>> rough treatment for refugees as they try to make their way to the hungary/macedonia border. hello, this is al jazeera live from doha. also ahead, peaceful protests by venezuela's opposition after their leader is given a lengthy jail sentence. voting is under way in singapore and what's expected to be the tightest election in decades. and to venice, a new film showcase daily life in one of the south pacific's last

traditional tribes. foreign ministers from four central european nations are meeting in prague amid a growing rift over the refugee crisis. the czech republic, poland, slovakia reject quotas. the commission wants 120,000 additional asylum seekers per year to be shared out between 28 member states. meanwhile, macedonia's foreign minister says his country may follow hungary's example and build a border fence. up to 4,000 refugees are making their way through macedonia trying to make their way to europe. >> from the islands they took the ferry to the mainland. traveled through the night and reached the border in the morning. it's pouring with rain. many are not prepared for this

weather. children are soaked to the bone. yet the refugees are still determined to continue their journey. but it's one full of obstacles. the border police blocked them. frustrations grew once more. the rain continues to pour. impatient, the refugees press forward. the police pushed back. until it became too much to cope with. this is not the first time for the macedonian border guards to use force. others could just not wait any more. yet again risk their lives. some said they were running out of money. others out of time. the police eventually let everybody in and in the rush, by fear that the border will close once again, they left their personal belongings like scarfs, sleeping mats, shoes for children, and even their tents that they will probably need

because they still have four countries to go through. for a while the border stayed calm. aid workers and volunteers were getting ready for another human wave. most of the refugees stuck on the greek islands have been evacuated. about 20,000 people are expected to stream through here in the coming hours and days. some people living in the area have also come to help. sophia says the men, women and children hits close to home. >> translator: why are we doing this? because our ancestors are refugees. i'm seeing what my grandfather and mother experienced. >> reporter: after weeks of traveling, clean clothes are welcome. his parents left syria 25 days ago. they entered greece through the island of rhodes. she feared her baby would not make the crossing. >> translator: we are not

extremists, we know it's going to be difficult here. some people don't want us, but it's still better than syria. >> reporter: it's that belief and hope that gives them the strength to continue a voyage full of uncertainties. u.s. president barack obama ordered his administration to increase the number of syrian refugees allowed into the country. the united states has taken in 1,500 syrians, but human rights groups say that the government still needs to do more. white house correspondent reports from washington. >> reporter: as tens of thousands of refugees continue to try to scrape their way through europe, the obama administration announce it is will increase the refugees it takes in to 10,000. but that is not as big of a change as it might sound. >> the state department said

next year between 8,000 and 10,000 refugees. what does this mean for those fleeing iraq and afghanistan? >> i don't get the math on the 5, 8 and 10 thing. >> you said the goal is for next fiscal year was a total of 5 to 8,000 from syria. this is just 2,000 more? >> my understanding is, i guess i can't account for what they previously said about what they are hoping to do for next year. >> it will take up to two years for the refugees selected to make it to the united states. the fight continues. more accusations of the assad regime dropping barrel bombs and now russia is sending ships into syria claiming russian troops are also fighting on the ground. the russian foreign minister denies there is a military buildup. >> translator: we have helped and will continue aiding the syrian government and equipping

the syrian army with all that is necessary to prevent a repetition of the libyan scenario and other events that occurred because of an obsession by some of our western partners with ideas of changing unwanted regimes. >> reporter: if russia does increase its involvement, it could be a change. >> the trick to this is trying to arrange a process where he feels sufficient pressure and is cajoled by external allies to begin to move off the stage but in an ordinarily fashion that allows the state institutions to remain. >> something allies don't want to see happen but has to for negotiations to be successful. world leaders fighting over the future of one man whose fate will determine what happens to millions.

saudi led military forces have carried out air strikes on a yemeni tv channel. it was being used by houthis as a weapons store. peace talks will go on. the saudi led alliance has been bombing rebels since march. negotiations broke down in june. more from the u.n. in new york. >> reporter: the three major parties in this conflict, the government of yemen, the houthis and general people's congress have all agreed to peace talks. the talks will take place in the next week at a location somewhere in the region that is yet to be announced. the purpose of this meeting is to create a framework for cease fire, for political transition based on security council

resolution 2216. we know from speaking to the yemen ambassador to the united nations, that was an important point for the yemeni government that these talks are based on that, which calls on the houthis to withdraw forces. the houthis have agreed to this. the last time talks were announced was in geneva, they went to geneva, but never sat down and accomplished nothing. they are optimistic and hopeful that this will turn out differently. they say that the envoy for yemen has been doing shuttle diplomacy going back and forth and feels the time is right to get them together. there is a lot of hope and pressure coming from the international community on these parties to reach some sort of a deal. there is a lot of concern about the humanitarian situation in yemen which has gone from bad to worse with some 80% of the

population in need of some form of humanitarian assistance, their situation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. a court in india has found 12 men guilty of the train bombings. 190 people were killed after bombs ripped through first class carriages nine years ago. sentences will be handed down on monday. supporters of a venezuela opposition leader have called for protests against his jailing. lopez's lawyers and supporters say that it's a miscarriage of justice. >> tears of sadness and disbelief in supporters of a venezuela opposition leader. lopez was convicted after a

closed trial that ended suddenly even though many defense witnesses hadn't made it to the stand. he's been given the maximum sentence for insighting violence and protests last year. >> translator: 13 years is a long time. 87 days go by quickly. we can have a national assembly that approves the reconciliation that puts him out on the streets by the sovereign decision by the venezuela people. >> reporter: the prosecution said lopez encouraged violence when his people rallied against the president. 40 people were killed. there were groups of people who agree with that view. government supporters gathered before the verdict calling for the court to find him guilty and to keep him in jail. he's being held in a military prison since his arrest in february last year. >> lopez does not represent anything us to. what we want is that he remain a

prisoner and pays for his mistakes. there were many deaths because of him. >> reporter: lopez is a harvard educated politician. he was a popular mayor in a district on one of the strongest opposition candidates. the united states government, the united nations and international human rights groups have all called for his release. in turkey security forces blocked a delegation of politicians marching towards a city. at least 30 people have been killed since a military operation began last week. >> reporter: we are getel reports of a very difficult humanitarian situation. we are being told there is no electricity, no water, there is

a lack of food and medical supplies. people can't leave their homes, they can't transport those injured or dead to hospitals because of reports of snipers. however, i have to say very difficult to confirm these reports because it's impossible to get in. it's been under military siege for a week. the turkish government is rooting out what it calls pkk terrorists, saying they have killed 32 militants, including one civilian. when you speak to the other side, the pro kurdish party, they will tell you that at least 21 civilians have been killed. those are pictures coming out on social media. they accuse sniper fire of this, the fighting going on, a difficult humanitarian situation. that is clear. the numbers difficult to confirm. the government will continue this operation until it clears the area out of pkk militants, it comes at a time the last week here in turkey, the most violent

it's been in the last couple of years. the concern, of course, to the people here, everyone a little worried. many people will tell you that this perhaps could be solved politically, snap elections being held on the first the november. incredibly sensitive times here at the moment. plenty more news still to come here. floodwaters recede in japan. exposing the damage and devastation to people's homes and livelihoods. we'll take you there. and a vote the u.n. rules to let the palestinian flag fly outside its headquarters in new york. we'll tell you more.

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>> hello again. top stories on al jazeera. foreign ministers are discussing how to deal with refugees. the czech republic, poland and slovakia reject the quotas. a venezuela opposition leader has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. his lawyers and supporters say it's a miscarriage of justice. security forces in turkey blocked a delegation of politicians marching towards a kurdish city. it's under curfew after the military began operation against kurdish there last week. people in singapore are voting in the most hotly contested general election. the prime minister has cast his

ballot. his ruling party has been in power for 50 years. for the first time opposition candidates are running in all constituencies. it's thought they could win some seats. >> voting at this constituency has been brisk as at other constituencies. there was a line of people waiting when the gates first opened at 8:00 in the morning. this is the east coast constituency. it is interesting because it is marginally fought between the ruling party and the opposition party, the workers party. in the last election in 2011, the two sides came within 10% of each other. and this constituency is what's known as a group constituency. it represents four seats in the parliament. what people are looking for is if there will be another upheaval as in the last election in 2011. during that poll, one of these

group constituencies changed from the government falling to the opposition. it was the biggest upheaval that this system has seen since its independence. they have seven seats in parliament out of a total of 89. they are hoping to get into double figures. in all of their pollings, they have been telling people vote for us, but not vote for us, this is what we will do as a government, vote for us so we can be a stronger opposition, a check and balance against the government. as this system moves steadily and slowly towards a multiparty system. >> japan's prime minister has held an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the flooding. three people were killed. more than 100,000 had to leave their homes. one of the worst affected places is north of tokyo.

>> reporter: it was a long night for hundreds of people after a tore rent of water tore through their city. rescuers worked in darkness but couldn't reach all those who needed help. at day break japan's self defense force as well as police and firefighters stepped up their response. and with the rescues came more detail about what happened. >> translator: it was so quick. the water busted down our door. >> we were at a shopping center, so we had everything we needed. >> reporter: record breaking rain caused the river to break its banks. 6,500 homes have been flooded or destroyed. the japanese government is doing all it can. >> translator: the government is trying hard to rescue those waiting for help as soon as

possible. >> reporter: the local governments of the affected areas set up accommodations for those forced from their homes. while the floodwaters eased during friday, much of the area is still under water. it's not clear when people will be able to return to their homes. the weather bureau says 400 millimetres of rain fell in two days. it's warning of mudslides and further flooding. the palestinian flag will fly outside the u.n. headquarters in new york. the general assembly voted in favor of the resolution. the flag will be up in just 20 days time, in time for a visit by palestinian president mahmoud abbas. >> reporter: the general assembly had before them a vote about internal u.n. practice.

>> we shall now proceed to consider draft resolution. >> reporter: but it was a highly charged and symbolic one, should the u.n. fly outside its headquarters the flags of observer states like palestine. the u.s. ambassador said they should say no. >> raising the flag is not an alternative to negotiations and will not bring the parties closer to peace. >> reporter: she did not stop her resounding victory for the palestinians, 119 countries in favor, 45 be a essentials, including many eu nations and 8 countries voting no. moments after the vote, condemnation from the outgoing israeli ambassador on what happens to be his last speech to the assembly. >> the question is not whether the palestinians will raise the flag, but whether the united

nations will raise a white flag and surrender the principles of this institution itself. >> reporter: his palestinian counterpart said this was an important moment about more than just a flag. >> raising the flag will signal to our people everywhere who are watching us tonight that their freedom is inevitable and that international community supports them in their journey for justice for their rights and for the independence of their state of palestine with jerusalem as its capital. >> reporter: the resolution says the palestinian flag will fly for the first time 20 days from now. that's when world leaders are gathering here in new york and happens to be the day that president mahmoud abbas will make his speech to the u.n. general assembly. this is the place outside new york where the palestinian flag will soon fly beside the flags of the other nations of the

world. the timing is a victory for the palestinians. cyber threats to the united states are on the increase. and for the moment, there's no agreement on how best to stop them. from washington, ross jordan reports. >> reporter: there is a lot of money to be made trying to protect soft government and commercial companies against cyber attacks. >> every day we gather 500 examples of malware. it's absolutely mind boggling. >> they told congress on thursday the problem is not going away. >> cyber threats to u.s. national and economic security are increasing in frequency, scale and the severity of

impact. >> reporter: the attacks on u.s. government computers are constant. earlier the office of personal management was breached putting at risk 4 million current and former workers. the energy department's computer systems were breached more than 150 times between 2010 and 2014. those systems hold information about the u.s.'s nuclear weapons arsenal. and the pentagon said cash registers at its food courts were breached. putting at risk anyone who bought food or a snack with a credit card. >> ahead, jp morgan chase, have been subject to attacks. >> officials say the u.s. spent too much time trying to repair

the damage and needs to go on the offense. >> a purely reactive defensive strategy is not ultimately, i think, going to change the dynamic where we are now. the dynamic now is not acceptable to anyone. >> they might target chinese hackers. but it's not an easy call. they are trying to protect the country and the economy in ways that don't require guns or bombs or jeopardize sensitive diplomatic relations. >> more than 30 judges and a hundred other judicial staff have been implicated in ghana. >> reporter: this all came about from a documentary. in this documentary which is due

to be aired later this month, there is video footage of judges receiving money, receiving bribes to alter cases, alter the outcome of the justice system. people we have spoken to have been shocked by the extent of it, but not surprised. >> [indiscernible] >> you realize what is happening in court, people go to other means. >> i don't need to see it. i know people are corrupt. >> reporter: we have spoken to people in the legal profession. the mood is one of happiness that these allegations are being brought to the surface. >> it's a mixed reaction, but in the majority lawyers are excited because, like me, i feel this is a golden opportunity for the

managers of the system to cleanse it. >> reporter: there's been controversy surrounding whether the documentary should be aired. the filmmaker has come under pressure from leaders not to air this documentary. but the general mood amongst people is they should see for themselves what has been going on. a film is giving audiences a rare insight into one of the south pacific's last traditional tribes. it's a love story told from a remote village. some of the cast have left their island home for the first time and traveled to the film's premier. we met them in venice. >> until two years ago the people had never seen a film. now they are the stars of one. in a production they helped

cowrite, a story of love and tragedy based on their experience which echos the tale of romeo and juliet. last month they had no passports and birth certificates. but they have made it to venice. >> this is a multicultural environment we have never seen, tall buildings and cars everywhere and crowds of people. very, very strange. everything looks so strange compared to our culture where we live with nature. >> reporter: the scenery is see ducttive. the filmmakers warn tourists might flood in. but they want the world to understand their culture. here at one of the most expensive hotels, the cast of the film say their community is

the happiest on earth. >> in our culture there are no homeless, there are no poor people. everyone is equal. money is very rare. we have overcome traps of money. we have overcome the lows of government because we want to maintain the revocation of the happiness. >> reporter: the directors and their children lived with the tribe for seven months learning about their way of life. >> they don't live with a culture because they don't know about anything else. it's a choice. they live about nine hours drive from town. people live on money and all the rest of it. but they choose not to have anything to do with that. >> proud to show off their customs on the red carpet and on screen, it's proof that no

matter how foreign, stories of love and lust are universal. >> there's more real news from al jazeera at our new website. take a look. it's at www.aljazeera.com. scientists. let's check out our team of hard-core nerds. tonight she's on the front lines of a devastating wildfire as a drone takes command of the skies over yosemite. crystal is a molecular neuroscience. she goes to the streets of seattlan