this is deja vu news live from berlin ross releases thousands of jailed protesters officials there apologizing as well after ordering their release some 7000 people were detained during a police crackdown on demonstrations they followed the country's disputed presidential election also coming up and historic agreement in the mideast israel and the united arab emirates normalizing their relations and establishing diplomatic ties in return israel agrees to suspend further and i'd say sions in the occupied west bank. and it is

a bull's eye for life because they stung as lego madrid to go further than ever before in the champions league where live in lisbon are all the actions have. i'm brian thomas good to have you with us today the government in belarus has started releasing people detained during days of protests that followed president lukashenko disputed reelection over the weekend some of the detainees were freed from custody the bell wrist interior minister issued an apology for injuries inflicted on demonstrators close to 7000 people were detained of the crackdown some of them remain unaccounted for. well this apparent concession by the bell or us government comes amidst growing pressure both at home and abroad.

this is the sound of people power. stay night in minsk venting fury at what they see as a stolen election at the weekend giving president alexander lukashenko a 6th term in office. the violent civil authorities against initial protests only solidified opposition to the regime. and the american citizen in belarus toti w. has stated asians broke into have flat and took away have bellaver simply friend in the early hours of thursday they could see that they his nose i think they had broken his nose there was blood on his being sort of a lawyer and. allowing the sauce to see her. and so are all those waiting and it's really open to play the when.

she's not alone thousands of others across the country awaiting to whiting and organizing and even picketing detention centers where people are paying how old book many of those already freed show the injuries inflicted by offices. these pictures the spreading around the world and more will come. to people in the streets of piling the pressure on the government as it seems to believe legitimacy . over to moscow now and our correspondent emily sherwin dates you have a way the belorussian government has apologized and started releasing some of the thousands of protesters will this satisfy the demonstrators or will they continue going out on the streets. well to be honest what we've seen from government officials yesterday was more of a kind of how awful paula g. head of the interior ministry apologized for any passers by who accidentally

got hurt and yesterday the deputy head of the interior ministry actually went to one of the prisons and he then told the family members assembled waiting for their loved ones outside that no one inside had been tortured which of course the people who were being released they told a very different story so this is really a half apology i think especially considering the horror stories we've been hearing circulating on social media or videos and photos have been posted people have been talking about being beaten about threats of rape about being stacked in small rooms for hours on end without food and water without the possibility of going to the twilit so really in human conditions and all these people are now being released and they're angry and so are their family members so the main concession of course of leaving that hasn't been fulfilled and we'll have to see whether this adds fuel

to the fire. those options this point was pressure building as we're seeing the most likely and from abroad as well from the you from the united states for example . well yesterday we saw almost no arrests in the protests that were happening all day so it seems that looks kind of changed his tactic and is no longer cracking down on protesters but the pressure on him is mounting as well because now we're seeing strikes at government enterprises which is hugely important for the mostly state run economy of we've also seen videos of security forces and police kind of burning or destroying their uniforms and saying that they are no longer willing to crackdown on protesters so that could be kind of a turning point for luka shankar the question is what he will do it doesn't seem likely that he'll concede even now ok is of course

a somewhat depended on moscow where you are how does the kremlin see things it's long been an ally of boleros what are its interests there this point. well i think people here in russia been watching very closely what's happening in belarus and there is even been protests here in moscow outside the belarus embassy a lot of people have relatives and there are a lot of people from belarus who live in russia as well so people are watching closely and of course the government is watching closely as well considering that belarus is such a close ally it's actually the kremlin has been strangely silent and that perhaps shows how fraught the relationship between bell reuss and russia has been the past few years russia has been trying to create a closer union with fellow reuss and lucas shanker has been kind of stalling on that and playing off in a way the e.u. and russia kind of keeping both on side it's really surprising that moscow has been

quiet considering that it's a neighboring country where protests like this are happening to get a strongman leader of many years out of office that is really too close to home but lucas has been talking in these protests about the fact that it's actually russia and other foreign powers who have been directing the protesters and that seems to have really kind of rattled russia as well but ultimately i think they want look at shango in power in the long term as a long as a known entity emily thanks so much for that analysis from wall street to. let's get you up to date now with some of the other stories making in the news at this hour firefighters in california are racing to contain raging wildfires amidst the blistering heat wave in the western u.s. a rapidly growing blaze north of los angeles has forced the evacuation of hundreds of people the soaring temperatures are expected to continue through the weekend.

greece has banked france for boosting its military presence in the eastern mediterranean and this rising tensions with turkey the french deployment comes as the turkish ship surveys disputed waters as part of ankara's push for their oil and gas reserves turkey's president has warned his country would quote response of eerily should the vessel be attacked. authorities in afghanistan have begun the release of 400 taliban prisoners freed militants for a film saying they want peace they're among the final group of inmates whose releases than a key taliban demand for beginning peace talks with the afghan government. in an historic move israel and the united arab emirates have agreed to the full normalization of relations under the u.s. brokered deal israel will suspend plans to annex large parts of the occupied west bank u.s. president trump says the agreement will be signed at the white house in 3 weeks

time for their part the palestinians have rejected the deal calling it a betrayal it's only the 3rd time israel has struck such an accord with an arab country and the 1st in a quarter of a century. i historic agreement the united arab emirates and israel 2 countries that never had any diplomatic relations until thursday's deal. and idea was very clear that israel would commit a. phone call would be united. to stopping and exceed suspending. at the same time we will be able to also an arms that we will begin what will what i would call a normal relationship with israel in the various various areas israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu greeted the deal as

a huge step towards peace in the region well today we are sure in a new era of peace between israel and the our world this is the greatest advancements toward peace between israel and the our world in the last 25 years. but netanyahu specified that his an accession plans have not been outright canceled credit or only put on a temporary hold. the agreement brokered by u.s. president donald trump over months of discussions is seen as an unprecedented reshaping of the political order in the middle east it comes as a diplomatic win for trump just as the election campaign in the u.s. starts to heat up by uniting 2 of america's closest and most capable partners in the region something which could not be done this deal is a significant step towards building a more peaceful secure and prosperous middle east. but not everyone is satisfied with the agreement the palestinian leadership dubbed the deal

a betrayal and demand that its retraction. has around the world the agreement is being hailed as a historic achievement the palestinians see themselves pushed to the sidelines. for more let's bring in robert cherishing he's the deputy editor of the german political magazine zenith which focuses on the middle east thanks for joining us this morning robert. a reshaping of the mideast political infrastructure can you tell us can you sketch out for us who the winners and who the losers are in this development while at short term a lot of parties can feel like winners although i would not call this a historic shattering moment this has been in the making for quite some years especially the emirates and israel have been developing relations for many years and that was one of the worst kept secrets of the region also benyamin netanyahu he

visited all mon shortly before the death a conference preparing the so-called middle east peace plan was held and behind last year so a lot of steps let's to this now the timing is crucial here so why did this happen now and this is more the important question and who needs this strategic public victory right now. from the u.s. yeah. the israeli government i think they can handle a short term victory to the u.s. allies at the same time it was never really clear how much israel was prepared to follow through with these annexation plans and they have to keep in mind and brace for potentially different u.s. administration coming in next year so calling it off temporarily looks like a good will gesture. temporarily exactly.

the same time is read did yeah let me ask you is the region more stable now as a result of this. nothing really changed that much and israel basically did not commit to anything permanently and that will be a. topic of contention because it's not entirely clear of an agreement has been reached or if that agreement is to be reached in the get the negotiations to come and what part an extension plants will play in this ok negotiations to come could we see a resurrection of the 2 state solution for palestine. well that depends on which parties are are in there and willing to actually move this forward i don't see really willingness on any part to do that basically

it's negotiations between israel and a bunch of the gulf arab states they have a lot of common interests even outside any u.s. help so. they would have proceeded with these kind of negotiated negotiations anyway of the palestinian question briefly could you see other arab states joining and we have just a couple seconds say yes or no. yeah the argument on now is saudi arabia the u.a.e. has clearly taken the forefront as the most important publicly visible l.-i of the of the united states and just one last thing we have to pay attention to the main architect of this policy this is mohamed binns i had the crumpets of abu dhabi probably the most influential era political in our time he's stepping out of the shuttle's step by step so keep a close look how he's behaving roberge energy from zenith magazine here in germany

thanks very much. china's draconian new security law in hong kong has radically changed life in that city but before it came into force pro-democracy activists there from a different one related to rioting which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years some $600.00 protesters were charged with rioting during last year's anti-government protests among them the couple featured in our next report they were eventually acquitted of the charges but not before it turned their lives upside down. this couple has gone through the toughest challenges and they're now ready to rebuild their lives. but just a month ago their fate as a couple was very uncertain henry tong and elaine toh worked as fitness coaches of the gym and hong kong the dream korea and life. until last year when police

arrested the couple at a pro democracy protest and charge them with rioting they thought they were going to jail for potentially up to 10 years. can they what me the most is i couldn't see my dog if i'm sent to jail and i couldn't see him as if we were both put into jail we couldn't see each other anymore. we could only write letters to each other. henry made a photo book for elaine so she could always remember their story if they were to be separated by prison boss it holds a lot of precious memories including their wedding last year celebrated just food days after the couple was released from jail. it cost a shadow over the happy day but the couple says they don't regret joining the protests might say oh why oh it's no responsibility to speak out for injustice and for the future when i look back at my life what made me proud i really think that

even though i was arrested i'm still proud. i don't think that you know. henry and elaine reject the rioting charge they say they were providing 1st aid to people who had been tear gassed by police. and i don't think i am today if the verdict relief after a long and emotionally draining court process i saw how a priest a sigh of relief as our emotions almost collapsed before the verdict we were really happy when the judge announced we were acquitted with the i want that and i saw. a couple of grateful that to be able to stay together but several 100 others who are still awaiting their verdict going through similar emotional turmoil hoping they will get unhappy and like henry and elaine. still to come on our program

a giant german cinema at $75.00 it isn't even vendors birthday and what better way to celebrate the acclaimed filmmaker than to the documentary about his life. but 1st we have some sports where champions league quarter final action is underway leipzig has stunned the experts and beaten highly favored let it go madrid 2 to one to advance to the semi's they opened up in the 2nd half lives extending all know putting the bowls ahead with a header in front of goal 20 minutes later a hard foul by closer among provided let it go a chance from the spot with felix converted to level the score leipzig winner that coming from substitute tyler adams just minutes before the end of the game adams becomes the 1st u.s. men's player to score in a champions league quarter final thanks to its all defensive heroics at the end i'd say now advanced semi's to face yes she. did

abuse any may on the ground in lisbon for us a joins us now via skype good to see there and the even in the city for a few days now what's the atmosphere like especially when it seem like lives they can produce such an upset. yeah this brian is the story so far definitely leipsic you only formed 11 years ago they are very much the underdog team along with that so lance it would beat some by perry says your man they are the story they often through so that 1st ever champions league semifinal they were playing in that 1st quarter final so it's an extraordinary story yulian noddles men their coach is actually younger than lee and now messi who's hoping so night to be going for a place him self in the semifinals of the competition i saw the game with some fans of sporting last night they are the underdog team of this city lisbon the capital of portugal behind the big rich

a team of 10 feet or so the supporters of sporting in a very small bar near the stadium where the match took place the josie i'll fill out their home they were very very happy at the end that leipsic have made it through to the last 4 of this competition it's an extraordinary moment for them as they aim to become a german champion here and maybe we'll see byron as well perhaps doing the business later ok you mention byron that's another big game coming up is that byron against barcelona are fans showing up for this encounter at least on the street they can't go into the stadiums of course. the thing with barcelona is that they have fans in all cities all around the world messi has many supporters too so there aren't many people who are actually travelling it's a listen not least because fans can't get into the stadiums but fans want to still be parts of of this festival of football but 1st have a champions league tournament in a fortnight block so when barcelona were training last night at the

a study hotel loose there were supporters gathered round just hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the players that they love and we've got more on this night. and it's not like there aren't any fans in lisbon welcoming their favorites some were camped outside the hotel barcelona players are staying at supposedly the next best thing if you can't get into the stadium. byron munich vs barcelona should be a celebration of soccer instead it's a muted classic to be played behind closed doors it pits not just 2 great squads against each other but it's also a meeting of superstars such as arguably the world's greatest player barcelona's leonel messi versus the deadliest striker in europe this season byron's robert leaven dosti with $53.00 goals to his credit including many of those scored in the champions league. you're going to have this level i don't think there are favorites is a bit of luck in the field yes we can count on having the best player in the world

. but live and dusty has 13 goals in the champions league this year. while he is so high on both teams that either one can wind up with it on that but it will not get kanalz all will approach barcelona with the necessary respect we'll analyze them as we do with any other team we know our strengths and we will try to use them as much as we can eliminate the office who is all in this beyond simply it all comes down to this winning the coveted champions league title this is a giant version of the cup which is set up in downtown lisbon where fans feel as they are can come together and also watch the games on t.v. set up by local restaurants. but this is where they'd really rather be at the study or deleuze inside. and the a study of those will be empty and the despite the exciting results we've seen already is the quality of the game suffering because of pandemic restrictions

especially when you consider the world's top stars or are playing in those empty stadiums. i think it definitely does impact on the sporting aspect the performances of the sides you look at let's go to madrid last night they are it seemed that the trip and by that supports as they are to an extent as well an underdog side as well themselves behind the suit big teams in spain boss alone and rail madrid so they really thrive on the noise the passion the excitement within a stadium so that would have affected them last night absolutely but look it's it's not an ideal scenario to have this football with fans but at least we get some football i think that's what we can say and he may for us in a very sunny very beautiful looking lisbon portugal for some great games still ahead andy thanks very much for being with us. of inventors is among germany's best known film directors paris texas the brain of this the social call

and wings of desire just 3 of the 60 movies and documentaries is worked on to celebrate his 75th birthday a new documentary looks at his career. portrait of him vendors in the style of the inventors movie the producers of a new documentary sent the legendary german director on the road to the locations of some of his best known films each shot could be event does outtake. we started on this journey without knowing exactly what would happen when we actually shot in the way venders makes his movies. every vendor's film is an adventure he starts shooting with actors and a camera not knowing where the story will end then does is fascinated by the idea of america the wild west the wide open spaces and the endless search for the

american dream. when he does beautifully is put together the images with sound and light and music that are that once you see them they stay with you forever in the late 1990 s. venders reinvented himself as a documentary filmmaker he was a perfect fit to his improvisational style when a vista social club sparked a worldwide renaissance in cuban music. his tribute to dance choreographer pina bausch was groundbreaking shot in 3 d. the film gave the audience the direct experience of live performance.

salt of the earth a portrait of photographer sebastiano salgado was just as powerful venders received oscar nominations for all 3 documentaries. then does other passion is photography. the director is a digital film pioneer but his photos are analog only his pictures are exhibited around the world. last year venders turned his life's work into a monumental installation at the go home polly and paris. in wings of desire vendors masterpiece a sad angel gazes down on a divided berlin. his movies are like paintings. but why are they modern classics i think because they are portrayed and painting with cellulite in light of inventors has made indelible images for the screen and inspired a new generation of filmmakers. and there's more of these

and other stores of course at our website coming up next to the point looks at u.s. actions against germany and asked the question of dangerous as north stream to i'm brian thomas for the entire news to actually.

to the point of strong opinions clear positions of international perspective such. a conflict which review s. and germany over the nordstrom's council pipeline linking germany with russia looks at a boil over the american science pandering to putin kind of frightening drastic action

find out more want to the point was. to point out. the next time about g.w. . this woman is on a mission elect childcare it gives ellis and new homes. whether they're used for work or as tourist attractions in thailand the terms are often severely abused the animal welfare activist organizes complex rescue missions in her camp elephants can finally live freely again and 3000. and 60 minutes on d. w. . has a virus spread. why do we panic and when we'll all be. trying to do through the tactics that are covered and

a weekly radio show is called spectrum if you would like and the information on the chrono larysa or any other science topic you should really check out our podcast so you can get it wherever you get your podcast you can also for. and dot com slash science fair. tensions are running worryingly high between germany and the united states the bone of contention is a gas pipeline joining germany and russia that is nearing completion the americans call it under into putin and a frightening crushing sanctions if the project is not stopped so long to the points we asked us sanctions against germany how dangerous is an old stream to.