so many money stories sound complicated. but don't worry. i'm here to take the fear out of finance. every night on my show i break down the confusing financial speak and make it real. >> this is al jazeera america. i'm jonathan betts live in new york. we wering for a fight, ukraine threatens to push out militants in the east. the u.n. is meeting in the next hour. >> reports of more chemical attacks in syria. right now they are unconfirmed. >> a plea from the united nations to embrace wind power before it's too late. floundering mid east peace talks. the u.s. is pushing to get them back on track. it's the topic of tonight's "the

week ahead". >> pro-russian demonstrators taking over a city council building in the ukraine east. the country, for the first time, fought back. gun fire killed an officer, and wounded five others. meanwhile pro-russian separatists showed up at another government building in eastern ukraine. they seized the building putting up a barricade made of wood, fire out front. they are fighting terrorists and soldiers were sent to confront armed pro-russian militants. he explained his decision. >> translation: the national security and defense council made a decision to start a full-scale terrorist operation

engaging the pro-russians in ukraine. we will not allow a crimean matter again. >> viktor yanukovych accused the c.i.a. of being behind the move to confront pro-russian forces. russia called ukraine's order outrageous and warned it could turn into a civil war. >> kim vinnell has been following the crisis and reports now. >> the clock is ticking in eastern ukraine. after launching a military operation in slovyansk on sunday the government is preparing to use force. oleksandr turchynov said control of russians buildings across the east - they have until monday morning to lay down the weapons. if not the military will be called and and protesters will face force. >> we have decided to launch an

anti-terrorist operation involving the armed forces of ukraine. we will not allow a crimea situation in the east. >> it follows a week of unrest in the east. a video that can't be independently verified shows a man taking cover. a second man sits, apparently lifeless. in the center, pro-russian act vests are in control of the police station. ukrainian forces tried to retake the building, and retreated, reportedly because of the risk to the public. >> we are the residents. the national guard is coming here, there has been a shoot-out this morning. we have nothing to hide. here is my face. i want to ask comrade putin, you promised to protect us, please come and protect us. >> this was the second on saturday in a nearby city. the video, supplied by pro-unity activists purports to show the

moment gunmen stormed a police station. a day later the station remains in their control. 150km north in carr keef, pro-unity protesters clashed with pro-russian mobs. 50 were injured, 10 needing hospital treatment. at pro-russia hq, donetsk, barr aids have been reinforced. >> people have no plans to leave the state administration building, and few are taking oleksandr turchynov's comments seriously. they say they'll stay until maybe the 11th, the date set by the republic of donetsk for a referendum. >> once a referendum takes place, we'll see what the situation is and then decide the next steps. >> i consider oleksandr turchynov's request illegal. what kiev is doing is not right. >> authorities in kiev say the people here do not represent the region and call this an

artificial conflict coordinated by russia. kiev is calling on those in the east to unit as it perhaps for its next steps. >> meanwhile demonstrators showed know signs of leaving buildings. hoda abdel-hamid is there, 100 miles from the russian border. the building is under control of the gunmen who seized it on saturday. they appeared to be holed up inside. there's no sign of the anti-terror operation that the ukrainian interior minister warned of. the ukranian plus that were in the building, outside on the street leading to the police station, it has been barricaded from both sides. the men are unarmed, holding plastic shields and wearing helmets. they are counting on the support of hundreds of residents who came here to show their appreciation. the government of ukraine is probably fearing that there is a

replay in crimea happening here in eastern ukraine, where in several towns and cities, either security buildings or local councils have been taken over, and they might be a fact of reality that is developing, and that the government of ukraine has been able to counter. >> senator john mccain recommend america sends weapons to the ukrainian government. earlier i asked columbian university's lincoln mitchell what he thought of the idea. >> i think it's something to be considered. if the ukrainian government is willing to fight hard. then at friends, and as people that want to cultivate a good relationship. there is some sense. there is also a long% department of the things -- long precedent of things like this going badly. we can sit here and we have an interesting fight partisan emerging. we can see this ending badly,

human massive violations. we could see us backing people that are not so savoury. we have seen it all over. this is something we have to proceed with cautiously. >> lincoln supports kiev's decision to take access against the pro-russian militants, which he said is creating havoc and undermining the state. the u.n. security council is holding an emergency meeting on ukraine. we are watching and will bring you uptats when we -- updates when we get them. some russians in moscow are fighting their own battle. thousands marched through the capital on what they see as a clamp down on media freedom. peter sharp has more. >> media freedom here has been under throat for years. supporters and journalists were gathering at a time of crisis. those on sunday claim there's virtually no independent voice left. the clamp down by vladimir putin

means that during the political crisis, the kremlin decides on what you read and watch. >> i protest against the censorship in the media. >> the opposition is exhausted because it's hopeless, it's suppressed so much. there is no point in protesting. the authorities don't listen to us. >> the last three months sees the kremlin widening its net. a well-respected newsagency lost its long-serving editor in chief, replaced by a kremlin friendly journalist. the independent broadcaster that had been outspeakenly critical of the coverage of events in ukraine was virtually closed down after political pressure on its survivors. even blogs can be banned without legal resource. at the time of growing political crisis between russia, its

neighbour and the west, it's not just the fate of ukraine under scrutiny. it's the freedom of journalists to cover it. >> u.s. ambassador samantha powell says the latest chemical attack in syria is unsubstantiated. online video shows people trying to escape buildings, others treated with oxygen. both sides blame the other. ambassador powell says the attack has yet to be verified. >> we are trying to run it down. so far it's unsubstantiated, but we showed in the past we'll do everything in our power to establish what has happened and consider steps in response. >> reports stay two people were killed and more than 100 injured. >> it's a tight race in the presidential elections. 10%. ballots have been counted. revealing two front runners.

former foreign minister abdullah abdullah has secured 42%. ashraf gardeny with 8%. >> the leading contender would need to debt 50% of the vote. there are as a result scamming in. some will be released next week the the time tally, announcement will be mid may. at this stage, while the figures could change, it looks like abdullah abdullah and ashraf gardeny a lookihani a looking t run off. both will take part if the first round is conducted fairly. the election commission says while there has been fraud, it's not been at a significant enough level to affect the outcome of the poll.

there'll certainly be a run off, but afghans may not know who the new president will be until the end of october when the final results are in and counted and disputes dealt with. >> the united nations panel for climate change is calling global warming a critical problem and is urging governments around the world to act fast. harry smith has details on the newly released report. >> this was the third and final chapter in the panel's report on climate change, the message is clear. the world must cut its reliance on coal and oil and make a switch to renewable energy. the report is a result of intense negotiations - some call it a clash of interests. it offers reasons for hope and some stark warnings. >> the longer we delay, the higher would be the cost. that is something that is very clear. but despite that, the point i make is that even now, the cost

is not something that is going to bring about a major disruption of economic systems. it's within our rasp. >> global service temperatures are predicted to rise by 4.8 degrees by 2100. the ipcc tart is to keep the rise to 2 degrees regarded as the point beyond which dangerous impacts will be felt. emissions will be cut. environmental campaigners are lobbying, urming world leaders to act on rem dagses. >> there is hope. this is a correct me if i'm wrong message of the report. we have solutions and time to prevent dangerous climate change, and it will not cost us money, it will save money. >> there are skeptics, alarmed

at the cost involved, agreement has to be reached on a global agreement. >> and we are going live to the u.n., where the russian federation is at the podium. they are speaking, discussing the crisis in ukraine, let's take a listen quickly. >> translation: these being only deserve one thing - death. and that is the end of the quote. and we note that this is said by a woman. can you imagine what thoughts are churning in the head of her compatriots. and this is not the most radical group in the ukrainian spectre. should we be surprised that the peaceful political protest and the request by the people of the south-east of ukraine was met by the draconic laws on long-term

prison sentences for separatism. just two days ago showed that after numerous calls to the organization for an inclusive national dialogue, kiev saw some sense. the prime minister was in donetsk, and he did not meet with the represent toughest of the protest, but he did say the right things. he talked about dialogue, decentralisation, and his desire to find a way out of the problem. but what is the situation today? we have been told that there will be restraint and a peaceful solution to the situation found, bearing in mind the opinions of different groups of the population of ukraine. and these have been confirmed by our western people, but on 13

april, they appointed - the president stated that the security council of the country took a decision to start a full-scale anti-terrorist operation with the use of armed forces. and as - apart from the maydan people, the protesters were not terrorists. there were no bulldozers used, and there were no mohlo tof cocktails thrown at anybody. it is not fort ute use that the law enforcement agency was there. now the kiev authorities have to affect other areas of the country. so according to oleksandr turchynov, the population in the south-east of ukraine, by 14 april, has to stop the protests because there might be the use of armed force, but the protesters opinions and interests have not been borne in mind. we are not talking about them.

as a result of this, there has been bloodshed in the south-east, and the situation is dangerous. a further escalation of this must be swiftly stopped. the international commaupty must -- community must require that the henchmen to stop the war with their own people and implement all the commitments under the 21 february agreement. the western sponsors, especially those that witnessed the agreement, and the u.s. which is behind them, are bound to stop this, and to stop the - to make them disassociate themselves from neo-nazis and other extremists, and stop the use of force against the ukrainian people and start a genuine national dialogue with the full participation of all regions.

it is the west that will determine the opportunity to avoid civil war in ukraine. some people, including in this chamber, do not want to see the real reasons for what is happening in ukraine. and constantly seek the hand of moscow of what is going on. that is enough. we must not - it's enough. we have put our armies on the border of this country. and can go to la march quickly. we have deployed ates coordinate -- agents coordinating the protest of the people in ukraine. we need to understand that the south-east of ukraine and the people are concerned about their future. they don't want anyone, especially national radicals to impose their will on them. thank you very much, madam president. >> the representative of the russian federation, i thank him

for the statement. i give the floor to the representative of lithuania. >> madam president. i wish to thank you for conducting this meeting. i also wish to thank... >> you have been listening to live coverage of the security council meeting called this day after the crisis deepened in the ukraine. a russian federation representative speaking a couple of moments ago, concerned about developments in ukraine, calling the actions this week to send force for the first time to remove militants that seized buildings in the east, an outrageous move and warned ukraine could be on the brink of a civil war if it follows through with threats if protesters and demonstrators do not leave the occupied buildings. we'll keep an eye on that. there's still more news to debt to, including secretary of state john kerry will head to the middle east as negotiators try to jumpstart stalled police

talks. an indepth look in our segment "the week ahead" is next. plus, so many risk their lives for a chance at a better life. we meet some of the people trying to make it to the u.s. after the break.

>> a gunman opened fire at jewish centres in kansas city. three are dead at two separate locations. the first took place at 1:00pm at a jew irk community center and another at a jewish living center. a man in his 70s was taken into custody. there's no indication that thee knew his victims. >> there has been a series of shootings targetting random drivers. it's unknown if today's shootings are related. >> illegal crossings along the south-west border has been increasing dramatically, the border patrol arrested 91,000 in the rio grand valley in the past six months. 69% more than last year. there has been a string of shootings involving border control agents.

it's a town that straddles the arizona border. >> a dusty cross and faded flowers mark the spot where a boy named jose antonio rodriguez died - gunned down in his home down of nogales, mexico. this is the story of a boy, a border and a wall of silence. some time before 11:30pm on october 10, 2012, the 16-year-old died when hit by a bullet in the back of the head. as he fell face down, eight shots hit him in the back. at least one border patrol agent fired from somewhere around here, through the fence, down into the street, into mexico. >> why? because the border says jose antonio was sloing rocks.

an i -- throwing rocks. one witness said he was just walking down the street. even if he was throwing rocks, was sheeting him on appropriate response. was he really a threat to agents up on a fence. >> jose antonio's grandmother is an american citizens, living on the american side of the vens, a few kilometres away from where jose antonio was kill. >> we interrupt that report. the u.n. ambassador for the united states is speaking, samantha powell. about the escalating crisis in ukraine. >> you have heard these last weeks russia saying it was not innovating. you have heard it publicly and we heard it privately. unfortunately the fact it that the armed seizure of buildings in six eastern ukrainian towns yesterday and several today mirrors the tactic russian forces used in the early tames

of the crimea inveilings. then, too, officials from the russian federation spoke originally on in the crisis, disclaiming intention of occupying or invading. in in the earlier crimean case, highly equipment forces wearing uniforms and gear without invoicing insignia moved in first to take control, before later being replaced by russian military forces. then. >>, russia said it was acting to protect minority's rights. but the whole world now those that they weren't, as the o.s.c.e. reported, minorities at risk in crimea are tatars and ukrainians. you have heard that there are no russian troops in eastern ukraine. but the fact is that many of the armed unit that we have seen were outfitted in bulletproof vests, camouflage uniforms with insignia removed.

the armed unit, some wearing black and orange, st george's ribbons, associated with russian victory day celebrations raised russian and separatist flags over seized buildings and called for referred ultimates and union with russia. re know who is behind this, indeed the only entity in the area capable of the coordinated professional actions is russia. the synchronized surgical seizure of buildings occurred in towns along the main highway. followed by armed roadblocks, as if a coordinated barrier was being formed in kiev and donetsk and luhansk. you don't have to take my word or that of the ukrainian government. you need only witness the video of professional military shepherding thugs into a building. the photograph showing the so-called concerned citizens taking over slovyansk, equipped like the elite troops that took

crimea, or the video of a military operation by armed men with the same equipment. you have heard laments about ipp stability as if it was organic. the fact is this is the saddest kind of instability. it is man made. it was written and choreograped in and by rush ape. we continue efforts to de-escalate efforts. it's why secretary of state john kerry will participate in the geneva talks on april 17th, which will include russian foreign minister sergei lavrov. if that is to be successful, russia will have to explain why its forces continue to mask on the ukrainian border 40,000 forces and will have to come with inside on how to de-escalate. the united states stands with

ukraine, and the fundamental principal that the future of ukraine must be decided by the ukrainian people. we stand with international law and norms, and the fundamental principal that borders are not suggestions. we will conclude the one billion loan guarantee, benefitting all the ukrainian peep, including -- people, including minorities. joe biden will visit ukraine. we support the agreement between ukraine and the i.m.f., and we will support ukraine's elections at the end of may, so ukraine can advance its political transition and look to a peaceful future. thank you madam president. >> you have been listening to ambassador samantha power at the united states, speaking to the security council.

concerned about the russian actions behind the militants seizing government buildings in eastern ukraine, the united states clear that it believes russia is behind the unrest. we have seen armed gun me faking over the -- gunmen taking over buildings, roadblocks and cities blocked off. we'll keep an aon developments and it's a tense weekend in ukraine. we have other news to get to, including the latest in the efforts to start the middle east peace talks. we go indepth in "the week ahead". al jazeera will debut an original series called "borderland," retracing the fot steps of three migrants who died trying to cross the united states.

>> welcome back to al jazeera

america. here are the top stories we are following. the u.n. security council is meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation in ukraine. pro-russian activists are refusing to leave. ukraine's acting president is promising to fight back with an anti-terror operation. >> a report by a u.n. panel urges governments to take action to fight the effects of climate change. the panel found global greenhouse gas emissions have risen faster in the last decade. the u.n. it calling on countries worldwide to address renewable energy. >> in kansas city three are dead after a gunman opened fire. there has been a string of shootings along highways, it's unclear if today's incidents are related. it's sunday time, time for "the week ahead".

tonight we look at the u.n. peace stalks. martin indyke is returning. there'll be a knew meeting date of 29 july. we begin with background. >> determined to make a difference in the middle east peace process secretary of state john kerry made a dozen trips to the middle east since beginning his tenure. >> it's a combination of ego that he thinks he can achieve this, but there's a belief, and he's right, that an israeli-palestine peace agreement could help to stablilize the middle east. >> despite attempts, the talks may have broken down. in testimony before the senate foreign relations committee kerry cited israel's announcement of 700 housing units for jewish settlers as the cause of the impasse. >> that was the moment. >> he called actions by both sides unhelpful. each side says the other is not keeping up its side of the

bargain. israel promised to release palestine prisoners, now it wants to tie that release to an extension of the talks due to end this month. the palestinians promised not to apply to join the unor other international -- u.n. or other international organizations, but went back on that when the prisoners were not released. john kerry faced failure and tough questions. many wondered why john kerry used so much of his own and the administration's prest eeg. >> john kerry doesn't do anything without barack obama's approval. it would be a question that the administration made a decision to devote time to the peace talk. it's easy to say john kerry is a fool. but it was the administration. >> david rowe suggests perhaps this attempt at peace is at an

pd. >> if the ernst do do much they are blamed, if the americans do too little they are blamed. >> for an administration in the second term, time may be running out. >> negotiating teams met today trying to save the crumbling talks. they met the same people on thursday, and they over turned before the april 29th deadline. he faces a difficult pass of convincing the talks of collapsing. each blamed each other. the core issue is settlement in the west bank. israel continues to build. if that were solved, many of the problems remained, notably who should control jerusalem. joibing us is a professor, and an associate professor at mary mount college. thank you both for being was. the blame - i mean, they are

falling apart here. secretary of state john kerry kind of suggested it might be the israelis ta backed off, each blaming the other. who is at fault? >> the first thing you have to keep in mind is there's an occupation and a stronger party and a weaker party. i don't think it's at fault, it's saying whether or not the party are absolutely determined and committed to this peace process. and it's always unfortunately seems that the israelis, sips they do have the -- since they do have the upper hand are putting the different cards out at the right time in order to shift the process back to no more talking. >> do you think they are stalling, the israelis? >> i don't think it's in the interests of anybody to stall them. i think basically john kerry wants to re-assess, reanalysing and re-organising his team, himself and ideas. what is going on right now is the same. the united states has not put

anything on the table sings the hostile accord. that's why we are failing. what the united states really have to do and must do at this statement a basically present new ideas and say to both parties that we will continue if you really see other things. there is a political press department. george w. bush did it in 1991. he held $400 million from the israeli government that continued to build settlement, why can't john kerry say, we give you three, four, five billion, we'll withhold the first billion if you build a unit. we'll with hold the second billion if you don't do this. >> is it fair to punish the israelis, they say the palestinians are not holding up their end of the deal.

>> i think it is, actually, because of the position they have in the context of the talks. since 1967 it was decided this would be a two-state solution. since then they have been moving step by step into the west bank, and that's why they control and monitor movements and have a wall. they are the stronger party, it's like an older brother, sister. you have to set the ground when you are the stronger one, the one with the greater amount of resources. >> they say they have set the ground, they released dozens of prisoners, and consider the land theirs. they one it years ago. >> it's a fight of both parties over the land. before 1948, there are palestine inhabitants there and there will be and certain are there currently. i would say the idea of taking billions from israel is difficult. i think it needs to be done on

an international stage. the politics and policies and position on the israeli lob any makes it difficult for congress to decide to change which policies, whether the administration wants to or not. >> let's go over it, the current deal we are talking about that secretary of state john kerry negotiated. it was an attempt to get the two sides talking after years of inactivity. it requires of plains to refrain from violence. not to seek recognition at u.n. and other institutions, which it tried to do. israelis were required to release palestine prisoners, which it did not do, and an agreement reached at the end of the month. a time limit was imposed. israeli want the talks open-ended. both sides not living up to the deal. do you think if it falls through, if we see another failed mid east peace talks, that the time is now suggested

to isolate or punish israel. >> i don't think it's punishing the right way that we are looking for. >> what we are looking for is spern national security -- international security interests, how they'll be served. i believe americans national security interests will be established by a two-state solution. we want to stop the expansion over china. we have to pay attention to asia, the united states of america. if israel doesn't cut a deal within the coming 5-10 years, the united states will evolve slowly, who will protect israel or negotiate op behalf of israel the deal that israel can get. here what we are talking about is when you look at the landscape and measure it well, you see the united states, by doing this, is doing israel a

favour. >> holding the peace talks. >> by insisting that there must be a palestine state. what are the three other options? one state solution. a transfer of the palestinians international committee will not allow. a 2-state solution is not what they are ready for. where are we going from here, how can we role the dice and throw the ball. it's not going to help the country. the palestine by 225 will be 9 million between the river and mediterranean. how are the israelis going to own this in 10 years. >> let's talk about the settlements. they are forbidden from building. st rail has been doing it -- is hail has been doing it. it accelerated. we have a graphic showing how many are there. in 1983, 15 years after israel took over the west bank 23,000 settlers are living there.

10 years number it quadrupled from 23,000 to close to 111,000. by 2011 there were more than 328,000 west bank settlers there. inland, settlements that mostly the international community considers illegal. if this is as simple as do not build in the west bank, why not just stop building in the west bang and we have peace? it's not that simple, is it. >> firstly, nothing is ever that simply or black and wight, palings when -- white, especially when people have emotions and ideals in their head of what they want to determine and where they want to go with that. settlements are a huge problem. they increase every year. every time there's a peace process they increase. bill clinton came close to the peace process, and israel hases highest amount of settlements.

they are almost de facto making a one-state solution. it's controversial to look at it that way. at this point, with the settlements on the border and the growing ones. they are de facto making one state out of the area. now, what are they going to do with the marginalizing and the people that are there? this is, i think, something that needs to be discussed and talked about. >> israel showed in the past that it's willing to move settlers, it took them out of the gaza strip. is it fair to say that israel is trying to move towards a one-state solution. >> on the ground that suggests that. the national security interest of israel should not recommend that and the national security interest of the united states is against that. the americans would like a two-state solution. i believe that the nature of

depp okay rahsy is it's a parliamentarian democracy, anduably factions that join in the government from 1980 are smaller factions that are with more religious tendency and nationalistic point of views which mean they constantly ask the israeli government, whoever it is, to continue to build in the west bank because it's the religious, historic, god-given to the jewish people. at the same time, at the same time, how can you solve the question of the growing civilian population of the palestinians. you don't want to have them in the democratic, but you don't want to organise them. how do you solve this problem? this is the conundrum. this is what we are talking about, up to 5 million palestinians that will be in the west bank by 2:25. what is israel's policy, response to them? that is exactly - this is what john

kerry is going to do. consubstantially reminding israeli counterparts in congress and the guess et. he's telling them, and this is not going to go away. >> when you look at the time line, back in 1948, after the u.n. voted for the palestine, in the 1957 mid east score, israel won control of the gaza strip. 1978 camp david accords lead to peace between israel and egypt, but for many years israel prffed to talk to the plans. that changed with the oswald accords, creating the palestine authority, but no state. a few years later a roadmap. a lasting dale out of reach and the president obama relaunched the peace process. here today, still no piece. is this a never ending cycle.

will we never see peace in the middle east. >> the way it stands now, i don't know how it will move forward. i have been looking at this in negotiations since madrid. we are having the same discussions, the same arts, the same it the for tad, you did this, i did that, who is to blame, whose rockets are who and where are they landing, what is the retaliation capacity that is supposed it be against those. this whole thing, we have to think about the people, and how we want to decide to have the region, it is dependent on each other. i don't think it is opposite of the u.s. interests to have a one-state solution. i think it would be in the interests of everyone. it would improve economies, improve shared resources and water, and natural gas, and it would stop a lot of the animosities that are going through, if you have a more equal and dynamic, instead of

constant alterations going on. >> one wonders, really, is this the right time, we have gone for years with a pause in peace talks. why launch into it now, especially since the region seems peaceful, compared to years in the past. both are not willing to move on key issues, why is secretary of state john kerry and president obama bothered? >> i think they are going through a restructural changes. we are moving from the one polar - uni polar system to a multi polar system. if israel doesn't get the best deal now when american is the uni polar, the greatest power on earth, israel is not going to get a better deal when china or russia or the european union or a multi polar system when india, china and the united states - all of them deal and have the same vote. that's why we are urgent.

we are moving towards china, the middle east must be stabilized. we don't want to throw them under a bus or the bus. make them a deal preserving their entity and business. and insist on their political history and so on and so forth. >> so that eni wonder if the -- end i wonder if the window is closing. i felt the fear that israel is concerned that they won't have the support of the united states for too much longer if this continues, fair. >> i think it's very fair. things are changing on an international level. boycotts are coming up, the ones during the '90s, during and before the madrid talks. people are talking about this. the europeans are saying it's a good time to do something, and make a decision. also the community, the e.u. was a whole is supporting this particular initiative and i happen to agree that this is the time to do it, if i think in the

lopping run israel wants to stay in its independence and be a nation state within a sof rein within the region. into hopefully there's time for a breakthrough to come through. thank you both for coming in tonight. we appreciate it. >> al jazeera america will continue following the peace talks leading up to the 28th dead line. here are are if you more event in the week ahead: >> still ahead on al jazeera america - change in cuba - more people are being allowed to start their own business. that's ahead.

>> into today marks five years since president obama eased a travel ban to cuba, making it

easy for cuban americans to visit and send money home. they had a turbulent relationship back to 1959 when fidel castro overthrew the president, leading an army into havana. two years later the u.s. launched a bay of pigs attack. the soviet considered sending nuclear missiles to cuba in 1962, leading to the tense cuban missile crisis. relations thawed this the coming decades. in 2002 jimmy carter paid a goodwill visit, becoming the first american president to visit. in 2008 fidel castro's brother took lofr. president obama eased travel restrictions in 2009, announcing the u.s. were seeking a new beginning with cuba. each year americans, many with cuban roots, are taking advantage of theeesed policy. nearly 200,000 americans visited

cuba. we have this report from miami on the impact. >> family brought robert fisher to cuba twice. he had no problem playing the tourist and the ham. what made the trip special was meeting his in-laws and seeing the island through their eyes. >> you drive through the city and visit family and friends that you haven't seen in 30, 40, 50 years. you visit them and see the conditions they go through. it's devastating. it's heartbreaking. >> the number of american tourists visiting cuba continues to rise. 2014 is on track to be a record year. president obama eased travel restrictions five jeers ago. since then, 355,000 more americans have walked the streets of cuba. havana is the top destination. >> in the five years since opening up travel and remittance to cuba, we have seen the

greatest change in the island. isolation as a policy never worked. riccardo is with a cuban study group, a nonprofit comprised of business and community leaders. he says the increase in american tourism is putting cash into the pockets of small business owners and employees, easing the restrictions on remittances is injecting money into the ailing economy. >> over 450,000 private entrepreneurs operating are doing so with seed funding and resources. >> travel to cuba may be harder in the short term. >> americans hoping to visit cuba may have a hard time getting visas. they were suspended after a u.s. bank couldn't be found to handle diplomatic acts. a tour operator says the problem is gettings worse. >> after two trips to cuba, he has no plans to return. he is more interested in

bringing cuban in-laws here, so they can see america through his eyes. >> and four years ago cuban president raul castro loose ned restrictions on the economy. one of the first changes was to allow cubans to work for themselves. we look at how this is affecting some. >> this is a peanut seller in the heart of old hav scrna. she has been working for herself for a year, one of the growing number of cubans working for themselves, now that president raul castro has loosened control. designed to help the economy. >> the advantages of being self-employed is that thanks to god i can manage my own income. i don't have to rely on a salary. i can organise the financing of my home and life. >> living out state support has disadvantages. on her days off she is at home

sorting, cooking and packing peanuts. some versions of state control appeared, others from free market has arisen. >> when i started to sell peanuts they cost three paces 50. now they are at 15. then there are times when they are at 20 paces. the paper used to cost 10, now it's 25, then it will go up to 30. >> for more than 50 years, all that most cubans have known is a tightly run system. in an efficient, bureaucratic, providing few insent ists to work. changes are coming, they don't come easily. courses are run at this college. some of the aspects of those living in market economies take for granted - such as accounting, marketing and customer service. >> we discovered there a need to prepare them. we didn't want them to open

businesses that would fame, because that wouldn't be good for the economy. >> entrepreneurs, capitalists, are still few in a socialist system. she is enjoying some of the freedoms being self-employed brings her, she's an individual working in her own way. but experiences something of the pressures too. >> there ares more ahead on al jazeera america. including rebecca with the forecast. >> we have tornado warning in iowa and oklahoma. we'll look where the severe weather is continuing tonight and tomorrow.

>> we're back with weather, we

have severe storms. >> they have been firing up, they are strong, bringing in rain, dangerous lights nipping. tornado twice in iowa, and oklahoma. renewed warnings for iowa, and oklahoma. we look at the rain. you can see it coming intense and heavy, the indications of the darkness of red those that there's heavy large hail embedded with respect the storms. we had a lot of damage yesterday from parts of michigan, cleaning up from powerlines coming down, and kel see the same thing overnight tonight. look at the winds gusting up to 40-45 miles per hour. when you look at the direction of the wind gusts you an see where the cold front is sitting. note how the arrows are converging at that front. warm air from dallas, slamming into the cold air from the north. temperatures have been crashing

down 50 degrees in places. >> thank you. that does it for us on this sunday night. thank you for joining us. i'm jonathan betz, i'll be back at 11:00 pm eastern. city with us. the premier of "borderland" starts now on al jazeera america. >> we made border security a top priority. >> it's not really immigration. it's an invasion. >> they're a constructive part of our society.