This is real money. You are the most important part of the show so join our live conversation in the next half hour on twitter ar alivelshi. Its important to remember times have changed. Its now tougher for the west to intervene in the west because of our global economy. Imposing sanctions on russia, u. S. Sanctions worked against libya and iran. But the u. S. Is closely tied to russia through appliance. So while economic sanctions are appealing to americans they are a much harder sell in europe. This is why. Half of the natural gas supply is rooted through the are are pipeline network. Germany depends on the gas to run its factories especially hard. And if the cost of german factory output increases because of a sustained increase in Natural Gas Prices or production were to fall because of a shortage, that would rock europe, and ripple across the globe. Disruption to russian gas supplies could happen in one of two ways. Russia could shut off supplies preemptively, or russia could step things up mill tailor. Sending minimum tearily militarily. Crimea which is the primary area of the train which is affected isnt really on the transit route. However, to the east of ukraine, a lot of russian speakers there. If the kremlin seeks to broaden, we could see fireworks in terms of Energy Prices here in europe. Europe depends heavily on russian natural gas and through ukraine. Europe has tried to diversify away from Russian Energy by investing in appliance to the cascaspian sea. But would eat up much of the potential supply. Europe is still primarily pipeline gas market. Because of the domestic supplies from these critical producers are declining, really the pipeline supplies that will be available for europe will be largely from russian gas. European leaders understand this and thats why they are calling for dialogue with, not sanctions against, russia. U. S. Sanctions against russia could have implications nor a variety of american for a variety of American Companies doing business there. Exxon Consumer Companies like coke and pepsi and ford. All told, american businesses have billions invested in russia, some say that figure is too low. This week the European Union announced a two year aid package of 15 billion to ukraine. Designed to make up for arussian package of the same amount that had been forthcoming until the events of the past few weeks. Also secretary of state john kerry promised a billion dollars in loan gairnt guarantees to ofe gas that ukraine has been getting from russia until all this happened. All this underlines the deep economic mess that the ukraine is in. The new interim government says it needs 35 billion in cash to avoid financial collapse. This week i spoke with the new governments economy and trade why leader. I asked him about his countrys dire financial situation. The seriousness of this situation relates to Public Finance. The Public Finance is in pretty bad condition. However, the health of the economy is not that bad. Credit comparing, for example, with the comparing, for example, the crisis in 2008 when the had next year in 2009 ukrainian economy collapsed by 15 . Last year, 2013 was not so good but it was not so bad. So what we recorded was about zero percent of growth which of course, doesnt make us happy at all. But its nothing like the crisis in 2008. At the same time, let me repeat, the Public Finance is really in disarray and it is something we need to take care of. Sir you are the be comi mintseconomyminister expect it d to be dealing with a Public Finance crisis and possibly a war. We are dealing with the austerity measures, dealing with the austerity measures and the government is the first buddy to start. We actually cut all the unnecessary waste and expenses. We are cutting the number of personnel that the government is using so the a austerity measurs will start with the government. Mr. Cheremetto, i being assume you are not getting a lot of credit being, learning about it in the last few weeks, how do you deal with the question that ukraine deposed a popularly elected government . Well, first of all, he fled the country. There was an agreement signed with him that there will be a coalition government. There will be return to the parliamentary republic type of constitution, which he changed into the president ial type of republic. And the new president ial election will happen until the end of the year. The opposition, i mean the former opposition, now the government, kept all its promises. So all of these conditions are done. Well, the president decided to leave the country. I understand him, because after the bloodshed that happened after his rule, and we suspect, as his orders, you know, it is very little space for him to stay, at least in the capitol city, in ukraine. So now, we are heading into president ial elections. So in june, looks like maybe after the second round of elections, we will have a new popularly elected president. And then, as an economist, what is the best outcome for ukraine . And for that matter, for Eastern Europe . Whats the best thing to happen . Because this was triggered by a trade deal that ukraine was engaging in with europe that the president turned against. So what is the thing that should happen that will stabilize ukraine and that part of europe . Well, many things are already done. You mentioned the loans and support that we got from Different Countries all around the world, from international institutions, you probably know that there is a mission of International Monetary fund working now in kiev. What can hab the best what can happen the best . First of all we will stabilize the currency. We will jump start the economy. Ideally, in a couple of years, this beautiful, large productive nation, with incredible resources in terms of fertile black soil, will blossom. This is our dream. Pablo chermetta, the economy minister of the interim government in ukraine. Thank you sir. It is not just ukraines economy thats in trouble. Reconomy in russia has started o stall. Mary stone has that part of the story. As russia escalates, it face he a problem at home with its own economy. The International Community condemning russias action he, Russias Central Bank stepped in with draments measures. It also are pumped a reported 10 billion in reserves to boost its currency after the ruble fell to a record low. They were trying to stabilize the currency and stop a flight of currency from russia, to sell a story that this is popular in russia. Long before the ukraine crisis russias growth was weak. Its economy grew by just 1. 3 in 2013, compared to 3. 4 the previous year. Theres been a steady decline since 2010. Analysts point to weak growth as a lack of consumer confidence, corruption, red tape and russias heavy dependence on oil and natural gas exports and little else. It is estimated that 70 of russias exports are in the energy sector. Russia has an aging population with many young people choosing to live someplace else. One of the biggest threats to russia right now investors fleeing the country. Already in january, investments by businesses in russia fell by 7 . People view the Putin Administration as relatively cautious, relatively pragmatic. The risk is that we see western sacks and that could undermine again the willingness of western companies to put money in russia. Mary snow, are al jazeera. Venezuela is a country rich with oil but poor when it comes to the basics. Here is a firsthand look. This is the one of the places in the world where believe it or not this bottle of water actually cost more than a gallon of gasoline. This packet of gum cost more than filling up an entire suv. What role america plays in all of that. And why where water is are short, opportunity flows. Keep it right here. Twenty five years ago, pan am flight 103 exploded in the skys above lockerbie. Only one man was convicted of the attack the major difficulty for the prosecution, that there was no evidence. Now a three year al jazeera investigation, reveals a very different story about who was responsible they refuse to look into this. So many people at such a high level had a stake in al megrahis guilt. Lockerbie what really happened . On Al Jazeera America this week, venezuela marked the one Year Anniversary of the death of hugo chavez with a mix of solemn commemorations and street protests, it is a vast divide over his death. Nicholas maduro drawing a whos who of leftist leaders, all paying respect to maduros predecessor. Credit demonstrators demanded that maduro are qui quit over hs handling of the economy. Short of even the basic necessities like milk and toilet paper. Americas thirst for imported oil plays a part in the power struggle going on there now. David arioso helps us understand. He has been reporting from porto gabao, venezuela. This is venezuelas largest port city, refineries behind us. And it is areas like these that are critical to venezuelas future. The influence in its future is wielded through its petroleum. When you talk about protest you talk about high stakes in a region where theres much natural gas and much crude oil. This in many ways is why what happens in venezuela is so important. Oil. Venezuela is the fourth largest supplier of crude oil to the United States. Behind canada, saudi arabia and mexico. It has among the largest proven reserves in the world approximately but because venezuela doesnt have enough domestic refineries, an Unlikely Partnership has emerged between the United States and the south american nation, to keep its economy humming. Years ago, even under hugo chavez when hes talking about our president being the devil or some of these rhetorical positions, the bottom line is the United States is the closest largest market for Venezuelan Oil. And the u. S. Is thirsty for oil. Despite a recent energy can boom, it still imports about 40 of its oil needs, mostly from venezuela. Venezuelan crude in places like texas and illinois adding american jobs before sending the refined product or gasoline back to venezuela. Theres a lot at stake for venezuelan government to show responsible stewardship inside its own country and also the United States has to temper its response considering thing fact that Venezuelan Oil is a major supply source for the United States. But some venezuelan Officials Say their country could pump more of the oil business back into their own economy by investing more in domestic refineries, using foreign expertise and building out their infrastructure. The government has abandoned the ar infrastructure we need to keep going. Taking to the streets. For years the government tried to placate those concerns by heavily subsidizing the price of gas. This is one of the few places in the world where believe it or not this bottle of water actually costs more than the cost of gasoline. To put that in a little context, the pack ever gum actually costs more than filling up this entire suv. Critics say thats led to a thriving black market and supply shortages. But supporters argue that its instead eased the Financial Burdens of the nations poor many of whom this week also took to the streets for carnival. But as protesters dont square off with authorities across the nation all eyes are focused on whether a disruption of government could disrupt venezuelas allimportant oil economy. So ali when we talk about the vast amount of crude Oil Venezuela is supplying the world, what is it importing . So that speaks to some of the infrastructure problems and questions that a lot of the people here are reporting about. Most americans dont know what theyve got with venezuela or venezuela to america. Do they have the same answer monthsity with the United States that hugo chavez had and Nicholas Maduro talks about having . Family in south florida and new jersey but it really is a tale of two countries here. In caracas you talk to supporters or chavezmos very much in line with the party line, then you head out to opposition areas San Cristobal where the opposition began, and far less of that vitriolic sentiment. As this sort of unfolds the question that a lot of people have not only here but throughout the region is what happens to this oil economy that this country is so reliant upon. David arioso, excellent reporting. David will be back with us shortly, thank you. The u. S. Job market showed some signs of warming up in february. The economy created 175,000 jobs last month, more than economists expected and up from 129,000 in january and the 84,000 in december. I said warming, not hot. 175,000 net new jobs in february is lower than the average of 189,000 over the past 12 months. As for the Unemployment Rate that so many people in the media carry on about but fail to really explain, it edged up a bit to 6. 7 in february from 6. 6 in january. Bad news right . No, let me explain. The rate actually went up because 264,000 people joined the labor force. Thats a pretty good sign that they are optimistic about fied finding a job but not all of them found one. I talked to commerce secretary thomas perez, asked him about the lack luster showing. Here is what he said. We need to pick up the pace. Helping to double the number of apprenticeships in america so people who are skilled workers can punch that ticket to the middle class, raising the minimum wage, all of these things will help to pick up the pace of growth in our economy. It is a hod commodity being bought hot commodity being bought and sold like gold. We all tend to think of water as essentially free, something falling out of the sky. It has tremendous opportunities, because there is no substitute. Coming up, why investors are betting big on water. Youre watching real money, keep it here. I thought that she was my property, and i could do as i please. Abusive men. This is completely unregulated. Easy access to guns. Theres somewhere around 1600 women being held every year a deadly combination. Death could have been prevented. Her and a hundred more women. It hurts to the core faultlines Al Jazeera Americas hard hitting. Ground breaking. Truth seeking. They dont wanna see whats really going on break though investigative documentary series death in plain sight only on Al Jazeera America how much is the water in this glass worth . To us inundated by snow and rain this end endless winter, probably not much. But in california, dealing with the one of the worst are droughts in history, for some investors what they see in a glass like this is liquid gold. David shuster checks in on the business of buying, selling and trading water. We all tend to think of water as being essentially free. We think it falls out of the sky. It should be delivered to us more or less free if not completely free. Colorado analyst Steve Maxwell says most americans have no idea the value of the water coming out of their taps each and every day. Investment funds literally buying water worth nearly 6 billion, invested in the overall water industry but a sector gaining interest as investors betting on water becoming the new oil. Tremendous opportunities because there is no substitute. Mark robert, has an annual 700 million in water transactions. Water is probably one of the more neglected Asset Classes that weve come across in our professional careers. Its hard to imagine water as a commodity being bought and sold like gold but here is how it works. Water right holders. These are farmers, municipalities and industrial interests. Certain areas in the western United States allow those rights to be traded with interested buyers. Usually in oneonone transactions. And thats where private investors come in. They snatch up water rights in dry states with the highest water needs. Mostly districts in california, texas, arizona and colorado. Having said that there are pitfalls in trying to invest in the water industry too quickly or without sufficient background. Reporter water can be notoriously complicated to invest in as a commodity. It comes with specific rules as to how and when it can be used. Agriculture, certain seasons, from region to region, heavy and expensive to move, and excuse the pun, it can be illiquid. As t. Boone pickens found out. When it took him literal trillions to unload water that he held in texas. When you are ready to exit your investment those buyers may not be willing to buy. Some private water investors are counting on water performing more investments over time. Other Companies Like pure cycle in colorado even sell to local consumers like arapahoho count. There is a tremendous amount of investment, expertise that goes behind that to make sure to deliver that water as a clean, fresh supply of water for our customers. And harding says you dont need much expertise to see waters value in the years ahead. If you have a fixed supply of water and you have a growing demand for that water supply, your economic forces really indicate that the value of that water, in a watershort area is going to continue to grow. David shuster, al jazeera. In the effort to make better use of the limited Water Resources they have, california officials are announced they want to streamline and accelerate the transferring of water rights. Faced what can be a time consuming and costly process. My fine thoughts go to theodore and milton deutscheman. They named their first store after the shipboard structure that housed naval communications. Radio shack. I grew up on radio shack. As a kid id go to the local radio shack and get lost in it. Thats where i saw my first personal computer, the trs80, where i went for the most obscure electronic part i needed or in my case, that i didnt need. As fascina