website. good evening, everyone, welcome to al jazeera america. i'm john siegenthaler in new york. >> on the brink - the spreading violence in ukraine. riot police clash with demonstrators tonight in the capital. what it means for russia and the united states. >> d.c. compromise. time running out, a key budget deal is reached, saving the government from a shutdown, believing lots of unfinished business for the holiday business. >> a first for gm - naming a woman as an executive. but we have a long way to go to break the glass ceiling. >> laser beams are a growing threat.

surprising details on why they are dangerous and accessible. >> we'll get to the budget deal in washington in a moment. first a developing story out of ukraine, and the violence spreading across the capital city kiev. let's listen in to the protesters. [ singing ] >> songs, chants, protests in independence square. they are clashes between riot police and protesters. the situation is more dire with each passing hour. al jazeera's tim friend is on the ground and has the latest. >> there is a standoff. the riot police are a few metres away, almost face to face

literally with the protesters. it was about three hours ago now that the riot police turned up in huge numbers, perhaps 500 of them, on various points of the square. they then moved towards the protesters barricades and on the order they broke through. then they moved towards the center of independence square, which has become this symbolic center of the pro-european protest here in kiev. they moved towards the protesters, and penned them in, hard up against the stage where now we are hearing them sink the national anthem, some opposition politicians have been urging them to remain defiant. i think there's little they can do now to sustain their position in independence square.

i think the police presence combined with the cold will probably see the beginning. end ofle the main protest at least in independence square. >> that's tim friend reporting. sophia dyak is a ukraine native and visiting columbia university. and joins us. can you explain what the protesters want? >> protesters protest in ukraine started from the issue of whether ukraines signed association with the e.u., but over the last two weeks it - last week, it changed. it's about the future. >> so the deal with the european union didn't go through. what was it about the deal that was important to people that turned out in huge numbers at independence square. >> in this case bureaucratic deal which was about trade very much. and not - didn't give the

perspective of the european union in future. it stands as a symbol for basic things, like basic values, rule of law, freedom of speech, possibility of making joys, imagining your future and dignity. this is a very basic but important value. >> is it about the economic situation that they are in now. if people are concerned about their jobs? >> aclimentisation is difficult in ukraine and has been difficult for the last 20 years. i think that what is really at stake is a vision of future. and it's about hardships, difficult. but if you have an understanding what - where the country is going, the government takes it.

it's easier to cope, and this is probably it. >> so it's, among other things, important for democracy, freedom of speech and stand in that square and protest. but police are causing problems tonight. are you concern beside people who may be involved in the protest? >> i'm concerned about people who are now detained. there are people who are detained from the protest a week ago. one week ago it was for the first time in ukraine's independence that police marched into public open space. and disseminate - wanted to disseminate protesters. this is happening this night. it happens during the night. i'm worried about today. i'm worried what will happen in the morning, but what will happen tomorrow. >> when you look at the pictures

of the protest, i don't know, it's hard to hear what is going on. they were singing a little while ago. what goes through your mind when you see that? >> i see - i see society making - it's the way society comes. it's about sending for what you believe is important. it's about the way politics should not be done. politics and conversation of authorities as people should not be done for police. >> should the united states get involved in this, do you think? >> i think that international community should be involved in that. and, of course, united states is a main player, a global power. and there are several reasons, you know - moral reasons,

because this is about basic human values at stake. it's not about who has to define ukraine's future, but the pabilityy of having a joys in the country. it's about commitments. ukraine, in 1994, the united states, together with russia signed an agreement guaranteeing ukraine's sovereignty. this legal and practical. it's a big country in the middle of europe. >> it's an important issue and we'll continue to follow it. we appreciate you sharing your initiative. >> now to the budget deal. americans are fed up with washington, tired of the partisan politics and want action and accountability. lawmakers today reached across the aisle and did what was best

for the people, preventing a government shutdown for two years. libby casey is on capitol hill with details. >> budget negotiators, senator patty murray and paul ryan, the republican at the table,'s no more lunching from crisis to crisis. they set budging numbers allowing aproperty wriators in congress to pass spending bills that could prevent washington shutting down. the federal government experiencing a shutdown like it did in october. here are the details: it's a two year spending bill. $63 billion sequestration relief, half to the military and half to nonmilitary. and reductions of $23 billion. congressman ryan says this is the first time that a bipartisan budgeting deal came out of a gided congress.

>> this bill reduces the deficit by $23 billion. we knew if we forced each other to compromise a core principle, we'd get nowhere much we decided to focus on where the common ground is. that's what we did. >> senator murray admitted this is not a grand bargain, it doesn't tackle the big things like entitlement or tax reform, and foreshadows the left and right will not be happy. >> this is not a plan i would have written on my own. there are differences between our parties when it comes to the budget values and priorities. i was did not when we didn't close a single corporate tax loophole. i know many feel this is within our possibility to make the changes for medical and social security. >> congressman ryan set aside differences. we made compromises and worked

together to get something done. >> the white house put out a statement calling this a good first step and balance. >> president barack obama's statement said the agreement doesn't include everything i would like and many republicans feel the same way. it's a cycle of short-sighted crisis decision making that's been stopped. there's no guarantee of passage, and john boehner plans to send members home friday, so the clock is ticking. >> this agreement is reached, there's a lot of unfinished business, important business left on the table. with days to go before the winter holiday recess time is running out to get the deal done. mike viqueira has more to come from the white house. >> there's a budgets deal. assuming it passes both houses of congress, it is a victory. there's a number of major items.

gun control - never made it out of the senate. the assault weapons ban tripped it up there. immigration made it out with a path to citizenship that opponents called amnesty. it has gone in respect. there are glimmers of hope. >> unemployment insurance. bad news. it will cause problems for democrats and trip up the budget deal because it's not included. 1.3 million americans lose unemployment insurance at the end of this year. congress will do nothing to extend it. it's a done deal. congress failed to act on a farm bill. provisions are expiring. a couple of problems. milk. dairy provisions in the farm bill that could lead, if the bill lapses, next month noorks a doubling of the price of milk. a beneficiary of the function in washington is food stamp

recipien recipients. with no farm bill, it will go forward. it's a missed opportunity to cut billions in subsidies, and payments that some say are outtated. a number of -- outdated. >> the senate is in for another week. they'll largely deal with confirmations. big-ticket items on the table will not be acted on by the congress. back to you. >> thank you mike viqueira. let's bring in syracupolitical reporter kevin cirilli. is this deal done? will it pass the house. >> that's a point. earlier we saw the conservative

groups voice concerns and criticised representative paul ryan. he's the former vice presidential nominee to mitt romney and a star within the party yip. this poses critical risks to him as he looks forward. that being said, as we heard this is by no means a grand bargain, but it is a bargain preventing another government shutdown. >> let's say for the sake of argument the deal is done. what happens - what is the response from wall street. what's the economic response to this. that's a great question. what it comes down to is a larger sense of consumer economic certainty yip. the last government shutdown caused a 1.5 reductions in gdp growth in the fourth as it headed into the holiday season. we can talk about numbers, statistics. lots of folks not trying to find

jobs. what it boils down to is folks getting home loans to start a business. that larger sense of certainty ni that comes with no government shutdown. it's a huge victory for that standpoint, as well as wall street. >> will there be - do you see rehabilitation on wall street tomorrow. ixth i think we could see uptake. wall street has been at record highs. there was another rule. issued as part of the wall street reform in 2010. it could be factored in. the bottom line is all eyes turn in the next 48 hours though what are scfs in the house going to do? will they pass this. i think the senate would pass something like this. >> again, it's up to the conservatives in the house.

is that where you say it? >> i think it's a fair assessment at this point. >> could be an uptake tomorrow. generally the impact on consumer confidence is the most important. as we end this year, you say it's not a grand - why is it not a grand bargain. >> this is more than $1 trillion, a lot of money. >> when you take a step back and look at the $17 trillion of debt. it's a fraction. so really essentially what the plan is doing is kicking the can down the road and setting spending levels at levels that they have been. so really this is just a drop in the ocean as far as any type of grand bargain is concerned. i'm from outside of filly. the certainty that this creates for folks, trying to get the home loans or as we head into

the holiday season with folks going to the malls, spending money, there'll not be a government shutdown if the plan passes. it's good news for everyone. >> kevin cirilli thank you, good to see you. >> have a great night. >> congressional dysfunction takes its toll on low-income americans who need federal programs to survive. nikki johnson-houston grew up in poverty and is now a successful tax attorney. >> good to see you. can you talk about your life growing up? >> absolutely. i like to say i'm an unlikely success story, based on my circumstances i was born to a mother who was an alcoholic with drug problems. my father was not around. honestly, i was a welfare baby. with the hep of my grandmother,

who was disabled and the safety neck i had a good public education and the opportunity to live my dreams. >> how important were the programs and that schooling to your success? >> they were essential. you know, i think i was a smart talented person and having a grandmother that taught me good values was important. she was disabled and needed welfare to be able to take care of me, section 8 to house me, food stamps to feed me. i needed all of those things until i was 18 to have an opportunity to go to college. >> critics would say these are safety nets, but people shouldn't rely on them to go on forever. that's a comments about extending the jobless benefits. what do you say to them? >> i think i'm a great example. it's not something that went on

forever. since i've been 16, i took care of myself. i don't think of it as a handout or charity. it was an investment in me. it has paid off. the truth is that everybody needs a helping hand to achieve in life. i was born into a difficult set of circumstances. the taxpayers are willing to invest in me. >> there are great pictures of you with bill cosby and colin powell. you have done great things in your life, bon jovi, you had fun too. i'm curious - you know, when critics say, "look, it's an investment, but the u.s. can invest in anybody", why should they have to. what do you say to that? >> i think as an american value we said we want to educate our children and give people the access to the american dream. the truth is this is not just a

moral imperative. i'm a business person. i think there's a business case that can be made. if we want to stay competitive in the united states we need an educated workforce. part of that is putting money into education and feeding people. if you can't feed yourself, how can you go to college and live a dream of being a lawyer as i was able to. >> what do you say to members of congress who are taking on a lot of these issues? >> these are real people with real lives. most people i knew worked hard, with it two, three jobs. they wanted the american dream, da dream of seeing their children do better than they did. what you think you know about the poor, it's not true. if you invest in them they can contribute like i am. there's so many reasons why i shouldn't be sitting here. because the taxpayers invested

in me i'm person, and i invest and pay tax. there are others that have the ability to do that. in the short term there's money that needs to be paid in the long term it's a worthwhile invest: >> it's a pleasure to meet you, thank you for talking with us tonight. >> thank you for having me. >> now to south africa and the official mourning period for nelson mandela. his body will lie in state for the next three days before he's laid to rest on sunday. >> today nearly 100,000 attended a mourning service in johannesburg. dozens of world leaders were there. one of the biggest cheers was for barack obama. >> to the people of africa... [ cheering ]

. >> >> ..people of every race, and walk of life the world thank you for sharing nelson mandela with us. >> he was called a gipt of history, there was a cav nal handshake between president obama and raul castro. it triggered strong words from cuban-american lawmakers. marco rubio said: >> more on the nelson mandela memorial service coming up, including president obama's selfie, it's the word of the year. we'll take a closer look. she is the boss. the woman in charge of general

motors.

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>> general motors was founded in 1908. the autoclient churned out cars ever since. it took 100 years for it to make history by naming its first woman ceo. mary barra takes over. he was in charge of product and development of all vehicles. mary barra was with the company for 13 years, and started as a teenager. a woman becoming a ceo is rare in america. bisi onile-ere has the numbers. >> it's extremely rare. in fact, of the fortune 500 companies in the u.s. only 21 are headed by female ails. the highest ranking is the head of hewlett packard, she is meg whitman. meg whitman took over during stuff times. in the top 500, marilyn hewson, the ceo of lockheed martin. total revenues in 2012, $25

billion. the head of zoour okay's corporation is a woman, you sula. xerox is number 41. >> denise morrison, ceo of campbell soup. $75 billion in revenue. we heard about yahoo's chief operating officer, marissa mayer, she is cracking the fortune 500 list at 494. look at this, to show you how rare it is. of the top 1,000 companies in america, 45 are headed by women. >> bisi onile-ere reporting. we want to go to the extreme weather in syria, and how it's making the situation worse for refugees. kevin corriveau has that story. >> that's right. we had a storm passing through the eastern part of the united states. the storm that is coming into syria is going to be devastating because people are living in

tent cities. hundreds of thousands of people. these women are picking up wood, the only fuel. people are shelling out in turkey. this is what it looksic. you can see the white clouds from the north into parts of turkey. it will be the northern part of syria. this is an timent of where the refugees are. on the turkish and syrian border there's half a million. most over here towards lebanon. we'll see about 12 to 20 inches of snow to the west. 2-3 inches of rain in a refugee camp. that will cause many problems. we'll keep you updated in the next couple of days on how this pans out. >> a massive campaign is under way to give the polio vaccination to 20 million

children in the middle east. the world health organisation and unicef are spear heading the effort. it was made after a dozen cases of polio were discovered in syria. unicef began the second part of a 30 million campaign which started in november. organizers want to vak sinuate all children under the anal of 5. >> how children are learning in school about nelson mandela's life. blinding light - razor nin and far-reaching. the growing threat of laser beams for commercial pilots.

>> welcome back. i'm john siegenthaler in new york. congress may go home for christmas with one thing off its place, a budget agreement. a compromise reached on the hill wouldd o off a government shut down. all it needs to do is pass both houses. >> south africa's 10 day celebration of life of nelson mandela conditions wednesday,

when his body lies in state through friday. tens of thousands turned out at a johannesburg stadium for onofficial memorial. on-wednesday his body will be driven through the streets and will loi in state. he will be buried on sunday. general motors gets its first ceo. mary barra makes history. she's been with the company for 33 years, starting as an engineering coop student at the age of 18. >> it has happened again. a lacer pointer prompted an emergency landing. this time in a jetblue plane in palm beach. someone attempted to blind the pilot with a laser. these devices are creating problems in the skies. there's more about them we don't

know, and here with important information is our science and technology reporter jacob ward at san francisco. what kind of laser would this be? >> this is not a typical laser. this is a 5 millio watt lasers, the limit that you are allowed to have. you are allowed to have this laser for ininstructional or educational purposes. if i shine this into my eye or the camera, it would damage my vision just for a second, take apart my vision for a moment. no lasting effects. this one was a high-powered laser, not strictly legal and not illegal. that's what is crazy. >> so like the one that you have there, could that be - that could be used to blind a pilot or anyone in a car. >> from a close distance you

could distract someone with it. as anyone who played with one of these in front of a cat knows that it can produce a blinding light. we are talking about a multimegawatt laser. online stores sell a 2 megawatt laser. that kind of laser, a sustained light into the eye from that can do lasting damage, permanently burn or scoring the retina. your high is complicated. it concentrates light 100,000 times on to the retina. to put a light, a green beam, can do serious damage. >> are there regulations regarding the sale of the lasers. >> that's the thing. it's a weird nebulous area of law. in theory you are allowed to have this kind of 5 millo watt laser for instructional educational purposes. you can buy a 2 megawatt laser.

it's enough to light a match from across the room. people use them to pop balloons. you are not supposed to operate those without safety goggles. a group of amateur astronomers pre-arranged it, that they could shynn a 1 megawatt laser at the international space station much an astronaut on the space station saw it, took a photograph. and so to be as close to whoever this was to the jetblue flight puts them in range of doing serious damage and endangering everyone on board. >> great to see you. thank you. >> now to an important story that we are covering on a regular basis, the deadly violence in the central african republic. hundreds have been killed in the sectarian fighting. today two french soldiers were kill. they were part of the peacekeeping force. al jazeera has been on the

ground in car for days. nazanine moshiri has the latest from bangui. >> this is a country swept up in a frenzy of hate. these pictures filmed by amnesty international shows the aftermath of an attack on a mosque. local christians burnt it down. now they are stripping it apart. the graffiti on the wall instalments the president michel djotobia. he lead the seleka, a group that took control in march. >> the big problem is the horrific stories and situations. last week it was fighting between armed people. now we are witnessing fighting between communities. >> french soldiers are here to protect the civilians.

they, too, are targets. the french president francis hollande's visit to bangui was in part to pay respect to the two soldiers who died and boost the morale of the rest of his forces. it's the african union forces more visible on the streets. they are from congo brazzaville, and are protecting the african union's special representatives to the country. >> we need the international community, the communication, all of that. we are calling all the people in central africa to take their future in their hands. >> the role of african union soldiers becomes increasingly important here. >> it's the only safe way to get around bangui, in a convoy. there's no french soldiers on the streets, no rule of law here.

muslims are targeted by christians. and christians are being targeted by muslims. >> on monday french soldiers were disarming rebels groups. now armed fighters are free to roam the streets. angry mobs to take out their revenge revenge. >> nelson mandela will be remembered for helping the lead the charge to dismantle apartheid. he couldn't bring an end to poverty conditions facing south african blacks. more on the story from nick schifrin. >> so many lucky people to be in the stadium. millions had to watch on television. among those mean believed that nelson mandela's promises have not been fulfilled. >> in the poorest corner of johannesburg the tv barely receives nelson mandela's

memorial. this is a township where sanitation is low. here they mourn a man they consider a saint. this woman struggled working with white families. she wouldn't miss a minute of the service. freddy runs a bar. it's noon, but they are busy, they toasting ta ta or father. >> respect for what we achieved because of him, and learning to live with other people. >> nelson mandela didn't only promise racial equality, but economic equality. economic vision hasn't been realised. whites make six times the amount that blacks do. employment is 50%. most of the homes are no bigger than shacks. >> this is where freddy lives.

>> this one is mine. i kfr that with this. >> to sleep on. >> yes. >> you've been here it 12 years and sleep on the floor with no bathroom. >> for sure. >> why do you stay? >> i don't have anywhere else. >> scratch beneath the surface. most are too worried about their daily lives to attend a memorial. >> we don't have hope any more. we don't have hope. since we voted it's 18 or 19 years. we never achieved it's survival of the fittest. >> freddy showed picture of his five kids. he's here to try to make a living. his patients is wearing thin. >> we cannot take this any more. >> myriam enjoys are more

comfortable home. she case black south africans are not fully free. >> are there opportunities for black south africans? >> today was about honouring a man whose life-long struggle freed his people. here he didn't think they'd be struggling this hard for this long. >> tomorrow nelson mandela's body lies in state. sunday it will fly to kuehno, a village in the south-east of the country near where he was born. nelson mandela said that a man's life should end near where it began. madeba will be laid to rest on sunday, 95 years after he was born. >> now, for 50 years since his imprisonment in the 1960s, the name nelson mandela has become synonymous with a struggle

around the world. for many, it may be the first time they have heard the icon. nelson mandela's life was the lesson plan. >> half a world away in johannesburg, nelson mandela's memorial service was wrapping up after classes were getting under way at margret smith renaissance elementary school in denver. >> this morning ms klieforth's class is starting an 8-week unit on the subject of segregation. >> i heard you say racism, colour and difference. >> the death of nelson mandela is a teachable moment. >> his name is nelson mandela. have you guys heard this. >> nelson mandela may be new. but after a little history. group discussion, they had nelson mandela all figured out. what he did was awesome. >> margaret smith's school is a

melting bot. most of the students are black or latino, some with an undocumented parent. none were born with a silver spoon in their house. 98% qualify for free or reduced price launches. >> the majority of them face a challenge. it may not be their skin colour. it may be socioeconomic status. it may be being homeless. >> the children are quick to connect nelson mandela. >> i heard that he was, r martin luther king in another state. ms klieforth says her students are bringing their personal experiences to the classroom. >> the kids tell stories. i walked into a store and felt like people treated me differently. people are aware of it, they see it. >> it's cool. what he did - he didn't came, if

he didn't do anything to start segregation, it will get worse and worse right now. >> you have to hold because he fight for people's rights for everyone. >> with kids this age they love role models, and having people to look up to. >> nelson mandela's life sinking in and striking a cord in these young minds after one morning. as for the tricky new vocabulary. >> apartheid. >> apartheid. it's a tough word. that part of the plan may take a little longer. >> coming up - a real hollywood drama over high-rise towers and a question of safety. and why mike tyson is not allowed in the u.k.

southern california is no stranger for earthquakes. the reason is the hollywood fault line, one of many crisscrossing the city. there's a battle to build two skye scrapers in the danger zone. jennifer london reports from hollywood. the issue in hollywood is behind me and beneath mean. an out-of-state developer planned to build two skye scrapers. what is upsetting people here in hollywood, who opponents say is the biggest problem is they want to build the skye scrapers on top of an active fault line. >> imagine hollywood before all of this, when it was citrus groves for as far as the eye

could see. then the movie studios, the walk of fame and the iconic capitol records. now imagine two skye scrapers eclipsing the bill from above, overshadowing dangers beneath. these are the representedering of the millenium towers, more than 1 million square feet of apartments, hotel rooms, restaurants and shops. la city council approved the project this year. >> what they have planned is high-rise development and destruction of neighbourhoods. >> so long-time hollywood res department george abrahams is suing the city and the developer, millenium towers hollywood. he is joined by a coalition of home owners and businesses, claiming they withheld critical information and evidence that suggest this mite not be safe to build there. >> this is a site that cannot be built upon much less with two skye scrapers. >> before we understand and appreciate the controversy crowning the building of the

millennium towers, you have to get off the ground. >> from you have here you get the best view. the proposed site for the two towers is down there. 35 and 39 stories tall it will dwarf the capitol records. it's what is happening beneath the surface of the street that causes concern. >> the hollywood fault and the millenium towers site is about at this location here. >> john parish is the leading geologist. we are talking about surface rupture with the hollywood fault, and surface rupture tends to destroy the foundation of the building. the city insists the foundation is safe and they stand on solid grouped. >> if we base everything op fear of who might be and stop economic development, we are in

trouble as a city. i think that everywhere needs to take a deep breath, let the science and facts come in before we jump to conclusions. >> no development can happen on top of an earthquake fault. that's not us talking, it's state law and mother nature talking. >> ground breaking for the towers has been suspended while the fight moves off the streets into the courts, leaving the future of an ambitious project up in the air. >> a nearby project is suing saying proper investigations were not done. in a written statement it was said that the broegement was designed with the the most safety and are willing to consider conducting underground testing if it warrants. >> jennifer london reporting from los angeles. former heavy weight boxing champ mike tyson has been banned from the u.k. much anyone sentenced

to four years imprisonment or more is not allowed to enter the country. he is convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant. he was sentenced to six years and served four. he was headed to london to promote his autobiography. >> ross is here with spot. and a match-up in the n.b.a. >> you have to love it. the two best teams. pacers and heat. it's a game circled pace pacers lost to the heat. the rivalry renewed. n.b.a. superstars, paul george and lebron james putting on a show, lebron james showing us why he's the alpha male. lebron james had 17 points, 14

rebounds. they took a 47-40 lead into the break. in the second half the pacers turned up the heat. roy did damage, racking up 24 points. paul george scored 15 of 17 in the second half as the pacers rally back, making a statement, winning 90-84, improving to a league beast 19 and 3 on the season. >> john henry smith had the tough assignment, live for the match. the passers stepped it up in the second half. >> that's not surprising. make no doubt about it. this was a game that the pacers wanted, particularly paul george, their budding superstar. we talking to him tuesday morning. he talked about how losing to et ha in the play-offs in a gruelling series fuelled him to work harder, longer to change the result. now, he had a cold start.

that contributed to a 7-point half-time deficit and exploded for 12 points in the second quarter, giving the pacers a leave and giving them, they hope, a leg up in the race for the top seed in the n.b.a. play-offs. >> we struggled through a tough first half. his team-mates set paul george up in the second, getting him going. to do what he did. he won 15 points. then guarding dwayne wade when the round was out. it's a special performance. we beat a team that challenged for the first season. it's good to go, you know, when a game is 1-up, it gets a head to head match up. it will challenge us for the first season. >> like i say we go back. next time we play we make the

adjustment. >> we don't like losing basketball games, we can't everyone to know that. we try to win. we get agitated if we lose. we know it's not the end of the world if we do. we were mature enough to know we made mistakes, to know we had chances during the whole game, and we came up short. >> well, lebron james said before that that there are no more rivalries in the n.b.a. these teams have a budding rivalry and will get a chance to face each other in a week in miami, where the teams renew hostilities in a quest to be the best. back to you. >> seems like the heat are taking the loss in stride. >> yes, exactly. you can understand it. let me throw this stat at you.

in the last three inference conference finals. they were won over teams that beat them in the regular series. they don't get too bent out of shape about losing a came or two. this team sees itself as billed for post-season play. >> thank you very much john henry smith. >> in college hoops there was a top 20 match-up as billy donovan and number 19 hosted kansas. casey driving when he can't get it to go looky here. patrick young cleaning up the mess. the gators went on a 21-0 run. florida your in the second, stealing it. beam me up scotty. from a distance. kansas tried to rally back. wiggans - the freshman sensation scoring a game-high.

he was the one and only to score in double figures as the gators held on for 67-61 victory. >> thank you. kevin with the weather next. plus, president obama, castro and other odd couples at nelson mandela's memorial service.

>> there was plenty of joy at nelson mandela's memorial service. the event had unexpected political story lines as well. jonathan betz has that story. >> grief has a way of bringing people together. that is certainly applied to world leaders today. this is getting a lot of attention when president obama shook hands with raul castro. the second time in 50 years when a sitting american president shook hands with a cuban leader. it's taken a lot of anger and is a sign of thawing relations.

bill clinton shook fidel castro's hand at the u.n., a chance encounter, and not photographed. >> president obama greeted the brazilian prime minister dilma rousseff. she has not been happy. today kisses between the two. >> another chilly relationship with the afghan president. the two leaders sat near each other and chatted at one point. hamid karzai has refused to sign a security deal america wants. in the past these encounters have not led anywhere back in 2009 there was an awkward handshake with hugo chavez, who gave president obama a book. the same year the president got criticism for bowing, there, to the kings of saudi arabia. it's a no, no for presidents. mr barack obama's staff said it wasn't so much a bow but trying to shake hands. even the president is not above taking selfies, posing with the

british and danish prime ministers to snap a pick at nelson mandela's memorial. these events are an opportunity for world leaders to reconnect and catch up. >> george w. bush, the 45st president could not make the ceremony, but sent out a tweet saying: >> today was a snowy day across many parts of the eastern sea board, depending on where you were, depending on how much snow you go. this is the brooklyn bridge. you couldn't see across to the other side because of the snow. a lot of snow on the ground has melted since then. in the grassy areas, central

park received 1.5 ins, there were some locations to the west that was up to four. the snow ended. you can see most to the pacific. what we'll deal with is the effect. first of all the temperatures. 30 degrees now, going down to 23 overnight. washington colder than that at 21. as we rebound tomorrow, we won't get as warm as today. no problems with precipitation. where we do is here towards the great lakes. major problems for the next two days. you can see the blue streaks pushing over here towards the east. well, about two feet of snow almost is expected here, and parts of new york. down towards airy. 15-18 inches of snow. if you are travelling in the area, not only it the snow going to be a problem, but the low

visibility across the region. temperatures look like this. we are he in membershipy appo lis -- minneapolis. look at the wind chill. 39 degrees, minus 29. also told towards california. we have this valley last week where we had hard freeze warnings. they are on the coast. temperatures not too bad. many places in los angeles. finally temperatures coming up. we are starting at 31 in the morning. that's better than it was. we were down to the 20s. temperatures are coming up. it looks like it will be a nice day for many places as well as most of the south-west. that's the weather, john with your headlines now.

>> welcome to al jazeera america. i'm john siegenthaler in new york. here are our top stories: congress reached a budget deal a bipartisan agreement avoiding a government shutdown for two years. there are important issues l lawmakers have to iron out before leave. >> the official mourning service for nelson mandela is over. tens of thousands, dozens of world leaders attended. these are the pictures at pretoria. nelson mandela's body will be driven to the union building where it will lie in state for three days. >>