sanctions related to iran's nuclear program are lifted a knew era for global relations with iran as sanctions endnew era for global relations with iran as sanctions e end. this is al jazeera live from our headquarters in doha. also on the program iran frees washington post reporter and four other americans. china brands taiwan's hopes for independence as hallucinations. special forces free hostages from a burkina faso hotel but 28

people are dead. iran's isolation from the international community is over. the u.s. and e.u. have lifted sanctions after the u.n. nuclear watchdog confirmed tehran has complied with a nuclear deal agreed last year. jacky rowland reports where the announcement was made. >> reporter: diplomacy takes time and there were delays right up to the end. when the announcement finally came, it was the international atomic energy agency that broke the news. >> relations between iran and the i.a.e.a. now enter a new phase. it is an important day for the international community. i congratulate all those who helped make it a reality. >> reporter: so implementation day is here.

the iranian foreign minister and the e.u. foreign policy chief looked satisfied as they arrived to give their reactions. both sides can look forward to huge economic benefits from the lifting of sanctions. >> as iran has fulfilled its commitments, today multi lateral and national economic and financial sanctions related to iran's nuclear program are lifted in accordance with the dcpoa. >> reporter: secretary of state what's your reaction please? this is the culmination of years of work by the u.s. secretary of state john kerry. a big personal achievement for him and he chose to make his statement separately from the other parties. >> today marks the moment that the iran nuclear agreement transitions from an ambitious set of promises on paper to measurable action in progress. today as a result of the actions taken since last july, the

united states, our friends and allies in the middle east, in the entire world, are safer because the threat of a nuclear weapon has been reduced >> reporter: international inspectors have confirmed that iran has drastically reduced its uranium enrichment capacity and most of its stock has been shipped for storage overseas. the facility here has been put out of action. it is a huge diplomatic achievement. iran has come in from the cold >> thank you very much. >> reporter: it is not over. the officials will continue to check compliance and if they spot any violation, the sanctions will snap back into place. so much is at stake that all sides will be working to ensure

this does not happen the deal has been criticized by some u.s. republicans. more from washington. >> reporter: there were a lot of critics who all along the way said this wouldn't happen, that the u.s., the world powers would not get to a final deal with iran. they said it when they were first to enter into negotiations. they said it with a temporary agreement and also after the agreement was made saying iran would not follow through. now that the deal is done, the obama administration is really continuing to try and sell the deal, trying to stress they believe this will keep iran from developing a nuclear weapon. when it comes to sanctions relief, when it comes from the ruchlt s to iran it is actually fairly limited. the one big thing they've done is they've said that they company do business with iran. when it comes to american companies, the only thing that iran is going to be able to send to the u.s. are food products but also rugs.

the only thing the u.s. can sell to iran, airplanes, parts and service. while the world is going to be able to do business with iran as far as impacts to u.s. company will be limited prisoners will be released and iranians will be released as well. >> reporter: on saturday iranian state television announced the news this man's family wanted to hear. after 18 months in prison the washington post reporter convicted of spying was now free. his employer is celebrating: >> reporter: the former u.s.

marine and the christian minister as well as two other dual nationals were released in a deal that also frees seven iranians convicted of breaking u.s. law. 14 other iranians will have their charges dropped while iran promised to help find this retired agent. what is notable about the prisoner swap is the timing. it comes as the i.a.e.a. confirms iran has dismantled its nuclear weapons program. secretary of state, john kerry >> the two tracks of negotiations were not directly related, and they were not, there is no question that the pace and the process of humanitarian talks accelerated in light of the relationships forged and the diplomatic channels unlocked over the course of the nuclear talks. >> reporter: analysts have suggested the personal relationship between secretary

of state john kerry and iranian foreign minister mass made it possible to solve disputes between iran and the u.s.-- has made it possible. what happens when they leave their posts? >> that relationship between them is one that predated the nuclear talks. it's one that may have enabled the talks to move forward and overcome certain obstacles. it has to be institutionalised some way, somehow, because we can't have a situation going back to the way it used to be simply because kerry is not there. >> reporter: a moment of accomplishments with no guarantee of more to follow in other world news i.s.i.l. has launched a major assault against government-held areas in eastern syria. there are conflicting reports about the number of casualties. at least 135 people were killed in the attacks. russian fighter jets carried out air strikes in support of

government forces. in indonesia 12 people have been arrested in connection were thursday's i.s.i.l. attack in the capital. police say the gunmen had planned to target other indonesian cities. the death toll from the attacks in the jakarta's main business district has now risen to eight. china has warned taiwan to abandon what it calls hallucinations for independence. tsai ing-wen, the first female president. >> reporter: history was made in taiwan on saturday night. the first woman president was elected by a landslide. tsai ing-wen was narrowly defeated four years ago, but on this night the woman who likens herself to angela merkel stood vict victorious. >> translation: i will form a

firm foundation for our development. we have told the international community that the spirit of democracy is part of the lives of the taiwan people >> reporter: on the other side, a completely different scene. the nationalist k.m.t. candidate concedes defeat and resigns as party chairman. >> translation: sorry everyone. i let you down. we have been defeated. the k.m.t. lost the election. we dont well and failed our supporters' expectations >> reporter: some nationalist party supporters are unsure of what comes next >> translation: this is a big impact for our country. i taiwan is stepping into an unknown situation. we don't know what will happen in the future >> reporter: the opposition now becomes the ruling party, representing a shift in political power this island republic has never seen and something the younger generations are eager for >> translation: the future of

taiwan will be better. young people will have a better future and the next generation will be much better. >> reporter: in her victory sheech she thanks-- tsai ing-wen thanked her opponents, supporters and the u.s. >> translation: we will make sure that there will be mechanisms to continue communicating with china. i will follow taiwan's best interests and make sure the cross-strait relationship will carry on as it has before. >> reporter: 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 independence while maintaining good relations with taiwan's huge neighbor across the state. a neighbor who still views the island as its own territory

i'm joined by edward chen, a professor at the graduate institute of the americas. thank you for being with us. taiwan has its first female presidential. just how significant is this for a president that is already seen as a model for other asian nations? >> yes. i think tsai ing-wen as the first female person in the chinese people many will be respected by mainland china and the united states, particularly the u.s. is worrying about a tight election result iing acro the strait. this is what the u.s. worry most and is trying every possible

means to bring the situation in the older relations in the right track. this is the most difficult task ahead of the united states. on the other hand, china is warning that it will insist on one china policy and we are hoping that tsai ing-wen could accept consensus or find a new consensus which is acceptable to china, but it is not easy because if china accepts new consensus, it must be contained the so-called core value system, that is one-china principle. this is something for tsai ing-wen to talk about in public it is not going to be easy because, as you know, and as

you've mentioned, china reacting today saying that the dpp's aspirations for independence are hallucinations. she says the taiwanese people will be the basis for negotiations with china. what is her next step to be in your opinion? >> i think sympathy will not accept consensus immediately after her victory in taiwan, but later on when u.s. exerts its political pressure and china is trying every possible means to influence taiwan, i think taiwan may change a little bit step-by-step because i don't think that according to our past observation she will not tell us that the final resort from her

mouth. her words will be squeezed bit by bit, just like with the truth past thank you for joining us. >> you're welcome still ahead on al jazeera green finger space men will tell you what makes this picture of a flower so special. influences we go on a ride-- plus we go on the ride of a life time with cow boys.

welcome back. a recap of our top stories. nuclear-related sanctions against iran have been lifted. international atamic agency confirms that iran has complied with an agreement signed last year. prisoners released from iran. china has warned taiwan to abandon what it calls hallucinations for independence. that's after the pro-independence candidate won the island's presidential elections in a landslide. in burkina faso security forces have rescued at least 150 people who were taken hostage in the capital. the assault on the hotel in

ouagadougou left 28 people dead including many foreigners. it began late on friday night when al-qaeda-linked attackers stormed a building and a nearby café. >> reporter: the splendid hotel under siege. gunfire rang out throughout the night as explosions were heard from inside. masked gunman ataked the hotel on friday evening. they set cars on fire and also attacked a catch an across the street. >> translation: it was horrible because everyone was panicking. people were lying on the ground and there was blood everywhere. they were shooting people at point blank range. the noise of the explosion was really allowed. it was traumatizing. i think these people are really wicked. >> reporter: french troops were called in to help security forces retake the hotel. they rescued dozens of people. many were shot and are receiving treatment at hospital.

>> translation: we did our best to try and get out. they shot me in the arm and i have an open fracture. they destroyed my vehicle as well. >> reporter: an al-qaeda-linked group took responsibility for the assault. the most recent like attack was in november in mali. this is the first attack of its kind in ouagadougou. the president was elected two months ago as burkina faso's anywheres new leader in a decade. how he deals with this crisis is being seen as his first big test in office >> translation: we would like to salute the responses of everyone who participated in this situation and salute the french and americans help. it is important that we can share information with our neighboring countries and military means to shit against the scourge >> reporter: the challenge for

him now will be to come up with a long-term plan to tackle those groups man was imprisoner in years. u.n. has condemned his jailing and called for his immediate release. democratic presidential candidates in the u.s. are holding the fourth debate on sunday. that's just before luthar king day. not a single black candidate will be on stage for the debate. our correspondent reports. >> reporter: >> we are still going through the same problems >> reporter: he is one of the lesser known presidential candidates currently campaigning in south carolina. still businessman willy wilson has succeeded on getting on the ballot in 13 states.

when they hold the fourth debate on sunday he will be absent >> we're going to have three white candidates on the stage talking about african american issu issues. not to allow me to be up there is a shame. >> reporter: the former governor was almost excluded for he struggled to meet the debate capturing at least 5% approval in national polls. o'malley and others charge the democratic party has . here in south carolina the absence of any candidate of color on a weekend dedicated to luthar king is painful. that is because it is taking place blocks from here where last june nine african american churchgoers were murdered while

attending a prayer service. the white man responsible for the shooting is awaiting trial. two months earlier just kilometers away by stander video captured a white police officer shooting walter scott in the back as he ran to escape arrest. the police officer faces murder charges but he is not in jail. the irony to not hold a debate seems lost on democratic candidates. according to some black lives matter activists >> there's no way we can support a party who doesn't think it is worthwhile enough to have the only black candidate on the stage talking about a black lives matter issue >> reporter: both democratic front runners bernie sanders and hillary clinton have met with the movement to convince them they will fight for racial justice, but neither politician nor their party has to date welcomed a minority candidate to any debate

>> we should have automatic kinds of people out there protesting. >> these are supposed to be the people representing the down trodden, but unfortunately, like dr king said, sometimes the biggest it is the big yeft barrier for the movement >> reporter: highlighting the first day the king struggled has yet to be won the american film maker michael more has visited his home town of flint, michigan. >> reporter: the president has declared a federal emergency in flint but moore has called on president obama to see himself >> i came to ask, request, insist that president obama when he is at the detroit auto show,

come to flint michigan. we need the president of the united states here. we need federal help. we need fe ma, we need the epa, we need the cdc and we need the engineers to south where activists want the government to speed up legislation to give poor people access to affordable generic drugs. some of those affected are cancer patients. our correspondent reports on the struggle to get the medicine they need. >> reporter: this woman has breast cancer. she said doctors at a public hospital close by can't help her >> they don't have medication. they just give me panadol, brufen and sometimes just oxygen. after that discharged. >> reporter: according to the cancer association of south africa, more than 100,000 south africans are diagnosed with

cancer every year. facilities across the country can't manage the numbers >> reporter: this is the nearest hospital in the area, but it doesn't have an onological department. cancer patients have to go to johannesburg to get the drugs. >> reporter: drugs in south africa are expense ich and state-run hospitals have no or limited supplies >> now, how many women and men throughout that died mean while they could have got help and they couldn't, it was the only drug and prolonged their life so they may raise their children for god's sake >> reporter: countries like india and argentina apply to a law that limit the number of drug patents are granted but south africa has yet to do that >> the patents are mainly being granted to international drug companies who want to protect their patents in this country. it means that south african-based companies which are mainly generic companies,

can't come to the market on those drugs for a longer period of time because they're waiting for those patents to end >> reporter: the government has a drug policy that could make drugs easily available and affordable. the department of trade and strip says cabinet is working on fixing the patent laws. the issue is agreeing on a consensus >> there are other issues which would not benefit the pharmaceutical companies, although they would benefit the generic industry and vice versa. i think a lot more attention has to be given to this draft anti policy, especially the wording so there is no inkon coherent understanding that comes to it >> reporter: these people need affordable drugs that could save or prolong their lives a colorful but dangerous tradition in argentina's rural areas is thriving.

it showcases the best horsemen in the country. >> reporter: this one is happening in the province. this is this man's first time. he is 18 years old and works as a mason. if he stays on a horse nor eight seconds he will have a chance of winning the prize. >> translation: i started when i was very young and we do it not only because of tradition but also because we can win some prizes that help us financially. >> reporter: they're all around argentina. they're a tradition that roamed the country 200 years ago. in fact, most of those who partnership in these events have second jobs in the country's farming industry. people compare this event to a world cup because they say that

every rider in the country dreams about being here. the horses are also chosen purposefully. they have to have a special spirit and probably they will never be at the timed. horses are crucial in events like this one. animals rights group worry about the treatment of the horses but this man says they're wrong. >> translation: the horse is ridden for about eight seconds in an event like this one. they're used for about two minutes a month. they have to be strong and beautiful to be used in events like this one. >> reporter: it has gone from being a traditional event to being a sport. they want it to be recognised as one of the argentina's national sports. >> translation: we are pushing for lay that makes this an official sport. it is becoming more and more professional. riders now train, go to the gym and prepare all year for the big event. >> reporter: a dangerous sport that injures dozens of riders

every year, but this man says he is not afraid. he is 28 years old and has been doing this for over a decade. >> translation: i've seen my family cry for me many times, but this is what i love and what has helped me have my horse and my family. >> reporter: a passion for horses, respect for the old tradition and the extra financial incentive, a powerful mix that makes it an essential event of argentina's countryside the oscar nominated movie the martian showed matt damon growing vegetables in space. astronauts on the space station have been doing it for real. they are eating space-grown lettuce and it now has the first flower. this is more difficult to grow

than most plants. these will allow astronauts to feet themselves on future missions to mars. more news on our website at aljazeera.com thanks for joining us, i'm joie chen. it's a welcome announcement. the world health organisation announced that west africa is officially ebola free. there may be a false sense of security attached to that sigh