>> live from the dw studios in berlin, this is world news. >> rehearsing mass murder, a french investigation of the germanwings crash in the house shows that the copilot actually practiced bringing down the plane. >> in the hot seat, chancellor merkel's government faces top questions about whether germany helped the u.s. spy on european businesses. >> is only hours before polls open in what is predicted to be the closest british election in living memory. >> we begin our broadcast with chilling new details about the

copilot who is believed to have brought down that germanwings flight in the french alps and >> french investigators say they now believe the copilot practiced crashing the plane in an earlier flight on the very same day. >> french authorities say he rehearsed setting the plane controls on a course to crash in a flight from duesseldorf to barcelona. >> that was just hours before he allegedly took control of the cockpit, going from rehearsal to a real disaster. reporter: it's another piece of evidence for that theory that the copilot intentionally crashed the germanwings airbus six weeks ago. further analysis of the flight data recorder reveals he practiced crashing the plan on the outward flight from düsseldorf to barcelona. twice he briefly set the autopilot on a course that would have led to a crash. >> on the outward trip, air traffic control asked the craft

to be sent in a dissent mode. when the copilot was alone, he said the altitude control switch to 100 feet, so he did rehearsed the dissent ahead of the accident. >> was he practicing, or was it for real but he lost his nerve? no one will ever know what was going on in his head, but all the evidence so far his bouts of depression and his research on the internet on how cockpit doors could be locked points to the conclusion that the copilot deliberately crashed the plane. the inquiry by the french aviation safety authority is continuing. investigators are seeking to answer another question, what must be done to stop that the -- to stop the same thing happening again? >> our correspondent kristof has been covering the story for us. the shocking realization is that we have been told that no one

noticed that this was being rehearsed. how is that possible? kristof: it's possible because the plane was in a dissent already that had been ordered by air traffic control, so neither crewmembers nor the air traffic control noticed anything unusual. air-traffic control at bordeaux roughly an hour after the plane had taken off, ordered a plane to sink from 37,000 to 35,000 feet. the cockpit -- the copilot was alone in the cockpit. once the plane was in dissent, he then took the dial to 100 feet, which is the lowest you can put it, for about three seconds, then he turned it back. >> that did not register with anybody. >> it did not register because the flight was in dissent. a couple of minutes later, they said you have to sink even lower, to 21,000. then he started fiddling with

the altitude again, turning it to 100, turning it back, turning it to 100. so the 100 eat was on for more than a minute before it was brought back to level. that's when the pilot reentered the flight deck. reporter: talk us through some of the other key findings of this interim report. christophe: shortly before the plane crashed into the mountain, the copilot had slightly moved the control stick of the plane. the investigators did not mention if there was any intention or do not speculate on any intention of the pilot. they also said he did not answer any of the numerous attempts to contact the plane and he had increased the -- increase the speed of the plane several times on the way down. from that they draw the conclusion that he was aware of what he was doing and he did crash the plane intentionally. >> before we let you go, has there been any reaction about this interim report?

>> germanwings did not comment on it because the investigation is still going on. certainly they say itto clarify. there was one statement by a spokesperson of the german pilots union who said this was only possible because the pilot -- the copilot was in the flight deck by himself. so they're introducing the rule of having to members of the crew on the flight deck now, that certainly a good idea. >> as always, thank you very much. here in berlin, hard questions about allegations that germany's intelligence agency helped america's nsa to spy across europe. >> on wednesday a parliamentary committee grilled the country's interior minister. members of the opposition claim the government is not telling the truth, saying this is the biggest crisis yet. reporter: this is the man at the center of germany's growing spy scandal. the interior minister maintains he had no detailed information

about unauthorized spy operations conducted by the u.s. and germany. he says his hands are clean. >> as chancellor and chief of staff in 2008, i knew nothing about search terms used by the u.s., or similar things for the purpose of industrial espionage in germany. no company names were mentioned. >> germany's intelligence agencies to work with the american national security agency, but he says the u.s. proposal to expand that cooperation was rejected as problematic. that's not good enough for opposition politicians. they want him to testify before the parliamentary committee that's investigating the nsa activities. >> we still haven't seen all of the files. we were on to clarify any of that today. which means that the questions concerning the minister are still open.

>> that he was supported by some opposition politicians who say the chancellor's office should not stand in the way. >> who, what, when where why and how. that is the basis of the investigation. we will carry on. we want to examine all the evidence. we hope that will be tomorrow. the chancellor's office says it will handle the list, but only if the u.s. agrees. >> that was simon young, on the story for us here in berlin. i'm scratching my head trying to find out if we learned anything new in the story today. did we? simon: perhaps no new details about exactly what it was the nsa was trying to spy on with the help of the german intelligence service. that's partly because the government is blocking attempts by the opposition to get that information access to that

information, or rather they are hesitating, saying they have to get american permission first before they can put out the so-called search terms the nsa wanted to get after. i think what we did see more clearly than ever before is how the opposition really got the bit between their teeth. they're going after merkel trying to make something stick. did the chancellor or her ministers not know or not care whether the bnd was overstepping or if they did know, were they trying to cover something up? the government is at a bit of a disadvantage because of course there is secrecy in these matters and they cannot perhaps tell everything they know. but certainly the opposition are really going for this one and it is a political scandal that's probably going to be a long fight. >> and it may have some longlegs . our heads going to have to roll before we get some resolution? simon: the opposition would

certainly like one major government had to roll. they're going after the interior minister. he had responsibility for the intelligence services in his previous job as chancellor he says he knows nothing about industrial as we notch, for a lot of politicians his explanation so far is just not good enough. i think the scandal is going to run and run. there will be more inquiries in the next two days, and even a visit by the parliamentary inquiry to that listening station in a very of. so the drama continues in this new story will continue. >> simon young for us on the story in berlin. >> we will shift our focus to afghanistan, where a court has sentenced for men to death for the mob killing of a woman. >> it sparked demands for authorities to protect women

from violence. this is a landmark judgment in a nation where women often have little legal recourse. the 27-year-old was beaten to death after she was falsely accused of burning a copy of the carranza -- of the koran. the police officers who looked on an allegedly did nothing to stop the lynching will be sentenced. >> is being closely watched by a group of afghan law students. >> they are a long way from their home in northern afghanistan. these 12 women are pioneers at a university because they want to become lawyers, and they want to change things for afghan women. the students have a full program. the german government is giving them a week to gain as much knowledge and his many contacts as they can. that includes a visit to the federal lawyers association.

the students leader explains that while women are allowed to study in afghanistan, many families do not allow their daughters to work. they cannot get experience with law firms and i cannot study for advanced degrees. the struggle women face has become clear to their hosts during their visit. >> access to the profession is a real hurdle and we are certainly in contact with the afghan government about it. we have managed to provide a few internships there, but of course they want to have proper careers. >> at a meeting with german mems apartment, the women reported on problems that women face in afghanistan. they tell of innocent women in jail and how the lynching of the 27 euro woman in kabul has shocked them. >> it is very important based

on afghan law, it is a very serious punishment if it is enforced. the women will be very happy for that if it is enforced. >> the students meet the german defense minister. chancellor angela merkel takes time out for them, too. the politicians want to encourage the young women, and it seems they succeed. >> especially for the women, it is important for me to be a lawyer or administer our representative. >> these -- they see a future for women in afghanistan, but they have a long way to go before they achieve their mission.

>> one of india's most popular movie stars may soon become one of the country's most famous prisoners. >> the bali would superstar -- bollywouod superstar has been sentenced to five years for manslaughter. he was found guilty in a hit-and-run crash dating back 12 years. he lost control of his car and ran over five people sleeping on the sidewalk. violent storms across northern germany have left at least one person dead and dozens more injured. >> the damage was most extreme in one town where a rare tornado touched down. reporter: a site like this would terrify anyone, even in places with the history of tornadoes. but this is a small town in northern germany. most people here had never seen anything like it before. >> i looked up and saw the

clouds look strange. then it hit me like a punch in the face. the water wind, and rain. it was insane. >> the residence what that to this, damage that will cost millions of euros to fix. the lucky ones can at least go home. some houses have been damaged beyond repair. tornadoes are still rare in germany, but scientists fear global warming means we could see more of the extreme weather conditions that caused them and their devastating consequences. some 30 people were hurt by flying debris. one woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries. tuesday was the hottest at the year so far in germany. the temperatures here dropped sharply in the evening, creating the perfect conditions for a tornado. forecasters say heavy storms could take other parts of june

-- of germany in the coming days. >> were going to take a break and be right back. >> this is anna. to make sure she doesn't start smoking, she uses a rather unique tip. nice try. or device that really works visit help -- eu.com where you

can also leave your own tips. help for life without tobacco. >> welcome back, everyone. in britain, is the final push before voters head to the polls tomorrow in what is being billed as the closest general election in generations. two main parties are and that and have been making their last appeal to voters. >> the outcome will not just be significant for britain. whoever ends up at 10 downing street will determine the future of europe. regardless of comes out on top in this unpredictable race, the scottish national leader could be the big winner, and she isn't even running. >> it's a race unlike anything britain has seen in decades. in the hours before voters head to the polls, two main parties are in a dead heat. prime minister david cameron is promising a strong economy if his conservative party wins. >> it comes down to chars -- choice of leadership. whether you want me to continue leading our country and taking it forward, whether you want ed

miliband and you go back to the start and waste the work of the last five years. >> there will be a question mark over britain's continued eu membership if the conservatives win. cameron has promised and in or out referendum. meanwhile, labor party leader ed miliband has put the national health service and other social issues at the heart of his campaign. ed miliband: this is the clearest choices we have put before the public in a generation. a labor government that will put working families first. >> but smaller parties such as the anti-eu party are on the rise. they have drained support from other parties. the scottish nationalists could end up holding the balance of power. the party leader is riding a wave of popularity. the snp is set to take all but a

handful of scottish seats. if neither party wins an all-out majority in parliament, the result could be messy. it could take weeks of arguing before new government can before. >> we had to east africa now working his government is threatening to close the largest refugee camp -- where kenya's government is threatening to close the largest refugee c amp here they say hundreds of thousands of refugees pose a security risk. grace we have this report on the plight of somalis in the camp. >> flying above what seemed like the middle of nowhere in kenya it comes into view, the biggest refugee camp in the world. some 400,000 people live here. the majority are from somalia.

they fled to escape civil war and hunger. this is one of the lucky few to find a job here. he works as a medical technician. he was six years old when his mother brought him and his siblings here more than 20 years ago. he hasn't left the camp cents. residents are not allowed to live anywhere else in the country. he says his life here is still better than at home in somalia's civil war. recently, he heard that the kenyan government was planning to shut the camp and send the resident's home. >> there's no need for me to go back now he said. he says he grew up here. he is only a somali citizen by blood. he says he is a naturalized kenyan citizen, and he knows kenya better than somalia.

but life here is anything but easy. it's the rainy season in kenya and there are no paved roads in the refugee camp. the houses leak when it rains. the united nations has donated 378 waterproof tarpaulins to help. it's not nearly enough for the hundreds of thousands of people who live here. camilla was given one of the tarps, but she's not happy about it. >> why should i be happy? i don't want a tarp. i want to finally live in a normal house. i've lived in a tent full of holes for eight years. >> but the kenyan government inhibits building homes here. they don't want the camp to become permanent. especially not since the somali militant group al-shabaab attacked the nearby university four weeks ago.

since then, suspicions of somalis are running high. the government is worried islamist terrorists could mix in alongside the refugees or use the camp as a recruiting ground. syad inks they have been made scapegoats. he is an ambitious young man. one month ago, he got married here. he saved for this room for 10 years. he says it is the best you can do here, there isn't much better. but if it is close, he will lose everything he has worked towards. he doesn't know where he would go. >> i don't know, he says. no matter how bad the situation or fighting in somalia gets, he would never go to europe on a boat. he says he would rather go back to somalia than to be an immigrant again.

or die in the mediterranean. for now, they had no choice but to stay here. they can only hope that the home they have made is not taken away from them. >> back here in germany, it's day two in the nationwide train strike and they're still no way out of the stalemate or any sign of new talks between picketing train drivers. the leaders of the train drivers union dismissed the management proposal to appoint a neutral mediator as a pr cap. members of the gdl labor union walked off the job on monday and plan to stay on strike until sunday. the strike has disrupted real service -- rail services across germany, leaving millions of passengers stranded. >> let's get a check of the business headlines. conrad has been tracking trading action at the stock exchange.

conrad: it was a jittery trading day on the stock market this wednesday. on the one hand there was weak economic data coming in from the united states, which caused the euro to climb upwards and has put a damper on share prices here. on the other hand, positive earnings reports came in from all eons and -- from allianz. a small ipo took place here this wednesday. it is an internet portal which is mainly selling now these and baby equipment. the mere fact that there was an ipo is good news for people here. what's more, this thursday will bring another ipo, for a leasing department of germany's large auto rental company. >> 70 years ago, germany was experiencing the final days of

world war ii. the soviet army was marching in from the east. >> in the face of a looming defeat many germans decide to take their own lives. >> in a small town in mecklenburg, western pomerania hundreds killed themselves and their children. >> chit -- today the town has become implementing of the wave of mass suicides that swept the country. >> it happened 70 years ago. as the war was ending, his family fled to this field, and it was here that his mother made a terrifying decision. >> she had lost all hope. it was all over. we had lost the war and she wanted to kill herself and her family area she was going to slit her wrists. and she would have done it if my grandmother and grandmother had not stopped her.

>> he was 10 years old when the soviets marched in. soldiers raped his mother and then set our to his family's house. similar things happen to many other people here. he saw hundreds of people drown or hang themselves. >> it was the first time i hit seen dead people. they were hanging from the apple trees which had just started to blossom. we were just running around stealing stuff. and we saw dead bodies floating in the river. >> a historian has researched the wave of suicide. as many as 2000 people killed themselves in a matter of days. he thinks they were so influence by propaganda that they couldn't imagine life in a defeated germany. >> i also found out there was

widespread knowledge of the crimes germany had committed during the war, especially in the east. >> that made many people afraid of what the victors might do in revenge. >> the museum has documented the events from 70 years ago. the city is hardly unique. all across germany, entire families killed themselves in the final days of the war. >> for me it's a symbol of an epidemic of suicide that affected the entire german alliance. the feeling of defeat, the fear nothing made sense anymore. it was everywhere. it was especially prevalent in the east, but also in the west and in baaria. >> for a long time, many state silent.

his family has never spoken of their own brush with suicide. the town commemorates the suicides with the monument, part of the process of coming to terms with the town's painful history. >> breaking news right now prime minister benjamin netanyahu in israel has reached a deal to form a new coalition government. x we will have more on that in our later bulletins. >> thanks for watching. we will see you again at the top of the hour. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

♪ ♪ in beijing, the chinese capital, a department store stands in a street full of embassies, part of a tour route for foreign tourists.