>> you are watching the "journal " live on dw in berlin. >> welcome to the show. coming up in the next half-hour -- strong words from nato's secretary-general. he is in kiev and he is warning that russia could be planning a ground invasion of ukraine. >> the iraqi air force bombs positions of the islamic state militants in northern iraq as the region's minorities flee the relentless onslaught of jihadist. >> and historic verdict against the only two surviving leaders of cambodia's khmer rouge.

>> step back from the brink and don't use peacekeeping as an excuse for warmaking -- that's the stark warning from the head of nato to russia. >> the turmoil heats up as the eastern region enters a new chapter. nato officials say there are 20,000 russian troops are massed along the border. >> although the u.s. and many european leaders have long accused russia of meddling in ukraine, the most recent accusations raise a specter of a full-fledged war. >> the nato secretary-general came to kiev with a clear message -- the ukrainian people can count on the full support of the military alliance. he warned that russia could be seeking to use the crisis as an excuse to invade. >> today, ukraine's freedom and future are under attack.

instead of de-escalating the conflict, russia continues to destabilize ukraine. >> rasmussen called on russia to withdraw an estimated 20,000 troops, which nato says are stationed near ukraine's border. the standoff has come at a high price. it is also affecting regular russians now. in retaliation for western sanctions against moscow, the kremlin has declared an immediate one-year ban on imports of most food from the west. >> pressure is introducing a full ban on deliveries of the, pork, fruit, and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, and dairy products. >> in 2013, russia imported about 32 billion euros worth of food and agricultural products. almost 12 billion euros worth came from the eu. imports from the u.s. added up to about one billion.

the band could come at a high cost for countries like finland that rely heavily on trade with russia. trucks with western goods were turned away here at one border crossing. still, the kremlin has promised the ban will not hurt russian consumers. >> let's crossover now to moscow where we are tracking this unfolding story. good to see you. sanctions appear to be having zero influence on vladimir putin's actions. if the goal is to get him to back down, how will this ban on food imports affect not just russian consumers, but observers said it will backfire? >> russian consumers will certainly be affected. at the moment, you going to russian supermarkets, and the city is probably -- 1/number four of the product on the shelves come from these countries, but russian

authorities say that will not be a problem. they will be able to restructure the imports. at the moment, the biggest countries that delivered to russia are brazil and belarus, and russia says they will expand that, and i also have more food coming from countries like turkey, serbia, and other south american countries. they also say this will be very good for russian agriculture, which is known to be in a chronic crisis. they say that these sanctions are an opportunity for them to develop, which we do not know if that will really develop. the russian people -- probably the majority will accept this as a necessary evil, and if they will blame anyone, they will blame the west. there is the metaclass just the middle class this as they would like to buy these products, but they are the minority. >> have you heard the warning from the nato secretary-general about the buildup on the border?

are they impressed by that? >> they have heard these threats by nato for weeks and months. they are laughing them off and denying the accusations. the visit now is seen as another example of the fact that the west is pulling the strings and are the puppet master behind everything in the ukraine. that is what russia is thinking, and that is what they convey to people on state tv. >> all right. to be continued. thank you for that update. >> the united nations security council is due to hold an emergency meeting later today to discuss the situation in iraq. the situation was called by france after iran's biggest christian town was overrun by islamic state militants. members are trapped without water on a nearby mountain. >> islamist fighters have reportedly advanced to within a half-hour drive of the kurdish capital.

international oil companies have begun pulling out of northern iraq's kurdish region, previously considered a safe zone. >> the government in baghdad says it is making progress in its efforts to push back islamic state fighters. the defense ministry released these pictures, which it says shows airstrikes targeting militant positions in cities including basel. the u.s. says it is gravely concerned about iraq, but the white house declined to comment on reports washington was considering airstrikes to help endangered minorities. >> there are no military solutions to the very difficult problems that exist in iraq now. the american people cannot solve this problem for the iraqi people. the only solution that exists is an iraqi political solution. >> in rome, pope francis appealed to world leaders to find a way to end the suffering and protect the innocent. >> the holy father is following

with deep concern the dramatic news reports coming from northern iraq, which involve defenseless civilians. christian communities are particularly affected. people are fleeing from their villages because of the violence that is raging there now. it is wreaking havoc on the entire region. >> reports say some of the tens of thousands of minorities who fled the militants have reached safety in kurdish areas of iraq and turkey, but many more remain trapped in the mountains without food or water. >> to help us better understand the fast and furious advances of the islamic state, we are now joined in the studio by a middle east expert. thank you so much for dropping by to talk to us. these are very, very worrying developments we have seen in the past couple of days. not so long ago, they were not even able to get past kurdish forces. that has changed now.

why? >> the strategic advantage of isis is terror. where other militias and armies kill and might massacre people, isis is not trying to cover-up these massacres. they are not trying to cover-up the cruelty and their barbarian attitude but use it as a strategic instrument. on the other hand, i think they have acquired a lot of resources -- money, weapons -- and they are becoming more and more attractive for other jihadists who are fascinated by the success of their agenda. they have won a propaganda victory. on the other hand, we should ask why this has emerged in that way and white regional powers, including the central government and baghdad, have not responded to it earlier. >> why we are asking these questions, the big question is, of course -- can anything stop them? >> of course. we have some of the best trained armies in the region. the iranians. or turkey -- turkey is a nato

power. it is not, like, a military issue. i think it is a question of political decision-making. if you interfere in this conflict with military force, you take risks. the commanders of the islamic state -- they might be fearsome and they might be cruel, but they are not necessarily stupid. they know that nato is so busy and so engaged with russia, ukraine, so many international issues that they might wind time -- when -- win time. we are shocked by what is going on in northern iraq, but we have gotten so used to what is going on in syria that news about it kind of, you know, is everyday life for us. we risk not to care about it anymore, which i think is a very big mistake. >> there is growing concern because the french president has said he will support any troops

that want to battle these people. let's talk about the diversity in iraq. it's a very diverse country -- kurds, sunnis, shiites, christians. does that diversity now risk being of litter rated? >> absolutely. we have to be fair -- religious diversity is threatened since a long, long time. let's say for the last 10 years. religious minorities have suffered a plight, and they have suffered terror. the question is -- why doesn't the central government in baghdad feel responsible for the destiny of that community? they are citizens of iraq as everyone else, but in another way, you really feel that these communities are left to themselves. >> thank you so much for your analysis. we greatly appreciate it. >> german and american authorities are on high alert

after an islamist terrorist threatened to bomb and american nuclear facility in the west of germany. >> turns out that the threat was made by a german. he is said to have joined the fundamentalist salafist sect and is reportedly fighting in syria. >> and he is not the only one. authorities in germany are concerned a growing number of citizens will have become radicalized. >> these are disturbing images. a man identified poses in front of a mountain of corpses. the algerian german clothes about killing for the islamic state in serbia. officials are worried about the number of islamist from germany fighting in syria. up to the middle of last year, authorities say 60 suspected islamic radicals have left for sharia, but by december, that number had increased to 320. now they say it's over 400. the security agencies worry what will happen when these islamists returned to germany.

in may, a french islamist extremists killed four people in an attack on the jewish museum in brussels. the killer had fought in syria. german authorities fear similar attacks. the country pasta mystic intelligence agency warns the recent attack in brussels shows that fighters returning from syria have become a problem for europe. "we need to prepare for possible attacks in europe." the authorities seem overwhelmed. that may explain how denis was able to leave for syria, even though there was no -- even though there was an arrest warrant out for him. he was wanted on charges of taking part in an islamist riot, in which 20 million police officers were injured. >> we had now to the middle east, where the conflict between israel and hamas in the gaza strip extracted a heavy civilian death toll. in cairo, egyptian mediators continue their efforts to extend

the cease-fire between israel and the palestinians in gaza. >> then, there's less than a day left until the truce runs out. aid agencies are making the best of the calm, getting palestinians out of the strip to treat them for life-threatening injuries. >> those left behind are trying to rise again, pick up the pieces, but for now, gazans are surrounded by devastation. >> here at the islamic university of gaza, the students have come back. they are doing volunteer work to clean up the rubble. on saturday, the building suffered a direct hit. israel says it was being used to develop weapons. >> we want to continue our work in improving education and assure the world that this university is used only for teaching and not for the sort of things israel is claiming. >> in the afternoon, there was a demonstration in gaza city organized by hamas.

it's not clear how many people were attending voluntarily. the military wing of hamas are threatening to resume their armed struggle tomorrow if there is no agreement in cairo. >> thousands of people have come out to say yes to the resistance and yes to a new attack on tel aviv. >> on wednesday evening, israeli negotiators arrived in egypt for the second round of negotiations, but in jerusalem, officials say israel would respond if hamas began firing rockets. >> once again, hamas is threatening to establish power. we say to them clearly, do not test us. the israeli air force is ready, and we will respond to fire with very heavy fire. >> the truce is due to end on friday morning. time is running out to agree on an extension to the cease-fire.

>> coming up after a short break, the first ebola patients being treated in europe. >> see you in exactly one minute.

- >> welcome back. we tend to southeast asia where a u.n.-backed tribunal has sentenced two members of the khmer rouge to life. >> they were found guilty of crimes against humanity during cambodia's reign of terror in the 1970's. almost 2 million people died. >> survivors of the regime traveled across the country to witness this historic day. lawyers have announced their intention to appeal the ruling. >> the judge has already said given the gravity of the crimes, both men will remain in detention. >> the chamber sentences the accused to life imprisonment.

>> a verdict received without emotion by the 88-year-old and 83-year-old defendants, the two most senior surviving leaders of the khmer rouge. many older cambodians watched the announcement. for survivors of the regime, it felt a long time coming. >> i thank the court for sentencing these two criminals to life imprisonment. i am extremely satisfied. >> this is an example for the next generation not to repeat those three years, eight months, and 20 days. >> khmer rouge soldiers perpetrated indescribable atrocities in the name of indescribable atrocities. over 1.7 million people died, a quarter of the then population.

known as brother number two, he served as dictator, pol pot's deputy -- dictator pol pot's deputy. the acting head of state, the public face of the regime. 35 years later, justice has come to these men and belated relief to those who suffered under them. >> liberia has declared a state of emergency as the country struggles to contain the latest ebola outbreak ravaging west africa. liberia's president has said some civil liberties may have to be suspended, including restrictions on freedom of movement. >> one of the people affected in liberia was a spanish missionary workingat a hospital in the capital monrovia. he is now receiving treatment in madrid after being flown home. >> the 75-year-old spanish priest contracted the deadly virus while helping to treat others at a hospital in liberia.

he and a coworker, a nun who has so far tested negative, have been placed under quarantine in madrid. authorities say the outlook is good. >> the condition of the two patients, father miguel and the nun, is stable with fever. the most important thing is that father miguel is not hemorrhaging. this is a sign of a positive prognosis. >> more countries are stepping up her cautions. britain has set up a special unit in london, one of the world busiest travel hubs. nigeria has been checking travelers for fever at the airport. where a passenger carrying the virus into the country and died within days. he is thought to have infected others. africa's most populous nation is racing to confine the best contain the outbreak. >> a prosecution lawyer in the

trial of oscar pistorius has presented closing arguments in court on thursday. the state prosecutor says pistorius told a snowball of lies and cannot escape conviction of murder. >> the defense started its own closing statements and will continue tomorrow. the former olympian is charged with the premeditated murder of his girlfriend. his five-month-long trial has been filled with drama from the start. pistorius denies intentionally shooting his partner, maintaining he mistook her for an intruder. >> stepping into the media scrum, oscar pistorius, south africa's former sporting hero on the final stretch of his trial. over the past five months, pistorius has attempted to explain how he accidentally shot his girlfriend throgh a bathroom door. the prosecutor rejected pistorius' snowball of lies. he said it is the state's case that the accused was a deceitful witness and the court should

have no difficulty in rejecting his core version of events not only as not reasonably possibly true but in essence as being absolutely devoid of any truth. the prosecution argues pistorius has offered two contradictory defenses that cannot be reconciled -- that he believed he was shooting at an intruder and that he acted in the heat of the moment and did not intend to kill anyone. observers say that contradiction and witnesses called by the defense hurt pistorius' case. >> those people were not very good witnesses. they damage the state case very much. at this stage, i would say it looks like the state has got a stronger case than the defense. >> the judge and two legal assistance will decide whether the 27-year-old is guilty of premeditated murder. >> in business news now, the

european central bank announced on thursday it will hold its key interest rate steady. our market correspondent has more on this from the frankfurt stock exchange. >> the ecb president, mario draghi, is becoming less optimistic from month-to-month. this thursday, druggy not only announced that the main interest rates in the eurozone remain unchanged -- druggy -- mario draghi not only announced that the main interest rates in the eurozone remain unchanged but said that growth was week and uneven. as if to underline this, several companies with strong ties to russia reported disappointing earnings. for example, adidas. industry production of germany overall a be weaker than what experts had anticipated so far. >> the question on traders'

minds -- is europe's economic powerhouse set for a slowdown? >> this cause for concern because some disappointing data has been rolling in for germany over the past few days. after he orders are coming off recent highs -- factory orders are coming off recent highs, and a leading research group says growth could tail off in the second half of the year. >> germany's strong manufacturing base has earned it the title motor of europe, but that motor may be sputtering. the ukraine crisis is one reason investors are worried. between april and june, output it by 1.5 percent. the export giant is also seeing fewer new orders coming in. as the year began, germany's economy was in excellent shape. in the first quarter, grossed a mystic product grew impressively by just under 1%. analysts are now speaking of a decline. commerzbank expects figures to show the economy shrank in the second quarter.

economists say business and consumer behavior is key. the biggest danger is that people will stop spending out of fear that tougher times may be a head. >> shares at german sportswear giant adidas have dropped almost 5% after the company issued a profit warning in response to worsening economic ties between western countries and russia. >> the company says it will be opening fewer stores in russia than planned, but the numbers were down elsewhere. earnings from north america fell 14% compared to the same time last year. analysts say a drop in demand for bulk supplies is to blame. before we go, does the name chilly gonzales ring a bell? it's not a new spy chief -- spicy ketchup sauce and also not the cousin of speedy gonzales, the cartoon mouse. >> it's the alias of a

multifaceted entertainer from canada who lives here in germany. he is the man behind the music for a new theater production of an old hairy tale. >> and just kicked off the international summer festival and hamburg. >> shadows. they follow us wherever we go, but what if our shadows took on a life of their own independent from us? like in hans christian anderson's tale "the shadow." it is a question that fascinates canadian musician jason charles beck, a.k.a. chile gonzalez. he wrote the music for this tale for this character which is in every sense rather shady. >> the shadow is a bit of a charlatan. you can imagine the shadow would be very good at social media. you with imagine the shadow is very good at becoming an internet celebrity, maybe, posting lots of youtube videos. the shadow wants attention and

wants to convince the world that he is real, but he really is empty. >> of coarse, hans christian anderson's tale dates back to the mid-19th century, well before the internet. it is about a scholar whose shadow wants to become a person. the shadow even reaches for the two taste -- toothpaste. what better motivation for becoming a person than the love of a princess? what follows is a mixup between man and shadow. it is also a new role for chile gonzalez, his first time composing for the theater. >> what i make, at least, always has a lot of heart in it. i always put a lot of heart into it, and my work is extremely personal, including being a grandiose entertainer because that is a psychological problem i have that i need to be a grandiose entertainer, so it is personal, you understand, for me, to put that out on stage.

>> reality or shadow -- who exactly is tricking whom here? the show leaves the audience guessing until the very end. it's just the latest work by grandiose entertainer chile gonzalez. >> some nice effects of their onstage. >> thanks so much for watching. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--

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