famous british artist could be worth millions. we begin in iraq where fast-moving developments threaten to reshape the direction of the country for years to come. the prime minister appears to be losing control of his government. iraq's grand ayatollah said it's time for a new government. we are following the story on the ground in tikrit and near the jordanian border and we'll have the latest from washington. first to baghdad. jane is there with more. >> well, a couple of game changers is one, a statement by one of iraq's clerics. the other is a statement by a kurdish leader saying now they had kirkuk, they are not going to give it up. it lives the prime minister in a tough position. >> there's no doubt now that this is war. the baghdad operations command center and the commander in chief. "we must remove weak officers and soldiers", prime minister nouri al-maliki says. he is battling also for his political life. but friday prayers, the representative of iraq's influential slooea cleric -- shia cleric relayed a message. >> translation: after calling on members of the new parliament to convene next tuesday, what is required is for the political bloc to agree on the presidencies. >> reporter: that means he's calling for an immediate government with the prime minister, president and parliament speaker decided, something that nouri al-maliki is unlikely to do. the prime minister has been under political attack from all sides, including the kurds. kiddish peshmerga forces sewered the city of kirkuk when the iraqi army deserted. with a shifting balance of power, they decided to stay. >> translation: it was a necessity for the peshmerga forces to go in and provide protection and prevent the areas falling to terrorists. article 140 has been accomplished and we'll not be ready to talk about that. >> reporter: article 140 was meant to decide the status of the disputed city. militarily this is a battle iraq is not equipped to fight. the u.s.-led invasion in 2003 destroyed the iraq air force, relying on who planes and attack helicopter. that's why iraq is desperate for fighter jets from the u.s. and anywhere else it can buy them. >> reporter: one of the shifting battle lines is a wide swath of area between kurdish forces and the i.s.i.l. they are continuing to fight each other in a very vulnerable strip of land home to christian minorities, not far from mosul. >> now the u.s. says it's using drones. what sort of difference do they hope that will make? >> well there are a lot of moving parts here. the armed drones that they have join the unarmed drones that they had for surveillance. these ones - the u.s. government officials made clearer meant to protect the - what are special forces operatives on the ground and other u.s. government officials, andst military personnel -- and u.s. military personnel. what they are still doing now really is assessing the capabilities of the i.s.i.s., assessing the capabilities of iraqi security force, which came as a shock when they deserted, and figuring out a plan of action. this will not happen overnight. >> is there hope regarding the new government and whether it will change anything? >> well, at the least if there is a government. it will fill the political vacuum, and the security vacuum. we are talking about a government that would embrace sunnis, they are part of the population that have felt marginalized. that has allowed groups like i.s.i.l. to flourish in many respects. nouri al-maliki is in a tough spot. he ha a few days to cobble together a coalition government. it's not clear that he'll be able to do this. >> jane is in baghdad. thank you. the pentagon, as we mentioned confirmed that armed u.s. drones are flying over iraq to provide security for troops and diplomats from the united states. mike viqueira is at the white house with more on that. >> what we have known is over the past several weeks or past week american forces have been flying between 30 and 35 sortees or missions in the skies above iraq. they are conducting surveillance or identifying targets if president obama, indeed, decides to go forward with air strikes. some of those aircraft are drones, and they are armed drones. the pentagon explains they are $to protect the forces -- they are there to protect the forces. not just the 300 advisors, half of whom who is in company. also u.s. embassy personnel and contractors in iraq. the pentagon spokesman is rear-admiral john kirby. here is how he described the mission. >> some of those aircraft are armed. the reason that some of those aircraft are armed is primarily for force protection reasons, now that we have introduced into the country some military advisors whose objective will be to operate outside the confines of the embassy. >> reporter: john kirby went on to say this could ultimately participate in air strikes if president obama goes down the road. >> the chairman of the joint chiefs had things to say about iran. what about that? >> late on friday a radio interview, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff martin dempsey talked about iran and says he does not rule out military cooperation with iran. the white house seemed to do it a couple of days ago. he said there would be a long way to go, that u.s. forces and advisors could come into contact with iranian advisors, who he acknowledges are in country, advising parts of the shia militia and other parts of the security forces. u.s. forces or vzors could run into them, where the iranians are providing security. he's trying though determine how closely the iranian forces are embedded and that will go a long way to determining the cooperation with the united states, and identified possible targets if the u.s. goes forward, including high-value individuals within the i.s.i.l. >> we have been talking about a proposal that the u.s. might give $500 million in aid to the syrian opposition. what is the reaction? >> the president asked congress for half a billion. we know how congress works and the contentious issues around that. it won't be for several weeks for congress to get around doing that, if they do, and that would be in the fall. this is a regional conflict between syria, iraq, and i.s.i.l. forces, some battle-hardened in the battle against the bashar al-assad regime. this represents the first public acknowledgment that the administration will help moderate vetted opposition forces within syria, careful to keep armaments and aid out of the hands of radical elements fighting in the asaad regime. >> tough job. ambassador richard butler was the australian ambassador to the united nations and served as the u.n. chief weapons inspector in iraq and is in the studio tonight. welcome back. >> good to see you. >> ambassador, we are talking about involvement with iran, london, washington d.c., what is the sponsor of that foreign involvement in iraq, if at all? >> it's extremely important. many are saying now that one of the key origins of the problems that are being faced is the phenomenon of past invasions, in particularly 2003. let's not waste time arguing about the extent to which that is true. what is true is there's a crisis taking place in iraq, but it's not just home grown, it's driven by the interests of external powers. all around iraq, syria, iran - turkey has interest, in the gulf the saudis and so on. the question of what impact that has on this terrible problem taking place is app important one. >> in 2003/ 2004 we talked about the kurds, shia split, and whether the country would be split apart. now, after all the money spent and all the lives lost and ruined, we are talking about it again. >> i was smiling. the fact is - it's a fact, i diplomat feel comfortable saying it - that that country was held together by saddam hussein. a thing he achieved. like tito did in the former yugoslavia - was to hold together a country with three distinct parts, ethno professional group. >> the dictator that gassed his own people. >> that's right, they paid a terrible price, don't misunderstand me, i'm not suggesting anyone should miss saddam hussein. >> i don't either. it's just a fact, right. >> yes. iraq is a fiction created by the british and the french at the end of the first world war. it's been three separate parts, cultures and professional beliefs that has been held together for a while and is flying apart. >> the question of foreign intervention that you raised is a serious one. the u.s. has to think hard about going further, intervening further into the situation when, in some way, the intervention of 2003 was part of the problem. you know, so dauz iran -- does iran, so does turkey, so does russia. the report point out that the kurds said "we have kirkuk, and we are not giving it back", that's a significant development. that's like taking away a state in united states. it has oil and we now want it. >> we have been reporting on the humanitarian crisis - you say it's the worse since world war ii. >> yes. 50 million people are identified by the united nations as refugees, people in tents and worse. that is a mass if number. a good portion of it is coming from this part of the world. i think many people are becoming gravely concerned about that, saying maybe we should talk less about military intervention, and more about what in the name of god can we do to help the 50 million people. it's a massive crisis, and it could get worse. now, the development of the possibility of a new government in baghdad - it seems to me starry-eyed optimism is not useful - but seems a good possibility. >> it's the only hope much. >> they can change the government, get in place one that will be more inclusive of those elements within iraqi society. there may be a chance then to turn back these wicked people who are coming in and, you know, burning and killing and so on. >> i want to take you back to a time when you were weapons inspector for the united nation, and try to compare what it was like back then, what you get with to where iraq is today. would you have imagined where you were there, and after the war that the world would be at this place with iraq again. >> i see pictures on information that al jazeera america shows of what has changed in the country in the last decade. they are increasing. the marketplaces. people drinking a coffee, buying books. when i was there you couldn't buy books, and so on. i could go on. in many release the place was moving forward, making it a double training di that that's now -- tragedy that that's now, i think, stopped. basic tensions were present then, and are now. they have additionally this external threat to the country. they need a solid fair, decent reliable government in baghdad if they are going to have any chance. >> it has to include the kurds and the sunnis. isn't that what we have always said. >> it's what's been talked about. >> that's what we wanted to see developed inside iraq. we are coming to is by a tragic route. it's time. it's the only chance they have got. that should be focused on. that's a desperate necessity. >> ambassador richard butler, always good to see you. some of the worst violence is taking place in tikrit. human rights watch says it has evidence that i.s.i.l. fighters killed almost 200 men after seizing the city. the iraq military say it launched an effort to retake the city and secure the largest yoi refinery. >> reporter: iraq military helicopters high above the refinery. elite commandos are alleged to get a foothold in the town's university compound. they landed in the stadium. witnesses reported fighting and two out of the three helicopters used were downed. the military hit target indiscriminately, say the people, and used illegal weapons. >> translation: there's no presence of i.s.i.l. or militants. it's a residential area, families live here. >> they dropped barrel bombs here. we were home. two blasts took place. there is no one here, no militants, no one here in the region. >> the families were displaced. the situation is quite difficult. there's no gas, water, no electricity. >> the government has not released any information about this operation, but they have told al jazeera that they are in control of the university, but they haven't given evidence to back that up. tikrit is a crucial town. it's not only the home town of saddam hussein, the former dictator, but is seen as being a key town in the sunni heartland, and i.s.i.l. will not want to give it up easily. i.s.i.l. says it's captured soldiers and military equipment. human rites watch says 190 of those captured were murdered by the fighters. the rites group analysed imagery in satellites. further investigation is diff because of the fighting. weeks into this crisis iraq's politicians have not been able to agree on a united solution. for many sunni residents who feel let down by the government, hopes of stability remain just that. as a result of the violence in iraq jordan is tightening security along his border. travel is severely restricted. caroline malone is on the iraqi jordanian border. >> on the jordanian side of the crossing with iraq we have seen fewer likeses and trucks -- vehicles and trucks than we would normally see, especially pre-ramadan when people come for holidays. the truck drives, especially the iraqis, tell us they are here to pick up goods, they need supplies fromoredan -- from jordan, they'll bring them back and try to sell them. few jordanians trying to get into iraq, understandably thou that there's violence on the other side of the border. we spoke to some. they say it was an order for the iraqi government. they try to get to the border, they were turned back, told they didn't have the right permits. the gore of jord -- governor of jordan is making it difficult because of violence next door. >> former vice president dick cheney criticised the white house's handling, accusing president obama of pulling american troops out too soon. the former national security advisor told jazz are the president is -- al jazeera that the president is cleaning up a mess left by the chaney group. >> i think it's damaging, self destructive decisions that he and president bush made in attacking iraq under false redenses, with false justifications, there are discrediting the united states and the world, launching the united states into a process that has cumulatively contributed to the destruction of iraq as a viable state. >> former senator george mitchell has been at the negotiating table and told tony harris that the u.s. invasion of iraq in 2003 is not to blame for the crisis in iraq today? >> the motion that conflict began with the united states - i think it is plainly false, and contradicted now. we do have a problem. we should help, but ultimately, it is the people of iraq who will decide the future of iraq. >> you can catch the full conversation with former senate majority leader george mitchell and tony harris on "talk to al jazeera" - 5 eastern time. >> ahead, 161 countries have done it - the weapon the united states says it will not use any more. plus, what is fuelling dreams of a new life in the united states? the lies that convinced central americans to try to cross the border. you you e e last november the former ukranian president refused to sign a trade deal with the european union. the result was a bloody uprising bringing the country to the bring of war with russia. today they signed a deal. the crisis is far from over. more from paul brennan. >> reporter: it came down to a simple flourish of a pen, a sit on the page, but this agreement will all thor the economic prospects of millions of people. getting to the point cost hundreds of lives and strained diplomatic ties, bringing ukraine to the brink of civil war. president petro porashenko said his country paid the highest price to make dreams come true. >> of course all of us would have wished to sign the agreement under different, more comfortable circumstances. on the other hand, the external aggression faced by ukraine gives another strong reason for this crucial step. by signing the agreement ukraine takes enormous commitment in terms of reform. but it is a document of joint ownership and joint responsibility. >> in the ukranian capital kiev, the stretreaty was welcomed wit balloons. ukraine benefits from having access to the european market, but must make reforms to comply with e.u. regulations. >> translation: the ultimate ukrainian goal is membership in the european union. the kremlin predicts grave offenses if they suffer. a rift has been created. >> translation: the anti-constitutional coup in kiev and an attempt to involve a choice on the ukranian people pushed society to split and painful confrontations. >> the united nations estimates more than 100,000 fled from eastern ukraine into russia this year, fearful of the conflict and the future. there have been positive signals. in the early hours of friday, armed separatists released a 4-man team from the o.s.c.e. the men had been seized and held since last month. four other o.s.c.e. members and dozens of hostages remain in captivity. a possible prisoner swap was a talking point of a contact group representing kiev, rush a, separatists and the -- russia, separatists and the o.s.c.e. the separatists demand the withdrawal of all ukranian soldiers and refuse to surrender captured border posts. >> the fact that the group is able to meet is a positive sign. the question is whether the propose always put forward are realistic and genuine. landmines are responsible for the deaths of thousands of women and children every year. men are left behind from wars and conflicts of the today the white house said the u.s. will stop the manufacture or purchase of deadly weapons. human rites advocates say that is not enough. >> reporter: every day people die or lose limbs from step on a landmine. most victims are civilians in countries like mozambique, afghanistan and columbia. >> translation: there are people living in lanes and villages with fear, the fear that there are traps near them that can kill them or their children. >> the u.s. has not made u.s. personnel landmines, but reserved the right to produce them, until now. the obama administration says the u.s. will no longer make or buy them. it announced that it hopes to join a 1997 treaty banning the mines, their use, stockpiling, application and transfer. activists praised the announcement. >> there is no time frame for when it will commit to joining the treaty. we hope that it can set a time frame to do so. particularly before president obama leaves office. >> three-fourths of the world's office joined the treaty. 39 counties, including the u.s., china and russia have not signed it. >> we feel it's a matter of time before the stigma of the land mines brings the countries into the fold. >> reporter: activists wants the u.s. to get rid of its stockpile. the u.s. stored more than 300 million antipersonnel landmines. >> they still have the right to use weapons if it sees a need. >> the u.s. isn't thought to have used personnel landmines in combat since the iraq war. coming up, the reunion seven years in the making. we need a honduran family separated by violence and immigration policies in our series "on the border." gay rights advocates say enough is enough - 45 years later the impact of stone wall. this is al jazeera america. i'm john seigenthaler. coming up, misinformation, why so many central americans believe the united states is giving out free passes to undocumented immigrants. between the sheets - the story of this bed, and why it could be worth $2 million. and rome is crumbling - a look at what is needed to preserve and correct its historic landmarks this year's flood of migrants trying to cross the boarder. the first lady of honduras travelled to the texas border for a look. she toured housing facilities, and border patrol stations in the rio grand valley, where most unaccompanied children are crossing into the u.s. the white house is stepping up efforts to detain and report. we look at what is causing the crisis. one reason, rumours convincing americans to make a run for the border. paul beban is live in honduras. >> as you mentioned the u.s. and other counties in the northern triangle are struggling with an unprecedented uptake in the number of migrants, especially the number of children's travelling alone and parents travelling with children. here in st. pedro. there's belief that the u.s. is handing out a permit. on a dusty side street the journey comes full circle. day and night, one, two, as many as 10 or 12 buses pull up, dropping up dirty, dehydrated of hondurans, caught or giving themselves up and turning themselves in. >> in a bus load of people, families, women and children, back from mexico. they were on the way to the u.s., they didn't make it. they were brought to a shelter. some have families to meet them. others will be transported to another shelter. there were young children seemingly by themselves. it's a chaotic straight scene here. why did they go north now. many told us about a rumour making its way south. we went because of permits given to minors to stay there. if parents arrive with a child, they give them permission to go to the u.s. >> translation: we heard if we presented ourselves with our daughter to migration authorities in the u.s. when we made it to the other side of the river, they'd give us a permit. >> reporter: the fact is there is no permit. the rumour may have begun with a misunderstanding that this document is given to whim scpen children, a notice to appear before an immigration judge within 30 days. they are freed with a bus ticket to stay with relatives in the u.s. jack, a family welfare worker, told me honduras is grappling with immigration. >> translation: four months, maybe three months, it increased. we don't know about the policy they are supposed to be managing or where the rumour came from, it's an increase in children travelling to the u.s. >> part of the problem is the coyotes, criminal smugglers. the honduran government is running tv adds warning parents -- ads warning parents not to trust the coy oaty who is spreading the resumour. >> the coyotes are taking advantage, they are profiting, those people. >> even jack admitted he was not sure if the rumour was true or false. >> seeing these people make the decision, i thought it might be true. who knows. now i'm learning it's a big guy. >> at the bus station where many migrants begin their journey, the rumours persist. >> where are you going? >> i'm looking for the american dream. >> maria said it was easier to get in with children. either way, she said she was going north. >> why are you going to the united states? >> i'm looking for work so my boys' life can change much. >> the lesson seems to be roum ours true or untrue will not stop someone determined to chase a dream. it's important to note that the underlying issues driving people from this region and have been doing so for years, have not changed - con k crime, posterity -- chronic crime, poverty. the rumour is fuelling the spike we are seeing in recent months. >> it's interesting. it was called the big lie in your story. is there anything that the u.s. can do to stop the rumour mill. >> the u.s. is making an effort of the vice president joe biden was here, hitting the rumours. the spanish language over the weekend say "we understand the impulse to send your children to a better life. the journey is dangerous, long and there are no permits, no permisos. >> let me ask you a question about what you see and read. we saw the tv ads. is this a big issue in honduras, what the media is covering as well. absolutely. in fact everywhere we go, we are american media, the honduran media is interested in covering us. it's very high interest, people are aware of it. the buses are coming and going, bringing people back from mexico. people are leaving from the bus station. they are going to resume plane tricks, bringing children back from the detention centers. high interest here. the rumours that people hear, it's been propagated here. we haven't seen evidence of it. it's a rumour that has taken hold. maybe because of what is happening. the misunderstanding about a court order, a summons, giving people a 30 day window being misunderstood as a permit for some kind of longer term residence, a shot at saying. >> another interesting report from paul beban in honduras. thank you. for too many mike rants the long journey from the united states and the process to get proper documentation tearing families apart. morgan radford has one family's story. >> i met manuel while his son was in texas in detention. he got teary describing the gang violence prompting his son to travel from guatemala to the united states border, where he was caught. >> he stands here waiting. and when he's not weighing, he's working -- waiting. when he's not waiting, he's working - preparing a home for a son he has not seen in eight years. from honduras he crossed the border. he only had enough money to bring one person, his wife or his son. >> i asked manuel why he chose to leave his son behind. >> translation: i knew he could live with his grandmother who would bring him up with faith. >> reporter: after being threatened by a gang he decided to leave. >> translation: no one can control the gang. those that don't want to be in a gang - who knows who happen. >> manuel and his wife paid a coyote to smuggle their 15-year-old into the united states. >> translation: we made a decision that 2 or 3 days of suffering is better than suffering every day. >> reporter: after travelling days and nights all the way to mexico he was caught at the border in texas, spent nine days in detention and children were abused his father said. >> translation: he told me that if the immigration officers called them and they didn't come, the officers would come and kick them. i started crying. >> reporter: after nine days wearing the same clothes and sleeping under nothing but a plastic sheet. border patrol sent manuel junior to a place for children. he was given new clothes and english classes but was not free. >> these are locked down facilities. >> reporter: this attorney helped the children. if the children don't appear in court they'll be given an order of deportation. >> in new york state there are 50,000 pending cases including 6,000 minors and 28 judges. for now manuel is happy because days after we left this happened. immigration authorities put manuel junior on a plane to be reunited with his parents. manuel hopes his second is home for good. it's a chance to live the american dream legally. >> there was not a dry eye in the building. manuel says he hopes the story shows u.s. lawmakers that every immigrant is not bad, and when it comes to kids, they are not coming to work, but fleeing unthinkable violence in their own countries. >> thank you. an immigration attorney who has worked with many migrant children joins us tonight from los angeles. welcome. >> thank you. >> you know, these stories are - you know, they are very powerful and moving. but when it comes to - we have been seeing an influx of children coming into the united states. can you give us your opinion about why this is happening now is this. >> well, it's been happening for a while. the doubling or tripling or tenfold is due to a number of issues and factors. one is the crime and violence that has been escalating in honduras and other parts of central america. another is a rumour i heard, that people are misinterpreting the legal process that c.b.c. customs and border patrol goes through with the chin, and the immigration -- children, and the immigration court system. some people will claim a fear, some of the older children that are 15, 16, claim fear of persecution. sometimes pass a credible fear interview and later get a work permit and are allowed to stay in the united states. all of this is giving a message in central america that if i go, i will get a work permit and get to stay. unfortunately it's the beginning of the process. the process will terminate, end in a deportation hearing before an immigration judge, and at that point they'll be deported and sent home. >> i understand the rumours and some of the lives that they are told. yet, when you here some of the people talk about why they are coming to the united states, you know, it seems as if - why do you think they are willing to risk everything on a rumour. >> well, on a rumour, and on what's back home. when you have people - thugs coming into your home asking for money or gangs recruiting your children, i believe people have faith. they do a balancing test. what is safer, less risky, sending my children to a relative or a family member in the u.s. or other countries, because it's not just happening in the u.s. people are migrating to other countries. i believe the social factors, instability and crime rates are boosting this. >> you heart the complaints that the -- heard the complaints that the u.s. government is not doing a good job of managing this. is there a way the united states can work together with countries like honduras to stop it. >> let's talk about the united states laws and the reason many are pressing for immigration reform. this is a facet of the system not working. it's archaic, there's 25 judges in new york, another 20 something in los angeles, and there are thousands of cases. the case load is so huge that sometimes it can take me to try a good viable bona fide case, three years, four years before i get to a final hearing. unfortunately that is delaying things, and keeping the issue in abeyance, instead of solving it. the problem here should be to make the system more expeditious, more humane, to make sure that immigration does their job, sends it quickly to an immigration judge so those that have relief can get relief. >> that's not what we always here from the critics. in some ways the toughest critics say "don't let the people come into the country, send them on your way." you say... >> however, there is a porous border and they are coming in. it's not like tvt is getting them on the mexican side. they are coming in. if they are here there has to be a recourse. the recourse is they have a right because they are minors, and to a hearing before an immigration judge. >> thank you, we'll have you back to talk mar about this. >> would love to. >> now to nigeria, where the busy stores in abuja were empty today. wednesday a shopping mall explosion left 22 people dead. the country's president calls it one of the nation's greatest in the history. he toured the site bringing to talk about bringing boko haram to justice. >> reporter: they are still clearing up, many are in should being. wednesday's bomb struck at the heart of the capital in a busy shopping distribute. the president came to the seen after cutting short a visit to ecuadorial guinea, and gave this warning. it's understood that nigeria's military have been put on high alert after rumours that boko haram planned to attack abuja. for the third time they got through what many believe is inadequate security. now people are afraid to go shopping. this electrical star may be open for business - but no one is buying. >> everywhere, no body - we are not oppressed. no one knows. they don't know what can happen. >> and in a cell phone store, it's a similar mood. >> we are not seeing - we don't feel safe, we are scared. we cut the business, we cannot close down. >> nobody is safe. we don't know what will happen tomorrow. we need more security in this country. >> our president should do more when it comes to security in this country. >> reporter: security contractors feel they are in the front line. checks and searches are increased, but no one is confident. many of the owners of private security firms say too much is expected of their unarmed staff. they say it's the army and the plus who should be doing more to provide protection for the people. what more can they do. the organization representing the lawyers says if security forces are failing, the government should consider negotiating with boko haram. >> it is too hard to us, we'll have to deal with it somehow. we cannot throw up our hands. >> reporter: as the president visited casualties in hospital, he was res solute about taking a harder line and said that people should stop criticising the security forces and help them more instead. his words come at a time when public confidence in the army, the police and government appears to be at a low. >> few people would consider a mess i upmade bed a valuable -- messy upmaid bad a valuable piece of ampt art. the value comes not from the bed, but the story behind the bed much jonathan betz heads this report. >> it's something to intimate, a bed. but for artist tracy emmin, it's on fall display. >> i can't come to the reality of the situation that it's moved and gone so far. >> the "my bed", is this woman's old bed, during a time of depression, after a break up. a self-portrait through objects. including stained sheets, bottles of vodka and soiled underwear. it may be absurd bud it's an epic piece of art expected to fetch up to $2 million at auction now that a private collector is selling it. i feel sad and that it's like a fragment of time or time that i lost, or a time - it was like a ghost. >> when her unmade bed exhibited in 1998 it provoked disgust and prays. americans shrugged. it was considered a landmark of a movement that shook up the art world in the 1990s. people relate to it. it's extreme. people have had a moment in their life which is like this, which they can relate to in some way or the other. the piece made her a star. changing minds as to what makes art. she hadn't seen the bed for seven years, and hopes it ends up in a museum, exposing more of something to intimate. coming up next - restoring rome - the very expensive effort to keep irreplaceable landmarks from crumbling. a look back at the riots in the gay community considered the catalyst for this country's gay rites movement. good evening, i'm meteorologist kevin corriveau. before getting to the flooding i'll take to you new england where we saw incredible amounts of rain. things have cleared over the last 24-48 hours. these are the totals that we saw from new york to maine. hudson new york we saw six numbers of, stanford maine four numbers of. they are clearing up and things will be drier over the next couple of days. unfortunately, where it will not be drier is across the northern plains. we have been talking about the same scenario for 10 days, and massive flooding is going on. we have rain showers pushing through parts of iowa, and watching what is happening back here, coming up from the rockies and into the dakotas. the flash flooding, definitely the large rivers are cresting and the rivers will remain above average until the next two to 2.5 weeks. look at the flooding situations. out here to the west, there's flash flood watches. on friday that's what we are looking at. tomorrow there's not much of a change. that's a look at the weather. news is after this. it's been 45 years since groundbreaking stone wall riots. after demonstration, the bar is considered the birthplace of the lbgd rights movement. we here from david carter, author of "stone wall, the riots that sparked the gay revolution." >> the stone wall riots were a series of confrontations and demonstrations that took place between the police and the gay population beginning at the end of june, 1969. that might, what was a routine police raid on a popular gay bar sparked an uprising, a series of 6 days of demonstrations, confrontations between the police and gay populist centered in the village. it was a fight for control of the streets, and at times it was violent, humorous, but it was angry, it was an effort to stand up and claim an identity, i think. people will think of the 1960 as a time of great freedom. but in new york city, it was a time of the most police repress ever. there was over 100 arrests of gay people in the first half of the 1960s. at the time not only were gay people arrested, but they could be fired, licences taken away - whether you were a lawyer or hairdresser. the energy that the riots start up inspired a gay political organization, and that took on the establishment and it was very creative in its political actions. the movement and mill tansy inspired gay people like myself, in high school at the time, and saw them getting into national media. that's what transformed the movement from a very tiny but courtroomo courtroomous -- movement to a mass movement. this year they'll honour the 4th anniversary of stoep wall - images, a combination of text that tells the story of the context before the stone wall riots, what happened during the stoep wall riots, and the emergens of the gay liberation government after stone wall. they are artefacts that are rarely seen. they are powerful images. >> some of rome's favourite landmarks are in bad shape. the mayor of roam want to restore some of the famous landmarks and wants international help. tim friend reports. >> reporter: he got the idea from alexander the great's time in alexandria. when he returned from an egyptian campaign in 28 by, augustus built this as a symbol of his power. it's crumbling away. it originally looked like this. and it's survived incarnations as a circus and an opera house, as well as poor restoration and fascist dictato ben eato mussolini. it needs $5.5 million to reopen to the government. >> this belongs to the entire mankind. and i believe that we need to look all over the war, to gather all the sources that we can gather together in order to maintain what we have here. archeologist showed me around. without more money, her work is restricted. >> the war made with traditional methods is petering out. it's essential we do something, walls are crumbling, we are losing a big part of the site. >> reporter: we are about to enter the guts of the mausoleum. this is where augustus himself would have been buried. at least 22 family members were buried, including augustus in 14 ad. the mayor says treasures like this will be hidden from the public without urgent outside help. and here is an image that caught our taeption today -- attention today. it comes from sarajevo, an actor posing in front of a mop ument marking a moment that led to -- monument marking a moment that led to world war i. the event divides that country. we'll be back here at 11 eastern, and will see you then. >> on america tonight, physicians unable to heal themselves. >> doctors' depression and high rate of suicide. >> there's absolutely no reason that we should have a health care system that creates a dynamic in which our he'llers are harming themselves. >> our in department report raises the question, what's the prescription to cure doctors? >> also tonight, front line iraq, america tonight finds an