there's a state of the news life from berlin is that time turning against u.s. president donald trump but coronavirus case is surging in the sunbelt states poll suggests that traditional republican strongholds could be heading for a momentous change of heart also coming up. european leaders meet for a make or break summits and brussels they're seeking unity on a 715000000000 euro package to help economies hit by the coronavirus endemic but divisions run to. president assad of syria marks 20 years and power in spite of a civil war and a shattered economy he's likely to stay at the helm for many years to come.

and a symbol of racism or sign of respect the german town of colebrook grapples with its cultural legacy as protest built against its coat of arms. on nickel for welcome to the program. polls in the u.s. suggest president donald trump is losing ground in his former republican strongholds with less than 4 months to go until the u.s. election the state of arizona has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic and it hasn't supported a democratic candidate and decades but now as and many some belt states the latest polls give joe biden the edge over trump w.'s all over salat went to find out more . in the arizona desert. linda rawls is

a thorn in the side of president donald trump. a white suburban woman she belongs to the very group that helped him win in 2016 but that is now offending him she can look back at a life dedicated to the republican party she ran for congress in 1904 but her assessment of trump is devastating. he has become worse than we could have ever imagined no one really realized that he was psychologically disturbed i don't think people realized how much he really would not follow the constitution and how much he would change the whole party from the party of freedom into a party that. worships dictators and destroys the rule of law thor decades arizona used to be a republican stronghold but it is now becoming a battleground and the spread of the coronavirus is playing a crucial role at phoenix's largest testing site everyone in 4 tests is coming back

positive. voters in arizona are turning away from trump for many reasons but one can be found right here behind me at the south community college it's an hours long wait to get tested here with the results coming in a week after that at best and experts say this is exactly where the united states is failing in stopping the spread of the virus. here on the outskirts of phoenix where many voted trump in 2016 people are now frustrated at the government's response to the pun demick i certainly don't think he protected the united states taking measures that he needed to take and. you know informing the american public and giving guidance properly so he did a disservice to the united states has the power to make it happen but i'm seeing more of the worried about other things and then this would be should be i think they should he did this in january yes when they really knew they trap would not

put in inaction he said oh it would just go away now oh you don't just banish stuff like that. linda role still holds republican values but she plans to vote democrat this year and she might not be the only one here in arizona. european union leaders are holding a summit in brussels to try to reach an agreement on how to share out a 750000000000 euro fund to help member states recover from the pandemic there are deep divisions over whether grants or loans should be given to help the hardest hit nations germany's chancellor angela merkel is presiding over the summit and has admitted that finding a compromise won't be easy masks on gloves off european leaders are back in brussels for the 1st time since the beginning of the current crisis with the bloc's finances at the top of the agenda the council president expects the goetia to be

exceptionally tough a lot is at stake to secure the distribution i know it will be very difficult because it's not only about money it's a question of the future of europe if you want a stronger more stable your hope for certainly. michelle has put a financial package on the table to help the e.u. economy get back on its feet in addition to the 7 year e.u. budget of more than a trillion euros michelle has proposed a recovery fund of 750000000000 euros in loans and grants. money for this fund will be bored by the e.u. on financial markets and directed toward countries hit hardest by the crisis such as spain italy and greece what's driving a wedge between leaders is whether the money should be handed out as grants the so-called frugal for austria the netherlands finland and sweden insist it should be mostly loans and paid back he is considered one of the biggest obstacles to a deal austrian chancellor is a bust and coots goods things in agreement can be reached but that necessarily this

weekend. there is still a lot of questions to be answered 1st of all to where should the funds who will be the main recipients what is the suitable credit for this. though clearly delighted to be meeting up again in person the jovial atmosphere is not expected to last long and german chancellor angela merkel's cautious optimism in the days leading up to the summit seems to have subsided. this put off we will take a lot of willingness to compromise from all in order to agree on something that is good for europe that will be good for the people of europe with regard to the pandemic that would be a suitable response to the economic difficulties we're experiencing so therefore i expect a very tough negotiation about the if the as if we have a $401.00 for now leaders positions like their seats are still far apart. for more of a month as joins us live now from brussels gale

a clear statement from chancellor merkel there going into this crucial a new summit can you tell us a bit more about the competing views on this massive fund that is dividing the union. sure nicko i think what is clear is that all leaders have acknowledged that solidarity is important in those times where corona has hit the european economies particularly hard but when it comes down to the small print and how this exactly is going to work out as you have seen in the report about my colleague mike sunder is that the difference between the loans and grants to what extent should there be loans to be grounds to what is there and other to be paid back who will get wiped and when and how much is still a lot of the leaders need to work out and then when it comes to money going to the south of europe a lot of countries in the north say they also do want guarantees that this money is being put to good use that for instance the dutch prime minister made here very clear today that he wants guarantees that the money is put into reforms for

instance of the labor market and so that is something that leaders will have to work out tonight and potentially tomorrow these differences over money goes so deep that the italian prime minister thinks that this summit could determine the future of the e.u. are the stakes really that high. i would say often when we talk about europe and the benefits and the disadvantages we talk about the issue of net contributors of countries like germany that put more money into the e.u. budget than they get out what we sometimes forget is that this is not only about money but about economic benefits what we put into the e.u. budget also what we get in economic benefits and that is where germany's top of the ranks and that is something i think i would say not just of altruism but also self-interest where france and germany have realized look this european project where we benefit so much from the internal market is at risk and we need to do something now and i think this is a sincere belief and many countries including the fruit so-called frugal countries

in the north are on the same page when it comes to saving the internal market nobody wants to risk that winning business model so what do you believe will be the likely outcome of this summit is the e.u. going to act in concert or suffer from discord the $1000000.00 question from what i have heard so far from leaders inside that building the euro for building which you see right behind me is that they were surf fish so a light meal they haven't really gotten to the meat of the real meat of the debate and let's let's put it this way if we still talk tonight 8 hours from now about this issue then there's a real chance that maybe tomorrow they'll be able to hammer out a deal otherwise i would say we'd have to see another special summit in about 2 weeks or a. month is following the situation in brussels thank you very much. let's and take a look at some other stories making news at this hour wildfires continue to range inside the area covering some cities and heavy smoke authorities are trying to contain the flames to prevent them from reaching residential areas northern siberia

is seeing a record breaking heat wave a new study says the unusually high temperatures would be almost impossible without human caused climate change. vast areas of china have been inundated by severe floods along the young say river since june heavy rains have forced nearly 15000000 people to be evacuated from their homes officials saying they're seeing the highest average rainfall levels across the young save basin for 50 years . protesters have taken to the streets of bulgaria as capital sofia for the 8th day in a row they're calling for the resignation of the current government headed by prime minister boyko boris off and for the chief prosecutor to stand down. anti-government protesters have staged a rally in the arena and city of babylon they're angry about the state of the

country's economy which is being hit hard by u.s. sanctions police later disperse the crowds and authorities cut internet access in the region as videos of their rallies spread online. now to syria where president bashar al assad is marking 20 years in power parliamentary elections take place on sunday but like all previous elections no real opposition has permit so despite a civil war that's lasted 9 years and a crippling economic crisis assad looks set to stay in power. when well if you don't you. could live the 17th 2008 just 34 years old but. sworn in as president following the sudden death of his father. he quickly finds his feet meeting the great and the good. this is.

often accompanied by his british born wife asma. from the start of his presidency as as bill close ties with both russia and iran strategic relations that will prove crucial to retaining power. in march 20th 11 anti-government protests across much of the arab world known as the arab spring spread to syria. in the southern city of deraa demonstrators began taking to the streets after the arrest and torture of a group of teenagers protests grew while as sands military responded with greater force. as fallon's escalated the country descended into a brutal civil war. we will win without a doubt against this conspiracy they've now reached the final stages of their conspiracy. attempts by the international community to force asaad to

step down failed. and so 2 moves to broker a peace deal. by 2030 in the un said the number of refugees fleeing syria had reached a 1000000 this was a humanitarian crisis then the regime was accused of carrying out a chemical attack near the capital damascus it took another such attack in 2017 for the u. s. to take action claiming a sense military. told you. only if you. will you can recall. was war. but despite the reprisal asset has continued his war with the help of russian air

power and iranian forces the syrian government now controls most of the country. a country that lies in tatters led by a man who looks like he will never surrender power. and for more on this let's bring in their expert dalia gallup thanks for joining me 20 years on a country shattered how is assad still able to hold on to power. look the regime of bashar as the place as some sort of a key still that holds together the complex united state becomes like syrian society and it's been playing a game different elements of the serious side if you're successful it's a show the big play when the international community successfully against each other so today here we read a lot of articles. that i 1st read for central asia but hear a lot about it's failing

a president but i think if you look at the hospital he assigned a biased father as late father what was just to keep the regime in the actual carbon composite of power in place and i don't want to sound cynical but he delivered that who exactly he made sure that his regime survives to get all of your thoughts and at the end after a few years of the war it looked like this regime might fall but. benefit of course for the for the. for the russians if you were exit from the say the downfall of the international or the american governments in the middle east and the wheel of fortune struggle saber let's talk a little more about the situation in the country and the war has thrown syria into a deep economic crisis as we've even seen every star intense and anti-government protests in parts of the country what does all of this mean for syria. i think

the economics occasion in government or the gene of arrogance has changed of all the many years of the war even when the mass was was was literally beseeched by the certainty people in the muscle somehow felt that my normal life skill with all of the big health of some sort of illusion of global life were a slayer a couple of kilometers away the country was like some neighborhoods of damascus were being bought up a bit. but today what is really striking is that the economic might be the worst thing in situ even in concerts most of society i have never. asked couple of years without a talk to syrians inside syria never heard such candor such openness about our political situation so also social the criticism of the government of their dissatisfaction and that is a new situation unfortunately i think a lot of particularly american sanctions regime with the recent able caesar act

is don't hold that the people of syria are the people it is you know there is my right it's that which the bigger states and disappeared big about step the economic situation i think that is a very risky calculation of no choice if it's going to succeed than in ghana thank you very much for your analysis. thank you. cuban authorities are allowing a wider use of the u.s. dollar and the country as it looks to tackle and major economic crisis and it's led to shortages of cuts the communist country heavily controlled economy was struggling with u.s. sanctions and the economic collapse of its ally venezuela before the cup at 19 pandemic made things much worse currency is complicated in cuba the communist state has to pesos and convertible pesos but it's u.s. dollars the people really want. they are needed to pay for foreign goods vital in

a country beset by shortages to that end the government has widened the category of products dollars can buy it has also removed a 10 percent tax on their use. of better seething illegal despite the hostility that persists in the united states government with the implementation of measures that intensify the economic blockade. it has been decided to end the 10 percent tax on income in cash dollars to the banking system the thing if they were going to stand with them up front got it. but not everyone here has access to dollars tourism is at a standstill due to the pandemic when many u.s. firms are banned from doing business in cuba. get it not the issue now it was where are we going to get u.s. dollars we're a country that is under a blockade where will the dollars come from foreigners aren't coming in there is no way of getting u.s. dollars going on in essence this just for those who can get them though this is

good news and not just because of the tax code for now only goods such as home appliances and cars could be bought with them now it will include. a former senior executive at german payments processor wire card has confessed to his role in the company's multibillion euro fraud that's according to lawyers who say the executive was c.e.o. of card systems middle east wire cards the largest subsidiary he was arrested in munich last week card systems played a key role in the wire card scandal which put a near 2000000000 euro hole in its balance sheet wire card filed for insolvency last month. he w a business correspondent only box is the frankfurt stock exchange and gave us this assessment. the former senior executive is confessing to his individual

responsibility we don't know exactly what he's confessing to what crimes what actions but whatever he says to the prosecutors could also shed light on the actions of others involved in this crime in this scandal that would be judicially and politically very important meanwhile investors the public politicians were aghast that even with all that has happened why are card still in a tax well that oil has now announced that that could soon be over that chapter it's changing the rules on the market participants agreed to the. the water card could be out of the guy in the. italian police have foiled a plot to smuggle cocaine into the country by hiding it in coffee beans police at milan airport said a package from colombia attracted their attention because it was marked with the name of a fictional mafia boss inside or 500 coffee beans that had been cut open and stuffed with cocaine police tracked the package to florence and the rest of the intended

recipient it's not the 1st time smugglers have tried to use coffee to throw police off the scent in january last year italian authorities seized more than 600 kilograms of cocaine hidden and sacks of coffee from one doris and now some more headlines from around the globe queen elizabeth has knighted captain tom moore britain's 100 year old fund raising hero and war veteran moore became a national icon when he raised over 33000000 pounds for health workers by walking 100 laps of his garden it was one of the queen's 1st official duties since the coronavirus lockdown. twitter said hackers targeted about $130.00 accounts during a cyber attack this week and which profiles of many prominent personalities like barack obama and long months were compromised the company said it still needs to assess whether nonpublic data was compromised to. britain the u.s.

and canada say russian spies are attempting to carry out cyber attacks on coronavirus research centers to steal information on potential vaccines it's unclear which centers may have been targeted or of any data has been stolen russia denies any involvement. in the world health organization says it is concerned about any break in the democratic republic of congo more than 50 cases have been recorded and it's cut your profits the number of confirmed infections has now surpassed the total number recorded during the problems last outbreak and 2018. the recent world wide anti-racism protests have fueled a heated discussion over a number of public artworks monuments and street names here in germany once perceived as honorable today some of them are considered offensive so who decides what stays and what goes and how is that decision made one german town is grappling

with that very question. picturesque in bavaria the turnaround strike you as depicts the so-called more of. the emblem is now at the center of a heated controversy opponents call it a symbol of racism but many residents are mystified. or. is there really nothing else to worry about so we've got bigger problems than the movie this is the patron saint of coburg and i find this whole discussion out of order. and if you use never says anyone you can stay as it is. the crest date back to the middle ages when black people were often described as moods today the term is viewed as derogatory but it's not intended to be demeaning according to coburg historian who battles harbor the emblem features st marie a black christian night he was martyred and is now commemorated.

in. to that extent i think the word more is ok. and the representation of a black man as the symbol of coburg is absolutely fine. it's an expression of esteem and veneration for the saint so. that's not a view shared by 2 young billionaires who started an online petition against coburg coat of arms alicia archie is originally from the area for her calling a black man a more is no longer acceptable in the light of the black lives matter movement and especially not a figure with thick lips and a caribbean style earring. and i don't mind us that suggests to some that all black people and all africans look the same a complete nonsense for a continent where people look totally different from one another and others find

something exotic in it a ferocity that has to do with savage peoples it's a racist portrayal that should not be allowed to continue and fights and that this man steps in. the town council is irritated by the debate and is not giving any interviews on the subject of the coat of arms the answer could be just to change the description says this resident. he's got a name after all militias why shouldn't it be the coburg militias pharmacy militia streatch that sounds better. how do you measure a culture war is racist it's not easy to find the right balance especially not in. some sports now and an unexpected farewell german world cup winner andrea should quit football at the age of 29 the forward is best for member and for providing the

assist that won germany the 2014 world cup final his talent took him across europe but injuries stifled his career showed the most recently played for going to sleep doc won't he said that despite the highs football made him feel very lonely. washington d.c.'s n.f.l. team is facing sexual harassment claims from 15 women that used to work for the organization the allegations were made public by the washington post owner dan snyder has hired a law firm to conduct reviews of the claims several of snyder's top executives quit or were fired in recent months and earlier this week snyder and his remaining management crew dropped the team's longtime name the redskins for being deemed racist. you're watching the w. news life from berlin i'll be back at the top of the hour with more headlines until then you can get the latest at d.w.

dot com and don't forget to fall was on twitter and instagram at the deli and it's on the link and for me and the entire team here at the newsroom thanks for joining us. to.

be in good shape. as nucular. how can one lead to normal with a potentially deadly virus when they are working on a vaccine that's a therapeutic drugs. and maybe a new to defeat the virus one day we talk to the head like a leading a child. recent just such a. move

that is for me. is for. beethoven it is for. beethoven is for everyone. oh beethoven 2020. 50th anniversary here on earth you. are they friends said wanted to be with you should i steer toward you which it wasn't really a belief among the publishing is new mission or are they. going to use the flesh if you're still in the building she approached you to go with me to mr sanders he's going to give a shit my debit card for i just saw my trunk and. i were to park ok men treat analyzes the difficult relationship between russia and the us and between the presidents how does their rivalry and their dangerous mutual admiration affect the

rest of the more. some bully putin starts august 3rd on d w. hello and welcome to in good shape as always directly from berlin this is rare in 19021 of the 1st persons in germany was diagnosed with hiv that's the iris which causes aids back in those days this disease was not treatable and it caused a lot of fear thanks to medical progress and doctors like me a lot has changed and improved.