state's freethrows worked, the sun devils won 86-68. the syrian government team begin talks with the u.n. in geneva, but the opposition representatives are refusing to take part. ♪ hello there, i'm felicity barr, and you are watching al jazeera live from london. also coming up. [ explosion ] >> four people killed in an attack on a shiite mosque in eastern saudi arabia. rescued from an uninhabited island, but more than 200 other refugees have died in the aegean this month. and talking without trump.

republican presidential hopefuls square off in a televised debate, but the most controversial voice is missing. ♪ hello, the syrian government delegati delegation has arrived in geneva. as parties gather around the negotiation table, discussions have already run into trouble. some of the main opposition groups saying they won't take part until conditions are met. they are calling for the lifting of sieges and stop of air strikes. syrian demonstrators outside are calling for more action to stop the conflict. > james bayes is outside the u.n. headquarters. >> reporter: talks are underway right now, in terms of talks between the syrian government

delegation and the united nations. the syrian government i think making clear its position. in fact we are expecting in the next few minutes to hear from the syrian ambassador to the united nations in new york, because he is heading this delegation that's come here to geneva. a large delegation came from damascus. he was back in damascus before he headed here. he will be coming a short time from now if you look over there to the microphone. there are a great deal of press gathered to hear the words from the one side that is here at these negotiations. there are some opposition figures who have been invited in an individual capacity here. but the main opposition block though one that includes the main political figures, the main armed groups, they are not here in geneva. they have written letters to the u.n. secretary general ban ki-moon copied to the u.n.

security council, saying they have conditions before they come here. they say they cannot negotiate here in geneva about peace when they are still being bombarded on the ground, when civilians are still being besieged and they want some of the basic provisions in the u.n. security council resolution passed at the end of last year, resolution 2254. they want those actually to be respected before they are going to come here. we have got talk that perhaps they will be on their way to geneva, but the latest information, and it has been a confusing picture all day is that that plane has not taken off yet. >> and that means presumably the u.n. is not concerned about the arrival of that block. because the negotiatation simply can't happen without them. >> reporter: absolutely, but there is also the idea from the united nations and those supporting this process, the

international support group, and that's one of the main things that is different from the talks that failed two years ago, is you have all of the regional and international players who say they are embracing this process, and they have to keep the momentum going, and that's why the u.n. made what i'm sure was a difficult decision to go ahead with things today, hoping it will encourage the main opposition block to make their way to geneva. we are getting some indications that they will be making their way to geneva, but they are not here yet. >> james bayes keeping us up to date on those talks in geneva. thanks, james. ♪ at least four people have been killed in an attack on a shiite mosque in saudi arabia. it .. -- happened during friday

prayers. 18 others were hurt. witnesses said one suicide bombbom bomber blew himself up outside of the mosque, a second exchanged gunfire with security personal and was latest arrested. no one has claimed responsible for the attack. a senior columnist for the saudi gazette, and says security forces are questioning one of the shooters. >> there was two shooters. one of them was trying to get into the mosque, but was stopped by the security officers, and when they found he had something wrong about him, they tried to capture him, so he ran away, and they cut him. they -- wounded him and cut him alive. the other one managed to get in and shoot at the -- at the -- at the people inside the mosque.

between the last sermon and [ inaudible ] and they managed to also to warn him with the help of the people in the mosque, and they -- they killed him at the end. so one of the shooters was killed. the other was captured, wounded, and hopefully he will lead to the security forces to other leads. the united nations is investigating new allegations of child abuse by european soldiers in central african republic. the cases involve minors aged between 17 and 16 years old. some of the alleged victims identified french after georgian groups as their abusers. the troops are there to control violence. the u.n. high commissioner for human rights has promised a full investigation. >> these are extremely serious accusations, and it's crucial these cases are urgently and

thoroughly investigated. we are heartened at the initial response we have received from the countries concerns as well as the european union, which show they take these allegations very seriously. we will continue to closely follow up on these cases, and any others which emerge as the u.n. team on the ground continues its investigations. >> gabriel elizondo sent this update from the u.n. in new york. >> reporter: these are very troubling new allegations. there is a lot of new allegations as well, and i want to run down what we know as of right now. there are currently two new allegations of sexual misconduct by french troops in the central african republic. these allegations date back to 2014, but just came to light now. there are also four new cases of alleged wrongdoing by e.u. troops in the central african republic. these came to light also recently, also date back to 2014. it was apparently four young

girls, teenagers, all of whom said that they were sexually abused by e.u. troops. three of the girls pointed the finger at georgian contend gent of troops who they say were the perpetrators of this alleged crime. we are also hearing new information, that the u.n. has confirmed that they -- as part of this investigation also have new allegations of sexual misconduct by u.n. peace keepers themselves. while the u.n. has not released any information about this, sources tell al jazeera that there are five new allegations of sexual misconduct by u.n. peace keepers in central african republic, and they are peace keepers from morocco, niger, bangladesh, and the democratic republic of congo, as well as one police keeper, part of the u.n. from senegal. we expect to hear more from the u.n. about this in the coming

hours. 96 refugee camps and migrants have been rescued from an uninhabited greek island. the group mainly from syria and iraq, and containing many families with young children had waded ashore and spend the night on the beach. it has been the deadliest week in the aegean sea with 80 people dying in the past few days. >> as a point of reference, there weren't this many deaths on the aegean side of the mediterranean last year until the middle of september, so we're here now at the end of january, already 218 deaths on that route, and also deaths in the central mediterranean, libya to sicily have been picking up rapidly in the last few days. there are calls for the way germany thinks about integrating refugees.

al jazeera's dominic kane visited a language class to look at some of the challenges. >> reporter: their struggle to get to germany is over. now the main task is to learn a new language. safely installed in a classroom, these syrians are glad to have left their country's troubles behind. >> translator: i came here to have a peaceful life. it feels good. i have security, and i have the peace i have been longing for, but it was hard to leave home and family. >> reporter: the teacher came to germany herself 12 years ago from dubai. she says her experiences made her want to help these people integrate. but in recent months, things have gotten much tougher. she says the attacks on women in cologne on new years eve has changed everything. >> there were a lot more people, german people that were excited at the thought of having

refugees here in the beginning than they are now. telling a german now a somedays that more refugees are coming is like slapping them in the face. >> reporter: a recent opinion poll seems to bare this out. for the first time the majority of germans belief their country cannot cope with the refugee influx. more than two-thirds expect crime will rise as a result. and nearly three-quarters favor tougher laws for dealing with aasylum seekers who commit crimes. that is of particular concern for social workers like this man. he gives advice to new refugees and migrants in an area of berlin. he believes that one problem is that most of the recent arrivals are looking to integrate into society. new other arrivals want to prey on it. >> translator: there are people that want to live here and enrich our society, and we have people that are hostile through their actions.

it's not only that money plays a role, but also that they are hostile and dishonest. >> reporter: angela merkel's view on refugee policy has long been we can do it. but now several senior members of her own party are openly disagreeing, and demanding radical changes, whether they get them, may well depend on public opinion, and the first key test of that, will come in six week's time when three states hold parliamentary elections. dominic kane, at the headquarters in berlin. still ahead, police in the u.s. release video footage showing how a prom nanth protester at a wildlife refuge was shot. and we look at sri lanka where people are returning to land handed back after the war with the tamil tigers.

hello, again. talks aimed at ending the war in syria are underway without the attendance of opposition delegates. and the u.n. is promising a full investigation following claims of sexual abuse by european soldiers in central african republic. republican presidential contenders in the u.s. have squared off in their last debate before monday's vote in iowa state. the party's most prominent

presidential hopeful was notable by his absence. alan fisher reports. >> reporter: the final debate before the first vote, and the front runner missing. donald trump no-show had to been the subject of the first question. >> let me say, i'm a maniac, and everyone on this stage is stupid fat and ugly, and ben you are a terrible surgeon. now that we have gotten the donald trump portion out of the way -- [ laughter ] >> reporter: this is shaping up to be a battle between outsiders and the main britishment, lead by marco rubio. >> this campaign is about the greatest country the world. >> reporter: across town donald trump held his own event at the same time, attracting hundreds,

attracting pub policety. >> you have to stick up for your rights. when you are treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights. [ cheers ] >> you have to do it. and whether it's something we want to do or not -- and that's something our country has to do. as an example, iran, the way they have been treating us, this deal is one of the worst deals i have ever seen negotiated under any circumstances, and we just take it. >> reporter: the events saw several protests which provoked loud exchanges in the hall. >> now we move on to the topic of immigration -- >> reporter: back at the official event, one of the most spirited parts of the debate, the question of immigration. >> when that battle was waged, by friend senator rubio chose to stand with barack obama and support amnesty. >> the truth is ted out there

this campaign you have been willing to say or do anything in order to get votes. you worked for george w. bush's campaign. you helped design george w. b h bush's immigration pollty. >> reporter: on one channel almost all of the candidates arguing their case. and on almost every single other channel, the party's main contender, putting forward his reasons for not being at the debate. donald trump claims he has raised almost $6 million for charities from his event, but the more important counting will be the votes here in iowa on monday. four people remain on a u.s. wildlife refuge was that taken over by an armed group earlier this month. the fbi released a video said to show how one member was shot dead by oregon police officers. kristen saloomey reports. >> reporter: the fbi says it

released this video to dispel misinformation about what lead to the death of lavoy finicum, a spokesman for the occupiers seen here. two weeks are seen stopping at the roadblock, established by oregon state troopers. finicum is driving the white pickup. ammon bundy is a passenger in the jeep. one person who left the truck can be see in the lower right of the screen. nearly four minutes passed as the agents demanded that the other surrender, and then finicum speeds off. >> there is a spike strip across the road, but it appears finicum missed it. he narrowly hits an fbi agent as he maneuvers to the left. the truck gets stuck in a snow bank. >> reporter: that's when finicum gets out and reaches towards his jacket where according to the fbi, he was carrying a weapon.

state police opened fire. >> we did everything we could to bring this situation to a peaceful resolution. second, as was noted in the video, and as you will see, we waited a very long time, we were able to get one individual out of that truck safely, back and in custody. >> reporter: fbi officials say they know the occupation of the wild wife refuge has caused disruption and stress for local residents. they say anything associaters are working around the clock to get the remaining out safely and quickly. four remain, three men and a woman who say in videos posted online they will leave with assurances that they won't be arrested. >> we want to go home, peacefully, safely. >> reporter: speaking through his attorney, their jailed leader called on them to leave. >> my message still remains. turn yourselves in. do not use physical force.

use the national platform that we have to continue to defend liberty. >> reporter: he vowed to continue their fight for local control of federal lands through the courts. kristen saloomey, al jazeera, burns, oregon. the african unions peace and security council is meeting in ethiopia to discuss matters affecting the content. they will be investigating the potential need to send peace keepers to burundi. catherine soi sent this update from the ethiopian capitol. >> reporter: the heads of state who will be meeting in this hall will be considering a report tabled on the situation in burundi, and that is going to determine a lot of decisions they are going to make. they are going to be talking about the deployment of a.u. peace keepers to burundi.

the burundi government has rejected such a move, so the heads of state will be considering different options, including the possibility of sending in troops even without the con sect of burundi's government. saying there are provisions within the construction of the a.u. that mandate the a.u. to do this. but this also has to be approved by the u.n. security council. a lot of people follow burundi affairs, and the a.u. affairs will tell you, though, that the heads of state -- many heads of state will be reluctant to make such a move. burundi has an elected government, even if those elections are contested. so perhaps what the heads of state will do is to call for a more aggressive peaceful -- all inclusive talks, political dialogue that will be able to move the country forward, lobby

groups and human rights groups as well are calling for targeted sanctions, perhaps suspension from the a.u., suspension from regional bodies. so it will be very interesting to see what kind of positions come from this meeting, and how these positions will be implemented so that burundi can move forward. two journalists working for a french newspaper that were detained in burundi have been released. he was arrested when he asked where he colleague was. an exodus of people from the west african nation of mali has lead to about 200,000 displaced people in neighboring countries. caroline malone reports. >> reporter: like many malians, the man in the white jacket wants to go somewhere he can safely make a living, but there

are many hurdles to overcome. >> translator: the problem is we reached the first check point. they arrested us and canned each person to pay $17, and then they searched all of us, even our phones were confiscated. >> reporter: smugglers charge a hefty fee for these people taking this route. it can cost a traveler thousands of dollars. the migrants say they are being scammed to pay more than they agreed. >> the driver has not been searched nor was his assistant. >> reporter: an estimated 200,000 people have left their homes in mali. people are in need of humanitarian aid, but there are other nationalities on this stretch of desert road, including syrians who have already traveled a long way to get here after escaping war in their own country.

>> translator: we do not want to go to europe. we only want to go to a place with we can live peacefully. we want a place to live, eat, and drink. that's all. then there were people heading in the other direction back to mali. they got as far as the moroccan coast, but were unable to make it to europe. so now they have had to return. the dutch air force is to start bombing the islamic state of iraq and the levant in syria. after the government decided to boost its support of the u.s.-lead coalition. the dutch prime minister says four planes will now be deployed to syria, until at least july 1st. there has been a setback for refugees children wanting to be reunited with their families in the u.k. from the refugee camp

in calais. last week the judge ruled that three children and a disabled man could go to the u.k. because their safety was at risk. it was thought the initial ruling would set a precedent for the organization acting for the children, but the most recent decision will slow down anymore cases. >> we believe there are a few young people that fit the bill that have the same criteria as the ones who have been given access to appeal in the same way. so we will continue to do that with a handful of children that they sent supplies to. >> reporter: more than a year after sri lanka's president unexpectedly swept to power, military occupied land is being returned to displaced people. it follows criticism of his predecessor to ignore reconciliation following the bloody civil war with the tamil

tigers. >> reporter: it's a bitter-sweet moment. this woman and her brother had not seen their family home since 199 0. during the war, the area has been designated a high-security zone, everyone was expelled and the sri lanka army moved in. now both barely recognize the house they grew up in. >> translator: we were really sad the first time we saw it. this was a sitting room. visitors used to come here. it was always alive and nice. the only thing left is this paining. everything else is gone. everything is broken. >> reporter: six years after the war with the tamil tigers ended the soldiers are gradually pulling back. about 700 hectares confiscated in the north were returned to their owners over the past year. people won't be able to live here any time soon. the land a overgrown, and there

is no water. still, they are glad that after so many years, they got their property back, a first step towards national reconciliation, even though many say the government needs to do much more. many members of the tamil tigers are still in jail. others like this woman and her husband were detained after the war ended. he is going through a government-sponsored rehabilitation course, but she doesn't .know when he will be back home. >> translator: all of this time my husband hasn't been with me. if you are alone, society doesn't accept you. there are many females like me who are alone and isolated. >> reporter: the war has affected everyone here. the tamil tigers demanded that one member of each family join their ranks. so this woman was drafted one

day after she turned 18. she was injured and detained at the end of the conflict in 2009. >> reporter: life was not different, we were in the same situation, but because we were injured in think fighting. i wonder if they would have taken better care of us now. there is still work to be done if they want to reach real peace. it won't happen overnight. >> reporter: hundreds remain stranded in camps. some have been here for 25 years. for them, the pledges made by the president to restore sri lanka's tattered democracy and unite the country will only come true once they finally end their lives as displaced people. and with more on the political situation in sri lanka, talk to al jazeera will feature an in-depth interview with the president. and you can see that interview

on saturday at 0430 gmt. in the meantime you can find out much more about many of our stories on our website. the address to click on to as ever is aljazeera.com. aljazeera.com for all of the news and sport. ♪ slow growing. disappointing numbers for the u.s. economy in the fourth quarter. the truth is ted throughout this campaign you have been willing to say or do anything to get votes. >> gop presidential hopefuls trying to make a statement in the final push before iowa. new video reveals what happened in a final shootout with protesters. and police in southern california push the privacy boundary