. at least 20 dead as al qaeda-linked gunmen storm a hotel in burkina faso's capital. you're watching al jazeera. coming up in the next half hour - counting is under way in the presidential poll, which could see the island elect its first female president. >> iran's foreign minister says he believes sanctions against his country are about to be lifted. >> growing anxiety in latin america over a mosquito born virus that causes birth defects.

the security operation at a hotel in burkina faso's capital is now over. that is according to the country's security minister. the fighters stormed the hotel in ouagadougo on friday. at least 22 people were called, say officials, 92 officers, including a minister have been freed. imran khan has the latest. >> reporter: the splendid hotel in burkina faso's capital under siege. gunfire rang out throught the night as explosions were heard from inside. masked gunmen stormed a hotel, popular with foreigners and diplomats. cars were set on fire and a cafe across the street was attacked. >> it was horrible. everyone was panicking. people were laying on the ground. there was blood everywhere. they were shooting people at point blank range.

the noise of the explosions was loud. honestly, it was traumatising. i think these people are really wicked. >> french troops called in to help security forces retake the hotel. they rescued dozens of people. many have been seriously wounded by bullets, and are now receiving treatment at a hospital. >> we did our best to get out. i have an open fracture. they destroyed my vehicle as well. >> a regional affiliate says it is behind the assault. the group has attacked similar targets in west africa in the past. the most recent, a luxury hotel in marley's capital. this is the first attack of its kind in burkina faso's capital, ouagadougo. the president was elected two months ago as the first new leader in decades. how he deals with this crisis is seen as a big test in office.

voting has ended and counting is under way in taiwan's presidential poll. opposition leaders favoured independence from china, expected to become the first female leader. it is the economy and taiwan's relations with china that will be the focus of the election. scott heidler reports from taipei. >> reporter: a slight smile from t presidential front-runner as she voted saturday morning. the opposition candidate sticking to the message of independence. >> translation: i believe it was time for us to unite. we need a consistent position showing that taiwan has a consensus on national identity. in his home district, they voted in the city where he is mayor, and repeated promises to and repeated promises to maintain good relations. we'll stick to the 1992 consensus, which sees both sides

consensus, which sees both sides recognise one china. this is only the sixth presidential vote on the island since it became a democracy 20 years ago. millions that turned out to vote cast their ballot for their selection as president. it's more than that, it's a decision about which direction they want taiwan to go, whether it will be more independent. directly tied to the relationship with china - the economy. the last eight years saw massive growth in trade and money from the mainland. like what is happening across the straight, the chinese economy has slowed. right now you can't - taiwan is not in good shape. many are not satisfied about it. we hope the new president focuses on economy more. >> i would like to see the first female president. it's not just the president who will be chosen. 113 seats in parliament.

or legs lative u.n. are up. more than 500 candidates are running. this is where the start up parties and candidates could gain ground. most stand firm on an independence platform and an alternative voice that ruled the only democracy has been changed for the last seven years. >> now, our correspondent adrian brown is live in taipei. he's at the democratic progressive party base. first to scott heidler, joining us from kmt's headquarters. scott, we have a line here saying that the kmt conceded defeat. this is from the leader of the party. no doubt a sombre move at the party headquarters. >> absolutely, and he just took to the stage. in the last couple of minutes he conceded defeat, he apologised to the members, to everyone that voted for him and the party.

in addition to that, he is no longer the chairperson of kmt party. he resigned from that. he bowed and apologised. he is speaking from behind. this is not a defeat that is unexpected. polling numbers went into the election. they expected to go that way. there's an opposition coming out strong and early. that is why we are seeing the capitulation. this resignation as chairman of the party. they are apologising to the supporters. it led to the announcement in a couple of minutes. we heard the country officials come up. the results on the screens behind us. they brought us down with the numbers were up. the party supporters were getting ugly. they apologised and read a poem.

>> scott, thank you scott heidler there, we are looking at eric tu, the leader of the kmt, who resigned as chairman and conceded defeat. let's go to adrian brown, who is in taipei, apt the d.p.p. headquarters. now, eric chu conceding defeat, no doubt. in a happy move. it's an historic time for taiwan. >> a very historic time, there's a sense in the crowd that history is being made and beam are watching it. i see a man with tears. a short time ago. the mood is becoming more and more celebratory as people realise the kmt's dominance of politics is coming to an end.

it's out with the old guard, in with the new. the d.p.p. generally won the election, the only question is by how many seats and it's almost certain that this will be the first female president in a chinese speaking world. what will they make of the result, because for many the dpp is their worst nightmares because of a pro independence stance. in the crowd, people holding banners saying taiwan is not part of china, that is the sentiment that makes beijing's blood boil. if it becomes overt and is endorsed in an official way by the administration. you'll see a lot of friction. certainly for now, the time is to party for the people. it will be a long night of celebration. they believe they have won the

election. we are waiting for official coirmation. that is expected to come probably within the next two hours. certainly, as you can see, the mood here now is different to the mood where scott heidler is. >> it is. as you can see, the question, though, is how will beijing react. now, before the elections, it was said that she wanted to maintain a status quo with china, would that tone down the party rhetoric? >> well, you are right about the status quo. basically the d.p.p. supports the status quo which basically regards this republic as de facto independence. now, the kmt took the approach that they believed in the notion of china and taiwan being part of one nation, that would one

day be reunified. the dpp take the opposite course. they want to maintain the status quo which is to agree and disagree over the taiwan status. the question is whether that can continue. for instance, if the independence agenda has been pushed. that's where china might react. in the short term, beijing will do very little. they are studying this result forensically tonight. >> interesting times ahead for china and taiwan. thank you. adrian brown speaking from the d.p.p. headquarters where they are celebrating a possible win now, iran says that it is confident international sanctions will be lifted this weekend as top diplomats gather in vienna to discuss implementation of the nuclear deal. in july, tehran agreed to kerb

its nuclear programme. the u.n.'s nuclear watchdog is due to deliver a report on whether iran honoured that agreement. the foreign minister says that he believes sanctions will be removed after its published. >> today is the day when we prove to the world that threats, sanctions, intimidation, pressure don't work. respect works. through respect, dialogue, negotiations, we can, in fact, reach mutually acceptable solutions, implement the solutions, and prove that the naysayers are wrong. and, therefore, move towards a world in which diplomacy, not force, not pressure will prevail we are now taking you back to taipei, and to the headquarters of the kmt. this is the resigned chairman

eric chu conceding defeat. >> i thank everyone at the last moment still cares about the area. all these friends who have had the face --s -- the faith in you. you encouraged us to look into ourselves. there were those who have not voted for us, but you also have told us that we need to look into ourselves, to look at our self. we need to condition to intubate four years ago, four years later we will come back, you gave us, you gave us this carriage.

the election has finished. after tonight, the one who has won will have to shoulder their responsibility. i have lost. i wish the very best. i need to look into myself, look into our party at the democracy of taiwan, is the proud - is the pride of our chinese community, i trevor my opportunity to chick part in this election, i thank you all. we have to do our best, to do it together, to make sure that the democracy in taiwan carries on. the future of taiwan. elections have a win and loss. but the election - but democracy of taiwan will not loose. we'll carry on.

we will make sure that in future we have to look at each vote, and we need to change our policies and our systems and our mechanisms. this is our promise to you. we will - we might be at the bottom. but we will look at the future, we will look to the sky. i say sorry to you, and i thank you. and i wish you all the best. >> i would like to talk... >> you are listening to the chairman there, conceding defeat and handing victory to the democratic people's party. a very important part of the taiwan-china relations. >> still ahead here on al jazeera, an economic emergency

is announced in venezuela, as the president faces up to a hostile congress. congress. 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.

you you're watching al jazeera. these are the top stories... .. [ ♪ ] eric chu from the ruling kmt party, has conceded defeat in taiwan's presidential elections. the opposition party is set to take over as the first female

president. she favors independence from china a security operation at a hotel in burkina faso's capital is over. that is according to the country's security minister. fighters stormed the splendid hotel in ouagadougo late on friday. officials say 92 were hostages iran says it is confident that international sanctions will be lifted this weekend. foreign minister is due to meet u.s. and european documents in vena to discuss implementation of last year's nuclear deal. >> venezuela declared a 60 day economic emergency, giving the government extra power to deal with falling revenues and rampant inflation. they have been hit hard by the slide in crude prices. we have this report from caracas. >> friday was a day of unusual

announcements. while nicolas maduro delivered his state. they grappled with an economy they know to be collapsing. for the first time in 17 years that his predecessor rose to power, they were faced with economic pressure. today they were arriving at a parliament whereby virtue of the constitution in the middle of democracy. the majority has been concurred and is here today. >> hours before, the oil dependent country declared itself to be in crisis. article one, i declare an economic state of emergency to the bulgarian constitution. >> with the world's cheap petrol and 3-tier currency, the measures the government takes could see a radical reform of a

system that many see as having failed. yet it was a discourage for the first time in a year that the inflation rate is 141%, which to many here drove just how much the economy is hurting. just exactly what the state of economic emergency means is unclear. the government said it will take measures that will help and not hinder people. many living with the highest inflation are afraid though measures will be enough. >> reporter: in the middle room of this middle-class family, the words are met with disbelief by a viewer who said he has seen it before. >> it has got really bad. he doesn't offer anything concrete. >> because the venezuelan economy relies almost entirely on oil, the drop to a little

less than $30 a barrel tightened the noose around the south american nation. many predict crude prices drop, president nicolas maduro may be faced with a year of frequent and less wealthy announcements women in brazil are urged to postpone pregnancies as a mosquito borne violence spreads through latin america and the caribbean, it causes defects and is expected to reach the united states within months. lucia newman report from brazil. >> reporter: the corridors of this public hospital in nearby brazil are full of destraught mothers, holding babies with one thing in common. they were born with noticeably smaller than normal heads. it's microcephali a condition

limiting intellectual and physical development and which in less than four months reached epidemic proportions in brazil. reachers say they believe the cause is a virus new to brazil. called sikha, spread by the same mosquito that causes dengue fever. >> i was shocked when i found out. she is my first baby, and this was unheard of in brazil until now. >> doctors believe the virus is promoting microcephali and scarring of the retina in 4% of newborn babies. >> in december, we had 1,000 cases, and last week, there has been 3,000 reports. >> and that's just in the state. where a state of emergency has been declared, and where the army has been called out to combat disease carrying mosquitos. they thrive in rainy season and breathe in the smallest amount

of clean water. but despite all the efforts, the ceka virus is spreading, not just through, but throughout south and central america. in fact, disease control experts predict within three months it will have reached texas. >> there's no cure for the virus, terrifying pregnant women. >> i asked the doctor if what i heard was true. since i have been taking special precautions like using inspect propellant. >> for 3.5-month-old, precautions are too late. his sister dotes on him. his mother worries about how she will take care of a child who will be seriously handicapped. >> my main concern is to go back to work. the daycare centers refuses to take him because he has microcephali, and say it is too much responsibility.

a tragic phenomena warning brazilian women to reframe from getting pregnant. while they struggle to deal with an epidemic that appears to be just beginning the u.s. state of michigan is asking for help from the government in washington to tackle led contamination in the water supply. high levels have been found in drinking water in the city of flint. there has been an outbreak of legionaire's disease. health officials say they can't link it to contaminated water. >> activists in south africa want the government to speed up legislation providing poor patients access to affordable generic drugs. we have this report on the struggles faced by cancer patients this woman's has breast cancer. doctors at a public hospital can't help her.

>> they don't have medication. they give me - just put me in oxygen. >> according to the cancer association of south africa, more than 100,000 south africans are diagnosed with cancer every year. public health facilities can't manage the numbers. >> this is the nearest hospital in the area. it doesn't have an oncology department. they have to go all the way to johannesburg to get the drugs. that's partly because they are often expensive, and state-run hospitals are limited supplies. >> how many women and men out there could have got it. it was the only one that could have prolonged their life so they may raise their children, for god's sake. >> countries like india and argentina used outlying laws to

limit drug patents that are brought. south africa is yet to do that. patents are mainly granted to international drug companies, who want to protect the patents in this country. it means that south african based companies, which are mainly generic companies can't come to the market on the drugs for a longer period of time because they are waiting for the patents to end. >> the government has a draft policy that could make them available and affordable. cabinet is working on fixing the paitents laws. the issue is agreeing on consensus. >> there are other issues which would not benefit the pharmaceutical companies, but would benefit the generic industry, and vice versa. a lot more attention has to be given to this draft policy, especially the wording, so that there is no incoherent understanding that comes from it

cancer patients like these hope an agreement can be reached quickly. they need affordable drugs that could save their lives it's called start-up india, a programme to encourage young entrepreneurs to build new businesses. now, the initiative aims to help young people shunning traditional jobs. we have this report, but obstacles still remain. >> reporter: this high end store is a start-up success story. in a few short years, they have more than a dozen locations in and around india's two largest cities, as with any adventure, it was not easy. slow bureaucracy can stop adventures before yes start. >> in any start up, the kind of resources that you have are limited. >> you want the resources to be

used in productive works as opposed to the task. >> the government is launching the start-up india programme to encourage and promote new businesses, something they say is waiting the long time for. >> tax incentives and the main goals are what they hope the government will address. securing investment and growing the business is easier. >> it may be enough in itself. >> entrepreneurs say people's mind-sets about start-ups were changing, adding that it's a different environment now than it was when he set up business 12 years ago. >> the biggest difference is cultural point where i started out. even on the suppliers, no one would take me seriously. not just them, but customers

didn't understand a lot. >> analysts say start-ups may be of national importance. because they need an estimated 143 jobs in the next decade. >> large private sector is not an indicator of employment. >> they have start-ups. for the next 10 years. >> back at the shop. they hope the new programme will make it easier for the business to grow. and it hopes it will encourage investment and drive growth some news out of this world now. n.a.s.a. forced to cut short a space walk when ha leak in a helmet was reported. jim found a leak when he and

fellow astronaut fixed a power unit. the helmet fault forced both back into the space station. you can get the latest news and analysis on the website at aljazeera.com. look at the harsh reality of the american dream. presidential candidates are making lots of promises designed to appeal to middle class voters. that's no surprise. one obvious reason is that more than half of americans still, still identify themselves as middle class. that's after a great recession that knocked many people out of the middle. and even though we are years