>> any violation of ukraine's sovereignty of territorial integrity would be deeply destabilising. >> president obama issues a warning to moscow as armed men patrol the streets of crimea. >> hello, this is it al jazeera, live from doha. also - protesters on the streets of venezuela. opposition leader henriques capriles tells al jazeera that the government won't last. in thailand the prime minister has no plans to step down. thousands of her supporters set to rally. plus, brain drain - why so many

of britain's up and coming black film makers are packing up and heading overseas. >> the situation in ukraine's semiautonomous crimia region appears to be getting appears. the pro-russian leader has taken control of the police. and asked vladimir putin for help. unidentified soldiers are on the streets, guarding roads leading to the parliament building. al jazeera's hoda abdel-hamid is in the crimea capital. it's after seven in the morning there. new developments to report in that area around parliament. >> yes, certainly something that wasn't there yesterday as of midnight. today what you have is you have a row of men dressed in civilian, with orange and black

insignia indicating that there's an allegiance to russia. behind them are men in military fatigue, carrying weapons. now, we have been asking who are the men. we haven't been getting a straight answer. they look like the same men that appeared in front of the airport yesterday. now, no one is allowed near the parliament building at this stage, even though we have been watching these men with the russian insignia telling civilians don't go that way, diverting the people walking in the area. we show soldiers taking defensive positions in front of the parliament building. when asked why are you doing that, we were told, "we are trying to protect the region", we don't want the chaos in kiev. when we ask the men in black who they are, we are the self-defence unit like the ones in maydan. they are saying that they are

safe guarding the constitution of this region. they are saying that they would like to see viktor yanukovych return to the country. they say it's not necessarily about him, it's about having a process continue. they say that they would like to see the presidential elizabeths this year, but not in may. in december as it was previously agreed pop, and actually very interestingly one of the - those men told me "we don't want to see viktor yanukovych run, because we blame on him the chaos the country has been in at the moment. they see his returns and him passing the presidential post to someone else would save this country from chaos. >> what are we to make of the reports that the pro-russian leader of crimea has not only taken control of the military and police there, but has asked

russia's president vladimir putin for help? >> now, this is not the first time that there was such a call from here in crimea. it's the first time that the new prime minister has made that call. now, whoever you ask will have different interpretations. we spoke to people in kiev, and they say basically that means a direct call to russia to militarily intervene. now the people here tell you, "no, we are not asking that, we are asking for help to prevent further chaos." there's a fear among many of the people in the up to, in the city, that some of the activists that were in maydan could make their way to this part of the area. as they put it, cause ethnic problems here. >> thank you. u.s. president barack obama warned russia against military intervention. >> we are now deeply concerned

by reports of military movements taken by the russian federation inside of ukraine. russia has an historic relationship with ukraine, including cultural and economic ties and a facility in crimea. any violation of ukraine's sovereignty would be destabilising, which is not in the interests of ukraine, russia or europe. it would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the ukrainian people. it would be a clear vilition of russia's commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of ukraine, and international laws. >> more from rosalind jordan, who is following developments in washington. >> white house officials are trying to figure out what repercussions could come if

russia interveredz mill tare -- interfered militarily in ukraine. an option would be for the u.s. not to attend the g8 summit in sochi russia, that's because it is a key event for leaders of the countries to discuss economic and political tie, and the u.s. know even though there are ongoing tensions between it and russia, the u.s. is in a good position to perhaps withhold economic benefits from russia. there are other ideas in terms of trade limitations or commerce deals put on hold, but certainly at this point there's no discussion about any sort of military response because everyone wants to see the situation resolved by words, and not with weapons. >> now, to other news. an explosion in pakistan kills two soldiers and wounded six others. the roadside bomb hit a patrol

vehicle in a province bordering afghan and pakistan. six balouj fighters were filled. they say they were planning to blow up a gas pipeline. >> rebels have reportedly withdrawn from parts of syria. videos emerged of people celebrating after fighters left a town close to the border with turkey. it's four days ahead of a deadline set by the al nusra front. >> martin begg was released from cuba in 2005. british police accuse him of providing terrorist training and funding terrorism overseas. >> now to venezuela, where there has been confrontations between security forces and anti-government protesters.

students in caracas threw petrol bombs at police, who responded with tear gas. the numbers killed in protests has question to 18. >> opposition leader henriques capriles has boycotted peace talks called by president nicolas maduro. and told al jazeera, that he doesn't want a coup, but believes the crisis will get worse. >> i believe he must create the conditions to achieve change. it requires being strong in the fas of a government, with problems of legitimacy. it had grave problems in governing. you have an economic price sis. the political crisis in the face of a government that tries to cover its eyes, that doesn't want to hear about its problems or resolve problems. the political crisis reaches such proportions that people will have the power to tell nicolas maduro, you must fix the problem or go. >> most of the violence of the

past two weeks played out around barricades set up on roads in several venezuela cities. they've been central to the resistance, and the scene of fierce battles. >> we travel to valentia where protesters are getting more organised every day. >> they have been blocking the roads in valentia every day and night much the residents attend and view our approach with suspicion. carla, a 22-year-old student, agreed it talk to us anonymously, but then. >> run, run, run. >> an attack by the government's national guard. the latest of two or three raids. no one was hurt. we resume the interview on a building overlooking the battle grounds. >> it's a human rights to express your idea.

within the constitution of the country, it's a right to protect. >> the situations are so bad that this is our last chance. it's here or it's done. so many say "we fight for you or we lose you. >> we return the next morning. calmer now. still a scene of debate among the residents, protesting against prices, police corruption and crime. >> barricades like this are a common feature around venezuela, and are a focal point for resist apps, a meeting place to air grievances. and a challenge to the authorities. >> with each day of protests, activists are better organised. tensions warn. security forces have escape

routes. the pois protesters have been called fascists. demonstrations are peaceful. the government has given up on them. >>. >> translation: what the president says is false. you don't see anyone attacking. we have to stand up for ourselves. >> the longer we spent at the barricades, the more the residents trust us. they are are not deterred. >> we try to get together the people. division between us, the family and husband and wife. >> to the opposition, they have become a symbol of defines. they are a challenge to the authority. what happens in the next few weeks has a major bearing on the

deftony. >> risking it you will. still to come. more and more seek refuge in thailand. we speak to a woman who escaped. plus, illegal but necessary, reports from northern kenya, where people are trying to protect their land and their families.

>> into hello again. the top stories op al jazeera. the pro-russian leader of the

ukraine's crimea region is taking control of military and the police. he's asking russia's president vladimir putin for help. unidentified soldiers regarding roads leading to the parliament building. international concern for the crisis in ukraine is growing. russia warned against military intervention in crimea. the u.n. security council called for urgent mediation. >> in venezuela there has been confrontation between security forces and anti-government protesters. students in caracas threw petrol bombs at police, who responded with tear gas. >> the crisis in ukraine. alexi is a political analyst and says russia is flexing its muscles in the region. >> it would be too risky for russia to start large-scale conflict in ukraine. i would like to stress that there's no mention about civil war in the ukraine.

ukrainian parliament is legitimate. it's a new government that is legitimate. the company is integral. there's no risk of civil war. what russia is provoking now, in crimea, is actuality the violent clashes, and bloody clashes in order to justify russian interference. i think that russia will try to repeat what it has done towards georgia and south osetia or in mohl dovia. i think that open conflict with ukraine would be too risky. open aggression against the whole of ukraine, but to create conflict with crimea would be a tool to press ukraine and press the new government in ukraine. but, again. this strategy is very, very

risky, even for russian. >> in thailand anti-government protesters say they'll reduce the size of rallies in bangkok. demonstrators have been helping to clean graffiti. the protest leaders say they'll focus demonstrations on the park. >> tens of thousands demanded thaksin shinawatra resign. the prime minister says she has no intention of doing so. yingluck shinawatra is being vetted for corruption. she has strong support in the north of the country. zeina khodr spoke to her. >> reporter: a lot of people want thai and's prime minister out of office, here, yingluck shinawatra's rule is not contested. this is her home town. it's her political base. many believe the opposition's demand for her resignation is unconstitutional.

yipi yingluck shinawatra says she will not be pushed out of power, but the way out is to hold elections in line with the constitution. >> i hold my power, the position is the election process. >> the people in bangkok do not want to compromise. protesters disrupted elections this month. instead they want on unelected council to reform the system. yingluck shinawatra is being investigate by the anticorruption commission, leading to her removal from office much the prime minister's ofantastic say she's no longer able to govern the country and she's on the run. yiping denies this -- yingluck shinawatra denies this saying the only reason she came to the north is to inspect government

projects. in bangkok she was forced to work from the defence ministry's compound since protesters laid siege to her office. yingluck shinawatra says she's avoiding a confrontation, but there is confrontation. some call it a low intensity civil war, and the violence could get worse if supporters confront the workers. some of your workers are thinking about taking to the streets, would you propose this is this. >> i would say not break the rules. as long as under peaceful way and demograph iing ways. >> yingluck shinawatra has lost a lot of power, but she can rely on the rural north. the people in the north kept her brother in leadership for

many years. the opposition wants to get rid of the thaksin regime. her supporters promised not to allow that to happen. in the absence of talks, the problem is there's a possibility of a violent show down. >> defectors from north korea arriving in thailand increased from a few dozens to 2,000. scott heidler spoke it a woman that managed to escape. >> she risked everything running away from north korea. the life she had there was not worth living. >> translation: if i got caught, i would be killed on site. my bravery comes from not wanting to live in north korea. if i was caught, it's better than how i was living. >> kim is not her name. we are hiding her face.

through the asian underground railroad kim reached bangkok half a year ago. >> translation: ever since i moved to thailand, looking back from the outside, i realised the degree of dictatorship and the lack of human rights. >> south korean reverend helped her to reach bangkok. he's helped more than 1,000 fine new homes. >> i'm focused on success. i have seen people killed. i was gaoled in china and sent to north korea for a security check. >> the korean name for his organization means two become one. >> thailand is the safest place for detectors. the majority pass through here. that's thanks to an agreement

between thailand. they are turned over to south korean officials. >> kim entered illegally, but does not want to go to south korea. she applied for asylum at the u.s. embassy. that was over a year ago. >> translation: i heard so much about north koreans getting asylum from the international community. in reality, it's words. nothing gets down. there's no access, and i'm stuck here. >> kim thinks that could be a turning point. >> the generation is aware of the situation and are hopeful that things will chang. until the asylum is granted, kim has to remain in the shadows of her adopted city. >> in bahrain police broke up protests after the funeral of a 23-year-old who died in police custody. thousands attended the funeral of a man detained in december,

accused of smuggling weapons, protesters threw rocks and petrol bombs at riot police. >> two people have been killed in anti-coup protests in egypt. one person was killed, 16 injured in cairo as protesters clashed with police. in alexandria one was killed, two injured. a caretaker government is expected to be sworn in on saturday. >> al jazeera conditions to demand the release of its staff. mohamed fadel fahmy, mohammed badr and peter greste spent 63 days in prison accused of having links with a terrorist organization and spreading false news. al jazeera rejects the charges. abdullah al-shami, from the network's arabic channel has been held since august and he has been on hunger strike for more than a month to protest against his imprisonment. >> french president francis

hollande promised his army would discharge rival militias. he's been visiting french soldiers. his troops would try to prevent the country splitting in two. thousands died in months of violence between muslims and christians. >> cattle raids, thefts, fights over resources are common over northern kenya. some people living in rural communities are taking matter into their own hands. we have this report from tukana. >> this is where this female teaches her students to handle a firearm, dismantle. assemble, load and pull a trigger. the women do this because they are forbidden to handle guns. they say they have no choice. >> translation: we have been forced to because it's dangerous. i used to live with men. my husband and brother. they were killed.

i had to inherit my husband's gun. >> immo gen is taking animals from his village to graze. he has to be accompanied by armed adults. he's lost animals to bandits. this is a body guard. his firearm is it illegal, butt he's doesn't trust the government to protect him. the nearest police station is a 2-hour drive away op a bad road and there's no telephone network. >> translation: this gun is my friend, protecting me and my community. without it we are finished. >> previous attempts to disarm them have failed. this is a main watering point. it's in an insecure area. when it's dry they need to move closer to the border with south sudan and ethiopia, where the

animals are targeted. there's an increase in the number of weapons available, making it easy to open a kun. government officials admit it should have a greater presence in northern kenya. it is a concerted effort by the government to increase the presence, involving not just the police, because they are overstretched. they involve the military. >> people here say that until that time when the government gives them proper protection, they will not give up their guns. >> a russian court placed an opposition leader under house arrest. dilvalni, an outspoken critic.

vladimir putin violated rules in relation to leaving moscow. he led anti-kremlin protests in 2011 and "12. he's been banned from using the internet or speaking to the media. >> regulations to protect air pollution in beijing has gone into effect. those that fail to meet standards could be shut down. the environmental protection bureau has conducted random inspections of company. the u.k. seems to be surgery an exodus of black film producers, many heading to the united states because they perceive a lack of opportunity at home >> reporter: not long until the oscars, will there be more sweet music for "12 years a stage", this is britain's big hope. >> "12 years a slave." >> it's taken two of the main prizes at the baftas.

the lead actor is british and black, so, too, the director. this is the best of british. "12 years a slave", has done well. in five weeks it took $30 million. black film makers in general are not having a good time. black and ethnic minorities made up 7.4% of the workforce. come 2012, the number dropped to 5.4%. many are simply packing up and heading west to the united states. not necessarily because they want to, but they feel they have to. they are not going to get the breaks in this country. >> this is our costume. >> case in point. in was a prime-time tv actor, and got a royal honour. it's not bigger than that. that was his problem. he felt he couldn't get bigger here. he moved to the u.s. and runs an acting school.

>> many left the u.k., came to the u.s. and went into the upper echelons in whatever brand of entertainment we go in. emp born in our country makes sure they feel they have a shot at fulfilling their potential. >> steve mcqueen directed "12 years a slave", he is big news in the u.s. at home there's a question troubling this film-maker. >> where do we go from here? >> at the emmys, he won an award for his documentary. it's not a question offy people are leaving, but why. >> winning a bafta, will it be steve or me. winning a grierson. it will integrate the talent. it's evident. that's the reason we go to the states and win an awards. >> these actors and directors may be an inspiration to the up

and coming black film makers. part of the issue is to find out why they are leaving. is it a lack of funding or prejudice. k generation at home. >> the latest on all the stories in the bulletin and much, much more at the website aljazeera.com. >> a possible russian military intervention would be bad news for ukraine and unsettling to say the least for the global economy. we will explain. plus new data reveal that u.s. growth has been slowing down again. weather is a problem, and that was before the next winter storms coming this weekend. and the new hockey arena in detroit that developers believe could help save the city. i'm david shuster in for ali velshi. and this is "real money."