>> 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 >> hello, and welcome to aljazeera america. i'm del walters in new york, and these are the stories we're following for you. russian president, vladimir putin, sending mixed messages will ukraine, saying that he will go in to protect the people, but hopes that he doesn't have to do so. the military with deadly results. in nigeria, where are the girls? rescued or still being held by their kidnappers? >> a new kind of car.

>> and celebrating half a century of a classic, the ford mustang. it was q-and-a with russian president, vladimir putin today. in a live call-in show, he answered questions about ukraine, for the first time admitting that russian troops were in crimea, and not ruling out russian involvement in eastern ukraine. pro russian protest, tried to seize a base. 13 killed and others wounded. and ukrainian troops continue with their anti-terror campaign, trying to boot out separatists. looking for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and ukraine and u.s. making their claims at the security council. >> we have president putin

flatly denying that the russian troops are in the ukraine. >> this is nonsense, there are no special forces and no instructors. they're all local citizens, and this is proof that the people have taken off their masks. they are the owners of the land and they will not leave. >> well, that runs totally counter to what the u.s. and the eu and most importantly kiev says. they say that russia is making all of the running in east ukraine and it's basically leading the unrest there. putin went on to say, interestingly enough, that he admitted that russian troops were involved in the annexation of crimea. this was after forthright denials by him, lavrov, his press secretary and others saying categorically at the time they were not involved. this is after sevastopol, a

military base, and he said that the referendum could not have taken place. this today is covering a lot of crimea and ukraine for office reasons. speaking of the people of ukraine, putin said that they're going to rise, and the military who stayed on and have not gone back to ukraine will be paid four times as much as ukrainian troops. putin said that there's no way, he's certain that russia and ukraine can reach what he described as mutual agreement. we have too much to do with each other not to do that, he said. >> that is peter sharp reporting from moscow. there are conflicting reports at this hour about the 129 girls kidnapped from their school on monday. the nigerian government reporting that the girls have been rescued.

but there are reports that only 14 have escaped. haran is being blamed for the kidnapping. he describes how boca haran was able to commit a mass kidnapping. >> in the process of doing that, they have done, and it was foiled. they have done what they wanted to do, and of course they are terrorists and they always have a way and means of doing that. but i assure you that we have succeeded because we have just rescued the girs, and we are making all efforts all over the country to make sure that this issue last name be happening again. >> boca haran is also blamed for an attack on monday.

75 people were killed. memorial services for people killed at jewish centers over the weekend. fraser glen cross is facing two charges of murder. he could be sentenced to death. cross is antisemitic and a high ranking member of the kkk. tell us how the community is coping. >> well, del, it's a very solemn day here at overland park. that vigil is just getting underway as we speak. at the same time, the funeral services for one is taking place. we're trying to keep our voices down here out of respect. it is very quiet. several hundred people have arrived here in overland park to honor the three victims of sunday's shootings, and we do expect the attorney general, eric holder, to be here as well. >> we'll go back to this once the situation has begun.

this is in kansas city. and at the white house today, the president is honoring a group of veterans, to honor soldiers brought to the white house. let's listen. >> we're very proud of everything that joe has done. this is the fifth time that i have the honor of welcoming a soldier to the white house, and this is one of my favorite events of the year. first of all, you know it's spring, or it's at least supposed to be spring when the soldier ride comes around. but mainly, it's because those who participate are such an incredible inspiration to me and to our country. all the riders, you look outstanding, especially after biking 17 miles yesterday. and you're doing another 17 miles tomorrow and another 17 miles after that. all told, 16 miles, and today we want to the cheer you on. i think that we have folks from

the army here. is that right in [ cheers ] >> and the navy [ cheers ] >> airforce [ cheers ] >> marines [ cheers ] >> that was good. >> coral gables [ cheers ] >> and we have extraordinary families here today. yeah, families. by now, everybody knows the story of how this got started. you have a bartender on long island, chris carney, who came up with the idea of riding his bike across america to support wounded warriors. chris couldn't be here today, he owns a gym now, and today there are soldier rides all across the country, and we want to thank everybody at the wounded warriors project for their incredible support. i know some of you are doing this for the very first time. some of you have ridden three or four times. some of you have ridden in

tandem with your parents, and biking 30 miles is difficult for anybody, but it's a mark of how far you've come. many of you are recovering from devastating injuries, and some of you have had to learn the basics all over again. how to stand again, and run again, and now you're here today because that's what soldier's ride is all about, seeing each other through the finish line. lieutenant commander, john parry is here. he was hit by a foot patrol and ended up losing his leg. but reflecting on his service, he said he would do it all again. and now he has a new goal, getting in the best shape possible so he can play with his three kids, and he's here on his first soldier run. we have master sergeant ramirez, serving in afghanistan, he lost good friend in a terrible ambush, and he even assisted at the airport as he began the

transfer home. and later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, credits the wounded warrior's project with helping them here. he says, you know they got you. it's now his fourth ride. sergeant major cedric banks is here. an explosion in iraq left him with injuries to his back and neck and traumatic brain injury, but after years in rehab, cedric volunteers in washington, helps young men with the life skills that he needs to schedule. and he calls himself now a warrior for society. this is his first soldier ride. major jeanette ayawa. i first met her while she was recovering from an injury in iraq. when i met her, jeanette shook

my hand and said, mr. president, all of the soldiers think that your coin is the best. and i made a bet that there's a coin that could trump yours, and she said, i want the first lady's coin. that would beat yours. and it is true that the first lady trumps me. but jeanette says her proudest accomplishment is being a peer mentor to other rounded warriors. she says that during the recovery, i was definitely being carried. and now i feel like i'm helping to carry others. i want to thank you, jeanette. and this ride is first and foremost for these incredible riders, but it's men and women like john and louise and cedric and all of you who make the rides so special to all of us. because you inspire us. you inspire the country. some of whom will be out cheering along your ride. you inspire me, with your

resolve and resilience and tenacity. your optimism. it makes me proud to be your commander in chief. and michelle and i treasure every moment that we get to spend with you and your families. every day, i have the honor of serving as the commander and chief. as long as i have that honor, i will keep fighting to make sure that you and your families get the care and treatment and benefits that you deserve. people and of you to serve your country, to give your all and make your sacrifices, you've raised your hands and you've stepped up and held up your end of the bargain. especially now, as we're winding down the war in afghanistan, after a decade of war, that we're standing up for you. our obligations to our veterans endure for your entire lives. that's our mission, that's why we're here. not just during this ride, but all year long. so with that, the sun's out.

it's a spectacular day. the racers look like they're ready. and i think it's time for us to get this party started. god bless you. god bless america. let's get this going. >> as you've been listening to the president of the united states introducing soldier ride, to benefit veterans. libby casey is at the white house, and it's fascinating that the president is flanked by the vice presidented second day in a row. and some say that this may be part of his campaign for the white house. >> we always read whatever we can. and it's significant that the vice president is here at this significant event. both the president and the vice president and the first lady and dr. biden have made helping america's wounded warriors a top priority. you can hear in the background,

i can hear a lot of the cheers and the enthusiasm that's still going on. and as the president said, it's one of his favorite events of the year. and it brings together a community of veterans, some who have been wounded physically, and some wounded mentally and psychologically, and we're talking about veterans that served and have to suffer through the recovery process, but this bike ride is a nowful event for the white house. some ride on regular bikes, and some on recumbent bikes, but they're trying it get them on the road to have a feeling of accomplishment and certainly that their commander in chief is supporting them today. >> there's the concern on both sides of the aisle that politicians in washington are saying a lot when it comes to veteran's affairs, but not backing it up with dollars. absolutely, big concerns, and the prompt that we're talking about.

the wounded warriors, is outside of the function of government. representing the white house is doing enough for hospital services and in terms of helping them in the years that it takes to get them back on their feet and helping with job place many. so there has been a lot of focus in congress and at the white house on following through, and not letting wounded veterans get forgotten, because as the president said, the war in afghanistan is winding down, and the war in iraq, and perfect all interprets and purposes, the u.s. has wound down their role. so it's not just a page turner of consciousness, but it takes dollars from the veterans affairs department to followthrough as well. >> libby casey in washington, thank you very much. the passengers of the missing ferry passengers says that not enough is being done to find their loved ones. 18 bodies have been recovered

and 200 are still missing. most of the passengers were high school students. getting a look at rescue teams today. and the fear is that there are those still trapped. >> day two of this operation, and the rescue countries were in doubt where the missing may be. but for all of the divers just getting access to the ferry, let alone locating anybody inside is a challenge. the low cis rehabilitate and the depth, expressing concern for those inside. for other parents, the ordeal is more grueling. you're just repeating what they're saying on the news, one woman tells officials. they say, there have been too few dives, and time is running out for their children.

text messages and facebook posts coming from inside of the ferry. >> we think 60 to 70 people are still alive. but when we talk to them, they just worry about whose job it is, and keep passing it on to be somebody else. >> the police have checked the phones of the missing, and have concluded that the text messages are fake, and they intend to track down and punish those responsibility. the parents have gone through another long, awful day. and what they want is what the authorities haven't been able to provide them. real news in the fate of their loved ones. several details have emerged on the investigation. coast guard officials saying a deviation from the government recommended route might have contributed to the sinking, and also a sharp turn made by the vessel just before it got into trouble. they're also questioning the captain, reportedly one of the

first off of the ship, why the passengers were being told to stay on. and lifeboats not being deplayed. a huge response to a national tragedy, made up of hundreds of individual ones. aljazeera, south korea. >> in new york, the trial of abu hamza is underway. he's accused of trying to set up a jihaddist training camp in oregon. he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. coming up on aljazeera america, 50 years ago, one of america's most popular cars rolled off the assembly line in detroit. but times have changed for the motor city, trying to rebuild a successful future for itself. and coming to wall street, if you're wondering what it is, we have the answer.

>> 50 years ago, detroit was thriving with currency, giving birth to the name, motown. they ushered in the ford mustang, and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the iconic roadster in a variety of ways. there's one exactly the way it was in 1964. making 64 of the limited edition cars, and they will be on display this year. but that's just one side of detroit. motown has been in decline for decades, and in the latest installment of our series, five days of detroit, how the motor city is trying to turn the curve. >> 80,000 abandoned buildings fill detroit's landscape. result of 50 years of decline. race riots in the 1960s, the dive of the auto industry, and finally, the great recession.

the population down to 700,000 after a peak of close to 2 million. >> we saw folks just walk away, i can't afford it, i'm leaving. >> neighborhoods like marcus cummings are plagued by crime. abandoned and rotted out homes speak to the decline. >> it's tough to see it go down this far, but we're hang in there. >> these are structures started by squatters and illegal dumpers. >> was there ever a sense of hopelessness with the situation, with the blight? >> maybe not hopelessness, but definitely frustration with the fact that we're stuck with these homes for so long, and nobody is maintaining them, nobody is taking responsibility. >> they are now. detroit is now embarking on a historic effort to tear down blight. in its bankruptcy restructuring,

the city is spending half a billion-dollar in clearing out decay. this would amount to razing 450 buildings a week in five years. >> there is the issue of having a lot of opportunity for economic development that will come after the blight is removed. >> there is a lot of land to cover. it's estimated that 40 of the city's 139 square miles are already vacant. >> the city's biggest challenge after eliminating blight is to reassemble the land for reuseful. >> and the city has already just begun an online program to auction off vacant, city-owned homes. >> just a second ac, we showed you the ford mustang. she's going to go there, but she wants all of us, if you want to, you better pack a jacket. it's going to be cool. >> that's right, you better pack

a jacket. it's going to be very chilly across the northern portions of the country. but the sun is out and it's going to be a beautiful day but a little bit on the chilly side. new york city will climb through the weekend, 80°, washington d.c., high of 56 today. and as you make your way down to atlanta, it will climb to 64, but the cold air is bottled up on the plains, and i'll tell you why. we had it push across minnesota onto wisconsin, and across the up of michigan. some areas picked up a foot of snow and most will be winding down and pushing into ontario, which is good news. this kind of system is not atypical for this time of year, but with the snow, most areas have surpassed their records for the month of april. in the northwest, we have a system pushing off of the coast. and it's going to bring heavy

rain across i5, into portions of wisconsin and oregon as well. so slow go on the roadways this. keep that in mind. back to the temperatures. it feels a little bit lower than normal this time of year, reaching a high of 50, but that cold air is certainly hanging on across the north central plains. when you factor in the winds pushing in out of the north, the lack of sunshine, just the cold air behind the storm, minneapolis feels like 21 today. 11° in thunder bay. and chicago climbing to a high, close to 50. but they're going to feel like 52 today. across the northeast, back to you del. >> 600 million users, $188 million.

fred gleason has more from hong kong. >> in china, it's the most widely used network in china, it's between twitter and facebook. it's accessed by 30% of the users here, and it has a market penetration similar to that of twitter in the united states. it was launched five years ago, and it radically changed the way that users used it's highly sensitive environment with protests against the government officials. today, it's still highly monitored by the chinese government and engages in its own censorship. >> people have outside who are going to use it, they're launching it very publicly outside, they're going to try to educate people inside of china. >> finding out how many people use webo, marketing in spanish generates millions, but it

suggests that the more than 500 million registered users. more than 10 million generate 90% of the messages. >> i use it to keep up. >> the company cannot float, but it hasn't turned a profit. >> the company, by the way, valued at 3 about the $4 billion. >> diplomats are talking in geneva while president vladimir putin is talking on tv. saying taking to the airwaves in a marathon performance talking about ukraine. an update on our top stories is next.

>> welcome back to aljazeera america. i'm del walters in new york. and these are the headlines. russian president, vladimir putin, for the first time admitting that russian troops were in crimea. and not ruling out any further

involvement in the eastern part of ukraine. 13 russian protesters dead and others wounded, trying to take a ukrainian army base. in geneva, looking for a diplomatic solution. there are reports about the 29 nigerian girls kidnapped from the school on monday. they maintain that the girls have been rescued, but reports that only 14 escaped. the islamic group is blamed. and the search continues for the missing 150 passengers onboard the ferry in south korea. most of them are high schoolers. and 18 have been confirmed dead city. >> the 13th edition of the tribeca film festival is underway in new york city. the stardommed on the making of his first album, released 20 years. there will be 80 films and

bombry, and it runs for the next ten days. we want to thank each and every one of you for watching aljazeera america. i'm del walters, and "inside story" is next. you can check us out 24 hours day day by going to aljazeera.com. >> new york's police had a special detail that kept an eye on the city's muslim communities trying to foil the next terrorist attacks faced with complaints and controversy the city has dropped the policy. it's the inside story. >> hello, i'm ray suarez. in 1993 and then again in 2001 muslim immigra