>> live here in berlin, this is "the journal." >> are headlines for you at this hour. the united states calls of the deadly explosions in boston and act of terrorism. at least 34 people are reported dead from the powerful earthquake in the border region between iran and pakistan. as the number of buyers for carbon certificates plunges, parlor terrines assay there'll be no efforts efforts to prop up the price. -- parliamentarians say there

will be no efforts to prop up the price. >> there are no leads being reported so far in the hunt for those responsible for the bombings in boston that left three people dead and the some 170 injured. president barack obama said the bombings were an act of terrorism, organization, a domestic group, or an individual. >> police have been stepping up security monitoring everything from government buildings to sporting events. security is especially tight race now in boston. >> one day after the twin explosions, a large area in central boston is quarantines off as investigators search for evidence. many runners from the boston marathon are coming to the scene. >> i had just run across and my wife was here, cheering me on. it could have been us.

it is pretty shocking. >> the first bomb detonated just meters from the finish line. seconds later, a second explosion one half block away. the fbi has taken charge of the investigation. officials are asking for the public to come forward with photos and recordings of the race or any other information they may have. so far, there have been no arrests. security has been stepped up throughout the city including in hospitals where the wounded are being treated. 170 were hurt and many seriously. >> many of them have severe wounds, mostly in the lower part of their body. some from the blast effect of the bomb and some small, metallic fragments that entered

their body. >> president barack obama called it and cowardly attack. >> any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror. what we do not net yet -- yet know is who carried out this attack or why, whether it was planned or executed by a terrorist organization foreign or domestic, or was the act a malevolent individual. >> overnight, police searched the apartment of a student wounded in the attack. reports now say that person is likely to be cleared of suspicion and cannot shed light on the bombings. >> our correspondent is standing by in boston. what more can you tell us about the state of the investigation right now? >> well, the authorities are releasing information at a very low speed at the moment. that does not mean they do not know more, but you would guess

that they probably do, but what the public knows is very little and being released step-by-step. there is one source that has told us that the bombs that were used were probably so- called depression -- pressure- cooker bombs. that is something homeland security has warned about. something like that was apparently in a black duffel bag he hides me over there. on top of that, nails, pieces of metal, glass. it is probably what caused all those terrible injuries. that is not sufficiently confirmed, but the sources apparently pretty trustworthy. we also know, not officially confirmed, that a saudi national is being guarded in the hospital. that is called guarded because he is not an official suspect, but we cannot have any further information on that either. we do not know who that was. if they were suspects or not or

what the result was of that. >> president obama called this terrorism earlier today. how did his statement come across? >> he was very careful already on monday not to judge too quickly. he did not even talk about a terrorist attack on monday. he did that on tuesday, as we know. that is a step forward. the reason i think he was so careful with that is because the were terrorists and terrorist attack ever since 9/ 11 has been linked to islamic terrorists. he did not want to jump to conclusions like the bush administration did when they jump to the conclusion that iraq was responsible for those attacks. he was very careful in laying out all the possibilities, saying that we do not know if it was a domestic terrorist

organization or an international terrorist organization -- we did not even offered was it was a terrorist organization at all or individuals or more individuals. he does not want to lay the blame on anyone prematurely. >> briefly, if you could, what is the mood there in boston and the country as a whole? >> well, here in boston the mood has calmed down. people have left downtown. i've talked to people who said about one third of the people, those will stay in place for a while for downtown boston to get back to normal. >> in boston, thank you very much. >> a major earthquake has flattened homes and offices on both sides of the iran -- pakistan border. >> this massive quake was the second in a week to hit iran.

it is not clear just how many people were killed there. initial reports have been scaled far back. >> the shocks brought pakistan bustling to a stop. even here, some 1000 kilometers sent people running outside. many got off with just a scare. >> i felt my chair shaking. my colleague was sitting behind you but i told him to quit joking around. he said, run. it is an earthquake. >> meanwhile, the death toll continues to rise in pakistan and iran. there is still no images from the epicenter of the earthquake on the iranian-pakistani border. this region is difficult to access but the quake itself was as -- was felt as far away as delhi. it is also one of the most seismically active regions. just last week and earthquake

left 37 people dead. >> venezuela's chief prosecutor says at least seven people have been killed and dozens injured in post-election violence across the country. it came after protests of the razor-then outcome of the election. the chosen successor was certified as the winner of the election on monday. he has banned the protest march on wednesday. he wants a recount of -- a voting irregularities. >> we are hearing that they have come out and said the post- electoral violence was ordered by the government.

>> most of those killed were from the opposition. he said the government is responsible for the violence. the chief prosecutor has made sure the state set up the necessary actions with regards to the electoral ballots that have been destroyed before counting. >> ok. those are certainly -- just how volatile has everything become in the capital?

they have asked for the ballot recount. they called for a peaceful demonstration tomorrow to the electoral council center to hand all of these documents and. -- documents in. now he has said he will not allow these documents to take place. however, we have not heard if that will take place to talk later this afternoon. we are figuring there may be confrontation tomorrow. >> that is moving very quickly right now. thank you very much. >> thank you. >> in the coming days, the german parliament will be voting on a bailout plan.

austerity measures. they could contract as many as 15% this year alone. >> they are set to approve a message on thursday. >> 10 billion euros. that is what we are voting on. everything else is cyprus's own contribution. >> the financing gap that cyprus needs to plug over the next three years. hardly because of heated debates over what form the austerity measures should take. that has irritated some are limitary ends. >> we offer to help, but all of

the hesitation has made the final bill much more expensive. that is not the fault of german and european taxpayers. cyprus should be held accountable. >> so, it appears that germany will once again be taking the lead in providing funds to prop up the embattled eurozone. >> what was once claimed as the chief weapon in reducing co2 emissions could be losing its fighting power. >> it was meant to be an incentive for companies to cut back on the production of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. >> with their value lunging right now, there have been calls to pull them from trading. they voted down that proposal, refusing to intervene in the market. >> the commission proposal to tighten the supply of omission certificates failed when they decided to vote against it.

this market was conceived to be free and self-regulating. >> the eu introduced the system in 2000 five to create a market. each certificate gives its owner permission to admit one ton of carbon dioxide. injuries -- industries that produce large amounts of co2 will purchase certificates from companies that produce a little. it would give companies incentives to reduce admissions. the price of certificates has fallen so low. >> it is an idea that has the support of more than just the parliament committee. >> even industry and the

catholic and protestant churches have been publicly advertising their support for restricting supply in this way. >> the conservatives were not convinced. now the issue goes to the european council where the leaders will have the final say. >> take a quick look at tuesday's market. the third straight day. confidence declined more than forecasts and cut its global growth outlook. here's a look at the numbers starting off in frankfurt. at the closing bell, stocks down nearly 0.6%. the dow up, looking good there. 14,711. we are going to a short break. stay with us. when we come back, we will take a closer look at what is happening on the ground in

syria in particular and how the conflict is affecting everyday people, especially children who are trying to come to term with the violence and the civil war that is going on in that country. stay with us.

>> welcome back and thank you for staying with us. we begin in syria. agencies have appealed to the international immunity to stop the cruelty and carnage in syria, warning they may soon the forced to suspend humanitarian aid to the country. >> syrian children are among the hardest hit. many have been displaced. their fate could determine the future of the country for decades to come. >> they play among broken buildings and tried their way through rubble. syria's wart children. -- war children.

in this village, a school has opened its doors again. members of the free army, it was shelved by the government. now the humanitarian organization has repaired the building. voice go in the afternoon, girls go in the morning. >> we live in permanent fear. when we get home, there is no water or electricity. we are always afraid that planes would drop something on us when they fly over. he are even afraid here at school. we wake up in the middle of the night from the noise of the explosions. >> neither side is going to bring a solution. the government is not resigning. the opposition is not backing down either. they are firing back. we are in the middle, getting hurt.

>> civilians are paying a high price in this conflict. a number of dead and injured is rising every day, especially here in syria's second city and world heritage site. the city's children are not -- are now taking over tasks that used to be done by adults. fetching water and lugging heavy containers back calm. -- back home. we visit a home where there are 14 children in total. about father tells us about their life. >> did you hear that the bang? that is how it is all the time. what -- it is the worst at night. even the children can recognize from the sound whether it is a rocket, anti-aircraft guns or a plane. what does that mean?

and if they survive, what will become of them? >> of the children have already become workers. the older boys have been earning whatever they can a year and a half come up but it is still not enough. there are not many jobs left. this textile factory now relies on children to get its work done. he works for seven dollars a week. some adults have fled. others are fighting. many of the fighters are almost children themselves, drawn by adventure. they seem older than their years. some stand guard over this court or -- court or -- corridor.

when a shell breaks outside, there's an outbreak of chaos, but most people are not not shocked by such things anymore. >> this boy says that he to be overwrought it's landed nearby and he got used to the violence a long time ago. it is as though these wargames pose less of a danger to children than grown-ups. >> why should i run away? they could hit me at home as well. >> his friend is also playing it cool. >> you only die once, right? >> the youngest victims of this adult or with only a cloak of a difference to protect themselves. >> the prime minister has been in berlin on a mission and press for progress on the growing crisis in syria. he has called for international efforts to be stepped up to aid the syrian opposition.

>> e reiterated the need for a solution and political talks. also took time to praise the commitment to industry. traveling with the prime minister on the financial clout. >> qatar investment authority already owns a stake in europe 's biggest carmaker. it also has stakes in other german giants. there was a lot to talk about german-qatar h cooperation. the ceo of the bank says there could be more. >> there are multiple areas by which the investments can take place. it is a secure place to invest. qatar itself has a flight -- has a flat five percent tax. investment partnership -- partnership can come.

>> qatar is pouring euros into infrastructure projects such as new roads and underwater roadway systems. it has been set aside for a new city to help host that world cup finals. the soccer event is the driving force behind much of the construction growth. you can expect competition from companies hoping to get in on this action. >> government in -- government are asking them to post all their personal assets online. it is taking the definition of public service too far. >> it is part of the bid for more transparency. the records posted online on monday make for some interesting reading. >> and for some sharp barbs from commentators, especially

socialist leaders like the former budget leader who was found squirreling away his public pay in a secret swiss account. >> it was journalists at the online newspaper who set the ball rolling when they broke the story about the budget minister's tax fraud. now his former colleagues have had to bear all about their peronal wealth from real estate to cars and works of art into jewelry and watches. the prime minister is worth about 1.5 million euros while the foreign minister has assets of about 6 million euros. many hailed the disclosure of his wealth as historic. >> in france today where there is such hypocrisy about money, it is, of course, very good that everything is being said publicly. revelations promoted democratic upheaval. >> the revelations have caused a fair degree of embarrassment in

a society weighed down by recession and unemployment. he has listed everything down to the last penny. his car cost 15,000 euros when h bought it. now it is worth half. >> the junior food minister is not thrilled by the exercise. >> we are not only disclosing our own personal wealth but our family's assets. it is not necessarily simple for them because it is not of their choice. >> one of the richest members of the socialist government worth about 5 million euros or so. she has never lived like the rich, but a minister for the elderly will find it hard to understand that she owns so much. the opposition has observed the home of their with disdain, warning against going over the top. >> let's avoid all of this boy tourism. -- boyeurism. -- voyeurism.

>> there will will certainly be taking a very close look. >> the world's emerging economy are saying german investment and bilateral trade. last week it was the indian leader here signing off and billions in deals. >> this tuesday, the ecuador president has been at the german capital. he is here for the 13th annual conference. the region is in the midst of a massive boom with german exports up by 39% last year alone. >> he is in germany for the first time. the president has high expectations of berlin and he is full of praise for his own country. >> ecuador is one of the most dynamic countries and latin america. the economy across latin america

grew by 3.5% between 2007 and 2012. but in ecuador, it grew by 3.3%. >> the small, latin american country has not been very high on the german business sectors agenda until now. generally, interest in latin america has grown considerably recently. that is despite trade barriers in certain areas. german investment already amounts to 30 billion euros. >> they just the same difficulty as others. medium-sized companies today are ready to diapered resources to other countries countries which are getting positive headlines. in asia, we are getting negative news. >> but there is also criticism directed at latin america. some has praised ecuador's president. he has come under fire for plans to allow oil extraction from the

national park. >> hundreds of wildlife experts are combing the floors of nepal in an attempt to count the number of endangered tigers in the national parks. >> a are using sophisticated surveillance cameras to capture images of the animals as they move through the forest. it is part of a census of bengal tigers in the region where their numbers have plummeted as a result of poaching. >> it is estimated to be under 200 right now. >> we certainly hope that works out. see you again next time. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--