>> hello and welcome to the "journal" coming to you from dw in burlington the i am serra carrot -- sarah kelly. >> i am richard walker. more than 500 billion euros to try to prevent another credit crunch. >> war of words. belarus accuses the u.s. of escalating tensions over a decision to withdraw its ambassaors. >> a heavyweight clash in soccer as germany prepares to face off against france in an international friendly later tonight. ♪

>> the ecb has been showering europe's banks with money again, and they're taking all the cheap loans they can get. >> 529.5 billion euros is the number. that brings the total pumped out of the european central bank to over one trillion euros in the past couple of months. >> part of a special operation to prevent another credit crunch in europe's banking system. the hope is banks will use some of the money to keep telling governments afloat as well. >> we will be asking our markets reporter what this means. first, this report on the ecb's latest crisis-fighting move. >> is this bank in trouble? or this one? maybe this one? some 800 financial institutions have taken up the european central banks second offer of cheap money. but the ecb is not releasing many details. the banks are likewise keeping quiet. a big loan could be taken as a

sign the company is in crisis. the ecb is asking only 1% annual interest for a three-year line of credit. like last time, it hopes banks will start lending again and by the sovereign debt of troubled eurozone economies. >> it tries to restore confidence in the markets, to ddefreeze the interbank markets, and to give the banks leeway to reduce their debt. also, as equally important, it gives some leeway, some room for capital markets to issue new debt. >> this will likely be the last cash injection of its kind from the ecb. it does not want banks to become reliant on such operations. and so much liquidity on the market also raises the threat of inflation. >> for more, let's bring our market correspondent dorothy holtz who is on the floor of the frankfurt stock exchange. what impact does the ecb hope

that this will have on the markets in general? >> the main intention of the ecb is clearly to stabilize the financial sector, to build up more confidence again in the banking sector. secondly, banks should be prepared to face an even harder storm in the eurozone. for example, a possible default of greece. the chances are also rising now that the money will really go into the economy as a small banks from the northern part of the eurozone participated in that measure. the first injection, especially banks from the debt rating countries, took the money to refinance itself under to buy bonds. interest rates for italian bonds are going down today. >> it is not exactly free money. what are the potential negatives of the move? >> clearly, the inflation risks are rising because more money is circulating. the more important dangers that ailing banks in the eurozone and

the highly indebted countries are taking the money and are going the easy way by avoiding much needed reforms that even the german banking association warns that this money will only buy time. it is not possible that the money will solve the problems in the eurozone. succumbing to the market numbers now, this was a positive sign for the markets. the dax is up almost 0.5%. the euro stoxx 50, as well. but the euro is under pressure after this injection from the ecb. back to you. >> thank you. the german labor market continues to show signs of strength, even in the face of the eurozone debt crisis. the number of people out of work in february remains at very low levels. that is even despite some seasonal factors. >> during february, very cold temperatures slowed or stalled construction projects, like here in berlin.

most materials became unworkable during the deep freeze. this meant less work for bricklayers and carpenters. the cold helped drive the unemployment rate up by 26,000 jobs to just about 3.1 million. but germany still has 200,000 fewer people lot over compared to a year ago. >> the job market in february was robust. demand slackened a bit, but it is still high. >> the federal labour office says it sees no reason to worry about a worsening job market in the coming months. >> of belarus has strongly criticized the decision by the european union to with -- to withdraw its ambassadors. >> the eu announced move was that after belarus made a suggestion that the ambassador should return for talks. >> the user is using scare tactics, and they say they want mutual dialogue. the eu accuses minsk of violating human rights.

>> and the response from minsk was prompt and uncompromising. belarus accused the european union of escalating tensions and warned that their "tactics of intimidation would not work." >> the eu's decision shows a brussels is maintaining its policy of aggression. we have always made clear that this policy is a path to a dead end. >> relations between belarus and the eu have been feisty cents disputed presidential elections in 2010. mass protests following the poll were crushed by president alexander lukashenko. his main political opponents were arrested. the eu responded with the sanctions against government officials, police chiefs, and judges. so far, lukashenko has refused to bend to pressure. there are now concerns the recall of the eu on voice could make dollar is even more

dependent on russia. >> so why are these tensions escalating now? i put that question earlier to our brussels correspondent, nina. >> the eu has been very concerned about what is going on in belarus for a long time. how the opposition is being oppressed. and number of sanctions already in place. in fact, does it the longest- running program of sanctions at the eu has in place against any country. this program was to be extended on monday when the foreign ministers met, but then that did not happen. but some countries, like poland, pushed for it to happen, that more people were going to be put on the list. and the eu did decide that. so that is what triggered president lukashenko's reaction, that he requested that the polish ambassador and the eu envoy leave belarus and return to the capitals for what he called consultations. in a gesture of solidarity,

lady said we're all going to withdraw our ambassadors -- lady catherine ashton said we're all going to withdraw our ambassadors. >> the strategy against belarus does not seem to be yielding results. >> like i said, more than 200 people are facing sanctions from the eu. but just how effective they are, nobody knows. the eu is working on another level, which is they are trying to support the opposition from the european union. they have an extensive network of support programs could universities offer for young students, and they have to change the bill region society in the long run. >> thank you for that from brussels. >> egyptian police say they have arrested one of the most senior members of al qaeda. but the man detained says it is case of mistaken identity. saif al-adel is on the fbi's

most wanted list, and there's a $5 million reward for his capture. a man traveling under a different name was detained in cairo airport on arrival from pakistan. >> the u.s. is working on a new draft u.n. security council resolution to release -- relieve the suffering in syria by focusing on getting aid to civilians. it hopes china and russia will support it. misery continues for residents of palm springs, with reports that ground troops are addressing -- of homs, with reports that ground troops are advancing. this home was shelled in the city for the north to the people have been burying dead. locals say the town came under army assault on monday. french president nicolas sarkozy says it is back to the drawing board after judges throughout the controversial bill that sparked a war of words with turkey. >> the legislation needed -- made it illegal to deny the turkey perpetrated genocide against armenians during the

first world war. >> it might not be over yet. sarkozy says he wants his government to redraft the law, taking the court's concerns into account. >> in turkey, the french constitutional council decision was closely followed. the law and denying the army and genocide was the subject of much concern. it was right to overturn this decision, this man says. many historians say that more than a million armenians were killed in the first world war by turkish forces. turkey disputes the number of deaths and says there were victims on both sides. but many outside observers say the killings, which took place between 1915 and 1917, qualify as state sanctioned mass murder. the french law made it a crime to deny that the killings constituted genocide. this caused outrage in turkey. french president nicolas sarkozy was ridiculed in turkish newspapers. the turkish ambassador in paris

was recalled, and military cooperation between the two countries was suspended. the turkish government sees the french court decision as a vindication and a way to normalise political and economic ties again. >> as far as i can judge at this time, the problems between france and turkey are settled. >> but the french government says it will try again with another draft of the law, which will likely make for more trouble between the two countries. >> and the u.s. republican front runner mitt romney won both of last night's primaries in michigan and arizona, holding up a strong challenge from his right-wing rival rick santorum. >> romney scored a big victory in arizona, but his home state of michigan was seen as the critical test. and there, he only scraped away. >> with 10 more states voting next week and a super tuesday, romney still has much work to do try to persuade republicans that he is the man to win the white

house in november. >> mitt romney's victory in michigan was close right up to the end. now he is trying to reestablish himself as the party's presumptive nominee by attacking president barack obama. >> did you fix the economy? no. did he tackle the housing crisis? did he get america back to work? no, instead he put us on a path toward debt and deficits and a decline. it is time to get off that path and get back on the path of american prosperity. >> romney was born in michigan and played up his roots in the state. but his opposition to the bailout of the auto industry caused him problems. he also faced the perception that he is an out of touch millionaire. romney's main rival in michigan was rick santorum, his popularity surged shortly before the primary vote.

santorum lost but remained defiant. >> a month ago, they did not know who we are. they do now. >> romney was able to reassert his front runner status with his victories in michigan and arizona. his next challenge, super tuesday next week, when 10 states held primary contests. >> mitt romney has the most money and the best campaign logistics. but still, he has to fight for every state, including his home state michigan. that just shows that he still has not convinced all the republican voters, especially not the very conservative ones. >> that was from washington. now, time for look in brief of what else is making news around the world. >> a suicide car bomber has been hit in a to a supply convoy in southern afghanistan. seven afghan civilians were injured in the blast. the capital of helmand province. a spokesman said no damage was done to the convoy and no one on

board the convoy was injured. >> one taurus was killed and at least 40 injured when a bus overturned in southern cambodia -- one a tourist was killed. it was traveling from the coastal resort on the border with thailand. the accident. on terrorists attacked civilians. members of the security forces. ethnic tensions have been high in the province since riots three years ago left 200 people dead. ok, so we're going to be right back in a minute's time with more news from here, dwi in berlin. >> more on voting on the new parliament in iran.

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♪ >> his adventures were so vivid, it was as though he had been there himself. march on dw. all broadcast * online. ♪ >> welcome back. iran chooses a new parliament this friday in an election that has been widely seen as a test of support for the regime. >> the first nationwide poll since president ahmadinejad was returned to power in a 2009, an election that ended in opposition protests and a crackdown. million voters to boycott this week's elections as a show of defiance. we have this report. >> when iranians head to the polling booths on friday, many young people will not be among them. opposition groups of promised to boycott the parliamentary election. it said if the vote is not free and fair, they would rather not

vote at all. >> i have seen a lot of people who want to go, people in their 40's and 50's. the people my age? no. >> i have no interest in taking part in these elections. i have voted only once, the 2009 elections. >> for many, any hope for change in iran was crushed after the presidential pulpit a widespread allegations of electoral fraud triggered mass protests, resulting in a brutal crackdown by government security forces. this time around, few believe their vote will make any difference. >> the result will not matter. even if people do not go, you'll see as our statistics showing that all those votes were cast. -- you'll see a bizarre statistics showing that all those votes were cast. >> the political establishment in that tehran is calling for a big turn out to show the outside

world they still enjoy the support of the people. the size of the boycott will put that claim to the test. >> the german labor court has banned a strike by ground staff at frankfurt airport, but the ruling came too late for many passengers flying today. they're already contending with cancellations and delays. >> last night, a labor court banned air traffic controllers from joining the strike. something that would have brought germany's biggest hub to a complete standstill. >> the air-traffic controllers wanted to strike in solidarity with the ground crews. but what exactly are they demanding? we have a look at a line of work that does not usually get much attention. >> frankfurt airport's ramp marshals are responsible for guiding aircraft safely to their parking positions. it takes two years of training to learn the profession. candidates need a good school education and good english- language abilities. the 200 starkers also include ramp supervisors. their job is to maintain order on the ramp, allotting aircraft

parking positions and ensuring that operations run smoothly. onramp marshals currently earn around 37,000 euros a year. the union is calling for wages to rise to over 54,000 euros a year. the union also wants ramp supervisors' pay raise for 53,000 years now to 79,600 euros. it was shorter working hours for both groups as part of the package. the union bases its claim on increased noise and stress levels, as airport traffic volumes grow as well as added responsibility. it says most aircraft accidents happen on the ground and not in the year. frankfurt airport operator here says the demands are excessive. it says the jobs are in a differently to airtran to control and need only the same skills as baggage handlers. >> all right, turning to soccer. just 100 days to go to the european championship kicks off in poland and ukraine. tonight sees a host of international friendlies across europe in preparation for the big event. germany take on france before a

home crowd. that is the last chance for players to shine before germany coach names his squad. >> he only had one chance to practice with his team ahead of the game against france. but he does not have to motivate them. they all know what is at stake. a chance to play the european championship this summer. >> everyone has to try to play his best. it will not be a typical friendly match. each player will be fighting for his spot. >> one player can be certain that his spots -- she has returned to the stadium for the first time in two years since leaving the city for madrid. >> our goal has to do to look at ourselves, sees the the vigil, and then we can win against any team. >> it will not be easy. after the disastrous 2010 world cup performance in september,

france is a good strong team. and the new coach has gone undefeated for 16 games. the team has star players. the goalkeeper is the new captain. some critics say he is too inexperienced to lead the team at the european championships. >> we are a young team, and we have not played together in a big tournament. but we have learned a lot and have a lot of individual class and talent. that is what we are working with. >> there is a lot at stake for german coach low. germany has not been france in nearly 25 years. >> staying with sports, a final bout for germany's most popular female sporting stars. she is gearing up to compete in her last ever by avalon world championships. >> she retires in three weeks' time, but she's not planning and coasting her way to the end of her career.

we see her in training. >> moggy elena, germany's best medal chance that the by at the law and world championships. for the past 10 days, she and her teammates have been making their final preparations in austria. intensive training and she hopes will pay off in the big event. >> i am excited about this. it will be a great atmosphere and the stadium, and there will be so many people. >> she will be starting in four individual races and two relays. she hopes to win a medal in each event. her confidence is high after a world cup season that delivered eight victories. >> i have been working hard. i have a good mental coach and a good sporting courage to give me optimal support. it is a great combination right now. >> it could be the final entry

in a long list of achievements. in just five years, magdalena has won every accolade 90 by a one. at 18, she claimed her first world title. now she has 10. her career high lead with two gold medals at the vancouver olympics. >> the olympics went like a dream for me. >> that success has made magdalena neuner germany's most popular sports woman, and gina sponsorship deals. she has made millions and almost single-handedly turn by avalon into a glamour sport. but at just 25, she has decided to hang up her skis. in early december, she announced her retirement, citing a lack of motivation in constant media attention. >> it is stressful having so many people around you, watching what you do, following your every move. >> but life in this pilot also has its upside.

>> i have grown up fast these past few years but i am 25 now, and i have experienced so much better i am very grateful for my successes. >> it is a question every journalist is asking, but magdalena neuner swears she will not be making a comeback. in three weeks, she plans to compete for the last time, at the world cup event. after that, the young german begins the next chapter in her life. >> the by avalon is hugely popular in germany, but it is not that well known elsewhere -- the biathalon is usually popular in germany. >> we went to find out what it takes to be a great biathlete. >> i had imagined my first shot on the biathalon would be harder, but the former world champion give me some important

tips. >> it is very important to press the trigger very lightly so the shot comes out smoothly and you can hit the target. >> these targets measure just 11 centimeters across, and participants must shoot from a distance of 50 meters. i joined up with three guys. for every target that is not hit, there is a penalty lived to be done back there. former by athlete and his daughter organized the contest to introduce outsiders to the sport. i start with the relay off for my squad, and i managed to get up front. when we came to the target, it was not so hard. five shots come up five hits. however, we shot lying down. professional athletes must be above issued standing up. for the second round, i got up a fair rate of speed and came to the target range with my heart beating fast. suddenly, things were not so easy.

my hands were shaking and i hesitated. of 5 shots i only hit two targets. that meant three penalty loops for me. my team fell behind. now i realize the difference between amateurs and professionals in must ski twice as fast and for much greater distances. my team ended up in fifth place. we analyzed our performance together with him. the time was ok and the shooting was also good. if you hit everything in the first round, you can afford to miss a few later. above all, the biathalon -- biathlon requires top physical condition. i will keep training without a gun, so next time i will have a rock steady hand. >> a monumental work by pablo

health check the >> conservation experts are scanning the spanish painters future masterpiece craddock with the help of the robot. he is producing 24,000 high- resolution images of the painting to determine exactly what condition it is in. >> picasso painted its 75 years ago in outreach over the civil war. it was hidden and moved so many times that parts of the work are in poor condition. >> disease in two popular, that painting. >> it is beautiful. >> it is in terrible condition. that is all from us. we will have more news at the top of the error, so stay with dw. -- at the top of the hour, so stay with dw. ♪ captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--

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