and eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two iraq forces who have been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilizing polarize the situation and sad north of the country and of course affected the capital up of moscow as well the nato forces led by the united states destroy the social fabric and national infrastructure and the national economy of libya libya was the most prosperous of the most stable state on the african continent as a result of the destabilization act

and france to help stop militants from destroying the cultural heritage sites in timbuktu.stroyed. it happened friday one day after the u.n. world heritage committee placed the shrine on the list of having outstanding global value. there are 900 heritage sites around the world. the rebels say that islamic extremists, including a group related to al qaeda have taken control of timbuktu. >>> montreal police say they have found what they say appears to be the remains of a human head. it was found in a city park, and what they are not saying if it is connected to the murder suspect luke magnotta who is accused of killing a student studying in montreal. >>> and this is a photo of two women trying to go to the olympics. we will the el y-- tell you how they decide to settle it. ...protect water - through conservation and self-contained recycling systems... ... and protect land - by reducing our footprint and respecting wildlife. america's natural gas... domestic, abundant, clean energy to power our lives... that's smarter power today. diarrhea, gas or bloating? get ahead of it! on

united nations to take action after al-qaeda linked extremists destroyed holy sites in the city of timbuktu the west african nation has seen constant attacks since it was taken over by military jointer in march middle east expert abayomi azikiwe he blames the nato backed revolution in neighboring libya for the violence in money. all of this of course is related to the war that was waged against libya last year during two thousand and eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two out forces who had been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilizing polarize the situation and sadly what the current through it of course affected the capital up of moscow as well if the u.s. is going to be in libya last year with not happy current situation that we have right now in mali now let's have a quick look at some other stories making headlines around the world june was one of the rocks bloodiest months since the rule of u.s. troops last year but they have a two hundred fifty peop

extremists just choi the holiest sites in the city have timbuktu the west african nation has seen constant at times since it was taken over by a military junky notch maybe stacks that up by only as a keeley of blames the nation revelation in neighboring libya for the violence in mali all of this of course is related to the war that was waged against libya last year during two thousand and eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two large forces who have been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilizing polarize the situation inside the north of the current through it of course affected the capital up of moscow as well if the u.s. is not going to be in libya last year we would not have the current situation that we have right now in mali. there's a line for dinner sorry was a tradition to sweden has passed but the whistleblower remains holed up in ecuador's embassy in london has defied a british police demands to turn himself in now as he waits for a decision on hi

united nations to take action after al-qaeda linked extremists destroyed holy sites in the city of timbuktu the west african nation has seen constant attacks since it was taken over by a military gender in march middle east expert of the army as a kiwi blames the nato backed revolution in neighboring leave it for the violence in mali. all of this of course is belated to a war that was waged against libya last year doing twenty eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the two iraq forces who have been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilize and polarize the situation and sap and know what the currents are and of course affected the capital up of mochel as well if the us had not in a beam in libya last year we would not happy current situation that we have right now in mali. the deadline for julian assange as extradition to sweden has passed but the whistleblower remains holed up in ecuador's embassy in london has defined a british police demands to turn himself in a w

united nations to take action to al-qaeda linked to extremists destroyed its size in the city of timbuktu the west african nation has seen constant a tox since it was taken over by a military judge in march maybe steps that of a young me as a k. we had blames the nato box revolution in neighboring the libya but the violence in mali all of this of course is the latest to the war that was waged against libya last year during two thousand and eleven which brought about the displacement of many of the to our forces who have been settled in libya for many many years they were well armed and of course with them entering the situation inside of northern mali is further destabilizing polarize the situation inside the north of the current through it of course affected the capital up of moscow as well if the us is not going to be in libya last year we will not have the current situation that we have right now in mali. and as always much more available to us home including outrage engine upon what people are angry about a nuclear reactor being restarted after the government breaks its promise to use

if i went to tim timbuktu a bunch of people in khakis would follow. >> you know what you did in the suburbs during the summer? >> tee peaked houses? >> yes. >> hanging out. you wouldn't even go in, but you would happening out. what was the point of that. cities you can't hang out in front of anything. you will be killed. you will be the first minute of a "law and order" episode. >> what was he doing? hanging out. it is time for a break. don't leave now. there is more stuff to talk about. úúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúú traffic noises may0i0walk you acrossp the street?ú um... sure.ú why0not. thanks.ú you'ree ♪ hold0my hand0 usa today, a paper reports that many schools and summer camps in the country are banning sunscreen. often schools regulate sunscreen like an over the counter drug. banning kids from carrying it without a doctor's note and warning not to dispense it. such policies are being scrutinized after a mother said her two daughters got severe sunburn. what is happening to this world where you need a note for sunscreen? >> it is ridiculous. >> it is ridiculous. >> i just signed the permi

i e-mailed him to ask if he wanted to get together, and he e-mailed he was on his way back from timbuktu. watching the unfolding of the arab spring was in dispensable. he was in tahrir square the night mubarak relinquished power. he spent 30 months traveling between the rebel strong hold of benghazi and in tripoli, he captured this moment that made me think the libyan rebels-chances of winning against gadhafi was less than zero. >> after an hour and a half, we reached the rebels' front line. there are no trenches or sand bags. just men poorly armed who want to fight. the front line is about five miles outside the town. smoke can be seen rising from the town in the distance. gadhafi still has tanks and artillery in the town. the rebels watch with binocular but can't advance. outgunned, they said they're killed when they approach the forces. we have light weapons, he has tanked, complains one man. another rebel showed me he isn't actually armed add all. this is a toy gun. this is amazing. i didn't realize until he put it in my hands, it's made of plastic. >> at that point, march of last ye

and when i saw that destruction, religious political violence in timbuktu, it was very sad to me. but there are always unintended consequences to events that upset the established order. and what happened in libya i think will probably work out to be positive for the libyans. and eventually in all probability, mali's probably not a big enough base for permanent destruction. but a lot of people could get hurt in the meanwhile. and we just have to try to help the africans to resolve this as quickly as possible. >> i mean, there's been reports of afghan fighters, pakistani camps. obviously it's very difficult to tell what's happening in mali. >> whole group of people now associated roughly with al qaeda who have never made a living any other way. so they -- they're basically itinerant fighters. they go where they can make a living and fight and pretend it's some sort of religious struggle, which is tonigisn't. and so i think it's the leave of the instability. we have to be prepared for it. but it's almost like herding cats, you know, because it's such a decentralized operation. >> a

destroyed tombs and religious sites over the last three days, including a 15th century mosque in timbuktuwest african nation. the rebels say they're trying to erase traces of what they believe is un-islamic idolatry as we saw with the taliban before. as we've reported the u.s. has been closely monitoring the rise of al qaeda since a military coop earlier this month. >>> outfront has also learned the senate is close to voting on legislation aimed at protecting the nation from cyber atacts. ed cyber security act would require standards for certain infrastructures. a new report found the number of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure has increased by more than 2,000% between 2009 and last year. the senate plans a vote on the bill in the next few weeks. >>> an incredible milestone for aimee copeland, the young woman attacked by flesh-eating bacteria. the 24-year-old left a georgia hospital today and entered a rehab facility. when she was admitted to the hospital nearly two months ago, doctors gave her a 1% chance of surviving. the battle with the bacteria claimed aimee's hands, one of her