He said come home, she said no. A family feud in court. A teenager suing her mum and dat. Good morning, welcome to al jazeera. Secretary of state john kerry is set to meet russias minister, amid a war of words over the standoff in crimeas peninsula. John kerry arrived for talks ontuesday, the high level meeting the first between the two countries since russia september troops to crimea. Ukraine offered little assurance of a peaceful solution. A meeting two the two countrys defence ministers on tuesday epded in a stalemate, one said we have no sign of hope. Lisa stark joins us from washington in a moment. But Jennifer Glasse is in the crimea city of sevastopol. Good morning. We heard from foreign minister Sergei Lavrov before the meeting with kerry. What did he have to say . Good morning, Sergei Lavrov speaking in madrid making clear the russian position is far from the american position. Moscow believes president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted illegally. That moscow was forced to act because what happened in kiev could be contagious, criticising the west for supporting the new government in kiev, criticising what Sergei Lavrov called protesters acting against the ukrainian constitution and russia cant do anything about ordering forces back to bases because they are selfdefence forces. That is a critical point. There are thousands of troops across the peninsula blockading bases and ports outside every gate of every military installation, russian, with weapons. They are military uniforms. Ukrainian officers said they are clearly russian, they spoke to some. Some have identified, the vast majority have not, but they are travelling in Russian Military vehicles and russian licence baits. You are in crimea, where tensions are high on tuesday. Where do they remain now . They are high. This is sevastopol, a naval town. Both the ukrainian and russian black fleet are located here. Until 1978 the stit was under the control city was occupied the control of moscow, and onward came under ukrainians control in 1978. A russian show of force in ukrainian waters. In is sevastopol, stryletska bay. The blockade is meant to pressure sailors to switch sides, to pledge allegiance to crimea and its government. The crew of the donbass refused. On board 120 ukrainian sailors. One is vadim. His wife, ireacha prays at the naval base, worried the stand off will turn into a war. At least she can talk on the phone, others are calling with threats. They said you better sign the agreement, we know where with our family is and the school, i asked her who is calling, she says she doesnt nope. Ner sailors wife olga shows me photos of her husband and is surprised by the hostility. This will soon be russia. Theres no place for us. You are ukrainian, go serve in ukraine. Across the street from the naval base, russian soldiers are setting up camp. Thats what the russians have done across crimea. This overlooks the Ukrainian Navy base. The ukrainian chief of staff says they are talking with the russians outside the gate. We talk the same language, we understand each other, but the situation on the outside on the top of the abandoned building, you can see the position, the fire position in its it pointed to our direction. The camp refuses to change its flags and loyalties to ukraine. Nobody wants to be betrar in the eyes of our country men. Back in stryletska bay is ukraines only submarine, also blocked by the russians. Theships of both navies sit side by side. Only the russian boats can move in the stand off by the sea. Well, the ukrainian officers told me they would be cursed by their country men if they stepped down. They know they are outnumbered. When the fleet was divided in 1997, russia got 80 , ukraine 20 . They know they cant stand militarily. There are warships at the entrance. Those are ferries behind me, nothing else allowed in or out. Jennifer glasse reporting from sevastopol. The white house is keeping up the pressure on russia on several fronts. Lisa stark covers that part of the story. President obama has been calling out Vladimir Putin over his strategy in crimea. What is he saying. President obama says putins assistance that he is not breaking International Law is not fooling anybody. The president says people understand russias interest in the neighbouring ukraine, but it does not give russia the right to use force. Diplomatic manoeuvring conditions to try to end the crisis in ukraine. President obama continues to put on the pressure in his bid to isolate russia over its aggression in crimea. Even has he weighs economic sanctions he hopes another option gains traction. We are calling for a deescalation and international monitors that can go into the country. This is what the president calls the offramp, a way out of the cois assist for crisis for russias president what says he reserves the right to tuesday forces in crimea. If we make a decision to protect ukrainian decisions. Thats what the offramp does, allowing International Observers to take the place of Russian Forces and protect the rights of the russianspeaking population in crimea. The white house envisions three scenarios, a dangerous escalation with russia moving beyond crimea, and Russia Holding firm in crimea, and finally a peaceful solution resulting in an end to the stalemate. If president putin conditions to see the formation of a new government as anything but legal. Translation the division of what has happened in kiev and ukraine. The definition is the only one. It is an unconstitutional coup and military seizure of power. The russian president reportedly agreed to a nato request to hold a special meeting on the ukrainian crisis. Certainly stephanie a lot of efforts under way to resolve this peacefully, not to ratchet up the pressure too much. Ultimately the u. S. Is one of 15 countries sending military observers to crimea. What can you tell us about that mission. This is under the security of cooperation in europe. 15 member nations, including the u. S. , agreed to pick two military observers at the invitation of the Ukrainian Government. Theyll go to the ukraine, then to crimea, to look at human rights and the security. Russian cooperation may be needed for this, its unclear when they may get into crimea, if at all. Lisa stark for us in washington. There is increasing International Pressure on russia to pull his troops pt the white house has been reaches out to allies, especially germany, that has strong economic ties. German chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly saying in a private phone call that Vladimir Putin was living in another world. Angela merkel said little publicly. And appears to be by design. Behind the scenes Angela Merkel is at the center of quiet diplomacy. Russia and germany have strong economic ties. Germany is the biggest importer of russian gas and oil, some coming through ukrainian pipelines and russia accounts for 36 of gas production. Angela merkel and Vladimir Putin maintained a strong business like relationship. Vladimir putin speaks german after having been stationed in dressden. Analysts say they seem to respect each others toughness. Putin and Angela Merkel spoke several times, recently when putin agreed with Angela Merkels proposal to open dialogue with russia and ukraines government. A negotiated solution will help germanys economy as much as any other in europe. Since the collapse of the soviet union no country has benefitted more than Eastern Europe and russia. Several countries, poland and others serb as Production Centers for serve as production centres. While the president and secretary of state john kerry have been pushing to impose sanctions, germany, for now, opposeds them. The Obama Administration officials are doup playing the downplaying the delights with germany Angela Merkel has been given room to move with Vladimir Putin in order to reach a deal. The Obama Administration has cancelled a trade mission to moscow as well as a russian trip to washington d. C. This week. Live pictures from Independence Square in ukraine. Where people are still camped out but things have calmed down since pt change in government. Well follow the events in ukraine at aljazeera. Com. For breaking news and update check out the blog on aljazeera. Com. A wave of deadly bomb attacks rattles baghdad. 20 were killed. 90 injured. Seven of the blasts were caused by car bombs. The others iuds or improvised explosives. It is unclear if they were related. Oscar pistorius covered his ears and wept after the first prosecution witness, a neighbour who heard screaming and a gunshot. It contradicts a claim that he accidentally shot his girlfriend stooep , thinking reeva steenkamp, thinking she was an intruder. As a prosecutor you want to plan your trial ahead. You want to adduce evered with a good start. I think thats what the state has done. The story made history when he was the first paralimp athlete to compete in the regular olympics. He faces life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder. Chuck hagel is scheduled to testify, announcing last week to shrink the army numbers not seen before world war ii. There has been cuts to the stealth a 35 fighter jets. They are years behind schedule and billions over budget. The joint strike fighter, the f35 is supposed to be all things to all branches of the u. S. Military. Ant to evade enemy radar, capable of supersonic speed and able to land and take off like a helicopter. Since the pentagon unfilled the f35, turning plans into a fully capable jet has been problematic. Almost every Hardware Program the pentagon takes twice as much, they take twice as long to deliver and gives you half the performance. A special helmet meant to help pilots see threats from everywhere makes them dizzy. Recent ground testing caused serious cracks in the bulk head of the version designed for the marine corp. They are some problems in a program costing taxpayers 392 over its lifetime, 70 more than original by projected. While pilots are conducting test fights, not a single jet is ready to go into contact. One day theyll by 25,000 to see the military, but over the next year, just 34. Why few . Congressionally mandated budget costs. Every program has to be trimmed to save money. The reality of reduced resources and a challenging and changing strategic environment requires us to requirementize and make difficult choices. Some we must make now. Despite the problems and the cost overruns, the military has no plans to scrap the f35. Russia and china are developing fighters that will outgun and outfly the u. S. Fleet. The question is whether the pentagon can make good on the promise of a jet that can tackle all threats in all conditions. The Budget Proposal calls for retiring the u2 spy plan for one controlled remotely. A pregnant woman apparently drove into the water, driving a minnie van with her three children, ages 10, 9 and 3. Life guards and other beach goers rushed in. They pulled all for to safety before the van was submerged by the waves. One of the children told rescue areas, mummy is trying to kill us, please help. The mother was incoherent, uncooperative. She is undergoing psychiatric evaluation, the children have been placed in protective custody. Tex joons have gone to the polls. Greg abbott peat out eight other candidates, facing off against wendy davis. She is the first female nom ni since ann richards in 1994. Im ready to fight for you and fight for every hardworking texan across the state. I need you on my side all the way to november the 4th, when we declare victory was the next governor for the great state of texas. And in the Texas Senate Race incumbent republican breezed through the election. They easily beat tea party congressman. They called the win a victory for the full spectrum. As seep and suspected, texas continued to be practical. They are looking for solutions, not just speeches. Stackmans lastminute decision grabbed national attention, but he ran a Campaign Seen as lacklustre. Hell face democratic nominee in november. The coast guard is trying to get the great lakes ready for spring, sending ice cutters into the water to prepare for the shipping season starting near the end of the month. 90 of the great lakes are covered in ice. Lake superior is at 95 , the most it has seen in two decade. Torrential rain leading to flood watches in the northwest. Eboni deon is here with a look at the forecast. We are getting a steady stream of moisture into the pacific northwest. We are starting to get the rain where we needed it. Its shifted northwards, bringing concerns. As we head inland across idaho, and montana, we have avalanche warnings. Keep that in mind for travel plans that you might have, recreational activities, and the aerial flood warnings and watches shown in green. Well deal with rivers rising thanks to warmer temperatures and the rain expected to come in. Excessive rain fall. That will lead to big problems. Anywhere from three to five inches. Its one of those places with blooding concerns. Here is a look at the pacific moisture heading into the northwest. This is the pattern over the next couple of days, well see the flood risk around. To the upper midwest is the cold air. Its a record winter for many areas, including chicago. It will stale on the lighter side, around one to 3 inches of snow. Temperatures worming up to 40 warming up to 40 degrees by friday. Banking with bitcoin is turning out to be Risky Business much online robbers making off with millions of dollars of the currency. Lawmakers passing a bill banning ecigarettes. Areas where they are off limit. A little boy suspended from school for holding his fingers like a gun. The School Principal is standing behind the punishment that some are calming extreme. Residence in new jersey say it felt like a bomb went off. A townhouse exploded killing one and causing several injuries. Contractors dammed a gas line when digging in the area. After utility crews worked to fix the problems houses blew up. 10 units were destroyed, dozens of home damaged. Fans of ecigarettes will not be able to inhale in public. The l. A. City councils banned them and will treat them the same as norm at cigarette product. It will protect impressionable kids. Oponts say it helps people kick cigarettes. Calm has returned to the markets. Stock futures are lower. This as the u. S. And russia are set to talk about the ukrainian crisis. Here is where we stand. The Dow Jones Industrial average at 1695. The nasdaq composite at 4351. A Market Strategist said if tensions in the ukraine are high, more money could flow to the u. S. As much as you think they would be a disrupter, i think they are a catalyst for more profit earring. Theres no other Asset Classes around the world offering safety and stability. Overseas asian markets ended the day lower, but japans neca rose 1 . European stocks are posting losses. Well find out if the winter storms took a toll on the job market. Economists expect an increase of 153,000 jobs, down from 175,000 in january. The report is a prelude to the monthly jobs report. The Labour Department reaches that on friday. Flex coin banks shutting down after 600,000 of the Virtual Currency was stolen. The entire Bitcoin Holdings online. Flex coin says it cant recover. Last week a larger Bitcoin Exchange went bankrupt. Christ yanls are observing ash wednesday. That is a live look at st. Kath drals cathedral. Churches like this burnt palms and the ash is applied to the forehead of catholics. The lent season is a time to refresh, repent and pray. A new magazine called my pope, costing 0. 70, featuring stories about what inspires the pope. A saints of the week and backgrounds of remarks. It will have a glossy centrefold. They expect to sell 3 million copes. Now to eboni deon, meteorologist. Its cold out there. Temperatures will rebound as wet go through the day. 16 in minneapolis. 19 in chicago. It feels more like we are in the low teens. You need to bundle up. Omaha 21. This morning starting milder. We have 40s around in texas. At least to make it up to 53 with a cold and cloudy day. Term doors heating up. Secretary of state john kerry said to meet with russias foreign minister just a few hours from now. Russias minister making comments that put a damper on the meeting before it starts. Kentucky has a ban on samesex marriage. The man in charge of defending it is refusing. Shes 18, an honour student and was kicked out of her house. What shes suing mum and dad for, and what a judge had to say about it. Im john henry smith. Strifetorn ukraine has a soccer match as their countryman take on the u. S. We tell you why the match is important for both nations. Welcome back to Al Jazeera America. Secretary of state john kerry is in paris in an attempt to diffuse the ukraine crisis. Hell hold face to face talks with russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. On tuesday john kerry was in kiev pledging a billion dollar loan and urged Vladimir Putin to stand down military pressure and affirmed american solidarity with ukraine. The United States will stand by the ukrainian people as they build the strong sovereign democratic country that they deserve. For more on the talks between john kerry and Sergei Lavrov, we are joined by phil ittner, who is in kiev. The meeting was supp