confusion with just hours before the peace talks, details coming up. a controversial bill to cease refugees bills and valuables. the japanese emperor visits for

the first time it is two days to go before proposed talks on the syria crisis and there is confusion and disagreement over who should take part. it does seem clear that one of the most influential kurdish groups, the pyd, will not be attending. russia says the participation is necessary, but turkey says the group is linked to what it calls terrorism. >> translation: representation of kurds in the talks is a necessity. we are in the against the presence of the kurds at talks, but we are against the participation of the pyd and its armed wing the y.p.g. to oppress the kurds. it is not acceptable to let them sitting with honor rabble groups fighting against the regime. it should be on the same side as

the virn ray gem. the byd can't represent the struggle of the syrian people syria's main opposition groups have also been invited but they have not accepted. they say they are seeking clarification on a few points from the united nations. >> translation: there are new things that are being discussed all the time. we are not here in riyadh to do nothing. we came to reassess these issues despite the negative decision, but this by no means suggests there is a tendency to go to a positive position. there is no disagreement with the old invitation which we consider to be very negative. there are vague and mysterious points. discussions are ongoing. we shouldn't be quick to take any position back in syria recent gains by fighters have changed the landscape of the territorial fight. our correspondent explains the current state of play and talks also to the president of the opposition about what is likely

to happen next. >> reporter: the battle field in syria is a crowded one with hundreds of thousands of fighters representing various interests. while the syrian government is backed by hezbollah and iranian fighters plus russian air power, an international coalition is conducting air strikes against i.s.i.l. positions. all of this has changed the situation on the ground. the syrian government is in a stronger position and many say it now has the upper hand >> the direct intervention hit the bashar al-assad regime very much to survive because the regime was collapsed, fully collapsed, and also help them to protect the area through lata a latakia. >> reporter: the army and its allies has turned its attention to what is known as the southern

front. the army recaptured one of the most important towns which lies between the capital and derra, the birth place of the revolution. south syria is also one of the remaining rebel strong holds and one where the rebels are considered moderates by the international community. further north many of the rebel strong holds around the capital are under siege. this has forced fight yerts on either abandon their position or agree to truces under negotiated deals. >> sometimes free syrian army withdrew from the places and the heavy shelling of the fighters, but it's easy to go back to the places >> reporter: the army and its allies have made strategic and tactical gains but the war is far over. the battle for aleppo will be the tipping point. the commercial capital has been a divide city for years.

the government and allies are fighting to encircle the opposition held east and to do this that they have been trying cut rebel supply lines. >> aleppo is important as a city is important as a location is important, important for the regime, important for the opposition, important for turkey, important for others. >> reporter: the government says it is winning the war and officials are making clear that they are in no mood to compromise. the opposition may be on the retreat but it hasn't been defeated. no doubt the government has strengthened its position with the recent battle field gains 30 iraqi security forces within killed north of ramadi. i.s.i.l. are believed to have carried out the attack at the headquarters of the tenth division of the iraq' army.

forces have been fighting to regain full control of the city of ramadi from i.s.i.l. in other world news, in the u.s. five people, including the leader of an armed militia have been arrested. shots were fired during the arrest in oregon. at least one person was killed and another injured. the group has been occupying a wildlife refuge since 2 january. the take over of the property began in support of two farmers ordered to go to jail for setting fire to government land. the occupation became about landownership. the armed protesters accused the government of illegally seizing lands from farmers in the area over the decades and demanded that it be returned to local control. let's go live to our correspondent who has been monitoring developments from new york. he joins us now. it almost seemed that violence was inevitable in burns. this has been going on for some time now. tell us what happened.

>> reporter: that's right. they've been occupying this since early january. it was over 23 days and i can tell you that these militia members that were occupying this refuge were very, very heavily armed. we were there and saw first hand the amount of weapons that they had and the amount of ammunition that they had as well. details are still somewhat unclear, but we can tell you is that it appears a caravan of militia men left the refuge and were on their way to some sort of community meeting outside of the refuge area. it was at that point that the f.b.i. teaming up with local law enforcement officials confronted the militia men and the convey. it is unsure whether they tried to initiate a traffic stop or a roadblockage. either way, there was a gun battle of some kind. five militia members were arrested. the headline is, the key one,

ammon bundy was the militia leader of the entire group, he was one of those arrested. the militia member that was shot and killed is lavoy finicum. that was important because he was the number two in mandz of the militia group. two others were arrested simultaneously in different locations as well. i can tell you that all of them were arrested with charges of conspiracy to impede federal law enforcement officials. what is going on at the refuge right now, there is still militia members there occupying the refuge. we don't know how many there are, but on social media tonight here in the u.s. they've been putting out calls for other members to come join them, but we do know it's unclear in law enforcement officials are going to try to raid that refuge or not. we know there are women and children inside you were there not long ago.

it seems despite all the controversy they did have support from the locals there. >> reporter: they really did. not all of the locals, but many of them. we saw that first hand when we were there. because what they were doing, these militia, most of them were not from oregon. most of them were from arizona, but from the northern states. they wanted land observed or managed turned over to ranchers. they say the government was impeding them from what they say was their rights to graze their cattle freely. that is a fight that a lot of local ranchers there agreed with. they agreed with these militia fight, many of them, but a lot were conflicted if taking an over a federal refuge was the

right way to achieve their goals, but clearly there is displeasure with the federal government in rural parts of america, especially in that part of oregon, so the members did have quite a bit of local support. it will be interesting to see now after many of them were arrested and one killed if that support remains or not thank you very much for that. denmark has passed controversial legislation to allow consequence anies indication of valuables-- confiscation of valuables from refugees to the tune of $1500. >> reporter: the mood was subdued, the three hour debate was polite, but the result has shocked many in denmark. by 81 votes to 27 danish politician said police can seize valuables worth more than $1500 u.s. from refugees. the cash will be used to help

cover housing and food costs while they wait for their claims to be heard. those behind the bill are determined that it is fair. >> translation: the argument that denmark doesn't do its bit, we absolutely do our bit when it comes to refugees in europe. it's not a secret that when we stand here today it is because we wish to take a smaller share. >> reporter: denmark took in a record 20,000 refugees last year and it is not the only country to make them pay for living expenses. switzerland takes valuables worth more than $985. parts of germany have a similar policy. critics and supporters of the bill say it has more to do with deterring refugees from crossing the border. >> translation: denmark was known as a small humanitarian country which always was at the forefront and found diplomatic solutions. today we're known for an inhumane strict policy in relation to immigrants and asylum seekers.

>> reporter: the united nations is concerned. >> the decision to give danish police the authority to search and confiscate valuables from asylum seekers sends damaging messages. in our view it runs the risk of fuelling sebt meant of fear and discrimination rather than promoting solidarity with people in need of protection. >> reporter: the danish politicians say the legislation is in line with rules for danes themselves who have to sell assets worth more than $1500 before they can receive social benefits. refugees will be allowed to keep items of sentimental items, like wedding and engagement rings, family portraits and medals, but they might have to handover watches, computers and mobile phones, which is their only link to family and friends they left behind still ahead on the program, brazil deploys more than 200,000

troops to fight the zika virus which may be linked to with deformities in new born babies. babies.

welcome back. a quick reminder of the top stories on al jazeera. just 48 hours before the proposed talks and confusion and disagreements remain over who should take part. russia says it wants the pyd to take part, but turkey says the

group is linked to what it calls terrorism. in the u.s. five people, including the leader of an armed militia occupying government property, have been arrested. authorities say shots were fired during the operation in the state of oregon. at least one person was killed and another injured. denmark has passed controversial legislation to confiscate valuables from refugees. police will be able to seize assets worth $1500 from asylum seekers. president obama has met health and security teams to discuss the spread of the zika virus. the u.s. says it is joining the search for a vaccine. scientists in brazil are investigating a suspected link between the illness and birth defects in babies. troops have been deployed to crackdown the mosquitos that spread the virus. >> reporter: there is a somber

mood here, seats, fencing and food stands are all drenched with insecticide. in two weeks it will be packed with thousands of people celebrating brazil's carnival. it will be a key venue when brazil hosts the 2016 olympic games. both occasions risking the spread of the zika virus. >> translation: any crowded place is considered a strategic place to combat the mosquitos. we have a different treatment over the entire year for those places. the dome is a strategic point, especially this season. >> reporter: brazilian laboratories have been trying to confirm if there is a link between the virus and birth defects in hundreds of babies. the u.s. says it too is beginning research to find a possible vaccine. president obama has been briefed on how the virus might spread and the possible economic impact. cases of zika virus have been reported in the u.s. states of

virginia and arkansaw. u.s. airlines are offering refunds to passengers worrying about flying to places where the virus is present. ways to avoid contracting it are not getting through. >> translation: when i arrived here in the city, i did not see any information about anything. we knew about it from the television, but here in the city i've not seen or heard about it. >> reporter: 25 countries now have the zika virus and scientists estimate that more than 60% of the u.s. population live in areas where the virus might spread during warm months the communist party chief of vietnam is a step closer to being elected to the new team which will rule for the next five years. 1500 delegates are meeting and voting on who will be the

general secretary, prime minister and president. this man is expected to retain the powerful top of general secretary despite reports of an earlier challenge by the prime minister. whoever wins will help determine the country's relations with key partners such as u.s. and china. vietnam is one of the world's last remaining communist parties where 94 million people have no role in choicing their leaders. the new leadership is to be announced on thursday. what are the first challenges as they lead vietnam for the next five years? >> reporter: one of the main challenges is going to be to maintaining this economic growth. it is a very dim economy around the world, but here has been a bright spot. that is going to be something that the new leadership is going to have to focus on. on maintaining this that goes along with further reforms.

also you've got a territory dispute with china. it is a delicate issue here. it has been handled differently by different membership, but it is something that they're going to have to do. also what they need to do is maintain and develop relationships as this nation becomes more geopublic kally important. -- geopolitically important. >> reporter: following 200 years here-- 2000 years, relationships with the north grows deep. the relationship with china has become unsteady. this man has been a tour guide in the capital. the temple here is a frequent stop for visitors. in 2014 his company suffered a 75% fall in chinese tourist traffic because of the territorial dispute in the south china sea, involving china,

vietnam and other countries >> for the chinese people it depends on the relationship between the government and you also know that in recently the relationship between china and south-east asia changed a lot. >> reporter: as a result of the souring relationship, vietnam have been embracing the relationship with others. the u.s. has a good relationship with them. the transpacific agreement is due to be signed. it could loosen vietnamese ties with china. >> it is over dependence. we hope that we will have good

things in place, vietnam will have a good relationship. >> reporter: that can now include military military equipment. the ban on sales of equipment was lifted. vietnam that is growing one of the fastest in the world. that with tpp coming on line, industries here are looking to take off >> for every one billion of u.s. textile export will create around 100,000 jobs. exports from vietnam will exceed 40 billion by 20 on 20. >> reporter: that's a million and a half more vietnamese employed in the industry alone. as the communist party chooses its leadership nor the next five years, the younger generation hopes growth and good fortune continues when we look at the future of this younger generation, are

we going to see changes there, do you think? >> reporter: i think what is very important is, as we heard that gentleman say, who run one of the largest textile companies here in vietnam, that the growth that he is expecting, it is expanding, 100,000 for additional billion dollars in exports and considered to grow considerably. for the youth of this nation they are focused on more jobs and more opportunities. if we continue to see this growth, obviously, that's going to give them more opportunities for jobs in different professions, but i think focus has to be on continued reform so no doors close but others outside the textile industry open. the young people of this nation they want more opportunities. they want them as quickly as they have been getting them over the last couple of years thanks very much for that.

u.s. secretary of state john kerry is urging china to take more of a stand against north korea. he is meeting with his counterpart in beijing. he has described the nuclear program as a major obstacle. >> whether or not he achieved the explosion of hydrogen weapon is not what makes the difference, it's that he is trying, that he wants to do that, and made the attempt. against all of the international sanctions and resolutions that have been passed by the global community to prohibit that behaviour the philippines is giving a red carpet welcome to the emperor of japan. many people have painful

memories of the invasion and occupation by japanese troops. filipino women who were captured and forced to become sex slaves are still waiting for justice. >> reporter: he might be here to bring a message of peace and honor those killed during world war ii, but there are many filipinos who are concerned about deepening security ties between philippines and japan, particularly because of what seems to be a remilitarization of the company that formerly occupied the philippines. these women in particular were actually sex slaves during the imperial japanese army's rule over the philippines. they're still waiting for an apology and just compensation none of which they have got from japan just yet pope francis has asked iran to work with other nations to promote peace in the region.

the president met the catholic leader at the vatican on tuesday. he is visitingity lee since the lifting of sanctions. >> reporter: this visit to rome has been primarily about reestablishing political and economic links between iran and italy. italy has been an portraying partner for iran and this period of sanctions viewed in that perspective was only a brief interruption. companies are keen to get back to doing business in iran again. they're a messenger on the west and it is also has good relations with russia. an opportunity there for the italians to play a pivotal role. the president is next to go to paris. the french may be slightly disappointed that they were not

chosen as a first stop on his first european tour since sanctions were lifted. an announcement for the eye rapians that they intend to buy more than 100 airbus planes which will be very good for french jobs and the french economy while many people visit rome for its rich cultural heritage,ity lee has taken steps to ensure that the iranian's visit was without distraction. nude sculptures were covered up. at iran's request wine was kept off the menu at the ceremonial dinner. to nigeria where oil pipelines have been targeted and refineries shut down. thousands of surrendered their weapons, but they're not giving up their demands for a bigger share of oil revenues.

>> reporter: these former fighters in the area was given amnesty in 2012. they receive about $200 a month in government benefits. they're pleased it has been extended for another year but it has failed to create jobs >> we need jobs. right now, none of us are employed. most of the money is not here. >> reporter: government leaders say more than 30,000 fighters have given up their weapons and theft and the number of illegal oil refineries have been reduced. critics say infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads, which the government promised to build, have not been delivered. >> the amnesty program was a bribe, to get the fighters out of the way so that government will continue to have unhindered

access to the resources of the region, oil and gas. >> reporter: locals say the amnesty has taken fighting off the street but not much else. more than 80% of government income comes from exporting oil from areas like this in the area. the region remains one of the least developed in the country and its people are among the poorest. now the falling price of oil may reduce the government money available for the amnesty. >> we need to create a new kind of an economy that is outside oil. what are the other areas, how can we get our people engaged otherwise, how can we create entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship is at the heart of what we will be doing in 2016. >> reporter: prices are at their lowest for 12 years and production has been cut following pipeline attacks last week. former fighters say the

government must keep funding the amnesty to keep the region peaceful. you can keep up-to-date with all the news and other stories via out website of aljazeera.com.au you can keep up-to-date with all the news and other stories via out website of aljazeera.com.au