>> the show may be over. the conversation continues on the website aljazeera.com/considerthis. >> two world leaders trying to find common ground - president obama and putin working to strike a diplomatic solution to the crisis in ukraine. >> new jersey governor chris christie facing the music as he goes before his party, working to do damage control in the aftermath of the george washington bridge. >> finding a new purpose after losing so much. law enforcement is helping

veterans returning to war. >> police in colorado are working to recognise drivers that are too high to drive. >> hi everyone, good to have you with us. welcome to al jazeera america. i'm thomas drayton. >> they are the two most powerful men in the world. thursday they tried to broker a diplomatic solution in ukraine. president obama and russian president vladimir putin spoke by phone for an hour. president obama urged him to hold direct talks with ukraine. their conversation comes as the u.s. and europe line up new sanctions and crimea lawmakers vote to break aafrom ukraine. we have the latest from mike viqueira at the white house. >> a third call in the last week between president obama and his russian counterpart vladimir

putin. no visible or public sign that progress is being made in the diplomatic standoff. the call lost an hour on thursday. a read-out from the white house distilled it to one paragraph - the president calling for talks between the russian and ukrainian officials and the world community to look for the may 25th elections in ukraine as legitimate. we heard about the russian officials refusing to deal with the ukrainian government, the product of a coup. and the president calling for international monitors to be put into crimea to delay concerns that ethnic russians and othe russian speaking ukrainians from being persecuted. sanctions are also part of the tools. against russian and ukrainian individuals and a visa ban for

some of the officials that go in effect. the president appeared in the briefing room and here is how he described the thefts much. >> there's a way to resolve the crisis respecting the interest of the russian federation and the ukrainian people. let informational monitors into ukraine and crimea, to ensure the rights of ukrainians are respected. begin consultations between the government of russia and ukraine, with the participation of the international community. russia will maintain basing rights in crimea, provided that it abides by its agreements and respects ukraine's sovereignty and integrity. the world should support the people of ukraine as they move to elections in may. >> movements in the house of representatives to back the president to send ukraine economic aid and impose the

united states sanctions on russia. the republican-dominated chamber ba passed a $1 billion aid package. >> mike viqueira at the white house. >> the european union toughening its stance, saying it's suspending talks on an economic agreement with the russians, and stopping talks on whether russian citizens should be allowed to travel to europe without a visa. they will not stop there. >> the situation is precarious. the slightest miscalculation could see it spiral out of control. we issued a warning that vladimir putin must not destabilize the situation. if russia takes further steps, the statement issued makes clear that there'll be far-reaching consequences. >> the european commission has begun to look into travel bans and freezing of assets.

leaders in europe, and the u.s. may want them to pull back. but pro-russians want the opposite. military and political leaders are divided. >> abandoned buildings across from the navy base are abandoned again. yesterday the russians were here. where are they? >> maybe they are just tired, i don't know. >> lieutenant commander yessen has no idea what the russian are up to. "maybe they'll be back", he says, but he doesn't blame the men on the ground. >> they just follow orders. i completely understand them. i don't feel that this is the enemy for me. as they have done in some places across crimea, the russians left in the middle of the night leaving only garbage in their wake. the russians left their position, but left behind

evidence of their affiliation - medicine and rubbishion packs made in moscow. >> we found some russian troops down the road. we didn't want to get too close. >> excuse me, where are you from. where is the commander? >> no april. >> some of the russian ground forces disappeared. a more aggressive slant on the sea. helicopters in the bay. ukraine's top naval commanders trapped in their hours. as the russian military postured. they voted to seek membership on russia. whether to be part of russia or ukraine. ukraine supreme court says the crimean referendum will be illegal. the new prime minister denounced the move towards russia. >> crimea was, is, and will be an integral part of ukraine.

>> the majority of people are ethnic russians and welcomed the presence of russian troops and closer ties with russia. not all agree. a new ukrainian flag for the naval medical headquarters. we are raising it. to show them they'll stand until the end. he disagrees with the crimean parliament. >> translation: the parliament was gathered under the threat of machine-gun, and i think they are illegitimate. i believe it's up to the people to decide where or whom to unite. whether it should be the people in russia. >> ukraine's navy is blockaded. crimea is divided between a future within ukraine or reunification in russia. >> lawmakers in crimea are said to vote on the referendum. >> iran is rejecting allegations

it was behind a shipment of rockets. on wednesday, israel's military found the weapons on a ship it stopped in the red sea. it was said to be organised bay iran, but tehran says they are lying. the discovery was made around the same time that a a.i.p.a.c. had a meeting in washington. a senate bill to strip military commanders of their authority to prosecute rape and other serious crimes failed to move forward on thursday. the sponsor said changes are needed. the pentagon opposed the bill saying commanders should have more responsibility for the men and women they lead. >> republican hopefuls are undergoing an early test. the annual conservative political action conference started outside russian d.c.

it featured speakers. as al jazeera's libby casey reports, chris christie is attracting the most attention. >> this year is different for governor chris christie. he was welcomed with warm applause after last year's snub when he was not invited. he stood by president obama's side for photo ops. conservatives noticed. >> i know he's been buddy buddy with obama. >> some have not forgotten, adding the george washington bridge lane closures allegedly ordered by his fans. >> i'm not a fan. >> as a new yorker i see it first hand what he does across the border in new jersey. i'm not a fan of what he has been doing. i like him. he's not my favourite. >> a "the washington post" poll

suggests three in 10 would vote for chris christie. >> cpac is a chance for politicians to speak to the conservative base and for some to win over the audience mp. >> let's come out of the conference resolve to win elections. >> winning the white house is what matters to florida retiree marianna fowler. >> i am for whoever will win. we have to get behind the one that will win. maybe it may not be my favoured. if it wins, that's who i want. >> fowler and others say they are keeping their minds open. chris christie is one of dozens of speakers who capture their loyalty. >> libby casey. al jazeera. >> the conference runs until

saturday. >> we are looking at rainy conditions for the rest of the week and into the weekend towards the north-west. what we are seeing is showers, and more snow in the cascades, but it will be that wet snow, so the probability of avalanches are going to be an issue. we'll be watching that carefully. for parts of idaho, and montana we are seeing snow. oregon with 21. for seattle spotty showers. sunday, though, it looks like it will be heavier showers coming into play. across california, to the central parts, we see showers, but not rain to the south. obvious the next couple of days temperatures are on the rise. los angeles 77 degrees. as we go to the weekend, 84 degrees on saturday. 85 as they go to sunday.

the heat buildings in. across texas, cloud is pushing through. there's rain to louisville, mississippi, and that will exit the picture towards friday. this is the forecast for dallas, we are looking at 69 degrees, and as we go through the next couple of days, maybe a thunder storm and the temperatures coming up to 69 degrees, rape-ey to the south-east. we expect a lot of rain to make its way towards the north. >> still ahead - leaving home in search of a better opportunity. why young people protesting in venezuela have low expectations for their homeland. >> turning tragedy into triumph. how law enforcement is giving veterans a chance to get back into the workforce and help stop child predators. >> a change your towards bankruptcy, and what it is presenting to one man who spent

a decade behind bars after being wrongly convicted.

s >> what started as a protest by students in venezuela has become a country-wide revolution. >> they see no future in venezuela, or not the future they like. the opposition protesters call for chance in president nicolas maduro's government. some want him to stepdown now, saying his intransigence leaves no room for compromise. >> translation: no, i don't see a future here. i'm going to graduate next year, god willing, but i don't know what will happen then. i'm disillusions nod over my career, but over my country. it's been young people building

the roadblocks erected in cities across venezuela, and young people among the victims of the clashes between protesters and the security forces. the government says the students are behind the violence, an accusation they strongly deny. >> as a student, as a person, as a venezuelan, i take to the streets peacefully with the banners, with my saucepans. i should be on the streets enjoying the carnival. no, they have been killing students. young opposition demonstrators have sacrificed the carnival to protest against the government, a gesture repeated across the country. these people are marching for their future, a future denied by the government. these remained in venezuela, the ones that have some hope. many of the country's brightest

and best have gone. have lost faith in venezuela. he found work as a graphic designer, and is building a new life a long way from home. >> translation: i would love to return, but i'll wait until things calm down. i have faith that things will change your. as soon as it does, i'll buy my ticket home and work for my country. >> it seems unlikely that he will be going home soon. as the protest continues and venezuela society continues. >> the united nations is asking venezuela permission to send in six independent human rights observers. >> the son of the former libyan

leader muammar gaddafi will be facing trial in his home county. sardy was extradited to libya on thursday. he faces corruption charges for when he was the captain of the national soccer team. the u.s. senate put aside partisan differences and welcomed the dalai lama on thursday. he delivered an opening prayer of peace. the dalai lama met with president obama for the third time, cit sizing the meeting. the chinese government called the dalai lama a separatist. military veterans are helping law enforcements track down child predators. they have the mental and physical strength to deal with this difficult job. we report on a new program to help wounded vets get back. >> this marine says the images

of war are embedded in his mind, nothing compared to child exploitation discovered on iphones or hard drives. justin lost his legs on a tour of afghanistan. the 25-year-old says he was not prepared for looking into the warped mind of a predator. they are doing heinous crimes back on the soil i was trying to protect. and the things that they are doing are absolutely disgusting. >> gartner and david blowe are waging a battle to take down as many child predators. they are unpaid interns working at a division of the department of homeland security along with 13 other vets across the country. they are the first class of hero corp. the program's mission is to provide disabled and injured veterans with training, to find not just a job, but a career. >> it takes a special person,

and the wounded warriors demonstrated their mental, psychological and physical toughness. they make the perfect candidates to deal with this. >> blawe left his wife and three boys behind in oklahoma to seize the opportunity. he suffered a dramatic brain injury. for season years he's been trying to transition to civilian life and land a job with the federal government. >> without a job you lose a sense of belonging. you come from a family and enter a civilian role and it's a struggle fitting in where you used to fit in, especially for wounded vets. >> the $10 million program is funded through the private sector. the goal is to see 200 wounded veterans trained and deployed. >> hopefully the program will go through and we can hire vets. it's a big problem in america,

especially with the homeless vets out there. >> the training is paving a path to the future. the boss tells us they are an inspiring presence in the office, reinvigorating those mentoring them. >> we should add when the veterans finish training, they'll be placed at homeland security offices around the country. >> hundreds of lawsuits are in limbo as detroit struggles with bankruptcy. a man who spent nine years in custody for a crime he didn't commit among those affected. >> it was 2004 when dwayne province of detroit was convicted of killing a neighbour hood drug dealer. the 26-year-old father was sentenced 32 years to life behind bars, but he was innocent. for the first couple of years i was angry.

you know. con fused, didn't know what direction to begin. >> province found a way out. with the help of university of michigan's innocence fund are helping. >> all 9.5 years was like a big nightmare, a dream, and i woke up. >> province, who is 40 years old sued detroit. next a settlement panel proposed a $5 million payment. the city had to agree to pay or go to trial, risking exposure of police misconduct and possibly a larger damage award. then detroit filed for bankruptcy, and provinces lawsuit, and hundreds of others were put on hold indefinitely. >> me, personally is like the little man is getting screwed.

in the end of the >> province was dealt another blow when detroit manager kevin orreleased a plan to dig the city out of debt. province could receive $0.20 on the dollar. under those terms, a pay out from the ski would not be enough. province believes the city owes him. >> i think that will be a form of apology to me and my family because, you know, when i got out of prison, it wasn't no apology that, "we're sorry for what happened." >> province married the woman he dated when he was arrested. he planned on using the settlement money to put himself and his older children through college. his case is on held, but he is

forming ahead with his plans. >> detroit's emergency manager is encouraging plaintiffs to be patient saying all the cases will be heard eventually. >> getting behind the wheel while high. steps colorado is taking to recognise stoned drivers in the wake of legalized marijuana. >> an exhibit looking at making people rethink the

>> welcome back, an investigation has uncovered cheating in atlanta's school system. parents are accused of using fake addresses so the children could play on one of the powerhouse teams. 14 grady high school players are involved. some of the parents could face civil and criminal charges. >> marijuana has been legal in colorado. unlike alcohol, there's no law dictating how much a driver can smoke before getting behind the

wheel. carol mckenney reports. >> this is not acting class, it's real-life police. they want to stop accidents like this, days after recreational marge was sold. >> i'll look at the white and the semi. >> police say alcohol brings out physical impairments like slurred speech. on marijuana people have a harder time communicating. >> i introduce myself and tell them who i am. he'll tell me. based on that i'll get cues. >> troopers must have probable cause before moving someone

over. >> i can't arrest someone based on an odour or a couple of cues. i need a driving action. >> to get the word out the colorado department of transportation is unveiling an add campaign to keep people from driving high. the law says drivers are impaired with five nanograms of thc. there's a loophole. people charged with driving under the influence of marijuana can try to convince a jury they were not high. >> it's how the substance may affect someone. i don't think it matters whether it's 5 nanograms or lower or higher, it's behaviours of impairment. >> it's frustrating for researchers and scientists and the marijuana community. the marijuana community is left not really knowing oftentimes whether they can be - whether they are truly impaired or

convicted. >> in colorado there have been two arrests a day for driving under the influence of marijuana. >> we can all, you know, agree that people should not be using marijuana, and driving, the same way they shouldn't be drinking alcohol or prescription drugs or other illegal drugs. >> and with in graduation, there'll be more troopers trained to be on the look out for people who decide to get high and drive. >> we told you about the $1 million television ads, they'll premiere on march 10th. a new exhibit striving to make people think about the viking mix. curators in london say vikings were not all bearded guys. they collected beautiful artefacts from islamic and slavic countries and were traders and master craftsman. the centrepiece is a 40 yard

viking ship, the longest excavated. that'll do it for this edition of al jazeera america. remember, news at the top of every hour. thanks for watching. >> hi, i'm lisa fletcher, and you are in the "stream." black women are testing positive for hiv at an alarming rate. what is leading to the increase in infections that has some now looking at the prison system. ♪ my co-host, wajahat ali is here, bringing in all of your live feedback foe