this is the news line from berlin donald trump looks set to become the 3rd u.s. president in history to be impeached u.s. lawmakers prepare for a historic vote to put trump on trial before the vote trump fired off a furious letter to house speaker nancy pelosi saying she was undermining american democracy also on the program the un's 1st ever global refugee forum wraps up we report from one of the key transit points for african migrants heading to europe. migrant that being hidden by a smuggler who brings in across the sahara desert to libya the migrants say she

answered the smuggler has enough of them for one transports and then the dangerous and sometimes deadly journey begins we'll go to niger where despite types borders migrants continue to risk their lives in the desert and the dutch town bats so in love with the work of british author charles dickens and brings his 19th century world back to life every christmas. i'm called last minute welcome to the program later today u.s. lawmakers will take an historic vote on whether to impeach president donald trump the democratic controlled house of representatives is expected to back the move that would make him just the 3rd president in 230 years of american history to be impeached with ensure a trial in the senate on whether or not sort of moved from office our washington

correspondent alex under phenomena has been following the impeachment saga from the start and the miss report she traces the path to today. it all started with a phone call a phone call in which president trump asked president zelinsky of ukraine to investigate his main political rival democratic presidential hopeful joe biden and his son hunter i became increasingly aware of what followed was a congressional inquiry with a dozen witnesses testifying in public describing crimes dealings with ukraine as improper and in as roughly it's all going to blow up and here we are one witness intoxicated turned out to leak here gordon sunland the us ambassador to the european union and so much. he told the investigators there was indeed a quid pro quo in the works that president trump pressed the ukrainian government to get dirt on joe biden jewel an exchange for

a meeting in the white house make at the same time you asked for military aid for ukraine was put on hold out as to president direction everyone was in the loop so we followed the president's orders corruption other witnesses added to more damning details about donald trump's conduct time machine no evidence for the democratic majority in the house to move forward with the impeachment. the morning. the facts are contested the president abused his power for his own personal political benefit at the expense of our national security. be use of power and obstruction of congress to charges the democrats say that amounts to high crimes justifying impeachment however they haven't convinced a single republican yet trump's party stands by the president decrying pietschmann as a political witch hunt you can't make your case against the present because nothing

happened if the majority of lawmakers approved the articles of impeachment which seems likely it will trigger a senate trial to determine if the president is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office. at trial president trump seems to be gearing up for he expects to be exonerated by the republican led senate and hopes impeachment will backfire on his rivals there was nothing done wrong to the power of them. when this is not is an embarrassment to this country. whatever the outcome what is happening in washington right now reflects the hyper partisan divisions in american politics. are let's get more now on impeachment joining me in studio rachel rizzo she's a us political analyst and bosch fellow right here in berlin thank you for being

here i mean as we heard shaping up to be historic day on capitol hill how exactly is today going to perceive what we be watching for so today the house is going to vote on whether or not they are going to impeach the president of the united states we can expect this to be along partisan lines democrats voting to impeach and republicans largely staying in their lane and voting against it any republicans crossing party lines right now it's not expected no it's going to be strictly along partisan lines. it's most likely so let's assume then that this is an overwhelmingly voted for impeachment by the democratic majority in the house how will that exactly affect the united states over the fact the country i mean i don't think we've seen a more partisan political climate than we've seen today i mean it's absolutely like i said before divided between republicans and democrats i mean even when bill clinton was impeached back in the ninety's republicans and democrats were able to meet along some sort of common ground and find

a common ground together that's not to be expected this time and it's just feeding into the hyper partisanship in the united states today but it does not mean of course the president trump will be removed from office at least not get that's for further down the line in the senate vote i want to ask you you mentioned how partisan this process has become is it still functioning do you think that the impeachment process is still working i mean it's functioning as best it can given the current circumstances i mean president trump has made it very clear that he is absolutely pretty much disgusted by this this entire process even you mentioned in your opening comments the letter that he sent to to palosi but what this impeachment process has done is really skid any sort of. other priorities in congress to a halt this is all anyone is focusing on and it's really caused a bit of a logjam in congress right now now after today's vote to impeach the process goes

to the senate for a senate trial is there any chance that the senate will remove the president i mean the chance that that would happen is extremely slim remember we would need 67 senators to vote in favor of removing the president that's that's a 2 thirds majority over 2 thirds majority and that's just not expected to happen because of how many republicans would have to break ranks and side with the democrats the only republican right now i could see maybe doing that is mitt romney and even then that's. that's yet to be seen now of course there's a big election coming up next year in 2020 is there any sense of how today's vote to impeach the president might affect those elections absolutely i mean this is just a distraction from the 2020 elections there are other issues that candidates should be focusing on you know domestic issues like gun control and health care but instead the longer this impeachment process goes on the longer the trial in the senate goes on the longer these candidates are going to have to be talking just

about impeachment and just about their views on this process so it's a distraction that doesn't really serve anyone well at this point and hopefully it doesn't last too long into the primary season rachel reza thank you so much thank you. our here's a check now of some of the other stories making news around the world french president emanuel mccrone says he is willing to make changes to his proposed pension reform by entering into talks with trade unions as announcement comes a day after a renewed nationwide protest the french government is hoping for a break in transport strikes before the christmas holiday. china has unveiled the 1st aircraft carrier built completely in china president xi jinping took part in the commissioning ceremony of the shandong the ship's launch comes as the naval rivalry between the u.s. and china increases especially in the south china sea. well the united nations has urged rich countries to do more to tackle the worldwide refugee crisis

speaking at the 1st global bridgie forum in geneva the u.n. secretary general antonio guterres criticize what he called a quote hostile political environment for posing a threat to asylum seekers one example is can be seen in the west african country of niger now with the recent increase in the number of migrants going from africa to europe the e.u. moved to shut down some of the main transit routes through niger brussels provided support for the country's military to patrol the country's borders since then the number of migrants passing through the country has sharply decreased but human trafficking does remain a lucrative business in places like odd as if you use mario miller traveled there where many claim pressure from the e.u. is making the situation for migrants more dangerous for nearly 30. brought people across the border from i got us into libya he never thought he was doing something criminal. it's not true that we are so-called human traffickers and

we are deceiving people it's also not true that we treat them inhumanely or badly. europe's politicians have demonized him as a criminal smuggler but here people like him used to be called press says and their work was considered the most normal thing in the world why should it be criminal to bring people from a to b. most asks for centuries the desert city of agadez has profited from people passing through from west to north africa in search of work. but this stopped in 2015 when the european union signed agreements with several transit countries to curb migration to europe because of that suddenly became unemployed 6000 other former smugglers in asia at his fate store and hotel owners who used to live from the travellers had no income for. even though migration decreased it never stopped say human rights organizations such as doctors without

borders this week even though the law is been in force in 2015 the bigger issue never stopped and they will never stop oh if you put doors to the regression they really use other doors so what we see is the greater in small compared to the past they are much more vulnerable why because everything has to be. over in the close the city hidden we managed to meet a smuggler who still active now his job is illegal if he gets caught you risk several months in jail ever since the military started patrolling the border tells us scenes like this one are getting more and more common. let's say i'm a driver transporting migrants when suddenly the military shows up with the name of the migrants out of the car just down the road and tell them to wait there until i come back and then i just leave and they die there there are many such cases. it's very rare that drivers actually come back the u.n.

suspects at least twice as many people die on their way to the mediterranean than in the mediterranean itself who are these people who despite these dangers make the journey towards europe. we are close to the so-called ghetto at the border of the tunnel for us this is where migrants are being hidden by a smuggler who brings them across the sahara desert to the migrants safe here into the smuggling has enough of them for one transport and then the dangerous and sometimes deadly journey begins. a clay court yard under the open sky there are hundreds of my gran's waiting in places like this across the city. one of them. a student from guinea he has tried to leave 3 times each time he was picked up by the military on the libyan border and the route through the desert is not good libya and the mediterranean are not good but what else can i do. as a migrant from guinea was man but he has little chance of receiving the right to

stay in europe but that doesn't stop him. although i want to go to europe i hate europe why do i hear europe because europe can't exist without africa africa is rich with resources like diamonds and uranium but who benefits from these resources . europe is where these young africans dream of living and although the chances of actually getting there are slim for them giving up and going back home is not an option. for joining us now from geneva is leonard doyle he's the spokesperson for the international organization for migration thank you for speaking with us now 1st of all the u.n. secretary general is urging developed countries to do their fair share when it comes to the global refugee crisis what with that book like. well i don't your your broadcast being primarily about migrants who are traveling from sub-saharan africa north and indeed within there's

a large component of the side of the sea which people who have a genuine fear for their own personal safety many migrants too as well they may not be entitled to sign but they are definitely people in need of protection and. i think what the sector generally is really talking about is a 3rd of the equality that you see in the world it leads to people spontaneously leading a lot of good governance in their countries for themselves at the mercy of these funders who are you so well documented in that last piece most mothers have no interest in the welfare of the people of their charges they want the money pure and simple and although you do the piece seems trading somewhat sympathetic it is losing out and it's going to polling and probably here and murderous in their treatment tomorrow so i think what we need is more equality and better. governance so we can say from this formerly in this regular people are not encouraged to with themselves at risk and use it often ways so often in tragedy

well one thing that the european union has been doing is working to stop african migrants from coming to europe in the 1st place that was a policy that's been criticized i mean is that an effective strategy in your opinion. well i would take some issue with the way you phrased it there so if you're a regular marge without regular documents so of course we are you seriously if you're if you open part ways for illegal migration to your that is not happening pollution people should be allowed to cross the borders without a passport i think it's fine for them to stay in age when there are concerns about everything from the economy to security i don't know any country in the world says come here we have you with or without a passport so i think we need a little bit about this in the way you framed this question leonard doyle from the international organization for migration thank you very much. well the e.u. was awarding its highest accolade the soccer olf human rights prize to the weaker activist toti toti became known for building bridges between china's han majority

and the persecuted weaker ethnic minority but told his daughter will have to collect his award for him he was imprisoned in china and 2014 and is currently serving a life sentence. he'll hum toti hasn't been seen in public for years this footage was filmed before he was jailed his fight for the rights of china's predominantly muslim minority cost him his freedom for years he drew attention to the suffering of the weekers they are restricted access to education in the labor market and the suppression of their language religion and culture. may warn that i feel there's no representative for us no newspaper of our own version of what can ordinary people do when they meet in justice when you are some of them will find in resistance for calm. in 2006 tohti himself wieder founded the internet portal weaker online to highlight the plight of the ethnic group the chinese authorities blocked

the website repeatedly in 2014 toti was put on trial charged with separatism the former economics professor was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in october the european parliament awarded toti the sachar off human rights prize describing him as a voice of moderation and reconsider the haitian. yeah but on your sack out of the parliament has decided to award the socket of prize for freedom of thought to talk to. shipping out the more covert media that a lot he has done much to improve understanding between leaders and the han as the group in china that has been put in prison for life. the european parliament expresses its full support for his work and wishes him to be released immediately by the chinese authorities immediately i mean that show. that she. his arrest in 2014 was seen as a sign of

a crackdown by china's communist party sense then reports of so-called reeducation camps have surfaced x. prisoners speak of torture forced labor and mass rape around 1000000 weekers are thought to be detained in these camps the last time our family members heard about my father it was 2007. that was also when the concentration camp started. our family members who are no longer able to visit him and we don't know if he still had in the same prison room if we we don't even know who is still alive. and so the winner of this year's sachar off prize may not even know about his award. right sports now and in the bundesliga leipsic and dortmund drew $33.00 and $1.00 of the season's most entertaining matches so far the result gives leipsic a 3 point lead at the top of the table. you know goldman called this a title 6.0 the problem he'd never won in dortmund as

a coach true to form the hosts dominated the early running and they didn't sound show shot was blocks the reprise was certainly temporary you'll be inveigled his right foot soldier that. if i go back in dorman's make feels feeling much more i. don't mean we're in control and turning on the style sonship again at the heart of things european brands with the fancy footwork making geometry look cool to nail 34 minutes go on. like sixpence chance of the half came just before the break tipped over by rome on turkey but he soon went from here right. to villain 2 minutes into the 2nd half spider-man misjudged his leap with catastrophic consequences. t.-mo vanno was the grateful recipient he'd never scored against dortmund until today. good things come in pairs the saying goes it was certainly

true for van or 4 minutes later he kept his composure to equalise after the geometry man branch got his angles all wrong. the pendulum instantly swung back into opens favor marco royce cross for sam show the englishman smashing in his 8 goal in 7 games. but even dortmund actual superhero isn't invincible he limped off and like see grout their chance again with a little help from burkey patrick shit fired in his 3rd of the season. a breathless encounter had reached its end 33 the final score of men still hasn't won in dortmund but this will feel like a success. are we head now to the netherlands where every year just before christmas the town of devon to hold

a festival in honor of charles dickens now the british author never actually set foot there but people still delights in the sights of characters like oliver twist and ebeneezer scrooge. just as things were in charles dickens' day the town bustling with farmers take years and good citizens on the move in defense or you can experience it 3 christmas time trip back to the 19th century. nice to see the new world dressed people. are very nice to be here for us it's a nice day to do with family and have a nice dinner. and then no problem. no. the van gogh family is getting ready to be taking part in 1st of all since they moved to the old town. from a central question everything castillo authentic. to get different ones every year

you just sign up to join as a neighbor and then they give you different costumes it's really nice every year you're a totally new character the rooms are strict no sneakers no cell phones nobody watches the only thing to do is go out for a stroll to see and be saying just as in days gone by the intervention of the 19th century is recreated with a lot of attention to detail lurch. children begging not a welcome sign then as now. you don't see time an abortion was signed on is another matter. living room is a veritable time capsule. the silver is rolled. for the 1st 2. forks nice things like god it's a different role to totally different. i mean strict always dreamt of capturing the

style and spirit of dickensian london father was also a dickens fan and to loved and you know she founded the festival almost 30 years ago. just to begin began with shops and then i invited them here and i showed the movie of course to christmas carol and i said we are going to do that and then that's to most important thing that the people not only shop did it but also people who live here the festival has always been closely linked to dickens famous christmas carol telling the story of at the. nisa scrooge should make some provision for the poor just. scrooge transformed into a model of charity and event of course has its very own scrooge look fun forced has been the purveyor of christmas comeback for 25 years. and largely because

it's nice to have a bad character in there to find yourself beth reads. the festival is a beautiful march to dickens and the transformative magic of christmas is. well today is a big day for fans of star wars the 9th and final film in the latest skywalker saga has its world premier the rise of skywalker crowns 42 years of box office gold we have a sneak peek for you but we promise no spoilers. they're doing they're saying they're. taking a lot of. the final star wars trilogy is coming to an end but the galactic battle between good and evil genocide and sith isn't over yet joe di in training ray is back to face

down kai low ram the dark side son of layout and han solo and now supreme leader of the evil 1st order confronting the. electricity. cut off and. the pressure is on and not least for disney and director j.j. abrams has been brought back to the star wars franchise after the last episode by a different director but a lot of fans disappointed. episode 9 focuses particularly on the chemistry between its central characters and her buddies of the resistance pilot po'd dam ron and stormtrooper femme for cast and fans it's about more than just one movie it's the end of a saga this is the last one like it's crazy my gosh it feels like christmas in a time machine and i traveled back to when they 1st time was over the top of

ponsonby 42 years and 8 episodes later can the rise of skywalker live up to fans' expectations and losing the focus to be careful on the way up the rector j.j. abrams certainly seems to think it can. if you're a kid watching this 100 years from now 500 years from now. you see this inevitability the story concluded in a way that feels thrilling and shocking and funny and emotional and satisfy the final film reunites new cast and old after actress carrie fisher's death. in 2016 abrams has even found leftover material from the last 2 films to bring her back as princess wei. so how will the age old battle between jet i am sick and and which sky was the right answer to the rise of skywalker with the release of episode 9 fans can finally find out the and are you watching

the news from berlin more coming at the top the hour on paula thank you for watching.

these days people meticulously planned everything to work on days off every all for the sake of fishing see. as a result many people feel stressed out. what is optimal time management and even meeting in the 1st place. made in germany

next w. . eco africa. they are garbage and not many construction materials can. point to. the garbage like old bottles to build things the business is on the phone tones i hear the buzz simple solution for a serious problem the be cold comfort. in 60 minutes w. . the big. logo to the girl next new channel. a good line of story. with exclusive. the must see concerning

part. of. sydney for curious minds. do it yourself networkers. subscribe and don't miss out. oh i'm terribly sorry sorry i'm late this is embarrassing i'm normally a very punctual person because i am german and b have worked in television all my life in this business you could be too late just once stood twice and eros so don't we all constantly feel like we are on the clock

.