two female attackers have thrown hand grenades and opened fire at a police station at istanbul. we will have a live update on that welcome. you're watching al jazeera live from doha. also ahead on this program. greece says it will make long-term plans to help at least 100,000 stranded refugees on its soil. north korea fires short-range projectiles into the se sea hours after the u.n. imposed tough new sanctions. australian officials say that

debris washed ashore may be from the missing malaysian lost flight let's get you up-to-date with that story, breaking news out of turkey. armed tackers have targeted a police station in a suburb of istanbul. there are currently no reports of any casualties. the attackers are thought to be trapped in a neighboring building. armed police have cordoned off the area. we will stay with these pictures. live to our correspondent who is on the line on the turkish border. get us up to speed. as far as we know, what is the latest? >> reporter: well, what we understand is that these two assailants tried to attack the police station. some proceed jebbing aisle,

probably hand-- projectile was thrown at the station, probably a grenade. they were holed up in a neighboring building. there was some reports of exchange of gunfire, but that is to be verified. it is the latest in attacks that have been rocking turkey, both in istanbul and ankara over the past few weeks and months security, obviously, slightly heightened. there was a suicide bomb attack on january 12. that killed ten people, most of them german tourists. >> reporter: indeed. turkey is grappling with two forms of violent groups, one i.s.i.l. and the attack that you just mentioned in istanbul but also there has been a significant increase of attacks by kurdish armed groups and linked with the p.k.k. which the

turkish government considers a terrorist organization. the explosions that took place in ankara and there is likely to be linked to the conflict between the government and the armed kurdish group. bearing in mind that there are some parts of eastern turkey, kurdish areas, that were under curfew for a long time. most of that curfew has been lifted in the past 24/48 hours. this is something that might throw the spanner back into the works with regards to trying to get some sort of easement in those areas rather than reducing t the-- increasing the tension thankfully no reports of any casualties. either the people who have been on the rereceiving end acted

quickly or the security services reacted quickly as well. >> reporter: the target of the attack was the police station and by default those institutions have a level of security 24 hours a day. we also understand that this is not over. the people are holed up in a building. depending on how die hard they are will determine how long it will go on. as it stands now, it appears the situation is somewhat under control.

they are in one building. the services will be trying to re-establish calm as quickly as possible. this will be something to bode we well thanks very much. we will continue to monitor that. no casualties as of yet. the south korean defense ministry says north korea has fired short range projectiles. it ised to have been from wonsan to the east sea. it comes hours after the u.n. security council voted to impose tough new sanctions on pyongyang. >> translation: north korea has fired several short-range projectiles from the ponsan city to the east sea. we are monitoring and tracking

while maintaining readiness harry fawcett with this update. >> reporter: the ministry of defense in south korea saying a number of projectiles have been fired into the sea off the eastern coast of the korean pen insular. the news have been talking about a range of apparently 100 to 150 kilometers. varies numbers have been mentioned-- various numbers have been mentioned. it is unclear whether they were short range or from a multi rocket launch system such as was unveiled in a major parade in october in pyongyang last year. it is understood analysis is underway on that point. the minister of defense is saying that its military remains in a heightened state of redness watching out for any further actions by its counterparts in

north korea. we are coming into a period of annually heightened tensions between north and south because there are military exercises due to get underway over the next few days between the u.s. and south korean forces. it is expected they're going to be bigger than usual. they might include rehearsals for a pre-emtive strike. north korea has come out against the reports saying it reserves the right to attack south korean seats of government. we do expect a round of heightened tensions. this is the first north korean reaction to this passage, the resolution passage as we mentioned that all follows the u.n. security council voting to impose the toughest sanctions on north korea in two decades. >> translation: it is so decided. >> reporter: almost two months

after north korea carried out its nuclear test, they give their response. a unanimous vote in favor of the toughest sanctions resolution yet. >> as the resolution as we have adopted today underscores today, all the dprk's resources are chanldz into its reckless an relentless pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. they would rather than grow the nuclear weapons program than grow their own children. >> reporter: the launch of a satellite during the negotiations over this resolution, it may have helped persuade the chinese to agree to these new extensive measures. the text of the resolution, which is almost 20 pages long, was discussed in numerous meetings between the u.s. and china. some parts clearly directed at the north korean leadership

among the luxury goods banned, aadequatic recreational vehicles, such as jet skis and know mobiles. despite the agreement on the resolution, china is still strongly opposed to u.s. plans to deploy a high altitude between system in south korea. >> translation: all parties concerned should avoid actions that should further aggravate the tension on the ground. china opposes the deployment of thaad on the korean pen insular because it harms the interests of china and other countries of the region and goes against the goal of maintaining the peace and security of the peninsula. >> reporter: there are two questions. the providess going further than before, but will it be properly kwlektd. in the past when north korea has been punished by the council it

has provoked them to take further action tensions are flairing on the greece-macedonia border. thousands remain stranded and prevented from passing through by police. they blocked a railway line. >> i feel miserable. i am absolutely depressed to face this hash situation in such a place in europe. we didn't have such an idea of to be treated like this in a place which is called europe. i am very sad for that. i am sorry to say such circumstances. we left one death and to face another death. >> reporter: meanwhile greece said it is making long-term plans to help at least 100,000

stranded refugees. the country's immigration minister says greece will have to be ready for the arrival of more. >> translation: we have to consider and that 100,000 refugees will remain. greece is turning to the main hot spot in europe this tougher stance of refugees in europe have seen people give up on their new life. many iraqis have returned home. they felt isolated and discriminated against. >> reporter: it is a busy day here at baghdad international airport, packed with iraqis whose life hasn't worked out as they hoped. some experienced racism, others were frustrated by delays in the resettlement process. most didn't feel welcome, so they have come back to iraq,

back to the violence and unrest but also back to a place they call home. >> translation: i have returned to iraq because there are so many refugees in europe and the resettlement process is slow. only a small number of people are process episode. they bant as many refugees to come back to iraq. >> reporter: the government sources estimate that around 117,000 people left iraq for germany last year. up to 40% have already returned. some blame the physical ied conditions in refugees-- squalid conditions in refugee camps. >> reporter: this is one of a growing number who have returned home. he lived in germany and finland last year before settling in sweden. he waited eight months for papers to be processed without success. eventually he gave up trying. >> translation: the swedish authorities are not doing enough

to help refugees. many like me have had to return home. i decided to come back to iraq when i heard the swedish parliamentary m saying sweden would only give temporary residence to refugees. he said once our countries are stable we would have to go back. >> reporter: he arrived with high hopes. he said he didn't feel welcome so they are were quickly dashed. >> translation: europe was a lie to me. people in europe are concerned about humanitarian situation but there's a lot of racism. >> reporter: airport staff are preparing for more busy days and weeks ahead. they're getting temporary passports to enable them to come home quickly let's take you to the heart of the story. our correspondent joins us live. some people are saying the

border is completely sealed and yet we're hearing reports that dozens, if not scores of people, did manage to get into in effect western europe over night and into the early hours of this morning. >> reporter: i would say that the border is actually partially open. the balkan states have been announcing over the past week or so that they will only allow 500 refugees at a time of 24 hours. that has been very slow to take off, but in the period from tuesday midnight to wednesday midnight it was the first day that 500 people have actually made it through. the border was opened a few hours early this morning. we still don't have a figure about how many were allowed through, but no matter what, this is an extremely slow process. if you just look at the amount of people that you probably see here behind me camped in their tents, you have the same sight on the other side of the road

and then tracks over there, considering that there's about 10,500 who are here, that's the latest estimate as of last night, it would take a long time to aevacuate those who are here notwithstanding the 5,000 who are trapped on the island and those who are still in athens what else do we know about these greek long-term plans? >> reporter: greece is bracing itself that it might actually become the hot spot as they call it for refugees considering all these problems at the border, how slow they're tri keling in-- - trickling in. in past there was a some applied throughout 2015 is whoever arrived on the island got the paper from the greek authorities and that allowed them go all

along the route into western europe. that has collapsed. when they arrive here they have to make sure that the paperwork is correct. under pressure the greek authorities were marking the date of birth of a lot of refugees as of 1 january. so you see a lot of people here all have that issue. there is a long queue for them now to change their paperwork and to have the right date of birth on it. once you get access to the crossing point, you will have a new registration paper that would allow you to go through all the balkan states until you reach austria and not anyone is allowed there. photocopies are not allowed. people don't have all the paperwork needed because the government stopped operating where they came from. it is a complicated issue and a lot of people will remain stranded here. the greeks are bracing themselves for that.

they've opened five reception centers here in northern greece. there's no sign that they want to stay there. a lot of them will leave those reception centers and walk for kilometers to reach this crossing point here back to the latest pictures out of istanbul. there's a situation thereon going, very much a live situation. as is the way with these things, difficult at the moment because we were p are tracking this as it develops minute to minute hour to hour, separate out what we know and what we're told. two female assailants threw grenades at the administrative offices of the riot police in istanbul. apparently reportedly the police responded by firing back on them after that attack. it took place in the district.

they clashed with the police. the police apparently were using shotguns of the that's one unconfirmed report. they fled to a car. the number plate was a commercial plate. they made their escape on foot. the operation is still ongoing. the people were trapped inside a neighboring building. that building has been sealed off. the area is in lock down. that's the very latest information that we have. we will keep you up-to-date with the developments as they continue to follow unfold. coming up, a focus on preventing elephants from being slau

terrored-- slaughtered. >> reporter: we will explain to you how the tough sanctions against north korea will impact this community known as the gateway between china and north korea. h korea.

top stories from al jazeera this hour. two female attackers have opened fire on a police station in istanbul. there are no reports of casualties. the situation is ongoing. they're thought to be trapped in a neighboring building. tensions are flaring on the greece-macedonia border as people are prevented from passing through. they have blocked a railway line. the south korean defense ministry says north korea has fired several short range projectiles towards the east sea. the launch comes hours after the u.n. security council voted to impose tough sanctions on pyongyang. malaysia's transport minister says he will work with a team

from australia to determine whether debris is connected to the missing flight mh370. these pictures of debris were found last year. they were released by australian transport bureau. >> we would like to get hold of the debris as soon as possible. that's why we are working with australia in a fast manner. on the other hand, we also send a team to investigate. they are working together to inspect and check the debris more on the u.n. security council resolution on north korea. scott heidler alongs at the new sanctions which-- looks at the

new sanctions. >> reporter: it is the main gateway here to north korea from china. even though there's winter there should be more north korean tourists using one-day passes in china. this women and her husband opened this restaurant and have been doing well until recently. >> translation: our business has been affected a lot since people talked about sanctions against north korea. there is a big decrease in the number of customers. yesterday there were only two tables from north korea. normally there would be four or five tables. >> reporter: there will be a much bigger impact here than a decline in tourism. one element of the sanctions against north korea came after weeks of closed-door negotiations between the u.s. and china.

they agreed that all cargo that goes into or goes out of north korea will be inspected. that means any cargo carrying train carriage or lorry will be expected that crosses these bridges. the responsibility of doing that rests on the chinese government. china says it agreed to suffer sanctions as they see them as a way to pressure north korea back to negotiations at the six party talks. they stalled eight years ago. china sees the talks as the best way to end the diplomatic confrontation between the relevant of the world and north korea. china spent 350 million dollars on this bridge that was due to open two years ago. on the north korea side of the yellow river, scant little work has been done. only a dirt ramp. with these new sanctions in place, this might remain a bridge to nowhere for years to

come iran has called the decision by the gulf cooperation council to label hepz as a terrorist group a mistake - hezbollah. it is proud of the lebanese group and the latest move is undermining peace and unity in lebanon. the leader accused saudi arabia of directing car bombings in lebanon. scientists in west africa are hoping to fine ways to stop the spread of the zika virus. they're helping people by using similar technology to detect zika through ee bowl equipment. >> reporter: this scientist and his team are in high demand. they got a call from scientists in brazil asking help for tackling the zika outbreak. they travelled to the worst affected region carrying this suitcase. it is a solar powered virus

detection set. inside the suitcase is a miniature state-of-the-art laboratory. with just a tiny blad sample this team can see whether a person or a mosquito is infected with the virus. >> translation: we can find out the genetic make up of the virus wherever it is located and found in any bodily fluid >> reporter: currently it takes five days to detect the virus when patient develop symptoms. >> reporter: this machine can detect it in 15 minutes. thousands in south america has been infected with the virus and it is spreading. researchers say zika could be linked to the birth defect of microcephaly. >> translation: we have not

found a direct link between zika and microcephaly, but there is an association. we are seeing it in combination with zika but we don't know the nature of the relationship. >> reporter: scientists believe early detection is key and that this equipment can make a difference. it was previously used during the ebola outbreak here in west africa. detecting cases early was crucial in slowing the spread of the virus and bringing the outbreak to an end. scientists want to bring out these suitcases to affected areas as soon as possible. the challenge in tackling the virus is the lack of scientific knowledge. something researchers here have plenty of. zika has been in west africa for more than 40 years. the strain of zika in africa is different, though, and it has not been a major health hazard here. brazilians are using kits modelled on this one.

the team is packing their bags one more time to head back to south america to help out it's worldwide life day. it was established by the u.n. to celebrate and protect wildlife diversity. the illegal ivory trade has made hundreds of millions of dollars. the elephant population is now estimated to be below 500,000. between 2010 and 2012 about 100,000 were killed for their tusks. around 8% of the population is poached annually. asia, especially china, is the main market for ivory for its medicinal and decorate use. wayne hay has more. >> reporter: ironically the

elephant is regarded as the national animal of thailand and yet this is one of the key transit routes in the illegal trade. a lot is trafficked into thailand from africa and then onto countries like laos, vietnam and china. there is also a demand for ivoy products and it is thought that thailand has one of the largest ivory carving industries. it is illegal in thailand, but selling ivory from domesticated animals is not. that is making it hard to tell where the products are coming from. last year the thai government passed a law saying that owners of domestic animals must be registered. clearly the demand is still outstripping the legal supply

you're now right up-to-date with all the top stories from al jazeera here in doha. do checkout the website. it's always there for you. aljazeera.com. you can get more on that north korea story there. korea story there. the science of fighting a wild-fire. we're going to explore the intersection of hardware and humanity and we're doing it in a unique way. this is a show about science, by scientists. tonight, techknow investigates the ivory trail they've tried to seize it, burn it, but nothing has stopped the terrible trade in illegal ivory.