embargo has made the 90 miles between florida and havana seem further. most people couldn't get on a jet and head to cuba because of a travel ban but two exceptions were academics and artists. daphne reed is an activist travelling for years, and silvia a professor of sociology and american culture at the university of mish gan. thank you for being with us. daphne reed, you were a privileged american that could go down and visit the island. why was it interesting for you to go. why did you want to go. what did you expect to find, and what did you find? >> i was really excited about going because of the afro cuban culture. i was interested in exploring that. their architecture architectural student, and the culture and the art were vibrant, is what i saw. i wanted to go down and make sure the people were as vibrant as the art coming out of cuba. what did you find, a culture locked like a fly-in amber. self-reference shall. one that was modern and developing but still cuban. cubans were historically based. they understand their culture, honour their traditi

he became archbishop of havana in 1981.e participated in the conclave that selected pope benedict 16 and pope francis. lastly, he was awarded the medal of honor for helping to normalize u.s.-cuban relations. i have known him for several years and i'm pleased to welcome him to the table for the first time. welcome. cardinal: thank you. charlie: tell me why you are here in the u.s. cardinal: i have been invited by fordham university for a doctorate i will receive tomorrow. charlie: an honorary doctorate. cardinal: the doctorate i will receive tomorrow morning. and then i was invited from almost two years for this honorary doctorate. but other problems and difficulties in my condition of archbishop of havana has made it difficult for me to come to new york. but i've got to be able to respond to this invitation of the fordham university. it is for me a very great honor. charlie: you are a great man. the two things you and i share is [indiscernible] and a doctorate from fordham. i had the great fortune to speak at that commencem

ash har quaraishi joins us now from havana.k, how difficult was it for the minnesota orchestra to travel to cuba considering the current restrictions? >> well, significant challenge tony, as you can imagine obviously with the financial issues. you can't use credit cards so everything has to be done in cash. but also central to the question how do you transport 165 people over 1 of them musicians from minnesota to havana in the most efficient way possible? they had to get special permission, for example, to travel on a charter flight from minneapolis to havana. the other question is how do you get a plane that big to charter from there to there and they have equipment with them, 65 cases, four tons of material that was coming with them. they also built something, an arch in the background of the concert to deal with some of the echoing that they were going to have to take into consideration here in cuba. the infrastructure is an issue as well. but finding enough rooms in havana not easy as you think. and trying to find rooms for

still ahead on al jazeera the french president's meeting with former cuba leader fidel castro in havana♪ hello again and you are watching al jazeera and reminder of our top store i haves nepal shaken by another big earthquake and 29 killed and more than a thousand others injured. nepal was devastated by a major quake two weeks ago which killed more than 8,000 people. [gunfire] heavy gunfire in burundi during a protest against the president, demonstrations against pierre nkurunziza to run for a third term entered a third week. indonesia navy commanders warning boats carrying migrants will be sent back 2000 refugees have landed in indonesia and malaysia in the past 48 hours. u.s. secretary of state john kerry has arrived in russia where he is meeting with putin in the resort city of soshi and his first visit there since the start of the ukraine crisis and kerry also expected to discuss iran and syria. allies of murdered opposition leader have unveiled a report which they say proves russian army presence in ukraine. let's get more on this from rory who is live for us in soshi, pretty damni

we begin tonight in havana. the obama administration has taken the historic step of removing cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. the reagan administration put cuba on that list in 1982. president obama paid a visit to a symbolic shrine in miami. and secretary of state john kerry officially changed cuba's status. this goes an away from democratic and possible economic ties between u.s. and cuba. we go to havana where cubans are welcoming the news. >> there is another obstacle removed. it's something that had to happen as far as the cubans were concerned. there would be no progress without cuba coming off the list. the sense of cautious optimism is here and excitement about the future as well. but a cautious optimism. remember this is only an incremental step. if you were to lift the trade embargo, which is a decision by congress, which is way down the line you might see more of a reaction on the streets. but that's a long way away from now. in the meantime the next step are the embassies opening th

to perform in havana in 15 years. we have more from the cuban capitol. ♪ ♪ >> in havana, music is everywhere. this weekend, music is the universal language that many hope can reunite the hearts and minds of cubans and people of the u.s., even for a brief moment. it's the first time an orchestra from the states has traveled to the communist island in 15 years. >> more than 100 are performing as part of the international festival. this is the group's first visit to cuba since 1930. the maestro said the ensemble is performing one of the same pieces performed 85 years ago. >> they have played during one of those visits, and that was the reason why the local organizers wanted to have this yeah, you come back to play the same symphony you did like 85 years ago. >> the trip takes on even more meaning since the recent evolution of u.s.-cuban relations. in december, president obama took steps to renew formal diplomatic ties with havana. diplomats from both countries do their work while tours like this help build a relationship

lucia newman, al jazerra have havana. >>> and french president francois hollande has arrived in cuba visit. it is the first visit by france's head of state in more than a century. he arrived in havana where he expects today meet cuban president raul castro and monday and participate in an economic forum. >>> now, under french law almost half of all music played on national radio must be in the french language, it was ins deuced two decades ago to protect the national music industry, but as neave barker reports from paris many feel it no longer a prize. >> reporter: it's drive time on radio nova. one of the most popular stations in paris. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: the team prides itself on playing a mix of music, whatever the language. but in doing so, they occasionally break a law that dates back to the mid 1990s requiring 40% of all radio music to be french. half of which needs to come from new artists. >> translator: the legal quotas are not the best way of supporting the french music industry. the law actually excludes 50% of french music because there are know many french artists performi

he is the latin rite archbishop of the archdiocese of havana and cardinal to have the catholic church. he is the second cuban elevated to this post. he participated in the conclave that selected pope benedict xvi and pope francis. last week president alan awarded his emnines the allegiance of honor for his role in normalizing u.s.-cuban relations. i am pleased to welcome him to the table for the first time. welcome. >> thank you. >> rose: tell me why you're here in the united states. >> i have become invited by ford fordham university for a doctorate i will receive. >> rose: an honorary doctorate. >> an honorary doctorate i will receive tomorrow in the morning. then it was i was invited almost three years for this honorary doctorate. many other problems and difficulties in my condition as archbishop of havana et cetera have been difficult for me to come to new york. but i am very very glad to be able to respond to this invitation of the fordham university. that is for me a very great honor. >> rose: well, you're a great man. two things you and i share among them the doctorate at fordh

nick clark with more from havana. >> it's an obstacle removed, isn't it. it's something that had to happen farce cubans were concerned. there would be no progress. everyone is relieved that the process of reconciliation can continue. there's cautious opt miss: excitement and a cautious optimism. this is app incremental step. if you lift the trade embargo, it's a long way down the line or lift the travel ban, you may see overreaction on this. in the meantime the next step is the embassy. i think the american embassy here in havana and the old embassy, in that destruction, looking after u.s. interests in cuba. it's delipidated. the roof is leaking. there may be renovation around the corner. people thing there could be an announcement in the next week and remember the united states is 90 miles over there. >> there's issues to be resolved before relations are fully restored. we have a look at what happens to people who are wanted in both countries. >> reporter: this sounds like a proud mother. >> it was his dream to become a pilot. she is bragging about a son

seven story hotel in old havana and airbnb. but the new owner of this home has converted it into a rental property mostly for western tourists who can access the entire place using access like airbnb. >> what's interesting for tourists is, here in this house they get a personalized experience compared to the large chain hotels. plus this home has a higher comfort level than some of the private homes. >> while there is a sense of cautious optimism. >> chain brands that will come in whether the old cars roaming the streets will still remain, i think it's going to be a completely different experience in five years' time. >> but with diplomatic efforts still in their infancy it could be a long time before the presence is felt here in cuba. ash-har quraishi, havana. >> now to the indictment of dennis hastert. today troubling reports that he was trying to cover up were allegation of sexual abuse. mike viqueria is in washington with that story mike. >> john these are shocking allegations, for anybody who followed the career of dennis

the discussions are focused on reopening embassies in washington and havana.ne state department official says the two sides are closer than they have ever been now that president obama has moved to stake the nation off of the list of state sponsors of terrorism. >>> airlines are adding direct flights between the two countries and as usher reports from havana american tourists are already flocking to cuba. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: for cubans and u.s. citizens alike, there is little doubt tourism would benefit from normalized relations between the two countries. >> it is fantastic. the history here is unbelievable. absolutely unbelievable. >> reporter: cuba has long been a destination for travelers from europe and canada and international tourism here is big business a select few u.s. tour companies are licensed to operate here. >> cuba is an enigma. for us in the industry, it's a phenomenal destination. it's like an answer to prayer for the -- the real traveler the person who longs to discover places in the world that are different and unique. >> reporter: michael and

havana cuba. >>> in the u.s. more than 200 people gathered outside a mosque in arizona saying it's a demonstration against islam. some wore military fatigues carrying semiautomatic weapons. there was a heavy police presence there. >> the founder of online illegal drug marketplace the silk road has been sentenced to life in prison in the united states. prosecutors say the website allowed the anonymous trade of $200 million worth of drugs. here's more from new york. >>reporter: in an emotional sentencing hearing, ross albricht said he started silk road to empower people to mace choices but acknowledged he made serious mistakes and apologized to the families of six people who died from drug overdoses linked to silk road. the father of one victim told the judge that silk road provided the deadly combination for his son who he believed would never have bought heroin from a street dealer. a jury found him guilty on every charge including money laundering running a criminal enterprise and drug trafficking. to deter othe

the group took to a stage in havana.uba with more on how music is making a difference tonight. usher? >> reporter: good evening antonio, well the concert got underway just about an hour ago. about 2,000 audience members packed the theater here. it is a concert that has been long anticipated. ♪ >> reporter: in havana music is everywhere. ♪ >> reporter: this weekend, music is the universal language that many hope with reunite the hearts and minds of cubans and people from the u.s. even for a brief moment. >> i think music is a great and powerful essential element of our life. and when someone is trying to build something new between two countries, what could be better than music? ♪ >> reporter: it's the first time an orchestra from the states has travelled to the communist island in 15 years. ♪ >> reporter: more than 100 american musicians from the minnesota orchestra are performing as part of the international cuba disco festival. this is the group's first visit to cuba since 1930. maestro says the ensemble is performing

oliver: he also opened a new cultural center in havana.the visit profit a lot of excitement on locals stop -- prompted a lot of excitement on locals. >> it is a great event for us part of the friendship cuba has always had with european countries. >> this visit is really important for our country and relations and such. i am really excited by all. -- all of it. oliver: the visit comes six months after the united states decided to restore ties with cuba after a standoff of over 50 years. franÇois hollande says he expects other western leaders to soon follow. genie: a masterpiece by pablo picasso has smashed the world record for the most expensive artwork sold at auction. the painting, called the women of algiers, went for over $179 million in new york. >> $120 million. reporter: chapter 11 anxious minutes of getting, -- after 11 inches min civilian, the women of algiers made history. the painting had already been sold at christie's in 1997, but the price today's five times the amount, with the buyer wanting to remain anonymous. the previous

usher has a preview from havana. >> reporter: the minnesota orchestra will be playing here in havanaf two performances will take place tonight as part of the international cuba disco festival. the american musicians are spending time coaching and playing with cuban music students. >> translator: we learn about their way of interping music. >> reporter: it's the minnesota orchestra's visit here in more than 80 years, and the first american orchestra to play in cuba since president obama took steps to normalize relations between the two countries in april. this music exchange is seen as a wide to continue to build momentum towards increased normalization. >> music is a great and powerful element, an essential element of our life and -- and when someone is trying to build something new between two countries what could be better? >> the first performance will feature an all beethoven repertoire. we'll have more tonight. >> you can see more from usher in cuba tonight starting at 7:00 eastern. thanks for joining us. i'm randall pinkston. the news continues next live from london. you can ke

they were the first major orchestra to perform in havana this century. >> reporter: in havana music is everywhere. weekends, music is the universal language that many hope will unite the hearts and minds of people from cuba and the u.s. >> i think music is a great and powerful element. and an element of our life. and when someone is trying to build something new between two countries, what could be better than this? it's the first time an orchestra from the states travelled to the communist island in 15 years. more than 100 american musicians are performing as part of the international cuba disco festival. this is the first visit to cuba since 1930. maestro says the ensemble is practising one of the same pieces played here on the last tour 85 years ago. >> they played during one of the visit. it was a reason why the local organizers wanted to have it. here you come back to play but like 85 years ago. the trip takes on more meaning since the evolution of u.s. cuban relations. in december president obama took steps to renew ties with havana. diplomats from both countries do their work. t

the flights from miami, and they're added flights from places like new york to havana.ays packed. this is just going to be one more avenue. it might take up to ten hours to come on a ferry from miami to havana but people are almost scrambling. they want to do it. they want to be part of history. they want to go across the straits of florida, go to sleep in miami, and wake up in havana just like their grandparents did before the cuban revolution. some of these boats even offer gambling. of course once they get into cuban waters they'll have to put away slot machines and card tables. ever since fidel castro took over in cuba, one of the things he did was ban gambling. but lots of people excited about this new way to come to cuba. >> with his new opening in u.s.-cuban relations, a lot of tourists are going to want to go to cuba. can they accommodate them yet? >> reporter: oh they need a lot of -- there's too much to build to really meet the demand the short-term demand. cuban officials have told me they expected just this year to see over 500,000 new visitors from the unit

al jazeera havana. >> and you can catch the full report tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern time the senate has voted to move ahead on president obama's request for new authority, to negotiation trader bills. the procedure vote was 62 in favor and 38 against the bill would give the president the ability to negotiate bills with an expedited review by congress. it should be treaties this is not the final passage vote, when the senate does vote on final passage, the measure must still clear the house. the officials are speaking right now about the clean up efforts in california, let's have a listen. >> this incident continues to unfold, we quantity to make sure that the public understands the direction we are headed. we understand that the residents of santa barbara are seeing the effects of the oil spilled on the beach, and hazardous materials oen the land and we are actively working towards clean up and response. i do want to manage expectations. clean up doesn't occur overnight. it a's long process and i ask for your patience as we continue our work. the care and saf

supposed to be a meeting to thank pope francis for his role in helping foreign relations between havanater a private chat with the upon fif cuban president raul castro said. >> i will start praying and return to the catholic church and i'm not kidding, i'm a communist and the communist party did not allow it but it's being allowed now and it's a step forward. >> reporter: it would be a return to castro's past. he and his old tear brother fidel castro considered themselves athiest and the pope is the first president of the catalyst church and will attend the pope's masses when he visits cuba in september on his way to the united states. we asked the leader of cuba catholic church ortega what he expected from the visit. >> translator: it's natural that the pope reaffirm cuba to open up to the world and the world open up to cuba especially as pontiff is in the dialog between united states and cuba. >> reporter: pope francis will be the third pontiff to visit in 17 years a lot considering cuba is a small country where the church is not particularly strong. >> i think cuba has awakened an in

harry smith, nbc news, havana. >>> and that will do it for us on this friday night.'m lester holt reporting from los angeles. for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. >>> nbc bay area news starts now. >> i really don't understand how they can say it was just a fight. >> right now at 6:00 the family demands justice after a san jose state police killed a man. this after getting a new glimpse into what happened in the moments before shots rang out. good evening, i'm janelle wang in for jessica aguirre. >> i'm raj mathai. we've obtained still photographs. these pictures prove their point. they are still photos from a body camera of one of the officers he was wearing. the man did not follow command and charged him with a knife. the family says no way. robert, body cameras, still images and yet controversy. >> reporter: the big difference could be still pictures versus the video they were taken from. they say they showed a man an an attack. the other side says the video shows just the opposite. >> perhaps something else could have been done and we

ally of cuba this time apparently without any conditions. ♪ >> reporter: lucia newman al jazeera, havana are dead and dozens injured in the u.s. after a series of tornados. the states of texas, arkansas and south dakota were the worst effected. many homes have been completely destroyed. about two does intornados were reported since sunday. and the weather pattern known as el nino is underway in the south pacific for the first time in five years. australia's bureau of meteorology is predicting the year to be extreme. >> el niÑo is just a warming of the pacific ocean waters. the weather systems which sit overthis area send to get displaced and alters. the same thing goes for cooler waters off of the coast of south america. so areas such as ecuador and peru become significantly wetter. where on the northeast it becomes dryer. southern stateses of the united states, could be significantly wetter. this researcher emerged in australia, where they are more prone to wildfires. bought is also expected across parts of southeast asia. take india for instance the whole region will become warmer. the

. >> reporter: speaking at the university of havana it's clear he wants to take a leadership role ined cuba eu dialog and has mad latin american one of the foreign policy priorities but it's not just political, both france and holland are teamed to position themselves economically ahead of when the united states lifts its embargo against cuba to make trade and tourism flourish. american investment lawyer pedro says it's all about capturing american business. >> where are the americans going to go to know? i know the forbidden paradise and cuba will open up, americans there be there, i want a dutch hotel taking care of the americans, that is what you're seeing. >> reporter: he is accompanied by executives by top french firms including the liquor giant and handles sales of havana club rum and hopefully soon now to the u.s. the french president has not alluded publically to the thorny issues of human rights that led to the eu freeze. instead he offers to make france a quote faithful ally of cuba. this time apparently without any conditions. i'm with al jazeera, havana. >>> greece repaid

lucia newman is in havana where hollande met with fidel also. >> we know the meeting last bed an hour and a half, we're not sure what he has later on his schedule but a very hectic one so far. he addressed the university of havana earlier today saying not only had france bun one of the countries first to condemn the u.s. embargo but he would make a bridge between the united states and cuba, in what is expected to be an ending of the embargo very soon in the future. he was here to represent france and the eu, which froze diplomatic relations in 2003 after fidel castro ordered the imprisonment of 77 dissidents. there was conversation in the eu whether that was a good idea or not, but the fact that the french president is here does signal the associate sort of sequential to let buy gones be by gones begones be bygones. rachel good to have you back. no eu leader had visited cuba in around 30 years. how significant is this visit? >> i think it's pretty big. it is indicative of the ramifications of president obama obama's announcement which is to say no longer on the united states only to b

harry smith, nbc news havana. >>> and that will do it for us on this friday night.or all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. (toilet flushing) spending more time here lately? going more often? straining to go? waking up at night to go? you're not alone. it happens to millions of men. don't wait. call now to participate in a study for urinary symptoms. you will be compensated for your time and travel. to qualify is easy just call 888-804-1672. don't wait. call now. 888-804-1672 brought to you by pegus research. >>> look what we found when we came to washington, d.c. to begin a three-day series against the nationals. yes some phillies fans but also the sun. the phils are back at the national league east after three against arizona and four against denver rockies. so far, seven games overall. a series up in philly and a series in washington. seven games nationals lead the season series 4-3. they've outscored the

: in havana, music is everywhere.s weekend music is the universal language that many hope can reunite the hearts and minds of cubans and people from the u.s. even for a brief moment. [ ♪♪ ] >> it's the first time an orchestra from the states travelled to the communist island in 15 years. more than 100 american musicians from the minnesota orchestra are performing as part of the international cuba disco festival. this is the group's first visit to cuba since 1930. maestro says the ensemble is performing one of the same pieces played here on the last tour, 85 years ago. >> they have played the 3rd symphony during one of those visits. it was the reason why the local organisers want this. you come back to play the same sim phoney but like you did 85 years ago. >> reporter: the trip takes on more meaning since the evolution of u.s. cuban. president obama took steps to renew ties in havana, in june cut in 1961. while diplomats from both countries do their work. tours help to build a relationship on a person to person level.

harry smith, nbc news havana. >>> and that will do it for us on this friday night.or all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. watching and good night. right now verizon is offering unlimited talk and text. plus 10 gigs of shareable data. yeah, 10 gigantic gigs. for $80 a month. and $15 per line. more data than ever. for more of what you want. on the network that's #1 in speed, call, data and reliability. so you never have to settle. now, also get $200 when you join and buy a new smartphone. stop by or visit us online. and save without settling. only on verizon. >>> lights camera access. >> have you melt her? >> i have. >> i think you know everything. >> and what was that like? kim kardashian the access interview,

we have a preview from havana. >> the minnesota orchestra will be playing in havana. first of two performances will take place tonight. in addition to the performances, the musicians are coaching and playing with cuban high school and university music students. >> we learn of interpreting music. >> the visit is historic. it's the first visit to cuba in 80 years also the first american orchestra to perform since relations were normalized in december. the people to people exchanges have been allowed for several years. this is seen as a way to continue building momentum toward increased normalization between washington and havana. >> i think music is a great and powerful element of our life, and when someone is trying to build something new between two countries, what could better than music? >> the first orchestra performance will feature beethoven, dances from west side story and romeo and juliet. we'll have more on the historic journey to cuba. >> you can see more from the story tonight beginning at 7:00 eastern. thank you for joining us. stephanie sy is back in two m

ahead on the al jazeera news hour the french president's meeting with the former cuban leader in havanaus we'll tell you about a world tour to support political cartoonists. >>> and in sport, find out if the golden state warriors are still in playoff contention. back in a moment. ♪ >> i've been asked to keep my voice down cause we are so close to the isil position >> who is in charge, and are they going to be held to accout? >> but know we're following the research team into the fire >> they're learning how to practice democracy... >> ...just seen tear gas being thrown... >> ...glad sombody care about us man... >> several human workers were kidnapped... >> this is what's left of the hospital >> is a crime that's under reported... >> what do you think... >> we're making history right now... >> al jazeera america >> al jazeera america international news. >> people here are worried that this already serious situation may escalate. >> shining a light on the untold stories. >> believe in yourself and you might get there. >> making the connections to the bigger picture. >> shouldn't you have

. >> the french president's historic meeting with fidel castro in havana. >> find out if the doleddenate warriors are still in playoff contention. >> the u.n. envoy to yemen arrived in sanna hours before a ceasefire proposed by saudi arabia is due to start. iran backs the truce and wants resumption of talks between pro government sources and houthi rebels. >> a new earthquake in nepal also felt in india. >> indonesia navy commanders warn boats found carrying rohingya migrants will be sent back. 2,000 refugees have landed in indonesia and malaysia in the past 48 hours. >> there is a migrant crisis on europe's southern shores, as well. the european union appealed to the u.n. for help to deal with people smuggling seeking a mandate allowing military action to destroy smuggler's boats. tens of thousands have crossed from libya to europe this year. addressing the u.n. security council, the e.u. foreign policy chief admitted that europe has been slow to act. >> 2015 looks even worse than the previous year, and consider that in 2014, 3,300 migrants died trying to enter the european union by

and cube negotiators, still no break through in opening embassyies in havana. there had been four round of negotiations prior to this u.s. official saying this could be the final one. there are some outstanding issues that remain on the cuban side. there is upset and they're disappointed about embassy programs carried around the world. so-called democracy programs training journalists and training in technology that cubans want a halt to that. other issues on the table how much freedom will u.s. diplomats have to travel within cuba? how big of a staff will be permitted within the u.s. embassy in havana, and how big a presence will cuban security forces have around the facility? that is a key issue because many quitics say that there are far too many cuban police and military forces intimidated cubans who may want to go into the embassy to talk to americans for travel or business purposes. this is high on the list for americans. they want as much contact with the cubans as american diplomats who would be posted in havana. they want as much contact as possible. a

shut down its embassy in havana. there is a up suggestion there could be an announcement way back next week. >> those flag poles you see there they were erected to mass the area with electronic screen which what they perceived as american propaganda. nick clark al jazeera havana, cuba. >> the silk road, allowed the exchange of $200 million of be drug sales. >> he apologized to the families of six people who died of drug overis doses linked to silk road one father said silk road provided the convenience of anonymity, and government prosecutors argued for a harsh sentence including money laundering and be running a criminal enterprise. but albrecht's lawyer. >> mr. albrecht was saddled with all of it. at a was unfair unjust and unreasonable. >> ross was crying during his statement, he was looking for his life to be destroyed. >> an authority called the deep web appeared on tuition believing that the gort had overreached on the war on drug. >> the fact is that it is not a deterrent. silk road had been shut down in 2014,

embassy in havana. diplomats on both sides say the hardest part of the negotiations has been establishing trust with their former enemy. more bridges for a new hope to help build when he comes to cuba. many people were struck by raul castro's comments following the meeting with the pope that he was considering rejoining the catholic church. he has never said anything like that before. fidel castro certainly never said anything like that before. both men are life-long atheists. raul castro becoming a communist in his teens and ever since then like his brother espousing atheism which for many years as the official state of cuba that religion was discouraged, if not banned. for raul castro now at 83 years of age to say he's been so moved by the pope that he is reconsidering joining the catholic church. for many cubans that is nothing short of miraculous. >> that does stand out. thank you. >>> the u.s. has been focused on reaching this nuclear deal with iran. how that's left the door open for north korea to

the media circled the old havana florida, home where he stayed as his relatives filled the yard withoys and proudly displayed him as a victory over communism. >> translator: there were so many emotions. all at the same time. when i was with my uncle, everyone is staring at me thinking about me. they didn't allow me that time to cry for my mother. to sit down and realize what had happened. i was simply a kid, and to me everything was a game. >> reporter: in cuba, elian's father, juan miguel launched his own media battle. backed by fidel castro. the propaganda war on both sides heated up when elian's miami family shot this video in which the then 6-year-old, some say, was coached to say he wants to stay in the u.s. but the final word would come from the federal courts. the boy belonged with his dad. when the miami family refused to comply armed u.s. agents were sent in creating the scene few can forget. certainly not the fisherman holding elian in this picture. >> if i didn't cooperate at that moment i blooift could have went bad and could have been bloodshed in there. >> reporter: eli

supposed to be a meeting to thank pope francis for his role in helping foreign relations between havanaashington. but after private chat with the pontiff, cuban president raul castro made a stunning announcement. >> i said if the pope continues to talk as he does sooner or later i will start praying again and return to the catholic church and i'm not kidding. i'm a communist. the cuban communist party does not allow t but it is being allowed now. it is a step forward. >> it would be a return to castro's past. he and his older brother fidel castro went to a jesuit school in his youth before declaring themselves atheists and shutting down catholic schools in the revolution. it just so happens that pope francis is the first jesuit leader of the catholic church. president castro said that he would attend all the pope's masses when he visits cube on his way to the united states. we ask what they expected from the visit. >> especially as the pontiff has participated in the dialogue between the united states and cuba. >> pope francis will be the third pontiff to visit cuba in 17 years. a lot c

he became archbishop of havana in 1981.cipated in the conclave that selected pope benedict 16 and pope francis. lastly, he was awarded the medal of honor for helping to normalize u.s.-cuban relations. i have known him for several year

lucia newman, al jazeera havana. >> hundreds of women demanded justice for their children. amnesty international estimates 25,000 people have gone missing in mexico in recent years. >>> venezuela's indigenous groups, its people have long struggled to keep their identity and culture alive and now their efforts are paying off. they brought their language from the brink of dying out. virginia lopez reports. >> the anu people of western venezuela say they are of the water and like the water. there is some commerce and men continue to fish. but their culture and their language nearly vanished. recognizing the importance language has in the process of self determination anthropologists like ali fernandez, began work on the vocabulary with the three people who continue to speak it. the task was made even more difficult because the anu barely spoke among each other. the three anu elders who helped fernandez have died but thanks to her it's taught in schools like these. even the venezuelan national anthem has been translated. for local anthropologists it's helped the anu regain thei

mandated embargo -- that the policies -- no one questions the issue of policy in havana. law in the united states has blocked an opening. >> it will be interesting to see if the pope brings that up when he comes to washington right after he visits cuba in september. seems to me that the question is how do you use any easing of restraint on trade with cuba as a means to empower the people of cuba to take control of their own future which they haven't been able to do for five decades. that's what pope francis wants to see happen. >> george michael, thank you very much. >>> 43 million in the u.s. are directly in the path of dangerous storms from the upper midwest to texas following a weekend of deadly storms. rescue and recovery operations are underway in van, texas after a powerful tornado ripped through the community last night. this in from officials on the ground there. two were killed in those storms. at least 43 people were transported to hospitals with injuries. eight people are still missing amid the rubble and debris. >> we're working very hard to get van back to no

. >> french president francis hollande is on an historic visit to cuba, i'm lucia newman in havana. i'll tell you what this means for both countries. plus we'll tell you about a world tour for cartoonists. more on that - stay with us. >> on hard earned, what would you do? >> the army is the last resort but i will do anything necessary for my family... >> when you're running out of choices... >> maybe i should become a nun... do nuns smoke? >> and your back's against the wall... >> i have a problem... i don't speak english... >> hard earned pride... hard earned respect... hard earned future... a real look at the american dream hard earned only on al jazeera america >> part of our month long look at working in america. "hard earned". welcome back. the top stories on al jazeera. saudi arabia moved tanks and vehicles towards the southern border with yemen. the reinforcement killed two. the ceasefire is due to start later on tuesday. the international organization for migration called on nations to fight and rescue migrants believed to be stranded at sea and at risk of death. monday mala

i'm lucia newman in havana. >>> welcome back, a quick reminder of the top stories. saudi arabia moved tank and vehicles towards the southern border with yemen. reinforcements were send after two were killed, including a saudi national. a saudi proposed ceasefire was due to start on tuesday. >>> the international organization has been asked to find migrants stranded at sea, at risk of death. thousand were detained in bang including dozens of children >>> the european union asked for help to tack the smuggling. they demand military action to destroy votes. >> greaseece's government will face a cash crisis. the finance minister are meeting in brussels to complete the cries chris. >> it promises to be smalla long, tense summer in greece, the protests are small now, they could grow bigger if the left-wing government is forced by lenders to compromise on austerity, in return for a much-needed bail out. the european central bank and i.m.f. are not progressing to unlock aid, but there is skepticism about a plan offered by athens. >> reporter: some important issues have been

as daniel schwindler reports from havana they still get uncensored glimpses from the outside world. >> this is the common view, how tourists keep themselves, gathering on the malacon the sea front. there's not much to do. but the weekly packet, what's important is that people have what they want, the latest. people need to be entertained and cuban television doesn't usually provide the entertainment that people need. carlos not his real name, is a distributor working from his apartment. filling his customers' hard disks and pen drives from the latest u.s. drama series and films. it costs a couple of dollars monday morning when its content is fresh and the price drops. this is a cuban film that was going to be released in the cinema it's excellent but then i realized they banned it, but people already had it, they saw it. it's a great film. with great actors. he wants to maintain a low profile and the authorities seem happy to see the weekly package spread across the island. while it contains no pornography or overt political messages. what pretty much everybody else in the world watch

in december, president obama took step to say renew former diplomatic ties with havana which the u.s.hile dips from both countries do their work, tours like this helped build a relationship on a person to pepper level. >> i want you to get more core to the sound. u.s. musicians are coaching and playing with cuba music students. >> they seem to have a huge appetite for our kind of classical music which is our cause to bring that to life. >> we talk about the relationships between nations and countries and in this particular case, this is beyond comblike. it's very, very important. >> this is incredibly exciting in this hopefully new era of relations, and to make friends through music is the easiest way. we both love the same thing so let's talk about it. >> it is interesting to see how music can eliminate barriers. you can unite people through music and that's something great. ♪ >> it is this greatness artists here hope will help build momentum to bridge the diplomatic divide between cuba and the united states through the sound of music. al jazeera havana. >> coming up in two minutes f

havana's cathedral is full with a mass to ordain two priests. if the catholic priests are suffering, here in cuba the shortage is acute. decade of restrictions took their toll. the church is still not allowed reg u lag access to the mass media. under the president castro the government is making changes. as castro meets with pope francis to discuss a visit. new churches are allowed to be built and a few hold ones to be preserved. i asked the head of the church what he expected from the visit. >> translation: it's natural that the pope will reaffirm the churches desire to open up to the world, and the world open up to cuba. the pontiff participated in the dialogue between the united states and cuba. [ singing ] >> pope francis will be the third pontiff to cuba in 17 years, a lot considering that cuba is a small country in an area where the church is not so strong. cuba awakened an interest not proportionate to its side. this visit was particularly significant >>> the president of columbia ordered an end to the spraying of cocoa plant. with a herb

let's go live to havana and our latin american editor lucia newman. we are also hearing that president hollande will also meet fidel castro. >> reporter: hello julie that's exactly what we're hearing too although it hasn't been made public in cuba. it's very customary for fidel to meet dignitaries who come here. not only is it the first french president to come here since cuban independence but also the first western european union leader to come here since the crack down on 77 dissidents on this country back in 2002. so it is all sort of let's let buybygones be bygones. >> and so lucia did this visit signify an end on religious and political differences do you think? >> well when president hollande was addressing the university, he said he didn't just represent france but the eu. there will be talks with other leaders later on in the week. it does open the door to economic ties particularly as the freeze between the united states and cuba seems to be crumbling. diplomatic ties seem to be re reestablished. >> lucia newman, live in havana, thank you. >