please. this is g.w. news live from berlin the u.s. pulls the embassy staff out of iraq amid tensions with neighboring iran that's despite reassurances from secretary of state michael pale he says the u.s. is not ready for war with iran. also coming up the u.s. state of alabama bans abortion and almost all circumstances including in cases of rape and incest lawmakers admit the crackdown as part of a bid to overturn women's constitutional rights. ukrainian women becoming surrogate

mothers to make ends meet they are in thousands of euros to carry babies for couples in western europe including germany. plus critics say it is a song contest in name only this year's euro vision is set to be one of the most political yet saturday's final takes place in tel aviv israel amid calls for performers and visitors to boycott the event in solidarity with the palestinians. i'm sumi so much going to thank you for joining us as tensions with iran run high the u.s. state department is ordering all non-emergency government staff in iraq to leave the country germany is also suspending a military training mission although the german government says it is not a response to any specific threat. now the u.s. pullout cover staff at the u.s.

embassy in baghdad and the consulate in erbil normal visa processing of both posts will be temporarily suspended last week washington said it had detected urgent threats from iran and its proxy forces in the region targeting americans and u.s. interests now washington said warships and bombers to the gulf in response to those urgent but unspecified threats from iranian forces tehran for its part caused concern last week when it said they would withdraw from some of its commitments in the 2015 nuclear deal unless the other signatories provided quick relief from u.s. sanctions now all of this has heightened tensions in an already fragile region in the last few days a number of incidents have been reported in which ships were targeted by unknown attackers fueling fears of further escalation and escalation that both sides say they do not wish to see let's hear from u.s. and iranian leaders 1st u.s. secretary of state might pump ale. we're looking for iran to be of like

a normal country and that's our ask and we have applied pressure to the leadership of the islamic or republic of iran to achieve that we we fundamentally do not see a war with iran memo you neither nor we seek a good war nor is it to their benefit to go after a war between them they know that we never start a war and there is not going to be a war this is a confrontation of will. power is stronger than theirs we have the euro those are more on the story we have sasha loman with us he's a foreign policy expert at the german institute for international and security affairs here in berlin sasha thank you for joining us we hear both sides here saying we do not want war what do you make of that does that mean that there will be no war when i think that's true that nobody actually wants war and the question is is this process we're in or at least we're getting in is that controllable and

the truth is it hardly is because both sides are operating increasingly on worst case sometimes and scenarios and they in this situation will not be able to kind of perceive signals being sent from either side as intended so for example a move or a step in a direction which is essentially intended to be defensive might be perceived on the other side as offensive so in this kind of situation and absent official and official communications if we believe news reports it's really it's really hard to communicate and tensions and this increasingly has kind of the effect of creating a really controllable environment yet these tensions that have been escalating how do you parse the signals coming from the u.s. right now because in the white head do we know that the u.s. is taking a very hard line on iran but also as we just said doesn't want war what does the u.s. what does it want to redeem change a new negotiations with iran well i think as the president has said he waits for a phone call from iran. the question is will he get this phone call or is he able

to pick up the phone or maybe is a national security adviser john bolton going to prevent this phone call from happening so we don't really know because this is recent postering of troop redeployment and deployment to the persian gulf has been announced way before it was kind of linked to the current conflict to iran but no it kind of creates an additional military dimension in terms of pressuring iran to kind of fulfilled to use the moms so we don't really know where the u.s. is headed with this current line of policies what you're saying we did here might pump a oh say we just want iran to act like a normal country what are we going to actually see from the iranian government here is it going to change its stance well my pump ale has laid out a really big strategy the so-called maximum pressure and he also outlined 12 far reaching demands or goals for u.s. policy which call not only for a major behavioral change inside of the uranium leadership in terms of the nuclear

policy but also in terms of their domestic and regional policy but basically it's at least from an outside perspective but also for you know the north and sort of perspective really hard to believe that you rein in leadership is able to actually fulfill these demands. from the outside perspective it looks a lot like the build up to the war between the u.s. and iraq in 2003 doesn't this rhetoric that we're seeing i think that's the reason why especially the europeans are so carefully trying to deescalate and that's also why you see these recent moves of spain and specially great britain to actually caution against those slippery slope of military escalation but also it's kind of indicating the united states is so so trying to be careful with the guards with evidence of linking certain groups in the region to the iranian leadership because you have so many different groups operating and you really have to be careful to

actually connect them to certain uranian policies which would then be a potential precondition for justifying more military response to possible attacks all right sasha loman an expert at the german institute for international and security affairs thank you for sharing your analysis with us thank you for having me now lawmakers in the u.s. state of alabama have approved the nation's toughest abortion law the state senate voted 25 to 6 to outlaw abortion at any point during a woman's pregnancy except when a woman's life is in danger the bill must still go to the state governor for her signature but it has already polarized opinion. emotions were running high both outside the alabama legislature with pro-abortion activists rallying against the bill and inside the state senate where lawmakers engaged in fierce debate you know why you all want to control our bodies.

i would never ever know. and i know that many of you have daughters to wagner republican senators say this is about alabama's abortion law they want their bill to change u.s. legislation. what this bill is designed to do is to go to the supreme court and challenge particular precedents that say in 1973 that abortion is a legal on demand essentially any time anywhere for any reason the bill bans abortions at every stage of pregnancy and amendments to allow exceptions in cases of rape and incest was voted down doctors who perform the procedure could be charged with felonies and face up to 99 years in jail. it's the latest in a wave of attempts by states to impose new abortion restrictions just last week georgia governor brian kemp followed kentucky mississippi and ohio signing

a bill that criminalizes abortions performed after 6 weeks of pregnancy abortion has long been one of the us is most divisive political issues pro-choice activists are determined to maintain the right to abortion nearly 50 years ago but republicans control most state houses and they're hoping to overturn existing laws with the help from an increasingly conservative judiciary. i reporter peter dahl has been looking into this story for us and joins us in our studio thanks peter so we've seen that alabama alabama lawmakers have now passed this into law it will now land on the governor's desk what's going to happen next the governor has said that she will not sign anything before she's seen the full bill but she's known as a strong religious and staunchly conservative republican in fact it was one of her central issues when she ran for governor at the time she said i believe every life is precious as a pro-life governor always fight to protect the unborn and she does have the

backing of a majority of alabamans just last november boaters voted overwhelmingly to amend their state constitution to recognize the rights of the unborn to ban funding for abortion 59 percent vote in favor of the amendment rights of the majority of alabamans stand behind her but we should say this is still very controversial there was a very heated debate on the floor of the state legislature in alabama and on top of that we've seen a big backlash across the u.s. a controversy online as well tell us about that yeah that's right i mean this has been long been a hugely divisive issue and it's become increasingly along partisan lines democrats including several prominent presidential candidates busy lined up to denounce this bill saying don't not let the stand and it is all but certain to go to the courts just moments after the bill was passed and those civil liberties organising. the a.c.l.u. tweeted abortion is not a crime it's a constitutional right will sue to stop this law from ever taking effect and that

would be the 1st time that the a.c.l.u. has battle alabama in court 2016 the state had to pay the a.c.l.u. $1700000.00 when it was challenge over another attempt to strip abortions and that was struck down by federal courts peter put this into context for us because this is not just about alabama it is the latest in a series of states that have passed legislation to restrict abortion so what are we looking at what's happening and where is this headed right i mean just last week georgia became the 4th state this year to pass a so-called heartbeat. that bans abortions after 6 weeks which is when doctors can generally detect the fetus is heartbeat up until now such bills have been successfully struck down and that's because abortion is a constitutional right that has to do with the landmark 1973 supreme court case robi wait which guarantees the right to abortion in the united states but

republicans now believe that they have a chance to overturn that law that's because the balance on the supreme court has shifted since president donald trump became president he's had the rare opportunity to appoint 2 judges gorsuch and brett kavanaugh both of whom have been known to come out and be critically about roe v wade. so republicans calculus now is that they'll push as many of these anti-abortion laws as possible hoping they'll get a challenger almost expecting they'll get a challenge that will then eventually end up in front of the supreme court where they then hope they now have the support to have abortion overturned you know right now reporter peter dollar following the story for us thank you so much peter thank you so much. now to some other stories making headlines around the world san francisco's board of supervisors has banned police and other municipal authorities from using facial recognition technology this makes it the 1st u.s.

city to do so but the ban does not apply to private businesses and federally controlled facilities like the city's airport the technology is used to identify people from video footage or still photos. new zealand's prime minister just joined other world leaders and tech leaders in paris to explore ways to fight the spread of hateful and violent online content finish it was called the christ church of appeals ahead of the meeting facebook announced it would tighten access to its live streaming feature. cautious approach without between palestinian demonstrators and israeli soldiers along the border of the gaza strip in israel the skirmishes have been taken have taken place at rallies for not a day when palestinians mark the creation of a state of israel in 1948. and pope francis has given 8 migrant children a joy ride in his popemobile around st peter's square at the start of his weekly general audience the children all arrived recently to italy and are being hosted in

a catholic shelter near rome francis is an outspoken advocate for solidarity towards migrants and those on society's margins. turkey and russia have agreed to bring together a working group on the situation in northwestern syria another government offensive in the province has displaced around $200000.00 people as forces loyal to bashar assad pound rebel held positions damascus says the rebels there are g. hottest slinked al qaeda and it has a right to ignore a previously agreed ceasefire. government forces attacked villages west of hama almost daily from the air and on the ground advancing ever deeper into the last rebel held region in syria. they've already taken a number of local communities. the rebels are fighting back but they're no match for bashar al assad's forces. for the regime has already attacked 35

villages and many people in northern syria have tried to escape the regime is shooting at civilians. the regime has recently stepped up its attacks despite a cease fire agreement the army says it only targets positions of militias affiliated with al-qaeda and they're the ones that control the province the commander of the militant group abu mohammed al giuliani says assad has broken all agreements by july and he wants to continue what he calls a holy war. we call on everybody who is able to bear arms to do is duty and join the battle. observers say $300.00 civilians have been killed since the start of the government offensive. several hospitals have been destroyed including this one income from. the united nations is calling for the warring parties to observe the cease fire and to protect

civilians. for the past couple of weeks we have 18 health facilities who have been hit which is illegal according to international humanitarian law we also have at least 16 schools who have been hit so these are these facilities where children should be able to have an education people who should be able to access medical help almost 200000 people have fled since the latest round of fighting began many of them had earlier been displaced from other parts of the country many head towards the turkish border. they have no shelter no electricity and no medical care. but at least they aren't under attack here. bombs are we were shot at from helicopters bombs destroyed our homes here we sleep on the ground we don't have a turn to possessions or food we have nothing at all were. these

displaced people are not allowed to cross into turkey they're stuck and in need of help to whom but a good you're watching the news still to come on our show last year 0 vision song contest winner town barzilai tells you she's excited the fans are visiting this year's host nation israel but the pop gala is even more political than usual. but 1st to ukraine where the country's struggling economy in a weak rule of law has led to a boom in women becoming paid surrogate mothers the practice is being outlawed in an increasing number of countries ukraine however is among a day when dealing group of nations where couples from abroad can hire women willing to carry implanted embryos but the process has major ethical questions connelly reports.

whenever the baby moves i speak to it at night when i read my children stories it's for the baby to be. the tally is 8 months pregnant it's a go but it's not hers the tahlia is a surrogate the baby's parents live in germany. it's such a happy moment when you hold your baby in your arms for the 1st time i'll be happy for them. just to tell his own children only with her for the day for the final months of the pregnancy she's moved to be closer to the clinic and the tube. natalia took the decision to become a surrogate to help family finances so that her kids would have it better she tells us her partner earns just 200 euros a month working full time. this clinic on the outskirts of hard to attract childless couples from around the world among them the german couple whose daughter

an italian is carrying they were unwilling to be interviewed even anonymously the fear of being recognised is just too great. it's a different story with this woman from germany we're calling her and she's in her early forty's and has 6 failed attempts to get pregnant by i.v.'s behind her adoption wasn't something she been willing to consider so so we could see an exile donation was the only option remain. a procedure that's illegal in germany ana says that is pure hypocrisy. surrogacy is illegal in germany but you see celebrities and those who can afford it doing it all the same it's when you get back to germany that social services treat you like a criminal. surrogacy is big business and one that's growing in this clinic entirety of couples pay upwards of 30000 euros for

a package think lutes the surrogacy and egg cell donation there are no official statistics but insiders estimate that many hundreds of children are born to surrogates every year in ukraine. it's a month since we last met natalia now she's back with her partner and children the child she carried for the past 9 months has been with its new german family since it was born. there all the day it was a bit confusing emotionally after the baby was born on the one hand you understand that it's not your baby but you still want to know everything about it you've carried that child for 9 months but i wouldn't call it a maternal instinct you feel very clearly that it's not yours. the baby's new parents say they want to stay in touch with their talia but what does new talent take from it would she do it again for now she won't rule it out but one thing is

clear the demand is there and it's growing. a top boxer who suddenly kissed her reporter on the lips during an interview has been suspended from fighting in california until july gary and pull have attended a special hearing for further allegations were outlined against him. so this was the moment in march which shamed boxing hugh brett pullover just won a fight and then did this. reporter jennifer avello said she had not given consent 2 months later was ordered before the california state athletic commission. ravello was there too and she detailed over allegations against the bulgarian boxer yes well as i was grabbing my backpack he reached and grabbed my buttocks and laughed. and how did that make you feel humiliated and scrub my stuff and left.

it's really upsetting. live so all love what would you i do not want him to kiss me from with his bulgarian pop star girlfriend watching on who lives punishment was handed down you suspended into late july and has to attend a sexual harassment prevention class a 2nd incident with will prompt a life down even california he is sorry for any upset that he calls and he certainly acknowledges that he made a mistake but he never meant any harm and in the context of this very informal interview just minutes after a huge fight a very important victory and he said he was euphoric he didn't have his wits about him you know has to wait to see if he's been his extended worldwide. in tennis there's been an upset at the italian open and rome world number 5 alexander set of has been knocked out in the round of 32 by rome native matteo better teenie said i've reached the final last year but has been in

a slump this season winning only 6 matches in his last 8 tournaments but a teeny beat the german 7575 much to the delight of the home crowd. now to the year vision song contest once again politics are overshadowing the tournament the final takes place on saturday in tel aviv among the finalists this year are the czech republic san marino iceland and australia which is represented by classically trained soprano kate miller hyde and her song 0 gravity the 2nd round takes place on thursday before the big event this weekend activists have urged artists and visitors to boycott the euro vision in solidarity with the palestinian cause are israel correspondent tanya kramer went to tel aviv to gauge the mood. beach sun and music as the sea as it's known to its legions of foley was hit tel aviv on the beach a mix of tourists and fans with such

a day's grand finale with sue patient. this cd when it's it's always. and when people from the whole europe come here to see something i think it will become more fun it's always. to. go in the big stage here. i am happy to represent my counter of banya and read this day they go. israel is hosting this year's year edition song contest because of this single minute about silly one in lisp and last year she will perform her new single nana banana at the final on saturday. making people come here and see how amazing israel is giving us a chance to show how how how big of a party we can make and how amazing and genuine it can be energy wise.

wow. $41.00 nations are competing to win europe's oldest song contest it's the 3rd time is well it's hosted it security has been beefed up along the beach promenade but the ever glitzy event has not escaped country of the sea. the event has been highly politicized from the beginning there have been some calls to boycott the event because of israel's military occupation of the palestinian territories. international palestinian and israeli artists and petitions to urge of this just a way from the event now that it's arrived they still want to highlight what they see as the political reality. let's stop for a 2nd try to look at reality for a bit higher perspective not only this you know the speech is really beautiful and everybody is happy and smiling and the beer is d.c. . but just a few kilometers from here really. crazy things are happening here at the

eurovision press center politics couldn't be further away the organizer of the contest the european broadcasting union has said strict rules spending politics from the stage among bloggers and journalists covering the event it's all about who is going to win this year's contest the dutch entry is one of the favorites lawrence duncan with kind of a cheesy nice ballad isn't 1st place but my favorite and my bad hopefully is below for sony the french singer 19 years old muslim gay and he's now climbed up the 4th place in the odds hopefully he'll win sweden with john ludwick in 2nd place so it's within france holland that's the big battle fewer foreign visitors than expected have turned up but this pop icon madonna making a guest appearance the final on saturday is still sold out. but

coming up next on news asia pakistan is being billed as the next must visit travel destination but are the realities facing foreign tourists being ignored and we'll meet the young dynamo from mongolia who could be his nation's next big football star. those stories and much more coming up with the honor g on t.v. news asia don't go away.

you're a big idea. but it's become a much. more tomorrow. campaign for the future isn't enough europe requires a phone card. in the

election team may 26th come t.w. . we're going to one official estimates more than 1200000 venezuelans live in colombia legally and illegally. already echoing what i'd return to venezuela. to visit friends just i don't think i'd ever go back there to live you know when i lived there again i don't know so i'm not sure. bearing witness global news that matters. made for mines my 1st vice like most sewing machine. where i come from women are almost by the social tools to do something as simple as learning how to write them by side hoses and. since i was a little girl i wanted to have a bicycle of my home and it took me miss them and. finally they gave up invention by me and i saved this country turns because sewing machine sewing i suppose was

more apt company for girls than writing on my. knowledge i want to meet those woman back home put downs by then 2 teams and social rules and informed them of oded basic rights my name is the amount of people home and i work at z. to. move. a little bit of that. this is you dr news a shop coming up on the program pakistan is it the next must visit travel destinations or a place where father told us up tracked by the security services from 2 traveller i was with 2 very different takes the bus. in atlanta obsessed with all 3 and driving me to the bone border goalies.