>> techknow's team of experts show you how the miracles of science... >> this is my selfie, what can you tell me about my future? >> can affect and surprise us. >> don't try this at home. >> "techknow" where technology meets humanity. monday, 6:30 eastern only on al jazeera america. . >> this is al jazeera america. i'm michael eaves in new york. here are the top stories - nigerians vote for a new president as they face violence and tactical problems. despite three days of air strikes houthi rebels advance, as the united nations pull the international staff out of the capital. with a deadline looming at the iran nuclear talks, secretary of state john kerry says it's time to make hard decisions. family and friends remember loved ones lost in the germanwings crash.

we begin with violence and technical problems disrupting what is expected to be a close election in nigeria. one of the key issues which candidate would do the best job at stopping the threat of boko haram, and encum want president promising his regime is on the verge of wiping out the fighters. jonathan's leadership has been called weak blaming him for allowing the group to flourish. this while 39 have been killed in north-eastern nigeria. rebels torched homes and opened fire on families trying to escape. voting will be extended to a second day in several place, including parts of the capital where voting machines failed.

some were driven away from boko haram fighters waving guns. security has been tight. >> we announce the process has gone well in several places. in others it has encountered challenges. especially with the use of the card readers. consequently some places have not commenced. >> two were shot while waiting in line to vote. a bomb wept went off in a polling station in eastern nigeria. 56 people are registered for the elections. more from abuja, the nation's capital. >> reporter: raphael casts his vote for a new president and parliamentarian at the national assembly office polling station in abuja. one of 60 million people taking part in this historic exercise. things went smoothly here.

this process is happening in 120,000 locations across the country. >> i believe that it can take us to a level we want this country to go - unemployment security, and education. >> reporter: as expected, there was violence in the north. several were killed when boko haram fighters attacked some going to voting stations. thousands of security were deployed to protect the voters. in some states registration was delayed by several hours. hundreds died in fighting during the last election. voters were undeterred. >> i shouldn't be concerned.

there's nothing that i should fear for. choosing it is in my hands and although somebody is angry with what i did, well you cannot still have anything to do with my life. >> reporter: thousands of foreign election observers monitored the notes. permanent voters cards, pvcs were used. >> they are taking the pvc and making sure that is aligned with the card reader. >> it's taking a bit of time. sometimes they try one, two, three, four times until they identify that you are the rite person. >> the incumbent person voted in his state. the main opposition candidate did two. it's expected to be a race for the top job between the two men.

voting is being extended into summer in places where there was technical problems or materials asked late. it could mean the final results are delayed for several days. nigeria gained its independence from britain in 1960 and is the most popular country with 170 million people. it's a diverse area of more than 250 ethnic groups. the north is muslim the south christian. english is the official language, but there's more than 500 languages spoken in nigeria. the oil-based economy is the largest in africa. it's worst billions but the richest country has some of the poorest people. $ 70% of people live on less than $2 a day people have been killed in aden. looters broke into a depot, it

was used to store weapons dated back to the soviet era. houses shook, buildings were destroyed. saudi arabia's navy evacuated dozens of diplomats as the u.n. evacuated staff from aden. more air strikes were launched across yemen, taking out military installations. the houthi stronghold in the north and targets in the coastal city. they hit the base of yemen's former president. despite the air strikes forces are said to maybe the advances towards the border of saudi arabia. yemen's president is in egypt. where he is addressing leaders at 21 nations. it was described as houthi fighters, as puppets of iran. calling on them to surrender. for a deeper discussion on the crisis. we welcome in political analysts.

thank you for joining us again. >> with the arab nations coming together in support of this effort in emmen, is this isolating iran in the region? >> it's a clear and loud message. this is the first time the arab nations come together before the arab summit began. united behind the yemen and legitimate yemen. i think what they are trying to do here is stop the violence that happened inside their own states. and that violence - that would support iran. you can - to support their own, protect their security. if you look at yemen, the houthi in yemen, we are supported by iranian, we never had a war, and yemeni need to go and pray in mosques together and all of a

sudden the houthis are raising the flags of sectarian war, attacked yemenis, going into the tribal areas. and attacking them. there's technical and lodge sfkal support -- logistical support of money coming in. they are trying to undermine and basically the yemeni authorities, the elected government and also other social fabrics in yemen. for the arabs, it's a matter of existing right now. >> right. >> the sectarian war is across the arab world and iraq and syria and lebanon and it's basically threatening everyone. the arab nations came together, united for the first time. even though they are divided. >> speaking of that what progress has been made.

we have seen several speak. >> i think when it comes to the yemen matter they are clear about supporting yemenis, the president. there is a call to establish a joint force for the arab states like the n.a.t.o. to protect the arab interests, and to stop any foreign intervention within the arab states especially at this point as iran is damaging a lot of - causing a lot of problems in the middle east and yemen. you see it in the sectarian war. it started all over. iran - even the language of the iranians in the past two days when the arab started supporting the yemenis, it changed and calling for dialogue where last week the advisor to the iranian president was saying now the virgin empire is back and the bogota, the capital of iraq is

the new capital of iran. there's a danger when it comes to yemen. iran will be out of it. this will basically end their intervention - basically intervening in yemen. >> thank you for the insight as always there's other issues in the region as a result of this conflict. the impact of the war is felt in the east country of djibouti, where commercial flights and maritime traffic have been d disrupted. >> reporter: this is the port of djibouti. it's the closest port to yemen. it is experiencing an increase in traffic as ships divert from yemen dock to here. so far seven ships arrived - five oil tankers and two carrying containers. >> they are asking for

infrastructure and handling that they need in the port to discharge the goods. it is very costly to keep a ship waiting, loading with a cargo. it's very costly and can cost up to $50,000 a day. >> reporter: djibouti is a vital corridor providing access to the red sea. with 5km across at the narrowest point, it separates yemen from djibouti. nearly 40% of global maritime trade is it estimated to pass through the strait. much of it on its way to and fro the suez canal. officials of the port expect more ships diverted from yep ep in the -- yemen in the coming days, and they have the capacity to handle the increased traffic. air traffic increased. following the closure of yemen's air space, some flights diverted

to djibouti. this is some of the airways stranded in djibouti. >> translation: we came from egypt. we have sick children and family. we are 20 that had surgery. we appeal to the gulf nations and president to help to return home. >> authorities are preparing themselves for an influx of refugees. they are preparing and holding up to 5,000 in this town 180km from here. aid workers say numbers could be higher as 200,000 somali refugees living in southern yemen could flee back through djibouti dozens of palestinian protesters clashed with israeli troops in the west bank. it was a demonstration to a lead-up of the marking of land day calling for the end of an occupation in palestine. some of the crowd threw stones

the military responded with rubber bullets. one demonstrator was wounded, another arrested. i spoke with rami koori, a senior fellow at the american university in beirut. >> there's no israeli-palestinian peace process now. the israeli prime minister designate binyamin netanyahu basically said in the election campaign that there wasn't going to be a two-state solution, or a palestinian state in his case or the palestinian solution. there's no real move going on. people will explore whether it makes sense to revive a direct negotiating process, or is it more productive to look at other routes fun in tomorrow we'll look at the fragile relationship between israel and palestine on "the week ahead". tomorrow 8:30 eastern, 5:30 pacific

talks on the iran nuclear programme entered a critical stage, more documents have gathered in switzerland trying to strike a deal. james bays has more in switzerland. >> the talks are at a crucial phase. last week and for the past lee days it was the u.s. secretary of state and the iranian foreign ministers that was negotiating. now others have asked or are on their way. first, france known to be a hawk in these negotiations. >> translation: iran has the right to nuclear power for nuclear purposes. as for a nuclear bomb it's a no. discussions have been difficult. what is important is the content of the agreement. i insist on the transparency of the mechanism and controls so any agreement made is respected.

>> reporter: germany's foreign minister has arrived. u.k. russia and china are expected during the weekend for what are expected to be intense discussions. at one session between the u.s. secretary of state john kerry, and the iranian foreign minister both joked the talks may continue all hours of the day. >> i'm expecting evening today. evening, night. >> morning. >> morning. >> among the iranian delegation there seems to be a growing confidence with the u.s. energy secretary, heading the technical discussions for his country, was giving nothing away. >> mr secretary, are things going well? >> they are going. >> are you hopeful to get a deal this wnt. >> they are going. >> the hotel where the talks are taking place looks out over the lake and the alps. germany's foreign minister told reporters when he looks at the mountains, it reminds him the hardest part of any climb is the

last bit. that's why we are with the negotiations. the u.s. stepped up its military campaign in the battle for tikrit. the pentagon says u.s. and coalition forces carried out 18 air strikes in a 24 hour period. eight targeted tikrit. the military said it took out i.s.i.l. tactical units, vehicles and a car bomb. in syria, the northern city of idlib has been captured by the al qaeda of linked al-nusra front. idlib is the second provincial capital to be controlled by the group. syrian government forces say separate rebels groups joined al nusra front to create a larger front a u.s. specialist operation unit is not getting the equipment requested. troops going to war zones asked

for software made by a silicon valley company. the pentagon has been denying the request and insists they use flawed software. top military officials responded by saying they have questions about the software and haven't denied the request. authorities have released details about the mental health of a pilot that crashed his plane into the french alps. >> and protesters pack the streets of indianapolis to protest a law they say discriminates against gays.

new information tonight about the germanwings plane crash in the french alps. german authorities say there's no indication that co-pilot andreas lubitz was motivated by terror its. [ singing ]

-- terrorists [ singing ] today, near the crash site the families of the victims held a memorial service in the village of le vernet. many residents have been affected by the crash and came out in support. investigators believe the co-pilot was suffering clinical depression. the "new york times" reported that andreas lubitz was receiving treatment for vision problems that may have affected his ability to fly, and the father of a victim is calling on airlines to look at how they treat pilots. simon mcgregor-wood reports. >> reporter: at the altar there was 150 candles, one for each victim. relatives and locals coming together to remember them. >> translation: it's terrible. horrible for the families. there's no words for this. i'm broken.

>> reporter: on the mountainside the recovering continues, it will take another two weeks. the second black box is missing. the need for the data is less urgent now the cause of the crash is clear. trying to understand what drove the co-pilot andreas lubitz to a heinous act is the focus of the investigation. a german newspaper quotes a former girlfriend andreas lubitz worried his health problems threatened his career and talked of doing something dramatic that people would remember him for. german doctors say he was undergoing treatment and was flying despite being told not to. he had a history of depression. that is weighing questions will suitability to fly. >> at dusseldorf destination of doomed flight passengers paid tribute and signalled the determination to carry on flying. i don't have any concerns. i trust our airlines i have

flown countless times, i don't have a problem with it. it was sad, of course, i've shed some tears when i heard about it. now i have to move on. if it's okay to say that. on friday u.s.'s aviation agency recommended all airlines adopt a policy of having two in the cockpit at all times. compensation of over 50,000 has been promised. given what is known about the cause of tragedy it may not be enough boint bill clinton is in singapore for the funeral of lee kuan yew, he transformed singapore into a waldsy nation. the pops -- wealthy nation.

the response has been moving. >> it's been a tremendous experience this week since mr lee kuan yew passed away. i think it comes from all segments of our society. everywhere has been overwhelming singapore's first prime minister died on monday at the age of 91 hundreds gathered outside indiana's capital building to protest a bill allowing discrimination against the gay community. legislation on thursday gives a person or business a right to follow religious beliefs. critics say that companies could deny services to critic or gays. self will boycott the state. angie's list has abandoned plans to expand in indiana because of the bill. several were injured including college students after a shooting in a home in panama beach. self victims were a ma students

all between the ages of 20 and 22. david michael daniels was identified as the shooter. he is in custody, and charged with seven counts of attempted murder two dozen injured in a commuter train crash in los angeles. it struck a silver hyundai near the university of california. a person was injured and cut out of the vehicle. the train driver was hurt. two of three cars derailed but remained upright new england's winter will cause a number of insurance claims to be presented. insurance companies are urging home openers to be patient. >> kevin corriveau is here with the weather. >> this is one thing we didn't expect this late. it's not unprecedented. we have seen snow new york city

saw some snow in april. this is what we are looking at. across much of southern new england we are looking at the snow. i want to go closer in. it's heavy across parts of long island. >> let's go back. i want to show you video across the region in boston governor charles baker asked the federal government to declare a disaster in 10 of its counties in asking for 75% of money spent on ploughing and the cost that it was this past winter. we are talking about $400 million, and 25 casualties because of the winter there. we'll see more weather here across the region more snow as we go to the later hours of evening. we expect to see up to 4 inches of snow across the south-eastern part of new england. these are the totals long island is seeing some of the

heaviest snow and 3.3 inches. smithtown three. over to mass outside of boston. 2.2. we expect that number to go up as we go through the evening. tomorrow morning boston will be 30 degrees new york 34. we are not going to see much of an increase in temperature over the next couple of days. normally the high is 49. we'll not get the temperature until we get to the end of the week, on thursday. temperatures will be a big problem. in the south - look at that. atlanta georgia. it will be the low temperature. that is 15 degrees lower that what you see in the morning time frame. charlotte. north carolina minus 17. look at the freeze warnings in place for the south-east. heart freeze and that will be towards the morning time frame. for atlanta, you'll see an increase in temperature from 30

degrees all the way up to 60. and the temperatures - look at the rebound, 77 degrees. >> in time for the mastiers in augusta georgia when al jazeera returns, ellen powell may have lost her lawsuit, but the attention to women's issues in silicon valley make her a winner the story of a financial professional suffering a less common but still a form of domestic abuse.

welcome back to al jazeera america, i'm michael eaves. here are the top stories - voting in nigeria's elections have been extended by one day because of technical problems. it's expected to be the close erace since democratic rule 16 years ago. one issue - which candidate can stop the threat of boko haram. dozens have been killed in a blast in yemen.

explosions coming as a saudi coalition says it will launch a third day of air strikes across yemen. the united nations is evacuating staff from the capital. the french foreign minister joined talks on iran's nuclear programme. the talks reaching a critical phase. the deadline for a deal is set for tuesday. >> nashville tennessee, prosecutors will no longer be able to use forced sterilisation. prosecutors used the invasive surgery in the past. the change coming after a mentally ill woman was forced to choose between sterilisation and gaol. she was charged with neglect in the death of a child. the defense attorney said there has been three cases in the past five years. ellen powell has been shown support despite a loss in court. the former silicon valley employee lost her lawsuit.

and claimed that she was discriminated against because of her gender. it but gender imbalance in silicon valley into the spotlight. the hashtag thank you ellen powell has been trending on twitter. >> i'm grateful for my team to get me a day in court, and everyone around the world, male and female to have reached out and expressed support and tell me that my story is their story, and their gratefulness for telling the story. i have told my story, thousands heard it. it helped to level the playing field for women. then the battle as worth it. >> california governor gavin knew some is an ardent supporter of silicon valley many are tech and business leaders in the area. john seigenthaler talked to him before the ellen powell verdict came dawn. >> reporter: do you think

silicon valley has a sexism problem, a problem with women? >> that's interesting. we've had forums on this topic and my wife is prolific on women and girls. there's a wonderful documentary "misrepresentation" going to the core of the issue. there's a number of parties. we are not educating women and girls, and not encouraging them into the workforce at the scale we need to. two, the importance of directors, which are predominantly white males, if not many white, predominantly men. we are not as aggressive as other countries, you see nordic countries acquire minimum representation of women. there's more aggressive efforts in other parts of the world, where people are more aggressive. >> reporter: what does it take for the tech titans to get the message? >> i think we are getting it. we have a lot of work to do.

this is a topic of conversation all the time out here. people are focussed on it talking about it more and more and you are seeing some change some acknowledgements but it will take time to get in. first thing, transparency. google to their credit looks at what they are doing. they were self critical. others followed. that's the first part. and they address it and see some signs of things beginning. >> reporter: what do you make. ellen powell case? >> i don't know a lot about the details. >> reporter: we are about to get a verdict. >> i know a lot of folks down there, but not the details. >> reporter: do you think because of this some tech companies may be less likely to hire women. >> we follow part of it but it's not part of the dinner

conversations about being a backlash. i don't sense that. others may disagree. there's a price tag when it comes to domestic violence costing $5.8 million every year, according to world bang. $4 million in medical expenses and lost productivity. we have been investigating the story. >> reporter: we got married. i had a masters degree and made more money than he did. like many women, i gave that up when we had children. then i started to feel that kind of control creeping in. >> reporter: a control that would leave the successful financial professional - we'll call her amy, trapped by a form of domestic abuse that she didn't recognise.

>> he would have app elaborate scope of passwords for the accounts making sure he knew when i was accessing accounts because i had to ask what the password was. i went back to work part time. from the first time it was constant criticism. our relationship is not as strong as it used to be you're not available to me. my business social interaction and contacts and being in the community is important. if users isolate - i wasn't able to keep the connections that were required for me to generate the business. >> reporter: leaving her bound economically to her abuser. physical abuse is the most commonly understood form. there's another type that is lesser known but no less insidious. economic abuse. where one partner deprives the other of economic freedom by restricting their access to

money and credit undermining their ability to make a living. >> addressing economic abuse to disempower victims is critical. >> reporter: this is the founder of second chance employment service, the first and only employment agency in the united states catering to survivors of domestic violence. >> i need you to take her to atlanta. >> reporter: over 14 years green partnered with more than 200 firms to transition survivors into full-time, well-paying jobs with benefits. it doesn't end there. >> for six months they follow up and keep in touch. they give them flexibility. it's critical. >> reporter: the partnership is deeper than a pay check. >> yes. >> a wholistic approach launching 1500 clients to independence. >> i have some mark over strangulation here on my neck.

>> reporter: including philomean who fled to a shelter when her diplomat husband beat and poisoned her for taking english lessons, which she needed to work in the united states. >> one of the lady at the shelter talked to ms luty about me and give my number. >> reporter: that was 2004. when second chaised placed her with the world bank where she still works today. a stable career giving her the confidence to branch out into children's publishing. success stories like this inspired green to write down her methods in a book "ending domestic violence activity." >> my goal is to pass a torch to anyone willing to take on this issue. >> reporter: it has won the support of vice president joe

biden, and inspired women like amy who divorced her abuser to spread the word. >> if i had known what the red flags were, i would have been more conscious of what was happening while it was happening and i wouldn't have been as trapped as i end up being last week's mob killing of an afghan woman sparked an outcry in calls for change. the president ashraf ghani wants the country to avoid that violence. david ari ofta has more. >> reporter: nearly 14 years ago u.s. special forces descended on afghanistan. the mission - oust the taliban regime harbouring al qaeda leadership special for the september 11th attacks. the taliban reorganised across the border. the u.s. refocused on a second war in iran. in the years since, the

prospects of a free afghanistan have been. along with the provinces of an equitable future. last week an angry mob in kabul vouched and attacked a 27-year-old woman. her crime burning the koran, allegedly. her body was burnt and dumped here. her father said she was a school teacher and is convinced she'd never burn pages from the holy book. the allegation was enough for the mob to come in and cameras recording men stomping and beating her. the plight of afghan women has often been captured by the lense. this image of this afghan girl was published. an icon of women suffering. in 2010 this image was splashed

across the cover. she had her knows and ears cut off by a taliban commander after fleeing abusive in laws. it's this sort of violence that ashraf ghani, the country's recently elected president, wants to avoid. >> we hope very much that the past will be overcome in the future. the future will be different. >> in reality, that past is present in afghanistan. ashraf ghani is referred to as the mayor of kabul, referencing a lack of influence. in the first trip to the united states as president. ghani wants to rewrite the narrative and secure support from the u.s. in what has been america's longest war next - a lockdown in sierra leone. officials sweep the street trying to single out new ebola

cases. plus... >> it cost me 30 years. the courts in louisiana turn their back on a man wrongfully imprisoned for three decades. and coming up next hour on the weekly deeper look segment - the labour movement today. while much progress has been made, and the right to organise many labour activists say more needs to be done. we take a deeper look at 8 o'clock eastern, 5 o'clock pacific. pa

last year glen ford was released from death row a free man. despite being cleared of all charges a louisiana court is denying him compensation for the 30 years he was wrongfully behind bars. we have more. >> these are the only ones that i have. >> after 30 years on louisiana's

death row. glen ford was released with a shrug. >> the warden says it was a minor mistake on their behalf and he was store. give me $20 debit card shook my hand and released me. >> reporter: a minor mistake? >> yes. >> reporter: what did he mean minor mistake? >> i don't know. do you want to question him. i accept it for what it is and got out. >> he walked out of angola a free man. his first steps were covered on the local news. state authorities said evidence emerged that ford was neither president at for a participant in a jeweller in 1953. a year on he is thinner. he received a diagnosis. >> it spread to my pine and brain. >> the state said if it new then

who it knows now, he may not have been rested or indicted. there has been evidence that others commit the murder. they kept him on death row. it still happens. >> reporter: under state law forward is eligible for a maximum of $337,000 in compensation. it's around 11,000 for each year behind bars. it won't cover the medical bills. the attorney is contesting the claim, arguing compensation may be denied without the state proofing any facts. the petitioner must prove a negative. he must prove that he did not commit crimes based on the set of facts used in the original

conviction. the attorney-general declined to be interviewed. ford must prove that he didn't handle any goods stolen at the time of murder a charge not proven at his trial. ford lives at a refuge for former death row prisoners, set up by a man exonerated after an 18 years sentence, 14 on death row. he has little faith from a justice system that can snatch life from the innocent. >> people that did this they don't do nothing. >> reporter: glen ford is destitute. >> whatever time i have i'd like to spend a few months with my family. they are in california and i'm here. i have no money to go there. >> reporter: the litigation is expected to last several more months at least sierra leone is struggling to enforce a 3-day lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of

ebola. everyone but health workers were told to keep off the streets for 60 hours. guinea deployed forces to the south-west in response to reports that people from sierra leone are crossing the border to flee the lock down. the number of cases has gone down, health workers fear it could peak again. >> we have been in the fight for 10 months. people are beginning to be tired, complacent. we want to remind them that we have ebola, even though we have it four out of the 14 or still have ebola. >> the c.d.c. says 4,000 people died from ebola since the latest outbreak. the world health organisation says 33 new cases were diagnosed last week. >> cuba has seen an influx of foreign tourists since the u.s. took steps to normalize relations. travel bookings were up 250%.

advertising is on the rise. in a cube yn way. -- cuban way. daniel schweimler reports. >> reporter: with no advertising, no classified ads in the newspapers, that's one way that cubans can sell the surplus toaster or house in the wrong neighbourhood. they phone david and he passes the message to a couple who transmit it over the airwaves. >> translation: we are people that lost their dogs or documents on a bus, or someone in the family needs medicine or is lost. >> they repeat the adds in several programs supplying a social service to the greater havana area. this in a country almost bereft of colourful advertising that to cuba's government represents a market economy they have been resisting for more than 50 years.

>> cubans can buy the same products as anyone else. what you won't see is advertising for running shoes and soft drinks there's promotion of ideas, with posters like this urging the cuban people to defend the values of their country. >> others extol the virtuous of the revolution or criticize enemies - usually the united states. the deposit is trying to encourage foreign investment allowing businesses to flourish. >> italian prows the streets to promote a restaurant. >> it would be great to put a publicity poster in the main street with the name of the restaurant on it. the day they allow advertising in the newspapers and on television, i'll be ready. >> not exactly new york's times square or piccadilly's circuit in london more lights are appearing in havana and greater

competition in the night life saw the introduction of subtle forms of advertising not seen here before. >> advertising is starting at a low key way. restaurants have signs and stickers. we are not talking about big posters that you see in places like china. we wouldn't be shocked to see them here one day. >> with the economy opening up if a little cautiously cuban shoppers, if they choose to can afford it now in some places they'll experience the same advertising razzle dazzle as the rest of the world. the internet is sparse and precarious, web designers are poised for a future with more for sale more ahead on al jazeera america, including why a lack of snow on ski slopes is not stopping china bidding on the 2022 olympics. plus - are you ready?

whoah. the world's tallest and fastest roller-coaster is open for business.

lights are going out around the world as part of earth hour a global campaign to raise issues of power. landmarks went dark for an hour starting at 8:30pm local time this week president obama announced more than $240 million in private sector in science, technology engineering and maths. obama wants more girls and people of colour involved in stem cell. 30% of high school seniors are ready for college, science and technology. some high schools are coming up with new ways to excite children. one programme in washington

state is literally striking a cord. allen schauffler has more from seattle. >> reporter: this classroom buzzes with activity students drilling measuring. the students taking part in a week-long workshop. >> it was exciting for me. >> reporter: nancy wilson chang has been teaching maths for 15 years mostly out of the textbooks. >> what we are finding is this is not working. they don't remember it. >> the guitar building institute hopes to help teachers change that. funded for a grant, this programme advertises stem learning, science, technology and maths. guitars, why not. understanding algebra can help place dots on a board. computer-aided design helps to create a look and feel of an

instrument and as in all good bands there has to be chemistry. >> we want to soften the water. >> dipping the guitars into a solution to achieve the wild and perfect paint job. >> they are inspired. they breed new life brought back to the students that will hep their grasping of the concepts of maths, technology i and energizing. >> a high school teacher says guitar making excites children about learning including those at risk. >> he didn't have much. once he made the guitar he carried it around for a year because it was his. >> reporter: one of chang's students was in danger of dropping out. >> next thing she's going to maths, and science, and doing everything she needed.

she was seeing herself in a different light. >> sweet music to a teacher's ears. now the programme is extended for another three years with training sessions in cities around the country this summer. american astronaut scott kelly and two others are at the international space station, hooking up after lunching from kazakhstan. kelly will spend a year at the stakes twice as long as any other astronaut. scientists are studying how the body reacts in space. >> this is rob to friends and family. how are you. >> we be here for a long time i couldn't do it with a better guy back on earth they'll compare his data with his twin brother the olympics are becoming a prize fewer countries seem to

want. >> reporter: a beautiful blew sky day on the slopes here in china. this will be a main venue of the 2022 beijing olympics linked to the capital by a high-speed train. good news for enthusiasts. >> translation: people are happy and economic growth is on top of the world. when the country is rich. they want to develop sports. >> if we win, more will be interested in skiing. >> this week they are in china to evaluate progress. two bids - this one and kazakhstan are in the race pledging to abide by rules on human rights and freedom of expression. >> we have non-discrimination. it is has been discussed. we have obtained reassurance that it would live up to the

expectation on the olympics movement. >> reporter: after the excesses of the 2014 game in which russia spent an extra $50 billion, and fears to withdraw. beijing is careful to keep the budget down to $3 billion. it's promising to reuse indoor venues created for the summer games, and make the most of mountain facilities. >> inspection has given us a positive appraisele recognising china's efforts to make good use of the 2008 olympic venues. we are committed to the development of economical issues in relation to the winter games. >> there has been no shortage of skiers, and this is where the snow board, cross-country and freestyle skiing takes place. what is lacks is long enough steep enough slopes for the blue ribbon events of alpine skiing.

>> instead, the downhill and slaloms will be held in the mountains, steep enough but missing an ingredient. there's 5 centimetres of snow that calls every year. china will build a resort reliant on artificial snow at a time when the environment treatment is under scrutiny. a lack of snow fall did not stop sochi bean awarded games or south korea to be the host in 2018. more those enjoying the artificial stuff in chong lee, a ski field closer to beijing will go down fine finally, we take you on a ride that is it wild on the tallest and fastest roller-coaster in the world. >> how is that for a drop. the new fury 325 opened in north

carolina at the amusement park. the first drop 81 degrees, almost straight down. it travels 95 miles per hour and the 32 passenger ride has 6,000 feet of track. and the highest .325 feet. it is one of the 10 tallest roller coasters in north america. i can't wait to ride it. that'll do it for this hour. the news continues with thomas drayton. >> you're going to do it. i'm not on it and i can feel it. hi, this is al jazeera america, i'm thomas drayton in new york. let's get you caught up on the top stories. despite three days of air strikes houthi rebels advance on yemen. nigerians vote for a president as they face violence and technical problems. [ singing ] family and friends remember loved ones lost in the