Welcome to al jazeera america, im thomas drayton, good to have you with us. We begin with a Chemical Spill prompting west virginias government to declare an emergency around charles son. 100,000 are affected and nine counties. Health officials are advising people not to drink, bathe or cook with the oil. The chemical used to process coal leaked into the elk river. Daycare, universities, schools are told to cut down. The department of health says the diplomats at the center of a standoff between the u. S. And india is on her way back to her home country. Prosecutors charged Devyani Khobragade with visa fraud. As John Seigenthaler reports, the u. S. Ordered her to leave. From the start this case has caused outrage in india with protesters filling the streets. It started last month when u. S. Authorities in new york arrested an indian diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, whilst dropping her young daughter at school. She said she has outraged at her treatment handcuffed in public, strip searched and housed in a new york gaol. There was no indications that anything but appropriate measures were followed. We do know it is sensitive. U. S. Assertions didnt quell the anger in india, anger that attracted more attention than the charges. Federal Authorities Say Devyani Khobragade lied on a visa application for her housekeeper. She was indicted on two counts, visa fraud and making a false declaration and set off a tug of war between u. S. And ind ya. There is one victim. That is Devyani Khobragade. A serving diplomat on mission in the united states. India responded by curtailing u. S. Diplomats perks. Theyll have to obey traffic law and pay parking tickets. India is ordering the u. S. Embassy in delhi to turn away nondocuments at a popular Embassy Social club. U. S. Energy secretary ernest moniz postponed a trip to india. Devyani khobragade vows to fight the charges. Al jazeeras John Seigenthaler reporting. The diplomats departure allows her to avoid a trial and a prison sentence. Governor Chris Christie apologised for a series of traffic jams. This is a live look at the bridge. Chris christie fired two senior members of his team that appeared to have issuing traited the entire thing as a political endeavour. Critics say the institute tarnished the president ial hopefuls image. Stepping before the microphones Chris Christie was contrite. I came out here today to apologise to the people of new jersey. The governor said he was embarrassed and humiliated to learn that members of his staff sparked the closure of access lanes to the George Washington bridge, actions never encouraged or authorised. I had no knowledge or involvement in this issue. In its planning or its execution. And i am stunned by the abject stupidity. Christy said he questioned his staff last month about the claims from mayor sokolich, a democrat, who argued the traffic jams from a form of retribution. I told them in an hour i was going to go out in a press conference, and if no one gave me information to the contrary, that i was going to say that no one on my staff was involved in this matter. Chris christie did just that, calling the allegations a few weeks ago absurd. I know you guys are obsessed with this. Im not. Emails made public on wednesday revealed that bridget anne kelly, Chris Christies deputy chief of staff had written to the agency overseeing the bridge. Theres no justification forever lying to a governor or a person in authority in this government. And as a result, i have terminated bridget anne kellys employment immediately. Chris christie said he asked bill steppian, another advisor to not seek the chairman of the republican party. I am responsible for what happens under my watch the good and the bad, and when mistakes are made, then i have to own up to them. And take the action i believe is necessary. That action, said Chris Christie, included travelling to fort lee to apologise to commuters and officials. The mayor spoke after the meeting. I viewed it to be productive. With assurances this will not occur in the future. On wednesday the Prosecutors Office of paul fishman will consider charges. David wildstein carried out the lane closures on instructions from Chris Christies staff. I respectfully assert my right to remain silent all of that is as Chris Christie is reportedly considering a 2016 president ial campaign. If you dont have the trust of the voters, and they can handle the job and the position correctly, thats a big obstacle to overcome. Governor Chris Christie said theyd cooperate, including providing testimony under oath and means the future will depend on the judgments of the grand jury. To get former David Wildstein who tried to stop testifying in front of the panel. Three al jazeera journalists will be held for another 15 days. Mohamed fadel fahmy, baher mohamed, and correspondent peter greste have been detained for 12 days at a prison outside of cairo, accused of spreading lies harmful to state security and being involved with the muslim brotherhood, which the Egyptian Government labelled as a terrorist organization. Al jazeera said the allegations are false and demand the men be released. 22 men training to sever in the iraqi army have been mixed a suicide bomber killed himself at an airfield used. It follows weeks of fighting between the government at the anbar province. The u. S. Is sending missiles to help contain al qaeda fighters moving through syria. A number of unexplained murders in russia has the country on high alert. Six bodies were found sprayed with bullets 200 miles from soech. Several booby trapped bomb devices were discovered in the area. Twin suicide bombs last month left 34 dead. The government stepped up kou counterterrorism efforts across moscow and is banning liquor experts in two airports. Warmer air is moving into parts of the east in the northeast. As that happens warmer air coming up the top of cold air, bringing freezing drizzle. We are getting that early in the morning across the east. Parts of the west dealing with a storm coming in, creating strong winds. These winds are coming in so fast, hitting the coast, 50 to 60 miles per hour. A lot of time we gets reports up to 7080 miles per hour. Its coming in over the mountains. Well see a lot of wind reports and potential wind damage from the storm coming in. It will bring heavy rain over the weekend and well continue with a series of these. Rounds of rain will move through with showers in between. Well get a bit of snow from the cascades into the rockies and up into canada. The forecast for friday. You can see it along the Continental Divide and into utah and wyoming. Youll continue with the mountain snow. All the rain keeps going for the first part of the midwest. Thatll be tracking through the midatlantic. Throughout the day, friday morning, until the evening we have the rising spots on the road. So, starting to dry or starting out dry for parts of montana. Some snow around the lakes, through michigan and illinois. The change over from snow to rain. As we get into the forecast for friday night well have the rain mix and snow mix around green bay and maddison. Further south the rain and the warming air coming in. It will feel good for everyone. Overnight expect chilly temperatures out there around minnesota and the great lakes. Through the day the trend of warming. Battling income and equality. President obama laying out a plan to help poor americans get ahead. In a rare appearance by fidel castro, why the former cuban president was seen in public for the first time in nine months. 50 years after president Lyndon Johnson began his war on poverty, president obama is launching an initiative to battle income in equality in america. Hes battling the poorer areas. Mike viqueira has more from the white house. Really, ever since the regan administration, and if you want to go back the anniversary that we observed. The 50th anniversary on the war on poverty. You go back through the research, the zone, they are tax credits, public, private partnerships, they are ways to invigorate growth, education, and lift the children born into the situation. Not the zip code you are born in, but the strength of your dreams to determine your future. There are mixed results through history. Its something the president wants to get after, and part and parcel of a large scheme over the course of the next week and month, in the state of the union, and that is it the growing income disparity, and what he proposes to do about it. The president proposes in the state of the union last february between then and now, there has been an application process. Several communities across the country came forward. Therell be 20 of these promise zones put forward over the course of the next three years. The president proposed the first five recipients. Back to that larger theme, the disparity of income in this country, a gap between rich and poor. The president notes a thawing of the partisanship in congress. Hope springs internal, but the president spoke to that in the east room. We have to make sure the recovery, which is real, leaves nobody behind. That is going be my focus throughout the year. This is going to be a year of action. Thats what the American People expected, and they are ready and willing to pitch in and help. This is not just a job for government, but a job for everyone. Not so fast however. There are republican, conservatives in congress that will have to vote for the tax credits. If you are a company or organization that goes into the community, you are promised tax credits if you hire the unemployed or those that need training or an education. Congress will have to vote on that and theyll discuss that in the coming weeks. Mike viqueira from the white house. The need for hope goes behind the five zones. In new orleans an Alarming Number of children live in poverty. Meet single mother april white, growing up in a new Orleans Housing project, is 33 years old, has three kids and studying to become a paralegal. Shes working a parttime job and makes less than the nearly 24,000 poverty line. Nothing comes easy. Everything is a struggle. Being poor is a term she doesnt want her kids to grow up with. You know, the main thing i preach, of course, is education and perseverance in whatever you do. You know, you take a bad situation and you totally make it good. That is exactly what she is trying to do. Since 2000 the number of poor has increased 35 . As the war on poverty continues, you can see the remnants of projects once years ago Holding Families and children, are now torn down. This one in new orleans, this courtyard just a few years ago many children here playing, not a safe place as its ridden with gangs and violence. Two decades after Public Housing demolition began, four out of 10 children live in highpoverty neighbourhoods. One of the highest rates in america. Katherine grew up in Child Poverty and runs the harmony development. A nonprofit. With consulting and the building of new mix income homes, where housing projects stood. The biggest thing is having access to information, to quality products and food. You find a lot of poor kids are obese and things like that because they cant afford healthy food. Its called food insecurity. And the most recent data released by the u. S. Department of agriculture reveals that 25 of African American households dont have access to proper nutrition and thats one challenge of Child Poverty. We hear about murders every day and it amazing me that those suspects are teenagers. With little or no structure and school not a priority some kids living in poverty joined gangs and fell into life on the streets. It has to be individuals who are willing to work with these kids and who are committed to helping the kids make a difference. Otherwise we are continually going to have more young people in gaol. For april white and her three children, they count their blessings each day, happy to have a roof over their heads and food on the table. A lot of people make ends meet with the money you are making working all day. For white and others living below the poverty line, the belief that raising the minimum wage could take the children out from the bellows of being poor is as reel as every day life with little or no money. 20 of the households in louisville live under the poverty line. The average family of four has an income of 24,000. Americans who rely on longterm Unemployment Benefits have to wait to see if theyll be extended. A deal by harry reid would have benefits carry through to midnovember at a cost of 18 billion, harry reid says his proposal includes costcutting sections. The republican asked how long it would take to pay the price fag. 1. 4 million americans had Unemployment Benefits run out on december 28th. The white house met with congress to talk about reforming the National Security agency. The administration is in a mix of a flurry of meetings as they prepare to make changes, surveillance programs exposed by Edward Snowden president obama could ask the n. S. A. To stop storing the telephone records of millions of americans and scale back efforts targetting foreign leaders. Edward snowden has been asked to testify before a european parliamentary committee. No date has been proposed. The investigation is aimed at drafting policy to protect the privacy of citizens and improve it security in e. U. Institutions. Former cuban president fidel castro made a rare public appearance. The 87yearold was shown on state television on an art gallery opening. Its been nine months since he was last seen in public. Hes made a few appearances since stepping down in 2006, because of failing health. After leading the island nation for 50 years, castro was succeeded by his brother raul. The high cost of low temperatures. The hit the u. S. Economy took vault of a cold snap. An island with a unique attraction. Out of a horror movie. The island of the dolls. And this years Baseball Hall of fame inductees talk about the steroid scandal leaving some of the biggest stars on the outside looking in. And a look at the Capitol Building at washington d. C. On a night that is slowly warming up. Stay with us. Well, the three happiest exbaseball players on the planet were in new york thursday, basketing in the glow. It features greg maddux, and tom glavine, and white sox slugger frank thomas, all three looked upon as the clean players from the steroid era. Its a big reason why they are in, and other big names like barry bonds and Roger Clemens are not. I dont disrespect everyone. Im proud the way i did it. I would never point my finger at anyone until proven guilty. Everyone over the last few years have been proven guilty. I know a lot of guys took stuff when we played. I think guys were doing it because it gave them an advantage, a chance to be better. And so many guys were doing it that it was what it was. Maybe theres different classification of guy, guys that maybe people know they failed the test. Strongly suspicious of. Its hard to separate all of them. To football. Multiple reports say fenton state agreed to contract terms with James Franklin to replace bill obrien. Speaking of the pros. Another of the n. F. L. Vacant jobs has been filled. Jaying routen has been named as the eighth coach that Daniel Schneider named. Routen signed a fiveyear deal and proclaimed that Robert Griffin the third is the starting carter back. Big basketball upsets. Miami heat and louisville fell to number 24. Thats your look at sport this hour. The brutally cold conditions this week in the u. S. And canada had an impact on niagra falls. Parts of the popular Tourist Destination froze over creating in picturesque landscape. Ice jams on the river caused flooding in the area. The recent freeze caused thousands of americans to stay home, instead of working, costing the country 5 billion. Hun 5 billion is not as bad as if sounds. Its about a seventh of the days production for the country. In mexico, miles south of mexico city. Lies a unique tourist attraction. Its called the island of the dolls. Its a small garden covered in childrens toys. Its become a bizarre tourist stop. This is one of the biggest tour attraction in mexico city, xt xochimilco, where people enjoy the beautiful canals used by the az techs. The ancient waterways hold many stories. Nowhere is that truer than here, on the island of the dolls. It looks like a screen from a horror movie. Hundreds of dolls strung up, hanging from trees. This mans uncle collected the dolls after finding the body of a young girl who drowned on the shores. Translation he found the dolls in the canals and in the trash. He started hanging them up to protect him and scare away the spirit of the girl. Now every year more and more tourists with a morbid security visit the island. People like linda. Translation in mexican culture theres a lot of legends. People believe they can trap evil spirits. Some come from columbia, australia and russia, brought by visitors from all over the world. This is not the only frightening folk tail with origins here. The most famous is weeping woman. A frightening tale performed been an indigenous woman who drowns her children in the canals, instead of surrendering to the spanish conquerers. Translation we have 17 communities with legends. We have one legend about men turning into animals. The island of the dolls is not an ancient attraction, but probably one of the most bizarre. Its proof that the mystery is very much alive today. Bizarre it is. The i would remained off the cid for decades, in the 1990s during a local government effort to clean up the canal. Thatll do it for
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