america.me to al jazeera here are the stories we are following for you. an al quaida linked group sends video of a u.s. individual pleading for the u.s. to help him. trying to find a way to stop the violence, and some christmas gifts are still in transit after an on line shipping boom causes delayed. an american man kidnapped in pakistan is asking president obama for help. he appears in a newly released video.

he was abducted in august 2011. he was working for a u.s. consulting firm at the time. in the video, which was sent to several media outlets the 72-year-old urges the white house to intervene in his case. nine years ago, i came to pakistan to help my government. and i did so at a time when most americans would not come here. and now i need my government it seems that i have been totally abandoned. the state department says it is working to authenticate the video and call on his captors to return him to his family. joining me now to discuss this is david road, he is a columnist for routers, he was held captive after being kidnapped by members of the taliban. thank you for coming in, when you look at that video, what do you feel? >> i feel for him and his

family. there are two others as well, she is also become head in the tribal areas of pakistan with her husband who is a canadian, and there's an american soldier who are all in pakistan tribal's areas. the important thing here though, is the messages to president obama, the problem is first the people who have done this, this is a 70-year-old civilian, who they have kidnapped it is a could be wardley acts. and this is part of a broader strategy by al quaida, which was encouraged to kid nap american civilians and western civilians around the world to try to get prisoners released. i just want to hold the captors responsible, the problem exists because they are kidnapping civilians. >> what insight request you give? >> i think that he is terribly isolated, and credibly frustrated it's been two years, i was only held for seven months. i am amazed by the strength he has shown. the u.s. soldier has been held for four years.

so -- i don't know -- his family i think is trying to do everything they can. a key player in all this, frankly, is the pakistani government, they do not control their own territory. this is a safe hey b there are also many many pakistani civilians being held, so gone, the message, i want to know why the pakistani military is not doing more to find him, and get control of this territory. >> what can't we make of the release of 24 video. >> it is a common thing. christmas, try to get the american public really worked up about the case. one thing they don't understand and my captors didn't understand, is that frankly americans don't -- overwhelmingly response to these, they sort of despise the captors. american government will not pay ransom, it will not release prisoners. the broader issue is there is not an agreement between the u.s. and european nations about how to respond to these.

there are governments that pay large ransom to get their citizens released, but generally speaking the american government, the british government, do not pay ransomes. i think countries need to coordinate a response to what is a growing tactic. there are now 30 journalists skid napped by insurgents. this is a huge problem. again, the western world and others need to come one a tactic with how to respond. >> i didn't, i thought they were lewissal. in my case they requested $25,000 in cash. it was never going to happen. the drone strikes occur because the military won't move, and end the safe haven that exists there. and al quaida with all of these captives and western captain is traps

this. >> you escaped. >> i did. myself and two colleague whose had been skid napped with me as well, we had been invited to an interview, and they abducted and took us over theboarder, with the help of one of the after gang journalists we made our way to a military base, and a captain there, and i want to say they are very brave soldiers that are fighting the taliban, he let us on the base, and saved our lives. the third captain he was freed about six weeks later, so i am lucky that i survived and i just feel terrible for warn the complicated religion ship between pakistanis and the u.s., yes. >> he is believed to be there now in pakistan, the u.s. has provided

$17 billion in aid since 2001. they have not regained control of the tribal areas which are part of pakistan, so it is their responsible to control that area. >> do you feel there's enough attention being payed to this. >> there isn't. at least in the united states they don't generate much publicity. whoa is responsible for the text? >> first the captors happen they should never have kidnapped him, second the pakistani government, and is military, he is held on their territory, -- and then third the united states and europe needs to have a coordinated and common front when it comes to kid p thatting. again, some governments are paying very large ransomes in north africa and other places that

creates an incentive for these to keep happening. >> have you been back since this happened to you? >> i have not been to afghanistan, personally i sort of ended my days as war correspondent when this happened but i clearly care about the region. >> and more attention needs to be drawn do what is happening. i'm glad you brought up what you did. >> yes. most don't support al quaida and the taliban, moat afghans don't. what an honor to have you here today for your insight, it's remarkable what you have been through, and thank you for shining a light on the thing cross uh have today, we appreciate it. >> thank you. the turkish prime minister believes he is the real target of investigation that has targeted.

about allegations of bribery, money landers. three ministers resigned after their sons were detained. one of them also called for his resignation. african leaders are ever rahing up efforts to end the crisis in south sudan. kenya's president was the latest to visit the capitol. the united nations says violence there has left thousands of people dead in recent weeks. says the world body is increasing his presence there. is in particular where civilians have set refuge in our catches. we are now at over 50 thundershower civilians in our various compounds. in jubea, and el where.

>> the u.n. says it is also working to get more troops in the next 48 hours. more from the capitol. >> the kenyan president and ethiopian prime minister are trying to find a way out of this particular crisis. a lot of people have seen a lot of nationals -- coming into the country because they know how important this is to end what is going on right now. in terms of the situation, we are told that it is relatively calm. it where, things are still volatile, and they are still fighting. there is also still violence going on. a lot of people pinning their hopes on this dialog. there are still conditions for example, the former vice president no one knows his whereabouts so we are

being told that he would agree to talk if they held in ethiopia. and if all those arrests for the coupe attempts are released from prison, so a lot of people hoping that there are some head way made after the meeting when president -- from kenya emerges and the prime minister as well. one police dies in the fighting and 100 civilians were injured. security forces andagety government protestors clashed in bangkok, protestors want the prime minister to. down. the election has called for the february elections to be delayed but the government plans to go ahead with the vote. the lights are gradually coming back on in communities left in the dark. about 230 homes in michigan, maine, and canada are still without electricity. they are racing against the clock, in maine, where up to six inches of snow is expected to fall

by tonight. we will have details on that along with the rest of the forecast a little later in our news cast. thousands of americans bout their gifts online, expecting them to land on their doorstep by christmas. they got a surprise when they did not land as promises. live from atlanta, with more on what in the world happened. it seems like a lot happened. online sales have been through the roof. retail analysts say they are up about 9%, and it seems like that clog and boom has caused miscommunication between the shipping companies andry trailers. u.p.s. has put out a statement as of yesterday say they apologize for the clog in the systemz that because of volume of large volume of air

packages exceeding the exact tisty that today they have teamed and truckle scrambling to try to get them to these people that placed the orders. let me point out that amazon.com, they have a system set up, it's called amazon prime. it's been very successful, but many the past week, the week before christmas, they had about 1 million new members sign up for unlimited two day shipping. now last thursday, a week ago, they decided to halt those new members anyone else wanting to sign up because they felt like it might create fed ex, and u.p.s. to have a problem getting those deliveries to people on time. and indeed that did occur p playering even some people with the companies. hooser what a u.p.s. driver.

he said i am a driver. i got off at 10:10, i am tired. mother nature, booming economy, and no one visiting malls. are all the cause of this. so it seems like a lot of finger pointing. >> perhapses with patient with your particular u.p.s. guy or gal, because clearly they are doing the best that they can. so what are these companies doing to make up for this robert r pardon me. >> no worries. you're exactly right, people -- do need to be patient, as a matter of fact, the u.p.s. store behind me was in there talking to the owner earlier, he said he has only received one call for someone asking about late shipments. not a lot of people are very angry, but the company is willing to refund, if there is proof that the package is not getting there on time. another interesting thing, amazon because of the situation is giving out $20 free gift carts

that's where all the planes some in, we asked them, so you hire 55,000 seasonal workers has that changed over the course of the pastsy decade. have you hired any more, and they said no we have been about 55,000 i am getting that u.p.s. and fed ex may be looking to hire more based upon the surging sales. >> i would say you can count on that. for sure. robert ray thank you so much. >> well, some americans wait for their packages others are off to stores to return unwanted gifts. and of course, to look for great deals. today is the day you go

use those gift carts you got yesterday, right, jim? >> you are definitely right. you have interrupting my shopping right now, i got my gift card right here. from j.c. penny, trying to get out here and spend it as soon as we get done. yeah, a lot of people returning but a lot of those gift cards given out you can imagine, these are probably burning holes in people's pockets right now ready to get out, there and into the spending mode oneself again. and there are all kinds of deals knows these gift carts are out here. over the past couple of weeks sales spiking up 2.3%. that compares to .7 last year. those numbers from mastercard. gym, people are in the spending mode, despite that the economy may not be the best.

world number have sales of 30, 40,%. a lot of people getting ready to take advantage of these deals. ann taylor, banana republic returning things and shopping. >> over hereby, there's a jim boar ow store, that's 70% off all day long. so again ink credible deals again i got $25 i don't know what i can get for that, maybe a box of canningdy or something. >> next up a look at the holidays of two women in recovery. >> stories that have impact...

that make a difference... that open your world... >> this is what we do... >> america tonight weeknights 9et / 6pt only on al jazeera america here is more. >> beneath the fluorescentsun in a former meat packing plant is the latest trim in farming. they call it "vertical farming." these fields grow on floors on at industrial park and farmer john adel and his staff agrees user. >> my shipping proceed did you say 1500, 2,000 miles to get are. >> the plant of the indoor -- as the indoor formers call it doesn't grow corn or soybeans but mustard, high end micro greens on the plates of white-napkin restaurants.

these fish supply the vert liser that number issues the >> start with one issue ad guests on all sides of the debate. and a host willing to ask the tough questions and you'll get... the inside story ray suarez hosts inside story weekdays at 5pm et / 2pm pt only on al jazeera america

trying time.ays can be a all these social gathers can be a struggle. julie seems to have it all, she had a great josh in nashville, a loving family, and lots of friends but she was deceiving everyone. >> the night that i thought i was going to die was the first step to a new life. >> julie is a recovering alcoholic, and like many women she hid it all, becoming a master of deception. >> i had a mask that i wore for the word, and then i had myself in my house and i would drink, in private. she tried to be a super mom to her kids and husband, she became an alcoholic with a bottle hidden in every year. >> i bathed i cleaned i did all the things i was supposed to do, until that last six months when the alcohol took over.

they know the holidays pose increase pressure for working women with families. >> especially if you have children, you have the shopping the p whering you have to clean house, the fix the food, everybody andn't anding you to have everything done, and increased opportunities for social drinking. counselors say addiction can start with something as similar as a glass of wine for dinner. >> over time when the stress is too much, and they are needing to relax every evening just to get a break, their body becomes physically addicted to it. and than their body need today have the alcohol just to get through with the withdraw symptoms. remers from the substance abuse administration, found that more than 3 million'm needed drug or alcohol treatment, only about 5% received it. bobby hasn't had a drink in more than ten years

she now worked at a treatment facility in nashville. three years sober, she credits her treatment for her sobriety. >> the biggest thing i got was the night before lights out, with other women, who had been through and were going through the same thing that i was going through. no, silt, shake. >> her company rehired her and she is reconnected with her family. this holiday, instead of hiding in her house, with the help of her support group, she will spend it with her family. >> santa claus rally on watt street has been extended past christmas. the dow is up, look at that, almost 120 points. the blue chips already at an all time high, and a positive finish would make this the 50th close for the dow. a positive report on jobs the number of people applying for initial unemployment benefits

dropped 42,000 last week. hiring has been pretty healthy, the economy added an arrange of 204,000 jobs every month from august through november. olympic dreams aren't always about gold medals. gamesetting to the games is a huge accomplishment.

jazeera america.to al here are today's headlines. a group has release add video of an american man who was abducted in pakistan more than two years ago. in the video he pleads with the u.s. officials to get him released. turkey's prime minister is a plot to discredit his government. the prime minister replaced ten of his cabinet members. retailers are offing -- americans can look

forward to as much as 70% off at some stores. how has never won a medal, he is unlikely too, but he is set to make history at -- he is the only peruvian that has ever qualified to compete in the games. >> on perfect snow, beneath bright blue skies in the mountains of southern british columbia, a solitary skier trains and chases his personal olympic dream. skiing and being in nature, and the trails, you are on your own, you are just at your own pace, and you are just thinking about millions of things. >> among the many things spinning through his head, memories of a night four years ago, the opening ceremonies of the vancouver games when he had a flag in his hand, and a country on his shoulders.

you just walk out, and then you feel the roar of people and it's -- you can't put it in words. i was absolutely honored. happy. just to be peruvian, and just carrying the flag. he lives in seattle with his wife kate and daughter. he gets support from the olympic committee and more from the international olympic committee which supports athletes and coaches from developing countries. he will still cover about a third of the costs he figures 50,000-dollars from his pocket this time around. kate works for microsoft he had a consulting business. born is raised in peru, he was a national surfing championship and long distance runner long before he tried skiing a sport he admits at 43 he is still learning. >> believe it or not, i am getting older, and i

am getting a better skier now. >> he finished ninety-fourth out of 95, and he knows he is not going to win a medal, victory for him is just raising awareness of winter sports in his native country. >> how much recreational skiing is there in peru? >> a little. right now he is the winter olympic team, all of it, but he has a vision, hop kidding living and training and some day growing up to take on the world. >> to train a group of kids that live in the andys and put them on roler skis and perhaps as few years down the road, we will have a house made -- a per peruvian delegation. >> and hi hecks a second olympic appearance, in what hen't ands will be a bitter performance, will help raise money and interest, so he can get that program starts.

meanwhile, it is just him, and the snow, and a challenging frail ahead. in fact, sugar loaf mountain, you had a beautiful shot taken about four hours ago, skier names emily skiing down the slopes with some fresh powder. we have had a lot of powder coming down around the great lakes and that will continue to taper in the shower activity, in late evening but then overnight, we are going to get a good shot of snow probably up to a foot in some places around lake otherry and ontario. at three or four-inches around the northern up peninsula. snow cover for the northern part of the state, you can see that it is quite significant when you go up into minnesota and wisconsin.

you will continue to see the snow coming down here, but if you notice the northwest, we are low on our percentage of snowpack. so hopefully we will get more storms and pick up that amount of snow that we need. it is above normal temperatures in california, and we don't see anything insight out the next two weeks. so we anticipate the snow packet to shrink, now, in germany, a beautiful shot here, you have had a little bit of rain, but it is parts of europe, and over into ireland has been suffered from a lot of flooding, very powerful winds and another storm with strong winds and a lot of rain is going to be smacking europe as we get into tomorrow. for the u.s., we are going to get a little quiet spot. things will taper down here. that's about it, rachelle. >> thank you so much.

and thank you for watching al jazeera america, 101 east is next. >> in myanmar, buddhist pagodas stand alongside mosques. followers of both faiths have lived side by side for centuries. but as a military run dictatorship transitions into a free and open nation, religious violence threatens to tear the country apart.