>> don't try this at home. >> "techknow" where technology meets humanity. next saturday at 7:30 eastern. only on al jazeera america. freed by isil, hundreds of yazidis are released by the armed group in northern iraq. ♪ ♪ ♪ hello, ` think to al jazerra live from doha, all to come in the program. at least five people die in rioting in nyjer during protests against the charlie hebdo newspaper. grease arrests four people in connection with an alleged belgium terrorist cell. and this is the scene in manila where around 3 million have gathered to celebrate the pope's

final mass on his tour of the philippines. but first, isil has released more than 200 captives from the mine or at this yazidi community in northern iraq. they were transported to kurdish-held territory. it's not clear why they were released. the yazidis captives, many of whom were elderly were taken to hospital for check ups thousands i can't sides were believe to be killed or cat napped by isil after its advance across northern iraq. we can go live now to mohamed a adow. what more do we know about the release of more than 200 yazidis? >> reporter: well, this is an incident or develop that raises

more questions than answers accord to this peshmerga near the town of kirkuk told us between 20300 say say have been brought to the entrance to kirkuk they say most of these people have been held by isil in mosul. they are believed to have been transported through the town before being released at this frontline. and they are saying that they took them to hospital not far away from where i am right now on the outskirts of erbil. and it's very unclear, there is a consensus in which this group was released is very unclear what we know is that news of yazidis, mainly girls continue to remain in the hands of isil fighters. >> presumably it's too soon then to know about the conditions under which these people were held captive?

>> reporter: well, some of them have been speaking to journalists and they said that they were not kept in great conditions. we have spoken to some activists for the i can't side rights who have been telling us that the people have psychological and mental problems, one of the men the elderly men who spoke to journalists said that he was living in constant fear for his life and also as far as we are aware, the people who were release right now are mainly elderly people who are unwell and according to some of the yazidis activists isil might have released them and, this is just speculation because they were unwell and did not see any reason holding onto the elderly who are sick. >> and do we know where they were held? because, of course, as you as a you

alluded to isil controls mania sides villages in this part of the country. >> reporter: indeed. accord to this peshmerga command der who is at the frontline just about seven or eight-kilometers southeast of the city of kirkuk, he says he believes these people were held in the city of mosul. the second most important base for isil in iraq. he says that they were driven through a town not far away from the frontline that they are in before being released. he says it was as if it was intended that this people be brought to kurdish area and no longer remain in isil territory. as we know, there are thousands of yazidis still missing. we have been talking to some of the parents of some of the girls who are missing and any say they do not need any other help, the only thing they need is for their children to be returned

for them. >> okay, for now mohammed he would adow live from erbil thank you very much. the police in grease have arrested four people they believe have link to his a terrorist sell krkic el in belgium. belgium police are saying there is nothing to link these suspects to a plot that was foiled two days ago. on thursday, several anti-terror raids were carried out across belgium. a shootout left two suspects dead. five people were charged with participating in terrorist activities. belgium is deploying up to 300 armed soldiers at key sites in several cities, they'll act as backup to police in areas that are considered potential terrorist targets. europe is on high alert after two attacks in paris last week. one of those attacks is against the satirical newspaper charlie hebdo the most recently published edition has provoked more protests over the cover image which features a cartoon

depiction of the poff i had mohamed. in niger churches were sit on fire and five people killed in the second day of rioting pakistan and yemen have also seen violent protests as victoria gatens bee reports. >> reporter: crowds of men gathered outside a church in the capital. they were angry about the depiction of the prophet missourimohamedon the front of charlie member are hebdo they ripped pages from the bile and then set fire to the building. christians say they are scared and dread more attacks. >> i follow the love of god. i am a true christian i mo what religion is religion is not about stopping other religions doing their work. >> reporter: niger is a former french colony in other parts of the capital protesters set fire to the french flag. >> translator: they offended our

prophet mohamed that's why we didn't like this. this is why we muslims are trying to protest. but the state isn't letting us, that's why we are angry today. >> reporter: churches across the capital were attacked, protesters also targeted french-owned businesses, a police station and burned cars near the city's main mosque. the french embassy warned its citizens to stay indoors. there were protests against the charlie hebdo newspapers in other parts of the world. in pakistan's major cities protests broke out after friday prayer and continued on saturday. lawyers across the country boycotted the courts, causing the postponement of 15,000 trials. >> translator: the law needs to be passed on an international level under which these terrible people cannot hurt the feelings of muslims. we don't med until other people's religions, they should not have the right to say anything about our religion. >> reporter: similar protests took place in yemen the

country's al qaeda branch says it organized the paris attacks demonstrators in the captain sanaa had a warning for the western media. >> translator: this is a message from the yemeni people. enough insults against our prophet mohamed if you don't stop mocking our prophet, you will regret it in the future. >> reporter: and there was a wave in protests in syria a country that has been crushed by almost four years of war. but the angriest crowds so far have been in france's former colonies in west africa. victoria gatens bee. al jazerra. >> one of the two brothers suspects attacking the charlie hebdo magazine has been buried. he had settled there several years ago. the mayor had objected to his burial there. believing the grave could become a place of pilgrimage or trigger

violence. now, as many as 3 million roman garth licks have braved catholics have braved the rain to see the pope. this is the scene live in manila. as you can see pope francis there is just about to begin his final mass. these are scenes that, of course haven't been witnessed in the philippines for around 20 years. of course that was when people john paul ii was in the philippines. the philippines being a hugely roman catholic population, about 80% of the population are believed to be catholic. our correspondent watching the event and having followed the pope's tour of the country is harry fawcett he's watching these events with us, so this is the culmination harry of the pope's six-day tour of asia? >> reporter: that's right. this is the last event and by far and away the biggest.

despite the pretty unpleasant weather that there has been here in manila throughout sunday as a result of tropical storm getting this -- kept this capital city well and truly wet. and those out in the streets waiting for the pope for many, many hours since the small hours of this morning in many cases some even camped out overnight. it really hasn't dampened the at miss fear at all. when pope francis arrived about 20 minutes ago, there was a repeated chant of papa francisco, which means pope francis love from the philippines, they were led the crowd in that chant. and then there were a few moments of quiet before the mass that you can now see getting underway and pope francis beginning to lead this. if it is what the organizers were expected up to 6 million in number here to hear the pope, that will be a new record surpassing the 5 million that came out to see pope john paul

ii ii as you were saying in 1995 in this very location. >> one of his key messages has been support for the victims of the typhoon of 2013 of typhoon haiyan. >> reporter: that's right. and i think it was symbolic really that he was there in tacloban which was very much the worst hit part of the philippines on saturday when there was this storm coming through and you saw those images of people as they are today in plastic ponchos. the pope himself as well. and he was there to give both a message of support to the survivors of that typhoon and also to console those who had lost loved ones, but also it's part of a wider point that he's trying to make about climate change and about its disproportional impact on the poor and those who have hard lives anyway.

there is a papel new catholic doctrine at the moment. pope francis does believe climate change is largely man-made. that's one of a number of political issues that he's been tackling in this visit to the philippines. >> so characteristic pope francis by the sound of it, harry. this is a man that we have come to appreciate as being one who doesn't shy away from those controversial issues. >> reporter: that's right. and that's been very much his modus operandi here in the philippines from the very first public engagement that he had on friday morning when he met politicians, including the president acquino. he said then that there had to be a real serious effort to tackle corruption. there was a scandal of inequality in this country. the president said that some of the other politicians listening might have found that somewhat

offensive. or even shocking when the president gave his support to the comments, but also started talking about some of the criticism that catholic bishops have been throwing the way at the president's own administration such as the government's recent bill now law to insure that everyone has free access to contraception if they want it. so those sorts of difficult issues have been tackled during the visit here. but for the vast majority here on the street that's hugely significant religious and indeed personal occasion we were speaking to some people in the crowd who have been here since four clock in the morning many bringing elderly relatives very young children, one family saying they brought their one-year-old son to get blessings from the pope in the hope that us skin condition might bring up, others bringing artifacts and religious images to get blessings on those and so very, very many people see this as a landmark occasion in their own lives and for the philippines first time in 20 years for a papel visit it's a

landmark occasion in the like of this country as well. >> okay, thanks, harry, we are going to linger just little while on these pictures because they are quite remarkable, aren't they? around three hill million people it'sest estimated filipinos. the final man turned out. 3 million. quote extraordinary and braving rather implement weather as you can see the number of rain codes and umbrellas umbrellas seem to be down right now. but these -- the live scenes then from the philippine capital manila. we've got a lot more to come here at al jazerra including. using tv soap to his clean up society. why the thai government is choosing television to teach. ♪

>> for this young girl times were hard >> doris had a racist, impoverished setting had a major impact >> but with looks charm.... >> i just wanted to take care of my momma... >> and no remorse... >> she giggles everytime she steps into the revolving door of justice >> she became legendary... >> the finer the store, the bigger the challenge >> al jazeera america presents the life and crimes of doris payne

♪ ♪ hello again let's have a look at the top stories here at al jazerra. isil fighters in northern iraq have released around 250 yazidi kurds. many are elderly who have been taken to hospital in erbil for check ups. isil is believed to have killed thousands of yazidis in its advance across northern iraq last year. more protests in niger have been called for later on sunday over the charlie hebdo cartoons at least five people killed and churches set on fire on the second day of rioting against a front page cartoon of the prophet mohamed. millions of roman catholics in the philippines have gathered

to hear pope francis hold an outdoor sunday mass in manila it's the final event of pope's six-day tour of asia. now brazil and the netherlands have recalled their ambassadors to indonesia in protests of the execution of two drugs offenders. they were among five foreigners condemned to death. despite pleas for clemency. step vaessen reports from the capital, jakarta. >> reporter: most of them have been on death row for at least 10 years they included a dutch national filmed here in 2004 shortly after being sentenced to death for producing the drug ecstasy. after the president rejected their requests for pardon, the prosecutor general made his announcement in total 135 prisoners are awaiting execution. about half of them convicted of drug-related crimes.

according to the national narcotics agency, up to 50 indonesians die every day as a result of illegal drug use. >> translator: al the impact of drugs on our society is unmanageable. it's not only ordinary indonesians that use them but also government officials. so we consider this an extraordinary crime. for this kind of crime we need a maximum punishment. >> reporter: human rights organizations have condemned the decision by the president toll carry out the executions. they accuse the man also known as. [ inaudible ] of using a double standard arguing against the conviction of indonesians abroad but doing it at home. >> he has not shown his commitment to uphold and be an example in asia of up holding and respecting human rights law. >> reporter: these are the first edges cushions since the president took office three weeks ago they say many will

follow late they are year, despite pressure from foreign governments to spare their lives. step vaessen, al jazerra jakarta. the united states has freed a prisoner held as an enemy combatant for 13 years. he has flown back home to qatar he's admitted one count of conspiracy to provide material support to al qaeda. his lawyer says he only pleaded guilty to be able to return home to his family. libya's tripoli-based self declared government is meet to go decide whether to send representatives to u.n.-backed peace talks take is mace place in geneva libyan factions included the elected government have agreed to attend the talks next week. aimed at forming a unity government and putting an end to violence between the rival militias. government forces in north eastern syria have launched a new assault on kurdish-held territory. fighting broke out where

government forces are trying to set up new checkpoints kurdish forces have controlled much of the region since a syrian army withdraw three years ago. five civilians were reportedly killed in the fighting. kurdish fighters say they have seized vehicles, ammunition and weapons from the army in a counter assault. the united nations says it's planning an offensive against rebels in the eastern part of democratic republic of congo. the fdlr fighters were given until january 2nd to stoppedder or face military action, as malcolm webb reports from a u.n. camp some rebels have lane down their weapons but many more remain at large. >> reporter: these fighters from the rwandan fdlr have been on the run since the genocide in 1994 now they have surrendered they hold a parade in the u.n. camp where they now stay. they are among a minority of fighters who came out with their

families before the january 2nd deadline. congress so and the u.n. say they will attack those in the bush. we are allowed to meet one fighter and his family under the supervision of the fdlr officers the group is accused of atrocities in congo committing genocide before that. but he tells us he came to congo as a refugees and joined laters because he had little choice. >> translator: we were eight children in my family. the others were all killed in the camps and the forest when the rwandan army attacked. later they sent militias after us i thought when will it stop. that's why i joined. what would you do? >> reporter: but after so many years living at out hows people here are not in good health. these u.n. medics treat the sick. it seems people here have to do what their commanders say but most would probably now be better off back home in rwanda. the fdlr's leaders say they want to go home but first insist on a dialogue with rwanda to address the injustices of the conflict. >> translator: until other countries the u.n. is handling

conflict with negotiations, but in this region they are not. they decided to launch attacks on innocent people. this is an injustice and it's unacceptable. >> reporter: but the rwandan government refuses to hold talks so the people in the camps stum in limbo. each camp is expected to hold two families but they are all full. saying there is not enough space and say they want to surrender and go home, but that is just one of the problems. the u.n., meanwhile says that the fdlr are not cooperating. it says the older older and weaker fighters have been sent here and the stronger fighters and the best weapons are still in the bush. the u.n.'s chief of demobilizing armed groups in congo told us the camp is full only because the fdlr leaders reports allowing anybody to go home. >> the whole idea was it would be followed by repatriot raise however the fdlr had made their repatriot raise contingent on

certain things and it doesn't look like it will be realized. >> reporter: these boys play football with a homemade ball. all younger people were born in congo, growing up in the midst of a conflict of an older generation their counterparts in the bush may soon be attacked. here in the camp they are safer but waiting for their leaders the politicians and diplomats to determine their future. malcolm webb, al jazerra in the democratic republic of congo. the u.n. is saying violence in afghanistan has driven 140,000 people from their home last year. around 800,000 of these have moved to other parts of the country. while the others have left afghanistan completely. jennifer glass has more. >> reporter: at the camp on the out skirts kabul the families keep arriving, five in the last monthmonth loan, fighting in forced them to leave everything they have. that where she her four sons, learn grandchildren are from.

they didn't arrive here all at once group by group over the past four years they left fertile farmland in the south gradually becoming too dangerous because of war. >> translator: we don't have anything. our men go out to try to find work sometimes they find it, sometimes they don't. they bring us a little foot and water. >> reporter: the camp has no electricity, sewage or running water. the people have to pay to fill up from a nearby well. there are hundreds of families in this cam' loan. most of them fled fighting in other parts of the country. and they hope that coming here to the capital would bring them better opportunities. but there is no school here for the children. no mosque, not even a graveyard. community leaders say the government promised a lot but has given them little. but they still won't leave. >> translator: we won't even think about heldmarch and. it's a very difficult situation people won't think about going

back. they used to farm there they won't be able to do that if they go back, there are still bombing and mines there. >> reporter: some deciding there is no opportunity in afghanistan decide to leave. that's when he did in 2010, he paid smugglers to get him to nor way, he was returned to afghanistan in 2013. he now councils afghans who are planning to leave legally or otherwise. >> the reasons are insecurity, the reasons are unemployment. so those are the reasons that is pulling these people. that's encouraging this young afghans to leave afghanistan to go for the search of better and safer life. >> reporter: but hundreds of afghans have died trying to get to the better life. he says every step of the journey is ratial-y and is risky and dangerous he offers other alternatives informations about visas or well gentlemen settlement programs. but even with a new government the immediate future doesn't look promising.

and he says that means afghans will continue to look for a way to leave. jennifer glasse, al jazerra kabul. the egyptian actress has died at the age of 83. renowned for her beauty and voice, she was called the lady of the arab screen. a star during the golden era of egyptian sin. appeared in 100 films off with her exhusband and golden globe winner omar sharif. thailand's military government is tapping in to popular culture in an effort to battle corruption. a soap opera based on real life cases is being produced in the country. scott heidler reports. >> reporter: soap operas in thailand are wildly popular. they trace their roots back to the 13th century when storytelling was put put on stage, the military government realizes this.

the president changed the time of his weekly address so it wouldn't interrupt prime time for soap operas but taken it a step further to tap in to that massive audience the government is producing it's a own soap opera. the anti-corruption commission has starting filming a tv series dramatizing real corruption cases in thailand. >> translator: i believe in this project. even though it's propaganda duh. when we do good things, we should not worry what others might say or think. for those involved in corruption, they didn't seem to care what they did or how it would affect our country. >> reporter: the first episode is about a property developer who used substandard materials. it led to a building collapse that kill 14 people. star power has been brought to the series, thai action film star plays a heroin in the episode now in production. >> i am really proud to be in this series, most move work is

entertainment but i was not hesitant to accept the role of this series at all. i am proud to be part of a force to develop our country. >> reporter: so while they are filming on the other side of bangkok here at parliament house at the same time a real life corruption story is playing out the former prime minister is facing a hearing on corruption. waste nothing time the producers have scripted a program based on this case. they'll change her name in the episode but little doubt dow to the thai viewers who the story is about. >> translator: this series might help increase the awareness of corruption. but to change the attitude or behavior on on the i issue we need more than this the level of understanding will depend on how they connect with the characters 67 but for most thais there might be a disconnect because most view soap operas as escapism and entertainment to prompt action and change the

interception of corruption it might take more than a well choreographed fight scene. scott heidler, al jazerra bangkok. don't forget that on the al jazerra website you can keep right up-to-date with all of the day's top stories, al jazerra.com. grammy. >> hi i'm lisa fletcher and you're in the stream. 787 dreamliner, fears from the airlines's own workers, caught on camera. my digital producer and co-hose, waja