of the economy. >> every tuesday night. >> i lived that character. >> go one on one with america's movers and shakers. >> we will be able to see change. >> gripping. inspiring. entertaining. talk to al jazeera. only on al jazeera america. >> experts call the deadly m.e.r.s. outbreak in south korea large and complex, and warn more cases are likely. hello, i'm martine dennis, you're with al jazeera, live from doha. also to come on the program - a second massive data breach. u.s. officials say hackers targeted intelligence and military personnel. plus... >> i'm andrew thomas with thailand's navy in a helicopter above the andaman sea, under international pressure the

government here is determined to show that they are taking the migrant process seriously. and black or white. a civil rights activist is accused of lying about her racial identity. first news from pakistan. we are hearing of air strikes in north waziristan. the pakistani military saying that many fighters have been killed close to the afghan border. this is all part of an operation which was launched last june against the taliban, and other armed groups in the area. let's get more now by talking to kamal hyder, our correspondent. joining us from outside the capital islamabad. what more can you tell us? >> according to the military,

they were air strikes close to the border. the military movement into the area in june. it was an operation which led to the displacement of 1 million people from north waziristan. this bombardment has taken place close to the border because many of the fighters escaped that area, but some of them remaining in a very difficult mountainous area, and therefore the military still pounding them months after they launched the offensive. >> it sounds like a significant victory, if as many as 20 fighters have been killed. does this represent a renewed commitment by the military to flush out the taliban as well as other armed groups. the military is determined and they have put the taliban on the back foot. this is a difficult process,

because it has taken almost 10 months, 11 months since it went in, and it is proving to be difficult in some of the more inactionable areas, it's an operation you cannot put a time line on the military showed a commitment to go on the offensive and allows them to operate against pakistan. scott heidler, our correspondent in pakistan, who will of course keep us up-to-date in north waziristan. meanwhile, across the border in afghanistan, in the south of the country a police convoy has been attacked killing 20 officers in a helmand province. the battle lasted hours, and 10 fighters killed.

afghan security forces are suffering many casualties 5,000 reported to have been killed this year. the world health organisation is arrange of more people being infected with middle eastern respiratory syndrome or m.e.r.s. since the outbreak in south korea last month, 138 cases have been confirmed and at least 14 people have died. richard thompsett reports. >> reporter: at this market in seoul, they have brought out the big guns in the fight against m.e.r.s. the government repeatedly called for calm. as fear of contamination spreads few are listening. shopkeepers say many customers are simply staying away. >> translation: sales have dropped by 40 to 50%. not many are walking around. kids are hiding at home. >> the numbers of people have gone down significantly. i hope the m.e.r.s. situation is solved soon, so our business

improves again. >> reporter: on friday the south korean president visited the heart of the m.e.r.s. operation, along with a team from the world health organisation which later gave this warning... >> the outbreak has been large and complex. more cases should be anticipated. because of this the government should remain vigilant and intensify disease surveillance and prevention measures until the outbreak is over. >> more schools have been shut as a precaution. close to 3,000 have now closed their doors. earlier the health ministry said the outbreak was coming under control with four new cases on friday. with the announcement of fourth generation infection, an ambulance driver, is a worry. and with the governments warning citizens travelling to south korea, seoul is bracing for economic fallout. earlier this week the central bank cut the key interest rate

to an unprecedented 1.5%. for now the priority remains, containing the spread. the next few days could be crucial in determining whether the worst is over u.s. investigators say there has been a second breach of sensitive data related to government employees. the office of personnel management was the tart. last week it was revealed that the data of 4 million people could have been compromised. in both cases washington said chinese hackers could be involved. john terrett reports. 24 hours after the biggest federal employees union warned in a letter to the obama administration that last year's hack was wider than led on comes confirmation that may have been a deeper breach. white house spokesman josh ernst saying there was a separate

intrusion, affecting a different part of office of management systems and data. >> at this stage i don't have details about the ongoing investigation. >> reporter: a senior administrator tells al jazeera a newly revealed hack may have targeted forms government workers fill out to qualify for security clearance, information about mental illness, drug and alcohol use, arrests and bankruptcies. the apparent breach and the one revealed earlier could add up to 14 million federal record compromised. on thursday they wrote to the administration accusing them of hiding behind t criminal investigation as a reason not to give out too many details. ernst is adamant protecting government systems is a big task given the size of the databases involved. >> protecting the computer networks of the federal government is a daunting challenge and it does require the federal government to be

nimble, something difficult when you talk about an organisation this large. >> in thursday's letter union boss wrote: he backed his using up with specifics saying social security, personal and pay history, life insurance and pension information has been stolen. the row spread to capitol hill, with changes between mitch mcconnell, and minority leader harry reid in the senate over who is to blame for the hack. reid saying for the first time it may have been the chinese. german investigators closed their inquiry into the adelaide tapping of german chancellor angela merkel's mobile foin. they were accused of recording phone data. german prosecutors have been

unable to find evidence that would stand up in court. u.s. president obama's ambitious trade agenda has been belt a blow by the house of representatives. it blocked a workers aid programme, part of a package to strengthen ties with asia pacific nations. president obama went to capitol hill but failed to convince fellow democrats to back him. white house correspondent patty cull in reports. >> reporter: this doesn't happen often, u.s. president obama supposedly finished working. then he decided to go to the annual congressional baseball game. the handshaking continued into friday morning. another surprise stop the u.s. capital. all the attention because the president's top priority the asia pacific was up for a vote in the lower house. >> i don't think you ever nail anything down here. >> reporter: and this time it was his own political party

threatening to block him. he was here to ask them for fast-track authority. basically to get the trade deal with 11 other country, congress could say yes or no but not change the agreement. >> tpa could facilitate another bad deal. we can't afford to pull up the draw bridges and shut out the rest of the world. it's not smart policy and will not help the american worker. >> n.a.f.t.a. cost us 1 million jobs, it michigan is paying the price. >> the world is passing us by. >> in the end, the knows run out kind of. this killed one part of the bill the part that gives aid to workers who lose their job. the actual part of the bill passed. the trade agreement cannot become law unless the assistance

package gets the bill. they'll do that next week. now they'll play hard ball sending this to their own party. >> we have a strong case to make. if they don't act as early as next week. this is a programme that the democrats believe in they unanimously supported it last time they were on the floor. >> democrats have to decide what they hate more. the trans-pacific partnership, and looking if they leave vulnerable workers without help. it's possible they embarrassed their president, but it will not stop him getting what he wants. a trade deal and legacy staying with the united states detainees from guantanamo to imam. it's been five months since they were last moved. president obama moved more than

half. and campaigned for the presidency on a promise to shut the facility an armed group stormed tunisia's consulate. officials have not identified the group. and has described it as an attack on national sovereignty and a soil eyeings of law. stephy has more from tunis. >> we understand the foreign ministry in tunis and important members of the government are holding a meeting to work out top what to do next. they are responsible for the attack on the consulate. and answer questions about who was in the consulate at the time. they have a connection to the

detention here in tunis, and a senior member. a group that took control. in may, more than 200 tunisians were held in tripoli, used as a bargaining chip. now, waleed is in custody. some say there's a connection between what happened, and the connection of this man in tunis. tunisia is one of the few states of the world to have a relationship with both rival governments in libya, one appointed in tripoli, and the internationally recognised one in tobruk. this latest incident brings to question the relationship with libya, and a lot of questions will be asked about where, what happens next between libya and

tunisia still to come women in indonesia's aceh province are calling for a night time curfew to be lifted. >> challenge the way you look at the world. >> talking about big subjects. >> telling human stories. >> fraud, waste and abuse.

hello again, let's look at the top stories in al jazeera. pakistan's army says 20 fighters have been killed in air strikes in north waziristan part of an offensive against the taliban that was launched last jeer. the world health organisation warns of more people infected

about m.e.r.s. since the outbreak in south korea began last month, 138 cases have been confirmed. at least 14 have died. u.s. investigators say there has been a second breach of the sensitive data related to government employees. the office of personnel management is the target. 13 million records may have been compromised indonesia says australia has stooped to a new low if allegations that it paid people smugglers to turn back are found to be true. >> it was revealed that people were told to turn back in return for $5,000 each they received. this is part of an investigation

they are being investigated for pugling. the australian prime minister neither confirmed for denied the report. when asked he said beats have been stopped by hook or by crook. but refused to say if the allegations are true. meanwhile thousands make the dangerous journey, as andrew thomas reports. >> reporter: the islands in off thailand's west coast are exquisite. this is no joy flight. the captain flying a team over the andaman sea looking for boats of trafficked migrants. in mid may, thailand was criticized for pushing back rohingya boats. helicopters dropped them food, but would not let them land on shore. under international pressure, thailand promised a better response, air patrols started and the thai navy based a large ship off shore ready to recover any immigrants.

>> when boats were found you in the andaman sea there was thousands floating out there. thailand's navy has been sending two helicopters and two planes on patrol of every day since, and so far have not found any other vessels. at least not ones with migrants visible on deck. this is though, a busy sea. every boat has checked given each care craft flies for two hours each day. that, though, the captain insists, is enough. >> if there are the migrants out there, that the rumours suggest, and if they come through thai waters, we'll find them. so far we have not seen anyone. >> reporter: this is a woman's shelter, last november this woman was tricked to leaving her children in myanmar and getting on a boat.

with a promise of work. in fact, she says she was kidnapped. after five weeks at sea, she was held for a ransom she couldn't pay in a jungle camp on the thai malaysian border. some died. she managed to escape. my experience in myanmar, my journey on the boat and at the jungle camp was horrific. for the first time in my life. i feel like a free person. >> june marks the start of a stormy season here. that may be why the thai government thinks fewer boats are taking to the sea. systems are in place if boats come again. for desperate humans, it has a humane response. sunday we'll continue our special "desperate journeys" coverage out of asia. scott heidler will report from northern thailand where he found rohingya crossing into the country from myanmar. sunday on al jazeera.

women in indonesia are protesting against a curve few imposed in banda aceh. women who work in certain industries must go home by 11:00pm. the provincial government wants to protect women from harassment. from banda aceh, we have this report. >> sharia police are on patrol in aceh, the only province in indonesia that adopted islamic law. women are reprimanded for being outdoors after 9:00pm, unaccompanied by family members or husbands. unmarried couples are given a warning for kissing in a park. these patrols are a common sight since islamic law,

was introduced in 2001 violators can be punished. for the major of banda aceh, existing regulations it not far enough. she issued a ban on women working or visiting night spots after 11:00pm. >> translation: after 11:00pm places of entertainment are dangerous. there are many problems. we have adopted islamic law, we need to implement it. if women work later than 11:00pm, it's not effective. by that time women should be able to rest. >> this person works as a cashier in a cafe, can't afford to rest at night. like many other women in banda aceh, she needs to do night shift to earn money to support her family and parents. >> i'm trying to make a living. i think the government should look at what we are doing, what work we do. >> despite the risk of being caught by sharia police, she is in no position to give up night shift

according to the new regulations her employer can lose his licence if she works beyond 11:00p.m.. islamic law was introduced 20 years ago. sin then the main people are women who r punished for wearing a long clothes. they can't be reprimanded. advocators for women's rights will ask the government will implement a version of islamic law. they say because the regulation has been issued in the name of religion, only a few women dare openly to protest. >> translation: this regulation has to be withdrawn. the national government has to be firm about this. it's against the constitution. don't let it happen, it can be implemented in other parts of the country. all in the name of islamic law. which is a wrong version. -- interpretation. >> government ministers in

jakarta want to review the regulations in aceh. while arna has autonomy, laws and regulations issued by the province can't contradict the country's constitution. >> translation: i will coordinate this with the head of women in parliament in aceh to review. it is discriminative. many work at night. they need to review this. i'll discuss it with the home minister because it's not the only regulation. in aceh violating gender equality. >> reporter: nearly midnight in banda aceh. not all women are obeying the mayor's regulation, most cafes are filled with men only. many are hoping that the government in jakarta will reverse the mayor's decision, and allow them to work and move around at night andreas is the indonesian researcher for human rights watch, and says the law is

unfairly targetting women and must be revoked. >> human rights watch asked the indonesian government to revoke all of this regulation, it's not just about women working at night. but since 14 years ago, they increased the discrimination against women. for instance, it is mandatory for women and men to be separated. for women to cover their heads. women cannot wear pants, women cannot straddle motorcycle. women cannot dance or sing. many are problematic. it's not only contradictory of english and national law, but contradictory to the international convention on human rights, that the aceh government agreed to abide by when signing the peace agreement in 2005. a group of western tourists found guilty of posing naked on a malaysian mountain regarded as

a holy site have now been deported. third party sentenced to three years in gaol and fined hundreds of dollars each. the court heard that they ignored warnings, and some urinated in the local area. offending local place. >> in india six died after ammonia gas leaked from a tanker, happening in the northern city in punjabi state. the tanker was stuck in a flyover. hundreds of others were taken to hospitals after having breathing problems. an investigation has been open. a woman who worked in a prison in the u.s. appeared in court charged with helping two convicted killers escape in new york state. 51-year-old sewing instructour joyce mitchell pleaded not guilty. the convicts used power tools to

get out of a high security prison last weekend. the prison employees has been accused of smuggling contraband into the facility and she faces charges that could lead to a 7-year gaol term. >> a prominent activist has been accused of lying about her identity. she claims to be african-american, but her own family says she's white. >> rachel id the 37-year-old leader of the spokane washington chapter of the n.a.a.c.p. an african-american civil rights organization. she's been thrust into the spotlight by her parents, who told reporters that their daughter is not ethnically african-american. >> she knows it's false. she told herself, as well as herself, this erroneous identity of hers, that by now she may believe it's the truth.

television "talking heads" pounced on the case. social media lit up. but many scholars that studied race and identity had a different reaction. >> so what. i mean, seriously, unless this woman has done something that is harmful and detrimental to her family and her community, from what i read about her, she is doing extraordinary things. by the way the n.a.a.c.p. was founded and run by whites and blacks. >> why and when she presented herself as black is not known. she attended the historically black howard university on a scholar shop, as married to an african-american man and teaches afrikaana studies at a local college.

she listed herself as black on a job application. >> united states has a perverse relationship with race, it is so, so fraught. one of the things that this entire event does is expose how ludicrous the social phenomenon has been. it's had harmful effects, incredibly detrimental effects to our society. we make fun of it. which make light of it. and here is someone who exposes how situational, how contextual the notion of race can be and voluntary identity can be. >> a statement was issued saying we report her privacy in this matter. one's racial identity is not a qualifying criteria for n.a.a.c.p. leadership the mexican supreme court ruled that it's unconstitutional for mexican states to bar same-sex marriages.

gay marriage is legal in some parts, including in mexican city. under the new ruling gay couples in other regions would have to apply to courts individual lay to have marriages recognised. if you want to find out more about that or the day's news. remember you can go to the al jazeera website. justices of the supreme court include one justice in her 80s and seven in their 70s. the next president may get to a point two, three, even four justices shaping the nation's highest court for a