and a very warm welcome to "the journal." this is what is making the news this hour. whistleblower edward snowden flees to moscow. echo dorsett he has asked for asylum. holes close in albania with both sides claiming victory. and brazil beat italy to move into the semifinals while the wave of protests across the country continues.

edward snowden has arrived in russia from hong kong where he has been hiding out. ecuador says he has requested asylum. it is being reported the u.s. has revoked snowden's passport in an attempt to stop him from traveling. >> edward snowden is believed to have been on this flight from hong kong which arrived in moscow on sunday afternoon. wikileaks says he was traveling with diplomats who are helping him with his onward journey. amid speculation about his final destination, the ambassador was seen at an airport hotel. the foreign minister later conserve -- confirmed he sought political asylum there. >> we are prepared to accept that petition and make a decision. i can't say what the decision will be, but we will study it thoroughly. >> he fled hong kong after the u.s. sought his extradition.

authorities rejected the request on a technicality, but the u.s. says it will continue to negotiate the matter. >> on u.s. tv, head of the nsa was asked why snowden wasn't caught before he left the country. >> it is clearly an individual who has betrayed the trust and confidence we had in him. this is an individual who is not act in with noble intent. >> and the last few days, he has made claims that secret services hacked into chinese networks and revealed details of a british program which allegedly tracks internet users from all over the world. that has sparked criticism from german lawmakers. >> they put everyone under suspicion because they claim they will be able to get some sort of information. that is unthinkable under german law. as a heroichim whistleblower, others as a traitor.

he is effectively on the run and the drama surrounding his flight continues. the latesty to get now on edward snowden's whereabouts. does anyone know where he is right now? >> the situation remains light mysterious. we have conflicting information about where he is for the moment. first, we heard he left the airport building in a diplomatic car toward the embassy at the door. then news came out that he cannot leave the airport building because he has no visa stay inia and has to the area of the moscow international airport. u.s. fugitive right now. why is russia helping him? relations between u.s. and russia russia have been tense for a long time.

when we listen and look at the blogs and tweets on the internet, we can suppose russia is trying to position itself as a power standing up to the western world. we have seen that before when it comes to the conflict in syria, where russia and moscow are competing over power and influence. apparently this is happening again and russia is trying to stand up against the united states. >> thank you for your input. let's look at some of the wider implications. we spoke with the german government commissioner and asked whether the revelations about widespread surveillance programs made him worry about rights to privacy. that impression is

balance between security on one hand and privacy and fundamental rights on the other, this balance is disturbed by this big amount of surveillance that was disclosed by edward snowden and others. is collected by secret services and asked changed between these secret services. every secret service is focused on the outside world but they change the data and information, so at the end, everybody feels surveilled. compatible with our understanding of democracy and fundamental rights. >> in other news, islamic militants have cure -- have killed nine foreign tourists.

the victims include five ukrainians, three chinese and one russian trade they have now been transferred to islamabad. officials say the attacks took place at the base camp of one of the world's highest mountains. a local branch of the taliban took responsibility come a calling them revenge for the death of a leader killed a drone strike. in istanbul, hundreds of turkish transsexuals and gay rights activists have staged their own protests against the prime minister. almost a thousand protesters marched from the square which has been at the heart of recent protests through central is symbol. although the march is an annual took it as aters protest against the government increasingly authoritarian style.

the ukrainian bus was on a mountain road about 30 kilometers north of the capital. control during a rainstorm, plunging 40 meters into a deep ravine. a helicopter to rescue 30 injured people. today's parliamentary election has been overshadowed by violence with one activist killed and a politician wounded in a shooting incident near a polling station. the first culinary results are expected by monday. the ruling coalition and it's ist us opposition already on course for victory in the general election. >> he's facing a tough race to keep his job. he has been the prime minister since 2005 3 oh he and the opposition want their country to join the european union. but the european union is

skeptical. some 600 international observers are in albania to monitor the vote. a shooting death of a activist on sunday has triggered more concerned. >> as for the incident, i'm still collecting the necessary information. when i get the information, i will make a statement because i don't have the full information. a the killing comes amidst test for the democracy. they called on the prime minister to take responsibility, calling the violence an attempt at intimidation. >> it is a murderer and the part of the country where people are terrorized by criminals. >> analysts say that coalition has a slight edge over the current government. preliminary results are

scheduled for monday. communismyears since fell, albania has not once delivered an election deemed fully free and fair. >> nationwide protests are continuing in brazil espied pledges from the president to improve public services. the demonstrations have overshadowed the hosting of the confederation cup football tournament. tens of thousands took to the streets and clashes with the lease left at least 15 people injured. the protesters are angry at the football world governing body, accusing them of interfering too much in the country's economic affairs and wasting public money. ande the protests politicking continue, there has been more spectacular actions on the field. theave this report on

rivalry between brazil and chile. >> he helped his team to a win that put him on the top of their group. start, heckluster came off the bench just before halftime. he had an immediate impact. it was his first international goal. early in the second half, italy struck back with a lightning a freeounterattack. then kick making his third goal in the tournament. he is living up to the hype surrounding him. , it he put the host up looked like he was were all over, but italy was not giving up. in the closing minutes, he made brazil.or

both teams go to the semi finals. tour golf, the european made its annual stop in germany at the bmw open in munich. south africa in ernie ells picked up his 25th title, shooting a three under par to receive a one-point victory. spanish police have dismantled to gangs responsible for smuggling a host of illegal doping products into the country. the interior ministry says the police made 84 rest and received 700 thousand doses of various performance-enhancing drugs, including dareel issa, human growth hormones and blood loop -- blood booster. a french rally driver increased his lead at the top of the world championship standings with a

win at the rally of italy. the two-day event was in sardinia. the volkswagen driver finished over one minute ahead of the belgian while the teammate completed the 40th. onto the water now and the largest sailing event in the world being held in germany's northern port city. 3 million visitors are expected kielke part in the 119th week. germany has started well. around 500 sailors are currently finishing up their second day of competition. , the spine tingling sport of cliff diving has been thrilling dictators. brave competitors does not from a cliff, but a platform from atop the copenhagen opera house.

a russian won the competition, blowing the judges away with a two and a half turn somersault from a handstand. not for the faint of heart. he's a wedding singer who grew up in a refugee camp in gaza and until very recently, he was completely unknown. on saturday evening, the 23- year-old won the arab idol talent show, prompting a rapturous response across the palestinian territories. >> jubilation in ramallah. idol,this year's arab beating syrian and egyptian candidates in a talent show contest that captivated millions of viewers across the middle east. the 23-year-old singer united and often divided public in the palestinian territories. his talent and lyrics were seen as a sign of hope. he has brought us great

happiness and allowed the palestinian people to live a little bit. there's happiness, enjoyment and elation. see disturbs -- he deserves the title. palestinian -- palestine is always last and we want to be happy for once. >> the singer's mother was proudest of all. >> i am overwhelmed. feelings i can't describe. more importantly, i feel proud of the palestinian people who have show the world they are alive. the new arab idol is aware of his role. carriesolution not only a right -- everyone struggles for their cause in the way they see fit. >> a performance celebrated across the geographical and clinical divisions faced by palestinians.

>> don't forget to get more news at the top of the hour. >> on monday, g8 group of nations gathered in northern ireland. leaders signed off on a number of trade deals, but the issue of syria dominated the meetings. deep divisions remain. u.s. andween the russian leaders failed to bridge the gap. vladimir putin said russia would continue to deliver weapons to the syrian regime. the u.s. announced it will arm the rebels. written and france also support the idea. still, putin and obama say they

remain committed to a peace conference to in the conflict. leaders agreed to set aside more than 1.1 billion euros for refugees from syria. germany is providing 200 million. >> it's the largest amount we've ever paid for a humanitarian operation. that shows how serious the unitarian situation is. >> the final declaration called for a government of transition and syria made no reference to the future of syrian president bashar al-assad. on monday, the czech prime minister handed in his resignation. he was facing mounting criticism over allegations of corruption and abuse of power in his government. >> i have always been a fighter. everyone knows how many no- confidence votes i've survived

over the past three years. but i realize there comes a point where you have to call it resignation> the came after police raided offices belonging to check politicians. is accused ofover ordering the secret service to fire on his estranged wife. and bribing deputies to secure parliamentary majorities. >> also on monday, the german president and german chancellor marked the anniversary of a 1953 uprising against communist rule in east germany. they laid wreaths at a berlin cemetery where 10 the user buried. in eastsing started berlin and spread across east germany. more than a million people took to the streets to demand free elections. at least 80 55 were killed as soviet troops and east german police broke up the

demonstrations. thousands of people were sent to prison. >> demonstrators throughout turkey turned to a new form of protest, standing in silence. for hours at a time, they stood rooted to the spot without uttering a word. news of the protest spread through social media, inspiring many throughout turkey. police arrested dozens of people taking part erie it the prime minister retained his tough rhetoric, announced -- denouncing the protesters as terrorists and anarchists, calling them traitors and saying the government would not tolerate any further challenge. the german foreign minister called for more dialogue, not confrontation. >> it is importantly turkish government understands the need

for dialogue and situations like this. that has not happened in recent days. it is regrettable and we are right to criticize. >> he continued a hard-line approach despite the mounting criticism from abroad. there were more clashes between protesters and police on tuesday night, resulting in dozens of s.rest >> on tuesday, afghanistan took over responsibility for security in the country trade the ceremony attended by hamid secretary the nato general marks a major milestone the 12-year-old war. are in aato soldiers supporting role. the taliban and opened a liaison office in doha. the government reacted angrily to plans to hold direct talks with insurgents which they say reneged on previous agreements with kabul. >> we wanted to make this piece

process more of an afghan-lead process. if we encourage peace talks outside of afghanistan, the outsider country will enter its own agenda and the peace process will be harmed. >> the german defense minister visited afghanistan, speaking out in favor of talks with the taliban. >> there are preconditions for such talks. they must recognize the authority of the afghan government and constitution. they must separate from al on tuesday, wes presented the bob awards for the best bob. the ceremony came as part of the global media forum. the main award this year went to

the chinese internet activist. the well-known commentator investigates and writes about everyday problems and his country. >> on wednesday, obama fever swept berlin. the high point of the u.s. presidents visit to the german capital was ace each in front of the brandenburg gate. it was a hot day and the president tried to cool things down. i feel soo warm and good that i'm going to take off my jacket. and anyone else who wants to, feel free. we can be a little more informal among friends. >> thousands of invited guests heard the speech in a high- security zone. obama announced a new initiative to reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles.

>> we want to ensure we and our allies maintain a strong deterrent while the playing -- while reducing nuclear weapons by up to one third and i intend to seek negotiated cuts with russia to move the on cold war nuclear postures. >> russia dismissed the move out of hand a short time later. obama also held talks with angela merkel. the controversial u.s. programs to monitor internet traffic. obama explained why the u.s. was on u.s.and data citizens. >> we know of at least 50 threats that have been averted because of this information, not just in the united states but threats here in germany. lives have been saved. thes obama insisted that surveillance program is necessary, but the chancellor requested due diligence from the

u.s. in handling the information. fashion designers dolce and gabbana were convicted of tax evasion on wednesday. a court in them a suspended 20 month sentence and find them 21,000 euros. the judge ruled they did not pay taxes on over 100 million euros. prime minister and foreign minister of hungary died after a long illness. he was 80 years old. in june of 1989, he joined his austrian counterpart to cut through a barbed wire fence at their border, paving the way to opening the iron curtain. to thellion people took streets in brazil as an ongoing wave of protests gripped the country. in rio, demonstrators fought street tunnels with police.

an 18-year-old was killed when an angry motorist ran over him and injured two other demonstrators. the protests coincided with the federation cup soccer tournament. there is widespread anger at the swiftly rising cost of living when the government is bending massive amounts of money hosting the world cup. friday, friday, the president announced a series of reforms ended -- aimed at ending the programs. he pledged to fight corruption and promised a national transportation plan, saying all profits from oil would be spent on education. could not bence tolerated. with protesttalks leaders, though it is unclear who can represent a one million people who took to the streets on friday. backs on thursday, one of the

suspect in the munich trial of a neo-nazi killer gang finished eight days of testimony. he is the only defendant who has given evidence to the court and admits supplying a pistol to the group. the prosecution said the testimony will be enough to prove the only surviving member of the gang played a key role. it is important we lay strong foundation for our case against her. most important for us is she was a leader in the group, not a lower level member. >> prosecutors's say the neo- nazi gang murdered at least 10 people. most of the had immigrant backgrounds. the trial continues on monday. >> a violent storm picture after days of story -- after days of soaring temperatures. aseral people were injured rain and lightning fell trees and flooded streets. three people died in flash floods in the french peer knees.

tour in children mixed with meltwater. high waters flooded religious sites. >> on friday, the german chancellor and russian president opened and exhibition of bronze age artifacts. but the joint visit almost fell victim to a diplomatic spat. the exhibition contains items a can from germany by the soviet union after the second world war. berlin once the return but russia laid a moral claim to compensation as moral damage. a boycotteatened after the speech was stricken from the protocol to stop her from raising the issue. but after a private meeting, the visit went ahead after all. >> more than 20,000 people gathered at stonehenge in england to celebrate the summer

-- the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. in poland, thousands of people gathered to mark the beginning of summer. 40,000 chinese lanterns were released into the sky in a world where record attempt. and that concludes our review