>> hello and welcome to "the journal" on dw. , our headlines this hour -- >> eu foreign ministers meeting in brussels remain divided over whether syrian rebels should be given weapons. >> the chinese prime minister has ended his first visit to germany, expressing his hope that the two nations can become a trade team as trade partners. >> the french film about a lesbian love affair wins the coveted palme d'or at cannes.

there is still no agreement in brussels, where eu foreign ministers continue to debate syria. they are negotiating over whether or european arms embargo for both sides should be extended thomas or whether europe should arm some rebels. >> written and france -- extended, or whether europe should arm some rebels. >> britain and france -- if no deal is reached -- >> more than one million refugees have fled the civil war. millions more remain trapped, unable to escape the violence. the death toll mounts by the day. the conflict spreads -- threatens to spread to nearby countries. richard and france want to drop arts of the embargo -- written and france -- britain and france want to drop hearts of the -- parts of the embargo.

>> the asad regime will get a clear signal that it has to negotiate here >> others agree -- to negotiate. >> others agree. some say that weapons will not solve syria's problem. >> the policy has them -- has always been not to position yourself on one side of an armed conflict. >> they have been trying to reach a compromise in brussels. going in, germany's foreign minister predicted an arduous debate. >> it is questionable whether we will reach an agreement, but germany will do its best to help europe find a common approach. >> spain's foreign minister has proposed one potential compromise. >> we proposed abolition to deliver arms -- we proposed a decision to deliver arms be made now, but the delivery be delayed. >> no matter the decision,

outrage and criticism will likely follow. >> for the latest on the meeting, let's go to our european affairs correspondent in brussels. thanks so much for joining us. can you tell us what the latest is out of brussels? >> we have just this various -- this very minute heard that a foreign minister told journalists that the meeting ended for today without the result. observers said that he was very shaken by that of element, because it means that, by the end of this week, all of the ae you sanctions will run out -- the ae you -- eu sanctions will run out. they have some 400 blue helmet un's folders on the ground in syria. they fear for their soldiers' safety. an end of the embargo means the rebels can be armed. >> no compromise.

do you think there will be a last-ditch effort by britain or france? >> britain was one of the countries pushing for the move to arm the rebels. the embargo does run out by the end of this week. in diplomatic terms, it is a long time still. maybe the eu will come to a compromise and maybe it will find a solution where they can exclude a list of weapons that britain would be allowed to send to the levels -- rebels, which would allow the ae you to hold up the rest of the sanctions -- the eu to hold up the rest of the sanctions. >> thank you for reporting on that very fluid situation. >> well, to another ongoing conflict in the middle east. as many as 58 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a wave of car bombings in the iraq he capital, baghdad. >> -- in the iraq he -- iraqi

capital, baghdad. >> iraq has been struggling to maintain a growing sectarian conflict to between shiite and sunni muslim's. there has been a wave of bloodshed that has killed more than 300 people in the last two weeks alone. the chinese premier, li keqiang, said his country is pressing ahead with economic reforms in efforts to open up to the global economy. he was speaking in berlin as he wrapped up his visit to germany. chancellor angela merkel assured him that germany would help avert a trade war between america and china. they are accused of selling solar products to cheaply in an attempt to dominate the market. >> the chinese prime minister received a warm welcome in germany. business is booming between the two economic powerhouses. german economics minister -- the german economics minister is --

at a meeting with university representatives, the prime minister predicted a bright future. >> china still needs to develop the name "made in china." germany has already established "made in germany" as a mark of quality. together, we could be a dream team. >> but there are wide-ranging difficulties as well. >> chancellor angela merkel brought up the sensitive issue of human rights abuses in china. a music video by an influential artist portrays the life of political dissidents in china. the german government is emphasizing the critical need to support human rights. >> these issues will not be resolved miraculously in a single round of talks, but it is important to bring them up. >> despite some criticism, the prime minister's visit struck a positive note.

>> despite the current trade dispute, germany and china have a shared interest in keeping his miss relations intact. am a china has become one of the most important -- keeping business relations intact. >> china has become one of the most important trading partners. much relies on china's hunger for german technology. >> operations are due to begin in two weeks. before then, david and his colleagues have plenty to do. these rollers produce sheets of aluminum that are just 1/6000th of a millimeter thick. >> you have to be aware of the fact that our german magmatic and fast solutions are not workable in china. the fact of the matter -- german pragmatic and fast solutions are

not workable in china. the fact of the matter is, it is based on personal relationships which are built up over long dinners and long, drawnout negotiations. >> it generates an annual turnover of 80 million euros with its metalworking equipment. the ceo has spent decades building up good relations to chinese customers. >> our business in china has developed as quickly as the chinese economy has. we developed our first -- delivered our first product to the chinese market 35 years ago. in the meantime, we delivered two to three systems to china each year. >> the manufacturer -- they manufacture exclusively in germany in order to safeguard technical expertise. the threat of having their intellectual property stolen is a big worry. meanwhile, chinese demand on german products are rising steadily.

i'm a you can no longer just sell anything to china -- >> you can no longer just sell anything to china because it is an emerging market. we are about to open a service company in china. >> each of their products is unique. every machine is made to order. all of the major parts are manufactured in germany. the rest of the components are brought in. there are -- there is room -- their aluminum rolling machine has made the company a market leader, with a market share over 75%. >> it would be good if we could maintain this lead to we know we won't be able to make gains in china with large -- this lead. we know we won't be able to make gains in china with large, serial machines. we hope we can maintain this advantage for a while. >> but the competition is not sleeping, and china is an important market, which can also pose some dangerous

challenges to high-tech made in germany. >> on to monday's market action. shares in frankfurt bounced act -- back nicely from last week's losses, posting healthy gains on the first trading day of the week. technology and auto shares led the dax. we had this summary from the offering for stock exchange. >> bulrushes doorman came in second -- ballroom shed or in -- bulrushes doorman -- borussia dortmund came in second. when you look back, the people here on the floor and other investors think that borussia dortmund is a champion here also on the floor. when you look back 12 months, the share was about 50% lower than it is now. in other words, the game is about 50%. that is much higher than most other shares have risen in the past 12 months.

still, people warned football ash warn -- people warn football is a very speculative sport. much can happen in a short time. be careful with shares like that. the dax rising at the beginning of the week. people thinking that there is room for a climb here. >> we will stay in frankfurt for a closer look at the numbers. the dax was up by nearly one full percentage point. the euro stoxx 50 up i more than 1%. the dow was closed this monday for the memorial holiday in the states. financial markets open. the euro is trading at 1.2930. down just a tad. then it just ahead, a lesbian love story has won -- >> just ahead, a lesbian love story has won the top rise at the -- prize at cannes.

>> delegates attending a summit in addis ababa have condemned the icc for its treatment of kenya's new president, uhuru kenyatta. highland mary and desolating -- halo mary and desolating -- hailemariam desalegn -- >> german small arms sales hit a record last year. small weapons exports doubled to more than 75 million euros. the export of small arms is controversial because they are responsible for more deaths around the world than heavy weapons. the top prize at the cannes film festival has been awarded to a french movie about a lesbian love affair. lovie did dell -- love idea dell -- "la vide d'adele."

it was a highly competitive year. steven spielberg said the film was a unanimous choice. m of the palme d'or for the best film went to "blue is the warmest color" -- >> the palme d'or for the best film went to "blue is the warmest color." the best actor award went to adele exarchopoulos and lea seydoux. the film tells the story of the difficulties of two lesbians and their coming out. >> [speaking french] >> "blue is the warmest color"

did not just impressed the jury. it also proved a hit with critics and the public. the jury president gave the award for best actress to berenice bejo for her part in "the past." cannes' second highest accolade was given to american directors the cullen brothers for -- the coen brothers for "inside llewyn davis." >> play me something. inside llewyn davis. >> we will be back after a short break with a closer look at the african union summit. >> don't go anywhere.

>> african leaders have been meeting in addis ababa to celebrate the organization's 50th anniversary. the a.u., which traces its roots back to when they began to work together to overcome the vestiges of colonialism, now faces new challenges and opportunities. >> the meeting ranged from the conflict in mali to the investment in china. they talked about the establishment of a rapid reaction force. >> building a future for africa

-- this structure will one day be home to the peace and security council of the african union. the project is being financed by german taxpayers. at the heart of the building will be a crisis management center for coordinating security policy across africa. >> it is up to us to do the best job possible for the african union. that will give them the opportunity to lead fair and open talks in this building. so they can help event wars or and conflicts and -- end conflicts and work towards the future. >> next-door, the imposing headquarters of the african union. both headquarters are symbolic of the growing self-confidence of the organization and its member states. >> they have taken positions in cases of peacekeeping operations. now it is in -- in more recent years, it has been very active in creating what is called the

african peace and security architecture. >> the turning point for the organization came in 2002. it abandoned its policy of non- interference in the domestic of member states. peacekeeping missions followed, including went to somalia in 2007. it's hoped this new resolve will extend beyond foreign-policy. >> we will also try and make sure that we develop and not just allow islands of prosperity, but that we work together to pull everyone out of poverty. >> once derided as a dictator' club, they are keen to show they are moving on. but it is not without problem's. it lacks not only funding, but also the willpower among member states to follow up on resolutions with action. >> it would be in their common interest. but the problem is many of the african leaders feel that --

fear that they would lose something if they unite. there is that fear. they are not wanting to go unselfishly and unite and make the continent powerful. >> the african union also lacks the institutions that it's european equivalent enjoys. it has no parliament and no judicial body like the european court of justice. >> we are still having some problems, but in 50 years, our grandchildren will be experiencing the same piece that europe -- peace that europe is experiencing. >> at the heart of that vision is the new building for the peace and security council. the architecture is inspired by the idea of transparency. >> it has so many special aspects. it will be a landmark. it will serve a special purpose. and when we think of what this building could achieve today

and in the future, it makes us incredibly proud. >> it is hoped that pride will extend far beyond the four walls of the new structure and embrace an entire continent. m of the african union has made a lot of -- >> the african union has made a lot of progress in recent years, but has it moved far enough? we put that question to an expert. >> it certainly moved quite a bit from me o -- from the oau established in 1963, what was then described as a club of dictators. we have seen a number of proactive steps -- the suspension of members following coup d'états, sanctions imposed on some member countries. it has been moving in the right direction, but a lot remains to be done. if you follow the lavished celebrations in matters of -- in addis ababa over the weekend, you are led to believe that this

is a club of african unity. but the way we see it, it is still more of a club of african disunity, to be honest. >> and you can find out more about africa and african union on our website website, dw.de/africa. a conference on climate change is underway just outside the german capital. among the big issues being discussed by hundreds of international experts is to what extent extreme weather is being caused by climate change. some scientists say that global warming may be preceding -- proceeding more slowly than previously thought. >> researchers who believe in the theory of global warming say hurricanes and droughts are increasing in number. they also point to evidence of melting polar ice caps. but germany and much of europe have endured the coldest winter in decades, with snow falling well into may at highest altitudes. the new figures showed -- show

global warming has stalled. >> the rate of global warming in the next couple of decades will be slower than predicted, but the long-term effects will not change. >> the new study predicts the earth will warm anywhere between 2 degrees to 10 degrees celsius in the long term. many factors are involved. sponsors of the research hope nations around the can come together to reduce rain has gas in michigan's -- reduce greenhouse gas emissions. they are meeting to discuss purging the gap between science and politics -- bridging the gap between science and politics. >> as long as people believe they can deal with the results or manage the risk, then people won't commit to stop it from happening. >> the goal of the conference is to provide policymakers with the latest data, so politicians can get a clearer picture of the

possible long-term effects of climate change. >> german chancellor angela merkel reaffirmed her target of bringing one million electric cars on the german roads by the end of the decade, despite evidence of dwindling consumer interest. once hyped as a technology that would eclipse conventionally powered cars am a auto sales have struggled due to high costs -- powered cars, auto sales have struggled due to high costs. merkel says she believes in the technology as well as to the benefits -- as well as the benefits to the environment. >> this is the future of motoring, at least according to one company whose new e-cars is powered by -- e-car is powered by a zero emission motor. angela merkel is a supporter of electric cars. she wants there to be one million e-cars on the road in

germany by 2020. she says e-cars could kickstart germany's motor industry. >> i believe we can't read a piece of the future here, a part of -- we can create a piece of the future here. but right now, only 7000 electric cars are on german roads. e-cars cannot cover long distances. they cost too much. advocates want the government to fix that. >> they could allow e-cars to use the bus lane. there are the opportunities for tax break and the public. herman -- and the public procurement program. >> the motoring industry says tomorrow belongs both to electric and conventional cars. >> no one can say which now which technology will dominate the market -- will say right -- no one can say right now which technology will dominate the market. >> environmentalists have been protesting outside of the summit. they don't believe that

carmakers really want to make the switch to e-cars. they call this a summit of hypocrites. >> in the postwar years, u.s. forces remained in germany to help stabilize the country and they ended up staying for decades. >> ring that time, american g.i.'s established -- during that time, american g.i.'s established music clubs. an exhibition has created to commemorate the era. >> the music that g.i.'s in former west germany loved to hear during the cold war still get people on their feet. these djs specialize in spinning those tunes. ♪ the duo is behind exhibition at this berlin museum. for them, it is a journey into their own past. as youngsters, they often went out to the g.i. clubs themselves. >> there was not any mtv back then, and no internet. music and youth culture could only really be found in clubs or

record shops. the g.i. clubs were where you always heard the latest. from america -- latest stuff from america. it was music you did not even here on the radio. >> g.i. clubs began springing up across west germany after world war ii. it was the era of rock 'n roll. elvis presley came onto her. one of -- came onto her -- elvis presley came on tour. homesick americans and local residents came to hang out in the clubs. they were hugely influential and set the trend for germany's modern-day club scene. m a if you take a look -- >> if you take a look at what makes a club, there is a sound system, bouncers, bar staff. the g.i. clubs provided the blueprint for all of that. >> in the 1970's, they were one of the few places where partygoers could boogie to disco.

later on, african-american soldiers helped make hip-hop hugely popular. many locals came to the clubs for a taste of the u.s. now they can do that from the comfort of their own home. >> trends have now gone global. everyone can find out about music online and download songs from itunes or other music sites. you don't need to go to an -- to a club anymore. ♪ >> g.i. clubs may be a thing of the past, but these djs are determined to revive their unique sound and spirit. >> and that is all from us for now. >> more news for you at the top of the hour. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--