>> i'm david foster, and you're watching al jazeera live from london. iran's foreign minister said sanctions over his country's nuclear program will be lifted in the coming hours as diplomats meet in vienna. forces storm a hotel taken over al-qaeda-link. at least 23 have died.

and a mosquito-born virus warns health authorities thas health officials warning women not to get pregnant. tsai ing-wen, taiwan's first female leader. her pro independence party will have it's majority too. this is an election where the economy and taiwan's leadership with china is the main focus. voters made their feelings heard. we have reports from taipei. >> history was made in taiwan on saturday night. the first welcome elected president by an island side. tasi ing-wen was narrowly defeated last time, but on this

night she stood tick torous. >> i'll redo the wrong of the previous government with firm foundation with taiwan's development. we're told that the international community is part of the lives of the taiwan people. >> on the other side of taipei a completely different scene. the nationalist party concedes defeat and resigns as party chairman. >> sorry, everyone, i, eric chu let you down. we have been defeated. we didn't do well and we failed our supporters expectation. >> some national party supporters are not sure of what comes next. >> this is a big impact for our country. i feel taiwan is stepping into an unknown situation. we don't know what will happen in the future. >> usher in new championship, the opposition becomes the ruling party representing a

shift in political power that they have not seen something that unioner generations are eager for. >> the future of taiwan will be better. the next generation will be much better. >> in her victory speech, ta sir supporters and warned china against provocative acts. >> we'll make sure that there are mechanisms that will continue communicating with commune. i will follow taiwan's interest and make sure that the relationship will carry on as it has before. >> within hours of winning the new president walking the delicate balance that will be the core of her job over the next four years. pushing forward with her position on indians while maintaining good relations with

taiwan's neighbor across the straight. the neighbor who views the island as it's own territory. al jazeera, taipei. >> we'll go to director of china national studies. >> ms. tsai, herself, does have a track record of promoting independence of taiwan, and not recognizing one china which includes both taiwan and mainland china. i think there is a lot of concern that once she becomes the president of taiwan, whether she'll continue in that dangerous direction and jeopardize the over all operations between the two sides of the taiwan strait. i hope she will not. i hope she'll have enough adjustment and sanity and such amount of carrying for the fundamental interests of the people of taiwan. what people in taiwan really want is peace and stability and

good relations between the two sides of the taiwan straight both in terms of economic and trade relations also in terms of political relations. there are extreme elements in taiwan, which want to push for indians of one china, one taiwan. but that goal is not realistic and it would never be fulfilled. >> well, very soon we are expecting that the iranian nuclear deal will be implemented by the end of the day. iran's foreign minister is meeting u.s. secretary of state john kerry and the e.u. foreign policy chief in vienna. they'll be talking about a plan of action to implement the accord which hinges on the report of the international at atomic energy agency. they believe that sanctions will

be removed once the wash doll report is published. >> today is the day that we prove to the world that threats, sanctions, intimidation, pressure don't work. respect works. respect through dialogue, through negotiations we can reach mutually acceptable solutions. implement mutually acceptable solutions and prove to the naysayers that they are always wrong and move towards a world in which diplomacy, not force, not pressure, will prevail. >> there has been new developments in the iran-american relations. american jason rezaian who has been held in iran since 2014 will be released. he has duel iranian-u.s. citizenship. he was freed along with three other prisoners who have duel iranian-u.s. nationality.

the u.s. will be releasing seven iranian nationals as part of this deal. >> 39-year-old jason rezaian was arrested with his wife and two photo journalists in iran in 2014. his wife and colleagues were released, but he was put on trial on charges including espionage. rezaian grew up in southern california the son of an iranian father and american mother. he has duel iranian-american nationality. he became a correspondent i in 2012. according to state-run media he was accused of collecting confidential information and spreading anti-iranian propaganda. iranians state television repeatedly called rezaian a spy. but that is an accusays that his boss at the "post" vigorously deny. he was fount guilty of espionage

and sentenced to an unspecified prison term. his health has been deteriorating in recent weeks. he has little access to families and lawyers throughout his administration, and a report summited described how his waste was dropping and he was suffering from other mental and physical problems. the idea of a prison swap first emerged back in august when the idea of exchanging american prisoners for 19 iranians in the u.s. but saturday's announcement still ai came as a complete surprise. >> the confirmation came from the white house that there are four u.s.-iranian prisoners have been released from tehran. we'll get more on that in just a moment with roslind jordan who is in washington, but first we'll go to jacky rowland. is it as simple as this. the iaea said that iran has done what it was squad to do.

and now as of that moment there are no more sanctions? >> well, it's not quite as simple evidently because we've been waiting in this corridor of the international atomic energy agency now for hours with the impressions, certainly the atmosphere and the indications coming that there was an imminent announcement, the implementation of that deal would take place. now we're getting clear signs that it's taking a bit longer than expected. there has been a tweet from foreign minister from iran in which he said we're getting to implementation day, but as democrac diplomacy takes time also a state official here confirming that there are last minute hitches. he said there is no delay but there is currently some technical specifications taking place against what those technical specifications are,

but we must be looking really at the fine print of compliance with those conditions that formed the crucial steps under the agreement reached in july of last year for the sanctions regime against iran to start being lifted. >> but if there is compliance, however long it takes, is that the end of the sanctions for tehran? >> well, the end of the sanctions regime in iran, those things would take time. for a start currently about $100 billion worth of iranian assets are frozen overseas. now they would not instantly be freed up, but pretty swiftly $30 billion would be available for the iranians. they would be able to get access to those assets again, and certainly we're already aware

that executives from big oil companies, shell, in iran talking to their counterparts, also the banking system again iran would be reintegrated with the west. over ten years apparently there is a tech niche in place whereby any stage is established that iraq is back sliding, and there has been regression on those conditions, then within the first ten years sanctions can be reimposed pretty swiftly. so yes if, in fact, the agreement is announced, assetsed will be freed and involvements can start but nevertheless, there will be monitoring and sanctions could be reimposed. >> thank you. let's go to roslind jordan in washington d.c. this prison swap, we know that

mr. rezaian, and the others, they are now out. but what about the iranian prisoners who have been held in the u.s.? >> well, is this is the information that i'm getting from a senior official. we have offered clemenscy to several iranians who are pending trial in the united states. the united states has removed any interpol red notices and dismissed charges against 14 iranians for whom extradition to the u.s. were unlikely to be unsuccessful. that is apparently the work of what has been going on through a separate diplomatic channel work on the case not just the case of jason rezaian, but the four men,

they've also been working on trying to find out what happened to the retired fbi agent who has not been seen in more than a decade. again, it's a separate channel but certainly it something that had been coming up rather ingrediently during the course of negotiations with iran over its nuclear program. there were convicted of leading sanctions or accused of violating sanctions imposed by the united states against iran because of its nuclear program or because of its efforts to support terrorism. now we don't know yet the names of all the people who are getting clemency. there are at least 12 people who have been through the federal judicial process and many have been sent to prison. but there is one person who is undergoing loam detention, the last part of his punishment

under u.s. laws under u.s. sanctions. the men said they were not doing anything wrong, but clearly the u.s. government felt others. >> could this package, could it still be stopped by congress, which really doesn't like it? >> well, it just so happens on wednesday there was a vote in the house of representatives that was supposed to keep in place a number of sanctions against iran. but not enough members of the house actually showed up for the vote. they basically had to erase the result, and they're coming back after the recess the week after next to try again. the white house has repeatedly said any efforts to try to prevent it from the interference. in short the president would veto that presentation.

>> coming up the iraqi army drives out islamic state in iraq and the levant out of the stronghold of ramadi. >> i'm caroline malone with the story of syrian students trying to get an education here and why they nearly outnumber the lebanese students. a reaction there. >> that's crazy. >> i really feel my life changing. >> the freedom is unbelievable. >> techknow's team of experts show you how the miracles of science... >> this is what innovation looks like. >> ...can affect and surpise us. >> i feel like we're making an impact. >> let's do it. >> techknow, where technology meets humanity... 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. when you're on hold, your business is on hold. that's why comcast business doesn't leave you there. when you call, a small business expert will answer you in about 30 seconds. no annoying hold music. just a real person, real fast. whenever you need them. so your business can get back to business. sounds like my ride's ready. don't get stuck on hold. reach an expert fast. comcast business. built for business.

>> the top stories. taiwan's tomorrow democracicy candidate tsai ing-wen, taiwan's

first fee female leader. iran is sure that sanctions will be lifted this weekend. jason rezaian is released in a prisoner swap. 23 foreigners are known to have died in an attack in a hotel. it all started late on friday night when al-qaeda fighters stormed the building in a nearby calfify. witnesses describe scenes of horror as attackers take hostages. >> gunfire rung out throw the night as explosions were heard from inside. mass gunmen stormed an upscale hotel popular with foreigners and diplomats on friday evening.

>> it was horrible. everyone was panicking. they were shooting people at county plank range. honestly it was traumatizing. i think these people are really wicked. >> french troops are called in to help security forces retake the hotel. they rescued dozens of people. many were shot and are receiving treatment at hospital. >> we did our best to try to get out. they shot me in the arm and i have an open fracture. they destroyed my vehicle as well. >> the al-qaeda affiliate called al-qaeda islam megherb claims responsibility for the attack. this is the first attack of its kind in burkina faso's capital. president kabal was elected two

months ago. how he deals with this crisis is being seen as his first big test in office. >> we would like to salute the response of the security forces. all the doctors, the red cross who participated in this situation and the help we've receive from the french and americans. it's important to share information with our neighboring countries and share military means to fight against the scourge. >> the challenge for him now will be to come up a long-term plan to tackle those armed groups. >> same country, different part of burkina faso. an australian doctor and his wife have been kidnapped near the border with mali. they were apparently taken by fighters in an area where they have been working as volunteers. the iraqi army said it is now getting ready to drive isil, the islamic state in iraq and the levant, out of the group's

stronghold in the city of ramadi. isil fighters took the city in may. we have the latest from the iraqi capital of baghdad. >> in the battle to retake control of the city ramadi from isil fighters, iraqi security forces now advancing towards the eastern part of the city a neighborhood which is being described as the iraqi government as th the last strong hold of isil fight necessary ramadi. in the plasmati few years they were able to take the center of the city. now they're trying to encircle this part of the city. we're told that they're shelling the area, there are air raids going on and they're also attempting to ferry residents and families who are stuck in that area to safety. if this part of the city is, indeed, cleared of isil fighters it will have been a significant development for iraqi security forces. they say they're confident they will be able to did do so, to

retake control of the entirety of the ramadi very soon. it remains to be seen how soon that will be. but it is worth noting that even if ramadi is fully once again under the control of iraqi security forces there are still other parts of anbar province in which isil fighters are still there. >> 13 people are said to have been killed in russian airstrikes in and around aleppo and syria. there has been more fighting to homs and hama. six thousand families have been forced to flee the violence. >> syria's civil war has had an huge impact on education. in neighboring lebanon there are 400,000 syrians who have been displaced and who are of cool age. many face obvious challenges in trying to further their learning.

caroline malone reports. >> the interpret public school once catered to mainly lebanese students. but it's size has more than doubled in recent years. it has introduced a second school shift. lebanese are taught in the morning and syrians in the afternoon. >> at first it was a moving here and leaving my country. in syria everything was in arabic. here some things are taught in english. >> it's a challenge for many syrians who studied only arabic back home. the teachers are having to adjust as well. >> we're not used to focus on some subjects. they do not know how to speak english, so they will not know how to explain or justify.

>> there are more than 400,000 syrians of school age in lebanon. and the local communities are trying to get them in school. >> in public school classrooms there are nearly as many syrian students as lebanese. but there are many other syrian who is are not getting an education, putting their already uncertain future in jeopardy. >> there are children who are registered for school but don't turn up because they can't afford to pay for the school bus. >> education is a key to a better life. it is our duty to keep them in school and add another shift. it has helped to make the process easier for them and our duty is to teach each student equally. >> the students may be treated equally but the staff has noticed just how hard the sur cocaine students study. >> yes, i am efirst in my class. i have to study really hard.

the teachers are really good here. they help me get there. as you know it's a public school, and in lebanon it's mostly private schools. anyone who wants to study whether public or private, will make it. >> she's one of the many syrian refugee students who realize they have an opportunity to help themselves while many others like her struggle to get to school. caroline media loa malone al jazeera, lebanon. >> the greek coast guard said bodies of two men and three women were recovered. three children drowned overnight as well when the dinghy taking them to greece overturned in the aegean sea. 63 refugees were rescued alive. cost guards in city realized their pictures of the latest rescue they carried out. refugees crowded into a dinghy in rough sea. a baby was among those taken to

safety off the italian coast. thousands of people have been gathering on the streets of the german city stuttgart to demonstrate in support of the government's decision to admitting refugees. the march was organized by trade unions but only attracted a third of people that it had hoped. there is dwindling support for angela merkel's welcome support policies since the new year's eve i wants in cologne. ten coffins were taken to istanbul international airport and then from there thrown to germany on an military plane. the germans were killed in istanbul another 17 injured the in the explosion. turkey blames isil for the explosion. since october brazil said

that more than 3.5000 children were born with microcephaly. it's from a mosquito-born virus tha. in the meantime, women are encouraged to postpone pregnancy. as the virus is spreading. >> the corridors of this public hotel in northeastern brazil are full of distraught mothers holding babies with one thing in common. they were born with noticebly smaller than normal heads. it's called microcephaly. a condition that severely limits a child's development and has reached epidemic proportions in brazil. researchers say they believe the cause is to a virus new to

brazil called zika spread by the same mosquito that carries dengue fever. >> i was shocked when i found out. she is my first baby and this illness was not heard of in brazil until now. >> doctors believe that the zika virus is creating microcephaly but also scarring of the retina. >> we heard last week it's been 3,000 reports. >> and that's just in this area, where a state of emergency has been declared and where the army has been called out to combat the disease-carrying mosquitoes. they thrive in rainy season and breed in even the smallest amount of still, clean water. but despite all these efforts the zika virus is spreading not

just through brazil but throughout south and central america. in fact, disease control experts predict within three months zika will have reached texas. there is no cure for the virus. terrifying pregnant women. >> i asked the doctor if what i heard was true. i've been taking special recaution like using insect repellent. >> but for three and-a-half-month-old david the precaution is too late. his sister sophia dotes on him while his mother worries about how she will take care of a child who will be seriously handicapped. >> my main concern now is to go back to work, but the daycare centers refuse to take him because he has micro cephaly. they say it is too much responsibility. >> a phenomenon that has

officials warning brazilian women to refrain from getting progress t pregnant. >> al jazeera. www.aljazeera.com. are big business. with an aging population and more than a million deaths in the country last year, finding a final resting place can be difficult and expensive. but the funeral industry is stepping up to the challenge finding innovative ways to send their clients into the afterlife. i'm steve chao. on this episode of 101 east we take a look at how japan says itna