>> alone, everyone. welcome to "the journal," here in berlin. -- helello, everyone. here the headlines. germany embarked on a new energy era as lawmakers decide to abandon nuclear power. "german banks agreed to share the burden of a second greek hell out. france hands germany a drubbing. -- gererman nks agreed to share the burden of a second greek bailout. >> it is the beginning of the

and for nuclear power in germany. the german parliament has approved historic measures that will see all power plants taken offline. -- nuclear power plants taken off line. angela merkel said that the disaster in japan caused her to rethink her stance on nuclear energy. >> chancellor merkel want a clear. the new legislation said that it is annmbitious goal for germany. the country will have to meet its energy needs without nuclear power. the ministers said this is a historic step for germany sending a signal to the world. >> even those abroad who don't agree with this, if anyone can do this, it is the germans. that is the message we're sending today. >> the opposition social democrats backed the nuclear phase-out and leaders poured

scorn on the government which only months ago jettisoned the phase-out that they had once supported. >> this is your phaseout. this is really our phase out. >> the opposition insists that in some aspects the new laws don't go far enough. they want higher target for renewable energy. there has also been criticism of the way that costs of the change will be managed. >> i will be back later with more on the ambitious plans to end the nuclear energy and boost renewals. stay tuned. turning our attention to greece, they have been faced with many challenges this week despite vehement opposition from the general public. they voted to implement a five- year package of ausrity measures which includes tax hikes, spending cuts, and privatization leading to a total of 70,000 euros. athens should be able to receive more aid from the european union

as well as the interernatial monetary fund. >> the bill was passed by a narrow margin. 155 of 300 lawmakersrs voted for the lot this -- for the legislation. the package of legislation is needed to allow the austerity measasures approved to be implemented. the parliament debated the legislation for hours before the vote which was the final legislative hurdle for greececeo receive the installment of bailout funds. the austerity package is controversial among ordinary greeks. they have faced one round of spending cuts. reaction to this package is mixed. >> you had priorities and decide what cuts would be the most useful. you can see that as you go along. >> i have not cut back on anything. that is where we are heading.

we will have to make do with half a kiloo of beef. >> athens was clearing up the debris from m the overnight protests against the government's belt-tightening. the vote means that greece can continue clearing up their problems with funds from the eu. >> as recommended, german banks are stepping in to help greece. >> it is all about trying to avoid a financial meltdown in greece which is spread to other euros own nations and affect other nations like germany, of course. the german banks have reached a deal with finance officials to share the burden of a second greek bailout. the government has repeatedly insisted that private investors make a contribution. the finance minister welcomed the announcement which means that the latest bailout will not be borne by taxpayers alone. the commercial banks are said to voluntarily rollover 3.2 euros of greek debt.

they had categorically rejected such a plan only a few weeks ago. >> we have gone the banks to participate. i'm confident that this will have a solution on sunday. >> details are still being negotiated. deutsche bank's boss says that the banks will be using a model announced by several french banks as the basis for their participation. that means rolling over 70% of the debt into new sovereign bonds. >> the jobs boom in germany is about to enter its third year. the unemployment rate has been constantly falling for the past two years. this is an impressiverecovery fromom the situation experienced here during the global financial crisis. >> this company headquartered in bavaria designs and builds special tools and machinery for use in the automobile,

engineering, and oughtindustry. the company is doing well now as the german economy continues to expand. during the month of june, just under 2.9 people were unemployed. that is a drop of 250,000 compared to the same time last year. the jobless rate in germany is 6.9%. the german labor minister is pleased with the latest numbers are e warn against a shortage of skilled workers. >> there is a real need for skilled and highly qualified employees. we have to deal with that. in some sectors, this problem is so serious that it is starting to affect production. >> analysts say that the employment outlook will continue to improve provided that the economy stays on track. over the long term, germany will have to find a way to develop the kinds of highly skilled workers that industry needs.

>> stock markets are broadly on thursday as traderss reacted to that positive news from germany and the progress in greece. our reporter sent us this review of the day's trading in frankfurt. >> good news from the german labor market and also good news from the german machinery sector which reported another increase of factory orders. no wonder that the stocks were in demand here in frankfurt. the agreement on contribution of banks, insururance companies, ad pension funds to rescue greece is also seen as good news here. good news for the banks, which only have to pay a relatively small amouount o money, 3 bibilo euros. this moneyey wilnot be gone for the banks. this is an investment which will bebe paid back with interest. >> as you can see in the baground, the second austerity boat created another search on

european markets. the dax closed 1% higher. euro stoxx ended higher. the same reaction on the other side of the lentic with the -- either side of the atlantic with the dour trading up. the commission is asking for the power to tax the budget. they would like to introduce a 1% sales tax and a levy on financial transactions. the proposed taxes would allow the block to raise their own monday rather than relying on funding from memember states to enter germany, france, britain have signaled their opposition to the plan. >> it was a free day from school for many students in the u.k. not because of summer holidays but because teachers along with other public-sector employees wentn strike. the protesters are angry about

the plan for pension reform as well as overall spending cuts. the british prime mininistedavid cameron denies the strike action as irresponsiblele. -- denounced the strike action as iesponsible. >> 150,000 public sector employees joined the marchersrs included government workers and teachers. they were protesting about an increase in the pension cuts edition. teachers are up in arms especially. >> these people would like 68- year olds teaching their children. i think enough is enough. >> the attraction of a job with 8 good pension will be weakened and many teachers will leave the prprofeson. >> the liberal coalition government says that the cuts are inevitable and long overdue. >> we are not seeking to be at loggerheads with the tre unions. we agree across the political spectrum how the big sector pensions need to be reformed.

we need to do that in a reasonable way. >> the strike was the largest in britain for many years. unions said the action might be followed by larger protests later this year when a major public spending sector cuts are expected to begin to bite. >> human-rights activists and syria say security forces have killed at least 19 people in the north of thee country in the past 40 hours. the regime of president assad has move forces to stop refugees from fleeing into turkey. protests against the government continue across the country. hundreds of protesters took to the streets of all. for the first time. in a border town, sir joseph -- soldiers used tear gas. more than 30 people have died as a result of the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. -- more than 130 people have died as a result of the crackdown.

jibral said he respected the german abstention in the u.n. vote but action is needed as the war against muammar gaddafi drags on. >> thursday was the third time that the german foreign ministry has meet with the leader of the transitional government of libya. they call for more than just moral support for the rebel movement. >> we are asking for the release of libyan assets frozen abroad. we need those funds to help us fight gaddafi. support for those wounded in the war would be very welcome. >> germany has not provided the rebels with arms. their support has been in on military nature. the german government has concentrated on diplomatic support for the anti gaddafi movement. >> the assets that have been

frozen belong to the libyan people and we're working with to make sure that the money is used for their benefit. we need to step up the pressure and pace in doing that. >> the foreign minister is due to meet his turkish counterpart in istanbul on friday, support for the libyan rebels is sure to be on the agenda for their talks. >> a united nations court has issued arrest warrants with the assassination of the former lebanese prime and stir. he was killed in february of 2005 when his motorcade was hit by a car bomb in beirut. members of hezbollah are expected in involvement of the assassination. >> it has been more than six years since hariri 's assassination. now the u.n. tribunal has turned over indictments to lebanese authorities which include a west warrants for four people suspected in the car bombing. -- include our arrest warrants for four people suspected in the car bombing.

lebanon is request, the tribunal set up by u.n. security council resolution four years later. this is the firirst wld court with jurisdiction over the crime of terrorism. this presents a test for the newly formed government in lebanon. the prime minister avoided spelling out how he would handle the issue or whether arrests would follow. >> we will deal responsibly and realistically with the indictments. these are accusations, not a verdict, and they require irrefutable evidence. >> the indictments are thought to include people included with the shte muslim hezbollah group. hezbollah has not had -- has denied any role in hariri's assassination. > two french journalists who were held hostage in afghanistan for a year and a half have returned home.

the exact circumstances of their release are unclear. herve ghesquiere and stephphane taponier arrive at a military base in paris where they were welcomed home by family and friends. they were kidnapped 60 kilometers outside of kabul in 2009. the taliban claimed responsibility. germany's last hope in the singles competition in wimbledon has been knocked out. she lost to maria sharapova in six sets. she entered on a wild card after dealing with injuries. maria sharapova was too much of a horse to be reckoned with. >> leaving center court after her defeat, she can look back on may successful wimbledon 2011. she put up a fight against maria sharapova from the onset.

she could not kekeep up the pressure. maria sharapova won the finals game after the fresh shut with the ace. >> the more experienced russian dominated and the second set. the germinative lost concentration and had several unforced errors. -- the german native lost concentration and had several unforced errors. share uphold the took the second and final set. -- maria sharapova took the second and final said. she goes on to face the czech republic's blair -- player. >> germany is facing nigeria and the lead with about 50 minutes left to play. france crushed canada to move closer to a quarterfinal spot.

the french play the strong game and took control of the ball early on. >> the victory was well deserved. they put their opponents on the brink of an early exit with a strong performance. the canadiens were weak in defense. it gave way and the 24th minute when this goal was headed in. france continue to demonstrate their combination of skills after the break. they added another goal with a 20 meter strike. after an hour's play, france was given an insurmountable lead when it was 3-0 lead. another player sealed the deal so shortly before the end of the match. france has replaced canada as a

team to watch in the world cup. >> in germany is current playing nigeria right now. the score is still one to zero. stay tune for "in-depth," coming up.

>> the german parliament has voted 513 to 17 to pull the plug on nuclear power. the nuclear power plants will be taken offline one after the other parent of the last facility or turn off the lights in 2022. this is a turnaround for the chancellor's governmentnt. they had previously decided to extend their run times for the plants but the catastrophe in fukushima changed everything. they decided to reverse their previous decision. as our report shows, it is more complicated than looking a switch. -- flicking a switch.

>> this is one of 8 facilities at the germans decided to shut down last march. with the new law in force, they will be decommissioned. starting in 2015, germany's remaining nuclear reactors will be taken offline, one by one, every two years. the dommissioning of three power plants is planned for 2021. the remaining three will be switched off a year later. critics say there is a risk of power shortages, one be mothballed for the next two years just in case. instead of generating power by splitting atoms, the new energy mix means relying on sources like wind, sun, biogas, and geothermal energy. the share of these types of energy called when the nobles is to double to 35% by 2020.

berlin expects wind energy to have the largest share and a new mimixed. they are subsidizing onshore wind farms to the tune of 35 billion euros. there will be operated by large electricity utility. that will give them a share in future markets compensating for earnings lost through the nuclear phase out. w high-performance wind turbines will replace older, less efficient ones. the government is planning to simplify and streamline the process of granting permits to build new wind farms. on modern power grid is an essential feature. this would permit the t transr of large quantities of power from the generator to consumer with a minimum of loss. the energy system will be radically different in the future, a much more efficient distrtributn system and a greater reliance on renewals.

>> germany is the first country in europe so far to pull out of nuclear energy. do not expect their neighbors to hop on the bandwagon. france remains a huge fan of the power source. president sarkozy has described the climate of fear as medieval and irrational. as our next report shows, even in nuclear depended france, there are signs of a minor revolution in public opinion. >> a a gam of follow the leader played by two political allies. nicolas sarkozy is not always willing to follow, especially on the issue of nuclear power. merkel's u-turn has caused friction between berlin and paris. france is very committed to nuclear power. >> we will invest a billion euros in the future ofur nuclear program, in particular

the fourth generation of reactors. >> france gets 80% of their electricity from 58 power plants. the independence from foreign suppliers has been a cornerstone since the 1960's. this crosses party lines. a working-class town in northern france has been governed by the socialist party for decades. >> we simply have no alternative. you have to understand that. i don't think that people are prepared to reduce energy years -- energy use. we need to keep our independence when it comes to energy production. >> the germans do not seem bothered about buying their nuclear power from us. >> fighting what must at times seemed a solitary battle, -- held to coordinate anti-nuclear groups throughout france. there's not much to do. sometimes she works from

alternative cafe. there is little opposition despite the number of reactors. nevertheless, she thinks that things are starting to change.e. >> something of a revolution is taking place. before,, you could not even discuss the notion of a nuclear phase-out. these days, there is the odd demonstration. in a recent survey, 62% said they would be for a gradual phase-out by 2040. 15% are in favor of switchi them off now. increasing numbers of french have joined german and swiss anti-nuclear protesters f for t first time since the 1970's. >> e even if our the mine's -- r demands are not as far reaching as the germans, we can see it is possible. >> of berlin's decision to pull

t of nuclear energy seems to be making a bigger impression on french voters and politicians in paris are currently going to expect -. >> the debate here has been long-running and he did. when the anti-nuclear movement gained steam in the 1970's, they had a hard time getting politicians to take it seriously. >> in 1970 cost west germany, nuclear armament and nuclear energy where protest issues. this is a time of demonstrations against the political establishment. a new party, the greens, was founded. they won their first seats on the german parliament. it years later, -- became the first environment minister. after the chernobyl in the clear disaster, fears of radiation and its long-term consequences mobilized germans.

the anti-nuclear movement, by then more than a decade old, gained ground. protest movements have been generally more successful in germany than in other countries. >> the federal system in germany means that at the very least, such local movements can have an impact at the same level where they can cause problems for regional governments. >> in the 1990's, anti-nuclear protests concentrated on the nuclear waste transports. there was massive civil disobedience against moving the waste to the temporary storage site. in 1998, the social democrats and the greens came to power. and early 2001, they legislated to phase out nuclear energy within 20 years. when the nobles received

generous state subsidies. >> in the long term, there is hope that the german energy industry and its associated technologies will get a boost. >> when angela merkel's center- right coalition took power in 2009, they reversed the phase- out by extending the operating life of power plants. a majority where opposed to the policy. all protest were insane and to the accident in fukushima. the chancellor made a swift policy u-turn and realized that germans would no longer except the policy. the opposition was jubilant. >> the truth is, the citizens have implemented this without you and your governing coalition. that is what has happened here in germany. >> june 30th, 2011. they vote to switch off the nuclear reactors. this is the end of the nuclear

debate and a historic moment of rare political consensus. >> that has been our in-depth look at the phase-out wrapping up the journal at this hour.

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