but, most of all, you have greek's own politicians. >> what is going on in brussels? what is the general mood among greeks? is there hope that these talks will actually improve people's lives? >> i think most greeks are expecting another shoe to fall, because the full details of these new austerity measures from of the last week have not been fully revealed to greeks. so i think they are preparing themselves for more austerity, even above what they're dealing with at the moment. >> ok, thank you so much for that update from athens. >> more consequences from the standoff in the persian gulf. the price of crude oil has surged to a new nine-month high after iran's move to shut off deliveries to france and britain. a barrel of benchmark north sea crude now cost $120. tehran is threatening to cut off oil to the entire european union and less economic sanctions are lifted. a europe -- european oil companies say they will be able to make up for any halt in iranian supplies. iran currently supplies of around 20% of the eu's crude oil needs, some 600,000 barrels per day. >> fa

. >> it came as a surprise to many in brussels on rent for its historic role in honoring the continent. >> they have helped to transform most of europe from a continental or continental peace. >> the president of the european parliament's interrupted the business to to vienna to respond. >> for me, this is also a personal thing. everything i have worked for, all the energy into pushing this forward has been honored today. >> there was a last-minute change to the schedule. currently in finland ahead of the european council summit, the finnish prime minister played down the importance of the eu's achievement. >> we had the two world wars. the we had european civil wars. >> the three main figureheads will accept the prize when it is awarded in oslo in december. >> our european affairs correspondent joins us from brussels. what was your response? >> generally, surprise and amazement. this came out of left field. politics and seeming to going to the trenches, as it were, so it sounded like a joke. if you ask me for my initial reaction, i now know at the end of this long day of celebration a

rabbis have been in brussels studying the decision. they call it the greatest affront to german jewry since the holocaust. >> they want to continue performing circumcision. they see it as a cornerstone of the identity of jewish children that makes jewish children -- >> the procedures have stopped. most circumcisions in germany are performed a muslim boys. doctors say the ruling is disturbing. >> we have advised alaric colleagues not to perform circumcisions until the courts -- our colleagues not to perform circumcisions until the courts to rule on their legality. otherwise they could face problems. >> it is a legal resolution to a fundamental religious issue. >> for more story, i am joined by the president of the conference of european rabbis. thank you. the court ruled that the child's body is permanently and irreparably changed by the circumcision and this change is counter to the interest of the child. what is your answer to that argument? >> it is in the interests of the child to be totally alienated from the culture of his parents

thank you for that update from brussels. and you can stay up to date on our website, www.dw-world.de, for all new information. especially what is coming out of the brussels summit at this hour. thank you.

the dutch should stop babbling to the dictators in brussels, he said on monday. >> the government is doing anything that can and deteriorating conditions for seniors. >> the eu commission rejected the portrayal of the situation. >> this is basically because it is good for the dutch citizens, and decisions, by the way, have not been taken by brussels. >> the dutch finance minister, for his part, attempted to calm markets ahead of tuesday's bond sale, saying holland could still meet that target next year, despite the failure of earlier talks. >> for more on this, we asked our brussels correspondent about the reaction there to the political crisis in the netherlands. >> there is certainly dismay at what is happening and dismay at what is clearly the perception in some capitals, particularly in the netherlands, the governments are being dictated to by brussels. whatever the spokesman said just now, there is a perception, and that he is the same in france as they go through the presidential election, that voters are now casting votes on the basis of largely economic matters, austerity mea

let's cross over to brussels and find out more from jeff. another round of talks. what proposal laurell the table? >> same as ever, i'm afraid. greece immediately needs a 31.5 billion euro payout. they are overdue for the payment. the recession is worsening in the debt crisis in greece is getting worse even though they are implementing more austerity measures. we have a three quarter circus in the year. european central bank, the imf, and the eu cannot agree whether and how to pay are the latest rancho funding when greece clearly cannot meet the targets for debt reduction. of that is the issue. it has kept the ministers of late once before and it may well again. there's no clear hint whether they will actually reach an agreement. greece's cyanamid they are bankrupt. >> is there any sign an agreement will be reached? >> not really. technically, they were bankrupt last friday but they survived it. on saturday, the head of the euro group and prime minister of luxembourg have a long talk with angela merkel and came out suggesting they cleared away most of the difficult

what more does brussels what? >> eu economic affairs chief said it as well -- they want concrete action such as legislation. in the past, the greeks have met a lot of promises, but some things were just never fulfilled, partly because the right structures were not in place, and greek interior politics also plays a crucial role. we are dealing with a government under prime minister papademos, and the europeans want a signature that no matter who the greek prime minister is, that they will all stick to what is being agreed, so these factors are factored in. another crucial factor is that the troika report is still missing. europeans want a clear sign from the international monetary fund as well regarding the question -- has greece complied with all actions needed in order for the funds to be released? >> there is a long list of things that brussels still wants. can even begin to expect a concrete agreement tonight? >> tonight is definitely an important step, but we are not expecting a concrete deal. the greek parlia

we're joined now with more from our brussels correspondent. ys it taking so long or eu finance ministers to agree on releasing the next tranche of funds f greece? >> the terms of the deal have to be renegotiated. the troika as recommended more time to take up paying off the debt of some of the more time ans more money. now there are intense discussions going on among the people who will have to come up with that money and the proper ways that, unless the group comes up with a sustainable road map to talk about hate they will have financing in greece, the ecb is not willing to step in and help out with temporary mechanisms unless the ecb steps in, we all know that it looks really bad for greece this week. >> , having trouble with the draft agreement being discussed in brussels and including the idea that greece should be given an extra two years to meet debt reduction targets. how would the additional two years be financed? >> that's the big questions. there are lots of ideas. the imf, for instance, say it is just a hair cut. they're suggesting

the powers that be in brussels are human like the rest of us. there comes a point in the specially educated people in politics say, frankly, we have not much more clue than you what to do. everyone is looking at the time table for a new election and what happens, if the new vote does throw up an even more determined anti-austerity result. because that would be the democratic results of an eu state. ken russell said, i am sorry, we don't care -- can brussels say, i am sorry, we don't care what the voters said? >> what about that money? what happens to the international bailout? >> right now, greece has not acted on its threats. the austerity measures are technically ok. there is no reason to doubt that money. when there's a new anti- austerity government in power, big trouble. the money will stop flowing. greece will be in serious trouble, but also will the european union. >> thank you for the analysis. >> the new french president francois blonde is in berlin a few hours after being sworn into office -- francois hogan's is in berlin a few hours a

but angela merkel defended the brussels accord. she said funding recipients would be subject to strict and, long-term, that would help stabilize the euro. >> there is a legal connection here between sound policy and solidarity. that is a very important. we back the euro. we want it as our stable currency. we believe we can run our economy better with it, that our living standard will be higher, and that is why i am is seeking agreement from you all. >> while many in the opposition are wary of handing over more power to brussels, the general consensus in parliament is that the common currency must be saved. >> and voting has just begun after that debate. let's go to john who is following things from our parliamentary studios. is the government going to get its two-thirds majority? >> i think that is very likely. i just returned from the chamber. and just to clear up a possible misunderstanding, because i think in the international media, this is often being and accurately reported. this debate, of course, the chamber today is not ab

thank you for that update from brussels. and you can stay up to date on our website, www.dw-world.de, for all new information. especially what is coming out of the brussels summit at this hour. thank you. play funky space-rock] ♪ ♪ (jane joyce) wetlands are among the most productive and useful ecosystems on earth. wetlands filter and cleanse water of harmful chemicals, act as storage basins to control flooding and recharge groundwater, and support thousands of species of animals and plants. in the northern great plains, wetland basins called "prairie potholes" are important breeding areas for waterfowl in north america, producing as much as 80% of the continent's total duck population alone. but much of this valuable wildlife habitat has been drained and converted for farms, homes, and roads. today, less than half of the original wetlands in the united states remain. when we convert these rich natural systems to agriculture we lose a lot of biodiversity. we may be down to hundreds instead of many thousands of species. (j

a memorial to leopold the second occupies a prominent place in brussels. not only is the statue controversial, so it is his entire legacy, and his rule 100 years ago, what is now the democratic republic of congo was brutally oppressed and its people ruthlessly exploited. plundering the colony's natural resources in ridged belgium, and with uranium from congo, belgium entered the nuclear age. its symbol is still cleaning and, originally built from the 1958 world's fair. tintin's creator drew inspiration from the condo for from brussels africa museum, and he included most of the cliches. but tintin is a national hero in belgium. and many people are indignant that their cartoon hero is viewed as racist. >> of course it is slightly colonialist, but it is also kind and will meeting. it is a positive book in the spirit of its times. now, 80 years later, the countries of africa are independent, and the points of views of both white and black people have changed anyway. >> he has experience something quite different. he says all prejudices are often preserved in d

they come to him to complain, blaming brussels for the problems in the u.k. and across the european union. >> past centralization when it comes to labor law, when it comes to financial service regulation, when it comes to even fairly mundane things like agricultural production, there is this extraordinary degree of centralization. harmonization has not created a utopia. it has created misery and poverty for millions of europeans. >> this seaside resort lies in the heart of his constituency. most of the arguments when it comes to the you relate to the economy. -- most of the arguments when it comes to the e you relate to the economy -- most of the arguments when it comes to the eu. >> i think we're just failing to allow a lot of the time, and then our own country is suffering. we're too busy dealing with everyone else. am i think the -- >> i think the eu has a lot to do to get itself out of trouble. >> those in favor of the eu are in the minority here, but they are part of. one growth organizes cultural exchanges -- one group organizes cultural exchanges. they

it's welcome to european journal from brussels. here is what is coming up. why turkey is being discriminated against. dangerous digging. the negative side effects of the italian model. free fowls. a french village distributes to consider the turkish constitution gives citizens the same rights, no matter what god they prey to. if there is still tension, but also within the muslim community. there are 10 million people in turkey and they are seen as the liberal muslim minority. they have all some -- often the victims and now they're being blamed for crimes committed by the alawi sector. >> this is little more than a shed in a parking lot. its group leader is relieved to see it is still there. he does not like leaving the center unattended at night since it was firebombed last night -- last month. >> the culprit got away. we fear the government is responsible. they use every opportunity to insult us. >> turkey's sunni prime minister called the alawis his -- >> there is only one place for muslims to go and pray. that is the mosque. i don't have anything against

but she has been pushing for more political integration that would meet in brussels would give more power and that is not something the dutch want at all. the european union as awful will take a course in the future, but it is unknown. >> we will have a look at how the national debt of different countries around the world stacks up in comparison. >> first come here is some of the other news from around the world. in and, at least 11 people died in a car bombing in the capital. the blast was directed at a convoy from the defense minister. he survived. it comes after the military claimed responsibility for killing a top al qaeda leaders. >> of fresh attacks in kenya left at least three police officers dead. the comes just hours after the president imposed a dusk to dawn curfew after ethnic clashes on monday left dozens dead. >> in eastern france, a bus swerved off a motorway, killing at least two people. some 70 people were on board the bus. 30 were reported injured. as we mentioned earlier, moody's has threatened to downgrade the u.s. if it does not lower its debt by next year. >> debt has

. >> they overshadow a nato meeting in brussels designed to map out what role the alliance will play in afghanistan once foreign troops are gone. we will have more analysis from brussels and washington in a moment, but our coverage begins with what came out of the meeting in brussels. >> speaking to media at the meeting, the nato secretary general was quite clear on this point -- nato will remain committed to afghanistan beyond 2014, not as a fighting force, but to train and assist. >> it is in the interest of the whole international community to see strong and highly capable afghan security forces take full responsibility for security. >> the price tag of a mission to assist in afghanistan's army and police forces could cost around $4 billion a year, says nato. that is less than the cost of keeping combat troops there, but it is unclear how much member states would contribute. on tuesday, australia said it would withdraw most soldiers as early as mid-2013 and turned over command to local forces. a statement that caused some consternation at nato headquarters. >> as far as a australi

meanwhile, finance ministers have been holding talks in brussels. no surprise, greece is at the top of the agenda there. >> the trouble is, no one knows what would be the fallout if greece decided to leave and the stakes are high. >> some say a departure by greece would mean the end of the single currency. >> european finance ministers have been sticking to a hard- line approach, saying greece must stick to the term of the bailout, or the money will stop flowing. >> greece must toe the line. >> it is not now a question of how generous we should be towards greece. it is simply a case of what makes economic sense, and what is plausible. >> many colleagues agree. greece must make the cuts or do without the money. regardless of who was in power. >> we did not agree to a deal with the government. we agreed to a deal with greece as a country. if the country needs financial aid from outside, it has to fulfil the conditions. >> the alternative would be for greece to leave the eurozone. that option is no longer taboo, but it would have far-reaching consequen

. >> our correspondent has been following nato talks in brussels. we asked what nato's decision to deploy missiles at the turkish border means. >> sending these patriot missiles to turkey is more a political signal than a military necessity. nato wants to support its ally, turkey, and nato wants to reassure all those in the country who fear there might be direct entry into the civil war. in general, nato tries to deal escalate the situation -- d escalate the situation -- de- escalate the situation. the augmentation of the turkish air defense comes amid rumors that syria might use weapons against its own people in the civil war or against neighboring countries. >> thank you for that. while diplomats in brussels talk about the situation in syria, there was another day of fighting in the country itself. >> these images are said to show rockets being fired on the capital damascus from a ledge of government positions at a military airport on the outskirts of the capital. this internet video appears to show destruction after heavy fighting in damascus sub

brussels says one law gives the government too much authority over the appointment of judges. the other concerns the independence of the country's data protection authority. >> it would be a lot easier for hungary as well as for the european union if these problems were eliminated. because these are not just minor violations. they are about fundamental european rights and the values on which our union is based. >> in brussels on tuesday, the prime minister did agree to your demands to improve the independence of his country's central bank, a condition set by the european commission in order for hungary to resume negotiations over financial aid that the country badly needs. hungary sees that as a success. >> only a very limited number of issues will continue in this legal procedure and go probably to the european court of justice, but it is also part of the game. bonn this basis, i guess now we can really say babbitt there is a very positive results -- on thisasis. begin,rlnthess giatioit tal minute, the latesli nle titicionakgo vo bti tloipetens . wldpar. lave ih hinueedhehnoe

it released brussels -- it reached in brussels on saturday. spain will seek favorable conditions like those awarded to greece, ireland, and portugal. that would include 15 years to repay the loan. the low-interest rate under 4% with no repayment required in the first five years. >> this will be decisive step towards but improving credit worthiness. we will do everything we can to restore confidence in the euro. >> the spanish banks are weighted down by bad debts following the collapse of the real-estate market. it is designed to prevent a banking crisis. >> and just how worried are officials in brussels? nina joins us from brussels. the weakness in spanish banks haven't been going and many have seen this bring on the horizon. what about cyprus? did officials of view this as being a threat as well? >> it has been known for very long time that's price -- that cyprus is a concern. it was the massive write-down of greek bonds earlier this year in helping greece with the hair cut that pushed cyprus's banks so hard that now they need some help. anal

for years, brussels has invested large sums to stop overfishing in european waters. the intention is good, but in effect, it means many fishermen are being paid to decommission their votes. in greece, it helps the demise of their traditional way of life. >> it is as if he is sawing off his own limb. this boat builder is wrecking an old fishing black -- old fishing boat. for him and his son, every boat has a soul. wooden ships are his life. >> which ever way you looked at it, what we're doing here is not nice. i feel bad when i break up a boat that i build my own hands. >> but his boat yard has become a breakers' yard in recent years. to prevent overfishing, the european union is granting fisherman subsidies to have their boats back. the capping got 106,000 euros. >> i wanted to convince the captain not to wreck it, but he needed the money. >> breaking up the boat is crazy. it will not do anything to save the fish. >> he says people do not have any money at all because of their debts. some of them have used the money to buy smaller fishing votes. -- smaller fishing bo

nina, what are people saying in brussels? do they share the growing sentiment that the european project is going wrong? >> no. well, here in brussels, the message is it is not the project itself that is going wrong. which is made some very bad mistakes when we first started, and we are paying a high price for it, but we are trying to fix these mistakes. problem was that when the euro was born, there was simply no consequences whenever countries did not stick to their old rules. so over the years, the treaty was amended. there have been changes made to the treaty, but it is only now in the current crisis that europeans really seem to have understood that what they need is stricter rules and more rigorous budgetary discipline and, above all, more political unity. in a way, they are only just getting started with the project. >> people in greece and elsewhere getting started with their protests as well. we are seeing and mounting of anti-e u sentiment. can brussels turn this around? >> the eu is trying, but of course, it is taki

. >> that is from the heart of the eu in brussels. we saw in that report, german exporters have no reason to mourn the deutsche mark. is that true in brussels? >> it depends on who you talk to. there are people who feel this problem has gone far too long and are worried about currency stability. a lot of people would like to get back to their national currencies. if you talk to people behind the eurozone, and they will tell you nothing could be further from the truth. the eurozone is a zone of stability. it did not create the economic crisis. furthermore it is helping to maintain stability. unless you are an economic wizard, it is hard to pick between those two years. some are worried about the collapse of the row and the fact that yes, we may be looking at going back to one or other of the national currencies. >> and what would be the euro's greatest accomplishment in the last 10 years? >> remember, it is now just an economic concept. it is a political one, too. it has brought a at a unity to europe, according to some. that was the a

the move delegates a large degree of fiscal policy-making to brussels. that unleashed a flood of lawsuits. the citizens' initiative presented thousands of complaints to germany's constitutional court, arguing that the voting rights of ordinary people were being undermined. >> people have a right to vote for a parliament that has policy-making capabilities, especially on key issues such as budget law. that involves how our money is being spent and our country's fiscal and economic development. >> the initiative says the delegation of key policy-making powers to brussels should require a citizen's referendum. one conservative member of parliament has also filed suit and says the move damages his rights as a parliamentarian. >> in my opinion, it is no longer justifiable for parliament to approve such transfers of rights without a referendum. it should require live generation by our sovereign power and ask the people. >> some legal experts say germany's constitution is in danger. a group calling itself the free voters is backing the constitution. >> germany'

welcome to "european journal" from the dw studios here in brussels. good to be with you. let's take a look at what is coming up in today's program -- chinese investors bring a touch of eastern promised to french vineyards. military protests in portugal bring crisis even deeper. the people of albania lived under a brutal, stalinist dictatorship for more than 40 years. one of the most brutal regimes in eastern europe. under the iron grip, hundreds of thousands died, and many more dissidents were sent to prison camps. these days, as albania tries to show a new democratic base to the world, even hoping one day to become a member of the european union, the past is still there to haunt it. former political prisoners are fighting a bitter battle for compensation, but not even hunger strikes seem likely to convince the current government. >> we go to the site of the hunger strike. the word "democracy" is still written on the wall. strikers refused food for weeks, and then police came and took away their water and medicine. this is where one strikers set himself on fire. the man d

let's bring in our brussels correspondent. we just heard from the european commission president. is this the ruling he and other officials wanted to see? >> of course. the ruling did not come completely unexpected. there is still a great sense of relief in brussels because people were secretly thinking what are we going to do if they say no to the esm? fortunately, they did a support of the esm and germany as the last country to sign the treaty. now people in brussels are relieved it because business can continue as usual, as usual as as possible in these chaotic times. parliamentarians in particular showed their relief and said it was a great sign and they say -- the say the representatives have and the rescue is strengthened by this ruling. >> they not only expressed relief about the past but looks to the future -- they want to give the european central banks sweeping new powers. what can you tell us? >> the idea of that commission is to make a step toward the banking union. in a first step today, the commissioner present his proposals for a supervisory board for banks in all o

french president sarkozy made the announcement on the sidelines of brussels. one was with it last week in a rocket attack that killed an american-born journalist. >> the people of iran are going to the polls today to elect a new parliament, but opposition groups say voters are not getting a free choice and are calling for a boycott on the planned protest of the dissension and many of their leaders. >> voters are left to pick between two hard-line conservative camps, groupings involved in a power struggle right at the top of the tehran regime. iran's state television showed long lines of voters at the polling stations. the government is hoping for a strong turnout, which would signal broad popular support for the country's clerical establishment. "i am is citizen of this country, and i want to vote. the fate of my country is very important to me. it is my duty to be here today. all iranians should care about what happens to their country." there are no real opposition parties in iran, so the election is essentially a popularity contest between two conservative

a hearst got to be carrying his body arrived at brussels airport. a government spokesman says an acting prime minister has been appointed. he took power in 1991, transforming ethiopia into a staunch u.s. ally. >> sweden said it would not extradite julian assange if he were to face the death penalty. he is wanted for questioning about allegations of sexual misconduct. he is currently in the ecuadorean embassy in london where he has taken refuge. >> firefighters are battling numerous blazes across italy. italy has suffered dozens of wildfires in recent days. rain is not expected until thursday at the earliest. >> it is being called a jobs miracle by some and an environmental disaster by others. >> in the u.s. state of north dakota, energy companies are looking for thousands of workers to " oil deposits under the ground using fracking, which is a process that pollutes water supplies and can cause long- lasting ecological damage -- workers to cull oil deposits. that at the center of the boom, the attraction of a steady, well paying job is triumphing all

-- as people digested the bad news from brussels. >> i do not know if i to make a difference to our everyday lives. the measures that have been taken thus far have already left us in poverty. all i had to say is that the people are very disappointed. >> the government says it has done all it can to comply with the demands of international creditors, and the eurozone countries and imf must keep their part of the bargain. with state bankruptcy looming, athens has issued treasury bills with shorter maturity as a way of raising cash quickly. the opposition in greece blame the prime minister but added that germany and in particular chancellor merkel were also at fault. >> mr. samaras has become an inseparable part of ms. merkel's election campaign. she cannot admit to the german people in the run-up to elections that she made a mistake, that she is responsible for the coming recession and that the greek debts must be cut. >> the german finance minister continues to reject that option. he says he was confident that an agreement would be reached when eurozone ministers meet next week. >> c

for some analysis, let's bring in nina in brussels. is this package enough to save greece from default? >> the greek finance minister hailed the deal is probably the most in portland in the country's post-war history and said that the nightmare scenario had been avoided. what is true is that this deal has bought greece sometime. in default as been averted. greece can pay back its debts on march 20. but of course, the greek problem as such has not been resolved, and it will still take some time. >> the fact that it has not been resolved and that greece will remain exposed to default for quite awhile now, how much of a concern is that in brussels? >> welcome to it is a fact that this deal has put the country back on the right track towards growth. that is what the head of the imf, christine lagarde, said. but there were also some words of caution here. the european commission said that the greek economy is not expected to grow again until 2014, and unemployment is still going to be at some 15% in 2015. so these are very disappointing fig