Zika causing birth defects. Fighting for an apology. The women who were sex slaves to japan soldiers in the second world war. First, activists say Syrian Government forces have retaken one of the most important towns in the south of the country. It is on a key supply line linking the capital and the city of deraa. It is close to jordan and there are a number of highways crossing through the area. Reporter the syrian flag flys again here. It has taken the army to retake this town in the southwestern province of deraa. Military forces entered after securing supply lines. Battles are reported to be continuing on the outskirts. The importance of the town conditioned be understated. Government forces had given up how much of this territory until Russian Armed forces began their military Campaign Last september. Their intervention has been seen as a game changer. Things have turned around 180 degrees in the regime since the russians came in. Just last summer the alnusra front, the alqaeda affiliate, were making gains in the province. Now theres this significant reversal which will affect the rebel logistics. Reporter russian jets have carried out thousands of missions helping the Syrian Government regain control of the territory nationwide. It has just recaptured the town of rabia in the Northern Province of latakia. The bombardment has been criticized for being indiscriminate. I. S. I. L. And other armed groups are being targeted. Some human Rights Groups say the air strikes have killed more civilians than fighters. Gerald tan meanwhile diplomatic efforts continue ahead of fridays indirect talks to syria for which invitations are likely to be sent out in the coming hours. James bays is here. Before we talk about who is likely to be in geneva and invited, tell us about what is happening on the ground and the retaking of this important town is impacting efforts to get the warring sides to talk. Reporter it will certainly be causing concern here at the united nations. Weve seen quite a bit of fighting, not just in the last few hours, but in the last few weeks. It is a pattern that weve seen over the last five years of the war in syria. When there is talk, diplomatic talk, there is often a lastminute grab to try and get land before the talks start. Remember, that if these talks start on friday, the u. N. Envoy has said one of the first things he wants to discuss is the possibility of ceasefire. If there is a ceasefire, that stops things in the conflict, increases where it is. If you were on the ground and you were a million free commander on the ground, you would like to take some ground before there is a ceasefire. That, i think, explains why there is an increase of military activity as there has been and was two years ago before the talks that took place last time, failed talks last time, here in geneva the overall picture is that since the air strikes in october the regime has been shored up on several fronts. Does this mean the regime is in a stronger negotiating position now when they head to geneva . Reporter yes. I think militarily they were in a stronger place than they were two years ago and certainly a lot stronger than where they were one year ago. Certainly since the end of the summer and the russian intervention, that has happened the government in damascus, but remember what this is supposed to be about, if eventually all of the sides come here, and the key fighting groups, which havent yet decided whether to join these talks on friday, if they come here as well, is to come up with a Transitional Government in syria, something that is made up of some members of the current government and some members of the opposition that rule syria for 18 months leading to elections. I dont think that is necessarily what the government in damascus wants because, clearly, opposition commentator yous you would speak to say it would mean president Bashar Alassad wouldnt have much of a role or any role at all in the end, by the end of that 18 months because all of the opposition that he shouldnt have a role one final question before we let you go. Do we know, then, when do we find out who is going to be attending these talks in geneva and who does each side want represented there . Reporter were going to find out who is invited in the coming hours in geneva because the invitations are being sent out today, tuesday, from geneva by the envoy. He says he wants the broadest spectrum possible of the opposition at the talks. That is angering those that gathered in saudi arabia, the opposition groups, because under the socalled vienna process of International Countries and regional countries who gather together to get these talks going, it was going to be saudi arabia that was coming up with a list of opposition. Moscow didnt like the saudi list and mr mistura has listened and brought in a wider list. Its not clear that they were on the saudi group, and an important decision we need to hear in the coming hours thank you for that. In other world news the w. H. O. Is warning the zika virus could spread to almost every country in the americas. Scientists are investigating a suspected link between the mosquito born illness and birth defects in thousands of babies in brazil. The u. S. Government is warning pregnant women against visiting zika hot spots. Reporter it all started last may with brz brazils first case of the virus. Even calling in the army couldnt stop it infecting 1. 5 million people. It is spread by a specific kind of mosquito and is not normally lifethreatening for adults, but doctors think it also causes microcephaly, a condition in which new borns heads and brains dont develop. They noticed a massive surge in the illness after zika arrived. The link between the two hasnt been definitively proven, but now slavld, eqador and colombia have taken the extraordinary step of advising women against getting pregnant in the immediate future el salvador. Some cases have issued warnings on travel to hot spots we are concerned about the potential compligss of the foetus of the zika virus in pregnant women. We are advising pregnant women consider postponing travel to these areas if possible. Reporter according to the World Health Organisation there is 21 countries across the americas already with cases of zika. They say that it will probably spread to every country in the region except chile and canada who dont have the type of mosquitos that carry the virus. Currently theres no vaccine or cure. Reporter mexico is also fumigating public spaces and houses in the south to try and get ahead of the virus. You will not stop the virus. We havent been able to stop dengue or chickengunya which are caused by the same mosquito. We have to go to the breeding place and avoid being bitten. How . Using long sleeve, pants and repellant. Reporter all this just months away from the brazil olympics where a huge influx of visitors will also be vulnerable to the apparent threat of this virus malaysias Prime Minister has been cleared of wrongdoing. More than 680 Million Dollars was transferred to his private account in 2013. The attorneygeneral says it was a personal donation from the vau deroyal family and most of it was later returned. However, more than 60 Million Dollars remains unaccounted for. Reporter various Media Outlets here in malaysia has been speculating as to what the conclusion of the attorneygenerals report would be into his vision over allegations of corruption made against the Prime Minister. Those allegations have been put to one side by his statement at a press conference on tuesday saying that the Prime Minister had done no wrong and that there were no reasons for anyone to think that the Prime Minister had done anything corrupt and that the donation of over 600 Million Dollars was made by sources within the saudi royal family. The actual scenario now leads to as many questions as it does solutions. There will be questions within his own party as to what has happened to the money, and should it go into party coughers, about his coffers and whether he should stay in the party. This will not lie. They will completely or continue to hammer the ruling party as this country heads towards a general election within the next two years. Do they want to allow the Prime Minister to step aside and allow a new face to take control and lead it into the next election. Perhaps they will be answered within the next few weeks theres more ahead. Multi billion dollar deals are signed. Brick by brick construction supplies, nepal needs to rebuild. Rebuild. Oh remotes, youve had it tough. Watching tvs get. Sharper. Bigger. Smugger. And you . Rubbery buttons. Enter the x1 voice remote. Now when someone says. Show me funny movies. Watch discovery. Record this. Voila. Remotes, come out from the cushions, you are back the x1 voice remote is here. Welcome back. Youre watching al jazeera. A reminder of our top stories now. Activists say Syrian Government forces have retaken one of the most important towns in the south of the country. It is on a key supply line linking the capital and the city of deraa. The World Health Organisation is warning that zika could spread to almost every country in the americas. Scientists are investigating a suspected link between the illness and birth defects in thousands of babies in brazil. Malaysias Prime Minister has been cleared of wrongdoing in a longrunning corruption scandal. The attorneygeneral says more than 680 Million Dollars transferred to his account was a personal donation from a saudi royal family and most of it was returned. More on our top story and the reported gains by the Syrian Government forces in their continued defensive against rebels. Joining us is a retired Lebanese Army general and a strategic analyst. He is live from beirut. Thank you for being on al jazeera. What is the significance of the retating of the area just retaken, especially at this time when peace talks are about to happen. This is an important town for both sides, isnt it . First of all, we have to say that the taking over of sheikh space area is a tactical success, based of that city which is between deraa and damascus and the control crossroa crossroads. It is a road for Opposition Forces in the eastern side of damascus. This is a Strategic Point of view. Tactical point of view, taken over the area after one month of fighting by the army is really important because its very difficult for any army to fight in a populated area, and especially inside the city. For one month the syrian army was fighting, but, of course, we have to remember that the russian air strike support were very decisive and Important Role in this military success you believe that the russian air strikes were we saw that sorry to interrupt you. It is important to understand that these air strikes have been very decisive. Of course. Before the russian intervention, the syrian army was a very, very difficult position, was in bad shape, and talking about personnel and morale and weapons, russian intervention created a new era. Within 100 days we saw dramatically change on the battle field and the syrian army under air support and military support also. Beside their support because the russian, they gave new weapons and mission to the syrian army and et cetera, et cetera. We saw different places especially taken over. On many fronts talking, that front which was for six months or at least one year almost without any important fighting, for one month the syrian army did decide to launch an offensive and for weeks. We saw today that had been taken. Why . Time is running out. Everybody knows that everybody is going to geneva three and ahead of this months, 29 i believe, and the Syrian Regime supported by the russian air strike and military support knows that they have to be in a strong position. Very strong we talked about the russian support, but what about the support from the iranian troops or hezbollah fighters. How much of that has there been for the Bashar Alassad forces . Of course. They did not interfere on the land, but iranians and hezbollah, they played a very Important Role to support the syrian army especially on latakia and elsewhere because it is very difficult mountains, very difficult for any army to make any success there. They have been there for three yea years. The i. S. I. L. And the militia, you know, its very important for warfare. Hezbollah and the iranians, they are making real warfare against fighters who are there. Also they are very qualified. They indoctrinated, but the syrian army could not make any success on the battle field without the support of the hezbollah and iranian. Of course, this is on the land. Also in addition with the russian air support, thats explain why they make success in many places thank you so much for taking your time to speak to us the emperor of japan is making an historic visit to the philippines. Diplomatic relations were restored 60 years ago but there has been no apology to filipino women who were forced to be sex slaves. Reporter fighting for justice, these women have kept silent most of their lives. Traumatised and ashamed of being forced into sex slavery by the Japanese Imperial army during world war ii. This woman is nearly 90 years old. She clearly recalls the day she was abducted. Translation one japanese soldier started to rape me while the other two held my arms and legs down. When he was done the other one starred. Even though i was screaming because of the pain my body was in, they they kept at it. Reporter she is one of almost 200 film piano women who first came forward 25 years ago. They say they were kept as sex slaves in socalled comfort stations to service Imperial Japanese soldiers. Theyre waiting to be recognised officially and offered an apology by japan. Reporter the emimportanter will be here for five days, but his view on sex slaves is not up for discussion. A 550 million reparation agreement was signed in 1996. The philippine considers the matter closed. Reporter japan has become the largest aid donor to the philippines. Now with mutual concerns over chinas intentions in the region, the two countries are strengthening their cooperation. That could see Japanese Forces back in the philippines i think the government has not done too much for the comfort women. Theyre so dependant on the Economic Situation. Unfortunately, that relegates this aspect of history to the back door. Reporter women like this woman dont want to be cast aside. Translation no matter how hard it is for me, i am still here just to ask for a due for what was done to us by the government of japan. Reporter every year there are fewer of them left, but beyond compensation they long for an official apology from the japanese government. Only then, they say, can they start to reclaim the dignity taken from them 75 years ago in the high lands of nepal the village is near the epicenter of the earthquake in april and almost destroyed. People want to build on firmer foundations. Reporter this man has come from the United Kingdom to repair his house here in the foothills of the himalayas. He is a soldier from the british army and has been living in britain for almost two decades. This was built by my forth. It is time to come around to sort out all the areas down here. Reporter like most people here, he does not want to do too much right now. The government is planning to plant proper building, houses, everything here. So im waiting until that come out. Im not going to do anything. Reporter waiting nor the government to act is not something that they usually like to do. For generations men have joined the british army. They say they dont need the government or ngos to come and rebuild their homes. What they do want is designs for earthquake resistant homes so that they can go ahead and rebuild their lives. Back in october the National PlanningCommission Said it had drawn up designs for earthquake resistant houses, but the people here say they are still waiting for the details. Making the best of a bad situation locals here have decided to go ahead with some basic improvements to their village. Roads have been widened. People say they need skilled help, not other forms of charity. Translation right after the quake we need ed blankets and everything. We are waiting. If people give charity to us all the time, we will get spoilt. If people want to help, they can give us building materials. We dont have enough human resources, carpenters, masons. We need to build. Instead of charity we want to receive training. Men and women are both ready for training. Reporter villagers here have been to the Lock Authority to push for action. Even though they have been given assurances, they say not much has happened since. Without guidance theyre moving forward to rebuild their homes as best they can for now irans president is meeting pope francis in a few hours time on his second visit to italy. He is on his first tour since sanctions were lifted this month. He is expected to sign deals worth up to 18 billion dollars. Reporter the iranian delegation including around 100 Business Leaders dashes through the streets of rome towards the italian presidency. This is the Prime Ministers first trip to europe since sanctions were lifted a week ago. He chose to make rome rather than paris his first designation. Italian companies have fought off fierce competition to clinch contracts with iran. These are among the first deals to be signed, an indication we interrupt that report to take you live to moscow where the Russian Foreign minister is holding a press conference. He is talking about the situation in syria right now. Lets listen in. Translation we want the resolution of this which is very important. We want honest detailed reports about who and how the allegations. It is clear that terrorists. Measures nongood admission by the terrorists of, of economic infrastructure has the e. U. Has done in iraq and syria. They supply, smuggled oil and other smuggled goods to turkey. Its important to think about the Economic Situation of the countries who suffered after the terrorist threat is stopped and supported to ideology. In september russia was the the council. We had some sessions and dedicated to the analysis of the measures which should be taken into account in the region of the recent times. It was an interesting discussion and i think this discussion how to act, not just strategically, but in a comprehensive way. It is important to continue this discussion in the u. S. Security council. Theyre actively contributed, as we did thats the Russian Foreign minister speaking in moscow right now talking about the situation in syria. He says that russian action in syria drastically altered the situation. This is after we heard in the last few on hours that the russian hair strikes helped force retake Sheikh Maskin in the south. Dad. Plane crashes. Oneyearold. Disorder. What is the number one cause of death for Police Officers in the country . Suicide. Its policy with most departments workers comp to deny any kind of a stress claim. Posttraumatic stress disorder drove me to become a mental case. What is the reluctance to rtionz this