>> new line from berlin. queen elizabeth has come to berlin, and what has she brought with her? this could be a state visit with a political point. people in athens want their government to know that they do not like what is going down in brussels. and dw honors loggers who risked everything to simply be heard . -- bloggers risk everything to simply be heard.

it is good to have you with us. it is the royal event or royal watchers here in berlin. queen elizabeth and her husband prince philip landed and has been a crowd of well-wishers ever since they are beginning a water date visit to germany. >> the queen and her husband have little reason to be feeling homesick as they touched down berlin greeted them with rainy weather, typical of london. it is her fifth state visit to germany, a sign of her appreciation for the country. the queen's first stop tuesday evening, her hotel near brandenburg gate.

throngs of supporters were on hand to cheer the 89-year-old as she arrived at the exclusive hotel. it's presidential suite, which cost 15,000 euros a night has been renamed the royal suite. a hefty price tag, but this is not just any visit as britain's ambassador says. germany is now our most important european partner, and our second biggest trade partner globally rate of this is a celebration of our bilateral relationship. now it is time to rest because there is a full agenda ahead. after meeting german leaders wednesday it is off to frankfurt and other stuff before her departure on friday. brent: our correspondent simon he is our royal correspondent this week. he also happens to be from britain. he has an inside scoop on

everything. good evening to you. i guess they decided to bring the weather with her did she not ? simon: good evening. that is what they have said. rainy weather is described as english weather. it has cleared up event this evening, so people are hopeful over the next few days of this variant against and visit there will be good weather. the queen is due to go on a short boat trip before she meets chancellor angela merkel for a friday chat. they hope to clouds hold off the rain for that. brent: this is a state visit but there are reports in britain that there is a political message that she is bringing to germany. what can you tell us about that? simon: it is not a political visit indispensable fun, but these are organized by the british government, and perhaps it is no coincidence that written is on a charm defeive on the moment. david cameron wants to negotiate

reforms of the european union. he wants the support of his german partners for that. bringing the queen here at this time can look like, and a lot of analysts are suggesting that is part of an effort to remind the germans of what they like about britain and written -- and the importance of being in germany and having germany in europe. when the queen emerged from her jet this evening as she arrived in berlin she came out wearing a coat of a deep european blue-collar -- color. that is part of a deep commitment. brent: i would have misd that symbolism. we believe she has a personal relationship to germany, dozen sheep desk does she not? simon: she has a lot of german blood in hncestry. her husband spent much of his youth in germany.

this is her fifth state visit to the country and we remember particularly that first visit after the second world war. she had herself experienced what it was like in britain during the second world war. there are many personal links in her life and i am sure some of those memories come back to her every time she comes here. brent: thank you very much. now to the topic of british german economic relations. there is a lot of history there as well. i do question for ben. what is the most british of german cities? >> hamburg. would you have guessed? it is a nice place and it has great weather. the northern city is said to be the most of cities here and residents take it as a compliment. they have close economic ties for centuries. this can have a big impact in

hamburg. most were to say they feel right at home there. >> hamburg is proud of its good relations with britain. they have about 5000 listeners residents, and many companies have strong ties. he learned his trade in london. right now he is the eating british insurance companies. -- competing with british insurance companies. >> we were always equal, but we were the bosses here, not the english. if you consider how big the insrance company is and compare the german with the british insurance market you could say we're back to a few hundred years ago. it is we who are wearing the trousers in europe. >> the same company, a few floors down. she is teaching english to insurance agents. the right phrases are important.

she sees substantial cultural differences. >> we just do business in a different way. we do not just obey rules and do things as we are told, we want to change things and doing different things, is sometimes a bit confrontational. >> those conflicts are currently plaguing the european union. she canee why many britons want to you leave the eu. >> so many things have happened, and so many rules and regulations have been brought into the detriment of business and to the detriment of lots of things. people are saying why do we have to do what everyone else is doing? why can't we be independent? it's just independence coming out again. >>--not helpful at the anglo german club see things. the point here is to find ways of bringing germans and britain's closer together. this man's only network has more than 1000 members. its chairman things britain should not opt out of the eu. >> it would be a huge mistake.

that for europe and not good for britain either. i think this referendum will have a pro-europe result. >> no matter how voters ultimately decide, these anglophiles in hamburg will continue to love their polo games, and their business ties with britain. brent: more business later in the show, including why american traders are playing so cool over the greek debt crisis. thank you. the challenges and even the death threats faced by online bloggers all over the world have been in the news in the past weeks. we have decided to single out several online activists for their dedication with her annual balls awards -- outr annual bobs awards. we begin with the widow of a bangladeshi blotter killed for his opinion. >> there are plenty of reasons in the world where it needs bravery to express yourself.

he was murdered for voicing his opinion. the jury honored his widow's determination to keep his blog going and supported by the internet community. >> there are hundreds of supporting any -- me, the statements came out with the way they got new united, it was amazing at very best and very good to see. >> he developed a videogame placing the viewer in the shoes of a syrian refugee. >> i'm angry because the international community ignores us. we suffer a lot of problems. nobody seems to care. so it is quite normal to be angry. >> internet privacy is the issue for mexican hackers which won the award for privacy and security.

and for the first time, we presented the freedom of speech award. this goes to the imprisoned saudi blogger. >> this is the most important prize we have ever awarded. it is a great honor for me to present you with the freedom of speech award. i hope you will be a foothold in your own hands in freedom soon. >> freedom of expression and human rights on the internet. some of them at a very high personal cost. brent: he was given 1000 lashes for simply writing on his blog. his crime was insulting islam. he was not able to get it in person because he is still in jail with the constant threat of flogging and hanging -- flogging hanging over him. he uses social media to highlight his case. we are at rdw social media desk.

what results about the campaign? >>'s story is really resonating with a lot of people out there. it was fantastic see that awards ceremony and that award given to him. this is a picture of him with his family. he blogged about a lot of controversial topics in saudi arabia. politics religion, even valentine's day is off-limits for bloggers in saudi arabia. he became a symbol for freedom of speech online not just because of his bravery that we honor tonight but also because of the very strong social media campaigns that are backing him up. they want to take lipstick and mark their backs in all marched to the lashing that he got. it really has gone global. it is great to see. amnesty international has been this up.

people in the streets with these red markings. he has become a symbol for freedom of speech. there is a lot of social media backup or him as well. brent: it certainly has to be a source of comfort for his family. what have they said about this campaign? karl: we spoke with his wife earlier today and she said that these campaigns that are out there and feel towards really are a great support for her. >> awards like these have a positive psychological effect on him and us as his family. his kids and i are proud of him and i am convinced that his cause is right. i feel like the whole world believes that, and that is why they are giving him these awards . carl: she is even picking up his

activism mental, living in canada and exile. to learn more go to our website . brent: thank you. still to come, protesters in athens make their feelings clear about the proposed that deal. we will hear from greeks in the street. it looks like it is going to be a tough sell for the prime minister. he will be right back.

brent: we are alive from berlin. it is good to have you with us. britain's queen elizabeth touches down right here in berlin. it is the start of a latter-day state visit which many see as a charm offensive. why the british government has

come at the time of tension between britain and the european union. is a progress in progress enough? there is hope that greece can reach a deal with the international lenders. >> he remains busy. his party members want to hear the details of the concessions he made to international creditors. they demanded additional austerity measures, and he had to give in. but in return greece is set to receive billions of euros of additional assistance. in other euro zone nation's political leaders are doing their best to highlight the positive results of the summit. taxpayers could end up footing the bill for the extra funding for athens. >> i think that yesterday we

will see later was a decisive moment. if we reach an agreement the parameters of the agreement are being worked out. we have to work coldly -- c almly. spanish politicians were particularly critical of the summit. their country is also in the midst of an economic slump. the exceptions for greece will be difficult to explain to voters. >> interview long time for the greek government to understand the necessity of adopting some measures and put aside the validator behavior it showed from the beginning. but we must walk the right path. >> even though the negotiations have made some progress, the crisis in greece is far from over. >> the emphasis should not be on dealing with the death, but preventing the creation of new debt.

>> the people of greece will have to put up with reforms and spending cuts for years to come. even if they are eager to see an end to the crisis as soon as possible. brent: international investors think there is a solution around the corner. the global rally continues to bend. -- continues. carl: traders think this one is in the bag and we have been saying that for weeks. ben: let's head over to wall street to get some reaction. what are you hearing about a possible greek agreement? >> at the end of the day athens as far away from new york. people talk about it quite a bit, what is happening in greece. we hardly see any reaction when

it comes to the top trading. we have seen that in the past couple of weeks where the drama increased and stocks in europe fell. the reaction here on wall street was quite the contrary. we're staying more or less on record territory. the fed chairwoman janet yellen warned of possible disruptions in the global market. but people here are taking it rather easy and cool what is happening in europe at this point. ben: i dig up one quote from an investment strategist, she said we knew there was going to be a lot of drama with reese. is it justified they are playing so cool? jens: we will have to wait and see for the future will tell. but i hear most of the people saying the biggest risk is the risk of contagion. other countries could follow if greece should exit eurozone, and

that does not look that likely at this point but if you look at the numbers, the gdp of greece is lower than the gdp of the u.s. aid of georgia. the effect of the u.s. economy and the u.s. banking system probably would be rather limited. ben: one thing that is interesting is that the dollar has been shooting up against the euro. explain that situation. carl: that sort of thing is unusual this point. we gained about 1.5% in comparison with the euro. even with all of his optimism on top of that we also had to mix economic news out of the united states. i was a bit surprised to see the dollar trading so strong. ben: surprises, surprises. thank you so much.

if the greek prime minister wants this deal he will have to give his anti-austerity plan on board. while lawmakers said it is tantamount to a tombstone for greece. he says he is confident that the agreement will get through. the measures include the touchy subjects of pension cuts and tax hikes. >> to his frustration for jewelry is the first thing off the shopping list of consumers when money is tight. in recent months he is been fighting for survival and now this. >> all of these taxes raising our business tax to 129% increasing sales tax, they are burning us when we are in a very bad state. we are all in the red, and i am to you at my age.

it is not just is this tax that will be increased by 3%. sales tax is set for a hike. pubs and cafés will become more expensive for customers. will greeks continue to buy from these places? it is a balancing act less income in the economy collapses. this owner of the shop is anxious about her future. >> of course we are worried about the tax increases, but what can we do? there is no other solution. we must choose the lesser of two evils. what else can we do? >> the other people would have been state bankruptcy and an exit from the eurozone. before it comes to this comment many greeks are prepared to suffer further. ben: more traditional news with brent. brent: thank you.

here in germany a prominent al jazeera journalist was released from custody just yesterday and has praised the german justices do but has been talking a lot. he has raised serious western's about why he was and put in prison for two days in the first place. he was detained at the request of egypt where he faces jail over torture. it is a case that he said was politically motivated. today, he did some talking to reporters right here in berlin. >> he is delighted. egyptian journalist is free, he spent three days in detention in berlin, but on monday night authorities let him go. he had a stark message for the global media which had followed his airport arrest and imprisonment. it had been a track on press freedom from egypt and germany. >> it is perhaps first time that

we have seen all of the press from one side of the earth to the other stand together as one. not only for the cause for the journalist, but for everyone and everyone here in germany defended the freeman of the press. >> he was company by his lawyers who criticize the circumstances around the arrest. they maintained the authority should never have held the journalist, and they had been used by the egyptians. he's adjusted himself as much when he talked with dw. >> i stand with you, and i still ask them, who gave the authority to stop him? who gave this scandal to them? >>'s own answer to that

question the regime in cairo had ordered the arrest and germany had lighted so he strong-armed into action. brent: we do not have to tell you that it big dustin reisinger is exporting events have been prestige for the cities who will host them. this promises to be a tightly foxconn system -- fought contest. >> it is official, paris once to us the event in nine years time. 100 years since they were last held in the french capital. it is bids from austin, and hamburg that have been tabled. >> we went to give the ambition we have in our heart. this signal is perfect to talk about a winning france.

>> fr the french olympic champion has given the bid his full support. >> we're going to do whatever it takes to take the organization of the games in 2024. it is important for us, but it is not just for sport athletes. it is much more than that.% it is a grand adventure that will take place in france and paris. >> the city plans to build on existing infrastructure, but still expects -- brent: if you're on the go, you can get our app from google play or the apple store if you have an iphone and follow the news. see you next time. [inaudible]

top of the hour for no more news -- for more news from berlin. thanks for watching. announcer: "euromaxx highlights." and here's your host, karin helmstaedt. karin: hi there, and welcome to our "euromaxx highlights," which size up with these topics today -- poignant portraits. a british animal photographer

and his revealing close-ups. high-tech fashion. a dutch fashion designer makes intelligent clothing. and castles and vineyards. the unesco world heritage site of the middle rhine valley. if you sometimes have the feeling that your pet is part human -- or, indeed, that your pet thinks it's part human itself -- you are not alone. british photographer tim flach also has an eye for the human nature in animals and he has a knack for capt