captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> this is the "journal" on dw tv. germany tightened security, saying there is concrete threat of a terrorist attack later this month. >> the finance minister has agreed to help ireland tackle its financial crisis. >> hamburg is named to the green capital of europe.

germany has increased security at airports and train stations after the government received indications of terror attacks that may be planned for the end of november. foreign and domestic intelligence services have concrete evidence of a planned the attack. one of the targets includes a popular christmas market. the chancellor and interior minister are concerned. on wednesday, the cabinet was informed of the threat. shortly afterwardsame the interior minister's warning to the public. >> according to information from a foreign partner that reached us after the yemen incident, the planned attack was to go ahead in november. there is reason to be concerned, but no reason for hysteria. >> german media has quoted

security sources saying that four militant islamists are on their way to germany to carry out attacks. security at train stations and airports are being tightened. >> of the security measures are visible to the population. there will be other measures that people will not see. >> experts say that wednesday's warning to the german public was appropriate. >> we are in the sights of the terrorists. they mention us regularly. we are in afghanistan and they want us to leave. that is why we are in such danger. >> the new security measures are due to remain in place indefinitely. >> our political correspondent has been following this story. he gave us this update.

>> it is important to emphasize that thomas de maiziere believes that he has concrete, credible, information from two separate sources. there could be a terrorist attack or attacks in germany towards the end of november. it is important to mention that in recent days, there have been reports of according to u.s. sources that there could be a terror unit of four men possibly train in central asia making their way towards germany. there are concerns about homegrown the islamists. perhaps being trained at terror camps on the border between afghanistan and pakistan. we have seen that security is going to be stepped up at airports and train stations.

christmas markets all over germany are very sensitive. expect heighten security there and heighten secure -- concern. people in germany have every right to be concerned, but the minister says there is no reason for hysteria. >> we found out what police and locals were saying around the country. >> machine guns and bullets at germany's biggest airport. there are not just more police on duty, they are more heavily armed. the police presence has been stepped up at all major travel hubs. the increased security is meant to reassure the public. >> you start to think about it when you see all of the police officers. i am not scared, but i am

thinking about it. >> another target is the brandenburg gate. just a stone's throw from the u.s. embassy and the holocaust memorial. >> i am not scared. i do not think that it affects me directly. >> we cannot do anything about it. >> they are exaggerating the threat, like always. >> there is no sign of a sense of panic on the streets. >> the dominican republic has registered its first case of cholera four weeks after it broke out in haiti. it has been isolated in a hospital in the east of the country. protesters have clashed with un peacekeepers. there are accusations that international troops brought in the disease. the outbreak has now killed more the 1000 people.

the german institute for disaster is in port-au-prince. what does it look like? >> we had several demonstrations. there was one death.. we are trying to see everyday where we can work. the situation could change every day. >> what about the rumors that the cholera was brought in by un forces? is there anything to those allegations?

>> there were some lab tests that the un sent off to disease control. there is information that the haitian people are discussing among them. the victimization and occupation. >> she is from the german institute for disaster medicine. there have been clashes between greek police and protesters in athens. this was a march marking the anniversary of a student uprising by a military dictatorship that ruled greece at the time. police responded by firing tear gas and stun grenades. speaking of austerity measures, eu finance ministers are worried about ireland.

>> finance ministers have been holding talks in brussels about growing talk that ireland will need a bailout from its neighbors. dublin has resisted the pressure to tap the rescue measure wind greece was in the spotlight. they will examine what kind of help could be offered. many analysts say that a bailout is just days away. >> the irish finance minister joined his colleagues after consultations with dublin. it seems clear that if ireland needs aide, it would only be given with the conditions of the eu fund. that is not popular in ireland. >> to determine the best way to address market risks.

>> he has indicated that if ireland does ask for the aide, it could provide a portion of it. >> ireland is our closest neighbor. it is in britain's national interest that ireland is stable. >> smaller eu members say that there would have to be guarantees, otherwise there is no way to prevent the crisis from spreading. >> i think all of the governments are well aware of this danger. everybody is aware of their responsibilities. that is why it is important to make it clear that we can act quickly if necessary and we can do what is needed. >> the irish finanae minister will have to make some unpopular decisions at home. >> ireland and greece are not

the only country is causing concern. spain's economy also stalled in the third quarter. recovery in europe's fifth largest economy is being hampered by ak demand and lack of investment. they are depending on spepeing cuts to rein in their national deficit. european stocks rose on wednesday among hopes that european union officials would come up with a solution to the debt crisis. >> there is still no concrete solution for ireland. there have been explanations for the recovery. there is help if needed. the strongest -- there are

takeover speculation. the company presented yesterday strong numbers. >> let's take a closer look at some market number starting in frankfurt where the dax index finished 0.5% higher. blue chips advanced 0.75%. in new york, the dow is presently going up. the euro is currently at $1.25. a french group has announced a joint venture in china. it will have an entertainment system on a chinese airline expected to competwith airbus

and boeing. commercial aircraft company of china unveiled the plants at an air show along with a commuter jet that is about to enter service. >> the chinese short range airliner which carries up to 105 passengers will be operational by the end of this year. they are upbeat about their midrange plane. >> the asian markets will be driving growth in the asian market. we believe the passenger load for asia will make up 39% of the market. in america and europe, a passenger flights will be relatively small. >> this will carry uppe to 109

passengers. >> some chinese hope that the new airliner will dominate in asia. >> more international news. 820 strong group of military officers claimed they have seized power. the colonel said that he was asking for the welfare of the people. voters went to the polls in a referendum on a new constitution that would allow the president to stay in power until the next election. he has ruled out stepping down. his government has vowed to crush the rebellion. iraq's president says he will not find an order for the former deputy minister. he said he would block the execution due to his old age and because he is an iraqi

christian. he was the former deputy to saddam hussein. he is suffering from ill hea lth. was sentenced to death by an iraqi court for religious persecution. they are charged with using deadly protest -- and deadly force against protesters in april. more than 80 people were killed. as the trial opened, a victim's relatives called for the defendant's execution. hamburg is the european green capital for 2011. it takes over for stockholm. ii has many of the environmental challenges for urban areas. it managed to fend off 30 other cities for the title.

>> hamburg has a reputation for being green. its water is clean and the environmental goals are ambitious. they want to cut co2 emissions by 40% over the next decade. >> hamburg was selected from 35 serious contenders across europe. that is a recognition of what we have achieved. it will help us stay on the right path. hamburg is proud of its new title. there are plans for electric cars, efficient housing, and bring electricity. this produces the most trash per capita and the biggest coal- fired power plant is under construction there. >> new study showed that we will have to do significantly more to achieve our own co2 emission goals.

we have to take a serious look at traffic and transport issues. anyone can use these banks at hamburg city hall. the challenge for authorities is to show that hamburg deserves the green capital title. >> there is severe flooding in southern england. many people were left stranded in their homes and vehicles. they launched a large-scale rescue operation using boats. authorities say that river levels are continuing to rise. the world's oldest drinkable champagne was opened on wednesday. after two centuries under water. the champagne is going to be auctioned soon. very sweet was the verdict. they will sell 170 bottles of this. it is from a wreck.

each bottle is expected to fetch 150,000 euros at auction. >> buy me

>> 9/11, london, madrid, it is germany the next target in al qaeda's global terror campaign. information has been uncovered about plans to attack targets in germany at the end of the month. they say that there is reason to be concerned, but no reason for hysteria. the german public seems to be taking the news in stride. that has to do with the country's track record. time and again, the government has managed to shut down

terrorist plots. >> so far, germany has been spirit terrorist attacks. in 2006, two suitcase bombs failed to detonate. security officials are on constant alert. in april of 2010, the head of the federal police said in an interview, never have there been so many investigations into suspected terrorists ben there are now, more than 300. that includes attacks on soldiers in afghanistan. increasing numbers of young germans are heading to islamic training camps in afghanistan. other countries are watching what happens in germany closely. in october, u.s. and england issued a travel advisories for

inland europe. they say the constant travel advisories are not useful. >> at the moment, we have no solid evidence of imminent attacks in germany. there is a raised abstract threat. >> that has become more evident in recent weeks. in late october, al qaeda sent two parcel bombs from yemen. one bank was -- one was processed at frankfurt airport. they said that one was a false alarm. the parcel was intercepted in england. in early november, a parcel bomb was discovered in the chancellery room in berlin.

it was no comparison to the explosive devices from al qaeda. now a warning from the interior minister. there are definite plans for a terrorist attack in germany in late november. >> we have received additional information and facts relative to the threat. security officials have unanimously assessed to mean that we are dealing with a new situation. >> that means that the threat is greater than ever. the federal police have stepped up their presence at train stations and airports. authorities are asking people to be vigilant. >> a particular concern for the authorities is the rise of homegrown terrorists. german citizens that have been recruited by fanatic groups and trained on the border between

afghanistan and pakistan. how much is known about these camps and the training that takes place there? >> unfortunately, we only have sketchy information on these camps on the border between afghanistan and pakistan where local governments do not exert any control. the americans are trying to stop these radicals from getting organized by attacking them with drones. there appears to be seven dozen people of german origin that have been trained in these camps. they seem to be on their way back to germany. there is a very sincere threat emerging from these groups. this is not the only threat in rmany. there is a big worry among security officials that freight machines might be used as flying bombs to targets cities in

germany. >> turning back to camps, how serious is the threat from people who trained their pi? >> it is a serious threat. there is something in the making. the threat is imminent. the german government is very worried and does not seem to have a clear recipe as to what to do to prevent these terror attacks. the population has been warned to day. the german government does not want its citizens to get overly nervous. everyday life should go on. the threat is real. it is a dangerous and volatile situation. >> what would terrorists want to

achieve with an attack on germinate? >> they want to strike terror in the heart of europe as they have done in other european countries. the german public is not used to this type of violence, different than britain or spain. they know that there will be a severe repercussions, when it comes to the peaceful coexistence with muslims in germany. sept. 0 -- >> september 11, 2001 changed the way that we lived and traveled. taking a plane somewhere is a lot more complicated than it used to be. germans spend seven times more on security than they did before 9/11. so far, the strategy has paid off. the terrorist threat is still there. the government is working on ways to protect the countnt for terrorism.

how much personal security are germans willing to sacrifice? >> thomas de maiziere some mets to a body scan. says that the devices are only being tested. soon, the devices will be introduced across the country. travelers have had to adjust to measures at airports. a body search by the security personnel is the norm rather than the exception. security personnel paul aside and question anybody that seems nervous. security has been tightened at train station as well -- train stations as well, with greater attention paid to unattended luggage. muslim extremists are a special focus of observation.

the german intelligence services want to know what is happening at their train stations. many muslims in germany feel as if they are under general suspicion. visitors to jewish centers have been nervous since the 9/11 attacks. whenever al qaeda issues another threat, more police are posted outside of synagogues. a few years ago, privacy advocates had criticism for the use of tv cameras in public spaces. they are not as widely used in germany as in england. germans have gotten used to it. as well as not having access to any building. there is also restricted access to court rooms and politicians'

offices. internet users to feel like their freedoms have been in french on to -- impinge on. u forget it. yourself, so don't fall.

u forget it. now he tells us. how far am i off the floor? about twelve inches. twelve whole inches?