-- u.s. sailors being released from iranian custody. stay with us. ♪ the u.s. thanks iran for releasing ten of its navy sailors, saying the incident shows how far relations between count the countries have improved. ♪ i'm lauren taylor this is al jazeera, live from london. also coming up. dozens of isil suspects are held in raids in turkey, as police make one arrest in connection with the istanbul blast. at least 14 people with killed in a suicide bomb attack in southwestern pakistan. and the tv tellthon at the center of claims the polish government is trying to influence what is in the news. ♪

hello, u.s. secretary of state john kerry has thanked iran for their cooperation in the release of ten u.s. sailors captured in the gulf. kerry said both countries handling of the incident showed how much their relationship has progressed. the sailors were on board two patrol boats when they strayed in iranian waters. video shows the moments after the sailors were arrested. the u.s. secretary of state john kerry praised the speed with which the dispute was resolved. >> i think we can all imagine how a similar situation may have played out three or four years ago. and in fact, it is clear that today this kind of issue was able to be peacefully resolved, and officially resolved, and

that is a testament to the critical role that diplomacy plays in keeping our country safe, secure, and strong. senior iranian military officer explained the reasoning behind the release of the u.s. sailors. >> translator: our final finding was that it has not been a hostile crossover meant for espionage or the like. they reached the area dpu to malfunction of the navigation systems, saying they did not know they were close to iranian territory. >> let's go back to rosiland jordan in washington. so, secretary of state very keen to emphasize the role of diplomacy of bringing about this swift resolution to this incident. >> reporter: that's right. it was the secretary of state's own diplomacy which everyone in the obama administration is saying lead to the swift release of these ten u.s. navy sailors. the secretary called his counterpart the iranian foreign

minister on tuesday. they had at least two conversations about the circumstances of the sailor's presence near the island, which is iranian territory, and the explanation about the apparent mechanical problems, which one of the two patrol boats that they were piloting was having, which was how they ended up inside iranian waters vourning the island. now one point which the obama administration is very keen to knock down is the iranian government's suggestion that secretary of state kerry or everyone else in the u.s. apologized to the iranian government for the presence of these sailors near the island. there has been a lot of pushback from the spokesperson for the state department, from the vice president, joe biden, that there was no apology, because there was nothing to apologize for. >> ros, on the matter of

those -- the speech we were just listening to a moment ago, secretary of state foreign policy agenda for 2016 -- he talked about the need for more progress on the issue of daesh as he called it. >> reporter: we don't know exactly what that means, and that is something that we need to take a deeper look at. because up until now the obama administration's position has been that the fight against isil from a military perspective needs to be focused on the two countries where they have taken territory, have taken control of cities and villages, and economic resources, and that would be inside syria, inside iraq. what the u.s. doesn't want to do is to try to for one expand this air war into a larger regional war, and there's also the very

real concern about whether or not other countries would want any sort of outside intervening instead of getting more support for their own military national security operations to deal with the presence of isil even though he talked about libya, there have been a lot of inspired attacks here in the united states, and across the globe by people who say that they are inspired by isil's philosophy. so this is something that we really need to do a little more digging into, but it is significant that even though the libyan political situation seems to be stabilizing a bit, that there is still this concern that it might not be strong enough to withstand a growing presence by isil in that country. >> rosiland jordan, thank you very much indeed. one person has been detained in connection to tuesday's

suicide blast in istanbul. turkey's interior min ter, the german minister, and others were there to visit the bomb site. it says it has recently stopped more than 200 people connected with the group. all ten of the people killed in the attack were german tourists. >> translator: we standing resolutely by turkey's side in the fight against terrorism. this is true for the investigations as well as the exchange of names of dangerous people. >> sue turton is inni istanbul. there have been raids across turkey what more do we know about that? >> reporter: yes, we're hearing of 68 people detained in raced stretching across the country from the east to the west. included in that total has been

a detention of somebody found here in us tam bull possibly linked to the bombing on tuesday, and three russians who were picked up in the south of the country, who reportedly have been found with documents that show they were giving logistical support to isil. but they talk about tightening up security efforts across the country. one of the areas that really people are looking towards is that 900-kilometer stretch of border with syria in the south. under the worry, the fear that fighters can still cross from syria from isil-controlled territories. a student in northern syria, films his journey towards a turkish border crossing. a journey he has made many times. it's possible to leave legally with the correct documents, or illegally without for the right amount of money.

>> translator: i found a good smuggler who always helps me for the right amount money. >> reporter: al jazeera spoke to a man at one border crossing who said he is a smuggler. >> translator: if you want to go the illegal way it will be 75 to 100 turkish lira, from here we take 150. it's just jump over the fence and it will be next to the border. with the border closed every day it's open. >> reporter: the turkish police say think istanbul bomber crossed illegally. this man says he is a former isil smuggler who provided weapons for fighters. he says the turkish border into isil-held territory is the only way in and out for fighters. >> translator: it's like daesh is sitting in a room with no windows but one door.

even if turkey closes the door a little, daesh won't break down that war, because they still hope they will reopen the door fully in the coming days. >> reporter: the houses in the distance are in isil-controlled territory in syria. and it's the 100-kill only stretch across the border that is effectively the front door to turkey and europe for isil fighters. the itself called on the turkish government to station a 30,000 strong patrol guard there, but turkey said it couldn't afford the troops. the network of smugglers for isil seems very organized. >> translator: totally. groups come freely into istanbul. they travel by bus, not planes. there is a man responsible for managing for hotel bookings, and transport. >> reporter: 68 isil suspects

have been detained across turkey since the istanbul attack. >> translator: a week before the attacks 220 suspected isil members were detained. since the conflict began in syria, 847 were arrested. >> reporter: sealing the border completely is a tall order for turkey. it's the first port of call for syrians trying to escape the humanitarian disaster of the civil war. if the istanbul attack is a sign of an increase of attacks on turkish soil, then the turkish government may have to consider closing the door completely. >> there is a lot of concern that those fighters can go across and back again. do you think the government will

change its plans on protecting that porous border? >> reporter: well, we have already seen that turkey is installing new security, if you would like? they are digging trenches, putting in higher walls. there are concrete blocks and barbed wire on top of those walls. and you can see even new areas of border guards patrolling and stationed along that border area. but talking to the smugglers on both sides, the side where the free syrian army and the rebels are holding the territory inside syria, and that man who says he was an isil smuggler. they say that you can still get in. there are illegal routes where you can be smuggled across the border that aren't being stocked by the border guards, and from they are saying to us, more effort has to be made if they are going to stop these fighters getting in and out. >> sue thank you very much indeed. turkey's prime minister within the last few minutes has

announced that four more suspects have been detained in connection with the istanbul bombing. at least 15 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in southwestern pakistan which targeted security at a polio vaccination center. the anti-polo campaign is part of a nationwide effort to reach 2.4 million children under five and eradicate a disease that still plagues pakistan. >> reporter: police and polio workers were killed outside of a polio vaccine center. the attacker, according to the police was armed with a suicide vest and he blew his device close to the police that was supposed to be giving security cover to the polio vaccination

teams. the taliban in pakistan took responsibility for the deadly attack. this is not the first time that the anti-polio campaign has been targeted. dozens of workers have been killed across the country, and once again it is the taliban in pakistan which has now taken responsibility for this deadly attack. news just coming into us, one person has died and at least five school children are missing after an avalanche in the french alps. four people are reported to have been injured. still to come here on al jazeera, no let up. syrian peace talks are less than two weeks away, but the government air strikes continue. and cars of the future. we'll have the latest designs from the detroit auto show. ♪ the only way to get better is to challenge yourself,

and that's what we're doing at xfinity. we are challenging ourselves to improve every aspect of your experience. and this includes our commitment to being on time. every time. that's why if we're ever late for an appointment, we'll credit your account $20. it's our promise to you. we're doing everything we can to give you the best experience possible. because we should fit into your life. not the other way around.

hello again, a reminder of the top stories here on al jazeera. the u.s. secretary of state has helped secure the release of ten u.s. soldiers who entered waters in iran. john kerry says dip -- diplomacy played a key role in the release. five people have now been detained with the attacks in istanbul, and the turkey prime minister said the suicide bomber entered turkey as a migrant. we'll bring you more on that

story as it develops. an isil link group has claimed responsible for an attack on a polio vaccination center in pakistan. coordinated attacks in jalalabad have killed seven security personnel. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: who gunmen who barricaded themselves inside of a go guest house were killed. earlier an accomplice blew himself up next to a police vehicle. there has been a series of deadly attacks by the government in syria. all of these as the united nations special envoy for syria prepares to meet u.n. security council members in geneva to discuss the civil war. our correspondent reports. >> reporter: devastation as far as the eye can see here. buildings are toppled, more than one hundred people killed. trp we help recover a lot of

bodies. there are many more hurt. >> reporter: syrian state tv says the attack is part of a renewed government campaign to cut off idlib province which is held by rebels. the government forces are also aiming to recapture the crossing on the turkish border then reclaim idlib. >> translator: it was a matter of seconds. everything turned upside down. rockets and smoke everywhere. the young men started recovering the dead bodies. >> reporter: syrian tv also says government troops have captured the rebel strong hold in the northwe northwestern province of latakia. human rights groups say russian war planes have carried out more than 120 air strikes in 48 hours. since the russian air offensive began in september, there have been more than 5,000 air strikes. russian air strikes are also reported to have targeted the

suburbs of aleppo city. human rights groups say several schools in a rebel-held down were hit killing at least 12 children and their teacher. >> translator: when the plane hit the school, there were many martyrs. this class suffered the most, and the teacher was killed. >> reporter: the countryside surrounding the capitol damascus, syrian armed forces helicopters have dropped barrel bombs killing at least five people. human rights groups say at least a dozen barrel bombs were dropped on residential areas. and east of damascus, at least three children and four adults were reportedly killed when government forces shelled an area in duma. this home video is said to show volunteers pulling a wounded child from under the rebels. the number of syrians killed has now surpassed a quarter million. talks to try to end the five-year war are scheduled for

later this month in geneva. european union has eye announced an investigation whether new media laws in poland break laws on democracy. lawrence lee reports. >> reporter: for 24 years this charity tv show has been a staple of polish life. the tellthon raises millions of dollars every year for children. yet it looks like it may become the most high profile victim of this media war. politicians have started asking whether it wouldn't be better to have the money be spent on a catholic charity instead. suddenly the man who started the whole thing is having to defend his claim that it is incost enth with values. >> translator: the [ inaudible ] inside are also inside poles. but it's natural in a society under construction like pole land. i love this country, and i think

that here [ inaudible ] of this country is being expressed with full heart. >> reporter: the new law means the treasury gets to decide who runs the state broadcaster. >> they are going to put us in jail of their own ideas. they don't give the people any freedom. >> reporter: all of this is an echo of what happened in hungary, and it isn't the only thing these eastern european countries have in common. poland's leaders see this as preserving traditional values in a time of threat. none of these changes had been possible had it not been for the refugee crisis. the government here would say that it is changes to things like state television are a necessary attempt to bring back some sovereignty to poland

inside that european union that has become too liberal. but these protoasters could say poland is in grave danger of losing its democracy. the government has taken to the airwaves to accuse germany of a double standard. >> translator: certain european politicians worried about freedom of speech in poland which is not under threat. you should see what is going on in if germany. very clear censorship. i would expect everyone to be judged by the same measures. >> reporter: the people here are now being bombarded with the political rhetoric that accuses germany's leaders of behaving like nazis towards poland. it is very deliberate. like hungary, poland is refusing to be told what to do by berlin

or brussels. as if as 2,000 refugees living in a camp in france are set to be evicted. they are said to be moved into containers which have been turned into accomodations. jacky rowland explains from calais. >> reporter: it is difficult to estimate how many people live in this makeshift camp called the jungle. at the moment maybe about 5,000. it's muddy, wet, cold, and filthy. the french government has responded to criticism about how it is handling the situation here, by starting to build a more permanent looking, certainly a warmer drier camp. they are using containers which they are turning into dormitories. they are heated.

there are electricity sockets, and washing and toilet facilities there. you would think that would appear attractive to the refugees. but people are reluctant, they are unsure about this move. for a couple of reasons. first of all, fingerprints are being taken of the people as they move into the new facility. also there is a fence around the perimeter. there are gates, and security standing on the gates. people are afraid once they are in, they may not be able to get out again. they are worried they will be registered and forced to apply for asylum in france, that they night be send back to their countries of origin, and that they won't be able to continue doing what they have come here for, that is to try to continue their journey to the united kingdom by jumping on the backs of loris or trains. they fear they will no longer be able to do that. the world economic forum has

revoke its invitation to north korea for its up coming meeting in switzerland. tensions have grown in the region since north korea claimed to have tested a hydrogen bomb last week. harry fawcett reports. >> reporter: on the day when south korea says it fired warning shots to deter a north korean drone, diplomats did their best to send their own warnings. nuclear envoys from south korea, the united states, and japan promising tough sanctions against pyongyang for its nuclear test last week. the south korean president said she expected china which has publicly opposed pyongyang's nuclear program to act accordingly at the u.n.

>> translator: if they do not follow necessary steps, we cannot guarantee true peace and stability of the korean peninsula. >> reporter: the president also said she was considering the need to deploy a u.s. anti-missile system on south korean soil, a move long opposed by china. >> translator: when one country seeks its own security, it must consider the security interests of other countries and regional peace and stability. at present, the situation of the korean peninsula is very sensitive. >> reporter: in pyongyang the fourth nuclear test remains a try temperature, state images showing videos. for all of her talk of a foreign ministerially different response this time, for president park and her fellow leaders that remains the key problem. north korea has repeatedly avowed its intention to pursue nuclear weapons as a matter of

national security. now to the cars of the future. concept car designs have been creating quite a buzz in the north american auto show, and this show was no different. john hendren is at the show. >> reporter: these are the cars you won't be seeing on the row any time soon. but they will influence the new cars rolling off assembly lines in the next few years. the concept cars introduced this week at the north american nation auto show in detroit are designed to draw attention to the auto maker. >> it shows a vision for accura going forward exterior and interior. >> reporter: this accura won the design excellence award for concept cars. >> for the rear we wanted to create more of a luxury feeling.

and the front we wanted to have it be focused on performance. because this car, especially from then tier your stand point, it represents our new direction. >> reporter: with its suicide doors and curved display screen, it looks like no accura on the road. audi pointed to the future with this car. run on hydrogen an engineering challenge still to be worked out. >> it's our next step. our next revolution. >> reporter: it has low profile door handles, rearview cameras, no mirrors. a self opening fuel panel and two big advantages over electric cars, a 600-mile range and refuelling time in as little as four minutes. the buick is leaner and sportier than any buick on the road with a hefty 400 horsepower. the latest lincoln began as a concept car and was introduced

tuesday as a production model for 2017, aimed at the north american and chinese markets. it has sleeker lines, doors that spring open another the touch and a design that says wealth without drawing sports car attention. >> we want to make things easier and more intuitive. experience that handle. >> reporter: this is a car that is designed as much for the passenger in back as in front. this seat heats, cools, reclines, and massages, and you can control the audio, and the climate right here. some of the cars rolled out this week will never make it to production, but you are likely to see elements from them as soon as next year. students have taken part in an unusual world record attempt in india. more than 5,000 took part in a cooking competition with a difference. students in the western state made their own solar ovens using reflector sheets. india is one of the world's

biggest polluters and the government is encouraging households to go green. it plans to spending $750 million in installing roof top solar panels in the next five years. get plenty more on our website, the address for that aljazeera.com. ♪ i am appreciative for the quick and appropriate response. >> secretary of state john kerry thanking iran for the quick release of those u.s. sailors. >> i want to focus on our future. >> from presidential candidates to members of congress reaction to president obama's final state of the union address. oil prices are down, experts saying they could go even lower. >> my dad has been a season ticket holder for 20 years.