part of our special black history month coverage on al jazeera america >> announcer: this is al jazeera. ♪ and it's good to have your company for this al jazeera news hour i'm david foster and this is some of what we'll be looking at in detail in the next 60 minutes. as many as 300 migrants feared dead in the mediterranean after trying to reach europe. just two dangerous, the u.k. and france follow the u.s. and close their embassies in yemen.

and the european space agencies tests its new reusable space plane. ♪ so the leaders of germany, france ukraine, and russia are on their way to minsk, the capitol of belarus, and there they are expected to hold talks to try to reach some kind of peace deal for eastern ukraine. since the beginning of this year hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between the ukrainian troops and pro-russian pro-russian separatists there. a lot of preparer to work is normally done before the leaders arrive at this event. are you getting any idea about what might be on the table?

well yes, there has been a lot of prepare tory work being done. the contact group has been meeting here now and it involves representatives of the separatists, the european monitoring group, and representatives of russia and ukraine as well. then on monday there were talks going on in berlin at a kind of junior foreign minister level. all of that was trying to prep the ground work lay the ground work so that when the leaders come here they are all roughly in an area where something might be agreed. it is certainly not definite yet. we're talking about things like ceasefire lines, where are the front lines? we're talking about things like the border between russia and

ukraine, who's going to make sure that border is not thanco conduit for weapons and men, and we're talking about self determination, independence autonomy for the self declared republics themselves. but it's the secrets of them. how do these things get put in place? the order in which they happen that can allow a ceasefire to take place, hold and deliver some sort of meaningful situation by which a proper political settlement can occur. >> yeah there is a suggestion with lavrov saying that there has been noticeable progress that a ceasefire starting thursday morning is going to be discussed?

>> that's the rumor. there have been the various leaks about the terms set out in these talks. we will have to wait and see what the leaders decide when they come here. we're expecting them maybe as soon as the next hour or so. there is now a guard outside of the presidential palace on a red carpet waiting for these people to arrive. if there is no deal then we're going to be in a very sticky situation. what has trigger this diplomatic burst of action that we have seen over the last week is a real worry in europe and in america, the united states as well, that this situation is getting out of control, and that it might possibly run into a wider confrontation, a proper

proxy war, where the west would back one side russia would back the other, and there would be a furry unleashed in a country that is in the center of europe. so if nothing is agreed here we might see the united states coming in and properly arming the ukrainian military. we might see russia unveiling its hands and basically openly supporting the separatists and possibly troops coming in across the border in a proper sense. that's what everyone is worried about. that's what these talks are trying to avert. >> and petro poroshenko suggests that if this violence continues he is going to impose marshall law. he says it will be across the country. is that enforceable? >> reporter: well the ukrainian

army has been severely hampered in its campaign over the last few months by morale issues and -- and by the supply of men. it just doesn't really have enough men to wage a proper campaign of the type that it has been trying to fight. so petro poroshenko's claim that he is going to enact pass mobilization and a marshall law is kind of a last ditch attempt by him to win this campaign. it will have consequences economic consequences. he is trying to balance these two things, a, a military campaign to defeat or at least contain the separatists, but also he is trying to keep his country's economy on track at a time where the local currency has depleted by some 30 to 50% over the last week or so.

and it is possibly got only about another five week's worth of reserves in which to buy imports. that is a powerless state for his economy to be in. if marshall law is declared that will hit the economy even more seriously. >> indeed. rory challands there in minsk for us. meanwhile the fighting between ukraine's military and pro-russia separatists continues. several people injured in a bomb explosion at a bus station in donetsk. our reporter there is charles stratford. >> reporter: the burnt out wreckage at a bus station just hours before yet another attempt at negotiating an end to this conflict. thousands have been killed on both sides of this conflict. the attack came a day after at least ten soldiers and civilians

were kill ukrainian president, petro poroshenko visited the hospital and spoke to some of the wounded. the separatists denied the attack but prompted ukrainian troops to bolster their positions close to the front line. the shelling as you can hear continued right up to the beginning of the peace talks. we went to a village close to the front line where countless homes have been destroyed. >> translator: i want to live in peace. i don't want them to keep shooting to kill. >> reporter: nearly 5.5 thousand people have been killed and almost 13,000 wounded since this conflict began. the political divisions run deep and have huge international implications. evidence so far shows just how difficult it is to get both sides to lay down their arms.

charles stratford al jazeera, donetsk, eastern ukraine. more than 300 migrants may have died trying to reach italy. the coast guard rescued is 105 on sunday. neave barker has more. >> reporter: in high seas and plummeting temperatures two migrants are spotted in a ding ji. they were later rescued along with seven mores in another vessel, but survivors have told the u.n. refugee agency that more than 200 people have still missing. >> there were 203 people with them that have disappeared. they have been swallowed by the sea. it's quite surprising to us that

the e.u. cannot respond with a stronger solidarity with a stronger humanity and with a stronger strategy to that. >> reporter: at least four vessels are believed to have left the coast of libya over the weekend. on sunday night 29 african migrants died of hyperthermia. they were among 105 picked up. the fourth vessel remains missing. the survivors were brought here to the italian island of lampedusa lampedusa. in the last year more than 3,000 people have lost their lives attempting to reach europe by sea. italy scaled back a rescue scheme after the e.u. refused to share running costs.

in the vatican pope francis held prayers for the victims. >> translator: more migrants have died because of extreme cold during their long journey. i want to assure that i again encourage solidarity so that those in need are rescued. >> reporter: the italian coast guard is continuing its hunt for survivors, but the new rescue program that only operates a few miles off of the italian coast has put thousands of lives at risks. the u.k. and france are closing their embassies in yemen a day after the united states did the same. the u.s. is also telling its it is tins to leave the country as soon as possible. it's pulling out its diplomatic staff because of the defearing security situation and political crisis in yemen. the u.n. has warned that yemen

is on the brink of civil war. jamal has been at talks involving rival groups in though capitol. >> translator: the current situation is a result of previous accumulations, the collapse of the state and the breadth of islands, militias and militant groups. we stress the need for all parties concerned to live up to their responsibilities. >> it has been four years since the start of mass protests which lead to the fall of yemen's long time leader. the southern city of tyus was at the center of those protests. now people are there on the streets demonstrating against the houthis who have sieved power in the capitol of sana'a. >> reporter: this was the epicenter of the uprising when the yemenese joined the so cared

arab spring in 2011. and four years on tens of thousands have come out to the streets to demonstration in large numbers, but this year obviously the added message was not a celebration of the revolution but as one of the youth leaders told me they are scared that their revolution is slipping away. this is taste of what we have coming up. boko haram intensifying its attacks dozens are killed in niger. and a group leader that recruited fighters for isil is sentenced. ♪ to syria now, where the al-nusra front says it has captured 30 government soldiers

in the damascus countryside. the government forces backed by lebanese hezbollah fighters have captured several in the south. the british-based syrian observatory for human rights says the attack was lead by the hezbollah fighters. 20 opposition fighters are said to have been killed in the area on tuesday. iraqi special forces are on the offensive in central iraq. victoria reports. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: these are members of iraq's elite golden brigade on operations in raw mawdy. they are engaged with isil fighters every day. ramadi is important, because it

is near the border. isil controls most of anbar and also wants to seize his capitol, but the isil defensive is being pushed back. >> translator: the golden brigade are now in the district. we have achieved progress and will continue despite the difficulties. explosives and ied's are everywhere. there are rumors that this area will fall to isil but these are false rumors. >> reporter: most of the neighborhoods here have become regular battlegrounds. some iraqi solders based in raw maw -- ramadi have been battling isil fighters for a year. >> translator: we are still keen to do our job. every day isil attacks our

positions, but have suffered huge losses. >> reporter: it has been eight months since isil swept through this area. in ramadi the government has sent in row enforcements but in other cities pro-government tribes claim they have not getting the support they need to defeat isil. we're going to go to the u.s. now where the president, barack obama is asking congress for authorization to use military force against isil. let's go to alan fisher on the lawn in front of the white house. alan he is already using force against isil isn't he? >> this just gives him the legal framework to do it. he has been bombing isil for the last six months. he has been doing so under measures passed in 2001 and 2002 which aloued the use of military force against anyone who is involved in helping to

coordinate the attacks on 9/11. isil didn't even exist in 2001 and 2002 so you can see why there is some legal ambiguity. will this change anything on the ground? not immediately. and congress will take some time to give their formal approval. there will be hearings and committees and lots of people will have their say. barack obama would like this sorted sooner more than later, but it won't change what is happening on the ground and air strikes against isil will continue. >> alan i wonder if it means that he could if w this approval if asked to do so send in what they call the boots on the ground. >> reporter: certainly the worlding would have to be worked out. he would restrict operations for

only three years, which means the next president would have to decide whether or not to continue this operation or halt them completely. and that may go some way to calming the concerns of democrats who don't want to get involved in a never-ending conflict against a group that they don't know much about. so this at least gives them a little bit of comfort to vote this. barack obama has said that the threat from isil extends beyond the middle east and to the homeland of the united states and that's why he wants congress to take this action. it's the first time he has gong to congress for this sort of action. it's an important step on his part and it could take weeks or even months before he gets full congressional approval for what he wants to do. >> thank you very much. a court in an trerp has

sentenced a leader accused of recruiting young fighters for isil isil. simon mcgregor-wood is outside the court. >> reporter: this has been belgium's biggest trial of this kind and the judge in the handing down of his sentences decided that sharia for belgium the organization established in 2010 itself is now classed as a terrorist organization. the man who was leading that organization is the man who received the 12-year sentence for being the leader of this organization. he was allegedly a charismatic person who was actively

recruiting dozens and dozens of young belgium muslims to go fight for the cause as he would see it in syria and iraq. there were only nine defendants in the court to hear the verdict. 46 in all, 10 we think, have been killed fighting in syria, another 30 are still thought to be out there. the clear message, i think that the belgian authorities were trying to deliver with this mass trial, if you would like was to any other young belgium muslims thinking of going to syria, if they decide to return to belgium, that the belgium authorities will pursue them here and prosecute them and based on what we have seen here from the judge in an terp on wednesday, they will receive serious jail terms. boko haram is continuing its raids into countries boarding

nigeria. dozens of civilians have been killed. hah sham has more. >> reporter: the streets here are almost empty. shops are closed. in this town in niger, along the border with nigeria, dozens of civil cans have been killed in attacks. the wounded are treated at this hospital which is now protected by the army. this doctor is in charge of this small medical facility and the staff are struggling with the growing number of casualties. >> translator: in the last few days we have treated 50 people who were injured in the attacks. ten died of their wounds. almost 34 people have been kill sod far. they were mostly civilians. >> reporter: these are the victims of a boko haram suicide bombing in a busy market. the armed group have been on the

offensive in the area. it's fighters say their attacks are in retaliation against a military campaign lead by troops from niger and chad. many people have escaped from the area. they are worried about more revenge attacks. police in the philippines say the results of preliminary dna tests show that a senior member of a group linked to al-qaeda has been killed. our correspondent reports on the end of a policeman hunt that lasted a decade. >> reporter: this was one of southeast asia's most wanted men. he was a member of a group with ties to al-qaeda. the fbi in the united states set a $5 million bounty on his head. he was a u.s.-educated engineer.

wanted for the murder of a christian member of parliament in malaysia he was also one of the suspects behind the bombing of tourists in bali and indonesia. for over a decade he has evaded arrest. >> indonesia and malaysia the southern philippines were similar enough. he spoke the languages. he had at least three filipino wives, one of whom was the wife of the leader. so this means marrying into their extended families. he was a funder. he distributed money freely among the communities. he relied on them but they relied on him. and that is immediate personal loyalties. but his death came at a heavy price. 44 members of the special armed

forces were killed. >> it is tragedy at the expense of the host of 44 lives. what we know how we could have launch that particular operation that way, perhaps the same objective, but perhaps we could have done it a little different. >> reporter: it has also jeopardized peace talks in southeast asias most powerful group. the raid was in its territory. at least 15 members of the mlif were killed along with at least five other civilians and there are questions of the agreement. this may have lost police officers but it says a dead terrorists means more lives will be saved in the future.

still many here remain skeptical, because for as long as there is rebellion, the place will remain a haven for many men like this. stay with us we will be talking live to soma la's prime minister. plus a breath of fresh air in vietnam, how as open sewer has been transformed. we go behind the seens to take a look at professional cycling. ♪

>> america's first climate

refugees >> this is probably a hurricane away from it being gone. >> who's to blame? >> 36% of land lost was caused by oil and gas industry... >> ...and a fight to save america's coastline. >> we have kinda made a deal with the devil >> fault lines al jazeera america's hard hitting... >> today they will be arrested... >> ground breaking... they're firing canisters of gas at us... award winning investigative documentary series... the disappearing delta only on al jazeera america ♪ welcome back. you are with us here for the al jazeera news hour. these are the headlines, flaersd germany, france ukraine, and russia are due to hold talks to try to reach a peace deal in eastern ukraine. a bomb has injured several people in the eastern ukrainian city of donetsk. the united states says more than 300 migrants are feared

dead after trying to cross the mediterranean. four rubber boats are thought to have left from tripoli on saturday. the u.k. and france say they will be closing their embassies in yemen, a day after the u.s. did the same because of the deteriorating security situation and political crisis there. thousands of anti-houthi protesters have been holding a rally in the southern city of tyus. pirates off of its coast and rampant corruption somalia has to say at the very least got its problems. and the man with the job of sorting them out, i'm pleased to say is joining us now from mow ga dee shoe. very good to have you with us prime minister. with a list of problems like that it is going to be a tough job. >> yes, it is a tough job,

and -- but i think as all somalis are determined to move this country forward, and i think take it to 2016, and then i think have a country that is unified and [ inaudible ]. >> what is likely to be the toughest task that you think you and your new government will face? the security problem of trying to defeat al-shabab? what is the toughest task likely to be? >> i think is -- i think all of them. i think it -- security is number one. i think we have to take a difficult job, and with the military and security forces have already done a great, i think job, to really i think corner al-shabab in [ inaudible ] district.

i think it's our main task to liberate those people in that district and have a free country. >> i'm looking at a map that shows areas that al-shabab controlled about 15 months ago. all of the countryside around there is controlled by al-shabab. are you managing to push them back? >> yes, i think [ inaudible ] tremendously. i think in a few months or -- or i think year or so i think al-shabab now remains in a few districts, i think on and on it will be ten or less than that districts, and i think our forces are doing a great job to really kind of liberate. i think all of the major towns are now in the hands of the government, and i think all that remains is really a final push and we're in the process of

reallying taking on to them and having all of the districts in the hands of the government. >> you say our forces are doing a great job, but it's a 22,000 strong african union force. you continually need help from outside. >> yes, actually i think we appreciate i think the support we're getting from our brothers african forces also but don't forget it's our forces on the front line. we are getting support, and we really i think it's support we still require, but i think it's [ inaudible ] and also bring a force that can entirely take over this country, and i think a list -- gradually, i think, and move on to -- and taking over all of the security from the outside forces. >> how do you keep the outside world interested in continuing to help you in somalia when the

u.n. says so much of the money that comes into your country just disappears? and between the end of 2013 and 2014, it says between 70 and 80% doesn't go where it's supposed to go and the system is in many cases arguably worse than it was before. >> i think in any other kind of [ inaudible ] countries, i think when a country goes into war, you kind of lose institutions and i think all of our institutions need to be certain, and i think it's part of our, i think, the priorities of this government to really certain [ inaudible ] institutions. apart from that i think we also have a [ inaudible ] to really kind of establish some integrity and [ inaudible ] to really kind of ensure and build the confidence of our donors. >> that is a very worthwhile

aim, i'm sure everybody would agree. but the fact remains that it hasn't happened yet. so how do you stop people from stealing from the government from the people effectively? >> in second -- can't hear the question. >> i'm saying many would agree you need to do this. but how do you stop people from effectively stealing from your country? >> i think we have to -- two approach. one is i think bring in some experts that really have good knowledge of institutions as well as really enforce the law that whomever really goes into kind of stealing or misappropriating public funds must be dealt with the law, and i think this too approach will help to fortify our institutions

and in the meantime have access to [ inaudible ] so they can have an oversight on all of our financial systems. >> i have two final points for you prime minister one of which concerns the areas that al-shabab controls because during -- i think it was 2011 when there was a terrible famine, they refused to help so many citizens and they starved to death in many cases. do you believe your people are getting enough food at the moment? >> i think the food situation is still scarce and appealing to the world that we need to have better food security than we have -- we do now. and i think al-shabab is losing ground not only because of the military but because they have nothing to offer for the somali people. they really i think were part of that problem -- the famine that took place in 2011 and

that's why so many al-shabab leaders have defected now and actually in movement to the government. >> what about the case of the somali pirates who take over tankers, hold people hostage, demand massive ransoms, what do you do about that? >> actually in the last few years, the pirate issue has declined tremendously. and as we more liberate i think people are moving on to their own lives and try to build their own lives and see how they could be part of this economic kind of growth that will take place in this country. and the piratesy issue are not only those pirates going to the seas but also stealing our fish. and this is one of the root cause of what has created the

piracy. i think we're now dealing with the piracy on the ground and a lot of efforts have been put in place to really help stop the operations, and i think most of the operations that took place in the [ inaudible ] in the last couple of years has been successful and the results was really i think good results came out of that. >> prime minister we thank you very much for joining us on this al jazeera news hour and wish you the very best of luck in your second term as prime minister. good to talk to you, sir. >> thank you very much. barack obama's defending u.s. policy of not paying ransom to hostage takers. u.s. president also confirmed the death of the aid worker chi la mueller who was being held hostage in syria. the white house though challenging isil's claim that

she was killed in a coalition air strike. tom akerman has more. >> reporter: relatives and friends of the 26-year-old humanitarian aid worker struggled with the news of her death. >> in kayla's better she wrote, i have come to see there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look forit. and right now that's what we're all trying to do. >> reporter: the news of her death was confirmed in a private message from isil to her family. any white house said its intelligence agencies had verified her death, though not the cause or the time. but they also challenged isil's assertion that she was killed in a jordanian air strike. >> there is no evidence of civilians in the target area prior to the coalition strike taking place, and that certainly would call into question the claims made by isil.

>> reporter: u.s. secretary of state john kerry said quote, isis and isis alone is the reason kayla is gone. unlike the three americans beheaded by isil mueller was never put on display. but isil had demanded an exchange for the release of an al-qaeda members, now serving a prison sentence for attacking soldiers in afghanistan. her parents released a letter to them last year, saying that mueller had not been distreated and quote, she had a lot of fight left inside of me. she continued: last year a u.s. special forces mission reportedly attempted to free hostages but failed to find them at the targeted location. the white house says at least one other american is believed

to be held captive in syria, but not necessarily by isil. tom akerman, al jazeera, washington. the mysterious death of a prosecutor in argentina has shocked the jewish community. he accused the president of covering up the bombing of a jewish community center. our correspondent reports. >> reporter: sophia lost her only daughter in the bomb attack on the jewish community center at 9:53 am on the 18th of july 1994. she has been waiting, fighting ever since for answers. >> translator: at first, the pain was unbearable, and it continues to be unbearable but one learns to live with it. we believe everything they promised us that within a year all would be resolved. >> reporter: but more than 20

years late, sophia and the other families are still waiting, still marking the anniversary. their pain highlighted by the death last month of the investigator. >> translator: i hope there will be justice for nisman. he died for us. i hope his death won't be in vain. we call him the 86th victim. >> reporter: but while the victims families all want justice, they don't all agree how that should be achieved. some support the government many do not, while others take a different course. this man's ex-wife was one of the victims. >> translator: we're not going to say what others want to hear. we're not going to play politics to win supporters. we tell the truth, and if that upsets people that's their

problem. >> reporter: this is election year here. while every one says they want justice, both the government and the opposition have been accused of playing politics with the case. >> translator: we don't want anyone using either the dead or the death of nisman for political purposes. >> reporter: argentina has the largest jewish community in latin america. the bombing and the attack on the israeli embassy two years earlier in which 29 people were killed remain unsolved. since then the community has lived under tight security. while so many questions remain unanswered and justice has still not been done after the bomb that exploded here on this site nearly 21 years ago, the wounds remain unhealed.

with this latest scandal the death of alberto nisman those wounds have only reopened. in vietnam a once filthy waterway running through the heart of ho chi minh see has been transformed. it's a model for improving urban infrastructure without the smell. scott heidler reports. >> reporter: enjoying the air and view was unthinking when this man was growing up in this house. her family had lived along the banks of the canal for 50 years. >> translator: the water was black. there were mosquitos all over the place. >> reporter: the transformation took much more than dredging and trash removal.

this was the first phase of a politically ambitious plan. the goal to clean up and reconstruct the canal that had become an open suer for 1.2 million people. the improvement on the surface is obvious along the 8-kilometer long canal, but it's the 56 kilometers of sewer lines dug beneath the canal that are the key. the price tag shows the depth. this phase cost $360 million, nearly 80% of that came from world bank loans. >> translator: our project is the first large-scale operation with these solutions and technologies being built at the same time. we constructed several layers of sewage and drainage lines. >> reporter: and there are more areas to be cleaned up. the project's second phase was

approved late last year $450 million. this person moved near the canal just after the cleanup started. >> translator: the houses in the alley now contact to the road so their value has increased, so the cleanup has also given the economy a new chance. >> reporter: but for most who lived through the canal's dark past, the cleanup gives them something to pass on to later generations, even if it's simply fresh air at sunset. true or false? we'll let you decide in just a moment. i'm jessica baldman in london where amongst these old masters a chinese copy lurks. the challenge is to find it. and the captain has another bad day ahead of the cricket world cup. ♪

♪ i would not mind betting that you can spot a fake painting from the real deal. well, a museum in london is challenging visitors to see if they actually can. jessica baldwin explains. >> reporter: this gallery is one of the world's oldest. it is filled with hundreds of paintings, worth millions if not billions, but amidst all of these old masters and originals, lurks a copy worth $126.

the challenge for visitors is to spot awrong the 270 paintings, which is the fake. is it this one? or this one? some of the brush strokes look hurried. or is it this one. >> but putting a replica in one of the frames we're putting the replica in its original frame, so every picture becomes open to suspicion, and that heightens the sense of scrutiny. >> reporter: the gallery sent a picture to china. reproductions any period or style are big business in southern china. the artists are trained and expert in making copies. in one willage alone, studios and workshops produce 5 million replicas every year. and that poses some interesting questions, like what is art? and what gives it its values?

>> the value of art isn't just the value of what it looks like. it's not just an appearance it's the product of someone's effort and technique and originally. >> reporter: increasingly art is becoming an asset in the hands of the world's 1% alongside their stocks and bonds. so this really makes you look at the picture and see it for its beauty rather than for its price tag. visitors have until the end of april to register the picture they think is the one they made in china. after that the copy and the original will hang side by side. >> and now to another master. >> thank you david. english premier league has hit back. it has sold its british tv rights for a record

$7.8 billion. the executive saying the league is a success story and not a charity. he was responding to calls that some of the cash be given to grassroots football. the league is expected to receive at $3 billion later this year. >> our clubs having to complete with the likes of real madrid and barcelona, which you know their own individual television incomes, which are larger than any of ours and therefore, this will get our top clubs nearer to the european clubs, and you in the room will be the first to criticize the premier league. broadcast deals put the top leagues apart. the new contract will bring in $2.6 billion a season. that's a 70% increase on the current deal. in spain clubs organize their

own individual tv contracts. they total just over $850 million a season but more than a third of that goes to barcelona and real madrid. the german league's earning power is way down. $560 million is just 20% of the premier league's sum. the nfl leading the way on $7 billion a season. well earlier on we spoked to kevin carpenter, and he said the huge increase in price for the premier deal wasn't expected. >> everyone was surprised about the figures. there are a number of factors that contribute to that. the incredible success of the premier brand around the world, but chiefly the battle between sky sport, and bt for a number of different sporting rights and the champions leagues rights were taken away from sky.

and this is sky's flagship product. and the majority do subscribe for sports in particular the premier league but people are still surprised about the huge percentage increase. owen morgan's form continues as they lost to pakistan. for the third time he failed to score a run. 250-8 in sydney. and 133 by captain. pakistan reached the total pretty easily with 7 to spare. pakistan winning by 4 wickets, and they will be playing india on sunday. >> that was really a good confidence booster for our team and things are getting in -- in a get shape, so i think that that will really give us a lot

of confidence and obviously we have to really go there, and show some good character against ip dee -- india, because it's always about pressure and who handles the pressure well. >> from the first inning sky balanced really well. joe showed what he is sort of capable of and sort of trying to find his form back to being the best. he has had a very good 12 months and the better we can have him to his best the better at succeeding it. the course in cycling is pretty flat but the desert root has been giving the riders a far from easy time. >> reporter: a new day rises in a sport that's continuing to rebuild from years of drug-tainted controversy. the greenedge team is one of the

fresh faces emerging. >> some people think we are not serious, but that's the way australians does it and the people coming on this team follow that route. >> reporter: the team are currently in qatar. it's part of a demanding schedule for these riders and crew. >> i think you would be surprised how much effort it takes to build up a team like this. >> reporter: painful leg cramps and constant challenges from rivals are the least of these riders' worries, in the middle east it's the elements that will get you. >> the cross winds are hard to explain unless you are out there. but the wind really come from the side. if you are caught at the end, there's only so much road you are in the desert the dirt or you will be with the next crew.

>> reporter: receiving treatment on the road for open gravel wounds will definitely slow riders down. being on the road competing is what mostly makes these riders but a huge part of this job is to always be available for a drug test. but in this era testing is not negotiable. >> the sport has changed a lot over the years, and you can see it in the style of racing too. so it's all for the good in the sport coming out of a bad area. >> people controlling us are also fans from cycling, and that's what we want that other people from other sports look to us like they are really doing it well. >> reporter: exhausted and in pain from a hellish, 195-kilometer journey, they have finally reached the end of this stage. >> for me that's probably one of the craziest stages i have seen just -- yeah. the wind storms with the sand

blowing over the road. it was like going to war. apocalypse type of scenario. >> reporter: but memories will fade and they will be back to do it all again tomorrow. sarah coates al jazeera, doha. more sport of course on our website, aljazeera.com/sport. our top story morocco rejecting sanctions for withdrawing from hosting the african cup of nations. they will be appealing against that decision. aljazeera.com/sport. >> andy thank you very much indeed. a test flight of a new reusable space plane blasted off about two hours ago. it has already splashed down. just a test this was.

having a look at the technology for its own version of nasa's space shuttle. >> this is a fundamental step today to master the technology for next step eventually being able to look at these type of obligations so bringing back to people for different infrastructures, and the capability to bring back launcher stages for example, for reusable launch vehicles as well as to open the way to the possibility to bring back samples from asteroids or other planets. this is a fundamental step that we are doing today. we are going to gather a lot of data. we have more than 300 sensors, and infrared cameras, so we're going to master all of the critical re-entry phenomenon. >> the mission director says the aim of the test flight is to collect important data. ♪

>> an al jazeera america special report >> unfortunately, you can't "should have", all we can do is move forward >> a nation forced to take a closer look at race. >> ...check which ethnicity... i checked multiple boxes... this is who i am... >> what does it really mean to be the minority? >> black history comes up, everyones looking to hear what you have to say, because you're the spokesperson... >> how can we learn from the past? and create a better future? an al jazeera america special report race in america all next week part of our special black history month coverage on al jazeera america

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on al jazeera america leaders in europe and russia arrive in belarus for talks on the crisis in eastern ukraine. ♪ hello there, you are with me david foster watching al jazeera. also coming up in the next 30 minute as many as 300 migrants feared dead in the mediterranean after trying to reach europe. just too dangerous, the u.k. and france follow the u.s. and close their embassies in yemen.