sarah: this is "dw world news" from berlin. the deadliest suicide bombings to hit favorite in years. in -- to hit beirut in years. dozens killed and scores are wounded in twin suicide explosions targeting shiite hezbollah stronghold in southern suburbs. the islamic state claims responsibility. a live update for you just ahead. also coming up, we're giving you set to give africa nearly 2 billion euros to slow the stream of people arriving on its southern border. from the east, german chancellor angela merkel says a migration

summit with turkey is also coming up. but how effective can these efforts be? and across europe, accused terrorists are arrested. they were plotting to free this man, who was arrested in norway. i'm sarah kelly. thank you for joining us. tonight, it appears the conflict in syria is invading the southern suburbs of beirut. islamic state says it ordered the two suicide bombings that claimed at least 37 lives and injured more than 200 people on thursday. the shiite suburbs were targeted, but the message was meant for the militant group hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the assad regime. direct opponents of islamic state, hezbollah vows to continue to struggle saying, quote, "the fight is long between us."

our correspondent, martin jay, is standing by for us in beirut. we are seeing islamic state now claim responsibility. what is your reaction? >> we have seen the reaction from islamic state in statements being made in the last 30 minutes or so. curiously, it does not make any mention of the war in syria, although we think -- we can assume that this longing has been an immediate reaction to the bigger picture in syria, hard-core sunni groups are on the back foot. they have warned on -- in the past there would be revenge for a number of battles. this sadly presents itself as an easy target for them. sarah: meantime, hezbollah is not backing down. they are vowing to continue the fight in syria. do you think we could see more spillover effects of the conflict in the future? >> that's the worry.

hezbollah plays a key role on the battlefield. it has won a number of battles which assad regime could not win. the real worry is over the regional implications. looking at a country, a tiny country like lebanon, for example, which is very fragile politically, it doen't really have a proper government at the moment. the real worry, of course, is that these tensions spill over and go much further. we look at a sort of downward spiral of six -- of sectarian troubles. we are all hoping that is not going to happen. but i can imagine that security will be much tighter. you have to look at the bigger picture. the last few weeks, the syrian war has dramatically had its -- a change on the battlefield. the russians have taken a much bigger role. we had reports the last few days -- unconfirmed reports of 10,000

russian soldiers arriving there. things changing on that demographic from a military perspective. and today's savvy bombing is just another reminder that lebanon is intrinsically linked -- today's sad bombing is just another reminder that lebanon is intrinsically linked. sarah: thank you very much for that update. in the meantime, we turn to iraq, where kurdish forces have launched a major offensive to recapture the street -- strategic town of sinjar from islamic state. kurdish and islamic troops are being backed by u.s. airstrikes. islamic militants took control of sinjar last year, forcing thousands of people from the yazidi ethnic minority to flee. that prompted the u.s. to begin airstrikes against the i.s. in iraq and syria for the first time. in other news, we turn to the process -- the prospect of fortress europe.

listen to the words of donald tusk just a few hours ago, quote , "without effective control of our external borders, the schengen open border zone will not survive." he made the comment at the end of the summit aimed at flowing -- slowing the flow of migrants into europe. the talks yielded a 1.8 billion euro action plan. >> it's a document and that bringing europe a step closer to making the migration crisis manageable. the continent's leaders signing an emergency trust fund aimed at tackling some of the root causes of the crisis, people smuggling, poverty, and a lack of economic opportunity in africa. >> we are under no illusions that we can improve the situation overnight, but we are committed to giving people -- >> it is the first time in you funds are going directly to projects aimed at stemming the flow -- time e.u. funds are

going directly to projects aimed at stemming the flow of mig rants. measures aimed at enhancing employment opportunities in their countries of origin. a doubling of the number of european scholarships for african students and academics. -- african students in academics. also a joint investigation team aimed at tackling human trafficking. african and european union positions were initially far apart at the summit. it was what diplomats described as a charged atmosphere. african leaders say the trust fund is too small. >> it is not enough, 1.8 billion euros? that's far from being enough. the needs are enormous. that's why we are calling on other partners to participate in the setting up of trust funds. >> on both sides -- what both

sides are praising is an improved atmosphere of dialogue. the dialogue is clearly set to continue. sarah: and as one summit ends, another is already in the planning stages. later this month, eu leaders will meet with recep tayyip erdogan. turkey is seen as key to getting a handle on the migrant crisis. german chancellor angela merkel stressed the importance of getting ankara's cooperation. chancellor merkel: we want to better fight the causes of migration. and by doing so, reduce the number of refugees. all member states were agreed on that. sarah: and now, just a few minutes ago, our senior european correspondent summed up the day's developments at the malta summit, stressing that action will speak a lot louder than action plans. reporter: the eu's short-term

problem is on the southeastern border. of course, the migrants coming through syria, then turkey, taking the western balkans route into the european union. what the european union is trying to do against it is an action plan with turkey. that one is not finalized yet, but it contains more money and closer cooperation. that's what they are trying to do here. but if you look at the scale of the problem and compare it to africa, it almost seems tiny. because africa, of course, is a huge continent with huge problems, millions of people on the move, dreaming of the field -- of a better future. what's the answer here? another action plan, closer cooperation, more money. but if this is really supposed to work, the eu will need more than action plans. they will need actions. sarah: and while europe focuses on its migration crisis, many countries around the world are grappling with similar problems. most of them, though, are much

poorer and worse equipped to handle the influx. uganda is one of the world's most impoverished nations, yet it has taken in tens of thousands of migrants, most of them fleeing a simmering conflict in neighboring democratic republic of congo. reporter: tension is high as the newly arrived refugees from the eastern democratic republic of congo check to see if their names have been listed. like this woman. is her name on the list? then the moment of relief -- yes, her name is there she can stay. -- there. she can stay. she will get half of hectare of land, plus a few pots, blankets, tools, and seeds. for her, it is enough to begin a new life. >> i never want to go back to the congo. rebels killed my husband and one of my children.

i am so happy with the support that i received here. reporter: 25,000 refugees live near this settlement in southwestern uganda. it looks less like a classic refugee camp and more like a normal village. this family arrived 10 years ago after fleeing from the civil war in eastern congo. they broke in their field -- they grow in their field corn and beans. this is something that the family and the ugandan government can benefit from. >> at the beginning, we had no idea what to do. we were not farmers. but our neighbors taught us and now we can live from it. reporter: the family uses most of what they grow. whatever is left over can be sold at the local markets.

it's not much, but everything helps. >> it is not an easy life. we only have the bare minimum, but we are independent. we lived from what we ourselves produce. reporter: and it's enough to buy the children their school supplies. the schools themselves are free. the family lives in poverty and knows that is unlikely to change soon, but they have something to build on which is more than most refugees elsewhere. that's why a risky attempt to reach europe is completely out of the question. sarah: in other news, more than a dozen people have been arrested in europe in a raid against suspected islamist terrorists. a group was planning on conducting attacks in norway and the middle east, possibly targeting diplomats and politicians. italy's anti-terror chief called it the most important police operation in europe in 20 years.

this group was allegedly plotting to free its leader, who was already in detention in norway. let's bring in a journalist who has been following the story in oslo. tell us a little bit more about what we know about this man. reporter: well, the italian authorities are saying that he is, in fact, the mastermind behind this organization. he is well-known in norway. he has been here since the early 1990's and was later found out in 2003 to be the leader of a terrorist organization. this is what the italians are now calling a new evolution of this terrorist group, which has ties to al qaeda. sarah: what happens now? will he be extradited? reporter: the formal process will begin in oslo tomorrow with the courts.

the lawyer is obviously fighting the claims, saying there is no basis for this, nothing new here. it is not certain how soon it can happen. the country has been struggling for a decade to have him extradited for being related to this other terrorist group. but because he faces the death penalty, potentially, their hands had been tied. -- their hands have been tied. sarah: when we look at these terrorist claims that were supposed to happen, they wanted to strike diplomats. what has been the reaction to that? reporter: there was a press conference where they toned down the allegations and said that they had no concrete threats against national interests. the italians were very specific and talked about an embassy belonging to the british in oslo , like you mentioned, diplomats. there seems to be a more conservative viewpoint being taken in oslo for the moment, at least. sarah: thank you very much for

the update. reporter: you are welcome. sarah: it is the highest military distinction in the united states, and it is bestowed now on retired army captain florence grover -- fl orent groberg. he tackled the suicide bomber, sustaining serious leverage -- damage to his leg. four people died in the attack, but the number could have been much higher if it had not been for his courage. you are watching "dw news." still to come, clashes break out in athens as greeks go on strike to protest austerity cuts. is the country possibly this package -- country's latest package about to unravel?

we also have a lot more news coming up in about a minute. stay with us.

sarah: you're watching "dw news" in berlin. twin explosions have gone off in a southern suburb of the lebanese capital, beirut. the country's interior minister says at least 37 people were killed. islamic state has carried out if those -- has said it carried out those bombings. german chancellor angela merkel says there will be immigration -- be an immigration summit with

turkey. time for some business news now. what's the latest? reporter: india's prime minister narendra modi is on a three-day visit to the u.k. mainly, the two countries want to build closer economic ties, business deals worth 12 billion euros have been agreed. when indian prime minister narendra modi arrived at london's heathrow airport, he was planning to fly back with new trade deals signed and sealed. and british prime minister david cameron showed his visitor that he would all out all the stops to secure business opportunities in india's fast-growing economy. cameron said companies from the two countries would announce trade deals worth more than 12 billion euros. prime cameron: we want to form a more ambitious modern

partnership, -- prime minister cameron: we want to form a more ambitious, modern partnership. reporter: the deals are expected to include india buying more british jet fighters for its armed forces. modi, who was invited to speak in front of the british parliament, also said there were plans for a ruby bond -- a rupee bond, and if financing railways. prime minister modi: we will open new doorways in the service sector. we will cooperate more here and in india. we will work together on energy. reporter: india is the world's fastest-growing major economy. the british government is pushing hard to increase overseas trade as it tries to shrink its large deficit in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. reporter: workers in greece have

walked off their jobs today in protest against government tax hikes and pay cuts. those are conditions to keep eu bailout cash coming. it is the first general strike since the left-wing government of prime minister alexis tsipras took power in january, and his own party, syriza, is backing the walkout, targeting the policies that tsipras was elected to pursue. reporter: the police fight back with tear gas and water cannon. what started as a peaceful protest has escalated. however, where there are no protesters, things are unusually quiet. ferries are stuck in port. bus and train stations are empty. government offices are closed. only yesterday's papers are available on newsstands. the greeks are sick of austerity. >> we workers do not accept the

third bailout agreement under any terms. you're fighting until it is canceled. -- we are fighting until it is canceled. >> it is an expression of the anxiety for the uncertainty and insecurity that prevails in our country. reporter: but, without widespread reforms, greece will not get eu bailout money. >> the problem is that this government has no plan of its own. it is keeping the country in agony. we will see that economic growth will again be negative, with losses in gdp, and i see no way out as long as there is not a systematic and consistent plan. reporter: the government in athens is under enormous pressure. it has to balance brussels' demands with giving the greeks hope for the future. reporter: as we've heard earlier in the show, eu leaders were meeting with african heads of government in malta today to help stem the flow of refugees

at the source. but many african countries are already trying to provide economic prospects, especially for the young people. here is an example from ghana. reporter: not enough jobs, high unemployment, little hope for a better life for the future. that is prompting young africans in particular to burn their bridges and head for europe, even in ghana. government in opera -- the government in akra is trying to break that cycle and offer better prospects. >> we are trying to employ over 100,000 young ghanaians. reporter: experienced by many in ghana. young people have little chance of getting work and earning money. initiatives and projects often fail, due to widespread corruption. >> they are not able to do.

people are not aware of it. other people are on occasion -- are uneducated. if the population reduces, then you have the reader -- the resources. reporter: another strategy is self-employment, opening up a shop or starting a business, but that is a step that requires risk and a lot of courage. >> ok. let me find myself a job. i am proud to be here. reporter: equipping young people with more skills and means to stand on their own two feet would foster entrepreneurship, not just in ghana, but throughout africa. reporter: that's it for me. make sure you check in with daniel with a business update in one hour. sarah: have a good night. now we turn to a medical

innovation that promises simple, yet precious gift to patients, the use of their legs again. japan is testing robotic suits as a means of giving patients more mobility. it is being called one of the biggest advances in the field since the collapsible wheelchair was invented back in 1933. taking a leisurely walk is something that this man thought he might never do again. but now with the help of this wearable robotic suit, he will be able to accomplish things he has not been able to in years. >> i feel very happy to be able to walk better. i'm looking forward to going out and seeing dandelions and violets by the stream in the spring. reporter: the japanese government plans to improve the suit for people with eight diseases, including muscular dystrophy and als. in initial tests, it boosted

stamina, allowing users to walk considerably longer than without it. the suit is controlled by the faint electrical signals picked up when wearers attempt to move their legs. >> diseases that are untreatable with medicines can be better managed by such devices. this could have a large impact on medical treatment. it is significant that japan has state-of-the-art technology so we can help people with difficult diseases in new and innovative ways. reporter: the health ministry plans to examine the suit's performance for five years to confirm its safety and effectiveness. the wearable medical robot would become the first to be approved in japan. sarah: in sports, the head of russia's athletics federation has sent a formal response to the sports'governing body -- the sports' governing body. president putin says the country must launch its own inquiry into

the growing scandal. reporter: russian vladimir putin made his first comments since the world anti-duping agency -- anti-doping agency replaced a damning report on russian athletics. president putin said that sochi must cooperate, but said that sanctions should be individual. >> concerning the latest of elements related to our athletic -- latest developments related to our athletic federation, i would like to ask that we pay attention to this issue. secondly, we need to carry out our investigation and ensure open -- i would like to stress "operation with the international anti-doping authorities -- to stress open cooperation with the international anti-doping authorities. reporter: international olympic committee president -- the international olympic committee

president called the scandal sad and promised drastic action. >> you will see medals being withdrawn. you will see athletes being sanctioned by the -- you will see athletes and officials -- you will see an action led by the ioc to make anti-doping testing independent. reporter: the tide has slightly turned with russia moving away from a position of defiance to a more measured and open approach. sarah: now to a video that may be a little difficult for some to watch, but we assure you there is a happy ending. a professional canadian skier was just released -- has just released this footage of a 500-meter plummet down a mountain in alaska. it took about a minute for him to finally come to a halt.

to everyone's surprise, he left the scene virtually unscathed just minutes later. back on his skis. incredible. you can hear him screaming. that is one lucky guy. just a reminder about top stories. twin explosions have gone off in a southern suburb of beirut. the country's interior minister says at least 37 people were killed. islamic state has said it carried out the bombings. you are watching "dw news" from berlin. stay with us. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

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