♪ ♪ latest from the countries meet in brunei with maritime disputes at the top of the agenda. ♪ ♪ hello, the other top stories on al jazerra. >> we can't make extortion routine as part of our democracy. >> pra*pl tells u.s. republican to his stop making threats and bring an end to the government shutdown. the united nations is sued for an out break of cholera that killed more than 8,000 people in haiti. and afghan families have had to

wait decades for information on relatives who went missing under communist rule. ♪ ♪ maritime disputes of the south china sea are expected to dominate talks at the summit. leaders of the 1 10 southeast asian member states have joined at the annual meeting in brunei are joined rather by eight other countries including china, japan, south korea and russia. japan says it controls a group of uninhabited islands in the east china sea. but china, which says they are part of its territory. another collection of islands in the south china sea known as are claimed by several countries including again, china, fill philippines, brunei, vietnam and malaysia. we'll go live to brunei in a moment. for more on that summit, but

first a report from a fishing port in southern china. >> reporter: the fish port is one of the busiest in southern china. last year the catch brought back here was more than 70,000 tons. worth some 200 million u.s. dollars. but fishermen say it's not as easy to earn money now as it used to be. for a higher wage they have to go further on tout sea, battle stronger currents, and risk encountering vessels from other countries. >> the islands are all chinese territory, we are not afraid of going fishing there. our navy will protect us. >> reporter: but it's the presence of the chinese military in disputed waters some 330-kilometers away that has raised tensions in the region. china says it has a historical claim on almost of the resource rich south china sea, but some of its neighbors disagree and china being accused of becoming more and more aggressive in protecting it's a fishermen.

the fish be community here says the chinese government encourages them to go further out and in to disputed waters. giving them fresh without fore the journey, and free petrol. it allows them a larger catch. but it also strengthens the claim of sovereignty. a claim that is now being formally contested by the philippines before an international maritime tribunal. an unwelcome move on this side of the water. the chinese government has always maintained the matter should be kept between the states directly involved. >> the two sides should always seek peaceful means and properly hand this through dialogue and friendly negotiation in order to safe guy bilateral relations and regional stability. >> reporter: china has agreed to sit down and begin discussion for his a more binding code of conduct in disputed waters. but for the fishing community here, the entangle little of s of governments and international law are beyond their concern. >> the fishermen can get along very well even if you are from

different countries, to be honest, we don't care about politics. there are barriers at sea and there must be a way for everyone to benefit. like fishermen elsewhere, they say they only want to earn a living. without risking the start of a war. al jazerra, southern china. >> scott now who is at the summit in brunei for us. scott, we saw that story there about how these territorial disputes are affecting farmers. how are they going to be played out. how are they being played out between these countries at the summit? >> reporter: elizabeth, we know right now there is a -- it's like an afternoon of break out summits if you will with the 10 countries, meeting pilo bilatery the one going on is kind a so you can imagine that tops the agenda exactly that story that we just heard. so we'll have to see what comes out of that. in the morning, a couple of

hours ago, just the members sat down and discussed things amongst themselves. we know there was a bit of housekeeping for them, particularly their goal of by 2015 integrating the communities of these 10 nations a little bit better. that's still left to be determined how much progress has been made, but right now, as we speak, the summit between china and the nations are going on right now. we don't expect a big announcement out of this that theryes, there has been an agreement. that the territorial disputes have been resolved. we are expecting who comes out and says these things that they have made a little bit of progress. that will be coming out over the next couple of hours, but we are not expecting a big announcement that this situation will be completely resolved. but they are discussing it now. >> and what ask the role, scott, of the u.s. going to be in this economic of the chinese president saying this is a financially and china is part i've family. and president obama is missing

like he was from a.p. ik. >> reporter: there is a lot of focus here because when you look at the block of 10 nations it's a billion people so it's a very important market. it's a very important resource. that's why the united states is here, that's why japan is here, that's why even india is here. so, yes, president obama is not here, but, you know, we are shift ago way from the trade talks from bal bow bali. this is an afternoon of break out summits so it's the first nation summit directly with the united states and as you said that's not going to be with president obama, that will be secretary of state john kerry. so what that is probably going to be really just kind of getting to know each other, if you will, because this is the first kind of summit like this to be ever held. the united states is very keen on improving its relations with the 10 nations because eightsbility i don't know people down here, it's a lot of resources and it's a very big market for the united states and when president obama said that he wanted to pivot from middle

east to asia, one of the main reasons he said for that is because its big market and that creates jobs in the united states. it's a big issue no the united states and the nations. >> thank you very much, scotts. joining us from the summit in brunei. to other news now the. the typhoon struck on sunday bringing heavy rain in eastern province. one of the worst his plateses is where half a town is under water. at least five people have been killed as a result of the extreme weather. the u.s. president has told republicans to stop holding economy to ransom. barack obama is trying to end the deadlock, which has shutdown parts of the government for more than a week. in a few days he has to grapple with extending the country's borrowing capacity and that could have an everybody bigger the make on the worlimpact on t.

>> reporter: another day passes with the u.s. government par shalpartially shutdown and the e duh closer to default on the ground debt. the leadership both the republicans and house and the president here are not necessarily sit do you think negotiate. instead, they are fighting it out in front of the cameras. >> a decision to actually go through with it, to actually permit default, according to many ceos and economists would be, and i am quoting here, insane, catastrophic, chaos, these are some of the more polite wards, war earn buffer he had liken it had to a nuclear bomb. a weapon too horrible to use. it would disrupt markets, it would under mine the world's confidence in america as the bedrock of the global economy. and it might permanently increase our borrowing costs. >> this isn't about me and frankly it's not about republicans. this is about saving the future

for our kids and grandkids and the only way this is going to happen is to, in fact, have a conversation. so it's time to have that conversation. not next week, not next month, the conversation ought to start today. and i am hopeful that whether it's the president or a democrat leaders here in the congress, we can begin that conversation. >> reporter: here is who they are talking to. the american people. they are trying to convince the public that they are in fact right. they want the american people to put so much pressure one side or the other that they feel that they are going to have to cave from their point of view, so far it doesn't like lik look like ee plans to. >> u.s. president barack obama is said to nominate janet gel en as heads of the u.s. bank. she'll replace ben ente bernanke would be the first women to head the institution in its 100 year history. she will also being over at a

pivotal time for the economy and the banking industry. russian foreign second william haige says his country is trying to rebuild diplomatic relations with iran, he says the talks may eventually lead to the reopening of both their embassies. >> i have made very clear that we are open to more direct contact and further improvement in our bilateral relationships. we have therefore agreed both our countries will now appoint a nonresidents tasked with implementing the buildings of relations including interim steps on the way towards eventually reopening of both our embassies as well as dialogue on other issues of mutual concern. saddam says its freed most of the prisoners detained during woo years are weeks. fuel protests last month. 50 people were killed in what became one of the biggest challenges to president owe bomb alba sheer's 24 year old. as we report, peace has returned

but divisions remain. >> reporter: calls for freedom. peace and justice are growing in sudan, and the government is having a hard time containing peculiar public ainger. >> when the government saw that a protest was continuing, widespread and inspiring more people to go to the streets it, decided to counter them with all of its power. it could have changed the political view and that's why the government used excessive source. >> reporter: thousands of sudanese took to the streets. after the government's decision to cut fuel subsidies. at least 50 people were killed during a crack down by security forces. hundreds remain detains. they have never faced such a serious challenge to his government, since took power 24 years ago. because opposition to his rule is not only coming from the streets anymore, but from within his own party as well. cracks appeared inside the national congress party with 31

of its most influential members signing a letter calling on the government to implement reform. the move was spearheaded by long time ncp member. >> i think tension is mounting and increasing in the country and this divisions we talked about earlier, and this poll on arpollsaying is intensifying, su have to let out the pressure, if you don't do that. if you don't have a political recipe addressing those issues, the country can easily descend in to chaos. >> reporter: the memorandum was seen by plane as a warning to the government stating that, quote, its legitimacy was never put in to question as it is today. but the government was quick to dismiss the initiative, instead he called for an investigation in to those behind it. the streets are quiet now, but many in the opposition warn that this could be the calm before

the storm. 70% of the population is under 30, and the country's youth are becoming restless. >> actually, the poor have nothing to lose. okay? either he gains or he doesn't lose. what is he losing? health? he already hasn't gotten. food? he hasn't got. education is not there. okay? then nothing scares him. >> reporter: so far the military has kept to the sidelines, many here say they don't want the generals involved in their struggle. but if demands for change are not met soon, civil unrest will only grow. al jazerra, khartoum. >> just ahead on al jazerra, at least seven people are dead, but scores managed to escape a fire. and a clothing factory in bangladesh. ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ good to have you with us, these are the top stories on al jazerra. leaders from the asia pacific region have arrived for annual aseen summits. dispute over territorial waters are expected to dominate the first day the talks, the u.s. president has told opposition politician to his stop holding the economy to ransom, but says he's willing to negotiate to end the deadlock which has shutdown parts of the government for morning a week. and sudan says its freed most of prisoners did he find during fuel protests last months, 50 people were killed in what became one of the biggest challenges for the president's

24-year rule. at least seven people have been killed in a garment factory fire in bangladesh. the blaze engulfed a warehouse and two other buildings. it's the latest in ray string of accidents in the country's garment factories. here say report. >> reporter: it's happened again. this time it's a clothing factory. 40-kilometers north of the capitol. >> when the fire broke out, i came here to search for my uncle, who was working in this factory. i have not yet found him. i found out that the fire started from a machine that exploded. the fire spread in the factory caught fire. many people ran out of the factory. but a few got stuck inside. >> reporter: officials described the fire asthmas i have. it started in a knitting section of the factory. and once again, people have died. it's the latest tragedy in a

string the accidents that keep highlighting the lack of safety standards in the garment industry here. last november, more than 100 people died in a fire at another clothing factory in the capital. and in april of this year, more than a thousand died when a garment factory collapsed. bangladesh is the second largest garment district in the world. most products go to major western retailers, but the workers make very little money, around $38 a month. bangladesh has previously said it will improve safety standards. and there has been pressure western buyers to demands reform. but it seems nothing has been done. al jazerra. >> staying in bangladesh some news just in a special tribunal has found a former government minister and senior opposition member guilty of crimes against humanity. the charges are from the

nation's 1971 independence war. and they have been sentence today life imprisonment. he's the second party member to be found guilt by the tribunal. the u.n. is being sued for infecting haiti's water supplies with cholera. scientists say u.n. peacekeepers tour blame for spreading the disease that's killed about 8,300 people and infected hundreds of thousands more. as kristen explains, the victims will have an uphill battle to hold the u.n. responsible in court. >> reporter: they are farmers, like him. and lawn dresses, haitians who lives have become all the more challenging because of cholera. >> before cholera i was healthy. since cholera my life is changed now i always have headaches and stomach aches. >> reporter: they and thousands of other haitians are looking to the united nation to his pay compensation for the damage inning flipping bide the

disease. which came to their country in 2010. 8300 people have died. >> we filed a complaint against the united cente u.n., but we ho justice. >> reporter: scientific evidence points this u.n. base on the banks of the river, as the source of haiti's cholera epidemic. strain of the disease came from nepal, as did the u.n. peacekeepers whom al jazerra found moving the base's leaky latrines in the weeks after the out break. the u.n.'s own reports found that the base had failed to properly dispose of its sewage which scientists believe is the source of the cholera bacteria now found in haiti's water supply. lawyers are filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of the haiti's cholera victims in a new york federal court but they face one monumental obstacle. the treaty that established the u.n. grants its sweeping immunity being are a treaty that has been signed by all member states including haiti.

for two years, haitians sought justice through the u.n. les's internal leg system they denied their claims and continues to deny responsibilities. >> peacekeepers operate under a veil of immunity and in this cholera case i think it's challenging that on the civil side if one wants to sustain the criminally community, it's best to clean up messes and this one is a mess. >> reporter: lawyers for the cholera victims say the u.n. has a moral as well as a legal responsibility. >> u.n. of course is one of the world's leaders in promoting human rights and the rule of law. and the way that its been responds to go this case has been very hypocritical. there has been no follow through in the principle that his the u.n. preaches. with regards to the victims of comcholera. >> reporter: a thorny legal question for the courts, for the survivals it's a simple matter of right and wrong. kristen, al jazerra, the united nations. >> or 10 gina's president is recovering in hospital.

following surgery to remove a blood contract khro*t from her brain. it's thought she may have sustained the brain injury after a fall a few months ago. here is more. >> reporter: i am outside the hospital in downtown christina fernandez is recuperating after the surgery she underwent on tuesday morning for a brain hemorrhage. this apparently caused by a blow to her head sometime last month. according to doctors, the operation transpired without any problems, it is -- she is apparently recuperating satisfactorily, in fact, her press secretary says she is in good spur and it's has sent greetings to all the people who are outside and who have been here since early in the morning on tuesday praying for the prison'president's recovery. the spokesperson says the president will be in the hospital for 48 hours in intensive care. then she will be recovery from the operation for several weeks.

it's unclear just how long she will be away from her position. in the meantime the vice president is in charge of the county. the handwritten sign that you see under neither the photograph of the president on top of the flag says we love you, we are more. this is a clear reference to upcoming midterm elections held in about two more weeks here in which according to polls, the government will not be doing very well at all. the fact that the president is now of commission and won't be able to campaign certainly does not bode well for the ruling party. canada's supreme court has been hearing a challe toning immigration rules, allowing not indefinite detention of some noncanadiens without charge. daniel reports from ottawa. >> you couldn't go in for your own basement? no. >> reporter: a prison in his own home for seven years, for much of it. keep go to his basement. a compute we are an internet connection was there and his bail conditions can barred access to the web and tariffs.

after three years in a maximum security jail, never charged, he was technically free. but under the tightest restrictions. ever set in canada. you can't leavyou. >> you can't leave the house without proper authority. you can't use a phone outside without approval. you can't travel. you can't -- it's normal life, it's like -- it's -- there is no difference between in jail or outside. >> reporter: a lower court lifted most of his bail conditions. now he is asking the supreme court to strike down so-called security certificates that allow for indefinite detention of noncanadiens without charge, without revealing evidence to their lawyers. the government is defending the short the certified, but as the courts gets involved some are questioning the position. >> the supreme court has recognized that the government or the country las a right to get rid of a person that represents a threat to the society. so there is a balance that needs to be found between the right of

the individuals and the right of the collectively. how do we manage this process. >> reporter: four other men of middle eastern origin spent many years detained recently under the same rules. accused of being potential national security threats. two have been cleared, others are fighting legal cases. human rights activists in canada and around the world joined a protest campaign against security certificates organized by his wife. >> the ultimate goal is to clear his name that would be the ideal situation. and it the a bow lungs of security certified in general. >> reporter: in unprecedented a change little the sprao*epl supreme court will hear some of the case in a secret location under tight security without public access. that is to protect evidence involving intelligence matters. the decision could change the way canada deals with national

security and immigration. as for mohamed himself, he says he just wants to clear his name. daniel, al jazerra, ottawa. >> voting is underway in azerbaijan's election. the president is widely says to win a third term he should first came to power in 2003 after the death of his father and former ruler. and the decade since he succeeded his father, azerbaijan has enjoys a boom raising living standards and courted western countries drawn by its natural resources. health warnings are to be made compulsory on cigarette packs in every e.u. country. the european parliament has also vote today ban menthol and other cigarette flavorings, 700,000 approximated even e.u. citizene each year. after four decades of war, afghans are only now the getting answers about victims from the

earliest years of conflict in the country. recently-leaked list names thousands of those killed by afghanistan's communeist-backed regime? the '70s, jane ferg hahn has this report. >> reporter: for decades these people have never been able to grieve. the detective of their loved ones was a cruel secret. the names of almost 5,000 victims of early communist-backed rule between 1978 and 19 safe nine were recently leaks. those relatives gathered to remember them by candle light. to the country's authorities they were seen as a threat. they were arrested and these families never heard from them again. only now are they sure their loved ones will never be coming home. this family lost husband and father abdul. his wife would grow old without him. the religious political beliefs

scared the communists. >> i was sitting a home that day. someone came from his shop. he came to the house and told me that they took him to the police station. he told me to hide all the books and the koran because the police might come and search the house. >> reporter: her son was too young then to remember his father. but spent his whole life until now managing that he would return. >> we were just kids in the beginning. we were hoping for magic. that he would knock on the door some day and we would open the door and it would be him. all these years we passed with this hope and the day that i heard about it, it ever a very hard for me. partly i was happy, at least it's now clear. but on the other hand, we had the feeling that we had just lost him. it was a very hard day. i was at work. i closed the door, i sat down, and cried for hours. >> reporter: it was his wife who had to break the news. the names of those killed appeared in a newspaper delivered to the library she works in.

>> as soon as i turned the page, his name appeared in front of my eyes. it was very hard for me. i didn't know how to tell them. i was alone in the library. tears came to my eyes and i was confused about what to do. and then he called immediately he said did you check? and then i said your father's name is there. i had never heard him cry before. but as soon as i said that, i heard him cries. it was as though i had given him news of a recent death. >> reporter: life for most afghans between then and now is filled with war, they are just one of an untold number of families who would suffer such a loss. but leaks such as this one could become more common. giving those like them crucial but heart-breaking closure to decades of searching. jane ferguson, al jazerra kabul, afghanistan. >> now the latest works by british artist damien hurts have been unveiled here in doha. 14 huge cup the tuesday show the

moment from conception, the growth of a fetus in a woman's womb and a newborn child, they are inspired by family health guides that hurts saw as a child himself. they form the center piece i've public campaign to get art in to the national psyche. much more news on our website.