>> 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 >> >> announcer: this is al jazeera. >> these are the top stories, beginning with ukraine, which is defiant. its military is on standby. >> celebrations and suspicions of threats between rebels and a syrian government. >> learning to protect themselves - why women in northern kenya are starting to

carry guns. and the unsung movie herios who say despite risking life and limb, they've been snubbed by the oscars. >> first the standoff in ukraine's crimia, between moss scpo kiev appears to be escalating. russian military helicopters appear to be seep in the skies. ukraine's interim prime minister says the government will not bow to what he calls russian provocation. the russian pro-russian leader took control of the military and the police in sevastapol. report hoda abdel-hamid of 13 russian aircraft carrying unidentified troops.

is it clear they are russian soldiers? >> well, according to the authorities in kiev they are russian authorities, even though russia denied the reports. when we asked the soldiers (played around the parliament building, "who are you?" the answer we get is no comment. the one thing we can say is it looks like the man who appeared in front of the airport here yesterday. they appear to have the same gear and weapons. just in front of them is a role of men who have an orange and back insignia showing their allegiance to russia. they say they are self-defense unit and are doing the same as what was happening in maydan. they say they are here to protect the constitution, the

legitimacy of the parliament he and to make sure there's no chaos in the country. they say having russians helping them out is not something bad, and the prime minister, the regional prime minister has asked russia to help brink stability to the area. some see it as a good thing. we heard reports that the prime minister here said that he is now in control of the military, the navy and the police. this is something that he had hinted at when he tabbing office two days ago. he said they should be subordinate to the parliament. today he took the step further. we here reports that the chief of police resigned last night. it seems there's a take over of the region by the new authorities in power, and it seems backed up by the russians. >> thank you hoda.

the u.s. president barack obama says he's deeply concerned about russian build-up in the crimia. now to an emergency session, they called for international mediation. russia was warned against military intervention. >> it would represent a profound interference in matters represented by the ukrainian people. it could be a clear violation of russia's commitment to respect the independence, sovereignty and borders of ukraine and international laws. >> we have an agreement with ukraine, on the presence of the russian black sea fleet or the basis in sevastapol, and we are acting within the framework of that agreement. >> more of our correspondents are standing by to bring the latest from the capitals at the heard of the ukrainian crisis. tim friend is in kiev.

but first fred weir in moscow. is it clear whether or not rub ha has a plan for crimea. >> no, i expect the creme line can play a long game and not do anything precip to us and allow crimia to allow infenced. i think vladimir putin's plan is to keep yimia on the table as a bargaining chip to the coming reckoning of new authorities in kiev about their geopolitical position and so on. you can expect blockading the airport, designed to protect kiev from sending in reinforcements or any of those maydan type protesters coming in, stirring things up. they have clearly strengthened the grip over the political apparatus. they may ramp up the forces there in sevastapol, and one thing you can expect is russia

to send in boatloads of humanitarian aid. even if the economy collapses all over ecrepe, the crimeaans won't feel the pinch. they'll be happy upped the -- under the loving air of mother russia. it's power politics. >> it is. let's go to kiev and our correspondent there, tim friend. the latest reaction, please, from kiev to what is happening in crimea, and also the atmosphere there. they are insisting that they will not be revoked into a military response. i think fred's reference to bargaining chip, there's a game of bluff going on here. it's a new administration in kiev. president putin wants to keep his channels open to crimea. that is an autonomous republic, but nevertheless part of

ukraine. they are nervous in the capital in kiev, but they are insisting that they want this solved through a diplomatic process. but, of course, their concern is that they can see part of their territory slipping away from them, almost by default if they are not careful. i think perhaps the key to this is the economy, the country is in dire straits, it needs help desperately. the international monetary fund it due next week. now, if the leaders in kiev can match the kind of things that fred was talking about, that putin might offer crimea, perhaps the hearts and minds will not slip too far back into moscow's orbit. thank you to tim friend and friend weir, in moscow. >> fighters from the rebel group known as the islamic state of

iraq and levant have reportedly withdrawn from parts of northern syria. this appears to show people celebrating as the fighters left. the pull out happened days ahead of a deadline sent by the al nusra front. meanwhile near damascus, a number of truce deals have been agreed. the accords between the government and fighters in areas besieged since last year. we have a report from turkey on how the caes fears are watched by the -- ceasefires are watched in turkey. >> many are celebrating. they reached a deal with the government to ease some suffering. >> the syrian state calls it reconciliation. opposition fighters say it's a truce.

>> translation: all syrians that belong to the country belong to reconciliation. today we came here with trade partnership between the city and the army. they had a deal for the good of this country. >> at least six it in the suburb signed deals with the regime. there's talk of more to come. in some areas rebels agreed to hand in their weapons and return the army would lift its tight siege, let aid in, and allow the movement of civilians. the plan seems to be working elsewhere. a ceasefire allowed for the resumption of vital services and symbols of government's control. activists say they were forced to accept. >> people were eating grass. we had nothing but olives. it put pressure on the people. we didn't betray the revolution

or the opposition. the ones that betrayed us for a whole year. children were dying. >> the government forces are gaping the upper -- gaining the upper hand. such deals are strengthening their position. >> the news of a ceasefire or reconciliation is watched by the syrian opposition. the opposition admits not doing enough for the people living under siege. at the same time it warned against costing the syrian government. >> the interim government in exile said the syrian revolution will carry on. >> the situation is difficult. we do not blame the people for seeking a solution. they have been trapped and surrounded for days. the deals have been exaggerated bit the state media. people refuse to be ruled by the government and don't trust it. >> this issue has divided syrians, who are left with limited options. the intentions of the syrian

regime could be in question. for people living under siege, a truce could be the difference between life and death. for more on this story i'm joined by an associate professor in contemporary syrian politics at qatar university. are we seeing a restructuring of the rebel groups? >> this could be true. however, we have to look at the situation in the past few months, where basically there was a conflict, a real confrontation between the groups and those who controlled what. between who controls which part of syria, especially in the north area, and the border with iraq, and a little on the south of syria. so those basically - they are coming from different perspective on why they have to control this area.

maybe this is for financial reason, maybe for political reason. maybe for those who are supporting them. they want to impose more facts on the ground. >> so the islamic state of iraq and levant made up of a lot offene offeners... >> yes >>..are forced out of areas of north syria. by whom and why? >> the serious player on that area is al nusra front. >> which is what? >> they are basically syrians who are basically fighters against the regime. there are reports but the majority are syrians. those are within the society, the good bulk of those people. >> they have roots in al qaeda. >> they are, at the end of the day syrians. they see the issue.

those foreigners come from outside the borders. they are complicating the issue and imposing some elements like taxation, trying to push, to complicate the life of syrian people. they have to stop doing it. >> does that mean president assad has been winning for the past few months. >> if you can put it like that. politically, diplomatically and on the ground. this kind of division between those front basically gives us more time, giving the regime for time. the support of iran and hezbollah is helping them. it's winning time underground. it does not mean that they will

last, ut for the time being, the time when the regime is in a good shape. >> thank you for explaining that. former guantanamo bay prisoner is among two u.k. citizens charged with terror offenses in relation to syria. >> begg was accused of providing terrorist training and funding terrorism overseas. you are watching the newshour. still to come - we are life in northern thailand where prime minister's supporters are gathering as the prime minister's protesters are scaling sound. protesters back on the streets of venezuela. roger rolls back the years, roger federer sees off novak djokovic to book his place in the dubai championships.

. an explosion in pakistan killed six, wounding others. in ballackize stan, security forces say they killed six fighters. they were trying to blow up gas pipelines. free polio vaccination teams in north-west pakistan have been attacked. 12 were killed in the khyber. eight police men protecting the workers. two killed in anti-coup protesters in egypt. one killed, 16 injured in cairo as protesters clashed with police. in alexandria one died, two hurt - the latest escalations in tensions came as a caretaker government was to be sworn in. >> moving to thailand where

anti-government protesters reduced the size of their protests. they helped to clean up graffiti. the protest leader said they'll focus demonstrations in the park. tens of thousands demanded that yingluck shinawatra resign. the thai prime minister says she has no plans to stepdown. she's in the north of the country campaigning, where thousands are expected to hold a rally in support. we go to north-east thailand. zeina khodr, this is the heartland, isn't it, of yingluck shinawatra's power base. tell us where you are. >> yes, it is the heart land behind me. you can see people arriving to attend a rally, by her supporters, of the caretaker, they are known as the red shirts. really, this is a show of force

and a message for the opposition that we will not stand eyed ol and see our prime minister be removed. the sloggon is we are protecting democracy and our vote. the pois wants the prime minister -- opposition wants the prime minister to resign, replace her government with an unelected counsel. that's how we perform the political system. people say it's unconstitutional and they will not accept it. there's no end in sight. there's no mediator between the kaxes. they have not -- camps. they have not been talking k. analysts are describing the situation as a low intensive civil war. bring us up to date with what is happening in bangkok regarding the protests.

>> protests leader announce they'll remove some protest sites in the capital, but it doesn't mean they are ending the movement or there's a solution to the crisis. protest leaders say they are doing it so many people will not be disrupted. there has been a lot of traffic. street protests haven't achieved much. they are relying on the judiciary. the anticorruption body is investigating. they belief that she knew about corruption, and did nothing about it. they believe that the anticorruption body will push forward and the prime minister could be forced out of office. what we have been talking to here, they are not going to back down. it's a dangerous one as well.

>> to venezuela, where there has been more confrontations between security forces and anti-government protesters of students threw petrol bombs at police, and responded by firing tear gas. a number of people killed in protests over the past few weeks has gone up to 18. henriques capriles, the opposition leader, boycotted peace talks called by nicolas maduro. he doesn't want a coup but believes the crisis will get worse. >> translation: i believe we need to create the conditions for change. it has had problems. beyond the problems it had grave problems in governing. have you an economic crisis that will start a political crisis. this political crisis. let's say it is trying to cover its eyes, trying to hear about its problems. the crisis will reach such

proportio proportions. it must fix the problem pore go. >> most of the violence in the past two weeks has played out. ross shimabuku travelled to a city where protesters are getting more organised every day. >> they've been blocking the roads in the middle class neighbours every day and night for four weeks. they viewed our approach with grave suspicions. a 22-year-old student agreed to talk to us anonymously, but then... >> run, run. >>..an attack by the government's national guard, the latest of two or three raids launched each night. no one was hurt.

we resume the interview on the roof of is building. >> it is a human right to xs pressour ideas. it has a constitutional right. the situation is so bad that this is a last chance. it's here or it's done. >> we return the next morning, calmer now, but still a scene of intense debate. barricades like this one are a common feature around venezuela. they are a focal point for resistance, a meeting place to air grievances and a major challenge to the authorities. with each day of protest the activist became better

organised. they have escape routes. the government blames the opposition protesters for the violence, calls them factorists. the opposition says their demonstrations are peaceful. they have no option. the government has given up on them. >> what the president says is false. you don't see anyone attacking anyone. if they attack us, we have to stand up for ourselves. >> the longer we spent at the barricade, the more the residents came to touch us. he to express opinions not heard by the venezuela government or the media. >> we tried to get together the people. there was more subdivision between us, the family. >> to the opposition, the barricades were an opposition of

defines. to the government it was a challenge to their authority. what happened would have a major bearing on venezuelans destiny. >> a powerful pacific storm dropped rain and snow across california. weeks ago they were in danger of wild fires, now mud and debris. more rain and high winds. they will welcome the rain. it's been a terrible drought. >> that's right. it's been a really terrible spell of weather. it's been a terrible 24 to 48 hours. they need the precipitation. normally we see the jet stream coming towards the east, leaving the west in an area of high pressure. as it is, the jet stream is further south. hence we have moisture coming

from the hawaiian islands. we had decent rain fall. about 100km north of los angeles, 1200 metres, 61mm in 21 hours. l.a. not as much. it was 65mm. it represents the greatest two day rainfall total that they have seen in three years. there's more rain to come. you see more snow as well. it cleared away by the time we get to sunday. >> in fact, there'll be a swathe of snow from kansas to the west. 15 centimetres. one or two spots peaking as much as 30 centimetres of snow and tornado risk to dallas. >> thank you very much. >> cattle raids, thefts, fights over resources are common across much of the arid lands of northern kenya.

some living there, especially the rural communities are arming themselves. katherine sawyer reports on some of the pitfalls of people paur. >> reporter: this is where this woman secretary teaches students how to handle a firearm, how to dismantle, assemble, load and pull a trigger. it is forbidden by culture to handle guns. they have no choice. . >> translation: i used to live with men, my husband and brothers, but they were killed. i had to inherit my husband's gun. >> this man is taking animals from his village to graze. he had to be accompanied by armed body guards. like thousands, this man's

firearm is illegal. he doesn't trust the government to protect him. there's no telephone networks and he is a two hour walk away. >> this fun is my friend, protecting me and my community. without it we are finished. >> previous attempts have failed. >> this is one of the main watering points here. when it runs drive. the animals are targeted by hostile tribes near the border of ethiopia. >> the increase in the number of weapons made it easy to own a gun. government officials admit it should have a greater presence in kenya. >> we are to increase the

presence of - ipp -- involving the military. >> the people here say that until that time when the government did not give up the guns. >> you're watching the newshour from doha. coming up, success for "12 years a slave", but black film makers say britain is not the place for them. in sport jason collins may not be in hot demand - but his shirt in. jo with the latest in a moment.

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>> the headlines - the stand off in caimia appears -- crimea appears to be yaef callating. armoured personnel carriers (played. -- deployed. >> pro-russian leaders took control of military and the plus. u.s. president obama says he's deeply concerned about the crisis. fighters from the islamic state of iraq and levant withdrew from parts of northern syria. this video said to show people celebrating after fighters left a town close to the border with turkey. >> back to the top story, the

crisis in ukraine and look at why the crimmia has become a central flash point. it's an official part of ukraine but has its own parliament. it neighbour said russia. it's culturalry and geographically close to russia. pro-russian sentiment runs high. ukraine jans and tatars support the leadership in kiev. rush aoperates a base in crimea. it is allowed to stay there until 2042. >> russia is meant to inform of involvement outside the base area. andy joins me live from there. let's get this clear. is crimea autonomous or

semiautonomous. >> well, crimea is part of independent ukraine. it is an you tonne mouse republic. the people living in crimia are stit sense and they have an autonomous parliament and a constitution. very much crimea has been part of ukraine, independent ukraine since 1991. people have been living peacefully together for the last 20 years. >> >> there have been one or two demonstrations. when i was there the hammer and sickle was evident. half the population - is this accurate. half the population is ethnical speaking. >> yes, the hammer and sickle is the legacy from the soviet

union. it remains in many parts of the soviet union. >> in terms of crimia, there are ethnic russians and ukrainians. the tadrs are something to focus on. they aren't a people, they are muslim there's about 200,000 living there. they were deported under stalin. they were taken to central asia. they are back. they recall the deportation. they did not want to go back upped a moscow-led got. >> what percentage are they? >> they are about double digits. we are looking in the rounds of 15%. >> an important pressure group. >> absolutely, absolutely. and a strong pressure group. tar tars are muslim. the international community will

be keeping that in mind. we have been hering some of the russians that have been on the ground now. there has been racial abuse that they received from the russians. i think that that should be monitored closely on how that develops further. the issue is really understanding why crimea has kicked off now. you know, over the last 20 years it has been living peacefully. there has not been any, you know, violence in terms of the ethnic differentiations. i think the reason, really, is president vladimir putin, because he sees that the idea of the customs unit that he wants to introduce, but ukraine have chosen a different future for themselves, for their children. i think it's now... >> we are running out of type of, unfortunately, but a crucial question is do you think crimea would voluntarily sus eed from ukraine or would moscow, if it

felt ukraine was going to take over crimea, and issue a military force to the peninsula, do you think it's like tli that crimea would sus seat or not. >> it's important to understand that crimea has been living within ukraine peacefully so the issue of success has not come up. external pressure has come from putin, and i think with pressure from him, the risk is there and it's down to the americans and the british to look at. i think a very important point -- >> finally, ukraine had the largest nuclear arsenal, the third-largest. it was bigger than that of china, france and the ukraine. it gave it up voluntarily when it became independent with assurances from the united states, great britain and

russia, that the entryingy and -- integrity and sovereignty would be deferred. >> in the last decade the number of defectors from north korea arriving in thailand increased from a few dozen a year to more than 2000. scott heidler spoke to a woman who managed to get away. >> she risked everything when she ran away from north korea. the life she had there was not worth living. >> if i got caught, i would be killed on sight. my bravery comes from not wanting to live in north korea. if i was caught. it's better than how they were living. >> kim is not the real name. through what is called the asia underground railroad kim reached bangkok a year and a half ago.

i spoke to her in the safe house. >> since i moved to thailand, looking back from the outside i realised the degree of dictatorship and a lack of human rights. in 15 years he's helped more than 1,000 find new counties. . >> translation: i'm focussed on success because of the large number of lives at state. i have seen people killed. i was gaoled for eight months in china and sent to north korea. the korean name means two become one. his hope is for a reunited yoira. >> according to human rights watch thailand is the safest place for defectors from north korea. the majority pass through here, thanks to an unofficial agreement between thailand and south korea. once they are charged with illegal entry, they are turned

over to seen officials. >> kim entered illegally but doesn't want to go to south korea. she applied for asylum. it was a year ago. >> translation: i heard so much about nee jps getting asylum, but in reality it's words, nothing is done. there's no action, and i'm stuck here. kim things there could be a turning point. the new generation could be aware of the situation. until the change takes hold or the asylum is granted, kim will have to remain in the shadows of her city. >> south korea is warning japan. japan would be isolated if it took the apology back. the japanese army enslaved

200,000 comfort women, many from south korea and china. >> philip seymour hoffman decide of an accidental overdreose. he was found dead with a needle in his harm. heroin and cocaine and a number of drugs was nount in his system. >> the u.k. may see an exodus of black british film directors. most are heading to the united states because they feel there's more opportunity there. >> not long until the oscars. will there be more sweet music for "12 years a slave." this film is britain's big hope. >> "12 years a slave." >> it's already taken two of the main prizes at the baftas. the lead actor is british and black. the film's director is too. the movie, the best of british, some may say. >> "12 years a slave" has done incredibly well in the u.k. in the first five weeks alone it

took 30 million. for black film makers in general, they are not having a good time. black and ethnic minority, writers, producers, directors made up 7.4" of the workforce. next count, 2012, that number had dropped to 5.4%. many are packing up and heading west to the united states. not necessarily because they want to, but they feel they have to. rer not going -- they are not going to get the brakes. >> case in point, a prime-time tv actor, got a royal honour. it does not get bigger than that. that was his problem. he felt he couldn't get any bigger here. he moved to the u.s. and runs an acting school. >> many of us left the u.k., came to the u.s. and have gone into the upper esha lops and whatever brand of intertainment we wish to go in. everyone born makes sure they

have a shot at fulfilling the potential. >> steve mcqueen directed 12 years a slave and is big news in the u.s. back home there is one question troubling this film maker. >> where do we go from here. >> for him this is not a question of why he was leading, but it is to stop them needing to. that is his focus. >> winning a bafta, it will be me. how to incorporate people, integrate talent. it's evident dent, you know. that's the reason we were going to the states winning 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 in the first place, is it a lack of funding or prejudice, that may be the only way to ultimately keep the next generation alt

home. >> still to come on the newshour on al jazeera - the secrets of sam ba. a mistake peak of the preparations for what is the biggest party on earth. it's mardi gras >> i'm at the rock of gibraltar where there's a fear of a football blockade.

>> if an it's been described as the biggest party on the planet. rio de janeiro's mayor opened the carnival festival, the last big bash before brazil holds the world cup. frantic last minute preparations are under way. >> the most important sam ba schools are practicing the song and dance routine. the important part of their program is a tightly guarded secret. behind closed doors each samba school works around the clock to complete the larger than life floats and costumes, paraded past the judges in rio's carnival venue, the sam ba

drone. >> we work for 11 months for one appearance. we are looking for new things losing the essence, the brightness, the craftsmanship. >> what they are doing is more than preparing for an 80 minute show. it's a megaproduction. it's like a hollywood or bollywood film or like an open-air opera. >> keeping the details of the fantasy from the competition. the school allowed us a glimpse of the preparation, including the elaborate costumes. this is one of the many secrets coming out on carnival day which i have been allowed to show. each work combines skill and pride, as demonstrated by this woman who has been making costumes for the last seven years. >> translation: when we sit here it's all in little pieces. once we see it together it makes

me emotional, like crying. >> and that is the real secret. how it comes together when up to 4,000 members make their presentation. >> people can come and look and spy. no one knows how the school will stage its performance. that's the surprise. >> a surprise that brazilians live for with passion and anticipation. and this year is no exception. >> okay, it's time for sport. here is jo. >> we start with tennis. he may no longer be the world number one, but roger federer shows he's more than a match for the best. through to the championships after beating top seed and world number two novak djokovic.

roger federer, eighth in the world was seeded fourth. he'll go for a sixth title in the emirate. novak djokovic took the first 6-3, roger federer came back in the second winning 6-3. he went on to win the decider on saturday. >> over at the mexican open. andy murray has been dumped out. the wimbledon champion lost in three sets. murray took the first 6-4, losing the next two in under three hours. he's looking to reach his first final since back surgery last september. dimitrov will face kevin anderson, defeating alexander dolopova two sets to one. he'll play back to back finals for the first time in his

career. >> south africa's cricketers are taking on australia in the deciding test in cape town. the aussies won the toss, batting first. they made a great start, 118/1 with david warner having made a half century. the asia cup continues in bangladesh, with the hosts are playing afghanistan. both are winless in the tournament. bangladesh won the toss and sent the afghans in to bat. they are 127 to five after 37 overs. >> rory mcilroy bounced back leading the golf honda classic. he bogeyed the second and third holes of the day, shooting a four-under par 66, leading by one. tiger woods remains in the hunt, albeit well behind after a better round on friday. he scraped through with a 69, heading into the weekend. >> to the n.b.a. where western

conference leaders city thunder ended a 3-game run of losses. their lead cut to one and a half games, needing star players to start firing. that's what kevin durant did. he scored 30 plus point in the game. oklahoma running out 113 to 107 winners. steven currie shot a triple double, 27 points, 11 rebounds and an assist as they thrashed the new york nix. it is the nix 5th straight loss leaving them out of the play-off picture. days after n.b.a. player jason collins became the first openly gay athlete, his number 98 jersey has become the fastest

seller. he was given a contract by the brooklyn nets. despite plays 11 minutes and not scoring highs shirt is outselling the league. >> it's great as a society we are moving into a place where all of us can, you know, be our true authentic self and contribute to the team. hopefully it will encourage other parts of the country and other parts of society to move forward. >> to football - starting in spain. a 7-point gap between real madrid and bill bao. a hat-trick helping them to a 4-0 victory. look at the second goal, a fantastic individual effort.

bilboaa on 15 points. 10 goodnight -- behind barcelona. >> bayern munich will look to extend their league, taking on schalke, coming off a 6-1 hammering by real madrid. schalke is fourth in the table. gibb ralta take on the farro islands in a friendly. the game is being overshadowed with neighbours spain. gibraltar became the 54th member of uefa, included in the draw for euro 2016. when gibraltar joined the uefa football family after a decade of illegal membership, plain sailing was never expected. there's already trouble brewing. there's a fear that the first

major came, a friendly, will be disrupted by traffic. once again strung around the rock. when surprise blockade-style spanish border inspections are instigated. >> plans have to be in place in case this happens ad hoc like happened very, very often with little warning. >> this cue you see is formed within minutes. >> the victoria stadium is a few hundred metres from the border. a blockade after the farro island games could cause chaos and deepen the resentment between this british territory and its irritated spanish neighbour. >> we ask the spanish authorities at the border if tighter controls on traffic are planned for before or after the farro islands game. they declined to comment.

>> gib alt rah's qualifying game will not be played, it doesn't meet the requirement of competitive fixtures. they will play in portugal. >> we'll face the giants. i keep saying this is not a german or scottish or polish or an irish or georgia group. this is the real thing. this is the top and i guarantee you that all the top players will play against us. >> uefa separated gibb ralta and spain when they were drawn in the same 2016 groups, a process usually reserved for warring nations. not european partners. >> there's more on the website, check out aljazeera.com/sport

and there's details on how to get in touch with the team. that's all the sport for now. >> thank you. let's go back to the top story. ukraine - we are getting reports that sevastapol international airport, the civilian airport in the crimea is closed - at least the air space is closed. no flights in and out at the moment. we are also hearing that russian forces are reported to be trying to cease control of an anti-aircraft missile base in the crimia following reports of so far unidentified troops arriving overnight. >> it is the biggest and most prestigious night in the u.s. show business calendar, known as the oscars. it takes place in hollywood. while fans and celebrities mull over the nominees, a group of professionals say they have been suched.

we report on the stunt actors shut out of the oscars. >> in 35 years as a hollywood stunt actor and coordinatos, jack gill has been flown up, beat up, bowled over and flipped out. he never got a nomination for an academy award. >> we feel like we are left out, that there is a hole in the academy. we should be included. it should be a no-brainer. >> gill and others have lobbied the academy of motion pictures to have a categories for stunt coordinator. with make-up, costume and sound mixing it's a surprise there's no spot in the lime light for stunts. viewers know we use student people. >> lists of movie accidents show more than 40 stunt actors have been killed on set since 1980. safety has improved over

the years, but deadly accidents still happen. in 2011, 26-year-old kun lu was killed in an exploding boat seen for "expendables ii", if you have been in long enough, you'll get hurt. the academy did not respond to al jazeera's request for comment. stunt men like gill will still continue. >> you see your friends accept awards and you are sitting at home by yourself. >> this year's ceremony is held on march 2nd, maybe one year stunt actors who risk their lives will get a chance to see one of their own accept an award. >> of course, you can find out who the winners and losers are for the oscars on al jazeera on

sunday. stay with us now more another half hour.

>> the crisis in ukraine escalates, that is as reports emerge that russia has boots on the ground. prompting this from president obama. >> the united states stands with ukraine, there'll be costs for military intervention in ukraine. >> supersaking to california, but with it a -- supersoaking to california, but wit i