ah ah ah ah, the state of what you knew is long from berlin, the spy in the sky, a suspect the surveillance balloon ignites a diplomatic storm between washington and beijing. the u. s. secretary of state postponed a rare trip to china after a high altitude airship is detected over the u. s. asian claims that it's a weather balloon that blew off course. also coming up ukraine's president lensky

renewed his push or e u membership at a summit and keep saying his country deserves to be. den accession talks this here plus the 77 year old russian artist who's struggling off the threat of police punishment to display anti war art, will look at her exhibition and st. petersburg. ah, i'm nicole really. it's good to have you with us. we begin with a diplomatic spacta over an alleged chinese spy balloon that's been tracked flying across the united states. he was secretary of state antony, blanket has postponed, a planned visit to china following the discovery. the balloon was 1st detected over the state of montana which houses some 150 intercom until ballistic missile silos.

pentagon officials have described the airship as an intelligence gathering balloon . china claims the balloon is for a civilian purposes and says it regrets the balloon accidentally sailed into us air space of a more on that let's go right to washington where dw correspondence and we some us gonna standing by for us. so me, your secretary of state antony blanket postpones a plan trip because of a balloon china says is for many a little logical research. so what is really going on in the skies over the us? what we're seeing is essentially a balloon that is become a diplomatic crisis. several several media have reported. as you mentioned, that secretary of state antony blinkin has postponed his trip to china, postponed indefinitely. meaning there is no further date being named at this point . and that is a big deal because this visit was important, and secretary of lincoln would have been the highest ranking member of the biden administration to visit china. also the 1st secretary of state in years. and it

would have come at a time when the us china relationship is very tense. there are a lot of very thorny issues, certainly from the u. s. perspective. from taiwan and hong kong to the south china sea and russia's war ukraine. the u. s. once china to take on a bigger role there. so it was seen as an opportunity to at least engage in some dialogue. but the cold, it appears that this balloon incident has derailed the visit and it has caused a lot of concern here in the us. the pentagon has held a briefing on this, what do we know about this blues purpose and where it's going? yeah, we listened into that briefing into a few interesting points. i want to bring up that came out of this briefing. first of all, we got a direct direct reaction to china's explanation that this was a weather balloon that went off. course the spokesperson for the pentagon said, we know that this is a surveillance balloon. we cannot be specific on why because it is classified, but we know that it violate

a us airspace and that is not acceptable. every moment of this balloon is being tracked by the pentagon right now. it is moving eastward, over the u. s. it is a, around 60000 feet or 18000 meters in the sky, so it is well above the range of civilian aircraft. that is why the defense department says it does not pose a physical or military risk. it can still be seen from the ground. if you're standing underneath it, but the question was asked if this balloon was steered or is it drifting through us air space and the spokesperson would not say, but did say the balloon can be steered? it's maneuverable. so that was an interesting point. and we also heard actually on thursday already that this is not the 1st time that aspire supp vibe balloon has the entered u. s. air space, but more details were not shared on when this has happened before, because that as well as classified. so we're learning more information, but this balloon is still in u. s. airspace vidalia correspondence and we someone's gonna in washington. thanks for that update. and for a deeper look,

i'm now joined by mary gallagher, a china expert and professor and democracy, democratic zation and human rights at the university of michigan with gallagher. welcome, though a long awaited and long overdue visit. canceled. what's the diplomatic price? china? we'll have to pay for this. well, i think it's an interesting decision. i mean there's some set back, i guess, to getting us china relations on a bigger track. but i think for the, by the administration, the risks of going really increased with this crisis over the balloon. and they probably thought we're in a relative position of strength right now. these are the china. and so it's really china's now the ball is in china's court to get the relationship on track again. what would have been the risks for the biden administration and going well, i think there's a domestic political risk in the sense of going, it could have been alleged by the republicans who have taken control of the house

that he's weak on china. there's a new senate dot senate select committee on china led by a representative my gallagher, and that is looking to do a lot of hearings on china. so it's not a great time for lincoln to go to china. and just after, you know, there's this violation of us airspace and us sovereignty. it really, i think there is a risk of making bite and appear quite weak. a 2nd factor is also china's behavior in recent meetings, of course, blinking met with some of his chinese partners in alaska last year, and that went very badly. they were sort of berated and lectured by the, by the chinese. and i think there's always that risk of not knowing how you're going to be treated in china recently with their kind of dep diplomatic posture is just much more aggressive. and so i think there was also a risk of how the meetings would play out if they played out badly. it would even

further look like it was a big mistake to go. you know, china has satellites that it could easily use to spy on the us. so why use a balloon and risk this kind of fall out? that is a great question. i don't know, and i am really mystified by the use of these balloons. and that this is not the 1st one. i think it probably also angered the american government that the chinese response was that in some weather monitoring equipment that drifted, i mean, i don't find that very believable. but you know, there is, there's obviously a very, very important question as to why something more mo bile and something much lower down is being used in place of probably more accurate satellites in terms of things like taking pictures. so perhaps there's some other use of this type of a loon. i'm sure the american military knows a lot more about it than i do. and that is why they are not pleased to see it in their aerospace so us, china, ties are strained. they have been for

a really long time blinking announces visit precisely to avoid miscommunication that could lead to confrontation of any sort. so how important is it that the u. s . and china establish what lincoln calls guard rails to engage with each other? it's important and i think, i think, and i hope that they continue to do that at least on from a far if there's not going to be a high level visit at this point. i mean by then, you know, met with she last fall. that was good, but i, you know, i think that the u. s. right now given that china's just coming out of 0 cov ed, it's economy is in the doldrums. still the u. s. just had a good jobs report and inflation is starting to go down. so i think the u. s. is trying to get, i'm trying to position itself better. visa, the china post pandemic. i think it wants to get to get back to more of an equal footing and not feel like it was, you know, in a weaker position either because of domestic political things like january 6 or the

bad performance that the u. s. had in the early stages of the pandemic, mary gallagher and joining us from ann arbor. thank you so much for those insights . thank you. european union leaders have stopped short of granting ukraine a fast track to membership and the block. at a summit with the leaders and key ukraine's president volota mer zalinski repeated his appeal to speed things up. he said ukraine deserved to begin negotiations on joining the block. this year, european officials bound to provide enduring support to ukraine, but said there were no shortcuts to you membership. this history making summit offered up a flurry of announcements amidst the wintry conditions in keith. it was also a chance for the ease top officials to demonstrate the growing ties between ukraine and the european union. the future of ukraine is within the european union, lucrative people. you have made a clear choice for freedom,

for democracy and hulu, flow, and re you, with also me to clear the fusion. your future is with us in our common european union. but in spite of all of them, is lensky attempts at these talks to build a faster path into the e u. that future still looks some way off, despite all the smiles and positive rhetoric around the table that i know which it timelines. but their goal that you have to reach the forms, for example, to improve a situation in the canada country to then reach at the accession negotiations. and the session exec itself. also discussed the war with russia and a promise of fresh e sanctions against moscow. focused on trade and technology, but president zalinski wants more immediate help in the form of weapons to hold off

a predicted russian search in the next few weeks. so that you're more wiggly, these are conditions where the more long range weapons we have. the better equipped artillery is the sooner modern western tanks will start operating on the battlefield in ukraine oil. okay, and the stronger air defense will be the sooner brushes, aggression will and not shop for either. now and protection of european security and freedom, she eating will have more guarantees. occasionally, europe wastefully misplaced, his val, more than beyond the pledge of new sanctions, came details of more humanitarian help for the country, including 25000000000 euros to fund a de mining program. seen as crucial in helping ukraine rebuild ads in t call practical aid for residents, millions of energy efficient l e d light bulbs to help people reduce their own consumption and take the pressure of ukraine's crippled power grid with so the

e. u is to impose the 10th round of sanctions on russia and for more on that i'm joined by an bradshaw. she's an expert on international economic sanctions with royal united services institute and london. welcome to the w. so the initial purpose of the ease sanctions was to cripple the russian economy. so the kremlin wouldn't be able to afford the war. why didn't these sanctions have the desired impact? sanctions are by definition a political term, but also an imperfect tool. it is very difficult to calibrate sanctions in a way that gives them a measurable impact. but we have seen developing over the last 10 years really focused on so called smart sanctions. and the last year has seen an unprecedented development in the types of smart sanctions that are relied

on. and we will see more developments for sure in the future. but in terms of measuring the impact, it's very difficult indeed. and of course, there are many reasons for this, but principally, 3, the 1st reason is sanctions have to be aligned. it is very difficult to achieve effectiveness if there is some disparity divergence between different sanctions regimes. which is one of the reasons why the today called for other country is to follow in its steps. and principally the main sanctions jurisdictions here would be the us and the u. k. canada and australia as well. so we would really see more alignment. they also hold on countries like bella roofs and iran to cease their act and support or these,

these new sanctions focus on preventing russia from importing foreign technology to boost their weaponry, especially when it comes to drones. now that you mentioned iran is that approach smart as you it's, it's an inevitable approach because it is a response to but we're seeing on the ground and for that reason predictable to but i think that again, sections foreign parts of a much broader package. so nice lation measures will look in a search and it is the impact as a whole that needs to be considered as well. it's incredibly difficult, of course to make sure not just that the sanctions are smart in the sense of targeting the right types of experts and in parts, but also that they're complied with in practice. and that is the real challenge

because of course, sanctions have to be and forest and they have to be properly understood on the ground. so the businesses and the services industry and understand, but it is that they need to do in order to comply. and that is one of the big challenges the faces. now finding sanctions that russia cannot circumvent anna bratcher, analyst and international economic sanctions. thank you so much. and a brief look now at some other stories from around the world. italian media say 8 microns, have been found dead and 42. others were rescued from a boat off the mediterranean island of lump producer, or among some 200 others who arrived on different boats to the island over night. oh frances has arrived in south so don, for the 2nd and final length of his trip to africa he earlier spend some days in the democratic republic of the congo. the head of the catholic church is expected

to bring a message of peace and reconciliation, inter communal violence, still plague south some don, despite the end of a civil war in 2018 award winning a rainy and director, jaffar panell. he has been released on bail he was jailed last july, after protesting the arrest of 2 fellow filmmakers were demanding iran government and its violent crack down. earlier this week he started hunger strike, but now he said he was protesting the quote, illegal and inhumane behavior. the judicial and security apparatus ah, the women's blood is like a returned from winter break. this weekend was defending champions. ball spoke 5 points, clear at the top of the table, with a perfect record challengers. byron munich, and i'd cost. i would have a mountain to climb up there to close the gap. a task made all the more difficult.

thanks to bob's books. high flying striker, she makes everything look easy from juggling to scoring goals of ever pay your is join top of the bonus, you got scoring charts. the bush work striker has squandered 8 goals and 8 matches . but she's not done yet. so we've presented it yet. yeah, for you the year branding every training session. i every game you can always do everything better. oh my, that's my goal in that scene. i don't think that you can already do it. all right. it's not like that. we saw wharfs book haven't lost in the bonus, you get this season. they've won 10 games out of 10. it's easy to see why. the backbone is made up of germany's national team, like marina. he got in here. as well as striker alexandra pub. med feelers venue who'd entry in our o. but off while spook have won 5 of the last 6 titles. pay your has

a simple explanation for their dominance. she over here i always hungry home and i think we'll see what it is always hungry. we always want to win every thing, and i like that mentality. i'll give you an each mark among many deck. with that insatiable appetite ever pie your end, the reigning vanessia champions, could go the whole season unbeaten for the 2nd time in the claps. history. enjoying me were more on the women's been as legal is alone, judging from the w sports and you know, what makes false book so good and can they really say unbeaten the entire season? very good question. i mean, they're an extremely talented squad. and as the report already pointed out, that a big chunk of the team is composed of the german national team. we see, you know, right here. and of course they were run us up at euro 2022. so this team has a lot of experience to have

a lot of depth on the bench and they consistently qualify for the champions league, so they know how to work with pressure top level, you know, those, those moments they know they live for that. and they've also, as we've already mentioned, the that they've cannot attend this season, but they've also scored an incredible $35.00 gold stuff now so far this season and they've only conceded 5. so and, and to answer the 2nd part of your question, will they stay on beaten? i say why not? because they've done it before in 2019 and back then it was also ever pio. that top the buttons they got charged. so if she could say prolific, i'm sure they can who could dare to challenge them at the top? yeah, so if we look at the table, we kind of see how close things are. and wolf's book at the moment, have a 5 point lead over by an munich. we see i'm tucked, hung foot close behind, and 3rd it trailing by 7 points. and it is a comfortable lead, i would say, but you can't get to come fee with that lead because it just $5.00 points,

you know, want to matchers and everything can be, you know, phone out of order though. and i think here's the thing, a lot of teams will make it very difficult for them. and the coach knows that. and the coach even said, look, we have to stay awake. we have to stay alert because no team will gift us anything . the women's been, as lega has seen attendance records this season. so is this real and lasting growth that we're seeing? it's too early to tell. got what we have been observing and seeing the season looks very, very promising. so you just touched upon the attendance, record 3 matches in the buddhist niga attracted over 20020000 fans each on the season opener. frankfurt against by a new nick had just over 23000 well spoke against by an unique site over 21000 and play men and highbrook even attracted a crowd of over 20000 hands. now,

a bit of context you of course, as needed because when you compare these numbers to the men's want to see these numbers look like peanuts. but for the women's game, this is really a great jump. because the previous record in the womans, when this ego was around 12000, and that was in 2014. so like i just said, it's a major jump. and, and i know these are a lot of numbers that i just, for viewers at the moment. but hopefully this heard in interest, like you said it, it has to indicate and reflect real growth and hopefully it's not just, you know, the spillover effect of the success at the euro's recently. so the key word here being sustainability and sustainability that will hopefully lead to better playing conditions for the women playing in the runners league. thank you so much. i want to check it and let's take a look at some other sports stories from around the world out. australian tennis player, naked curios has pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex girlfriend, but he won't face a criminal conviction after

a court and can brook dismissed the charges. curious, admitted pushing over his ex girlfriend during an argument in 2021. but a judge said it wasn't premeditated and that the risk of re offending was low full in sports minister says as many as 40 countries, good boy caught the 2024 paris olympics of russia and bella ruth take part. the international olympic committee is considering allowing russian and bella ruffian athletes to participate, but only under a neutral flag. it says a boycott would punish the athletes. and a basketball lebron james has an edged closer to the n b a's. all time scoring record. he added to his tally and the lakers went over indiana on thursday. james is now just 63 points away from beating the current record held by kareem abdul jabbar. and finally, former football star garrath bales. love of gulf often saw him criticize for

a lack of dedication to his main sport, but now he's retired. bail is fully embracing his passion. the welshman is competing in his 1st official golf tournament, and pebble beach in california. bail is among over $100.00 amateurs taking part and he made a strong start to the tournament. bill and his partner are in a tie for 18th place on the pro am leader board. and moving on, freedom of expression has long been under a talk in russia, but censorship has only risen since moscow launched its invasion of ukraine. but that's not stopping some artists from showing their opposition to the war. and exhibition and st. petersburg has gone ahead, despite the dangers a wide, i child doves of peace, and the words love against hate, all displayed on me to long cardboard posters. these are the works of 77 year old st. petersburg artist, alina or sip over. 2 dozen of these posters created from 2014 to the present day

were on display here at the local headquarters of the russian political party yap local exhibition opened on the last day of january. the very next day it was rated by police and the works confiscated. organizers had anticipated such a reaction. there decided not to feature or suppose most critical work, fearing it could fall under new laws, restricting freedom of expression in russia. who knew feel of what with mowgli? unfortunately, we were not able to exhibit all the works here publicly because we need to comply with the new laws. and we wouldn't want to put alaina, also pover and the party at risk. but if you don't believe the yoga, some of her work is you are very striking when we can absolutely accurately from or thought they contain words that one would have to pay a fine for local, immortal. as of what the through the world. it's elaina,

our supervisor has studied and taught art all her life look graph. she created her 1st political poster in 2002 after the seizure of moscow theater by chechen rebels . good, since then she's taken part in countless protests, often being detained after russia invaded ukraine, or supervisor joined anti war rallies. she says she was not afraid then and she isn't now despite the new repressive laws, with the new bill for what could be worse and what is happening when you said or nothing is scary. you never know what scary. this is my country, my home land. why can't i say or do something peacefully without weapons deals with the other who? several dozen people came to the opening of the exhibition in saint petersburg. visitors also wrote letters to russian political prisoners

with events like this inspire hope in a bright future. because there are many people who think the same and it's necessary for us to be close to one another. to know, appreciate and love each other with. police seized a total of 19 paintings by alaina or see pulver laser. the artist told reporters that she also got a visit from the police that night, but she says she will keep protesting. she is known in the city as the conscience of saint petersburg. a spanish fashion designer pucker robin has died at his home in france. he was 88, he was best known for his eccentric clothing designs often made from unusual materials and his popular perfumes for men and women. a statement from the fashion house on instagram said he will be remembered as one of the seminal fashion figures of the 20th century. and

a quick reminder of our top story. china has claimed that one of the high altitude balloons flying over the us, it's civilian another regrets it sailed into u. s. aerospace, the secretary of state antony blank and has reportedly canceled his trip to beijing over to the incident. you're up to date up next unequal africa synagogue tries to wayne itself. all right, them courts and we meet and young messiah climate warrior. in canyon warren is at the top of the hour with awe, with

independent pos, totally defend them, totally dependent on the suit up enough to kind of activist a need to sign up is fighting to protect a home in kenya, on not with weapons. 3 saplings to think up to the quick of call or

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