captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> your watching "the journal." >> our top stories -- another day of violence as protest start across the middle east. a setback in japan as officials expect a breach at reactor three. the eu decides on a voluntary safety tactics on all nuclear reactors. >> in syria the government continues with a violent crackdown on opposition protests. people took to the streets of

several cities where there are reports at least three were killed by pro-government demonstrators. in the main center of the protests, thousands attended funeral marches for those killed earlier in the week. >> thousands of demonstrators took to the streets after friday prayers. a scene repeated in several syrian cities. this video shows a rally in the capital of damascus, evidence that unrest is spreading. the syrian president pledged political reforms on friday but the protesters dismissed the measures as inadequate. hours later reports said police fired on protesters in the village killing at least 17 people. the aftermath is shown in this video released -- released through facebook. amateur videos posted online provide the only documentation

of such events. despite escalating tensions, the reforms have been welcomed by some in damascus. >> it is a little bit late but i think it is a step towards the right direction. [unintelligible] of course, this is a step forward. >> there were demonstrations in a show of support for the president. this was the official video being broadcast on television. >> we are joined now by our middle east analyst in the studio. do these protests have any chance of gaining the momentum they need to topple the government? it seems as if damascus shoots anyone who goes into the streets. >> the present regime is using ancient tactics at shooting at

anyone demonstrating. this is a very dangerous strategy. it seems this uprising has already reached a tipping point. there is no way back to reforms. the president is respected by many syrians, by his regime is too brutal. he has lost the opportuni to find a compromise with his own people. >> he said reforms are coming. is that an empty promise? >> it looks like it. he has been in office for 10 years and has not used this time to change society. he has opened up the internet to the syrian people. he has really created a new generation of facebook that is trying to achieve changes from damascus. there are so many factors involved. all these factors intervene.

this is a very dangerous development we see unfolding in syria. >> we will be back for more in a moment. anti-government protesters are keeping up the pressure on the yemeni president. tension was high as thousands rallied this friday in the capital demanding an end to his rl.e the president staged a demonstration of his own supporters. he said he was ready to hand over power to save hands. he denied government troops played a role in the shooting of opposition demonstrators last week. the situation there seems to be the most critical at the moment. >> you are right. he has promised the president and yemen to hand over power by the end of this -- he has promised free elections but we don't know whether he is playing for time or whether he is

willing to change the political system. my impression is he tries to stick to power. even if someone else comes into office we have to look at yemen as a difficult country. even the president we have now only has control of the capital and surrounding areas. the rest of the country is falling apart. it is a very difficult country to rule. there are two civil wars being waged, so whoever it is ruling is not the envy. >> there have been rumors flying around protesters in libya, syria and yemen are actually al qaeda operatives in disguise. is that fear mongering or a serious problem? >> this is fear mongering. al qaeda does not play any role within this uprising. it is really an uprising of the people who are tired of the regimes that have brutally

governed these people over so many decades. you e a phase of reshaping the political landscape. unfortunately, it looks like it is turning violent in libya and syria. >> thank you very much. the prime minister of jordan has blamed islamists that left one person dead. he would -- the clashes erupted friday after hundreds of government supporters attacked demonstrators in the city center. police stepped in after the groups started throwing stones. security forces used water cannons to disperse the crowds. >> coalition attacks on the libyan leader gaddafi's forces have reduced his ability to exercise command over the ground forces.

in a briefing at the pentagon, they also said u.s. forces were preparing to hand off control of the no-fly zone to the nato command, but will will -- will remain responsible for air strikes to protect civilians. >> western warplanes launched a seventh day of air strikes against muammar gaddafi's air forces. encouraged by the raid, the opposition hopes to retake the city soon. >> maybe today or tomorrow. [unintelligible] >> in the rebel stronghold, the imam thanks coalition forces for intervening. these photos show victims of the fighting from the rebels' side. >> [inaudible]

>> it is unclear how many libyans have died in the conflict. >> japan's nuclear safety agency says it is likely the radioactive material is leaking from part of the number 3 reactor. officials don't think the reactor has cracked but the radioactive material is leaking from somewhere inside. earlier today the japanese prime minister warned the situation is nowhere near being resolved. >> the latest footage of the plant released by the japanese military. radiation and water at unit 3 was bound to be 10,000 times above normal levels. a breach of the core might be to blame. work was suspended after three workers were exposed to the radioactive water.

>> there is a high possibility the third reactor's fuel rods are damaged. that is where we think the radioactive water came from. >> work to cool units one and two was also suspended, while high levels of radiation were also measured around the plant. japan's prime minister apologized to businesses affected by the crisis, saying the situation remained serious. >> we can not become complacent. we are trying to prevent things from getting worse but we cannot become complacent. we must be on our guard. >> 1 forecast said the wind should carry radioactive particles out to sea. it is set to stay cold. that is bad news for the hundreds of thousands of people still living in an emergency shelters. many are running short on heating and medicine. >> the nuclear disaster has been

making waves in europe. the european union has ordered new safety tests on all of the continent's nuclear power plant. eu leaders were quick to say they are taking steps to make sure the emergency does not happen here. >> japan's nuclear crisis could have consequences for france's atomic industry. their oldest plant is located in an earthquake zone near the swiss border. now it will undergo a safety on along with the -- undergo a safety audit. >> that is a top priority. we decided the safety of nuclear plants should be issued with a stress test. >> until now it was unthinkable we could carry out stress tests. that members will be obliged to carry out stress tests at all

their nuclear reactors, and the results will be published enabling the commission to draw up a report that can discuss the measures that need to be put in place. >> although energy policy decided on a national level, all the union's leaders have agreed to carry out the checks. france argued its current safety measures are sufficient, but it is also on board. >> the results of a test carried out by france will be publicized. if they are not convincing, we will take immediate action. >> the stress test should be carried out in the second half of this year after national regulators decide on a common set up assessment standards. >> we also have some movement on the european stability mechanism. >> another breakthrough in

brussels. under the deal, the mechanism will beef up the existing rescue package starting in 2013. the deal also includes stricter rules to insure the stability euro and a path and at strengthening fiscal policies in eu countries. >> it is the most far-reaching overhaul of the monetary union since it was established. eu leaders back the release of billions and tougher punishment for countries that breached rules. euro zone states are trying to avoid future debt crises within e euro zone. >> t te will tell whether we are equipped, but we have the instruments to cope. we need the political will to use this at our disposal.

>> there is a new bailout facilities worth 700 billion euros. $500 billion of that could remain -- 80 billion will be cash and the rest in guarantees. germany's contribution amounts to 22 billion euros in cash. it accounts for more than a quarter of the bailout fund. the summit was overshadowed by the resignation of the portuguese government before things got under way in brussels. >> global stocks moved up with european shares recording their biggest weekly gain in six months. investors seem confident the nuclear crisis in japan would not derail global growth. let's look at some market numbers. beginning in frankfort, the dax

closed up 12 points. across the atlantic, the dow jones still gaining. the euro lost steam, trading at $1.40. germany's benchmark confidence index dipped slightly in march for the first time last year. they posted 20 year highs for three consecutive months. most expected to get a steeper drop due to the conflict in libya. >> a lack of japanese electronics corporations has forced some automakers to cut back production, but the majority of companies are in fine shape. >> the main part of the

manufacturing industry is still producing at full capacity. if things don't get significantly worse, the production increase will continue. >> that is what is [unintelligible] the index has been rising steadily since 2009. last month it reached its highest level in 42 years before dipping slightly. the polls -- they pulled 7000 businesses every month for their economic situation. >> germany's third largest bank posted a loss last year but it is an improvement from the year before. [unintelligible] during the financial crisis they were borrowing billions from the

state which must be paid back. >> it is official, they are bank as brigitte back as the coach. he will finish the season off and will be back as the boss with a two-year contract. he replaces the outgoing coach who is leaving the club after a below par performance. scientists in chile have unearthed the skull of a prehistoric elephant. construction workers discovered the mastodon tooth at a building site outside the chilean capital last month. specialist dug deeper and there lay a perfectly preserved skull. they burst roamed the area 2 million years ago. they died out 10,000 years ago. one scientist will soon be able

to say how old it is. you are watching "the journal." we will be right back.

>> the new formula one season is off to a dramatic start even before the first race. political turmoil has created a huge roadblock. the 2011 campaign finally gets under way with the australian grand prix. the opener was supposed to take place i nbahrain, but uprising -- supposed to take place in bahrain, uprising's put a stop to that. >> the site of the first grand prix held in the middle east in 2004. right now formula one is staying away. they have seen the dark side of the rapid expansion.

>> the growth of formula one has profited from the desire of authoritarian regimes to use the sport as a showcase. they were ready to invest a great deal of money in staging formal one events. >> hosts pitt massive fees to hold races. the newest countries pay of to 35 million euos for the privilege. that is twice what they get from the european heartland. other sports have been tempted by the huge profits to be made. world bodies like fifa foster questionable partnerships. >> just as in many political organizations, sports organizations sometimes have very undemocratic structures. it is another instance of sports mirroring politics.

>> fifa recently went through the biggest corruption scandal in history. the decision came in for a huge amount of criticism around the world. fifa was accused of putting profit above all else. >> the problem world sports governing bodies is their committees often include people who don't come from the world of sport but decide its future. >> can fair play make a comeback? better control systems are a central -- they are essential. formula one hopes to be back soon, canceling all together would cost too much. >> circuit troubles aside, this

season is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in years with the spotlight on a barrage of famous names. for the second time in history, the 2011 entry list features five world champions. one of them is from germany. he is the youngest champion ever and is an excellent position to retain his title. >> the champion says his preparation for this season has been more intensive than ever before. he is determined to keep the trophy that so many want to snatch from him. >> it will be a long and hard year. we all have the same chance. they have a famous rival. the comeback season last year

was a disappointment but his new car has clocked up many times this year. >> full throttle is the only language i understand. the point is i am much better prepared going into this season. we are expecting to win a few races this year. >> this man is back. 17 years since he drove through the gate as germany's first formula one world champion. at that time he was just six- years old. now the former champion is challenging the reigning champion. >> i don't think he has lost his touch at all. he has not lost any of his speed. >> this is his friend and mentor but the rivals only appear on

the same team together at the race of champions. >> if he makes a mistake, the young one has to correct it. he hopes the new mercedes will be as fast as the red bull. >> we are hoping for some great formula one jewels on the racetrack. hard but fair on the racetrack. we can spend time together afterwards. >> the new season will show whether that friendship is strong enough to provide bridging survived the battle rivalry of formula one. critics strong enough to provide the biddle rivalry. >> the drivers will have to go 58 laps at top speed. that requires brains and brawn.

formula one racers need to be in top physical and mental condition. our reporter decided to find out what is required to master the track like a champion. it is not as easy as it looks. >> soaring heat and complicated controls. driving a formula one car is hard work for body and mind. i decided to find out whether i would be fit enough for the job. this meant is a physiotherapist. he explains the most important russells are those in the neck and forearms. -- the most important muscles. he noticed i sometimes do rock climbing. >> a driver's body has to put up with a lot of stress. running, swimming areremportant.

coordination is vital, too. >> balancing on a rubber cushion is one of the most important exercises for a driver. juggling is another way to improve coordination. then there is balancing on a wave board. >> not bad for a beginner. lots of people don't manage to stay on. even athletes have trouble. >> them i am at a company in berlin that trains all kinds of racing drivers. the advice is the same for everybody. >> don't think about it. just listen to the instructions. >> in a crash course, i learned the 20 main functions of a formal one steering wheel. then the race can begin. this is a track in mel bourne. it does not seem to suit my

driving style. i crash and turn the car over. but i soon get the hang of it. driving more safely but not very fast. by the end, you probably would have been laughed about seven times but you have potential. -- he would have been lapped about three times. >> that is a bit optimistic but there are already enough top drivers in formula one. i think i will go back to reporting about the races rather than driving in them. >> that has been our in death as this hour as the new formula one season kicks off. please stay with dw-tv.