the main syrian opposition group arrives saying it's keen to make the u.n. negotiations a success. david foster. you are watchingays. coming up: renewed tensions between erduan and putin after turkey is accused of violating turkey's airspace. >> more lives are lost in the agean. the u.s. presidential campaign lets up in iowa ahead of monday's caucus.

♪ >> syrian's main opposition representatives are in geneva. they have yet to commit to direct negotiations with the assad government. our diplomatic editor, james bays has the latest from geneva. >> reporter: a large group of press here, quite chaotic scenes when they arrived here because we all want to know the position, the exact position, of this the main opposition grouping. when the spokesman came here, they said that they still believe the u.n. resolution at the end of december means there are things that should be put in place now before talks take place. he said they weren't -- -- /* hiz group's conditions. conditions of the u.n. security council, and i pressed him as to

whether these conditions would have to be met before they sat down. >> if those conditions are not met, will you engage in talks? >> we will -- we are ready we are ready to start negotiation, but at least we should see something, you know, on ground there in syria. we should stop these massacres. save our children, the remaining children of syria and we are willing to do anything that puts an end to this war. we want to put an end to this isis, to terrorism in syria, we want to see a new syria. >> they want to see measures put in place but no longer does it seem that is a condition for the start of talks.

i understand that the opposition delegation is likely, and i have this from a number of diplomatic sources, likely to see steffen dimasora. not clear where the meeting will take place. some sources telling me it will be at the u.n. some say it will be away from the u.n. i think it's then a parallel meeting in many ways of the one we saw on friday with the syrian government. once those two meetings have taken place, i think there will be a little bit more discussion. but it's just possible we could actually see both sides in the same place. not the same room because that won't happen for some considerable time but maybe both in the u.n. and geneva on monday. i think that will be the best hope of the u.n. team trying to mediate these talks. >> let's look at what's happening in syria. another 15 are reported to have died. dozens injured by russian airstrikes that have targeted

rebel positions in the northern city of aleppo. this is the west opposition fighters say they have taken control of several checkpoints around amama. >> is did i havided between govt and opposition forces. one of the key issues being discussed is ending block aids of towns. doctors without borders says 16 people have died of malnutrition there recently despite aid convoys arriving earlier this month. mohammed jamjoon reports. >> it's continued suffering like this that syrian activists hope will make a meaningful impact in geneva. as demonstrators in various parts of syria are imploring diplomats to remember the plight of their people from those who have too little food to those taking cover from too many

bombs. >> reporter: a war zone as they hear of talks starting and stopping, many syrians say they aren't hopeful. >> the u.n. can't en ensure the delivery of cartons of milk to children of madia. they say despite the delivery of aid people continue to die of starvation. >> the aid is about to run out. it was delivered more than 10 days, the u.n. and the redcross know the aid we have can't last more than 15 days. we have lots of hunger here.

>> others are as angry with the divided opposition as they are with the syrian government. >> this is a message urging to unify. it's not just assad's barely bombs killing us. rel bombs killing us. you need to unite. >> unity and agreement have been in short supply so far in geneva where negotiations haven't even started yet while in syria, the death and devastation continues. mohammed jamjoom, al jazeera. sglshing /* /-. tensions between turkey and russia have escalated after turkey said their airspace was violated.

erdowuan's words, the russian state news agency says the country denies any such thing actually happened. nato secretary general warned russia to fully respect nato airspace and called for calm from both sides. there was already bad blood between the two countries after a similar incident last year. then turkey shooting down a russian fighter plane. remember the extraordinary pictures of that on november the 24th. 17 seconds was the time. >> if russia violates turkey's involve ren tee, they will bear the consequences. such irresponsible behavior will not improve the relationship between nato and russia or to peace in the region. on the contrary, it will do harm. >> let's hear from our

correspondent. circumstance. she is going to tell us about the response from turkey's foreign ministry. >> in their statement, they describe this incident as another example of russian esc latory behavior. even the president said that this was an attempt by russia to escalate tensions. the turkish foreign min streed said the plane violated their airspa airspace. they protested the action. they condemned the action. we have to remember tensions were at an all-time high a few weeks ago in november when the turkish air force shot down a russian jet. russia did not respond militarily. yes, there were a war of words but russia also took severe actions it imposed economic sanctions on turkey and it took a number of actions inside syria which really tied turkey's hands inside syria. we have to remember these two

powers are on the opposing divide in the syrian conflict. this is a very dangerous situation. we have also heard statements from nato urging russians to avoid such violations in the future. >> that was zeina khodr. dozens have drowned while trying to reach europe from turkey. they were on a boat thought to be carrying 120 people. you are likely to find the images in emma hayward's report stressing that's just a warning. >> reporter: casualties of war and poverty. among them a small boy, children and adults washed up on a beach in turkey. their boat sunk not far from the rocks. in all, it's thought about a third of those on board didn't make it, drowning as they tried to reach greece, a gateway to europe used by so many before them. some of the victims are thought

to have been from syria. all of this as politicians try to end the nearly five year war. overnight, another group of refugees tried to make the journey. stranded on rocks near le sp os against the darkness of the night, the only light came from the rescue boat. it was a daring operation with divers trying to reassure the men, women, and children that they would be rescued. eventually, they were pulled aboard, cold, frightened, but safe. more than a million have traveled to europe during the last year. the cold winter weather hasn't stopped people coming and neither have the conflicts that

have driven so many to take the risks of making these journeys. emma hayward, al jazeera. >> about a million people have gathered in rome to protest against a bill that, if approved, would legalize same-sex civil unions in italy. it's the only. we earn european nation without such a law. claudio was at the protest. they chose the circus maximus in rome to bring their fight against same-sex civil unions and sdopthsz. adoptions. a. tennessee of thounz of traditional families from all over italy together to say no to a law that proposes to give same-sex couples legal recognition and the right to adopt a partner's biological child. >> we are against this law because children are not given the right. since the beginning of time, children have come from a mother and father.

>> two men can't convert to life. you can't call that a family. it's selfish of them to want children just to satisfy their desires. >> italy is the only country in western europe without a law that legally recognizes and protection same-sex couples. it was condemned by the european court of human rights. that's one of the reasons the government is trying to fix the anamoly that clearly a lot of italians disagree. >> in a counter demonstration, last weekend, thousands of gay rights advocates showed support for the law in more than 100 cities across the country. on thursday, some of them gathered in front of the senate where the bill is being debated, a wake-up call for a country they say can't wait any longer to keep up with the rest of europe. >> we have been trying to have a law for same-sex couples in italy for the past 30 years. i hope the government finally, approves it without

compromiseses because this is already a compromise, as it's not a law that legalizes same-sex marriage, but it is a first step. >> the bill will be voted on the senate starting next week. but because of the hundreds of thousands of people who voice their opposition saturday, the outcome is far from predictable. al jazeera, rome. >> protestnors paris, different, you know, for them about sweeping security measures which were brought in after the november attacks in the french capitol. the government there is considering sending france's state of emergency, and that would give authorities the power to detain and arrest people without warrant. still ahead here on al jazeera, colombia announces more than 2,000 pregnant women have been infected with the zika virus. stay with us. also how argentina is trying to contain this huge ravenous swarm

of lo cus ts before they eat up people's livelihoods.

the top stories: syria's main opposition groups finally, arrived in geneva to participate, albeit indirectly at talks aimed at ending the civil war in syria. >> a russian jet allegedly violated turkish airspace. at least 39 refugees have drowned when their boat -- you see it here -- sank trying to

make crossing from turkey to greece on saturday. the world health organization is getting ready to convene an emergency meeting on monday about the explosive spread of the zika virus. it is becoming increasingly likely to spread beyond south and central america. colombia announced 2,100 pregnant women there are infected. that is significant because zika has suspected links to birth defects in babies. it has spread to 22 countries and territories in the region. it's moving outside the americas, too. the u.s. based center for disease control has noted recently transmission in the cape verde off africa in the pacific island nation of samoa. places such as new zealand reported cases of the virus with one man hospitalized. it's thought he picked up the

virus overseas rather than locally. back to brazil and roxann roxanna saberry? >> i was scratching. my whole family saw my chest and they were like wow. then you could see my lips, bushes in my lips, my eyes, my ears. >> lizzy morales is feeling healthy now but while visiting family in el salvador over christmas, she contracted the zika virus from a mosquitos virus? >> you have no strength, no energy, like to do anything, not to even sit down. all you want to do is lay down and sleep. >> since then, the center for disease control and prevention confirmed 30 cases in 11 states and the district of columbia. all of those people traveled abroad to affected area. on friday, a top u.s. health official says americans shouldn't panic. >> having said that, you don't want to walk away and be cavali cavalier. no, developing better vaccines, corrector control. we are doing everything that you would do if you were

anticipating that there is going to be an outbreak. >> the virus has spread fast mainly through the americas since last year prompting the c.d.c. to warn pregnant women against traveling to 22 countries in the region. the zika vircauses a mild illne in most people. there is growing evidence linking it to a birth defect called microcephaly, babies born with abnormally small heads and brains. cases are surging in brazil. on friday, brazil's president said her country launched nationwide efforts to eliminate breeding areas for the mosquitos. >> we are losing the battle against the mosquitos. why? because if the mosquitos keeps breeding, we are losing the battle against it. we have to mobilize to win this war. >> brazil is waging the battle as the country prepares for the olympics in august. on friday, the international olympic committee assured teams traveling there that the games would be safe from the virus,

but it also urged visitors to protect themselves by using mosquitos repel ant and wearing long-sleeve shirt and pants. >> we will do everything to ensure the health of the athletes a athletes. roxanna saberry. >> african leaders are attending a summit in burundi. correspondent cag resoi is at those talks. she reports. >> reporter: opening sessions of african union, about african unity and prosperity. u.n. secretary general ban ki-moon set the tone by expressing disappointment about south sudan's failure to meet a deadline to form a transitional unity government and criticized african leaders who want to hang on to powerbo beyond their time limits. >> leaders should never use undemocratic changes and legal

loopholes to cling to power. we have all seen the tragic consequences when they do. >> that was president robert mugabe giving a candid response lashing out at a u.n. security council. >> the bosses in the security council say you shall never have the powers that we have as permanent members. >> he got a standing ovation. many are waiting for a decision regarding burundi. it will set a precedent. >> we need to find a way in which transitions offer political space for various actors. prior to that, we do need to find a succession and panel that

makes it easier for leaders to contemplate. >> all particular interests where the opposition has been aking him to illegally run for a third time. the president hasn't declared intentions but cracking down. >> this is an election year for the au as well. the counsel members of the peace and security council have ended. at a time commission, zuma and later in the year. the new union chairperson has replaced president robert mugabe in his inaugural speech. he had no illusions about the task ahead in tackling the many problems afflicting africa. catherine soi, al jazeera. >> south sudan has an abundance of oil but it is actually making

a loss from producing it. the country has been paying sudan from which it separated in 2011. that's the price, anna cab he will reports. >> the streets of juba are quieter than usual. the drop in global oil prices is hitting south sudan hard. >> in the past, it would have been enough to feed you. now, it's only enough to buy water. two pounds used to be enough to buy sugar. now, you have to buy sugar for six pounds. >> when south sud ane gained independence from sudan, it inherited the majority of the oil fields. because both countries relied on oil revenue, a financial agreement was drawn up. south sudan agreed to pay sudan $3,000,000,000 over a period of three and a half years. the government has to pay about $10 for every barrel it trans

ports through sudan. while transport costs aren't uncommon, the south sudanese have to pay $15 for every barely it will trans ports as part of its transitional financial agreement. and with south sudan's grade of oil currently trading at about $20 and costs at $25, it's actually losing money by producing show oil. >> at this the only country i know that's making a loss on its oil production. >> in and of itself is pretty negative. >> to force a renegotiation of the agreement, south sud an's government recently threatened to shut down production all together. it didn't work as a delegation from sudan is expected for talks in juba soon. >> showing a willingness to review because the burden was

really huge under south sudan because what we are -- we were being paid was bigger that what we are getting. >> when the transitional fees were decided, the price of oil was much higher. now that it's declined, south sud an's greatest asset has become a financial burden. anna kabel, juba, south sudan. >> the first major contest of the u.s. election coming up on monday, candidates from both the republicans and democrats have been crisscrossing the state of iowa trying to secure votes. here are thementals they are trying to get across. >> people with health emergencies can't wait for us to have some theoretical debate about some better idea that will never, ever come to pass. >> as a son of immigrant, i know securing our border is not anti-i am grant. >> that's what sovereign countries do. we will do it when i am

president. >> if i am elected president, the first day in office, i intend to rip to shreds this. >> you can't do it without the cooperation without the muslim world. they are as threatened as we are. >> do we continue with establishment politics and economics? same ol', same ol'? or do we have the courage to do what's right for working families all over this country? >> my whole life has been take, take, right? i was greedy. i take. now, i am going to be greedy for the united states. i am going to take for the united states . >> i am doing this because i know how to get this country going to have a little leadership that you know respect again. >> watch me, my strength, my leadersh leadership ability, my intellect, my will. watch me turn sideways to right side up. sit there and watch me do it. that's the kind of president we

need, and that's the kind of president i will be. that's never a wasted vote ever. >> i see an america strong enough to deter foreign aggression yet wise enough to avoid unnecessary intervention. >> huge clouds of locati cus ts threatening to eat massive amounts in argentinargentina. daniel schweimler went there to investigate. >> reporter: a single lo cus t eats it's sglens own body weight in a day and eats any and all kind of vegetation. a 10 centimeter long insect can fly more than 50 kilometers. that's just one lo cus t. multiply it by millions and that single locus follows a ravenous devastating force. >> a huge swarm of flying

locusts arrived here and laid their eggs. what we are seeing is the product of that swarm. in reaming on has seen nothing like this since the early 1950s. >> we are going to where the locusts are concentrated and do the markets mum damage. we are trying to ensure they don't form swarmz. if they do, they will migrate and lay eggs somewhere else. >> stating a cultural agencies and people are working to find where the locusts are concentrated. then they fume gate. most of the insects are jumping. their wings haven't developed to fly. the challenge is to eradicate them before they take to the air. this is a race against time with local people and the authorities working together from dawn to dusk to try to external nature these locusts before they multiply out of control. if they do, then they will devour all of this vegetation in

the whole area destroying livelihoods, wiping out whole communities. >> the climate in this normally arrid region has changed. milder and rainfall greater. that's created the ideal breeding conditions for the locationis locusts. >> this is a job that can't be done alone. everyone is working together, private and public, and it's going very well. we are all working to lessen the impact of these locusts plagues. >> as the sun goes down, the locust settles for the night. locust hunters work in a coordinated effort to identify where best to fume gate early the next morning. if they get it right, they are on course to contain the threat. if they don't, the locusts multiply and eat everything in their path. daniel schweimler, arrangentina >> off of the coast of france, a cargo ship has been abandoned

now five days in the and the 22 crew were rescue the by helicopter. it's a panama flagship said to be carrying wood and diggers. aljazeera.com for all of the involved headlines. aljazeera.com. coast of hawaii, a scene of incredible beauty but a world in transition. ironically this piece of coral, delicate as fine china, is also a sign of trouble. >> today, we are facing the potential loss or massive degradation of all of our reefs. >> down here, climate ge