just hours after a suicide bomber targets a british embassy vehicle in afghanistan's capitol, gunfire is heard in kaboul. ♪ hello and welcome to al jazeera, i'm sami zeidan live from our headquarters in doha. oil prices tumble as opec ministers decide against cutting the global supply. europe faces up to a humanitarian crisis, how to stop thousands of people from drowning on the perilous journey

to a better life. and we back on the life of philip hughes one of critter's top talents. ♪ let's begin with a developing story out of afghanistan's capitol where the taliban says it carried out two attacks. [ gunfire ] the gun battle raged in the heavily protected diplomatic enclave in kaboul. grenade blasts were also heard in the district. just hours earlier a tall ban suicide bomber attacked a british security car. let's go strait to charles stratford now. what is the latest in the diplomatic area, charles? >> reporter: we're hearing from the minister who says that two

of the attackers have been killed, and there is ongoing operation to clear the building, clear the area. [ inaudible ] taliban told al jazeera that they were behind this attack. they described it as a suicide attack involving a number of other fighters on a [ inaudible ] by foreigners in an area called [ inaudible ]. and this is a -- a heavily fortified area if you would like. there are a lot of afghan security forces in that area. it's a very different area to where we saw another attack this morning on the british embassy which is in the center of kaboul, and kaboul resembles a fortress any way. we asked the taliban spokesperson why there had been

this attack today and the attack this morning as well very obviously against foreign targets, and they said it all had to do with security agreements that now keep foreign forces the ability to stay behind in afghanistan at the end of the year and train afghan forces. all right. charles stratford there. thanks so much. the organization of petroleum producing countries says it won't cut supplies as demanded by some of its members. the overproduction has pushed prices down crippling the economies of some of the nations. >> reporter: the decision by opec to leave levels unchanged does raise the question of just what role opec plays in the

current marketplace. because we know that there were producers among the 12 who were asking for cuts. it does seem that the bigger producers, saudi arabia among them, have forced through this decision because they are afraid of losing market share to big new producers like the united states. that is a suggestion that the secretary general flat out denied. but it has become hostage to market forces it can no longer control. and we know that these lower than usual oil prices will be with us for some time to come. to europe now where foreign ministers are discussing the huge rise in the number of undocumented migra migrants try get into their country. 700 would-be migrants packed in

to a cargo ship that had to be towed to safety by the greek navy after they lost power. and norse who manage to make it to land, many don't receive the welcome they hoped for, as phil lavelle explains from rome. >> reporter: this used to be a hotel. it's long-since closed, but the lobby is packed and the rooms all taken. 160 migrant families live in this place on the edge of rome. it has a roof and that is enough for people like this man who fled the war in sudan, it's home. >> i find myself okay here. but what i am going to do? otherwise i kill myself. i must find a way. so that's why we're fighting for day and day and day and night, you know, to find a better

solution, because nobody can take care of you. >> reporter: 165,000 migrants have arrived in italy so far this year. that is 100,000 more than last year. their goal is to get to the tiny island of lampedusa in the mediterranean sea and then on to europe. but thousands drown trying. the relief from those rescued is evident, but when the ship coming in, the welcome may not be what they hoped for. especially for those who find themselves strandeded in italy. a country that people like this man have to remain in under e.u. rules. >> translator: some think that perhaps if we get here alive at least we have a chance here in europe. but iing found the situation here worse than where i fled from. >> reporter: from -- for many

this is what they can expect. there are dozens of these buildings that have been turned into shelters housing as many people as can physically fit through the doors. in some cases there isn't even a roof to keep the rain out. but what these places provide is sense of safety. the u.n. says the problem of refugees being stranded needed fixed. >> we need to increase the possibility of humanitarian visas, and that would prevent many people to decide to cross the mediterranean in this way. >> reporter: as e.u. officials gather in rome, the migrants keep arriving. and these are the lucky ones, they survived. many more will die trying. they feel they have no alternative. >> let's cross over now to phil

lavelle. are they finding a magic solution to this one? >> reporter: well we have just had the announcement, sami, and it was a somebody of something, a somebody of nothing. if you were expecting them to say we will do this this and this, and everything will be fixed, that didn't happen. we heard from the high representative of foreign affairs within the european union, she said we have decided to develop a common european migration policy, taking into account both home and foreign affairs. we have to identify all of the positive developments that come of legal migration. she also gave what could have been interpreted as a bit of a swipe at some of the northern

european countries. southern european nations are the ones that are typically taking most of the migrants. they arrive in italy, greece, and cyprus, and that is where they have to are remain. she said they have to work together. she said it's important for the european union to recognize these transit countries. she said there needs to be cooperation between all member states not just the southern e.u. >> okay. what does a common migration policy mean in fact when it comes to some of the very sensitive issues? treatment of migrants, housing of migrants. naval policies and so on? is it clear? >> reporter: well, that's -- it's not very clear, and there are so many issues for them to look at. the treatment of the migrants. the human rights. look at the way they are rescued

for example. over the last year we had two policies. the italian navy was actively seeking these boats, taking them back to the mainland to safety. that has been wound down partly because it was costing around $9 million a month. now they have the triton policy. they will patrol 30 nautical miles off of the owes -- coast of italy. and they are going to concentrate on securing the borders. if they get distress calls, they will help out. they also have to look at the human trafficking issue. the people making these journeys are incredibly desperate.

they are desperate to get to europe for some form of safety, they are not making these journeys on their own. they have to go through human traffickers who charge astronomical charges in some cases. and this is a highly organized crime. we're talking in some cases the value of these boats to the human traffickers being around million dollars. so there are so many things for this commission to look at. as i say there was a lot of talk but very few details given. a lot of back slapping as well, a lot of people saying how great it was we were in rome, and how great it was taking part in this process. it was a series of meetings that would have taken place anyway. so they were saying how great it was that it happened as part of this process, so we at least now

have this european-wide commission. >> all right. thanks so much. driving a hard bargain, politicians devise a plan to reward scotland for staying with the united union.

>> it's a chilling and draconian sentence... it simply cannot stand. >> its disgraceful... the only crime they really committed is journalism... >> they are truth seekers...

>> all they really wanna do is find out what's happening, so they can tell people... >> governments around the world all united to condemn this... >> as you can see, it's still a very much volatile situation... >> the government is prepared to carry out mass array... >> if you want free press in the new democracy, let the journalists live. >> the stream, >> your digital community >> you pick the hot topics and express your thoughts the stream it's your chance to join the conversation only on al jazeera america ♪ you are watching the al jazeera news hour. a reminder of our top stories now. the taliban says it carried out

two attacks in afghanistan's battle. -- capitol. just hours earlier one of the suicide bombers attacked a foreign ministry and killed five people. opec says it won't cut supply as demanded by some of its members. the announcement was made in vienna at a opec meeting. foreign ministers from across europe are meeting in rome to discuss the continent's growing migrant crisis. they have decided to develop a solution to support countries like italy and greece which are also where asylum seekers first land. investigators in india say the alleged rape and murder of two young girls was actually suicide. the cousins from a low cast community were found hanging from a tree in the northern state in late may.

but as fas fas reports from new delhi, women's groups reject the investigation's findings. >> reporter: the two young girls were found hanged from a tree. villagered said they had been raped then murdered. a report says they killed themselves. >> it is unfounded truly. and there are so many questions which are unanswered until now, and we from the side of the woman organization would articulate those issues, and pursue our own cases on the basis of that. until that time, we don't approve this. >> the government disagreed and asserted its confidence in the investigation's conclusions. >> investigations come up with different findings. i think as per this case the probe revealed the truth and the case was solved. >> reporter: the case caused

outrage in india, and critics insisted the central bureau of investigation should reopen the case. >> translator: i think the cbi should investigate the case again. they may have missed some clues and should reexamine the case. this is a sensitive case, and they should take it seriously and not hurry. >> reporter: authorities have not given anymore details about their investigation or how the local police who concluded it was rape came to such a different conclusion. faiz jamil, al jazeera, new delhi. britain's high court has issued a ruling which could lead to the prosecution of egyptian cabinet members in the united kingdom. the order confirms that cabinet members can be investigated for crimes regardless. the fjp says egypt's rulers should be investigated for

crimes against humanity, including torture. al jazeera continues to demand the release of its three journalists who have been held in a prison in egypt for 334 days. peter greste, mohammed fahmy, and baher mohamed were vail jailed on charges of helping the outlaws muslim brotherhood. they deny the charges and are appealing their cases. armed troops and officers watched on in ferguson, missouri. it's a much calmer scene than previous nights after a grand jury decided not to charge a white police officer for shooting an unarmed black teenager. as al jazeera's daniel lak reports there's another side of ferguson we haven't seen as much, where people are coming

together to help each other. >> reporter: anger, and mayhem on monday night. after a grand jury doesn't indict the white policeman who shot dead michael brown. >> leave this alone! leave this alone! not kathy's! not kathy eat! >> a cell phone video shows locals stopping vandals from attacking a much cherished soul food restaurant. not only did her business escape serious damage, when she got to work she found volunteers helping to clean up. >> i can't count how many came out to help me board up those windows. i'm thankful for what the

community has done to show the love and support we all have. >> reporter: along with the food, that's why kathy has so many local clients. everyone in this town, two thirds avalanche and one third white, is welcome. >> it's warm. it's friendly. and diverse. each time i have come in here i have seen a diverse group of people. >> reporter: this is a community going through tough times but as things show here at kathy's kitchen, local people pull together. they come and help each other clean up, and not just here. these days bordered up shopings line the main street as unrest continues. not only did the customers help put this plywood in place. local painters had been turning it into works of art. including down at kathy's kitchen. >> that's the real face of furring ferguson. the problems we're dealing with,

the community and the citizens, we figured it out. >> reporter: just half a block from the police department still embroiled in daily crisis. haiti's public health system is struggling to cope with a rising number of cholera cases according to doctor's without borders. more than 3,000 people have required emergency treatment in the capitol since october. scientists say they may be one step closer to finding an effective vaccine for the ebola virus. a trial has passed the first round of safety tests. >> reporter: for most people who catch ebola, it is fatal. for those who survive, it's a

painful disease, and there is no cure and no vaccine. but for the past months teams of researchers have been working to change that. this drug is called cad3 and working by stimulating the immune system to produce an antibodies against ebola. so far it has been given to two small groups of volunteer. one on a light dose. another on a larger dose. the results with the higher dose were really quite favorable. virtually all of the people who received the higher dose got a very robust antibody response, which is the classical response that vaccines illicit. >> when cad 3 was given to animals it proved effective. but moves to vaccines for use in west africa will be expensive. some specialists say large

pharmaceutical companies will need to help. >> they have the infrastructure to develop the vaccines quickly and if deemed successful and safe and effective, they will also have the ability to mass produce the vaccines when the time comes to administer them to the general public. >> reporter: the next stage will take place in liberia, where the number of new cases of ebola has stabilized, but that is not the position in neighboring sierra leone. the world health organization says the capitol freetown remains an intense area of transmission, and the rate of new cases is still rising. >> we still believe that people are engaging in practices that are not necessarily conducive to breaking the transmission, so although the beds that is the most physical manifest indication of where we are short, there are other aspects also that will be useful. >> reporter: but perhaps the

most useful thing would be a working vaccine. brazilian football legend has been admitted to a special care unit in are sal -- sao paulo hospital. he had kidney stone surgery last than two weeks ago. the cricket world is in mourning after the death of philip hughes. the 25-year-old australian died after he was struck on the back of his head by a ball during a match two days ago. andrew thomas reports. >> reporter: almost exactly 48 hours after the ball struck him, philip hughes was head. the cricket captain read a statement from hughes's family. >> we appreciate all of the support we have seen from family, friends, and the general

public. we shared the love of the game with him. we would like to thank all of the staff at the hospital for the great efforts with philip. we love you. >> reporter: in a country where cricket is the national sport, losing such a great player in the prime of his career has shocked millions. the prime minister gave a national address. >> the thought that a player in his prime should be killed playing a national game is shocking and [ inaudible ]. >> reporter: tributes to the player have flooded in from around australia and the world. >> i think all of those who have played cricket, who play cricket, who have children playing cricket are devastated by this news. >> reporter: on friday flags in his home state will fly at half

staff. >> philip took the blow at the side of the neck, and as a result of that blow, one of the main arteries leading to the brain was compressed by the ball. that caused the artery to split and to -- and for bleeding to go up into the brain. and he had a massive bleed inhi brain. >> reporter: the fatal delivery was bowled at approximately 140 kilometers an hour. it hit his neck just below his helmet. philip hughes was a respected and popular kritetter. he had been in and out of the national team for five years. the injury he suffered is exceptionally rare. doctors here at the hospital that treated him said there had only been one other reported case of a cricket ball causing

it in the past. so in addition there has been support pouring out to the cricketer that bowled the ball. a commission has been debating proposals for greater autonomy since scotland voted to stay part of the u.k. in september. >> reporter: the grand setting of the national museum of scotland where you can see how scientists tried to smash the atom. and here the westminster parties have been trying to break something else nearly as complicated. the drive for independence from the u.k. the man tasked with coming up with more freedom presented his report. the result of hard bargaining between all of the parties. he said it was historic stuff, and others agreed it should be

all the scotts should ever weren't. >> i'm delighted with this package. it gives us more financial accountability, real economic powers in scotland, the beginning of a different scottish welfare system, but keeps us in the u.k. business market. >> reporter: when scotland voted no, it was still close enough that westminster promised to listen. since then support for the nationalists has gone through the roof. so will this be enough to stop a new vote much sooner? >> this is a significant transfer of powers that meets those demands that scottish people made. the vow has been kept.

>> reporter: yet the scottish nationalists said it was a poor return. >> we sought in this process to obtain the job-creating powers, we along with civic scotland sought to control the welfare system and tackle issues of poverty, and we have not received those powers. >> reporter: of course the thing the nationalists really want their own defense and foreign policies, the removal of nuclear submarines remain off of the table. this is not unsubstantial, they can for instance, ban frac-ing, but many, of the believers of power will remain in london, the nationalists say it is nothing

like enough, and they remain the most powerful voice. support has surged since september here. people want real change. this may or may not be it. we have got more on that story as well as all of the others on our website, aljazeera.com. >> very disturbing it isn't like the simple days in the '80 a less where matthew broderick tapped in to i psalm air computer and played tick tack toe. now they can hack in to medical equipment doctors using facebook saying this is the first i am hearing of medical hackers. the idea of disabling equipment i use to keep patience alive mu