>> this is d.w. news live from berlin. ahead of sunday's german elections a final pitch to win over undecided voters. with just two days to go can chancellor merkel and her main rival martin schultz prevent a late surge from the far right alternative for germany? we'll have coverage of the last-minute push for votes. also on the program --. >> we may be leaving the european union but we are not leaving europe. >> britain's prime minister setting out her vision of future relations with the european union. it was long on rhetoric and short on detail. will it be enough to revive stalled brexit negotiations?

rocket man versus the -- the war of words between the u.s. and north korea gets personal. and uber is set to lose its license for london as the transport authority describes the ride sharing app as not fit and proper. we'll take a look at the road ahead. hello. welcome. good to have you with us. voters here in germany are gearing up for federal elections on sunday. both candidates for the post of chancellor have been making a final push for votes today. the latest polls haven't been encouraging for martin schultz and his social democrats. they're trailing chancellor merkel's christian democrats by a wide margin.

surveys suggesting her conservative bloc is likely to take about 36% of sunday's vote. as the campaigning draws to a close, we've been monitoring events in munich where chancellor merkel delivered a speech earlier today. we asked about the choice of venue. >> basically this is a tradition between the cdu and you see the german chancellor speaking behind me. what is very much unusual here, let me just show you, is the protesters here behind us. there are several thousands of people turning out to support the german chaps -- chancellor. at same time we see people with away with merkel. we see the whistling and heckling that has so become the hallmark of this campaign and haunted the campaign of the german chancellor in recent weeks. we saw very few people, just a couple dozen here, with whistles who are clearly

identifiable as antimerkel protesters. but as usual, one can almost say they're making a lot of noise. cdu just a couple minutes ago acknowledged them and said this is about democratic debate and shouldn't be about people just shouting at each other. but as you can tell, once again the german chancellor faces basically a wall of noise as she tries to get across her message to win over as many undecided voters here in germany, less than 24 hours before we actually know how the elections played out in germany. >> reporting from munich, and while merkel was speaking in munich, her main challenger, the social democrat martin schultz, was holding a large rally here in central berlin. our chief political correspondent monitoring that event for us. we asked her what schultz's key message for voters was.

>> he said in the last couple weeks the spd essentially stands for four things in this election campaign and they are equal wages for men and women, they are shoring up pensions to make sure people can retire as promised. they are better education for those who are disadvantaged and standing up for german values including values of inclusiveness. so essentially, four values that put the "s" back in spd looking at the social nature of the party and trying to win back a lot of voters who feel that the party has forgotten that side of their history and their promise. so, again, a clear focus on those voters who say, you know what? the economy is doing well, but we're not feeling it. >> there in central berlin, linda crane. as campaigning draws to a close ahead of sunday's elections why not join our conversation

online? get all of our coverage at our website dw.com. there is also plenty of content on our facebook page and twitter. look for the hashtag # germany decides. do get involved and tell us what you think. britain's prime minister has delivered a major policy speech in italy to give fresh impe 'tis to brexit negotiations which the e.u. describes as stalled. speaking in florence teresa may called for a two-year transition phase after britain leaves the european union to help businesses adjust. the prime minister also stressed that london wants to be a strong friend and partner for brussels. she also has sought to calm the fears of europeans who live in britain and brits who live in europe. >> denied a vote, denied a voice. the u.k. prime minister theresa may's visit to florence has brought these british citizens together.

the majority live in italy and their concerns are plentiful. pensions, their future status in the european union, and the u.k.'s relationship with the eu. just a few manufacture the major points to dog brexit negotiations. >> but yeah. i think clarifying what is going on, how it's going to affect everybody. not only in the u.k. but also in europe as well. >> i'm really, really -- neither the brits nor the italians or others in the u.k. are not being told what the hell is going on. for over a year we've been assured we are a priority. well, it is wearing a bit thin. >> nearby and amid tight security, may arrived for what would be a lengthy attempt at breaking the deadlock in brexit talks, which are set to resume on monday. since u.k. voters cast their ballots in june, 2016, and decided to leave the union, london has been in a boxing ring with brussels, both sides throwing punches over a range

of issues, migration being one of the most divisive. >> to the 600,000 italians in the u.k. and all eu citizens who have made their lives in our country, we want you to stay. we value you. we thank you for your contribution to our national life. and it has been and remains one of my first goals in this negotiation to ensure that you can carry on living your lives as before. >> many addressed -- may addressed a range of issues notably her hopes for a strong bond between the u. curks and the e.u. >> let's think creatively and be ambitious about what we can achieve. as i said, we start from an unprecedented position in terms of our current relationship with the e.u. we remember we're coming out but that enables us to build a different sort of partnership for the future. >> may's speech has been met with a cautious welcome in the e.u. the iconic flag of europe puncuated with gold stars is still very much a symbol of unity, democracy, and freedom

for many british citizens. march, 2019, will signal the beginning of the end for britain's e.u. membership. >> ok. we'll get both the british and european perspectives on this. our london correspondent is with us and also our brussels correspondent. good evening to you ladies. any response from brussels yet, barbara, on this idea of a two-year transition, roughly two-year transition after brexit? how is that going down in brussels? >> the e.u. chief negotiator reacted to that and said, ok. the european union would consider the demand so that is not like throwing the towel in and saying, oh, wonderful. we're going to start with this immediately. but we know that they want to settle the divorce obligations first and that he still does not see enough progress.

his reaction is definitely muted. if we look to the european parliament the leader of the parliamentary brexit group, he said, ok. so at least choose a sense of realism that theresa may now says we need a brexit transition period. otherwise we will just not get finished with talks. however, again, he also does not see enough progress in what theresa may says, so mainly, the reactions are muted to that verging on the negative. >> ok. well let's go to london. how is the speech going down back in london especially this talk of the transition period? >> well, many people are also complaining that it's not enough detail as far as the long-term deal is concerned. as far as the transition deal, the period is concerned, for example the lab party are saying, well, she is basically

adopted -- has basically adopted labor's policy. theresa may will have very happy to have her cabinet colleagues, for example, boris johnson has been gushing about the speech and has really come behind her, which is something she will be very happy about because until a few days ago there was talk that he might resign over brexit and, for example, he was for a much shorter transition period, not as much as the two years she has decided. so, then again, we have brexiteers and they think this is an absolute catastrophe that she is pandering to the brussels elite and that it's basically a fudge and that maybe brexit will never happen. so you have a bunch of reactions. many people who are hoping it won't be a hard brexit are still puzzled and they don't know what is actually going to happen after this transition period. so a lot of people are not happy with the speech or are wait forgue more concrete proposals.

>> one of the areas where theresa may appeared to be conciliatory, she was saying british courts will be guaranteeing the rights of e.u. citizens who live in the u.k. is that going to ease their concerns? >> well, e.u. citizens in the u.k. are generally very nervous. they don't know what will happen. will they be able to access health care? what about schools? what about universities? what about family members that they might want to have in the country and pull into the country, for example, all their relatives? so all this is still a worry for them, and we've had, on twitter, we've had representatives of these groups and they still don't know, what does she mean? it is a conciliatory tone but really are all rights going to be guaranteed and then who is going to look after them? many people are hoping that it is not the u.k. courts but that the european court will play a

bigger role. so, again, also here people are waiting for more concrete proposals. >> and just quickly back to brussels, barbara, another very hot issue, the exit bill that britain has to pay before it leaves the e.u., theresa may saying britain will honor the commitment it has made. what are people in brussels reading into that? >> it's unclear, because she said that she would fill the gap in the european budget. however, if she wants a transition period she has to pay for that anyway, so this might be a zero sum gain. apart from that we don't know anything. there the direction of poland is interesting because the prime minister came out and said britain will not get anything, no transition deal, if they don't pay their full obligation. so the first country is starting to play hard ball over money, and the coming negotiations may be tougher and harder than we have seen them up till now. >> ok.

many thanks to both of you in brussels and london. time now to catch up with some of the other stories making news around the world. police in london have charged a man in connection with last week's bomb attack at parson's green under crown station. the 18-year-old is charged with attempted murder and causing an explosion. that's after a device detonated on a packed underground train last week, injuring 30 people. the iranian president has pledged to strengthen his country's defense capabilities. at a parade in the capital tehran the country unveiled a new missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers. the move coming in clear defiance of the united states, which has demanded iran cease its ballistic missile program. meanwhile, another country whose relations with the u.s. are increasingly tense is north korea. its leader kim jong un has been trading insults with u.s. president donald trump as the

war of words between the two countries heats up. it's getting unusually personal. >> north korea's leader didn't pull any punches. in a scathing statement live on north korean tv on friday. kim jong un branded donald trump a rogue and a gangster rather than a politician and warned he would surely and definitely tame the mentally deranged u.s. dotard with fire. these statements, broadcast around north korea, were a heated reaction to trump's united nations speech earlier in the week where he mocked kim jong un as rocket man and threatened to totally destroy north korea if need be. trump, on friday, was quick to lob abuse back, tweeting that kim jong un, who was obviously a mad man, who doesn't mind stabbing or killing his people, will be tested like never before. the war of words comes against the back drop of north korea speeding up its military

testing. kim has now threatened to retaliate at the highest level. north korea's foreign minister hinted in new york when he was speaking at the united nations that a new nuclear test could be on the horizon. >> i think it could be the most powerful detonation of a hydrogen bomb in the pacific ocean. holding a press conference at the u.n., the russian foreign minister said it was time for both sides to calm down. it's unacceptable to simply sit back and look at the nuclear military gambles of north korea but just as unacceptable to provoke war on the korean peninsula. we'll continue to strive for a reasonable approach instead of a kindergarten fight between children. but we have no easing of tensions in sight and the insults could well continue. >> those tensions are leading some countries to reconsider their decision to send teams to

the next winter olympics in pyeongchang in south korea. let's just show you the geography involved here. the host city for the 2018 games, east of the capital seoul and just 80 kilometers from the demille tarized zone at south korea's border with north korea. winter olympics heavyweights austria today joining france and telling organizers if the safety of their athletes can't be guaranteed then they are thinking of keeping them at home. >> another month, another north korean missile test. tensions on the peninsula have seldom been higher. with the 2018 winter olympics due to take place in south korea in february, that has some countries worried. austria has said it could pull out of the games if the safety of its athletes can't be guaranteed. france's sports minister told french radio station air tl that she is keeping a close eye on the situation. >> we'll never put our team in

danger. they are aware of the situation. we have asked them to remain focused on their objective and if things get worse and we can't assure their security, the french team will stay at home. >> the sports governing body is adamant the pyeongchang slopes will go into action come february. >> this resolution can and will be an important symbol for the commitment to peace of the international community. speaking now about different scenarios for the olympic winter games would send the wrong message. it would be a message against our own belief in peace and diplomacy. >> it's an admirable stance but withdrawals from winter olympic power houses like austria could eventually force the committee's hand. >> you're watching d.w. news.

still to come on this program --. >> people are under pressure and they still hope they can find victims alive under the ruins. it is a race against time. >> our correspondent with the latest from mexico city in just a few minutes. rescue teams there still hoping to save lives after tuesday's earthquake. first, though, we have some news that has uber users holding their breath at the moment. >> that's right. at least in london where we are seeing some bad news for uber transport authorities in london have decided not to renew uber's operating license. that means drivers might not be able to continue offering their services within a few weeks. transport for london says uber is not fit and proper in public safety and security, but not for the reasons you might think. >> the loss of its license is more than a small road bump for uber, but the ride hailing

service says it is planning to power through by preparing an appeal. it accuses london's transport operator of unfairly favoring the city's traditional black cab drivers, disgruntled at uber's marketshare. >> i think what is clear by this decision is the transport for london have caved under pressure from the small number of individuals and groups that want to restrict choice for consumers and competition in london. the impact of the decision will put over 40,000 licensed drivers out of work with no means to support themselves, their families, their loved ones. >> the transport authorities took issue with uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offenses. background checks on drivers and its use of a software that blocks selected passengers from using uber cars. like investigators or regulators, for example. but while uber has run into regulatory trouble in many cities in addition to london, the service has been quite

popular here. uber cars make up one-third of all privately hired vehicles. >> this obviously is not as cheap as getting the train but i still don't feel i'm paying a ridiculous amount. i pay 20 pounds for an hour where as in london it will be more than that. >> the loss of the license is just the latest in problems which forced out the company c.e.o. but whether uber's new management will be able to push past the latest road block will be an important test for the company's ability to stay on track. >> now a look at that happy face. apple's latest iphone has hit the shelves today. the iphone 8 boasts a new display in wireless charging among other features. excitement is high, but some apple fans do have doubts about the new release. >> people have come out in the hundreds to buy the iphone 8 in front of apple's flagship store on fifth avenue in manhattan. considering the days ahead of

new product releases this is a modest showing. hard core apple fans are undetered by their dwendling numbers. >> it's new but i want the newest. >> it is really expensive. you have to want one. but it's convenient if the whole family has one. so we're locked in. >> the iphone 8 has a faster processor, an hd screen, and wireless charging. a plus version offers more features. reception has been lukewarm as competing products already come with bigger screens and wireless charging for less than the iphone 8's hefty $700 price tag. and then there are those who are skipping the iphone 8 to hold out for the iphone 10 and the features that come with it like facial recognition. but that's not out till november, and as a thousand dollars a pop it is set to attract an even more committed

user base. >> the question, of course, it will bring a lot of money for apple. that is the question. let's ask our financial correspondent in new york at the new york stock exchange, watching the apple stock for us. now, all of that we just saw sounds like good news for apple but that's not how investors see it, right? >> exactly. that was a bad week for the apple stock at least. for the week, shares of apple are down close to 6% so far. their worst performing week ever prior to an iphone or apple watch launch so the company said more than $50 billion from its market value since it launched the new products according to data. investors are disappointed because as you mentioned the iphone 8 is lower than i phone 6 and 7 in the sickle and one reason might be the iphone 10. i don't think anyone is planning on buying both the 8

and the 10 so i guess people are just waiting for november 3. >> now, apple fans in the u.s. can buy their iphones through their mobile service provider. it seems like we're seeing some changes there, too. >> yes, first of all, these are reports that haven't been commented or validated yet by any of the two involved companies, but according ta report -- they are about to close with sprint. people familiar with the matter said on friday and this would indeed change the american market a lot for the communication. >> thank you very much and have a good weekend. well, in speaking of change, tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in france to march against the president's controversial labor reforms, which he earlier signed into law. the measures make it easier for companies to hire and fire workers and allows small

companies to negotiate directly with their employees instead of resorting to trade unions. now, he was elected on the promise these reforms would reduce france's unemployment rate which is currently 9.5%. that's all for business. it's now back to you for the latest on the developments of the mexican earthquake. >> three days after the powerful earthquake that struck central regions of the country, toppling buildings, killing almost 300 people, emergency services are working around the clock to find survivors. this report now from d.w. in the capital mexico city. thveragets has become the most important symbol for mexico city after the earthquake. silence, please. someone might be calling for help under the rubble. volunteers are equipped at least with a spade or a hammer.

>> everyone helps with a hammer or with bare hands lifting stones. >> have you found people? >> yes, of course. a lot. while i was there, at least eight people. >> meanwhile, there are hundreds of people willing to help around the collapsed buildings in the city. some are even turned away by the authorities. >> they asked for more control. that's what they're doing. >> what is it about? tveragets's about controlling the number of people there. >> once we are inside, the good will of the people seems unlimited. people are working here for hours. many of them for the last two days. this woman has been here over 12 hours but still wants to help.

she was transferred from moving rubble to helping distribute food and beverages. there are still victims who are alive under the rubble. >> yes, i really think so. this is why i'm still here, even though i fainted, at least i can help a bit here. >> until when? >> until i can no longer do so, because these are my people. this is my country. i'm going to stay here. >> according to the mayor of mexico city at least 40 buildings in the capital have collapsed like this one. experts say people could survive up to three days. this is why the atmosphere we are witnessing here is very tense. people are under pressure and they still hope they can find victims alive under the ruins. it is a race against time.

>> australian singer/song writer celebrating his 60th birthday today, we'll leave you with a top single, "where the wild roses grow," a duet. i'll be back in just a second with the day. ♪ from the first day i saw her i knew she was the one she stared in my eyes and smiled ♪ ♪ her lips were the color of the roses that grew down the river all bloody and wild ♪ q÷biy

♪ host: greetings from berlin and welcome to our highlights edition -- the best of an exciting week here on euromaxx -- and here's what's coming up. it's an illusion, how a sculpture artist gives actors an eerie appearance. the perfect brew, how one photographer explores the aesthetics of coffee culture. garden landscapes, a unesco world heritage site in central germany. well, all you fans of fantasy films and tv series out there have probably wondered who plays all those spooky characters in