just hours before the syrian peace talks over whether a group should attend. you're watching al jazeera from doha. also in the next 30 minutes, one person is killed and at least one injured as u.s. police arrest the leader of an armed militia in oregon. denmark passes a controversial bill to seize refugees' assets and valuables. laying out the red carpet, the japanese emperor visits the

philippines for the first time since world war ii. it's two days to go before the proposed talks on the syrian crisis and there is confusion and agreement over who should be taking part. it does seem clear that one of the most influential kurdish groups the pyd will tnot be attending. >> translation: reputation of kurds in the talks is necessity. representation without kurds at the table cannot be kwluf. we are not against the prevents of kurds at the talks, but we are against the participation of the pyd and the y.p.g. it is unacceptable to let the terrorism organization to attend and be involved. they cannot sit in. if somebody wants to see the pyd

at the table it should be on the same side as the syrian regime. the pyd can't represent the rightful struggle of the syrian people syria's main opposition groups have also been invited but they have not officially accepted. they're looking for clarification on a few points from the u.n. >> 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. this means there is no tendency to go towards a positive decision. the discussions are ongoing. 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 government fighters backed by russian air power has changed the territory. the correspondent talks 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 and 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. >> direction in terror vention help the bashar al-assad regime very much to survive because the regime was collapsed, fully collapsed, and also had them to protect the area through latakia which bashar al-assad bring. >> reporter: the army and its

allies have also turned their attention to what is known as the southern front, the army recaptured one of the most important towns there. it lies on the road between damascus and deraa, the birth place of the revolution. south syria is also one of the remaining rebel strong holds and one where the rebels are considered moderate by the international community. further north many of the rebel strong holds around damascus are under siege. this has forced fighters on either abandon their position or agree to truces under negotiated deals. >> sometimes free syria army withdrew from the place and the heavy shelling of the fighters, but it's easy to go back to that place. >> reporter: the army and its allies have made strategic and tactical gains but the war is far from over. the battle for aleppo will be the tipping point.

syria's commercial capital has been a divide city for many years. the government and its allies are fighting to encircle the opposition held east and to do that they have been trying to cut the lines into the city. >> aleppo has a name that 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 goods. >> reporter: the government says it is winning the war. officials are making clear they are in no mood to compromise. the opposition may be on the retreat but it p hasn't been defeated. no doubt the government has strengthened its position with the recent battle field gains . a syrian academic and writer says the russian insistence on the presence of the kurds going

to geneva is being driven in part by soured relations with turkey >> i think the russians actually attend to achieve both holds. on the one hand they want to punish the turks for downing the russian jet a couple of months ago and they think that the inclusion of the pyd actually does actually recognise that the turks and make them absolutely angry about it because, as you know, turkey consider that the pyd as the syrian wing of the p.k.k. which is considered by turkey as a transition and a separatist organization. on the other hand the russians are trying to influence the pyd within the opposition delegation. they are trying to control the negotiation within the syrian opposition too because here, because the pyd agenda and the

agenda of the bashar al-assad regime are different. the pyd doesn't call for bashar al-assad to step down 25 iraqi security forces have been killed north of ramadi. i.s.i.l. is believed to have carried out the attack. in the united states five people, including the leader, of an armed militia occupying government property have been arrested. the authorities say shots were fired during the arrest in the state of oregon. at least one person was killed and another was injured. the group has been occupying a wildlife refuge near the city of burns since january 2. the take over the property began in support of two farmers ordered to go to jail for setting fire to government land. it later became an issue about landownership. the protesters said government illegally seized lands from the farmers over years and demanded that it be returned to the farmers. >> reporter: it appears that a

krarn of militia members-- caravan of militia members had left the wildlife refuge and were on their way to some sort of community meeting. the details are still unclear, but at some point on a rural highway outside of the refuge is where f.b.i. confronted these militia members. that's when a gun fight ensued. five militia members arrested and the key point is that this man ammon bundy, the leader, was one of the five arrested. the person killed was member lavoy finicum. he was killed because he was the number two in command, often the spokesperson for the group. what is going on at the refuge right now, they're continues to be several other members still there. they've put out calls on social media and elsewhere calling for other members around the country to come join them, to make sort of a last stand there.

it's unclear whether official plan to raid the refuge, try to arrest the final men that are there or negotiate. either way it could be complicated. there could still be women and children inside as well denmark has passed controversial legislation allowing the confiscation of valuables from refugees. the new allow will allow the police to seize assets worth more than $1500 from asylum seekers. >> 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 politicians have said police can seize valuables worsdz more than $1500 u.s. from refugees. the cash will be used to cover housing and food costs while they wait for their asylum 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's 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 say it has more to do with deterring people from crossing the border. >> translation: denmark was known as a small humanitarian country which always was at the forefront at diplomatic solutions. today we're known for an inhuman policy. >> reporter: the united nations is concerned >> the decision to give danish police the authority to search and confiscate valuables from on

asylum seekers sends damaging messages. in our view it runs the risk of fuelling sentiments of fear and discrimination rather than promoting solidarity in people with need of protection >> reporter: the danish politicians say the legislation is in line with welfare 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 value like wedding and engagement rings, family portraits and medals, but they might have top hand over watches, computers and mobile phones, sometimes their only link to family and friends they may have left behind plenty more news still to come, so do stay with us, including these stories. brazil says it will deploy 200,000 troops to fight the zika virus which may be linked to deform tease-- deformitys in new

born babies. born babies.

welcome back. a quick reminder of the top stories on al jazeera. just 48 hours before the talks over syria, confusion over who should take part. russia says they want the pyd there to be there but turkey says it is linked to terrorism. militia have been arrested in

the state of oregon. shots were fired during the operation. at least person was killed and another was injured. denmark has passed controversial legislation allowing the confiscation of valuables from refugees. the new law will allow the police to seize assets worth more than $1500 from asylum seekers. the u.s. president is urging the rapid development for the zika virus as it continues to spread across the americas. the government is planning to employ 200,000 troops to crackdown the mosquitos. >> reporter: there is a somber mood here at the droem. seats, fences and food stands are all drenched with insecticides. it will be packed in two weeks time while people celebrate a festival. it will also be full when the

olympic games begin. >> translation: any crowded place is considered a strategic place to combat the mosquitos. all the stadiums are considered strategic points. we have a different treatment over the year. the summer dome is also a strategic point. >> reporter: the country's laboratories are trying to determine if there is a link between the virus and berth 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 worried about flying to areas affected by the virus. here in california so far there has been only one confirmed case of zika virus infection in a

teenage girl who travelled to el salvador late last year. sympathy has fortunately-- she has fortunately made a full recover. some brazil some say warnings about zika and 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 have 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 vietnam communist parties central committee has reelected the secretary general. it follows a vote by 91 a500

delegat delegates the new leadership is to be announced on thursday. what are the first challenges that they're facing? >> reporter: we know that now officially the general secretary will remain in this position for another term, another five-year term. he had served five years previous and there was a little bit of a power battle over the last couple of days at this national party congress. the prime minister was challenge it, but there was a consensus made and the central committee for the communist party here met for the first time today and decided to stay with the same general secretary. that will be officially announced on thursday, the last day of this convention here, this congress here. then over the next couple of months in a couple of months what we will find out who will be the next prime minister, president and chairman of the congress here. that's going to happen over the

coming months. right now we know that the top leadership will remain as it was the last five years, but then there are still blanks to be filled in over the coming months as to those blanks, is that where we would see any change in the political center of gravity if, indeed, there are to be changes? >> reporter: there are going to be new faces to these positions, like the prime minister, like the president, but as far as there to be main - dramatic changes with the way this nation will be run, no there proenl won't be anything dramatic. it is leadership by consensus, or committee. it will be announced as being selected today to be announced officially on thursday along with the general secretary who we know who that is going to be. that is really the driving force of the leadership of this nation and it is still kind of the same names, if you will. some have risen up in the

rankss, some have left and retired, but it will be what we have been seeing over the couple last couple of years. it will be interesting if there is going to be change with this consensus, rule by consensus as we move forward. nation has been seeing some great economic times so there will be some delicate decisions when it comes to reform and managing the economy of this nation to make sure that this keeps ups with the pace it had the philippines is given a red carpet welcome to the japanese emperor 60 years after diplomatic relations were restored after the second world war. many philippines have painful memori memories. an organization formed by a group of so-called comfort women joins us. what we're seeing today with the emperor on the red carpet, of

course, doesn't constitute justice. what else do these women need? what else do they want? >> they demand from the japanese government an apology to individual victims, to the family and country. the second is historic inclusion of the realities of the japanese military sexual slavery in the system and the third is justice compensation. so clearly that is the demands of the people of the philippines do you see the visit by the emperor as a step in the right direction? >> the emperor's visit, we're hoping that the emperor is fully aware about this issue. of course we know that in the

policy making of his country he is not involved with, but we know for a fact that he can influence the many parliamentians in japan and even the citizens of japan. so we know that if only the emperor would set his foot and try to right what has historically been wrong in the past. so we will appreciate that and maybe we will be thankful for him. if that is what he is going to do. maybe the holiday today, we want them to talk about this issue and, finally, give peace to the ladies by giving out justice the emperor is not known for making speeches. if he gives a speech or if when he is talking to the people who

is talking to journalists, if there is something that approaches an apology, but he doesn't use the word "sorry", would that be sufficient for u you? >> as long as it will express, for as long as the apology that will be given is a recognition on the part of the japanese government and the emperor, it is an acceptance, and it will be followed by ability, so it will represent the three demands that the ladies are demanding from the japanese government thank you very much. >> yes the u.s. secretary of state john kerry is urging china to take more of a stance against north korea. he has been using his chinese counterpart in beijing.

he describes it as a major challenge to global security and his actions were reckless and dangerous. >> whether or not he achieved the explosion of a hydrogen weapon is not what makes the difference. it is 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 united nations estimates around 40% of afghan children are out of school because of poverty. poor families are forced to send their families to work. >> reporter: these children are forced into hard labor, working to make bricks to help their family pay off debts. everyone has to work.

the young and old. this boy is only eight. >> translation: i collect the broken bits of the bricks and put them together. my hands and feet hurt. >> reporter: this girl is 11. she says she wants to be at school. >> translation: if we have an education, it would be better than this. my head hurts a lot. >> reporter: their forth tells me he borrowed money from the brick factory owner to cover the daily expenses of his faerm of 15. the family's entire income is less than $20 a day which leaves them always needing to borrow more. he says it hurts him to see his children suffer, but he has no other choice. >> reporter: you can find children here. those who are under the age of 10 get to work eight hours a day. those who are over 10 years old

they will have to work 13 hours a day. child labor in afghanistan is endemic. it has illegally since 2003, but families are desperate to send their children to work in order to survive. the government says it is aware of the problem and is trying to promote education and create jobs. in the capital the situation is not any better. children are found working in many sectors as cheap labor force. government aasure that around 1.9 million children work around the country. >> translation: the issue of child labor is a serious one. the responsibility lies with the government and families. the government has a program to help with the international community to support the children >> reporter: child labor is a long-established custom that is difficult to overcome. it is related to the country's lack of development and poverty. back in jalalabad these children

work silently. they have to make 4,000 bricks a day. everybody brick bears their sweat-- bears their sweat and pain police in northern sierra leone have fired tear gas at proceed testers. the u.s. president obama is banning solitary confinement in jails for juveniles. the doomsday clock remains at three minutes to midnight. now the clock represents a symbolic countdown to arm ged on-- armageddon, the end of the world. they say we are closer to

self-destruction. >> reporter: it is has been a year of breakthroughs of climate change agreement, nuclear deal done, but according to the bulletin of the atomic scientists, the people who set the doomsday clock, it is not enough to move their hands of time. they say the world is still just three minutes from utter catastrophe, nothing has changed from last year. in part because more nuclear weapons are being made >> nuclear modernisation programs continue. many countries are increasing their nuclear arsenals. some are modernizing their arsenals. it is very hard to reduce your reliance on nuclear weapons when you spend so much. >> reporter: this has been getting attention for 69 years. critics say the fear it spreads has only encouraged more

countries to get nuclear weapons and it has had real and deadly consequences >> the major case in point is the war in iraq, mainly as an anti proliferation war. the result of that war is well over 100,000 dead, far more, in fact, than were killed at nuclear disasters. >> reporter: the other major threat is climate change and what the world has agreed to do is not enough to stop the very worst impacts on the planet. the doomsday clokt scientists want people to push their politicians but acknowledge that is unlikely in this very unusual u.s. election year >> it will be a long and somewhat, put it this way, disillusioning year as we elect a new president. my hopes are that we will elect a president who is totally fitted for the job. >> reporter: it is still an open question as to who will be the next one to hold the u.s.

nuclear coats and they say the outcome will term which way the clock moves next do checkout the website. it's always there for you, lots of background articles and links to the stories we're covering. that's aljazeera.com. this is techknow a show about innovations that can change lives. the science of fighting a wildfire. we're going to explore the intersection of hardware and humanity but we're doing it in a unique way. this is a show about science by scientists. tonight techknow investigates gold at any cost. we travel deep into the rainforests of peru. these illegal mining operations extend for miles