captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> hello and welcome to the "journal." i'm in berlin. >> welcome. >> these are our headlines this hour. >> renewed violence in syria as arab league observers are due to start their mission. >> bope ben direct iv condemns attacks on christians in nigh -- nigeria.

>> the first 50 arab league observers have reportedly arrived in damascus. the observers could be headed to homes on tuesday. the city has been a stronghold of resistance to alassad's regime. they have traveled to the country to monitor whether syria has implemented a peace plan. >> one of the things are the observers are going to check is whether the syrian government is pulling tanks out of cities. but unverified video posted online says it shows the army firing on civilians on monday. activists say at least 23 people were killed, when the arab league observers start work, they'll offer the first official outside version of events.

>> we're not going to give our opinions, but rather to report information about the extent to will the syrian government has implemented their obligations. have armed personnel been evacuated from streets? has syria paved the way for mass media to report on the grounds? have the prisoners been released? this is why we're going. >> for weeks, the syrian government refused to let observers in. now it's hope they'll have full access. >> since the syrian government has signed the protocol, it is now bound by several points. such as providing security for the observers allowing them to freely roam the streets, visit prisons, and to meet with the opposition. >> the hope is that once the observers start work on tuesday, the violence will finally come to an end. >> yemen's president has requested permission to travel to the u.s. government sources in washington say the administration is considering whether soliai

should be allowed to enter the country for medical treatment. he was wounded if an attack earlier this year. meanwhile, protests in yemen continue. on sunday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, demanding justice after nine protesters died in a crackdown the previous day. in iraq, seven people were killed when a suicide car bomb exploded outside the interior ministry in baghdad. police say the bomber drove his vehicle into a security area outside the ministry. it followed a series of explosions last week that claimed at least 70 lives. the deadly attacks come as a crisis between shiite and sunni politicians. u.s. troops left the country just a week ago. nigeria's blackest christmas ever. that's how one newspaper has described a wave of attacks against christians that rock the country on sunday. dozen os. people died in a series of

bombings that targeted churches across nigeria. international leaders have condemned the attacks and the pope called them an absurd gesture. >> pope benedict addressed the christmas bombings in a speech to a crowd that gathered in st. peters square for his traditional prayer. he said they filled him with profound sadness and that violence is never an answer. >> i wish to express my sincere and affectionate closeness to the christian community and to all those who have been affected by this senseless act. and i invite you to pray to the lord for the many victims. the worst attack was at a church on the outskirts of nigeria's capital. a car bomb exploded in a square in front of it after christmas services killing dozens of people. a short time later, there were

explosions in the city. also near churches. and there were two more in the city of damaturu. joss has long been plagued by violence. the city lies between the northern part of nigeria which is mainly muslim and the mainly christian south. the radical islammist sect has claimed responsibility for the attacks. calls itself the nigerian taliban and is against western values and lifestyle. nigerian police say they'll provide better protection for churches. some observers see the attacks as a sign of escalating sectarian warfare and suggest they may reignite a conflict that has been smoldering for decades. >> the japanese foreign minister has held a meeting with burmese opposition leader. he is the first japanese foreign minister to visit burma since 2002. he held talks with members of the burmese government earlier

in the day. he says he's invited him to come and visit japan soon. the opposition leader was freed in november 2010 after seven years of house arrest. >> she said she expected japan to be at the forefront of friendly nations that would help burma march. time now for business with monica and a major cyber crime affecting a big u.s. company. >> and a security company of all kinds of industry there. u.s. security firm strat ever -- they claimed they belonged to a hacker group anonymous say they carried out the cyber attack. they advise major corporation and u.s. government agencies. global intelligence company stratfor's website was immediately shut down. hackers say they easily installed data from the site. the activists claim to be part of anonymous poke fun at

stratfor. they say they saw the credit card details of thousands of the company's clients, using them to make charity donations. >> they can clean out your bank account or use your credit card number and charge a number of items before it's ever figured out. they have in the past hacked into systems taken money, donated it to charitable and non-profits. >> they confirmed the attack on facebook. the publication of its confidential client list will be particularly embarrassing. the hackers say it includes high-profile companies like apple and bank of america, as well as the pentagon and the united nations. cyber crime expert alan bass says $700 was taken from his account. >> actually, just costing us all time and money. holiday, not the christmas spirit, and not my family, but it's costing everybody involved. >> the hackers boast that they've already stolen the

unincrypted credit card data of at least 4,000 clients. stratfor says it installed security systems but that it's extremely difficult to defend against such attacks. >> china and japan have agreed to start talks next year on a free trade agreement between their two countries and south korea. they also want to encourage the use of their own currencies in bilateral trade. that could signal an attempt too reduce the dominance of the u.s. dollar in asian commerce. it would also provide a chance to loosen beijing's tight controls on its currency that won. china and japan are the world's second and third largest economies. a lot of their bilateral trade is settled in u.s. dollars, which creates conversion costs for all parties involved. japan's sony and south korean rival samsung are distributing their venture for l.c.d. displace. they are trying to turn that key part of its business to profit. the company says getting out of

the l.c.d. venture will result in substantial cost save ngs the mid-term. >> sony isn't selling as many televisions as it had hopedial especially in europe and the u.s. where the soaring yen is making the sets more expensive. that's why sony is going to terminate its joint venture to build l.c.d. television displays with south korean electronics giant samsung. samsung is the world's beggist maker of l.c.d. screens with more than 22% of the market. l.g., also from south korea, is in second place followed by sony with 11.4%. panasonic and sharp round out the top five. samsung will buy out sony's share in the joint venture for about $730 million, but the south korean company is to continue to deliver l.c.d. screens to sony. >> many stock markets around the world stayed closed this monday because of the christmas

holidays, but the tokyo exchange was open. while trading was thin, it ended the day in positive territory following cues set on friday in new york. investors appear to be encouraged by the u.s. economy. syria and new york are among the many markets closed today, but there are many activity on currency markets. the euro is trading right now. german motorists continue to snub the e 10 biofuel introduced a year ago. so far its market share is only 10%. but oil companies believe e 10 will eventually win more recognition. e 10 biofuel is a mixture of 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol extracted from turnips, corn, and wheat. >> e 10 biofuel is now available at most service stations across germany. it's usually three cents cheaper than premium unleaded. but a year after its

introduction, around 0% of the motorists still won't use it. >> it's a gut feeling. i could find out if my car tolerates e 10, but just to save three cents a leader, i'm not going to. >> i'd rather pay more so my car doesn't break down. >> but the statistics tell another story. there hasn't been a single documented case of engine damage caused by e 10. drivers just seem to be still as nervous about it as they were a year ago. the petroleum industry, automobile associations and car makers have blamed each other for the biofuel's poor sales record. >> i think we would all benefit if we pulled together and helped e 10 become a market success because this biofuel has the most potential to reduce co-2 emissions in the transportation sector in the mid-term. >> environmental groups contend the carbon footprint isn't good, but politicians maintain it's here to stay, to reduce dependence on crude oil.

>> e 10 will definitely still be available next year. that's what the government wants. the petroleum industry has already re-adjusted. >> but there's no sign of how the sector can convince motorists to start using e 10, just the vague hope that eventually everyone will accept it. >> turkey has agreed to build a joint oil pipeline, avoiding russian territory. it will transport 16 billion meters of natural gas from the former soviet republic of turkey and europe. the energy ministers signed off on monday. construction begins next year and the gas should be flowing by 2017. for the e.u., it's one further step to reduce its dependency on russian oil. >> for some, it's a test of press freedom in turkey. 13 journalists are standing trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, and their second hearing got under way in istanbul on monday.

the defendants include some of the cunfri's most prominent investigative journalists and they believe they're being punished for their critical work. but the government says they were a threat to the country. >> many journalists are among those protesting this trial. they say the turkish government is persecuting reporters and suppressing free speech. the 13 journalists were arrested in march. they're accused of being members of a nationalist group plotting to overthrow the government. the charges are supporting a terrorist organization. but some people say the turkish government is just trying to crack down on dissent. one of the accused is one who is has written books about the tour key and a conservative preacher who is close to the ruling dissent development party. >> the government's been putting pressure on journalists for a long time now. it's obvious what they want.

they want to get rid of any opposition voices in the country. >> the court proceedings are also drawing attention from international groups worried about freedom of speech in turkey. >> i think you're now topping the world list of having prisoners of journalistic background. and this cannot continue. we must stop it. >> these 13 journalists are just some of many who have been arrested in turkey recently. it's likely to take the courts years to deal with all the cases. >> it was a day to remember. on monday, countries around the indian ocean marked the anniversary of the 2004 tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people. most in indonesia, sri lanka, and thailand. people gathered at memorial sites to remember the victims, including in southern thailand. >> on the island of fui ket, residents and tourists come together to remember the

tsunami. people released candle-lit balloons into the sky to honor the dead. on december 26, 2004, a huge earthquake off the coast of sumatra triggered a tsunami which rolled across the indian ocean. the massive waves swept away more than 5,400 people in thailand alone. half of the dead were foreign visitors. on phuket, the bodies that could be recovered were brought here for identification. this wall shielded the makeshift morgue from the public gaze. now it is a memorial, a place to leave flowers in remembrance. >> in orderic countries have been hit by a major storm with winds over 120 kilometers per

hour in some places. the storm whipped up high waves off the coast. some ferry services had to be canceled. there was considerable damage to coastal areas. on land, streets and roads were blocked by debris and fallen trees. power was cut off in hundreds of thousands of homes in norway and sweden. sports news now. the nba basketball season in the u.s. has finally kicked off after months of delay due to a labor dispute. one game pitted the miami heat against nba champions the dallas mavericks. and their star forward dirk nowitzki. but the season's start was a disappointment for the mavs. the miami heat won the match-up 105-94. the wild oats 11 has taken the lead in australia's yacht race, which is considered one of the most difficult events of its kind. the competitors have to contend with treacherous currents around tasmania. this year, the fleet of 88 force headwinds from a tropical

storm during their 11-hundred kilometer journey. in-depth is up next. we'll the taking a look at how the young in germany look towards the future. don't go away. >> quick access to your programs. quick access to your region. all broadcast times at a glance. tailored to your needs. the full program.

>> welcome back. the year is rapidly drawing to a close, a year in which you often heard us talk about the euro debt crisis. it's been an especially tough time for europe's younger generations with youth unemployment above 40% in certain countries. germany's economy has performed much better than many of its european counterparts. germany's young still seem to be pretty optimistic about the coming years. a recent survey showed 59% of them show a bright future. only 6% said they see bleak times ahead.

only 35% were unsure. in our in-depth report, we join three young germans turning 18. the age when they officially enter adulthood. we talk to them about their lives, their future, and their dreams. >> i -- when i'm 18 i can have my high school diploma and can go study. >> i live in berlin. being 18 means i can finally party. >> i'll be in the second year of my apprenticeship as a chef. >> they are three out of hundreds of thousands of germans on the cusp of adulthood. they want to shape their lives and are looking for the right way to do it. school is out in frank fortunate.

kiwi starts the weekend in her parents' store. her family came here 24 years ago from vietnam. they now run a dry cleaning shop and a snack scan. kiwi helps out as much she can. >> i think it's a typical asian kind of upbringing, especially in vietnam. people really help their parents. and when i hear what my friends have to do at home around the house, it's really nothing compared to what i have to do. but i do it because i want to. >> uric only has himself to look after. three months ago, he moved from munich to berlin to study. he lives alone in his first apartment. you aric just turned 18. he wanted to be independent as soon as he could.

>> i already have a lot of freedom at home, so it's not so different. but i can't imagine living with my parents anymore. you're independent in the sense that you can really do what you want. >> while you aric relaxes and plays guitar, jannik has already been working a long time. he's doing abapprenticeship to learn how to be a cook. now days, jannik spends his days learning about meat stocks rather than physics. >> it's an adjustment, but in a positive sense. i have something real to do, something to achieve.

at school, you just sit around more or less with the teachers droning on. and now i really get to learn something. >> jannik has to prove himself every day in the kitchen. it's a tough environment. the days is so long. many apprentices quickly drop out of the program. but no apprenticeship means no job. the unemployment rate among young germans is nearly 10%. fortunately, jannik loves his job. >> it's stressful. it's physically demanding. but it's really fun. you have to have the enthusiasm for it and some natural talent. otherwise, you won't make it. >> kiwi is also feeling stressed. she takes every free minute she

gets at her parents' shop to do her homework. the children of immigrants have often been disadvantaged in germany, but education is a way up in society. kiwi is determined to do well at school and is already dreaming about university. >> my father insists that i study close by because he thinks that otherwise i won't come and visit them. the problem is that i can't study what i want to around here, but i would come and visit my parents. it's an issue between us. you aric's life is a bit more relaxed. he only has one lecture today. it starts at 6:00 p.m. more than 40% of young germans go to university. twice as many as 30 years ago. you aric is studying philosophy and communications. he chose the subjects because they interest him. he has no fear of being

unemployed. a career and a steady income aren't very important to him. he started university at just 17. this is possible in germany now that secondary schooling has been short ped and compulsory military service abolished. still, you aric is unusually young in his philosophy classes. >> imagine you're in a seminar or something and there are people there who had 21 or 23 years old or something who have already been working for years. they've got a lot more life experience. so i have to remember i haven't come that far in life. and maybe i should have more and espect for them. ve more >> you aric is taking it easy. he wants to collect experiences, take his time and dance the night away with friends. now that he's 18, he gets in everywhere.

jannik wants exactly what direction he wants to go in. for his 18th birthday, he wants to take his driver's license. once his apprenticeship is finished, he wants to fulfill his dream. >> i'd like to have a small, really good restaurant. together with some colleagues. earn a bit of money. support a nice little family. and be happy. >> jannik likes that he can bring pleasure to others by preparing a delicious meal. he cooks at home too for his family and friends. but things weren't always so harmonious at home. jannik dropped out of school for a while, but after starting his apprenticeship, things improved. >> once a week, kiwi volunteers to help children with gymnastics.

>> when she was younger, kiwi did gymnastics herself. now she helps children learn how to get it right. kiwi likes practicing with younger gymnasts. children and family are the most important things in her life. >> i definitely want to get married very early and have children. i'm such a family person that when i see kids, i always think how great it would be to have my own child. i'm still very young, but i love kids. jannik and you aric also want to have families. but they say they need to establish themselves first. they know they'll meet obstacles, but like most young people in germany, they're looking forward to the future.

>> and a bright future at that. optimism among the youth of germany. that was our focus of "in-depth." thanks for watching.