>> an agreement to roll back iran's nuclear program, the first steps in just over a week. >> personally i am confident that certain opposition will come to geneva. >> trying to find peace in syria. the u.s. secretary of state urges the rebels to attend talks. >> growing concerns as the swine flu kills people not considered at risk. >> the serious side of the funny papers. a cartoon museum where comics are considered history.

>> tonight we learnt how iran will role back the nuclear program. here is what six world powers and iran agreed to. the process starts on jan 20th, when for the next six month the united nations will have full access to nuclear facilities. if iran cooperates a permanent deal will be finalised. iran will get $7 billion in seized oil revenue. more from patty culhane. >> this was the first step in november - six countries and iran agreeing to a temporary deal to slow the nuclear program. the next step - on 20th jan leaders will take action. they promise to enrich uranium to the 5% level, dismantle the stockpile of 20% enriched uranium and allow for increased inspections. in return they have sanctions

relief for oil and gold, and a let-out for cars, and airplanes. some overseas accounts will be unfrozen putting $6-$7 billion into their economy while they try to work out a long-term deal. >> from the powerful to the people on iran, skepticism about the future. >> it is not easy to be optimistic about this. we should wait and see what happens. time will tell whether the talks will result in conclusion. >> we are clear-eyed about the greater challenges that we face in negotiating the comprehensive agreement. we understand it's going be a tough negotiation. we are very clear about what will be required in order to be able to guarantee to the international community that this is a peaceful program. >> under the agreement the u.s. promised no new sanctions while

they talk. a majority of senator say they don't agree, threatening to pass a bill adding sanctions on iran, which will be implemented if iran is not living up to their side of the agreement. the white house say talks may be ended. opponents will make sure they can override it. in the next few weeks the congress could take a third step, one the white house fears would be the last in the diplomatic process. >> moving to syria, where activists say 700 people have been killed in the past in my opinion day, the worst bout of infighting. peace talks will go ahead later this month, even if it's unclear whether the rebels will attend. internationals are in paris, pressuring them to attend.

>> we will be vig lant in monitoring iran's action, led by the international atomic energy administration. it will be a tough negotiation. we are very clear about what will be required in order to be able to guarantee to the international community that this is a peaceful program. >> but there are a lot of groups fighting for syria. they are all very different and many are in disarray. >> al jazeera's jacky rowland explains why. >> it was a last-ditch attempt to persuade the syrian opposition to talk to the assad regime. the americans with european and arab partners argue there could be no military victory. the only way ahead is a negotiated solution. >> translation: we have renewed full support for the syrian national council at a time when

the syrian people are facing difficulties. following an extensive discussion we have unanimously adopted the text, presenting our position on the crisis on the direction which the international community must follow, and the request of the geneva conference take place following the expected timetable. >> the syrian political opposition is as fragmented as the armed opposition on the ground. one thing the different groups agree on is the demands that bashar al-assad leave the political scene. >> the most important aspect of the meeting is that we agree to say that bashar al-assad has no future in syria. his family has no future in syria. >> the syrian opposition is under strong and conflicting pressures. international partners are adamant they should take part in peace talks.

fighters on the ground reject formula that could require bashar al-assad to hold tonne power. >> the meeting ended without a yes or no. the americans and partners want the geneva talks to take place in 10 days. it's difficult to see how that would happen with an empty seat at the table. >> secretary of state john kerry says he's potentially cost the opposition will join the talks. observers say there are plenty of reasons the rebels do not attend. international backers want them to come. if they didn't come it would be a huge illiation to the united states and leave the diplomatic path open for bashar al-assad. the regime will be there. it will seem as if they have no interest in peace. if they go there, they could be forced into an outcome they can't bear. bashar al-assad is in the seat.

he's the one that appears to be winning. he's making inroads into cities that were under the rebel control. he's the one enjoying the site of the rebels and isis fighting to the death. he's in a wrong position. backers see no reason why he should make a painful sacrifice of stepping down. he will not do so. >> officials are going over the test results in the chemical spill in west virginia. 300,000 cannot use tap water. dozens have gone to emergency rooms complaining of nausea. the president of west virginian water company says it will be a while before people will get safe water. >> our procedure to lift the do not lift order is to do it by zones. we are talking about the pressure zones that we talked about many times. there are many, and it's

complicated. we need samples at different points within the zones to verify the water out of the treatment plant is through that zone, and then we'll lift the order for those zones. we'll go zone by zone. >> earlier we spoke to sheldon krimsky at tufts university who pointed out the chemicals that lacked were in storage facilities. >> it's not just the chemical plant, it's chemicals they were using. it was not just a plant, it's a storage facility. the chemical is a selfent, part of the alcohol -- solve ept, part of the alcohol family for cleaning the coal. production facilities have more oversight because of o c.i.a. regulating the workers in the plant. this was a storage facility for the use of the chemical in

cleaning up coal. i'm not clear in my own mind whether the state or the federal government has the primary responsibility. >> the law maker investigating governor chris christie traffic jam controversy says a crime was committed by the governor's top aide. assemblyman said on "face the nation", that it's too early if chris christie had knowledge. the conduct of the staffer constitutes criminal behaviour. the deputy chief of staff gave the order to shut the lanes in september causing hours of delay. >> clearly in my opinion, when you use the george washington bridge for what the email showed to be a political payback, it amounts to using public property for a private purpose or a political purpose, and that is not legal. >> if it's found that the governor had knowledge of the traffic jam, the state assembly has the right to begin

impeachment proceedings. >> former new york may juliano showed support for chris christie. >> things go wrong. he was in campaign mode. you miss a lot of things. you don't pay as much attention. every president, mayor, governor, something goes wrong and the press asks, "how do they not know? how do they not realise?" >> now for the pressure on the people linked to the emails. a subpoena for the deputy that ordered the closures will be issued tomorrow" >> people gathered near israel's parliament after ariel sharon's death. he died after being in a coma for eight years. a memorial ceremony is planned for tomorrow, followed by a

military funeral. nick schifrin is live with the event. >> no one in the last 50 years had a largest impact on israel's borders that ariel sharon. everyone here was affected. he was controversial, polarizing and we met palestinians who called him a war criminal and israelis that called him a war hero. >> draped in the flag for which he fought so ruthlessly, ariel sharon made a final trip to the heart of israeli power. outside parliament they said goodbye. military officers he led and inspired, politicians called a prote protector and architect. >> he was the one who fight for our safety. >> fathers brought their children and some came from new york. the image of him as a tough

person, it was matched by a soft interior. and i saw it when i brought the children. i saw it many times. >> for many of the people ariel sharon was the pillar of israeli's strength. for others he was the symbol of israeli cruelty. nowhere was it apparent than the small palestine town of kibia. in the grave yards, on the memorial signs and the memory of h h hamali they remember every moment of 1963. as we fled bullets rained down. >> ariel sharon was the leader of a group of commanders. palestines killed a woman. they took revenge, going house to house, throwing grenades,

killing 67 civilians, women and children. it became known as the kibia mass anger. ariel sharon will not escape god's torture. why kill innocence. those killed wouldn't have killed anyone. >> this documentary shows how this man's grandmother lost 12 family mem. bers. >> we sounds of kibia believed justice fail. >> israel's equivalent didn't punish him. he was transferred into ariel sharon. many israelis admire ariel sharon's ruthlessness. >> they killed us. he was strong enough to fight against people that want to kill us. >> ariel sharon was

controversial in life and was polarizing in death. >> tomorrow israel says a final goodbye. there'll be a memorial outside the parliament. that's where the vice president joe biden will lead the delegation. netanyahu will also speak. the state asks the family to allow ariel sharon to be buried next to other prime ministers. but the family said, "no, he wants to be buried on the family life next to his wife lily." >> coming up on al jazeera america. thousands of families are fleeing homes in iraq as insurgents take control of cities. turning their lives around. prostitutes going into the cosmetics business. >> rain and warm temperatures cause chaos across the north-east. we are looking at rivers that are flooding and ice jams that are forming.

details of that when we return.

>> at least 21 iraqi civilians have been killed, caught in the crossfire between the government and al qaeda-linked fighters. the problems are in western iraq, where you can see the footage of masked gunmen firing at a government helicopter. others stood guard over a captured military hummer, military and fighters have taken control of parts of ramadi. our correspondent has more on the violence since american forces left. >> it is almost three weeks since fighting broke out in anbar province. the government says its military is trying to root out fighters linked to al qaeda. known as the islamic state of iraq, or i.s.i.l. >> the army is using a newly

obtained hell-fire missile and surveillance drones. the government says tribal leaders and fighters are engaged in the battle against what they call terrorists. that is not how the fighters or the residents of anbar see it. soldiers cleared an anti-government protest sight and arrested a sunni mp. tribal fighters took up arms to defend their areas. the i.s.i.l. fighters were able to control parts of fallujah and ramadi. but tribal fighters managed to drive them out. the government says i.s.i.l. fighters are still present in fallujah, but presidents and local tribes deny it. >> anbar was at the heart of the sunni insurgency and it was the tribes that helped american forces reverse the tide against al qaeda, the so-called awakening councils. >> since the u.s. withdraw its soldiers in 2011, iraq's

political power sharing deal crumbled. >> sunnis started anti-government protest in six provinces, accusing the government of prime minister nouri al-maliki of sectarianism. they said baghdad was using the army. a reason why the people of fallujah and ramadi refused to allow the army to enter their areas. the government denies the accusation. this crisis is internal and is linked to the war in syria. it controls vast areas of territory, which allows them free movement. >> critics of prime minister nouri al-maliki says he's using the fight for political reasons, to boost his image and targetting opponents in general elections in april. nouri al-maliki is winning support not only from his voters, but the u.s., which is

speeding up the process of selling weapons and equipment to the iraqi regime. though washington is adamant that u.s. troops will not return to iraq. this is iraq's biggest crisis since u.s. forces left and could have serious consequences not only for iraq, but the region. >> egypt's army chief is interested in becoming president. the general abdul fatah al-sisi has not announced he would run, he would is the the request of the people and with a mandate from the army. abdul fatah al-sisi ousted president mohamed morsi in july and the military has been cracking down since on supporters. >> clashes break out in the capital. students supporting the ousted president demonstrated at care. university, it was two cases before a planned photo on the

constitution. voters have been urged to head to the polls for the vote. >> five journalists from al jazeera are being detained without carriage in egypt. mohamed fadel fahmy, baher mohamed, and correspondent peter greste have been accused of spreading lies harmful to state community and joining a terrorist group. al jazeera says the allegations are fabricated and are demanding their release. the three are held in towera prison. we have two other reporters from our affiliates being held. al jazeera is calling for the release of all journalists. join us at 8:00 p.m. eastern in "the week ahead." >> one of the strongst storms of the season is hitting the west coast. strong winds are knocking over trees, causing damage to homes

and cars. custodies of up to 30 miles per hour were reported. no one has been hurt. the area was under a winter storm warning, but that expired. >> to upstate new york, emergency crews are working to break up an icejam. there are fears that water will overflow the banks, into the city. nearby residents are sandbagging in case. kevin is here with more. ice in western new york, here in the north-east a whacky change in temperatures, to be honest. it was zero degrees five days ago and now 50 >> i got to experience this first hand. i drove from northern new hampshire to new york. i was looking at the refers. it was amazing to see. they had been frozen over days before because it had been so low in temperature, but the temperature spiked to 40 degrees in some locations, and it was raining.

that caused a lot of problems. they were blacking up. what happens is when you get a river breaking up, a lot of the ice plates start to flow downstream. normally they'd be horizontal. when they flow they tilt, and then other ice plates start to back up behind it, causing a natural dam. some of the water behind it can go off the banks and flood. it follows that ice holds back the water, it can break with such force that we have major flooding going on. it's not just new york, it's vermont, new hampshire and maine. there's a little good news. two hours ago the flood warnings were all the way down to parts of massachusetts. they got rid of the ones to the south. we are concerned about northern parts of new hampshire. >> temperatures tomorrow will be above freezing. albany will be at 33.

up here towards montreal we are looking at 34. tomorrow, light rain, light snow. not too much of a problem. there'll be warm temperatures. to the west we have a lot of problems. some of it is in the blue, the winter storm warnings. we have a lot of winds well over 35-40 miles per hour. >> thank you. well we'll look at a nonprofit empoiring women suffering from addiction by rehabilitating and employing them. >> behind the counter you realise it's different. >> i'm living a life i live. i thought by now i should be dead. >> it's been a long agonising road for ms walton to stay clean and sober. her trips to rehab never worked. she'd end up on the street doing whatever it took to get high. for most of her life she sold her body, even with two kids at

home. >> when i hit the street i started using, jumping in and out of cars, prostituting my body, getting high. >> she's doing better. she is sober and has a job. for 20 years this nonprofit funded by a priest has been helping troubled women get clean and sober, and all through private grants and donations. thistle farms receives no government assistance. it has given her the hope and tools she needs to stay clean. she learnt she was not alone. >> they talk how they've been raped, how god brought them through, how they can live, laugh and love again. that there is hope. >> graduates have been making the thistle farm products by hand and they are sold over the country. the cafe is a new venture. from the chairs to the desk to

the wood - everything is donated. >> this woman who never thought she'd make it is the general manager. >> i know i can do this, i can stay cheep and sober. i have no reason to -- stay clean and sober. i have no reason to go backwards. by god's amazing grace i'm here. >> there has been a string of first. she and her daughter moved into their first apartment. >> feels good to be back in a relationship with my daughter. >> she has a boyfriend and they hope to get married. she'll have the support group at thistle farm. >> ahead on al jazeera america - for the first time ever the u.s. points a finger at who is to blame for the attack in

welcome back to al jazeera america. here is a look at the top stories this half hour. officials are going over test results from thursday's chemical

spill in west virginia. tap water is unsafe for hundreds of thousands of people. dozens have gone to emergency rooms complaining of nausea >> israelis pay their last respects for ariel sharon in jerusalem. after a state memorial service ariel sharon will be buried at his home in southern israel, next to his late wife. >> iran and six world powers agreed on a progress to rolling back the nuclear program. it begins on 20th january. >> the u.s. government named two libyan groups as terrorist organizations for their suspected roll in the benghazi attack. it's the first time the u.s. government publicly pointed a finger at who was responsible. they are saying the groups are not affiliated with al qaeda.

>> the attacked killed chris stephens, a u.s. ambassador. >> thank you for being with us, david, here to help us understand the significance of the information. it's been two years since the attack. why now? >> it's a good question the the u.s. is saying that the groups are not linked to al-qaeda. all politics is local. this is the debate about did al qaeda carry out the attack in benghazi or was it the local groups. the administration maintains it was locals. republicans are not buying it. >> why does it matter? >> i don't think it does. it's a huge issue in the united states. the republicans will hammer at it and go after hillary clinton if she runs for president. the big issue is what is going on in libya. there has been requests from the government to train a new libyan army. the plan is for the u.s. to train 4,000 libyan soldiers in a base in bull gary.

it's a tiny effort. >> when you say it's a big political issue in the united states, what do you een. >> the republicans said the administration lied about the attack, saying it was sparked by a video. they claimed, the republicans, that this was a planned terrorist attack by al qaeda, meaning that al qaeda was stronger than president obama claimed during the election in 2012. for the republicans, stronger, al-qaeda, weaker president obama. he says no, it was chaotic, to be continued. >> there has been no clear evidence that al qaeda is affiliated with the group. the "new york times" did a big investigation and says it did not seem al qaeda had a role. the groups now considered terrorist groups are not, as we know, affiliated with al-qaeda, correct. >> the real issue is this is a new form of terrorism that will exist. >> was there an order from the

head of al qaeda to carry out the attack in benghazi. there's no evidence. what we are facing are local mill tant groups sharing the ideology that will carry out the attacks. we face a threat, whether it's core al qaeda or not. >> is it indicative of a focus of the administration, to focus on al qaeda, and the militias that can inflict damage. >> it's a good strategic move and the threat is local militias. there's a political fight and republicans are not buying that it's not an al-qaeda operation. you'll hear more about it. the leader of the militia, a well-known figure, journalists have interviewed him. his group is listed as a terrorist organization, why is he on the loose. >> if you remember last year there was a raid where american forces wept into tripoli.

there were plans to potentially grab atala, but the u.s. decided not to go ahead with the plans. they may snatch him. it's difficult now that there has been one raid. >> do you get the impression that they are trying to grab him? >> i think they would, and back to politics. the administration would like to say they have brought someone back to justice for benghazi. it would help them in the debate. >> a lot of people would have difficulty understanding why it took so long. >> they waited, chose to go for the other target in tripoli, who is in custody. maybe it was a make. the libyan government, when there was a raid in the past, there were protests against it. the libyan government is week, because it doesn't have security forces and is fearful of a raid creating animosity. >> thank you for your time. >> interpretations are high in a central african republic.

widespread looting in bangui left 13 dead. the ousted president is seeking exile in a west african nature. joy over the former president's departure gave way to violence. >> in the back streets of bangui fires are mouldering. >> an armed mob came into this mob in plain daylight. smashed it up, wounded several people and took what they wanted and promised to come back to ransack it a second time. the people that live here will not run away. >> where will we go, we have nowhere else. this house is everything to us. we can't afford to build another. we are from here, from the central african republic. >> around the corner christian youths destroy a car. they say it was driven by a general from the muslim-led seleka militia. he says it's not over yet.

we understand on this occasion the people inside this car got away safely. you can see how the central african public are caught in violence. >> the anti-balaka militia, some well armed, some relying on charms and amu elements which they say can deflect bullets. this is a muslim who runs a hospital in a christian neighbourhood. the seleka came into his hospital, murdering 10 people. is zachariah afraid to come to work. >> being human is natural, i'm afraid. being a muslim could cause problems here. i'm a health worker by

profession. that is the job i chose. i help people in dress. >> the government has not paid abdel-karim zakaria for months. the government functions by hep from save the children aid group. it's guarded by african peacekeepers. pity the people of this country where the sick lie in fear of attack. >> and members of the turkish parliament thrive pumps at each other during a session on saturday. tensions ran high during a debate about the appointment of judges and prosecutors. a bill was being discussed allowing more say over the judiciary. >> a corruption scandal in turkey highlighted the divide between the prime minister and a group alined with him. >> jennifer glass has more.

>> turkish car dealer is specting business to drop 20% in 2014 thanks to luxury taxes and a government corruption scandal sending turkey's currency to new lows. >> i work hard to make a living. i follow all the laws and then there are those people who don't, and make money easily. >> he is not the only unhappy citizens. thousands of turks called on the government to resign after millions of dollars in cash was found in the homes of three ministers sons. instead of stepping down prime minister recep tayyip erdogan went on the offensive, firing hundreds of prosecutors investigating the fraud. >> the turkish prime minister accused foreign forces being behind the scandal. including the people's movement head. >> the head of that movement

moved to the united states. his followers described the work as a multifaith organization committed to education and dialogue. until recently the movement was a power base for the prime minister and his akp party. the split is bitter. >> a journalist was gaoled after writing a book about the gollan movement. he and others described it has a secretive organization with a chateauy agendaa. >> translation: they claim they are an ngo. >> supporters deny that. >> translation: in turkey and outside, if we had a hidden agenda it would come out. we couldn't hide it for 50 years or in 15 countries where we

work. >> in this country with a segular heritage there's suspicion about the government and the movement, about what an each side wants. >> this week tony harris talks to french artist j.r. about his project "women are heroes." he's known for placing photographic images in public places. this time he travelled and caught the faces of women who find themselves victims of conflict. >> what did the women take from the project. the men are running the streets and things. okay, we understand that. did you have a sense that the women felt inspired by the process. >> you see it in the street, the woman have the dignity.

they've been through conflict. you have to be humble because they carry so much intensity and strength, and i did my interview without glass, eye to eye. they gave he something and took me by the hand and said, "look, kid, it's great to bring the photo here, it's good for the community, but make the story travel", when i came back, for some it was moving to suddenly be the hero of their community, you know. >> you can see that entire interview next, after the news cast. artist j.r. talks about his new exhibit "women are heroes." at 7:00 pm eastern, 4:00 pm pacific. also ahead on al jazeera america... [ ♪ music ] ..operas are hitting a sour note. why the music may be in danger

of silence. >> we tell you which teams join the seahawks for a chance to punch their ticket to the super bowl.

>> a rising number of deaths are reported as the flu takes a toll in more states. more than 2600 people have been hospitalized. experts say the strain of h1 n1 is tough on healthy patients. it's a train that hit in 1979 and it's not too late to get vaccinated. >> it's been four years since an

earthquake devastated haiti. kath turner introduces us to some living in a tent city in port au prince. suzeline pet eat lived here for 3.5 years. it's not her home, it was destroyed in 2010. she moved into a tent city with her 24-year-old daughter and granddaughter. >> the conditions were not good. it was a difficult life. mosquitos all over. the heat killed us. it was bad. >> when she was offered a $500 voucher to move into an apartment it was a relief. she took the money, like thousands of others. >> that building is where they process money transfers. it's open five days a week. people line up and wait patiently for what they have been told is a way out of the tent cities they live in. the money comes from the haitian

government and aid groups. once someone accepts the voucher, they have three days to destroy the tent and move. it doesn't go far. >> we paid the rent with the money they gave us. now we have no money to eat. >> frakka fights for the rights of 300,000 living in tent cities, claiming $2 billion spent on them has gone nongovernment organizations instead. >> ngos spend a lot on cars and salaries. so they receive high salaries, it's about equipment, salaries and maintenance. >> frakka says there are problems at the camp, limited access to toilets and water. violence is increasing. amnesty international and the international organization for migration claim the haitian government evicted tens of

thousands of people. officials deny the allegations saying relocating them is a priority. after the rental subsidy ran out she moved to a second tent city. it's an hour outside the capital, there's few jobs and no public transport. >> it'st lated. i don't have a -- it's isolated, i don't have a joys. we hear of the authority, but no one visits us. >> it's not the life wanted for herself or her family. it's the only future they can imagine. >> the land with opera music was born 400 years ago is struggling to keep the music alive. in italy many opera houses are in trouble. the premiere opera house is deep in debt in rome. we have more. [ singing ]

>> they are the heart and soul, the chorus of rome's famous opera house. pava rotty and others performed here. the opera house is in trouble. it owes warned $50 million. management can receive a bailout, only if they cut jobs. >> the opera is one of italy's pre prestigious operas. it should be accepted by the state and our constitution guarantees that. >> the financial crisis in italy is forcing the government to cut funding. >> theatres, prow -- opera hou italy are state funded.

>> in is one of rome's oldest theatres. the last official performance was 2011. campaigner are trying to raise enough money to keep the place open. >> the italian government spends more than a billion a year on culture, going to restoring ancient sites. the minister of culture insists opera will survive the financial crisis. >> translation: they have to manage the administration carefully so the tradition can survive for many years. it is my duty above all to respect the profession of these people. it would be difficult to imagine a future where culture is not at the heart of things. [ ♪ music ] >> in rome's opera house a performance of swan lake. when musicians went on strike

the orchestra was replaced with a cd track. for now the artists are back. they say the show must go on, but it's not clear for how long. >> all righty. jessica is here. we are getting deeper into the play-offs. >> a few teems left. and the game that was going on. this was the worst statistical game for the niners. two months ago. the niners got their groove back and resembled the team that played in the super bowl. caprineck redeeming himself. carolina's on the play, runs into the end zone. watch the celebration for him.

a little superman pose. 2010. in my opinioners defense, a former heisman trophy. that was the second time. the 49ers beat carolina, heading to the championship nsc game for the third-straight year. >> we didn't finish last year. we are back where we want to be. we're going to seattle. it will be a dog fight, we excited. >> we are excited about moving on. this is a tournament and it's like a playground basketball. winners stay and play. winners - losers go home. >> so the nfc championship game is set. seahawks hosting the niners. kick-off at 6:30 eastern time. meanwhile turning to baseball and the headline that will not go away. it's alex rodriguez, and the doping scandal.

yesterday a-rod's suspension was reduced from 211 to 161 games. the third baseman denies that he used performance enhancing drugs during his time in new york and will take his case to a federal court. an interviewer with tony bosch airing on 60 minutes refruits his claim, saying that he personally injected the slugger because alex was scared of needles, and: >> lawyers for a-rod say they'll challenge the 162 game suspension. it will be a case that keeps on going. >> still ahead - a life-size replica of a famous ship is

coming to an amusement park in china. and a cartoon museum where comics are considered a part of history.

>> in bangladesh half of its students do not finish middle school. as reported, a new school system with innovative classes is trying to get students back in school. >> these kids look like regular students attending a gym class. each is a success story. every child is a former dropout. today the students in the basic school system, a network of schools in villages fighting the country's drop-out problem. >> 40% of students do not finish school. the student that leads session was one of them. >> we lived in dhaka, but then my father died and i had to stop going to school. a teacher came and found me two years later and convinced my

mother to send me to school. >> there's pressure to marry. this girl wants to continue her studies. to keep students from dropping out, they need to offer more. they have general education with voekational training. >> translation: the children who drop out of schools are from poor families and don't have the financial support to compete with regular classes. >> there's over 500 of the schools. people learn not only general education such as english and math mat. >>, but technical skills. >> the education they receive is giving the children the confidence they need to defy social convention. a carpentry student says she can do any job that the boys cap. >> of course there'll be social pressure on me. people will say, "look at the

girl, she's doing men's work. maybe my parents will think i'm behaving like a man and tell me to stop." >> they have a long way to go in educating the children. the schools for drop outs are playing their part in helping the country do that. >> well, apparently people will be able to relive the sinking of the "titanic" in china. a chinese company announced a life-size replica is set to become the centrepiece of a theme park in central china. the ship will not set sail, being docked instead. it will include a shipwreck simulation. construction is slated to begin at the end of the month, and finished by 2016. the price tag is estimated to be close to 165 million. >> cartoons as literature, that's the concept of a museum

housing more than 300,000 works of art. go there and you see snoopy to the political cartoons. a trip inside from john hendren in colombus ohio. >> perched atop ohio's landscape there's a temple for cartoons. >> this is from 1798. it's a cartoon called "congressional puj lift", and features a fight that took place in congress. >> ohio state university's billy ireland cartoon lebrary and museum treats cartoons and comics the way the u.s. library treats thomas jefferson and geoffrey chaucer, seriouslily. >> cartoonists know they can give their collections of paper and art. they'll beobserved, exhibited. >> from classic to the political. >> here is a fantastic franklin

delano roosevelt by basil wolverton. it's one part museum and one part university. where the scholars practice weighty matters. >> this was the material that everybody had in their hands. these are, i think, important visual artefacts of an era that need to be, well taken seriously. >> you came all the way from hanover. >> all the way from happen over germany. >> in the shelves of this volt are 45,000 books of cartoons, 67,000 journals, a large collection of cartoons and comics. >> in 1843. the british sat ear call magazine recorded the first use. >> there's a calvin and hobbs. >> i like the "peanuts" strip, i

do. it's timeless, the way it was drawn, the captioning. >> in the original drawings of dick tracy. it includes 300,000 original works of art. there would be more, but the originals were tossed out. now, a standard original by an artist by schultz may be worth tens of thousands. one like this is priceless. >> the collection illustrates historical stereotypes. >> you can see there was a different sensibility in terms of how we portray minorities >> and controversies drawn in a home of their own. >> a lot of classics there. my favourite is calvin ands hobbs. that's the show. i'll be back with headlines after this short break.

>> this is al jazeera america. i'm jonathan betz in new york with tonight's headlines. iran and six world powers agreed on the process rolling back the country's nuclear program. iran will allow the united nations full access to nuclear facilities. >> israelis by the thousands pay the last respects to ariel sharon in jerusalem. after a state memorial sharpe will be buried next to his late wife. >> officials are going over test results from a chemical spill in west virginia. tap water is unsafe for hundreds of thousands. four have been hospitalized.