>> welcome to the news hour. these are our top stories. a cease-fire and prisoner exchange, and russia push for a peace summit. but will iran thereby? >> we would welcome iran's participation if iran is coming to participant for the purpose of the conference. >> the final farewell, ariel sharon is laid to rest in the

negev desert. >> i'm lauren taylor with the news from europe including europe's prime minister new support for fracking. and marking the second anniversary of the cost can concordia crash with the ship still waiting to be removed. >> it is just nine days for a summit to try to end the fighting in syria, but many observers are not expecting to achieve much. inside syria al-qaeda linked fighters are making gan gains. now the meeting in russia have come up with some good-will gestures. they've agreed to push the

syrian government to ease the flow of aid most affected by firing. they also want a cease-fire around aleppo around the city and focus on the most heaviest fighter. and there is been an agreement to push for prisoner exchanges between the government and opposition groups. let's go live to paris where that meeting is being held. what do you make of the tone then of this meeting? we don't know if the opposition is going to attend. we've got the n.a.t.o. powers pushing for these initiatives. >> time is running out as well. it's nine days to go before the dates they have set between these geneva two talks. they want to stick to that timetable. and there are so many question marks hovering about attendance of the meeting. on the opposition site, who would go on the government side,

and who would enter the talks with anything like a common accepted understanding of what this process is expected to achieve. so it was vital for kerry and lavrov to achieve something, baring in mind all the doubt abouts the talks. the fact that they were able to present a lift of good will gestures. we must stress that most of the stage are proposition. they have not been able to agree to the mechanisms but it was important to offer something positive at least in the run up to the talks. >> you've got russia and the u.s. working together fairly positively here. there is one issue which would upset the working relationship between the two powers, and that is the issue of iran. >> well, yes, beyond what you would attend in terms of the

syrian opposition and the syrian regime. there is also the question of what other regional power should be at the table. clearly the situation in syria is it not contained within that country and outside players could bring influence to bear. iran including russia, which is a country close to the regime of bashar al-assad and lebanon through the hezbollah group. the russians are arguing that iran could have a meaningful role to play. but the americans making it quite clear that the iranians would be willing at the negotiating table only if they sign up to the agenda of the conversation which in the view of the american powers is to is to secure. >> we would welcome iran's participation if iran is com cog

for the purpose of the summit. if they're going to participate in order to further the goals of the conference they would be welcome. >> well, if this principle that everyone who is invited should say that they fully support the communique, i don't think all countries would agree to that because there are certain countries invited to the conference who do not want the conference to succeed. >> first let's take a look at what is going on in syria. the islamic state of iraq has executed 100 ex-activists were another opposition group. advancing on rebel conditions on the outskirts of aleppo. >> if the reports of activists

are sir arin sir are a isil areg ground. they're now to be said under think control and the report claims that al-qaeda groups hand over weapons and key positions. reports have suggested that 500 people have died during this fighting. situation on the ground is a complex one, but if the isil has gained control of key cities it has already put control on tense situations. peace talks in switzerland and the isil reported gains could make it harder. meanwhile groups claim to have killed 25 government soldiers and renewed check points.

but airstrikes continue unabat unabated. the peace conference is scheduled to take place on january 22nd. al jazeera. >> so jackie, the fighting unlikely will stop any time soon. there is a risk that the developments on the ground could drown out the talking in geneva? >> that's a point that has been made, and that the whole situation on the ground, it's very difficult to talk about peace in isolation or in a vacuum and cut off events on the ground. one of the subjects reached on sunday was the question of the bombardment using heavy weapons by syrian government forces against rebel-held towns. if this is going on inevitably that's going to have an impact on the diplomatic atmosphere. we talk about the attendance off

iran, but we have to look it's a the syrian government and syrian authorities have come out and state they disregard any positions from groups outside of the country. certainly at the moment, the regime forces may be feeling under less pressure to try to find a political solution because militarily things are going in their way. so right at the moment they might not be feeling exactly under much compulsion to go to geneva. jackie roland in pai paris. >> the former prime minister ariel sharon died on saturday at

the age of 85 an i've years in a coma. tom ackerman reports from jerusalem. >> reporter: the crowds came to view sharon's casket were not impressive for "n" size, 25,000, but the figures including foreign ministers and prime minister tony prayer. he said that negotiations with sharon was often difficult but grounded in one objective. >> he did not pursue peace as a dreamer, but did he dream of peace and to end the war. >> reporter: u.s. vice president joe biden said sharon had always been vigilant in protecting the jewish people but was open to compromise for israel's neighbors. >> we'll never know what the element arc of sharon's life had

been had he physically be able to pursue his stated goal, but we do know this as prime minister he surprised men. >> reporter: prime minister benjamin netanyahu and ally who turned adversary took a moment to restate its agenda. >> we'll act in every way possible to prevent iran of acquiring nuclear weapons. >> reporter: recollection of sharon's human side by comrades in arms. one of them described how the then commando officer rescued him from the certain near death in the battlefield. carrying sharon to his burial place but first stopped where sharon had been severely wounded 65 years ago. eight generals took his body to

the gravesite that he now shares with his wife on the family farm that one of the relentless warriors chose for his final resting place. >> five of our colleagues here at al jazeera are still being detained by authorities in egy egypt. producers mohamed fah in, y and bader mohammed, and reporter peter greste are being held in separate cells outside of cairo. the other two journalists were our sister channels they have been detained for five months. in thailand protesters have brought parts of bangkok to a standstill. they've blockaded several intersections.

it's in attempt to effect elections in february. >> reporter: with his walking shoes on, protesters walk the streets. thousands of anti-government protesters are massed at seven different intersections. they've set up stages and settled in. on monday they kicked off their self proclaim shutdown of the thai capitol home to 12 million people. some came from far away like melissa. she flew in from germany. >> my generation sees it being somewhat corrupt. >> reporter: the protesters say their shutdown will last 15 days. there is no doubt that these anti-government protestors have achieved their immediate goal. but it's unclear just how this is going to help them achieve their long-term goals and that is unseating the prime minister.

>> reporter: the protesters have given a deadline to prime minister shinawatra. she has until wednesday. if she does not, then they'll shut down the market. the prime minister spent most of the day in meetings with top advisers. the opposition party supports the shutdown and they admit the push for change is going to take commitment. >> the people here want all a better future for thailand. we think that we cannot go on with politics as usual. it's going to hurt in the futu future. >> reporter: thathat is not good news for shops near the protest. business is way down. >> they have threatened shutdown bangkok, but the longer the political issues go on in thailand, less the government responds. >> reporter: they have called

this the final battle, but just how h he can convert popular movement on the streets to a change of government is far from clear. al jazeera, bangkok. >> still to come on the nurse hour. once thriving town reduced to this. we'll hear about continued fighting in south sudan. three years without a single case of polio, india is on course to be declared free of the disease for the first time ever. and later in sport nowa know djc heads towards his fourth set. bribe's prime minister has announced huge evangelical incentives for shale ga--huge

financial incentives for shale, known as fracking. >> prime minister david cameron made the announcement as he finished a fracking site where they committed $30 million for drilling for shale gas. >> shale is important for our country and could bring 74,000 job, over £3 million in the future. i want us to get on board this change that is doing so much good and bringing so much benefit to north america, i want us to benefit as well. >> reporter: there may be 37 trillion cubic meters of shale gas under the ground in northern england. they have two drilling permits, but most is handled by smaller

firms which have permits to drill in the north west. what is behind today's event? >> reporter: lauren, we'll find out in just a second. i want to explain a little bit first where i am. this is one of the few exploratory drill sites. they are across the fields in that direction there, large installations surrounded by white metal, and they're boring down into the ground underneath here. this protest camp has been here since november expensing the dismay of people around here at the activities of the exploratory site and what is going on. but we can speak to joe, who is one of the protesters--protector

i think he prefers to be called. you've been here since november, what is your response to the announcement in a the last couple of days about investment in u.k. fracking and the incentives that the government wants to give local counsels who counsels--local council who is allow fracking in their region? >> first of all we're very disappointed. very disappointed that that is being announced, so we're organizing for next saturday--we have a lot of fracking areas in thithis area. >> you want to boycott them. >> eventually. but firstly we're going to have a day of action and then set off the boycott. >> now on my way here i saw

there are a number of houses along the way that have "frack-off" written in their windows. what is it about fracking that people are so against? >> well, there have been fracking in south queens london and fracking in different parts of america. we're environmentalists, and they have seen damage caused by fracking in their areas, the devastation on the lungs, contamination, and the people locally just don't want it. they want to bring their kids up with green spaces. hey want to know that it's safe. it's been proven in america that young children and pregnant

women and elderly people are most effecte affected by this f, for those it's--we just don't want it to happen. >> about the-- >> the local government, that's just a bribe. that's just a bribe. that's just a bribe by the government a saying, look, here is £100,000 which w they now see the opposition to the fracking. >> this is joe, wouldn't protesterone of theprotesters, .

the u.k. government is looking at the boom that has been going on in the u.s. and the advantages it has brought to the u.s. economy, and it would like a piece of that pie as well. >> thank you very much, indeed. that's the second anniversary of the costa concordia. disaster. the cruzzer sap sighed off the e island, and it's story is far from over. >> reporter: a someber commemoration of the co coast concordia and the 32 people who lost their lives. the town's mayor looks forward to putting it behind him. >> we'll be relieved to see it go away. this should never have happened

on the first place. like an island on this one. >> reporter: meanwhile, many survivors observe in silence in a courtroom in a tria where a ts still ongoing. >> we were the persons who had the problems. we were the persons who get near to death, and a firm like this who makes millions and billions of dollars spends so less money or nothing, that is unbelievable. >> this is likely to be the last anniversary of this shipwreck of the concordia just off the island. it was announced that the cruise liner would be finally towed away in june. the port where it will be dismantled will be chosen in march. four are in italy, but france and turkey are also looking for the lucrative commission. after the ship was pulled up

last september in a spectacular feat of engineering, the next phase is to make is floatable again. 15 giant15 giant makes will be d underneath the ship. the world's largest ship will be used to lift the shi shipwreck r its last journey at sea. >> what else is going tocometer rate that event? >> next it will take place at one of the churns on the island but one of the highlights will be the torch-lit pro sessioprocession that will e

accompanied by the sound of church bells ringing and fog horns across the bay. there is an announced surprise for the commemoration will be here. >> thank you, indeed. we'll be back with more news from europe. but let's go back to adrian in doha. >> south sudan government said it it's now in full control of unity state after it's forces captured betiu. there have been fighting between government troops and protesters. >> we see the battle fought here. it appears the human cost of that violence is high. last month the division commander defected. he joined forces lever the man

accused of planning a coup in south sudan. she recaptured a state from machar's followers. >> from the south of bentiu to our north. we were there. >> reporter: bentiu is usually busy. the sudan to the north and south sudan are quiet, and some parts are unrecognizable. when fighting started people ran to the u.s. base. people said they were too afraid to come back into the town. many shops and homes have been looted. even property belonging to aid

agencies wasn't spared. many humanitarian organizations have located for safety reasons. there is still fighting in some parts of the state, but the army say it's in control of the capitol. however there is rear view mirror that are rebels could be planning a counterattack. >> we woke up this morning, and we heard the rebels were coming. i will stay in the house with all my children. >> reporter: government officials are telling people not to listen to what they call propaganda. >> stay in your houses. you have not heard any sounds of guns. why are you running away? >> taking a break from the fighting, winning back territories they have lost.

but the area is still under rebel control. the security situation makes it difficult for humanitarian works to reach the towns and know how bad conditions are there. >> we'll remind you of the day's top stories in just a few moments. then from the powerful to the practical, find out which models are getting the biggest buzz at the detroit motor show. >> and the golden globe goes to jennifer lawrence. >> at the golden globes we'll have all the highlights for you.

al jazeera america. we open up your world. >> here on america tonight, an opportunity for all of america to be heard. >> our shows explore the issues that shape our lives. >> new questions are raised about the american intervention. >> from unexpected viewpoints to live changing innovations, dollars and cents to powerful storytelling. >> we are at a tipping point in america's history! >> al jazeera america. there's more to it. activists show the

>> al jazeera america is a straight-forward news channel.

>> its the most exciting thing to happen to american journalism in decades. >> we believe in digging deep. >> its unbiased, fact-based, in-depth journalism. >> you give them the facts, dispense with the fluff and get straight to the point. >> i'm on the ground every day finding stories that matter to you. >> in new orleans... >> seattle bureau... >> washington... >> detroit... >> chicago... >> nashville... >> los angeles... >> san francisco... >> al jazeera america, take a new look at news. >> welcome to the news hour at al jazeera. we have our top stories. u.s. secretary of state john

kerry and his russian counterpart said that progress has been made in talks to find a way to end the conflict in syria. the friends of syria group are trying to get all sides to might for peace talks later this month in switzerland. former israeli prime minister ariel sharon has passed away. many paid their final respects. sharon was 85, and he had been in a coma for eight years. in thailand protesters have brought parts of bangkok to a standstill. now india is on the cusp of being declared polio free. it is now three year since it last reported the case of a viral infection. this was the last registered polio patient in india. she is now in school and leading

a pretty normal life. it can cause irreversible paralysis and it can be prevented through vaccination. there are only three places left are it remains endemic, pakist pakistan, afghanistan and nigeria. we go to the world health organization, about a once considered the toughest place in the world to eradicate polio. what lies behind it's success? >> i think first and foremost is the will and resolve of the people of india that is supported by the strong commitment by the government of india that was backed up by financial resources.

then this policy commitment translated into detailed plan to go make sure that the hundreds of millions of children who needed to get vaccinated in india and get vaccinated repeatedly would not miss evaluation nation. that required administered mobilization and detail meticulous planning. and monitoring of data. it was a combination of factors supported by the partnerships particularly the role o played n india for eight achievement in india. >> after all the hard work how do you insure that india stays polio free. >> as long as we have polo being reported in endemic countries the rest of the world is at risk. india has very high stakes to lose after the enormous investment it has made and the potential for polio t to pass

rapidly. it is a giant population, and needs vigilant surveillance. >> polio is still endemic in nigeria, pakistan and afghanistan. of course, pakistan is just over the border. does that pose a threat to india? >> in fact, any place that there is endemic for polio and where there is polo transmission going on poses a threat, and why india's success is so significant, it was started the most important source of international spread of the polio virus around the world. and that is no longer the source of polio international. that's why it's so important

that these remaining countries of afghanistan and pakistan necessary that they control and eradicate polio. >> how do we eready wait coal poe entirely like we have done small box. >> well, the strategic plan and what we endemic countries have made a commitment to is to stop the transition of poley by the end of this year. >> many thanks, indeed, for being with us. now one of the world's most important and prison see justico shows. the doors are open to the public on saturday. the auto industry in the u.s. has seen its strongest year in sales since 2007. americans bought 15.6 million vehicles in 2013.

an increase of 8% of the 2012. ford sold $7.6 billion of truc trucks. al jazeera's john joins us live from detroit. there is a lot of excitement about g.m. why is that? >> reporter: there is, indeed. the reason for all the excitement at gm is they not only have the car of the veer, the corvette stingray, the truck of the jeer, that's the silver ready do, but they also have a brand new chief executive officer, mary baro, and i have with me someone from gm, james bell is the head of general

motors. what is responsible for this? >> great vehicles that have been well reviewed, well received. i knew this could be a great day. some really good competition for mazda and jeeps. it was a fair fight and sets us up in a good way. these are vehicles that are engineer. great fuel efficiency. those are the key efficiency and quality is not just something that you want, but it's something that you demand. >> it can ubiquitous in the united states. and less ubiquitous everywhere in the world. >> for now. this is the seventh generation of the stingray. this is a long proud history, 60-plus years now. the best way to describe it is it's always been a car that is a lot of fun, but it misses that one little element, that ferrari

portion competitive streak. it tries but it didn't quite meet it. now it's doing it, and doing it at a price that is comparable to a porch 911. it really embodies what self lay is, which is overdelivering on value, performance, quality and capability, but doing a price that is forwardabl affordable bn person. >> you have bmw coming out with its new 2 series, and is that the kind of buyer you're looking for? >> i think we are. the entire industry, everyone is focused on bringing fuel efficient standards down and vehicles are getting smaller, lighter. you see that with mercedes' bmw. so yes, we're going in to the stingray and the chevrolet vehicles saying you can have that brand, pay more, but you've

got a vehicle that will rival its performance. better fuel efficiency and in a way that is much more affordable. >> let's go inside the company with the first female executive. >> in some ways she's a bigger story than the cars. >> what does that mean for general motors? does that change the corporate culture? >> i think it affects so many different ways. we've just come out any last vestige of ownership. we've gone back to an independent company. the government was not involved in the processing of the company any way. >> we seem to have lost john hedron in detroit. let's go back to london with more news from europe now. >> thanks, the french foreign minister has been defending the rights to privatcy whatever

claims of an extra marital affair. there were reports that he was in a relationship with an actress. his partner had been admitted to hospital following the report. >> today there is perhaps a voyeuristic scrutiny of it, but private life is private life. >> france has called for the renewed international effort in the annual address at the vatican. francis said that he hoped the geneva talks would mark the beginning of a peace process. he said that issue was further evidence of a throw-away culture. >> it is frightful that there are children who will never see

the light of day, children being used as soldiers, abused, killed in armed conflicts and children being bought and sold in that terrible form of modern slavery which is human trafficking. >> the number of phone users sent 145 billion text messages in 2013, and that compares to 160 billion instant messages using bbm, facebook and others. we have our technology expert, thanthank you for coming in. why the decrease? >> well there, is competition, yahoo, aol, the list goes on and on. but i think one of the biggest contributors is imessengers.

it roots a message by sms if you're not talking to another iphone. and it's completely transparent to the users so you don't have to make a conscious choice to use it. as iphone spreads they eat into this market. >> you don't think that people are necessarily making the decision to use these things because they are cheaper? >> it's certainly a factor. they don't cost any money. you can send photographs, you can send, in japan the stickers that people pay for, the little animations that you can send that are terribly popular. >> text messages can be erratic. they can come in hours later. >> i think its true of any instant messaging. none of them work perfectly. >> you don't think that people have gone off the idea of senses

mentions by text? >> and text, the wonderful thing by text just like e-mail it may not be the most feature-laided services. but it i it is ubiquitous. >> so you don't see the text message concept. >> it's in the developing world. it does a lot more with the premium rate texting that can be charged for services that way. a lot of people in rural areas are getting, in africa, e-hash is very popular. you can convert currency into text and then convert it back to cash. >> there are fewer people sending text via phone type in the u.k. but that trend is not

necessarily worldwide. >> it is spread to go other platforms. i don't think it's been seized on. but it just shows how ubiquitous it is. it is available on almost everything almost everywhere on the cheapest phone. >> thank you so much. >> for many years successful companies from around the world have been spending their money on art. some have collections of hundreds of original works. the new book catalogs which corporations own each works and what they do with them. some of the works went on display. >> reporter: this is a snapshot of company-owned art. their selection is worth millions. art owned by big companies worldwide is worth billions.

these three scottish families were owned by a family bank. today they and the bank belong to jp morgan. this early sign known by tracy emmonde owned by a firm. it's not a new thing. companies started buying art back. but why? >> when go into an office. a brand new office, you see rows of desks and computers, and it's gray and it's beige, and you say what is this organization? the answer is it's on the wall. >> reporter: there was a view that once the company buys a work of art then it is forever hidden from public view, and that's a bad thing. but this book seeks to challenge

that view. they think companies are increasingly good at displaying and sharing their works, they are good at art education. and it is good for the artists as well. it has its own galleries and awards prize every year. this photo belongs to a french bank and is part of what it calls cultural policy. corporates that scoop up great art does not necessarily mean painting disappearing in board rooms. and it may be paintings like this picasso ending up in some billionaire's basement. but still some argue that art deserves public display to be seen by all the people all the

time. al jazeera, london. >> that's all the news from europe. let's go back to adrian in doha. >> just ahead on the news hour, day one of the first grand slam of the tennis season throws up a couple of shocks. all the highlights from the australian open comes up in sport. joe will be here to tell you why one of austria's medal hopefuls look to recover from this, ouch. real reporting that brings you the world.

>> hello again. time for full sports round up. >> the winner list after day one of the tennis grand slam the australian open. the djokovic and the world number two did not have his own way, a tiebreaker was needed to decide the second he set to go on and advance. >> winner, djokovic. >> we hope to have the right benefits and right results here in australia. we worked very hard during the last four weeks, and we leave believe that hard work will pay off as was the case in the past.

>> david ferrer was barely troubled by gonzalez. and it's a tough ask for any teenage for face the world ace number one, the home support was never going to be enough for vati. >> i think disappointment is a right word. it was a fantastic experience for me and i think serena really showed why she's one of the greatest champions of all time. it was an absolute pleasure to be out there and have the opportunity to play against her. >> a different story for williams sister venus.

also making her exit, the seventh seed beat no one straight sets by julia gorges. >> well there, are no shortage of young guns competing at the australian open but there was a particular age gap on monday. the youngest player knocked out the oldest, swiss player beat 43-year-old, she is the world junior number one, and was making her grand slam debut. she said even her mother is younger than her. more on the australia austrn at www.aljazeera.com/sports.

he scored 22 goals in that period. barcelona's forward messi scored 42 goals for 45 appearances from 2013, and then there is ronaldo, who concluded 66 goals for 66 games for portugal and real madrid combined. we're live from london, lee, three worthy contenders, but who is the favorite? >> cristiano ronaldo is the favorite. it really was his year, record 66 goals in 56 games. hate at tricks, the way he took portugal in the playoffs, it was quite a performance, he was the man really with that hat trick. he has had a star about him all year. it will be the first time he won it since 2008, and it will be

richly deserved. i think few would dispute that he deserves it. highways been slightly unluckily in that he missed a few games but still managed to score 46 goals. and what can you say frank will, he has been able to dribble the ball over a thousand times quite a player. whatever happens with frank ribbery, in one of the world's top clubs, no one can take that away from him. what a year it was for him, but i expect cristiano ronaldo to win. >> lee we willings, for now, thank you very much. the italian was going to leave at the end of the season

which would have been his fourth at the time. the departure was hastened by an embarrassing 4-3 lose. the francisco 49ers are just one game away from the second success appearance. they beat the carolina pan there ares to reach the championship game. three field goals sent them on their way. it was kaepernick's touchdown that effectively settled things the 4ers winning 23-10. next up for them super bowl xlviii. touchdown from thomas and welcker held build the 17-0 lead over san diego. the chargers fought back but the broncos held on 24-17.

the broncos will play the patriots next sunday. get ready for the battle of the quarterbacks between broncos peyton manning going up the patriots tom brady. the other will seat san francisco at seattle. the austrian winter olympic team said its keeping a place open for thomas morganstern as he recovers from a serious accident. he remains in an austrian hospital after training on one of the larges ski jumping hills in the world. he's deviled lung injuries, but he may still be able to compete at next month's sochi olympics. >> topps is definitely one of the world's world ski jumpers.

even such an exceptional athlete could senior suffer such an acc. i will keep a place free up until the last possible moment. thomas deserves this 100%. that is important for his recovery. >> yes, fingers crossed that he gets back in form in time. >> yes, indeed. hollywood's leading lights have been out in force for the award season. the golden globes were happened out in a glittering ceremony in los angeles. we report the night's big winners. >> welcome to the 71st annual golden globe awards. >> reporter: the first winners of the night were amy poehler and teetina fey. >> matthew m mc mcconaughy had a

fabulous year. for his film he lost 45 pounds or what actresses call making a movie. >> i want to live. >> one of the most coveted awards the best film drama went to steve mcqueen's pre-civil war slavery in "is 12 years a slave." in "blue jasmine," a rags to riches whose world false apart. the best foreign film was the celebration of beauty.

>> over all american hustle came out on top with three awards including the best comedy film. amy adams got the best actress award fo and jennifer lawrence n the best supporting actress award. >> thank you to my family and my team. i'm sorry i'm shaking so much. this is so scary. >> so with american hustle winning best comedy, and 12 years a slave best drama the two are front runners for the oscars in march. >> just ahead on al jazeera we'll have all the day's top stories for you and the latest on those talks in paris. a cease-fire talks about syria

in russia. anytime, anywhere. more on every screen. digital, mobile, social. visit aljazeera.com. follow @ajam on twitter. and like aljazeera america on facebook for more stories, more access, more conversations. so you don't just stay on top of the news, go deeper and get more perspectives on every issue. al jazeera america. >> they have threatened our lives, our families' lives, i don't think anyone should be subjected to these e-mails and threats. >> the club has alerted the fbi.

samuel said this is probably just a distraction. >> the message is the life of the endangered species is on the line. >> so what is the future? president of the humane seat of the united states join us tonight. i assume its no stretch to assume that your organization would be opposed to this. tell us why? >> well, joie there are many rare species in the world, and the black rhino is one of the rarest. because of poaching and habitat loss we should do everything we possibly can to protect them. the idea of linking a trophy hunting exercise to conservation may make sense to folks who are involved in trophy hunting, but

>> welcome to al jazeera america. here is stephanie sy. here are the stories we're following for you. ariel sharon is laid to rest. thousands try to tough it out as a chemical spill takes water taps dry, and we'll take you to you detroit to see what is hot. >> dignitaries from around the world are in israel paying their respects to ariel sharon. th