>> our american story is written everyday. it's not always pretty, but it's real... and we show you like no-one else can. this is our american story. this is america tonight. this is al jazeera live. just ahead, a surprising and historic visit. the prime minister of india travelled to pakistan to meet that leader at home. in syria, an opposition leader fighting the regime was killed today. his loss is a major setback.

in caribbean, many forced to flee the dominican republic we begin tonight with a major diplomatic break through between india and pakistan, two countries long considered the most likely to fight a nuclear war. a short time ago india's prime minister visited lahore pakistan and met with that country's prime minister at home. according to dozens of reports, they met for hours. analysts from both countries are calling it a master stroke. more from our correspondent. >> reporter: neighbors, not friends, is, perhaps, how the relationship between these two

nations could be described. this was not only a surprise visit by the indian prime minister to pakistan, but an historic one. no indian head of government had visited the country in more than a decade. back home in india one of modi's allies see this as a pivotal moment. >> translation: the prime minister says if pakistan was taking a step forward then independent will i can't will take two-- independence i can't will take two. >> reporter: that is a large task for the rivalrys going back to the earliest days of independence. india and pakistan have fought three wars since they were splat into two countries in 1947. two of the conflicts were about the himalayan region which they both laid claim to.

not all indian politicians think this meeting arranged at short notice is a good idea. >> translation: if the decision is not preposterous, then it is utterly ridiculous. you do not conduct democracy at such a cavalier manner. >> reporter: the two leaders looked relaxed as they met in lahore at the premises of the prime minister. the building has been colorfully decorated for his grand-daughter's upcoming wedding in syria there has been a major setback for opposition forkss battling the regime of bashar al-assad. a key rebel leader was killed by an air strike. analysts say his death in eastern damascus will give the forces a significant boost. it may also help i.s.i.l.

>> reporter: he was the most powerful rebel commander in damascus suburbs. his headquarters were only a few kilometres away from president bashar al-assad's palace. he was released from prison by bashar al-assad a few months after the start of the syrian uprising. he rose to prominence in 2013 when he convinced many armed groups to form an army of more than 20,000 well-trained, unarmed fighters. a few months ago he attended a military parade. it was the biggest force by the syrian opposition. unlike most rebel factions with units across the country, the army of islam has one base on the outskirts of damascus, with

one target, to wait until they battle. this is where he was killed. he was meeting with military commanders. the syrian army says he was killed out by a syrian fighter jet. the syrian opposition says the death of him may undermine the chance for internationally brokered talks between the rebels and the syrian government. he was not only a military commander, he was also a prominent preacher with many followers in the damascus area. with his death, the future of the army of islam is uncertain. in 2013 the syrian government killed, a commander of a

brigade. a year later, many leaders were killed in idlib, the key rebel groups never recovered from the loss of their founders. >> he was a major figure. he was a commander from a small company back in 2011, mid-2011, to now an argues with now 26 command centers, 64 battilion with somewhere between 45 and 50 thousand fighters. this is his successor. he has been in charge of an elite unit in islam. >> reporter: he should be remembered as the man who prevented i.s.i.l. and the al-nusra front and others to

proceeding in aleppo syria the country's most populated city a russian air strike today hit a maternity hospital killing at least 14 people. aid workers say this is not the first time the hospital has been attacked. russian war planes today bombed a nearby gas station. many residents of aleppo are supportive of turkey and attacks have intensified ever since turkish forces shot down a russian fighter jet. christmas prayers from the vatican, he prayed for peace in the world. many are trying to enter macedonia every day. the crush of refugees along the

border is huge. new regulations are not making life easier. our correspondent reports. >> reporter: tired but determined to carry on. heading into the unknown to start a new life. the border here has been tightened with new restrictions. only iraqis, syrians and afghans are allowed in. macedonia is next, but reaching northern europe is not easy. many here have escaped wars, rape and the islamic state in iraq and the levant. until recently this was under i.s.i.l.'s control in northern iraq. >> translation: sinjar was cleared of i.s.i.l. we decided to live in peace or die together trying. >> reporter: the journey remains long and hard. the next goal is to cross through macedonia and then through serbia and beyond.

the flow of refugees crossing the border of mass dome re done-- macedonia is massive. the agency says some of them were subjected to ill treatment and push backs by the macedonian border police. volunteers and aid groups are doing what they can to help. >> we have a camp with medical services, shelter, which is covered and heated. >> reporter: some greek charities in the area are also cooperating. a group of chefs and volunteers are preparing holt meals >> we give people-- hot meals. if we not give food, we are nothing. >> reporter: about 20 minutes drive from the border this gas station became a waiting point. families rest and wait to be allowed to continue their journey. some of them have arrived the night before. some greek and american groups

felt it was time to preach. >> we are giving people some free magazines speaking how god will help their life. >> reporter: helping arabic and fasi leaflets and copies of the bible. dozens of people have their stories to tell. a pharmacist from syria says the treatment he has got here is rough >> translation: we slept in a bus. no toilets, no food. i want to live in dignity and have a better life for my children. >> reporter: for many here the risk is worth it. there is hope for a better and a safer future despite the hurdles on the way in the caribb acres n the dominican republic forced nearly 3,000 people to force the country. they have raised in makeshift camps in haiti but their future appears uncertain.

>> reporter: things are much bleaker at this camp in south haiti near the dominican border than they were from months ago. there has been an outbreak of cholera. at least nine people have died from it in this camp. there have been cases in other camps between haiti and the dominican republic. this follows the deportation of fleeing crisis of thousands of people who left the dominican republic. many say they were forced to. others say the authorities difficulty rally deported them. that is a charge that the government continues to deny. meanwhile, it is unhygienic here. the water is unclean.

on christmas eve we spoke to someone from the department of water who was installing some equipment. the water pump is running dry and people continue to get water from the river and aquaducts. we see children using the toilet in the open in this camp making it completely unsanitary and increasing the likelihood of more instances of cholera there was a large gas explosion in south-eastern nigeria yesterday. officials now report that as many as 100 people may have been killed. thursday's blast happened as a truck was filling up tanks of butane for a crowd of customers. it burned for more than five hours. bodies were brunts beyond recognition. the blast also damaged nearby homes. up next, this was a challenging

christmas for a lot of americans in the south eastern american states following a string of deadly storms in california where the problem is draught, there has finally been some relief.

>> we're here to fully get into the nuances of everything that's going on, not just in this country, but around the world. getting the news from the people who are affected. >> people need to demand reform... >> ali velshi on target.

the south-eastern u.s. is still getting battered by severe weather. a tornado has touched down and more storms are on the way. more communities in half a dozen states are engaged in clean up and recovery exercises may not get a break >> reporter: the holy spirit of giving in an area that needs it. donations are pouring him-- holiday spirit. >> translation: christmas, that is not going to change me. >> reporter: this woman and her grand-daughter lost their home where one torn a dough-- tornado caused damage. more than 24 tore through seven states this week. >> i don't know how i'm alive. it is a christmas miracle

because we were right there. >> reporter: parts of georgia and albe that as it may a-- alaba are on the lookout for flooding. >> we woke up to civil defense pounding on our door telling us we had about 20 minutes to leave our homes. >> reporter: without west it is heavy snow. crews there had to work on each launch controls-- avalanche controls and shut roadways. >> we're speeding along. we understand that having close downs is inconvenience but it is about safety. >> reporter: in an 80 million stretch remained eclosed more than 24 hours it has been a tough year for california from drought to rain to mud slides. it has taken a dramatic physical and psychological toll.

jennifer london is giving us a closer look. >> reporter: from the reservoirs to the field, to people's homes, the state's water crisis spread to every corner of california. >> as californians, we are to save water in every way we possibly can. >> reporter: with a big brown mountain as a backdrop, jerry broken, the governor, set in motion a year of heartache >> we have to pull together. there will be some heartache here >> reporter: it was an enpress dented move to combat an unprecedented drought. mandated water restrictions across the state. city dwellers, businesses, farmers all told they must live and work with less water >> farming organically is a trick but without water is a big trick. that's what we've been doing for last few years >> reporter: for thousands living in the central valley

there was no water left to preserve. >> it was bad and it terrified us >> reporter: when did you run out of water? >> in march it has bane year since you haven't had any running water? >> that's right. yes. >> my god, that day that my well run dry, i thought it was the end of me because what are we going to do without water? i still don't know what to do. >> reporter: for some the draught was not only a water emergency but also a health crisis. >> for the obvious reasons affecting physical health, people with youer respiratory or copd, asthma, allergies, their condition is worsening. many residents felt forgotten by the state >> i think this is a natural disaster and it should be

treated as such as any other disaster in the united states and i don't think it should be brushed under the carpet. >> reporter: people need help now >> people do need help now. they need it now, not six years from now or five years from now or to be for gotten. it is the kind of land that people forgot >> reporter: we're talking about water and thousands of people without running water to their home, it gets about as bad as it gets. is the site doing enough? >> mother nature is our biggest obstacle right now >> reporter: 280 miles from california central valley you will find one of the driest places in north america. still, a lack of water isn't proving to be an obstacle when it comes to building entire new cities >> right now we're standing on the northern boundary of the proposed paradise valley development which is, in essence, a new city.

>> reporter: 15 miles from the site of paradise valley on the outskirts of the city, you will find the future development called la space entrata. a large and planned community. it's a city within city. 7800 condos, office, homes, parks, schools, churches, even its own fire department >> the county works hard to responsible in how we handle development and infrastructure >> reporter: do you think it's responsible in a time of drought to prove massive new developments? >> again, we are working with our war districts who are indicating that over the period of time that there will be water that can be provided to the site. >> honestly, we live in a desert. we don't live in florida. >> reporter: do you think there's enough water to the valley to support all of the proposed development? >> there is not enough water for tomorrow. there might be enough water for today, but there is not enough

water for tomorrow. >> reporter: as 2015 comes to a close, there is hope that could change, but it is the same time concerns that a monster el nino could bring too much of a good thing. >> the mo for el nino in california, is floods, mud slides and general mayhem. >> reporter: one brief storm in late october closed roads, swamped homes with mud and swept away cars. it also brought much needed snow to the mountains. snow melt accounts for a third of the state's water supply. if california has any chance of seeing relief, snow like this is the answer. the end of 2015 is looking a whole light whiter up next how native american tribes are cashing in on legalized marijuana.

in the u.s. marijuana use is legal in 23 states and the district of colombia. it has been an economic boost for some financially licensed marijuana stores. some native american reservations want in on the action. >> reporter: a rainy north-west night lit up by smiles and cheers. the island nation makes history opening the first recreational pot store on reservation land. >> the times are changing and it

is better to be the first than copy somebody else that did it first. >> reporter: twibal council member isn't a big fan of legalized marijuana, but he sees this as a business deal just too good to pass up >> if we don't do it here, our neighbors down the road are going to do it. it's like, why not benefit, take advantage of the benefit and help our tribe grow. >> reporter: not far away another tribe is set to tap the same revenue flow for the same reasons. >> 1400 square feet of sales floor >> reporter: store manager is still a bit stunned by it all. i never thought it would happen. i started in selling coffee as an 18-year-old kid. >> we have a responsibility to our tribal members in our

community to look at all the different economic opportunities that come along and this was definitely one that came along. >> reporter: sales at the stores will be taxed at the same level as elsewhere, but the tribes will keep that tax money, not give it to the state. the tribes has states with washington. an attorney specialising in tribal law has a reminder for all tribes considering growing, processing or selling marijuana. >> first and foremost, it remains illegal federally. it is a schedule 1 controlled substance that without a doubt or without any ago big ute whatever is illegal. >> reporter: memorandum hes from the u.s. justice department have provided guidelines to tribes on how to handle the drugs. the basic message, keep tight control of pot commerce, keep kids and criminal elements away and we probably won't bother

you. how much legal weight did those guidelines carry? >> virtually none. it is not a statute or regulation, it's not convenient a policy or sop of the department of justice. it is simply a memo. >> reporter: as a result, most tribes are taking a wait and see approach, but not all. the nation in new york approved medical marijuana. plans were cancelled for a pot resort and a crop was burnt with one tribe. the shirr off's department buffeted a marijuana grow site and a processing lab run by another nation. in wisconsin a reservation was raided and 3000 plants were torn out. they say it was industrial hemps and the federals say marijuana. so far these two tribes are o y

going into the business. concerns were dismissed about more marijuana access on the reservation, even though the rates of abuse and use is high in the country compared with other populations >> we're not overly concerned that opening up a marijuana store says that we open marijuana our youth to do. this is a drug that is for 21 and older, similarly to alcohol. >> reporter: native american tribes are few of them gambling that this will be their latest cash cow and finally from trying to make a profit from people getting high to a phone call from somebody on high, we have all got calls from a wrong number but probably not one from outer space. that's what happened when britain's as trow nought dialled-- as trow nought.

saying: no word on who he was trying to call. he was the first as trow nought from britain on the space station. ray suarez is up next with "inside story". thanks for watching. rasta michelle was a school teacher, minister of education in mozambique. on this insiders edition of "inside story", a talk with the widow of nelson mandela, a long-time fighter for the rights of women and girls, who at 69 years old says she has plenty of work to do. grassa michell t