[000:00:00;00] live . lists as iterators line for girl and calls for help saudi women in germany who say they fled of abuse at home claim they're still not six well saudi women seeking asylum in germany allege they're still being threatened by their families and they claim their country's embassy in berlin is complicit also coming up

a stark warning of latimer in takes a combative tone with the west and his annual state of the union style speech but he also promises russians improve living conditions as polls show a fall in popularity for the long time president plus taking a stand in paris and other french cities thousands joined rallies against anti semitism the protests come after a spike in incidents targeting the country's jewish community and paying tribute to a design legend after karl lagerfeld dies in paris at the age of eighty five we'll get reactions to the passing of the most prolific fashion designer of recent decades to.

the heart thank you so much for your company everyone. now you may remember the case of the saudi teenager who locked herself barricaded herself rather in an airport hotel room. last month to escape her family law would often order was also muttley given asylum and cat but she's not the only woman now who has fled from this deeply conservative country a number of saudi women now have come to germany to seek asylum but they claim they're being threatened by their families and they allege that the saudi embassy here is helping their families. they fled from saudi arabia to germany here they hope for safety and freedom but these women still live under threat from their families. i thought i was safe that the psychological warfare the violence and oppression would be over but i

still feel like they could get me. the women offer to talk to us only on condition of anonymity we have changed their names and voices. say shortly after arriving in germany they received threatening messages from their families. before i knew my family knew i was in germany in one city all of that info so they're threatened me with my location can animate not i am sure of that through their connections with the saudi embassy and through the saudi embassies connections and its spies that are everywhere they can get information but i do not know the kind of information and what they know exactly. how to know he used to me a thing model not to use look. some activists claim that the cases of nevada and russia are part of a wider patent. people are followed we have people breaking into apartments and the families back home always know exactly what is happening these patterns are repeating themselves. and we just ask ourselves

does every family do this individual pay someone here in germany. that would take a huge effort or could someone else beyond us and the suspicion is of course that maybe the saudi embassy is the one starting all this. we spoke to several parties dealing with saudis seeking asylum abroad they suggested that the saudi embassy could be directly or indirectly involved trying to get refugees to return we reached out multiple times to the embassy in berlin efforts to contact them over the phone and via e-mail came to nothing. but still the question why would saudi authorities help families trace women who flee abroad. underside radius concentration it's citizens government their mana key the king their absolute obedience in return they tell the men that they can have complete control over their women so when

a saudi woman needs have found this out as will go out of their way to ensure that she's returned because not doing so means that people themselves may start to question why their own beauty and to the king and why they don't have their own. say turning back isn't possible they fear they might be tortured or even killed. are joining me now from the jordanian capital amman is adam cohen a mideast researcher with human rights watch a very warm welcome mr kugel couple of weeks ago there was the case of the saudi teenager who were barricaded herself in the airport hotel room last month just gave her family she's now in canada and now this case of a number of saudi women who have come to germany to seek asylum i'm wondering what has happened what has prompted these events. well look i think it's sort of a combination of

a couple of factors number one is the long term systematic discrimination that saudi arabia has practiced with regards to its feet of population and the fact that women in saudi arabia aren't allowed to make their own decisions in many areas of life. and they also have very few places to turn to when they when they face issues regarding abuse so that combined with modern technology the fact that women in saudi arabia can now connect with the outside world and actually get in touch with networks of people who can help them has caused a dramatic increase in the in the number of cases we hear about of saudi women trying to flee abroad to save their countries now though the saudi women who spoke to didn't use alleged that the saudi embassy in berlin is complicit with their families families incidentally from which they fled the set so credible is that in character. certainly i can't comment on the germany cases because it's not an issue i've researched specifically however i mean it does absolutely fit

a pattern something we've seen repeatedly over the years whereby families do collude with the saudi authorities the foreign ministry authorities usually or people working out of the embassy to try to get people back to to send the messages or to even on some on some occasions put pressure on a third country government to return to a person forcibly without allowing them to make an asylum claim you've seen that pattern unfortunately repeat itself over a number of countries and over a number of cases now in conclusion i'm wondering if you can a lightness about what's happening in saudi because there are these dueling narratives coming from the kingdom on the one hand women are set to be experiencing more freedom the ban on women drivers has been lifted on the other hand there is a string of women scaping pleading for help from the international community so what's this true. well the truth of the matter is saudi arabia has had

a narrative they've employed far far before in the ass really stretching back maybe up to ten years about how it's reforming for the positive in terms of women's rights and it has tried to generate a considerable amount of p.r. value and reputation. improvement over that specific talking point however unfortunately saudi arabia has not fixed many of the areas in which women faces dramatic discrimination that guardianship system remains intact women are still required to get a male relatives approval to do many things such as leave the country get a passport get married and so on and so forth and so you know frankly they haven't touched any of the major areas discrimination so it's not it's not altogether surprising that saudi women in some cases try to flee and i think that the fact that women are fleeing and trying to go abroad really shows how far saudi arabia still has to go on on its women's rights record adam google for human rights watch

in amman jordan thank you thank you. and next we shift our focus to russia where in his annual state of the union style address the russian president vladimir putin has made a thinly veiled threats directed at the united states while porton use part of his address to say that moscow will respond to any u.s. deployment of shorter intermediate range or nuclear weapons in europe by targeting not just the countries where they are stationed but the united states itself but while he took a combative tone with the west the president reached out to his domestic audience promising russians improved living conditions. it's one of the most important domestic political events for the russian president in his fifteenth state of the nation address but a mere putin promised a raft of measures to improve economic and social conditions for his people above all families should benefit putin promised them tax breaks as well as better child

care. but are there. thanks to the many years of joint efforts and the successes we have achieved as a result we can now heavily invest in our country. people should already notice how things are getting better financed with the russians are certainly hoping things will improve incomes have fallen since two thousand and thirteen putin's popularity has cratered there have been protests against pension reforms that raise the retirement age then there's foreign policy putin sees the u.s. withdrawal from the i.n.f. treaty as russia's most crucial issue. in the russia does not want to be the first to place these missiles in europe. reduced and stationed in europe continue and the us has not denied doing this. then that would intensify the international security situation if you go through the process putin once again cast himself as

the country's patriarch appealing for the solidarity of the russian people in. political times. and i'm now joined here on the set by sarah gong a russia expert with the german council on foreign relations a very warm welcome not present when used his address to tell to the new weapons that are at russia's disposal and also some barely veiled a warnings directed at the united states were you surprised by that no not at all so their relations to the west what you asked have always been a big issue in also in domestic discussions in russia and for the presidency if a footnote so it was not as a surprise that he touched upon that and also not a surprise that he touched upon that in a pretty aggressive manner pretty aggressive manner i mean you know mr putin criticize the u.s. for a pulling out of that major nuclear arms treaty this month how did he exactly address that specific issue so for us to eat accused the ass of breaking the i.n.f.

treaty before russia did so but that was also quite interesting because he sat you read the u.s. did it first so it kind of also admitted that the pressure also kind of did it and it was as i sat it quite aggressive and clear manner even though not really off in naming the other side so who accused who he accuses now of course this address targets a domestic audience that's that those are the people who are watching and the intended audience of what was the main message that president putin tried to get across to russians so putting faced decreasing approval on trust right throughout the last year or two unpopular reforms inside russia so his message that he wanted to got to ordinary russians is that he's aware of their every day challenges of everyday problems and that he takes care of them now russia playing a very pivotal role in

a number of key global areas asserting its powerful in a very meaningful. away power that comes with a half to a price tag oh support of our russians of these foreign policy endeavors of moscow they're still very supportive and they agree with the foreign policy chorus of putin with his strong men chorus but still as truth be as we see with this approval race for the last year it's not enough it's not sufficient anymore to secure high approval rates for putin inside russia and that's a problem for him why do you think that there has been a fall in popularity rates among russians when it comes to president putin so we had to do reforms in the last year and in the spring which is main which were mainly an increase of that or time and age for russians and also an increase of what so that's something that touches really the life of ordinary russians that were very unpopular we saw big protests in straight of a lot of freshened cities and that was that was. people thought that that is

a bad step leading to to decrease livingston has offered in your actions and that's why you became less popular sarah for going russia expert with the german council on foreign relations and thank you for sharing your perspectives with us. i'd like to tell you now about some of the other stories making news around the world and a group in parliament the defections are a blow to prime minister theresa may and may hurt her chances of securing backing from parliament for the droll deal with the european union. swiss bank u.b.s. has been fined a record three point seven billion euros by a french court for helping wealthy clients evade taxes while prosecutors say the bank help clients conceal assets and switzerland from a friendship to accept the word of several of the bank's top executives also received fines for their involvement. so your abs crown prince is

in new delhi for talks with indian leaders following his visit to pakistan saudi officials say mom had been salonen hopes to play a diplomatic role in deescalating the situation between neighbors alternates to protest against a rise in anti semitic attacks this comes after dozens of graves were vandalized a jewish cemetery residence and the scribe the incidents as quote an attack on the nation france is home to the largest jewish population in the you were european union. an outpouring of solidarity on paris's plussed in the republic. thousands of purchase just turned out to express their support for friends as jews . their anger magnified by yet another desecration of a jewish cemetery. these were just one of dozens of demonstrations nationwide in response to

a search and tie semitic hate crimes of. the few i think that anti-semitic actions are on the rise it's a good it's something that strikes fear that brings back bad memories we want to show younger generations and there's another path to take them up on because syria . this is what fud the outrage the jewish cemetery in the village of quite some time in eastern france they faced with swastikas and other anti-semitic graffiti french president has vowed to bring the vandals to justice and once more to stop anti-semitism and its tracks. a group of individuals full of hate has unfortunately done what others have done before for too many years. i'm here to express for solidarity of the whole nation. our complete determination in fighting anti semitism whatever shape it takes. this was the second time

a jewish cemetery has been desecrated in recent months and friends. in december nearly forty graves and a holocaust memorial were vandalized in the same region. it is attacks like these that brought people together. not only ordinary citizens but also top politicians and truly just. i don't think they wanted to send a clear message they've had enough. already joining me now from paris is she on the samuels director for international ations at the seam on a visa and hall center a very good day sir i want you heartened by the yes show support displayed by thousands of people political leaders and prominent members of french society all taking a stand in solidarity with the jewish community of france i think that the most important factor is. just the result of

a report by the french government it was going to ministerial report the country store not just justice. issues but also culture and education and sport wherever you have specks of anti-semitism but the question is is this just a flash in the pan and i we're going to go on next week or three weeks from now i just back to square one. night seriously didn't arianne your dinner of the umbrella body your french jury i will be there on i guess to serve the president call friends was promised this evening to present some very very material. ways to fight on december december and we're all very eager to hear what he has to say. one of the. oh sorry for interrupting that why do you think the spike of anti semitism is coming from as specifically also the anti semitic sentiments expressed

recently by some yellow vest demonstrators in france i think is very good much like everywhere else in europe certainly in western europe where you. radicalize young muslim youth who in some areas are playing a game of cowboys and indians but it's called palestinians and israelis where you have elderly jews. living cheek by jowl with them and they are the victims of displaced. to some so that's one area the second is of course social media where before you had a bunch of nuts come together maybe even put flyers on on come. windows today they are able to spread their conspiracy theories and fu social media and come together as has happened because. the yellow vests the yellow vests you had on the tenth week with because they march on saturday is

a group of people who are holocaust deniers that claim to be part of for the yellow vests we had asked the authorities to ban this as a fact to public order it did go ahead and. the all of us today are being invaded and hijacked by those to one side who handles them want to break into shop windows and those on the other hand who are extremists who have a check jews as we saw in regard to a pillar of intellectuals among the jewish community and that was alan finkel put out four days ago. so i have ten seconds the less to do you expect president not to take a zero tolerance stance when it comes to antisemitism. i think that he definitely irish through as also islamophobia is also however phobia all forms of hate which build one upon the other and i think regular terrorist will be aware of all of

these parties for came together will agreed to exclude. resistant extremist candidates really european parliament election in may this will be the test are right thank you so very much so shimon samuels our tour of international relations at the seam on visa and tal center in paris france thank you. and we stay in france where tributes have been pouring in for karl lagerfeld the influential fashion designer and the creative head of the fashion house chanel well he died in paris at the age of eighty five a spokesperson for his karl lagerfeld brand says his body will be cremated without ceremony during a career spanning nearly seven decades the hamburg born designer was one of the most well known names in the modern fashion world famous for his designs as well as

his colorful personality. one. heard. call lagerfeld in one of his final public appearances last november the star of paris his christmas lights set a mini. fame that he gained over a lifetime of pioneering and the world of fashion it takes something special to stand out. and the legend of like a failed. at the chanel flagship store in the french capital they miss him already eternal admiration read one tribute. at london fashion week the duchess of cornwall joined others in paying her respects to fashion royalty. and then went on the. cape eclipse to be like a nick street style things something that they knew that but you know pretty sad

news for you is going to it's already close friends and. benetton the struggling italian brand that could do with like a felch might just touch remembered him too as they showed off their latest collection. i will keep very close to my hoss is the example of a mom who knew how to be an extraordinary artistic director six excuse a father of all artistic directors just. many will try but few will leave a legacy like color the other head they're closer to the relegation play off that they are qualified for europe again but one thing that both teams feature our master my coach is actually b.f. sound for both coaches let's take a listen to what the coaches at the say had of this match up. this is. where the clear underdogs in this game and that's understandable. i'm still

we deserve to be in the round of sixteen so we're to mostly finish the mature as you say and of course man city are an extremely strong team we need to have a perfect day and give our all. oh it to ourselves and to shaka. like a tradition of defeating the play is. quite well and we'll see is a challenge for us so what i am pretty sure you can go through in that competition if you are not yourself if you a suspect something is coming from both you then do your best performance sooner or later you will be out all right so as we've heard from the first coach dominico to desk oh you know he acknowledges being underdogs the fact of the matter is they've been eliminated out of the group stage their last three times they've competed in the champions league and lastly pep guardiola he leaves a lot of cryptic messages i think this is an indirect way of trying to motivate his players but one thing to look for also in this match the return of the product.

formerly shockers leroy's side may occur at winger for man city so that will be an interesting back story with city all the way and that well let's talk about last night's match so you know you they was a great preview that you gave us liverpool of having favorites right you know they were ending goal this was a shock i must admit i did not see that coming but you have to give a lot of credit to the defensive discipline that buyer displayed and field you know it was incredible to see we have a quick recap let's take a look at action. liverpool pressured by in munich from the get go it paid off the english side we're creating them more and the better off their chances but liverpool's dominant display lacked a killer touch your money with perhaps the best chance of the game but he couldn't quite get his footing right by unabsorbed on the pressure adopting a more defensive approach it was effective to have a pool where i'm able to break down by and stiff times with both sides shouting

each other down this one and it in the goal this draw. disappointment all around chris thank you so much you're on a time but i'll talk soon again greatly appreciate it all right that does it for us

thanks so much chauffeur watching. the. mega saves these concrete jungles are often hosting up to see. their economic powerhouses get to meet people with unlimited. power for the most population already lives in urban centers living planners with a huge challenge. how can these monstrous cities be tape. made in germany next on d w.

o. r two d. two more years. for women for internet activists one mission. the battle for freedom. courageous and determined they campaign for women's rights. and for peace. they mobilize against femicide for compulsory veils. their messages are spread like. social media is critical critical to the global. sense of. mind and on the streets our rights are not up for discussion. they are women more

changing the world committing. digital. starts marching on t.w. . the few ever feel like the walls are closing in if you live in the city they literally might be around the globe more people than ever before are flocking to