♪ >> this is "dw news" live from berlin. tonight the german-turkish diplomatic meltdown. germany says it's overhauling its diplomatic ties with turkey over the detention of a german human rights activist. the german foreign minister sigmar gabriel announcing measures aimed at punishing uncorrupt, but turkey says that's blackmail. also coming up, his camera and plus military guilty of war crimes in its fight against boko haram jihadists? he will hear from amnesty international about their claim

that suspected militants are being tortured. : approves a law that critics say threatens the independence of the country's supreme court, even as its citizens protest and the european union threatens to punish warsaw for the move. it was an event that could have changed the course of the second world war. 73 years ago today. the german officer tried to assassinate adolf hitler. we find out from his son what happened to the family after that fateful day. ♪ i'm brent goff. it's good to have you with us. tonight's threats, insults, and claims of blackmail. those are the elements of a very troubled german-turkish relationship to the german foreign minister sigmar gabriel

vowing to take steps aimed at punishing uncorrupt for the latest detention of a german citizen. he says that berlin has exercised restraint up to now but that ankara needs to understand that its behavior will have consequences. pres. trump: the foreign minister sigmar gabriel broke off his holiday to return to berlin trade on his agenda, the dentist -- latest of the medical with turkey after it detained a german human rights activist. gabriel responded by announcing a chamber -- change of policy. he said germany wanted turkey to remain a part of the rest but only if it changes its course. >> it takes two to tango. i cannot make out any willingness on the part of the current turkish government to follow this path with us. for that reason, germany has no choice but to reorient its turkey policy. pres. trump: some of the changes --

reporter: some of the changes are already taking effect. the german foreign ministry has issued warnings about risks in turkey. berlin has also threatened to suspend -- to ankara. the turkish government has criticized gabriels remarks. >> the unfortunate statements from berlin are political posturing ahead of upcoming elections in germany. sadly, this is become fashionable in germany. hi so far, some say they will go ahead anyway. >> i reckon this advice refers

more to the bigger cities and less to the turkish coast. we're still going to fly there. >> it's hard to say it was the right decision to go. you worry about it if you have kids. but now we are on our way. reporter: german-turkish relations have been tested many times in the past few months, after trying to pay down tensions, it seems her linen is running out of patience. -- berlin is running out of patience. brent: where is this dispute headed? i'm joined by our political correspondent. he is at our parliament studio here in berlin. and our correspondent, dorian jones communist and bull joins us as well. good to see both of you. talk to me about this travel advisory. the german foreign ministry today issued a travel advisory

for turkey. it stopped short, though, of issuing a travel warning. what does that mean? reporter: a travel advisory is something the foreign ministry issues for basically every country and it refers to country specific information and risks for german travelers, in this case for example, telling germans to have more caution when traveling to turkey or communicating with the consulate or the embassy when they arrive. a travel warning is something different because according to the foreign ministry, that will mean there is danger to life for those german people traveling to the country, and as such, the foreign ministry asks germans to withdraw to leave that country or that region if it issues a travel warning. it's important to stress the difference between a travel advisory and a travel warning. brent: nevertheless, any type of

travel advisory means something is wrong in the country. turkey's foreign minister has not taken kindly to what has been said about the country today, has he? he's had some strong words for germany. reporter: he certainly has. he's very angered by what he considers as lack mail. i think there will be a concern with potentially over the fallout for turkish tourism. tourism is an important part of the turkish economy. in speaking to analysts, they point out turkey is known as a last resort, people do a lot of last-minute bookings looking for bargains. this could potentially hit turkey, given the fact we are in the middle of the season and turkey is looking to rebuild his tour is an industry. this will be not welcome, particularly if the turkish economy is doing well but there are concerns going forward. brent: and what about relations in general? they have been deteriorating over a number of issues. are we at a turning point?

are things going to now just continue to go from bad to worse, bad to worse? reporter: we just saw sigmar gabriel in the reported talking about a reorientation of german policy towards turkey and is probably because of two now, germany's policy towards turkey had been one based on de-escalation. one on trying to focus on the common ground, because both countries, nato partners, they have both interests in the refugee deal which is extremely important, but it was clear that patience was running out, something else sigmar gabriel stressed today, and that's probably why these decisions came that we already saw in that report. brent: what about these reports that ankara could be holding germans as bargaining chips? what more do you know about that? reporter: up to now there are reports, sigmar gabriel himself said he did not know of any concrete offers regarding this

issue in particular, what the reports say is that resident erdogan offered to release german-turkish journalist who has been detained for 150 days. two generals that had fled turkey after the failed coup and apply for asylum in germany, but again we are talking here of reports and the foreign minister said he was not aware of any concrete offers to this regard. brent: our correspondent thomas saprrow in berlin, and to our correspondent and is double, thank you. there is a significant economic aspect to this story as well. javier is here with that. javier: tensions between germany and turkey are weighing on their business relations. we heard germany's foreign minister also says he's ready to

cancel a program that supports german investment in turkey. turkey remains an important business partner for germany. let's take a closer look at that. german-turkish bilateral trade is about 37 billion euros every year, and that's in part because almost 7000 companies from germany operate in turkey, including 2 in particular, german chemical giant basf, and the parent company of mercedes-benz, daimler. those two are on a list the turkish government handed to germany, saying they support terrorism. berlin could react by scrapping a program that offers guarantees to german firms in turkey. it could now be dropped completely. last year there was already a 20% drop in such government guarantees. that is just one of many pressure tactics germany can use against turkey, but what would that mean for the country? here's how these programs work? reporter: by exchanging verbal blows, the foreign ministers have got companies on the back foot. the threat from the german

government is clear, we will stop supporting exports to turkey is antidemocratic behavior continues. while it doesn't amount to a ban on trade, able me for more risks for german firms. some doubt it will help sway turkey despite the economic impact. >> there is no doubt that economic consequences and damages can be created. the core question will be whether the policy will change. here i'm very pessimistic. we are pushing for finding a solution but turkey is not a cooperative partner. reporter: credit guarantees have so far protected companies trade that has helped encourage german firms to make steps into the turkish market. the punishing businesses for the misdeeds of the government's controversial. >> the business styles are between people whocompanies, bee companies.

they are not the ones creating political tensions, so they should not be the ones who should be victims of political tensions. that is unjust for people, for citizens, for taxpayers, for germany and turkey. reporter: also on the list of options for germany, ending aid to turkey or placing sanctions on the state. businesses on both sides are hoping it won't come to that. after all, the measures would hit the man and woman on the street the hardest. brent: i will be back with more business news leader in the show. now it's back to brent for another top story that will follow tonight. brent: the former american football star o.j. simpson has been granted parole by officials in the u.s. state of nevada. simpson has spent nearly nine years in jail for his part in a 2007 armed robbery and kidnapping. the decision means he will be released in october. simpson gained worldwide attention after his trial and acquittal for the 1994 murder of his ex-wife and her friend.

to cameroon now, where amnesty international has alleged that cameroonian forces have been torturing suspects in the campaign against nigerian militant group boko haram. the rights group says much of the torture is happening at a base in the northern part of the country. the base is used by u.s. and french troops. amnesty documented over 100 cases of arbitrary arrests and torture in the past 4 years. some of the victims were tortured to death, it said. camera plus military has denied the allegations that the rights group says it has collected a substantial number of eyewitness accounts of abuse. reporter: suspended from a wooden structure and savagely beaten. this is just one account amnesty international has published as evidence of torture in cameroon. the accused, the rapid

intervention battalion, cameron's elite forces. in its latest report, amnesty international says people suspected of involvement in the islamist group boko haram were detained by the forces in 2 camps and routinely tortured. >> in this video we can see the soldiers in it, we can see the units that are there. it is very much in line with the testimonies we have from the same school that say people were held there, it was an illegal detention site, and they were tortured there often for weeks before being transferred to other military bases. reporter: the report says much of the torture took voice at a base used by u.s. and french troops. this video provided a spot of the report, shows cameroonian forces playing football with u.s. soldiers. >> we are pretty clear there has been a regular presence of u.s. forces on the base and

occasional u.s. presence by french military personnel. we are not saying they have been directly involved in torture but we are raising serious questions about what was known by these personnel. did they know there was torture taking place? do they know people were being illegally detained? if so, what did they do about it? reporter: the camera and military denied the allegations straight a spokesperson at the u.s. military's africa command has said it had not received any reports of human rights abuses by cameroonian forces. brent: sports news now, and cycling, chasing back for the overall lead in the tour de france on thursday stage 18 as a last chance saloon pretty was the tour's final mountain stage, the best chance left to make up time. fastest on the way was the french mountain specialist. number two made of a scant second.

we're going to take a short break when we come back. i will take you through the day. stay with us. ♪

brent: welcome back, here with "dw news" live from berlin. our top story, turkey accused germany of lyrical irresponsibility, after a german foreign minister, sigmar gabriel and asked a series of steps punishing ankara over the latest arrest of a german citizen by turkish police. the measures could have an impact on investment in tourism in turkey. the polish parliament has approved a bill that gives control of the country's highest court to politicians instead of judges. in poland they say the move will

erode a judicial independence. the bill also means that all of the court's current judges face dismissal. the new measures still have to be adopted by the senate and signed by the president to become law. the bill has drawn condemnation from the european union and has led to street protests. i'm joined here now at the big table by veronica from the european academy in berlin. it's good to see you again. what is going on in poland right now with this? this is more than just politics, isn't it? >> it is -- they're trying to reshape the country and introduce a new model of democracy, this is at least what they call it. it is very much dependent on the parliament and the party that is

ruling, and they are of course trying to put aside all of the factors that could be disturbing for the party to rule, which means checks and balances. it's not only about the judiciary. this is what we are witnessing today. we have witnessed it before, they decided to completely instrumental eyes -- instrumental of parliament in poland, but also trying to completely make dependent the media. they are also pushing forward to really put down the opposition but also of course, the civil society which means they are heading in little bit towards liberal states, semi-authoriarian state, being led by a strong leader, or by the party that is according to his plan. brent: what about if -- for the world watching this, it has to be confusing.

because poland is a strong country. it's in the european union. how does that fit? if: were applying to become a member of the european union today, would it be exempted? >> i very much doubt that, because of the reasons i just told you. that would be probably rather a no, or he would be an information, you have to very much catch up with the rule of law or balance of power. so, this of course a big no. as soon as we are in the european union, they are not really strong enough sanctions that can make a country accord or state according to be given rules. i think what poland is doing now, they are really trying to reshape the european integration according to their visions and according to their needs. they are going towards a way of government -- governing the

european integration, which means the other states that are deciding -- limiting the role of the european commissioner is going to be an instrument of the state, something may be like the league of nations and between. we know what happened was league of nations, it just didn't work at all. this was a good instrument for the states. brent: weronika, thank you very much. we appreciate your being on the show. >> it's a fine sure to cause tension within the u.s. government. the treasury department has ordered all giant exxon mobil to pay 2 million dollars for violating sanctions, while the current secretary of state rex tillerson wans the eo. exxon sign deals with russian firms just weeks after sanctions were imposed on russia for annexation of the crimea.

exxon called the fundamentally unfair fine, and said it would sue the department to overturn the decision. for more on this, let's bring in our financial correspondent in new york. $2 million, does exxon even care? reporter: well, at least exxon said they are going to challenge the accusations, but sure enough, $2 million are not really going to hurt this multibillion-dollar corporation, and stocks traded even a bit higher. overall it was a pretty flat trading day on wall street but it was good enough for the nascar cop as it to get another record close and overall we have rather solid earnings, after hours, they came out with their earnings report and they beat estimates of wall street quite a bit on the profit. >> another story we're following tonight, the famous sears

department store chain has announced it will sell its appliances online on amazon, which is supposed to be the enemy, if you will. how is that going down with investors? >> investors liked it and the stock of sears gained a good 11% here in the thursday session. it is quite a story because sears any got hammered by the competition from amazon in the past couple of months and years, they announced a lot of historic closings, layoffs and so forth. the news that the two are cooperating now actually caused quite a slide in other shares straight look at other companies that are selling appliances like home depot, like whirlpool, also best buy. though stocks dropped by 6%. another area where amazon is causing quite some action, so for amazon shied away from selling appliances, and that

obviously is going to change. >> jens korte on wall street, thank you very much for the latest. another place where stores are closing down for another reason is venezuela, around 4 million people there have joined a strike to oppose president maduro. a 24-hour shutdown launched on thursday morning has crippled infrastructure. shops were closed across the country. traffic came to a standstill in some places. the strike is railing against a vote plan for the end of the month to change the national constitution. opposition politicians accuse maduro of filling the constitutional committee with his own supporters. venezuela is currently suffering under the highest inflation rate worldwide and an acute crisis in supplies of food and medicine. in europe now where the european central bank has left key interest rates unchanged at historic lows and says it will continue its multibillion euro bond buying program.

after slightly stronger economic data from the eurozone, many speculated there would be a shift in monetary policy like the one we are seeing in the u.s. the ecb of into new to punish banks which park money at the central bank. the aim is to simulate lending. the bank will keep injecting 60 billion euros per month into the euro zone economy until the end of this year. back to breath now for more news. brent: -- brent now for more news. brent: today marks 73 years since a german officer tried but failed to assassinate adolf hitler. the nazi leader survived, and he was executed within hours. along with three other officers. thousands more were killed in the months that followed. today he is celebrated as a hero of german resistance to not see rule. and for the modern-day german military -- nazi rule. and for the modern-day german military, his actions have special significance.

reporter: more than 300 recruits lined up to take the oath to the federal republic of germany. a historic day for the young men and women. july 20 marks the 73rd anniversary of the plot to assassinate adolf hitler. >> through their resistance, the count and his companion showed even for soldiers, following orders has its limits. such as when injustice and crime takeover. since 1955, this has been the founding principle. reporter: the ceremony took place at the butler block, the site of the attack was planned. on july 20, a group of army officers planted a bomb close to

hitler. the dictator survived unharmed. the conspirators were executed later that day. today the block is both a memorial site and home of the german defense ministry. at the ceremony it is tradition that a guest addresses the recruits. this year it was held by a german-israeli historian. he called it the best of german armies, praising it for its moral foundations. >> you can be proud, proud of yourselves, proud of our home country, proud of our values. values that is now your job to protect and guarantee, each and every day. reporter: a task the german defense minister is hoping more and more germans are ready to take on.

brent: here's a reminder of the top story we're falling for you, turkey has accused germany of blackmail after berlin announced a series of steps aimed at punishing ankara for the detention of a german citizen. the measures are likely to impact investment in tourism in turkey. after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. stick around for that. we will be right back. ♪

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