Almost 300 degrees below zero. We begin with the latest from ukraine. The search for a diplomatic solution. Secretary of state john kerry and his russian counterpart scheduled to talk tomorrow. Its been five days since russianbacked forces seized crimea. Russia and ukraine is not talking but secretary of state john kerry is optimistic. European u. N. Officials consider sanctions in moscow. The situation is more chaotic by the day. A United Nations envoy visiting crimea was held against his will and forced to leave the country. We begin our coverage. On the ground in crimea, Nick Schifrin is in the regional capital and he joins us live. Good evening. In this city law and order is not being handled by the police, but by prorussian activists and militia members, and they are acting with impunity. Reporter for nearly an hour inside the cafe they barricaded u. N. Envoy robert serry. [ chants ] demonstrators who support the invasion came to support robert serrys detention and stop us filming. Whether at the cafe or the airport, they cal all access. Robert serry was driven against his will and walked to a flight. The same activist blocked the door and ran robert serry out of the country. They feel empowered by the arrival of 16,000 Russian Troops. They are expanding their presence but not answering questions. We asked halfadozen soldiers, me with my prooufr producer voldymyr, we asked the same question without answer. Can you tell us where youre fro. They told us to move from the car. Russian soldiers demanded ukrainian soldiers surrender weapons. They are not to shoot, so they block the front gate, anything they can to prevent a better armed force. They sent the Russian Troops packing. That night a prorussian mob showed up outside their gates and demanded the russian soldiers be let in. Russian forces with the support of prorussian supporters are stepping up their aggression, he says. Scared and under siege they hunkered down and sat in the dark. They told us we couldnt film. We tried to using an iphone. Its been tense outside. Ukrainian soldiers allowed halfadozen russian soldiers into the base. The soldiers told us it was time to go. Thats when things got really bad. We decided to leave. Then what happened. The road was blocked with two cars. We stepped out of the car and tried asking the people to move the cars away. The demand was that they show them whats on the camera. The mob that tried to climb over the base turned their attention to us, and voldymyr had to net. They threatened to flip the car over, they started counting down from 10. Thats when we agreed to show the video. Do you think the threats were serious . Had we not complied we had our tires slashed. I do believe that they would have torn the car apart and it could have gotten very ugly. Ugly because like outside the cafe, the police were unable or unwilling to impose authority. Why didnt you do anything . Are you going to answer . Is it not your job any more . No comment. If they can do this to a senior diplomat, they can do it to anyone. About six hours before robert serry was detained another incident happened to western diplomats here as monitors. Very clear that the incidents are not happening in isolation. Nick schifrin in crimea. Secretary of state john kerry is in france where he met with russias foreign minister and other leaders about the crisis in ukraine. The International Community is working hard to diffuse the situation. Phil ittner has the latest from kiev. The hope was to start a dialogue aimed at ending the crisis in ukraine. The divide between east and west moved no closer. The photo says it all. The two sides at the same time, talking about the same topic, but looking in opposite direction. Earlier in the day of the u. S. And ukrainians met for talks. When the russians arrived they were not at the table. Secretary of state john kerry was not surprised and didnt bring the Ukrainian Foreign minister, hoping to get him in a room with sergei lavrov. I had no expectation, zero expectation that today that kind of meeting will take place. I did not expect it. We did not ask the foreign minister to come here for that purpose. Thursday all eyes will be on boroughs else. Despite fears of divisions in the 27member organization, strong reactionses to russias moves indicates this time russia may have gone too far. Theres talk of not just punishing russia, but helping ukraine. Combined they could bring support of 11 billion euros. From the European Union budgets and European Union internationalbased Financial Institutions it is a package designed to assist reforms for the ukrainian government. 11 billion euros, roughly 15 billion, the same amount russia offered ukraine to keep it from solidifying ties with europe. Helping ukraine with money is one thing. Many fear. Diplomatic manoeuvring could leave them behind. Their fate could be decided in washington or brussels, not here where it began. American military and political leaders focussing on matters overseas. They continue to deal with conflicting opinions on russia and ukraine. Mike viqueira reports. After working the phones for days, joint chiefs of staff surgeons relied a message to congress. Understandably they are concerned, seeking our assurance for their security. Punk tuting that point the pentagon announced it will send six f 13 fighters. President obama was on the phone, consulting with the u. K. S David Cameron whilst on the road in new england promoting his domestic agenda as the white house came under attack from the republicans. In a sharp exchange from secretary of defense chuck hagel. John mccain said, there has been a total misreading of intentions of Vladimir Putin. I said. Let me finish my statement. That is that mr putin was not going to see sevastopol go. Early last week we were well aware of the threats. We dont accept anything that president Vladimir Putin says as pact. The Top Republican accused president obama of weakness abroad and said the move to crimea is a direct result. The president eroded american credibility. This is a moment when president obama will have to leave. There were signs that republicans would stand behind the president on economic aid to the ukraine. The majority of the leaders are working with Committee Chairs on a bailout package, and working with them on possible bill dealing with sanctions. That could strengthen the president s hand. The question now, will europe, which is more dependent on russian trade agree to sanctions. Does it present a problem in getting the e. U. And european nations to go along with what secretary kerry and the president want. They have been clear about their willingness and openness, getting steps to hold officials accountable. That is what the discussion is about. And what you dont know about Vladimir Putin, why hes worth billions. Hes worked with the kgb and a look at his rise and return to power. Thats tomorrow, 8 30 and 11 30. Israel says it seized a shipment of rockets heading from iran to palestine fighters in the gaza strip. It intercepted a ship in the red sea carrying syrian made advance weaponry. The rockets have a range of up to 100 miles. Joining us now is former israeli counsel general to new york. Who is your reaction to the discovery today alon pinkas. Its a big deal. The missiles are missiles that its not only the range that they have, but the pay load that they have, and apparently their trajectory is such that supposedly they are supposed to override the iron dome system, the antiisrael miss ill system that they have. Its a big deal, a brilliant intelligence effort. How much of an effort is it to do this tracking . Very sophisticated. You have to know where the ship is coming from, whats on it, items route, where its headed and intercept it in a place where it is least risky and notify a few people. You have to notify the u. S. , and my understanding is that the u. S. Was involved in intelligence sharing and being privy to the operation. Legally you have to inform panama because the ship was flying a panay mainian flag, as do many ships. This was 1500 kilometres from israel. You would have to stretch your navy, and israels navy is not the u. S. Its relatively small. So what does this mean for the peace talks. We were talking earlier . It means nothing. I mean, you know, one way of looking at it is to say iran continues on to sponsor and mentor and supply and provide hamas in the gaza strip with weapons and missile systems. At the same time the yats is trying to get United States is trying to get iran to pull back on its Nuclear Program. Thats a good question. Irans Nuclear Program is one thing, scary, ominous and needs to be dealt with. Irans sponsorship of terrorism, lebanon, hamas in gaza, is a different issue. Rogue or not rogue. The fact that iran is involved in this is a coup in terms of the antiiran campaign. Binyamin netanyahu said he is not going to play with israel security. What will this discovery do . We know that iran is engaged in this. Supposedly the iranians can say it was a rogue operation, or look, no one has illusions about iran. We know who and who they are. They are inciting against the gulf states, saudi arabia, and undermining those rage eels and operating rage eems and they are operating against israel. The fact that the issues were being tied is true substantively, but in terms of policies, its not the same thing. The fact that iran supports the terror organizations is something well have to live with for a long time. Their nuclear ambitions, its a different story. Alon pinkas, good to have you on the program. Thank you. Theres good news for catholics that want to live together but not get married. Pope francis, speaking in a newspaper, suggested the Catholic Church could tolerate some nonmarital civil unions, describing it as a practical way to guarantee property rites and health care. It was a year ago today that venezuela president hugo chavez died of cancer. The government there kicked off a 10 day commemoration. Chavezs successor is facing a country in turmoil. Food is scarce, inflation, crime, coming despite the scarcities, venezuela is a country rich in resources. The u. S. Imports a lot of oil. It plays an important role. David ariosto joins us at the port city of peurto cabayo. How is oil playing a role in the crisis right now . Like you said, we are in peurto cabayo, 200km west of the capital. Its areas like these where venezuela derives a majority of wealth. In places like these, they we are setting the top for what is next in the crisis. And as situations unfold across the country. Venezuela maintains some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world. The stakes are high. Venezuela is the fourthlargest supplier of crude oil in the United States. Because venezuelan doesnt have enough domestic refineries an Unlikely Partnership has emerged in the United States and the south american nation, relying on crude exports and gasoline imports to keep the the economy humming. Years ago, under chavez, when he is talking about our president being the devil or some of these rhetorical position, the bottom line is its the market. 8 of imports comes from venezuela, coming from 1 Million Barrels a day. They processed venezuela crude, adding american jobs before sending the Refined Products or gasoline back to venezuela. Some venezuela Officials Say the country could put more of the oil business back into their economy, by investing more in domestic refineries, building out the infrastructure rur and using foreign expertise. Translation the government neglected infrastructure and left the National Oil Company in a difficult situation. They seem to have abandoned the investment we need to keep growing. Protesters point to the stagnating economy. A lack of infrastructure as chief reasons for taking to the streets. For years the government tried to placate concerns. This is one of the few places where a bottle of water costs more than a gallon of gasoline. Its kept that way in poor neighbourhoods. To put it in context, the pack of gum costs more than filling up the entire s. U. V. Supporters argue that its instead eased the Financial Burdens of the nations poor. As protesters continue to square off with authorities, eyes are focussed on whether a disruption of government could disrupt the oil economy. David ariosto reporting from venezuela. Next College Administrations that the sat may not be the best way to predict academic success. Now big changes are coming. Big changes in the city of seattle. The council is considering raising the minimum wage to 15 an hour. We look at the issues ahead. You another significant revision to the Affordable Care act. Americans will be able to hold on to insurance plans that dont comply with the federal health law for a few years. Consumers will have the choice of staying with their current plan until 2016. The change means they will not face a round of cancellation notices. Its the second time in four months that the Obama Administration changed the rules about health plans. The president lobbied for a hike in the federal minimum wage law. He says its good for business and america. During a speech he called on congress to raise the wage to 10. 10, an increase of 2. 85. Nobody who works fulltime should have to raise a family in poverty. That violates the basic sense of who we are. Thats why its time to give america a raise. Mcdonalds says raising the minimum wage could hurt the bottom line. In an annual filing they said public pressure may force it to raise wages and it may not be able to offset them by raising prices. Fast food workers across the country demanded the minimum wage be raised to 15 per hour. The small town of seatac in Washington State outside seattle raised its min numb wage law to 15 an hour. The Seattle Council is meeting to talk about doing the same thing. Some say its a lift to others out of poverty. Others say it could do more harm than good. Allen schauffler has more. We are a couple of blocks from city hall from where the crowd is expected. Sure enough, we counted 500 500600 people here to speak their minds on a complex and heated issue in seattle. The 15 has been heavy on street theatre. And campaign rhetoric. Some Business Owners feel its short on quiet, reasonable discussion. When i hear its a done deal, im shocked. Did seattle think about this . Restaurant owner admits hes cobb flicted and frust conflicted and frustrated. He has 20 employees, most making less than 15. With 30 hours or more a week, platt helps with health insurance, something he does because he wants to, not because he has to. Hes for the broader concept of better pay for lowend wagerbers, in this business, the mass of 50 minimum wage hike doesnt work. Whatever peoples perception, im not that guy. Im not i dont have a big empire that can absorb the expense. How do i absorb it . We raise prices. Im not ready to go to the staff and say sorry your fulltime job is now part time. Its not just the forprofit world feeling the pressure. Nonprofits face similar choices. Childcare centres and low income communities have to close because they cant raise their rates. Steve daschle believes taxpayers will have to make up the science. This survey of nonprofits show a 15 minimum wage could bean cuts at food banks, shelters, and a lot more. Therell be a Ripple Effect that will hurt the economy. John platt favours a slow approach, raises faced in over several years to give businesses like his time to adjust. Hed like more talk and less ye yelling and acknowledgement that higher prices could be around the corner. Its the business is making the money, lets make them play. I feel like we are all in it together. If we all pay more, awesome. Well all have to pay. Everything we buy will cost more money. An easy issue for slogan earring. If it happens abruptly a lot of people will have to make difficult choices. The people that did the survey says they totally support the concept of a 15 minimum wage for lower end workers. But the nonprofits cant afford to pay it and will have to laypeople off. I asked you about seattle and other issues. Why is this sit city out in front of the minimum wage. Theres a huge organised labourbacked push in seattle and the area. They were instrumental, the seiu in the push to raise the wages south of seattle, targetting those in that city. Its been brought north to seattle in the person of the socialist city council person, who made it the Main Campaign plank. Theres support among the public of looking in to what could be done. Coming up, the troubling disparity in the Breast Cancer mortality rates in the United States. Why the gap is bigger. And basketball deep freeze. Why the phoenix suns like to chill their players 300 degrees below zero. Welcome back to al jazeera america. A lot to cover in this half hour rape, teenage marriage and a lack of contraception. A new report points out those and other violations of sexual and reproductive rites. Journalists behind bars. Our al jazeera colleagues in priften 67 days prison 67 days and they are back in a court room today. And facebook high flying future why they may be going into the drone future. 1 a diplomatic drive to end the crisis in ukraine, five days after forces took control of crime ja. The secretary of state john kerry held talks with his russian and crimea counterparts. The e. U. Will meet to talk about sanctions against russia tomorrow. A United Nations diplomat was forced to cut his trip short. The envoy was briefly held against his will at a cafe as prorussian crowds gathered outside and he was taken to an airport and sent out of the country. Australian military seized a shipment