this is "dw news," live from berlin. a move away from the world, the u.s. taking a step away from international partners. they are withdrawing from the united nations cultural agency, unesco, saying the organization is wasteful and it needs reform, and it is biased against israel. israel has pulled out as well. and an agreement at last, a reconciliation deal after a decade-long split. the militant group hamas says it

will hand back control of the gaza strip to fatah. and brexit negotiater, barnier, says talks are deadlocked and he will not ask next week's eu summit to begin -- on the future relationship with britain. we get reaction from brussels and london. ♪ brent: i'm brent goff. good to have a with us. too expensive and anti-israel, the two reasons the u.s. is giving for its withdrawal from unesco, the cultural organization created by the u.s. more than 70 years ago. the u.s. state department pointing to unpaid dues, a need for reform, and what it says is the organization's "co

ntinuing israel bias." now israel says it will leave unesco. unesco promotes peace and his were known for its world heritage program, protecting cultural sites such as the statue of liberty, and the city of venice. we go to our correspondents, tania kramer and carolina chimoy . caret li na -- carolina, how big of a loss is this for unesco? carolina: i would like to point out that six years ago under the obama administration, the u.s. cut off more than 80 million u.s. dollars a year, it is a lot of money must especially for this organization. it is 22% of its budget. so regarding the funding gap, it is a big loss, but it is also a very big loss regarding a big

player, the united states. it is the loss of a heavyweight and a clear symbol against territorial as him. actually, there are other countries that have criticized unesco. for example, japan and others. brent: that brings it to you, tania. we are getting reports israel is following their lead and leaving unesco, why? tania: we understand the prime minister has plans to leave unesco and he has put out a statement, his officers put out a statement saying he instructed the foreign ministry to prepare to a draw from the organization, also because of what it perceives as anti-israeli bias. he welcomed trump's decision, calling it an ethical decision. this move comes after a long history of israel, of being

deeply frustrated with unesco and the u.n. in general. it has been ongoing also percent unesco gave -- also ever since unesco gave -- since 2011. there was one resolution adopted last year by unesco over the what is for the jewish people called the temple -- or compound, and no mention of jewish ties in this resolution that has -- and that has angered the israelis and they have actually, they have suspended their cooperation with unesco. and also, this year there has been a declaration of a world heritage site for the palestinians in an old city that is holy to muslims and the jewish people, the mosque next to the tomb. so that has also anchored the israelis -- angered the

israelis. and now they are taking this opportunity to pull out of unesco along with the u.s. brent: donald trump is not the first president to complain about unesco. it goes back to the 1970's, even ronald reagan cold the u.s. -- pulled the u.s. out of unesco. but this has a different connotation with donald trump. what does this withdrawal under donald trump say about his approach to multilateralism? carolina: exactly, we also have to stress that the united states is withdrawing again, an agreement among many others. if we look at the international agreements donald trump is withdrawing from, the paris climate change agreement, the transatlantic partnership, and now unesco. and he is threatening to withdraw from nafta, with canada and mexico, and he is also planning on what the draw -- p

lanning on withdrawing from the iran deal. this gives an impression of the united states on the international level -- to answer your question in a short sense, this might not be a big surprise. but again it is a big symbol into gives a clear image of what the united states stands for on the international stage. brent: our correspondents, tania kramer burning the midnight oil in jerusalem, and carolina chimoy in washington. the announcement from washington and israel came hot on the heels of a breakthrough in the middle east, after a decade-long split, the palestinian rivals hamas and fatah have reached a reconciliation agreement. it follows talks brokered by egypt. hamas will hand over control of the gaza strip to the government by december 1. control of gaza has been a major sticking point.

over a decade ago, hamas won elections in gaza and ousted fatah from the territory. correspondent: this sermon he could be the beginning of the end of an ideological split between the rival factions of hamas and fatah. it focuses on a common goal. [applause] >> we are serious and ready. we will do everything we can to make the reconciliation succeed. we wanted to be the basis for our attempt to take on the zionist scheme, which wants to take away our people's writes. >> we have to turn the page of division forever, to unify the efforts of all palestinian people. we have to challenge the occupation together and accomplish the palestinian dream by ending this hateful occupation and creating an independent palestinian state with jerusalem as the capital. correspondent: those are ambitions for the long term. the first priority of the new partners will be to improve

conditions for the 2 million in the gaza strip. hamas has been in control since 2007. israel and egypt responded to the takeover by imposing a blockade. electricity is only available for a few hours a day, drinking water is polluted unemployment is high, and many , do not have enough to eat. under the deal, the palestinian authority under the president's is set to resume full control of the gaza strip. many here see this as welcome news. >> i heard this situation will be better. i hope that the gaza siege will finish, so there will be job opportunities for people and they will be able to support their families. >> we have big hopes. and we trust in the leadership of hamas and fatah. correspondent: however, reconciliation could falter if the military of hamas refuses to cease attacks on israel. in recent years, the attacks have destroyed any hope of a

consolatory deal with the israeli government. brent: here are other stories making headlines around the world. the u.s. president has signed an executive order aimed at stripping back obamacare. it will make it easier for americans to purchase cheaper health care plans, with fewer benefits. critics say it could mean spiraling costs for those with existing health problems. previous attempts by the mr. shantou repeal obama care have been blocked -- attempts to repeal obama care have been blocked by congress. and wildfires raging across california. authorities warned that the debacle could rise. hundreds are still reported missing. the fire crews are battling to contain two dozen fires across the state. and in the latest round of talks over great britain's exit from the european union, the eu brexit negotiator brexit

negotiator says he is disturbed by the lack of progress in talks this week. he said the two sides are deadlocked on the amount that great britain should pay when they leave the eu. and he therefore will not recommend to the eu leaders talks should move on to other topics, such as trade. but britain's david davis, who you see, says progress has been made. two men and two very different views, and not a lot of time left for the deadline of march 20 9, 2019 and the eu wants some commitment before it moves on to other topics. ok, we want to find out what is going on. i am joined by our correspondents. john, the eu chief brexit negotiator clearly not satisfied with what london is bringing to the table. what is going on? john: yes, that is correct.

there are three issues that must be sorted at the moment, citizens rights, the financial settlement and of the northern ireland border. it is clear that most issues have to do with the financial settlement, and there's little progress. it is worrying at the moment, the clock is ticking and britain is not doing with the european union wants to see, i.e., make solid commitments in those areas. so barnier was right to express concern. brent: why does london seem to be dragging its feet on the financial settlement issue? do they not want to pay the last bill? correspondent: well, london really wants to know what is going on after it leaves, after britain leaves the eu. they want to talk about trade and they are hoping there is a softening of stands within the eu. they are hoping maybe at the eu council meeting next week that

they will get instruction to slowly, very tentatively, see if there could be talks about a possible future trade deal with the u.k. the u.k. has a trump card, money, so the eu is interested that they pay into the eu coffers. because the u.k. has been a large contributor. they want to hold this card, they do not want to say right now what are they going to pay, because they do not know what they are getting in the end. they are hoping to link those. it is a game of chicken. brent: exactly right. who blinks first. are we headed to a new deal scenario? i will put that to both of you. what is next? good great britain leave without a deal -- could britain we without a deal? john: it is in no one's interest.

so what we are seeing at the moment is the british side of trying to buy time to work out what it wants. bear in mind we still have another 18 months until they leave the european union and at that time crunch is starting to get severe, but we're not at that stage yet with britain throwing itself off of a cliff, if you like. we have more scope yet. the difficulty is internally in british politics. there are many members of the conservative party that are hardliners, they want to see brexit as soon as possible at any cost. and it is driving the british government's agenda. if theresa may had flexibility, i think she would be more open to some of the demand from the european union, but she is held hostage by the back benches in the party. brent: could britain be forced into leaving without a deal? correspondent: well, i mean it is not with the brexiters had said, they had said when there

was the campaign for the referendum that they thought -- we are going to have an immediate divorce, so a very close relationship and one that the trade minister said was going to be very easy, the easiest deal in human history. but this is not how it pans out. we have had, especially of late, a lot of discussion and debate about could there be no deal and what it would mean really at the port of dover, for example. it is something nobody wants in the u.k., as jon explained, but it is something people are discussing now and at least it becomes a possibility. brent: ok. jon, to both of you, and brigit, thank you very much. now time for business news. i spoke with people from air

berlin, they will be out of work. it is an important day for the german aviation industry and it is not all good news. >> especially for the employees but it is a milestone. germany's largest airline is taking up more than half of the second largest. air berlin went bankrupt after years of massive losses. the deal will leave with tongs a in a better position to compete with those like ryan air and easyjet which dominate short routes within europe. investors are welcoming the takeover, pushing the stock to a 15 year high. but consumer advocates fear that the move could mean less opposition. correspondent: everyone knew it was coming, and now it has happened. lift hands up will incorporate assets into it subsidiary, euro wings. luftansa will pay 210 million euros and they will take over 81 of about 130 aircraft from air

berlin. 1700 employees will become staff for luftansa, and others can reapply for their jobs. >> it is a big step for euro wings, and i think it is an important decision for the aviation industry, because we are capable of providing a secure future for 3000 employees come a which was not the case before. and i have to admit, we must ensure europe has strong global players. correspondent: for the german union, the 3000 positions offered by lufthansa are not enough, because they leave 5500 employees out of the deal. >> this is not good news fr air berlin employees, because now it seems like only a fraction of the workforce will have the ability to apply for a job at lufthansa. we do not think it is ok. they are getting a big piece of the cake, but taking no responsible in for those that work at air berlin.

-- many passengers are skeptical about the takeover. they fear less competition in the skies will have negative consequences for everyone. >> surely tickets will be more expensive and there will be a monopoly, not in the interest of passengers. >> it is unfortunate for the passengers of both lufthansa and air berlin. it is sad we are losing air berlin, but lufthansa will have to do even less for customers. the stock market on the other hand is welcoming the news. correspondent: correspondent: lufthansa shares climbed up 3.2%, reaching their highest peak since 2001. the acquisition is still subject to approval by german and european antitrust authorities. >> it is a german topic, but it has global consequences and to help us understand better we have our aviation reported in the studio. good to see you. air berlin drama almost over, so

how does this take over change the aviation landscape? >> massively, because all of a sudden euro wings, the no-frills subsidiary of lufthansa doubles in size, from one day to the other, because air berlin will be integrated into your links. -- euro winfs. and it becomes -- wings. and it becomes a rookie editor to ryan air and easyjet. euro wings already offers flights to the u.s., cbuba, and thailand. now with this deal the long-haul business could actually be extended. it is a very important day for lufthansa, because doubling the size of a subsidiary just like that, that is rare. >> but it is assuming we will get approval from the antitrust authorities. now some criticize that lufthansa will have no competition and it needs to have a competitor. but if we look at other markets,

the situation will become similar to what we see. >> yes, but the situation here is a questin whether a dominant player becomes even more dominant. if you take where air berlin used to compete with lufthansa, with air berlin out of the picture lufthansa will be taking on euro wings. it does not sound like much come petition to me. so there is the fear of higher prices and a monopoly in germany, which are justified in my point of view. and we have to remember, this deal is not in the books yet. should the remains of air berlin, the ones that have not been snatched up by lufthansa, should they find no other buyer, not picked up by another bidder, then the whole deal may be blown. it may be taken off altogether. may be blocked by the competition, because these remains are not supposed to just disappear from the market,

because that would give lufthansa even more strength. >> that is why the whole thing is controversial. the other controversy, the employees, because the union says lufthansa is offering too few jobs. >> the situation for the employees is difficult. lufthansa says it is ready to welcome 3000 new members of staff, but for one -- many must reapply for a job, they will not just be taken over along with their old contracts. they need to reapply, potentially earning maybe 40% less, that is what the union says. secondly, this offer of being rehired, it mainly applies to the pilots and flight attendants. for the technicians, i.t. experts, people who work in accounting for that matter, their chances of being re-hired are very slim. >> a hard situation and a long way to go for the deal.

thank you for the analysis. we want to bring you up-to-date to other news making headlines. one of the best investments you could possibly have made over the past decade? gold, real estate, shares -- try crypto currency. the past $5,000 for the first time on thursday, zooming to $5,200. the virtual currency was worth only if you c -- a few cents in 2008. the record high shows china is rethinking its opposition to bitcoin. earlier this year if forced several exchanges to shut down. for more on the subject we are bringing in our financial correspondent on wall street, jens, good to see you. despite criticism from high-ranking investors, it seems like institutional investors are showing interest in crypto currencies. is that the reason we see the rise? jens: well, possibly.

even if some of the rumors and speculations are in the market for a couple of days already, there is talk, goldman sachs for example, could be interested in starting trading the cryptic urgencies. other huge investors thinking about going into crypto currencies. but those speculations have been around for a couple of days, so it is pretty breathtaking what we have seen in the thursday session, with a bitcoin trading up 10%, $500 just for one day. well, it is your guess is as good as mine, what is the right price? $5,000, $10,000? nobody knows, but it is astonishing how much of the currencies are gaining, even if there is criticism. >> we are definitely watching. now governments seem to be

dealing with crypto currencies, and some of them are calling for more regulation. can we expect a shift in policies too? jens: well, that can happen. the question is what would happen with the demand for crypto currencies in general, because that is part of the beauty, there is no regulation of the cryptic currencies and of bitcoin. there is no real authority looking over what is going on in that market segment. when i say it is the beauty, meaning for investors. now there is talk china is thinking about reversing a ban on the exchanges for crypto currencies. and if they are reversing that, it could go along with tighter regulation and more regulation could shy investors away from bitcoin and other crypto currencies as well. >> jens in new york, thank you for the analysis.

and from the new york stock exchange to the frankfurt stock exchange because 13 is the lucky number, at least in the stock exchange in frankfurt. another record today as the index edged over 13,000 points for the first time. the index came tantalizingly close for several days, but never quite reached the mark. on thursday it crept up slowly until it reached 13,000 before falling again. worries about the catalan independence helped to take upwards. however, those might not be here to stay. brent: right. a lot of people demonstrating for and against an independent catalonia. thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of barcelona to show their support for a united spain on the country's national day. the latest sign of how deep divisions are after attempts of catalonia to break away from the country. it is facing an ultimatum from

madrid, return to normality or face direct rule from the capital. it is a scenario that some in the region would now welcome. correspondent: spanish flags used to be a rear sight in the heart of catalonia, but not much is normal in barcelona these days. on spanish national day, 65,000 people came out to show their opposition to the catalonian independence. >> we have to be thankful, because now we are spaniards as well and we can go to the streets without fear and show our pride to be spanish. >> spain must be more united now, we have to to take to the streets and show we are one country. >> this referendum was wrong, because it was illegal. now it seems there is no way out. correspondent: the catalan president is under pressure

from all sides. from the regional government headquarters, he cannot fail to hear and see the protesters outside, but what must concern him more is the threat of being stripped of power by the spanish prime minister. trouble from his own ranks as well. >> what is happening is like a political thriller, two side threatening his political survival, but the thorn in his side is his coalition partner blocking his last escape way, to withdraw from the declaration of independence. correspondent: the far left party has a friend to withdraw from his government -- has threatened to withdraw from his government if he does not go through with the independence declaration. >> we have these two kinds of pressure, one is the deputy's, but there is a civil society and this movement we have already been in the last years, one of the biggest mass movements in

europe. correspondent: opponents of independencer are not impressed. they say they are the majority, and now they're waiting for the madrid's government ultimatum to run out. brent: you are watching "dw news." after a break i will be back to take you through the day. stick around for that. ♪ [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

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