north korea says it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, but the experts are not convinced. hello and welcome, you're watching al jazeera coming to you live from our headquarters in doha. also ahead, homeless and freezing, the syrian refugees struggling to get by in icy winter weather. >> the u.n. is investigating allegations its peacekeepers sexually assaulted underage girls in the central trick republican. it's compared to a smart phone

on wheels. volkswagen unveils its new car and apologize for last year's pollution cheating scandal. >> north korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb. it is described as a great threat to peace and an emergency meeting of the u.n. security council has been called. the test was announced on north korean television. adrien brown from beijing. >> in pyongyang, people watched an important announcement. state media showed north korea leader signing off on the order. he's a man who likes attention, particularly close to his birthday, which falls on

january 8, so this may have been his way of celebrating early. >> it could take months or even years to prove if north korea really has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. it said it deserves to possess nuclear weapons to counter threats from the united states. around the region, leaders responded with familiar alarm. it was north korea's fourth nuclear test in 10 years.

i don't hear in china is deepening concern. china is about the only friend north korea has, but it's going through testing times, since the government is alarmed at the prospect of having a nuclear armed neighbor. an official spokeswoman admitted that it's old ally had not notified china before the test and issued a strong rebuke. >> the chinese government has always tried to keep stability and peace in northeast asia. we strongly urge north korea stick to its commitment for denuclearization and stop taking further actions to makement matter worse. >> the north korean test happened close to a chinese city. whatever was tested, it was felt here. fearing an earthquake, many residents were evacuated. al jazeera visited this tense border area three months ago where a series of recent murders and robberies have been blamed

on hungry north koreans soldiers. chinese leadership has supported sanctions against north korea in the past. now it could be under pressure to do so again. al jazeera, beijing. >> live now to james bays at the u.n. headquarters for us. this changes the diplomatic landscape particularly in reference to northeast asia. as far as the diplomats are concerned, what do they feel their possible options are? >> i think they're quite limited. they are going to discuss them. we've been telling you we expect a u.n. security council meeting. in the last hour, that's been officially confirmed, so two hours from now, the diplomats of the security council will be around the table. i think two things they'll have to discuss in a meeting we understand will be closed. we won't see what's actually taking operation and won't hear their deliberations. first is what actually happened.

the first thing they'll want to find out exactly what took place is was this a hydrogen bomb test, some of skeptical about that. in vienna, i'm not sure there will be reports there from the iaea, or the more important body in this particular circumstance, which is called the ctbto, the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty organization. they're the ones that have sensors all over the world, in every region of the world and will be carrying out scientific analysis. we've already heard from the head of that organization, their initial reports, but they haven't got a definitive reading of whether this was a hydrogen bomb at this stage or whether it was some sort of other nuclear test or failed nuclear test. in terms of the security council and their view of this, i don't

think it really matters what it was, because whatever it was, it was certainly in breach of several u.n. security council resolutions. >> being warm to pyongyang, cordial doesn't seem to cut any ice with pyongyang and one sees the comments from the japanese in the past hours. they've got traction afresh at the u.n., so they will want their say in what happens now. >> absolutely. the key players on this, though, and if there is new action, are almost certainly going to be the u.s. and china and the last resolution back in 2013 that was part against north korea, that was really negotiated mainly by those two countries, but you're right, other countries will wants to russia, japan, five day day on the u.n. security council, they're a key regional player will want a say on this. the other country worth bringing

up is spain because they chaired the sanctions committee, the 17, 18 committee it's referred to. we're telling you that they came up with a report in the last couple of weeks. this is it. the latest report on north korea, and its sanctions regime and said there were no violations at all. i think that shows you the problems ahead, there already is a strict sanctions regime. they're not finding violations. what else can you do against north korea? i think everyone knows that you have to tread somewhat carefully when you're dealing with a leader who makes decisions that some would say are pretty rash and has some sort of nuclear capability. >> james, keep us right up to date, but in the meantime thanks very much. harsh winter whether has hit a syrian refugee camp covering it with snow. thousands of people have been forced to seek shelter. many refugees have been living in basic, temporary

accommodation. they've appealed for extra help from the aid agencies. >> we are refugees here from the mountains, here for four years, the local councils are lacking, it is augmented with new refugees. we don't of wood or heaters. we ask to look into the refugee rights because the situation is very, very bad. >> i was displaced from the mountain. it took a couple of days until we secured ourselves in this cold. it is minus 10 degrees here. we've barely managed to get a tent. we don't have anything at all. we have an old person. it's too cold. we are unable to get firewood or relief. >> we have this update from the province on the turkish-syrian border. >> these arctic conditions that have fallen here in southeast turkey and across the border behind me in syria are having a grave impact on displaced people and refugees trying to live in

very harsh conditions. one family who have taken refuge in a tent in the province in the east of turkey, their four-month-old son couldn't cope with the freezing temperatures and the family couldn't keep their tent warm enough and he died of hypothermia. this is just one family in the thousands that have taken shelter outside syria. those living in a tented refugee camp are struggling to keep those tents warm enough to keep their children alive. the conditions are more severe inside syria across the border. in the mountains, they're talking of a lot of snow and freezing cold conditions. many of them don't have the money or the resource to find fuel to keep warm. in idlib, they're demonstrating for the people further south of the country. forty kilometers south of damascus, 40,000 people have

been besieged in that town for over 170 days by the syrian forces and hezbollah pounding close to the lebanese border. one activist said they have gotten some moneys through, 1n.g.o., to try to get food for people, but the prices have been really heightened. a kilo of rice used to cost just a few cents, now as much as 250 u.s. dollars. desperately, the picture saying to those diplomats and those politicians who are charged with trying to get all parties around the negotiating table later in january, these negotiations, the lifting of the blockades and humanitarian aid cannot come soon enough. saudi arabia said the break down of releases with iran will not affect peace talks for syria later this month. the special envoy to syria in riyadh will visit syria, iran

and turkey in the coming days to agree on conditions for the geneva talks on january 25. saudi arabia and iran support opposing sides in the conflict. iraq has since made an offer to mediate in the diplomatic row between saudi arabia and iran. the foreign minister made the announcement in tehran wednesday, saying iraq can play a key role. >> iraq is at the heart of the region and we have sought to use our broad relations with arab countries so that iraq can play its role and alleviate tensions between iran and saudi arabia. this responsibility has been given to us. we have been active from the early moment to lessen tensions to prevent a disaster that could affect the entire region. a suicide bomb blast killed 18 people. 18 iraqi soldiers were killed and several others injured in the attack. at least 24 boko haram fighters have been killed in the

far north of cameroon. the anti terrorism unit said the fighters were killed by the army after they attacked a village. boko haram also attacked another area kill three people including the son and friend of a local muslim leader. the united nation is investigating newly allegations that its peacekeepers sexually abused girls in the central africanrepublic. it's alleged several underage girls were involved. >> the peacekeepers are to protect people. some soldiers may have failed in that mission. four underaged girls say they were sexually abused by u.n. peacekeepers. the u.n. has launched an investigation. >> over the past week, unicef staff from the office have undertaken four visits to meet with the four alleged victims.

unicef is working with local partners to help the girls receive medical care around is assessing their psychosocial needs. >> the allegations made against u.s. peacekeepers in central african republic, last year there were criticisms of child abuse in 2013 and 2014. the report said the u.n. failed to carry out proper background checks on peacekeepers and needed to do more to protect children. >> we wouldn't say it's inevitable but certain things can be done to prevent this type of abuse. troops can be vetted. the types of allegations can be investigated properly, and as much as anything, probably most importantly of all, those who of deemed to be responsible for those kind of crimes can be prosecutors cute or should be prosecuted. >> thousands of foreign peacekeepers were sent to central african republic after a

coup in 2013. april last year, a peace agreement was signed between the selica and christian groups. divisions between communities run deep. votes from last momentum's presidential election are still being counted, but two thirds of the candidates want the process suspended, because they say there are irregularities. people in central african republic have suffered years of chaos and violence. the u.n. said it has zero tolerance for peacekeepers who abuse civilians. al jazeera. still to come here on al jazeera for you. >> every time i think about those kids, it gets me mad. >> an emotional barack obama reveals tighter measures regulating guns in the united states. a sea of red, why the biggest exporter of box sites has decided to suspend mining.

you're watching al jazeera. top stories, north korea said it's detonated a hydrogen bomb. the u.n. called an emergency meeting of the security council today, but japan and south korea expressed doubts of those claims from pyongyang. harsh winter weather covered a syrian refugee camp with snow and forced thousands of people to seek shelter in the area. refugees living in temporary accommodations are asking for help. the u.n. is investigating new allegation that its

peacekeepers sexually abused girls. it's and would four underage girls were assaulted. u.s. president barack obama has issued an executive order to make it harder for americans to get guns. the u.s. president wiped away the tears as he appealed for support. white house correspondent patty calhane with more. >> this just doesn't happen. >> every time i think about those kids, it gets me mad. >> an emotional president remembering the 20 children killed in their classroom over thee years ago in new town connecticut. >> she's a loving, generous, smart, funny, brilliant and talented little girl who loved to show how much she loved her family and her friends every day. >> her father jimmy green was here to watch the president change change the rules for how guns are purchased. if people want to buy a gun on

law, it has to get a background check. a bill to do that couldn't get through the u.s. senate after the shooting. >> the congress may be held host a.m., but you cannot hold the american people hostage. >> we don't beat the bad guys by taking away our guns. we beat the bad guys by using our guns. >> it is likely that the president's move will be challenged in the court system and u.s. conditioning. he is asking for more money for mental health care and also toed a agents to speed up background checks and to do more investigations, he is likely going to face a fierce fight in congress if he is going to try to get that money. >> there are more than three mill guns sold in the u.s. just last month. still green says he's optimistic there can be a solution. >> it takes momentum, it takes constant dedication to the cause, and i feel like there is so many, my family included who

are dedicated to see fewer gun deaths in america, so we won't stop. >> neither will those opposed to changes, meaning this is a fight that is far, far from over. patty calhane, al jazeera, washington. turning our attention to africa, kenya's garissa university reopened nine months after al shabab steamed the area, killing 148 people. security was tight across the campus with police providing security. malcolm webb with more from garissa. >> the first students since the attack last april have registered at this desk just by this gate. it's through the same gate nine months before that five armed men from al shabab stormed the university. university management say the

situation has changed and they finally got the security they were asking for all along, even before the attack happened. they said they wrote to the government on numerous occasions requesting armed police to be deployed here but their calls went unheeded. now the attack happened, dozens are killed and nine months later, they got what they're asking for. they say that means the university is now secure. the students registering today think it's secure, too and are willing to continue their studies here. hundred was people in germany protested violence towards women. about 1,000 men were involved in 90 assaults and robberies against women new year's eve. an investigation is underway to find if the men are part of a criminal network from duesledorf. no arrests have been made yet. >> i came to the demonstration today because it's important to share a reaction that we do not accept the atmosphere in this country or city. we need changes so women can go

out on to the streets in the evening at night. we don't want to give those rights away. >> it's unacceptable in a city like cologne and every part of the world, there should be no violence against women. that's why i'm here. >> it's not only new year's eve. i am a young woman. i often go out at night in cologne and there are assaults taking place, so it's important for women to tanned together, no matter what nationality. >> an air strike is underway in belgium. it is in protest of planned government reforms. services on the line to paris and the euro start to london will be severely affected. the israeli forces

demolished two palestinian homes in the occupied west bank, part of the bedouin community situated next to the israeli settlement. the residents say they weren't notified of the demolition, as the homes are currently involved in a legal case. >> at 9:00 in the morning, the army came and demolished over there and wouldn't let anyone come close and then came here. they want to move us to a new community on the mountain. they want top transfer the bedouins from here. the funeral of a palestinian has taken place in the occupied west bank. the body of the 17-year-old was carried through the streets near hebron by mourners. the israeli army said the teen stabbed a soldier injuring him. at least 145 palestinians and 21

israelis have been killed in an upsurge of violence since the beginning of october. malaysia suspended boite mining because of its impact on the environment. the country is the biggest exporter. most comes from one state where income from the mining surged to $10.7 million last year. we have more from the state capital. >> waves of anxiety hit this community a few days ago when their water turned red. the mining seems to have leaked into the local rivers. the residents along this stretch of water way on the eachern court of mayor, 150 deep sea fisherman depend on the catch from the nearby waters. his family have been living off the sea for three generation, behe says he is not concerned.

>> this community of fishermen is not worried. we have asked authorities to take control of the situation. >> it's ok. >> but the rest of the community is worried. their concerns were heightened when this on line video showed the spread of the contamination in the open water. there has been away great opposition to mining activities in the area. 15 million tons of boite makes its way to the port annually exsupported to countries like chain r. china, maine's largest customer. hundreds of trucks go to the port each day, the dust that is kicked up remains in the atmosphere and travels for miles. local politician have been trying to push the government to act. >> i suggested to the minister that the only way to put a halt to all of the activity is to suspend export license. with that, it would cut down the supply chain and put a stop to the activities for a while, while we see and we look into

the regulation. >> at the news conference wednesday, this is what the environment minister had to say. >> the cabinet had planned a three month temporary ban from the 15 of january onward. the government says that stockpiles will be removed from across the state and port area as well as a full review of all the mining licenses. that may not be enough for the people living here. they still have questions about the long-term effects in the air and water. al jazeera. v.w. unveiling its new vehicles in the u.s., fighting to repair credibility and trust after of the emissions scandal involving millions of cars. rob reynolds from the electronics show in las vegas. v.w. rolled out a new car compared to a smart phone on

wheels. >> niece new technologies will provide customers with new levels of convenience, comfort, and freedom. >> v.w.'s consumer vehicle's chief demonstrated what he said was the car's in too actively designed dashboard. >> there's no need to keep switching back and forth between different menus. that's my idea of simple, safe and fun. >> the company also presented a futuristic take on the old v.w. bus called the v.w. bud e. with a host of interactive features like voice recognition. >> police open the passenger door. >> ok, the passenger door is opening. >> there was no ignoring the elephant in the room, the v.w. pollution cheating scandal revealed last year which affected 11 million diesel vehicles implanted with software designed to defeat emissions testing. >> we disappointed our customers

and the american people, for which i truly, am truly sorry. we are doing everything we can to make things right. >> the unveiling came just days after the u.s. justice department announced it was suing the german car maker in civil court. >> the gun alleges more than 600,000v.w. diesel engine vehicles sold in the u.s. violated u.s. viral laws and it is seeking damages of up to $37,000 per car. >> v.w. is fighting to regain consumer trust and that won't happen overnight. >> if you look at how corporate crises are resolved, it takes billions of dollars. it takes years of time, and it takes eventually introducing new products that people are excited about, so you can't judge a patient mid surgery. >> dice told al jazeera the company will try hard to win back confidence.

>> how do you convince consumers once again that volkswagen is really a trust worthy company? how do you do that? >> yeah, this will be a lengthy process. we have to stick to what we say. we have to deliver and it starts here. >> it it will be in show rooms later this year. the bud e. won't be for sale until the end of the decade. by then, v.w. hopes it will have repaired credibility with governments and consumers. al jazeera, las vegas. the police in new mexico released video of the moment they rescued a 3-year-old girl from a deserted car park. >> hi, sweetheart. you ok? come here! come here! come here! that shows the moment police found the toddler in albuquerque. she was taken when a man stole her mother's car saturday. she has now been reunited with

her family. you can keep right up to date with all our top stories of course on the website aljazeera.com. you can also tweet me. you'll find me and talk to everyone on the team, as well via that website, facebook and twitter, as well. >> nuclear threat from north korea, saying it tested a hydrogen bomb. heavy rainfall on california all at once. here's your chance to support these efforts. put your money where your mouth is. >> president obama lays out his vision for stricter gun control. many republicans are already saying no.