>> hello, and welcome to the "journal" on dw-tv. i am shane fankhauser in berlin. >> and i am brent goff with the business news. >> know when for the misery for thousands of travelers across europe as winter causes massive disruption. the european union criticized the crackdown on opposition supporters in belarus. in germany honors its top athletes for 2010. ♪ >> hello, welcome. central and northern european airports are struggling to stay open. the harsh winter weather is blasting across the continent. europe's busiest airport,

heathrow, has resumed a limited schedule, but hundreds of passengers remained stranded there. in frankfurt, things are not much better. >> stranded in frankfurt, and germany's biggest airport, one out of every four flights was canceled on monday. some passengers spent a third night in the terminal. only to find out that they were waiting in vain. >> i am coming from new york, and i want to go to poland. my flight is delayed for two days already, and now i just found out that, you know, my flig to poland was canceled. >> europe's busiest airport, london heathrow, resumed limited operations. british airways said a maximum of only one-third scheduled flights would be allowed to take off until wednesday morning. the chaos could continue over christmas. thousands of travelers are stranded. air-traffic at the two main airports in paris improved by

monday afternoon, but officials warned more delays are likely due to fresh snowfall. for passengers holding up in the terminals, there is at least hope that there will be over christmas. >> many international flights go to the main european hubs. so deep snow in europe is affecting passengers worldwide. the biggest hub is heathrow airport. our correspondent joined us on the telephone earlier for an update on the situation. >> not much improvement, i am afraid. only about one-third of flights have been operating in and out of heathrow airport today. that is a slight improvement on yesterday, were the airport was virtually shut down. we have seen one of the two runways operating today, a very restricted service. if you imagine, an airplane takes off every 45 seconds from heathrow airport normally, and those flights would be full this time of year. you can imagine how many passengers that leaves stranded. so much so now that the airport

terminals are so overcrowded with people waiting, the airport authorities have had to virtually closed them down. not much better news tomorrow. there will be a reduced schedule again with only one runway operating. no more passengers are being accepted into airport terminals due to the overcrowding problem. >> you gave us indication -- of course, it is an emotional time of year, christmas. how optimistic are officials of most passengers will be on their way before the holidays begin? >> the problem at heathrow airport, as always, is the backlog. hundreds of people are stuck waiting for spaces on flights. those flights are limited, and they are already fully booked. airport authorities have to give royalty to people who already have tickets. the question is, pretty good the other thousands of passengers better rating and desperate to get away for christmas? what we're seeing also in

london art teachers around the block at the aerostar station. people are looking for alternative ways to get a round your. a lot of the euro start services are being cancelled as well due to the weather. >> thank you for that. >> we will have money travel chaos across europe later in this bulletin. -- we will have more on travel across europe later. protesters arrested and several opposition had insisted against lukashenko in sunday's presidential election. berlin is very concerned about the situation. the central election commission in minsk says lukashenko won a landslide victory. lukashenko is standing firm and is denouncing the protesters for starting barbarism and destruction. >> the a nerve opposition supporters turned to violence as they tried to storm the electoral commission headquarters in minsk. but they did not get far.

police reinforcements arrived to disperse the crowd. several hundred people were arrested, many injured. riot police appeared to use their batons indiscriminately. >> president lukashenko was reelected with nearly 80% of the boat and justified the hard line taken by police. -- of the vote in justify the hard line taken by police. >> they will all end up behind bars. what it wanted to bring to minsk was not democracy but banditry. the police and military protected the country from decadence and barbarism. >> but international election observers see things differently. >> this election failed to give belarus' the new start it needed. the kind -- the process like transparency. in particular, i expect the government to account --

[inaudible] >> it is not clear how many of the arrested protesters are still in custody. their families are trying to get information from the prisons in and around minsk. some of those arrested could face charges of inciting violence. >> we have been following events in minsk. we asked if the people that have been arrested will be staying in custody. >> well, yes, they will stay in custody. lukashenko has acted aggressively when asked about the fate of the opposition leaders. those detained violated orders, and he described the process as an event -- banditry and vandalism. apparently, lukashenko tries to show his ability to keep everything in bear loose -- in

dollar is under control. >> will lukashenko take any notice? >> it does not seem so. lukashenko has made it clear that he will stay his course on the other hand, i have the impression that the criticism from abroad has hit him more than he wants to admit. because he has reacted very emotionally and try to explain himself, saying the government in man's tried to meet european demands for elections, by allowing more provision candidates to take part. the europeans, of course, have a different view. they continue to see major shortcomings in the way this election took place. in particular, they condemned the security forces against the opposition. >> thank you very much. there's a lot of money floating

around our way. >> that is right. the world cannot get enough of what the eurozone is producing. the trade surplus of the currency union grew in october by more than 5 billion euros, twice the surplus that we saw in september. germany powered ahead yet again with its exports, 19% higher than they were in october 2009. trade and manufactured goods, especially chemicals and machinery, is especially strong. however, if you look just at energy, the eurozone has a negative trade balance, importing five times more energy than it sells abroad. you can tell the christmas is just around the corner. trade volumes on the european stock market were very low. there were low on monday and expected to remain that way. but there's plenty of fuel for shares. european stocks to their highest close in 27 months on monday, and mining and utilities shares led the way. we have the wrap up from the

frankfurt stock exchange. >> a good start into the christmas week at the german stock market. the dax could reach a new high, which did not last until the end of trading. it was an early christmas present for a company, which could survive with the help of the banks. shareholders have to pay the high price, too. but shares jumped by 80%. the winter was also in surplus, a driving up the shares of road salts. lufthansa has been suffering. >> all right. let's get a quick look at the market numbers. we will stay in frankfurt for the dax index hit another one- year high in the session. it closed 5% higher. similar story for the euro stoxx 50 index. ending the day higher. in new york, the dow is still in negative territory in late afternoon trading. 11,485. the euro going for $1.3116.

spain is on the right path to solving its economic problems, but there is much more to do. that is the word from the organization for economic cooperation and development. the oecd says spain has every chance to rise above its economic crisis if it enacts bold reforms in a sober survey of the challenges facing spain, the oecd says tax increases may be needed, even if growth next year remains weak. the value-added sales tax was height from 16% to 18% back in july, and consumer spending as sharply down. this christmas shopping season. china posing next five-year plan goes into effect in just a few days. despite being the factory for much of the world, china remains a land with a plan centrally controlled communist economy. the goals have been set for this

transformation of the world's second-largest economy, and we have this report. >> china's latest fivyear plan sees the nation being transformed from a land that she but inefficient factories into a manufacturer of sophisticated environmental technology. five-year plans are the keystone of china's planned economy, and this one takes effect next year. one of the most important parts is to drastically reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. to do that, china has earmarked 50 billion euros a year for environmental protection. another 22 billion0 enrollee will be devoted to research and development in fields such as information technology, material sciences, and biotechnology. china also plans measures to crack up domestic demand as it tries to reduce reliance on exports. german companies have to profit from the strategy. companies like bausch and the demons are leaders in green

technology, such as wind power. -- and his demands are leaders in green technology. climate protection is now part of beijing's economic policy. >> the internet giant ebay has agreed to buy a german fashion the site. you'll hear a lot about it in the future. ebay will pay 150 billion euros for it. the bay hosts of the move will strengthen its position in the fashion sector. in the past 18 months, ebay has been heavily investing in fashion and has launched sites in britain as well as right here in germany. back to you. >> thank you. the united nations security council has extended its peacekeeping mission in the ivory coast for six months. it defies orders to leave the incumbent president refuses to hand over power. the un african leaders in the west says he lost the runoff to

the opposition leader. washington and the eu had called on him to step down and are preparing sanctions against him and his allies. british police have arrested two men suspected of preparing a terrorist attack. there were detained during a series of dawn raids across england and wales. they are between 17 and 28. they are linked to a potential bomb plot. they have been monitored for several months by britain's domestic intelligence agency. britain and a number of other european countries have been on high security alert for the last month. officials say there is a heightened threat of terrorist attacks. north korea has called live fire exercises conducted monday by south korea as reckless but has backed down from its threat to retaliate. residents of yeonpyeong island on the yellow sea took shelter during the 90-minute live fire drills. p'yongyang's announcement that it would not respond to the

maneuver eased fears of a war on the korean peninsula. tensions have been acute sense last month, following an artillery exercise by south korean forces. european union environment ministers have been meeting in brussels to discuss the agreement reached at the recent u.n. climate summit in cancun. the eu to get leading role at the summit, calling on other countries to do more to permit climate change. the eu also has to do more. it wants to meet the same high standards it is demanding of everyone else. >> germany's environment minister says he thinks the climate summit in cancun was a success. now he and his counterparts in the european union have to show that they can implement the climate protection measures they're asking other countries to adopt. for instance, with the vans and other utility vehicles, new regulations will require them to burn less diesel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. >> we have now said a long-term

goal of 147 grams of co2 per commager by 2020. for vehicles weighing up to three d a half tons. it is a very good compromise on something that was a source of the way for a long time. >> that figure is higher than with the european commission had proposed last year. still, the eu climate change commissioner sees the compromise as a step forward. >> we have that things that are definitely more ambitious than what the industry in the sector claims that they cou do. >> germany had wanted even less stringent emissions levels betsy's this solution is one that can help both the environment and the car industry. >> germany's leading athletes were honored at an awards ceremony on sunday when sportster lists selected the sportsman, sports woman, and team of 2010. >> sebastian vettel wasn't named sportsman of the year, the

youngest champion in a formal and history. -- vettel was named sportsman of the year. >> you fight so hard all year, and when the reward comes, you cannot imagine how great it is and everything that happens to you. >> germany's national soccer team may only have made it to third place in the world cup in south africa, but there were more successful in the race for supporting honors. the captain and the german coach receive their awards for it now nearing legend. >> when you look back on it and see the pictures, you see how many millions of people there were in the streets and how much joy are playing generated. >> of all the winners, alpine skier maria riesch had the most complicated journey. from the world cup, she traveled by helicopter and jets to next

location. she was handed the trophy by a fellow two-time olympic champion. >> "in depth" global 3000,n dw-.

♪ >> hello. the timing cannot have been worse. just as the christmas travel rush begins, europe is buried in snow. some of its business airports are all but shut down. heathrow grounded all but a few flights this weekend. and a fresh wave of sno has added to the chaos. officials advising people not to travel to the airport. in frankfurt, one flight in four has so far been cancelled today. three out of every 10 in paris. hundreds of passengers are camped out in waiting rooms across the continent. here in germany, some airlines are suggesting passengers give up and take the train. but rail officials said might be better not to travel at all. even the roads offer only a poor

alternative. clearing crews are having trouble keeping up with the new snowfall, and traveling by car can be treacherous opposition. here's a look at the travel situation across europe. >> even santa claus is no real comfort this christmas. most people at frankfurt airport just want to get away. that is one present he cannot come up with. the forces of nature have brought many european airports to a virtual standstill, just when they're needed most, a few days before christmas. all people can do is remain stoic. airport workers face a dual task. deicing planes in keeping the runways clear of snow and ice. >> that takes time, which adds up. as a result, we're seeing massive delays and cancellations. >> that means more aircraft stuck on the ground. it did not leave promptly, they need deicing all over again.

london heathrow was practically paralyzed for most of the weekend. around 3000 people got stuck in brussels because no planes could depart for heathrow. some of them had to wade in the transit area because they did not have a visa for belgium. >> we are trying to get some sleeping bags. it is not really comfortable, but we have no choice. >> we just wake up on the floor. on the floor. >> they are hiding from us. i do not know why. they should come here. it is called customer service. >> in frankfurt, stranded passengers at least at the comfort of camp beds. in heathrow, people had to do with heat insulating blankets. and the weather is threatening to disrupt some more long-term

plans. >> we are supposed to get married on december 27 and we have been stuck here now 24 hours, told we're not leaving until tuesday. no offer a hotel or a taxi, no way home. >> the staff are really friendly, but they could have given a bit more water and food. we have not had any food. it is so expensive in the airport. we're spending money on our wedding, and this is cutting into it. >> amazing, the whole country grind to a hold for a bit of snow. >> not quite the whole country. some people are enjoying the weather. and those who have nowhere to go and just been mired the winter wonderland. -- can just admire the winter wonderland. >> it is manic. people are coming out now. it is good fun though in the snow. >> your feet are getting a bit wet.

an umbrella helps. but at the end of the day, it is great. >> in paris, tourists are getting to see the site in an unusual light. and the locals are used to the odd cold snaps. >> we appreciate it. you have to take it easy. snow is not a catastrophe. in other countries, the have more to complain about. we're in the midst of winter and have to deal with it. >> it is have a couple times. it is different. everything with a white layer. it is beautiful for this time of year. >> but it does nothing much to turn the winter landed to a world of stress. things have come to a grinding halt on the roads of normandy and the north of france. severe weather warnings are in place for the region. and the blanket of snow was little comfort to truck drivers that the franco-belgian border.

france, belgium, and luxembourg imposed a partial ban on heavy goods vehicles on their motorways. germany had to take similar measures, as accidents blocked the audubon. snow and ice brought traffic on small roads to a standstill also. >> it is bathetic they cannot clear the roads in 48 hours. i drove through the audubon because i have to get to a training course in the country roads are blocked. nothing has been done. >> rail travelers are not very much better. frozen pouring ice on power lines and snow the train tracks, all in the middle of the christmas travel season. it would appear that the cold snap god to which -- caught in the reaail off guard. the crown said transition's over

the weekend were so big that the company actually advised against travel by train. -- the crowds at the train stations over the weekend were so big. >> at least they're communicating could they are clearly saying, people, things are not moving for the moment. it is a low point for transport policy. it cannot get worse. >> travel chaos in france, too. crowds thrown into a building in paris with services on the euro start between london and paris seen massive delays. and on the other side of the english channel, things were not much better either. >> no one was doing anything. all the stairways were blocked off. so there were guards just standing there. no one told us anything. i stood there for two hours. i cannot move because i was surrounded back to back with other bodies. >> whether traveling by plane, train, or automobile, it seems best to sit tight and hope for the best.

complaining does not help. >> it makes n sense at all to try and blame somebody else restore blaming each other. it is just the weather, and we have to live with it. >> it is not just passengers trying to get to their destination. it is cargo and freight, too. that means presence. in the run-up to christmas, there's some 5 million packages on the move in germany, twice as many as other times. the postman cannot reach every address. they say it is a key not to wait until the last minute to send gifts. >> everything you see lying around herc is parcels from thursday or friday that we have not been able to deliver yet because of the weather situation. >> the post office is hoping most people have already sent off their christmas parcels, and the men and women who delivered them are saying much the same thing. >> if people send their packages off in time, that means for me personally that might only have to work seven or eight hours on christmas eve instead of 10 hours. >> it seems the greatest gift

this season will be the chance to celebrate with loved ones. and that makes it all the more crucial for those stuck at airports and train stations to reach their loved ones in time for the special day. monday did see some relief for travelers up to the chaos of saturday and sunday. but even if conditions do not get worse, it will be days before the situation gets back to normal. >> a lot of art have been canceled. we will find out when we get to the airport when it is like. >> until then, the pilot will have twait and see, just like everybody else. >> that has been aather wintry look in our "in depth" at the travel chaos across europe caused by the adverse weather conditions. we will keep you up-to-date on the latest right here in dw-tv. please do not go away. stay with us now. ♪ captioned by the national captioning institute

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