the u.s. goes back to work after a last-minute deal to end the government's financial crisis. ♪ ♪ >> hello and welcome i am stephen cole this is al jazerra from dough ma. coming up in the next half hour. survivors of the philippines earthquake face new challenges as supplies of food and clean water start to run out. kenya is missing billions, minister is asked to explain why a third of the government's purse is unaccounted for. and why a good read is still a page turner in india. ♪

♪ but first, the u.s. federal employees are going back to work after congress vote today reopen government and raise the debt ceiling. ideal to resolve the financial crisis was finally approved in the early hours of the morning, but it may only be a temporary meant and as al jazerra's white house correspondent reports, many americans are worried that politicians took so long to reach this agreement. >> without objection the motion is agreed to. >> reporter: and with that, a temporary reprieve for the global economy. the u.s. will not default on its debt. for the american people, their government will now reopen. for at least the next three months. president obama expressing optimism that the country won't be back in the same place a few months from now. >> once again i want to thank the leadership for coming together and getting this done. hopefully next time it won't be

in the 11th hour. one of the things that i said throughout this process is that we have got to get out of the habit of governing by crisis. >> reporter: on capitol hill political leaders were quick to con garage themselves and each other. >> my hats off to senator reid for his tremendous work. >> second i would like to praise the president. >> i appreciate the work that senator alexander and schumer did. >> reporter: praise was harder to come by outside of the capitol where visiting tourists can give you a pretty good idea of how the country feels about the latest crisis solved at the last minute. from kansas, despair. >> we are very sat because they need to get together and get something accomplished. they are like a couple of little kids on a merry go rounds, you know, on a school ground bickering and not getting anything done. >> reporter: from california, frustration. >> it seems like most of the government it playing politics and it's about political powering it's not about what is good for america and that frustrates me greatly.

>> reporter: in utah, anger. >> a lot of people discussing i believe it will happen come the voting, you know, time for voting this next go around, i believe very strongly that a lot of people, a lot of voices will be heard at that time. >> reporter: polls show the majority of americans want every member of congress fired. but even if their collective memories hold along with their anger that is a message they won't be able to sends until the 2014 elections. but first, the politicians have another chance to try to find a long-term budget solution, but they haven't been able to reach during the last five government created crisis. if not, in three months it's possible the american people will be back here again from the outside looking in on capitol hill not like wag they se likine but not able to do much about it. al jazerra washington. in the philippines rescue workers are trying to remove relief to those in need after a massive earthquake a tuesday at least 151 people have been

killed. the death poll tom is rising all thpoll is rising all thetime. hundreds more are missing and injured. in a moment we'll hear from robert, but first she sends us this update. >> reporter: we are in one of the areas hit when earthquake struck here in the philippines, now, this school, this public elementary school has now been a refuge for many of the residents who have lost their homes, they have been here for the last three days. they are unable to go back. many of them, their home have his been flattened to the ground and others really have no other place to go. now, the issue here is becoming increasingly a humanitarian one. thethey say they are running ouf foot food and water. the president has pledged to insure that aid and assistance will be able to reach -- will reach quickly to those who need it most. but we have spoken to residents here and they have said that they have not seen any

government official, in fact, who has been around really just checking out if they are okay. they said that the problem really is also the problem of security. they said. they are constantly living in a state of uncertainty with aftershocks, continuing since earthquake struck in fact tuesday morning, they said what they would like to see really is to know how they can go back to their normal lives again. the problem really is that it's unsure whether schools are going to be open if they are going to be given at all any assistance as to how they can have funds to rebuild their houses. they don't know exactly how they can proceed. they are unable to go to work. electricity is still remaining practically unavailable in most areas. and really access is still a major issue. but on the neighboring island life is slowly returning to normal. the task will be to rebuild the damaged buildings and to insure that the local economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism, doesn't suffer too much. rob mcbride reports.

>> reporter: everywhere, sign says of the citsof the city getk and the streets coming back to life. but many offices and shopping malls remain closed while the full extent of damage is assessed. with the peak tourism season just starting, no sign of panic among visitors already here, but there is concern about future bookings. although from the city's mayor, an optimistic prediction that it might adds an adventure bone news to the typical holiday package. >> tourists wants adventure and they want to see what happened. so all of this can be an attraction. >> reporter: for most filipino visitors from the president down, the damaged buildings are more a reminders of their country's susceptibility to natural disaster. >> [inaudible] >> reporter: while neighboring islands have been counting the cost in terms of lives lost the

big concern here is the impact of people's livelihoods, in this the commercial heartland of the central philippines and from all of the people of central philippines the same eternal question in times of natural disaster, why us? rob mcbride, al jazerra, the philippines. at least 15 people have been killed in a suicide bomb explosion in northern iraq. the attacker detonated a lorie packed with explosives. it appeared toll target the shiia minority. a regional government minister has been killed in a suicide bombing in northwest pakistan, seven others died in the attack. it happened as celebrations were taking place marking the holiday. 49 peel were killed in a plain crash in laos. it had been flying in poor weather and was about to lands

when it was hit by strong crosswinds. millions of people in eastern india are getting ready for more flooding at the tell andtaleend i've sigh close, cyc. emergency services are struggling to reach. here is a report. >> reporter: a community divided. while some people wait to get to safety, those already there are struggling to get by. he points to the spot where he thinks his home is. he doesn't know when he'll be able to go back. and if there will be anything to go back to. >> we are facing a lot of problems in this makeshift shelter. we don't have access to proper food. i am struggling to take care of my chirp, i can't even pray. >> reporter: his troubles are the result of events unfolding along ways from here.

on saturday, a fierce cyclone slammed in to the coast of southeast india and weakened in to a tropical depression and caused chaos across the region. the indian states were prepared for the cyclone to hit but now millions of people are struggling to deal with its aftermath. it's a race against time to save more low-lying areas from being inundated. in a bid to stop the muddy torrent in its tracks here the army and people from surrounding villages try to build at a barrier across the water. >> you can see how prepared we are. we are working around the clock to make things better here. with the help of the army, we'll repair this bridge as soon as possible. >> reporter: information about where and how fast the water is flowing is scarce. so most people have little choice but to go with the flow. >> the government should be providing help on the ground.

instead it's handing the relief money meant for us to corrupt officials. we are not going to get anythi anything. >> reporter: rural communities across west bengal are bracing for more flooding and the uncertainty of mother nature means they may have to weather the storm for sometime to come. al jazerra, west bengal. kenya's president is asking government minister for his an explanation after it was revealed that a third of the country's public spending has gone missing it isn't the first time the country's finances have come under scrutiny by far the biggest scandal with in 1995 when $10 billion went missing. may in year march p.s voted themselves a 120,000-dollar annual salary making them among the highest paid in the world. they eventually agreed to cut that to $75,000 because of the public ute cry. and now as peter reports from nairobi, $4 billion can't be accounted for eight time when

withipeña is tryingwithin kenyae funds to introduce a sales task. >> reporter: kenyan students struggle with math, they see it as a key life skill. but it's tough to learn with four to a desk in a class of 100. education is one of the most under funded departments in government here. but according to a report by the a tour general, most ministries can't do their sums. in a study of accounts from 2011 to 2012, $4 billion of the budget is missing. that's 33% of the government's entire expenditure for that year. the current spending levels that would pay for 15 years of free primary school education or 10 years of public health care. the group has been tracking the government's accounts for years. the auditor general hasn't accused anyone of stealing, just the money can't be traced.

but the group's chief he can exe says whenever it's gone it's costing the country its future. >> it's the cost of development. in fact the figure that was given to us by the auditor general is larger than kenya's currents development budget this year. so it really is the difference between development and, you know, just muddling along. >> reporter: for the president this is a war. he chose his speech to the military toy talk of the missing millions in fighting terms the soldiers would understand. >> just like terrorism and other forms of aggression, inefficiency, incompetence. and corruption are massive threats to our integrity as a society. as a nation, we must embrace integrity, and fight corruption. building the resolve required to combat error terrorism.

>> reporter: now all the ministries have been order today explain where the money has gone. if anybody should know what happened to the missing millions it is the president himself. for at least half of the period that the auditor general examined, he served as the finance minister. and the man who headed his department is now the head of the civil service. kenya's health service is another dangerously ill department. patience still out onto the grass outside the country's biggest public hospital waiting for treatment. the auditor general has warned if the government can't stop hemorrhaging money the entire country will remain chronically sick. al jazerra, nairobi. much more for come here on al jazerra. including the roma girl did he pained ta*eupbdz andid heatdid . a bitter taste while the drinks companies are fighting a tax on sugar. ♪ ♪

and with them, a storm of views. how can you fully understand the impact unless you've heard angles you hadn't considered? antonio mora brings you smart conversation that challenges the status quo with unexpected opinions and a fresh outlook. including yours. on inside story, we bring together unexpected voices closest to the story, invite hard-hitting debate and desenting views and always explore issues relevant to you.

you are watching al jazerra. reminder of our top stories, u.s. federal employees will be heading damage to work after congress agreed to raise the debt ceiling. the deal was approved in the early hours and removes the threat of an unprecedented government default. restless true workers in the philippines are still trying to get relief to sir strivers of a massive earthquake, 150 people have been killed so far and the death toll is rising. millions of people throughout eastern india are getting ready for more flooding after a cyclone. riding levels of water have

swept away roads and many people are trapped in remote locations. headlines in teheran are praising the work of iranian officials in geneva during the past few days politicians met western powers to try to restart negotiations over teheran's disputed nuclear program. foreign minister says talks have been fruitful. world leaders are keeping details of their talks confidential and will meet again next month in geneva joining knee now live from teheran its political analysts. what has been a achieve achieven geneva? >> reporter: i think the best way and easiest way to know what has happened is to note clearly what they are saying. both of them are talking optimistically and also cautiously. and it means that there are still obstacles to be removed but the whole atmosphere is very positive. >> one of the americans at the

negotiations in geneva said that iran has given more than it has ever had before. so iran in the mood for making concessions. do we know what those concessions were? >> reporter: i think the both sides have come to this point that this time that has been going on for many years has to be settled now. it is for both of them. some comments are on the road of bargaining. for example, some say that iran is making more concessions and the other side they are now making more concessions. i think both sides have come to this point that this must be put an end to. >> is it -- they have been negotiating, mohamed, as you know, for, what, 10 years now. so why is it only now that iran has decided they want to make these conceptions? in other words, was it

sanctions? did they work? >> reporter: i think you have to see it neutrally. i think the western powers were very much gambling on the iranian presidential elections and also what was going on in syria. and i think both of them the presidential elections and also the syrian issue has settled in a way that the west is disappointed of making any gains on both of those subjects, so they have come to this point that there is no way other than making negotiations, fruitful negotiations. >> they will resume talks next month, are there sticking points? and, of course, what i am referring to in that question is the possibility of the percentage of uranium that iran is able to enrich? >> reporter: i think that the main thing must be settled is

that they have some agreement some 10 years ago. if the iranian side had done all the commitments that it had bartered but the western side did not do that. and this must trust must be resolved very soon and very clearly. i think what they will do in the expert levels in the next weeks is that what they would exchange with each other clearly and definitely. >> mohamed, many thanks indeed for joining us. to syria. and the turkish military has she would rebel positions across the border in syria. turkey says its troops were targeting a group link today al qaeda. turkey frequently retaliates against stray fire from syrian government or opposition forces however this is the first time the country has engaged in shelling this group.

rebels have taxed the central prison in the north earn city which has been under siege for several months, fightsers from the al quite qauda fill 80ed front launched the salt. france says it's going grant asylum to 500 syrians the president made the announcement after meeting theup high commissioner for refugees the u.n. has appealed to our european country to his offer eye sigh legaasylum to 10,000 p. a 15-year-old was taken in in custody during a french trip the french government has ordered an investigation in to how she was treated. >> reporter: speaking in in kosovo where her family are now staying, she said that she wants to come back to france and return to school. she spoke of the moment when she was escorts off the bus by

police. >> i felt very bad. i was ashamed in front of my friends. because they started asking me who did you kill that the police are looking for you? i didn't know where i was. and what was going on. and i start today cry. >> reporter: immigrants rights groups and even members of the governing socialist party are calling the conditions of the expulsion shocking. the family say that they fled kosovo about five years ago because they are roma and say they face discrimination. she attended school in a region in eastern france and regards that as her home. but the interior ministry said that the family's application for asylum had been rejected. >> the people involved were treated with respect. i ask that we wait calmly for the results of the investigation. they'll be known in the coming days. >> reporter: the french prime minister said that if the investigation reveals any

violations then the family could be allowed to return. tim friend, al jazerra, paris. the maltese military has rescued more than 120 migrants after their raft sank. the vessel was caught in rough seize off the coast hundreds of migrants have died after their boats went counsel on the way to italy in recent weeks. geek parliament has lifted immunity from the pro prosecutif members from golden dawn. the parliament di is he debating changes. its sweet taste is what attracts many consumers but mexico's congress is debating tax on sugar-filled soft drinks the supporters say it is necessary to combat an obesity epidemic, they are getting fatter basically, but coke coma and other companies are fighting back. david murcer reports. >> reporter: for years oscar

gonzales didn't have the energy to play like this. that start today change after doctors diagnosed the 10-year-old with a metabolic disorder three years ago and recommended he cut sugary food and drinks from his diet since then he has lost 20-kilograms and feels gets than ever. >> wthey are really tasty and when you drink them they kind of wake you up after drinking soda i feel wasted, exhausted like you are going to die. that's how you feel. >> reporter: mexico, the world's most obese country is now also the largest consumer of soda. on average here people drink 163 liters of sugary drinks per year. now the government is pushing for a tax on sweetened drinks with plans to use the revenue to combat a looming health crisis. and at the root of the problem is sugar. this 600-milliliter bottle can have as much as 15-teaspoons of the speed stuff. and that could be like putting

this much sugar in your drink. experts warn that obesity related diseases are set to skyrocket as soda companies continue to expand in to developing markets. >> they have figured out the way toll get our biochemical system to get us to eat more. this is their juggernaut and they are not going to allow anybody to tamper with their profits. this is only about the money. >> reporter: but big businesses in mexico like coca-cola, are pushing back. at stake, they say, are hundreds of thousands of jobs in the prediction chain. and billions of dollars in lost revenue. and if mexico imposes the tax, there is a fear that other developing nations will follow. >> the industry is definitely aware of all of the facts of obesity. particularly in our country. and they have developed many other products. our position is not to impose

anything, just give to consumers information. give them education about thousand read labels. >> reporter: the final battle in the so-called soda wars is now taking place in mexico's congress. but for millions of families like oscar's, the damage has already been done. david mercer, al jazerra, mexico city. >> the united nations says it needs more troops and helicopter for his its mission in a report by u.n. second general ban ki-moon it can stake ice the north. which should have 12,000 troops they only have 5,200 troops. reach its authorized strength the they need two infantry battalions air fields engineers and informations units eye fire has broke he had out in thailand it, began in a warehouse of a department store before

spreading. there has been no reports of casualties, as there were few shoppers inside at the time. bush fires are spreading throughout the australian state of now south wales, several homes detroit authorities are warning residents to leave the flames are being fanned by strong gusts of wind. in zimbabwe a court hansensn tensed a man to 15 years for killing elephants. he's the fourth man being convicted for poaching. came today after they a 100 elephants had been killed in one national park in one month. book sales worldwide are generally on the decline with many readers opting for tablets or smart phoned, kindles and other such electronic devises. that is except in india. where book sales are continuing to rise. a report from new delhi. >> reporter: you can't beat a

good book. or so the saying goes. demand for books is such that even in an outdoor market one can find the famous, infamous and a selection of homegrown titles. and while people across the country have embraced e books, sales of traditional books continue to rise. >> the increase in reared ship in india is not so much about the medium, the e versus paper. >> reporter: this author says book sales are strong dodd because before the middle class could only read stories about the elite. the past or people in foreign countries. >> today they are seeing lives that are lived the way they can understand it and they want to read those books. >> reporter: and that's driving young readers to pick up a book. but don't let the high-tech gadgets fool you. the demand for printed books still growing. india is the third largest english language book market in the world and that's driving

many foreign publishers to set up shot here. and unlike other countries where selling book may be an endangered industry here in india they sometimes don't know where to put them all. the rising demand means book sellers, like him who has been in the business 60 years, is already looking to open another bick store, after just a couple of years of opening in branch in one of the most popular malls, did hdemandsdemand is still ris. >> we can't get any number of books, any quantity of books, that is no problem with us. [inaudible] >> and fell down in the mud. >> reporter: parents encourage their children to start reading at a young age. while they do want thome to fully grasp technology. >> when it comes to reading i want them to read it in hard print. take this thing off my head. >> reporter: reading i is is

celebrated in india no matter what format the books come in. it will likely remain that way for generations to come. al, neal jazerra new delhi. >> that's the home page of our website. al.com. congress voting to end the government shutdown is the top headline.