eric platt is with the financial times 24 hour news service fast ft. eric, thanks.n al jazerra america, a serious situation in california. wildfire spreading in severe drought conditions and now three people arrested for starting it. we'll get a live update. and president obama is about to announce new rules for the nsa but critics are already saying they are not enough. place in a [ inaudible ] the united nations is not in favor ♪ >>> ♪ ♪ >>> ♪ ♪ >>> welcome back to al jazerra america here a look at your top stories. >> reporter: a u.n. committee today grilled vatican officials over allegations they protected pedophile priests at the expense of victims. the vatican conceded that the church needs to do more but denied accusations i've cover up. secretary of state john kerry surged the syrian opposition today to join a peace conference in geneva those talks led by the u.n. are set to begin next year- week. the goal is to start a transitional government to help end the war president obama and the first lady urged action today on giving more people access to a college