x welcome to the journal. i am peter craven in berlin. this is what is making news at this hour.a hour. a glimmer of hope at the syrian peace talks. the sides seem to agree that civilians will be able to leave the besieged city of homs. encourage the ukrainian president to talk to the opposition. stan is the man. at the australian open, awrinkaas for franca -- w beat uninjured rafael nadal -- nadal to winfael

his first grand slam title. after nearly three years of fighting and bloodshed in syria, any arborists and bringing humanitarian relief to the people of syria has to be welcomed. the u.n. mediator at talks in geneva between the government and opposition has announced that the two sides have reached a deal to allow women and children to leave areas that have been under siege for more than a year in the central city of homs. the question is, will that deal hold? can it be enforced? are further breakthroughs possible? he knew he had a difficult task ahead of him when he arrived at the peace talks. but the conference has already achieved something that many thought was impossible, by bringing government and opposition representatives together. the announcement that the government will allow civilians

to leave shows that progress is a possibility. >> it may be early days to ask this. women and children in this the siege area in the old city are welcome to leave immediately. >> the city in the west of syria, seen here in footage posted on the internet, has been the scene of fierce battles throughout the war. thousands of civilians living without enough food and medicine. they have long been calling for an end to the siege. but the peace talks still have a long way to go. telling no way of whether a peaceful end to the conflict can be reached. it is clear the atmosphere between the camps remains strained. >> we have come to attend a conference. we have not come to exchange niceties.

attend aome to conference to end the war in syria and to stop the bloodshed and terrorism. there is still time for the talks to achieve more. the conference is due to continue on monday. >> our correspondent, kitty logan, is following the syrian talks and joins us from geneva. these negotiations, expectations were low. how significant is this outcome? >> it is an important breakthrough. from all accounts, the situation in homs is desperate. if this gets him tomorrow as hoped, it is a vital relief for people. it is the first time anything like this has been agreed between the parties. it is something the u.n. was keen to resolve. it is also easier to find common ground. both sides agree to the problem in the first place.

the minister confirms they will allow the convoy in, as well as allow convoys to take women and children out. they discussed possible prisoner exchanges. that is proving a bit more complex. so many people are being held by different groups. that discussion is ongoing as well. issue, bothrticular sides are still blaming each other. >> what is the chance of some progress on the key political issues like the future of president bashar al-assad? , with mood is not too bad both parties showing mutual respect. both sides very eager to move on to start talking politics. he wants to take this slow. it is expected tomorrow that both parties will make some kind of statement about the way forward politically. the syrian deputy foreign minister reiterated just now that the syrian government wants

assad to stay in power. he says it should be the choice of the syrian people, but he is open to discussing reforms and possibly elections. he said he is not here to give the keys to damascus. let us see what difficult subject is approaching as we get into the political discussion. like kitty logan, keeping us up to date from talks in geneva. to ukraine, where protests have spread from the capital, kiev, to other parts of the country. protesters are blockading local government offices in four cities, and from occupied official buildings in nine others, often after heavy clashes with riot police. there have been running battles in kiev itself after the opposition rejected an offer from viktor yanukovych to join his government. >> the center of tf assembles a battlefield. m and streeters are dug in on

independence square. in a show of force, a mob stormed a nearby center wearing the night. the opposition now intends to use the building as a place to keep warm, and as a press center. some protesters are convinced they are close to achieving their aim. yanukovych'stor offer is seen as a sign of weakness. -- viktor which yanukovych is betraying us. he can no longer lead. we do not need him. his name will be forgotten in ukraine. the eu called on viktor yanukovych to reach out to the opposition. foreign minister reacted cautiously to the new developments in key avenue -- in kiev. >> i think there is only one

piece of advice we can give. ukraine cannot find its way forward through violence. i am convinced that even though the situation is difficult, the last chances for a political resolution have not yet been exhausted. >> but the protesters in kiev are determined to keep up their fight against viktor yanukovych until they achieve victory. widespread anger was in evidence at a funeral sunday for a 25- year-old demonstrator killed during clashes with the police. >> the ukrainian opposition wants the european union to consider sanctions against ukraine to stop the political versus an urge president yanukovych to sign the european trade deal he backed away from two months ago. the president of the european parliament, martin scholz, said that sanctions are an option.

>> i think we have to consider bankions, like freezing accounts, and limiting the ukrainian government's freedom to travel. the dialogue between the government and the opposition must continue. insert as much pressure as we can on both sides to try to respond to dialogue and not violence. sides take this seriously. that also applies to the opposition, since you get the impression its leaders are no longer completely in control. >> that was martin scholz. , as a also concerned leadn social democrats' candidate for the elections in may. a special meeting in berlin today to decide which of its members will contest the ballot. the spd and toward a grand

coalition government with chancellor angela merkel toss conservatives in december. this is their first party conference since then. --dy leaders sigmar gabriel party leaders sigmar gabriel said they are working hard to make the partnership with the christian democrats a success. spd pressg was at the conference in berlin earlier today. he is here with us now. martin scholz has launched his campaign. what do you make of it? >> he has launched a campaign to become the first democratically elected president of the european commission. that is the top job in europe. that is going to be decided for the first time at these elections. that was aed the way man while barroso -- jose elected in ao was

closed-door procedure. he said he would like to lead a slimmed-down commission. he wants to look at powers, subsidiarity, being power back to the national governments. betweensaid solidarity european nations is necessary. that must happen. a campaign launched today. >> very technical, but very important. what about sigmar gabriel? >> an interesting speech. there are stories in the german media that he told the social democrat ministers within angela merkel's cabinet to report to him as spd leader, rather than to the chancellor. but he says no, he wants to be a constructive art and are within this coalition government. and of course to see it through to the end of the legislative period as much as possible.

he also said it is necessary to have a confident approach for arguing for social influence in government. a combative speech as well. comes of the strains in the months to come? interesting to see. sports now. in tennis, stanislas wawrinka has clinched a remarkable upset victory at the australian open. the top two swiss player defeated world number one rafael nadal in four sets. he became the first man in over 20 years to beat 2 top seeds to clinch a grand slam title. switzerland's stanislas wawrinka celebrated his first rent slam title. he had words for his beaten opponent. >> rafa, i am really sorry. you are a great guy.

a good friend. a major champion. >> nadal played the final despite back problems. the franca took the chance offered to him. spanishever beaten his rival before. he was bursting with self confidence and quickly had a two set lead. nadal seemed on the verge of retiring, but he refused to give up. at first, it looked like the treatment can work. the spaniard won the third set to put himself back in the match. his revival was short-lived. victory in the fourth set. the wind moves the swiss player rankingson the world -- 230 on the world rankings. -- to 30 in the world rankings.

>> damage in the 3-0 german victory. intle to warm up 41,000 fans subzero temperatures. saturday's action produced one or two upsets. a was more a question of quick shave than a close shave. >> that moment finally came. >> the player said first we will see the coach's beard. then it will happen. >> we needed a stroke of luck to take the lead. the shot was deflected in. error helped them double that lead.

in the right place at the right time to make it 3-0. they went even further ahead after halftime. after so many failures this season, they finally found a lead they could hold on to. they stopped hockenheim from pulling a goal back. and they sealed the victory. the second goal made it 4-0. with three points in the bag, the coach said goodbye to his facial hair. our rundown of all this weekend's action. by aaron took the points on friday evening. took the points on friday evening. stuttgart lost 2-1 at home. frankfurt beat 1-0.

there are the sunday results, with that man. news at the more top of the hour. do not go away. >> he was known as the champion of music. conductor died this week at the age of 80. with a career that spanned more than five decades, he became famous for his modesty and willingness to learn from others. >> i make mistakes as well, of course. everyone makes mistakes. i think it is silly if someone sticks to an idea even if it is wrong. once we incorporate the ideas of

soloists and musicians, it is better for the music. >> he worked with leading orchestras. he was in charge of the berlin philharmonic from 1999 to 2002. in rendition of " elektra" 1995 was a huge success. ♪ ♪ ashad favorite works, such verdi's requiem, which he was always trying to rediscover. he died in his native italy after a long illness. >> the european union and the united states officially agreed to relent sanctions on iran on monday. foreign ministers approved the measure for six months. world powers will continue to seek a comprehensive deal that defines the scope of iran's nuclear activities.

decision confirmed earlier on monday confirmed iran had suspended high-level uranium enrichment, in line with a deal reached with western powers. the international power's long suspected iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. this is something tehran denies. >> the task will be to support french and african forces seeking to end months of fighting between muslim and christian militias. established an environment where humanitarian aid can be brought in. officiallypean union open membership talks with serbia. speaking in brussels, serbia's prime minister called it the most important day for his

country since the end of the second world war. clubade hopes to join the by 2020. but it still has obstacles to overcome before becoming a member. paidrkey's prime minister its first visit to brussels in five years. the trip was meant to bring fresh impetus to turkey's eu membership bid. planned reforms back home took center stage. the prime minister has already replaced scores of prosecutors who were investigating corruption in its party. the european commission --e ent warned everyone rdoan that everyone is watching turkey. met growing opposition back home.

>> long awaited peace talks aimed at ending nearly three years of fighting in syria opened in switzerland on wednesday. representatives from some 40 countries were in attendance. >> your presence here raises hope. be, with thell support and aid of others here, you can make a new beginning. revealed bitter divisions. the syrian opposition revealed crimes similar to those of the nazis. a foreign minister accused the opposition of treason. of contentionne was the future of president bashar al-assad. a mesko said only the syrian people could decide his fate. assadposition assisted could not be part of a transitional government, and

negotiations could not proceed on any other basis. workedian envoy brahimi hard to bring both sides together. in the end, direct talks did go ahead. meantime, the fighting continues. the conflict has claimed over 130,000 lives and displaced millions. >> wednesday sought a serious escalation in ukraine's political crisis as protesters were killed in clashes with police, the first deaths since the protests began two months ago. tough new laws banning demonstrations went into force this week, infuriating protesters. the streets around independence ofare where the scene battles as protesters faced down right police. -- riot police. >> we are normal people whose hearts are in the right place. the police are thugs. because of that kind of difference, i do not think it will end.

>> resident viktor yanukovych held talks for the first time with the main opposition leaders. government a reshuffle, and to allow imprisoned protesters to be free. for earlyjected calls elections, saying only that the future of the government would be discussed in parliament next week. >> the president refuses to compromise with the people. they have been protesting for two months, and he has not taken a single step. we have hardly achieved anything. that is why we must continue to fight. >> meanwhile, the protests have spread beyond, to other cities. they are calling for international mediation to resolve the crisis. >> this week saw another shocking case of sexual violence in india. a 20-year-old woman from west

bengal said she was gang raped on the orders of her village council. the lease arrested 13 men. imposed was reportedly as a punishment because the woman was in a relationship with a man from another religion. sexual violence in india has been in the spotlight ever since 2012, when the gang rape and murder of a delhi student triggered international outrage. >> germany's coalition government appeared back on track after a two-day retreat at a palace north of berlin. outaim was to iron differences and agree on key policies. at the end of the two days, there were smiles all around. >> it has been a fantastic start. i would like to thank the chancellor and her office for the wonderful preparation. here will come back in the summer. that is a reason to say we want

to make sure that everyone sitting at this table has the opportunity to meet here for the next four years. >> the government agreed to forge ahead with the pledge to noble energy, but not at the price of jeopardizing german industry. >> we think it is an extraordinarily important point. we have to make sure that in the area of energy policy, we need to secure our industrial base and economic strength. agreed onernment also reforms to pensions. conservatives and social democrats are not natural allies. the challenge will be to retain a good mood as everyday politics in berlin resumes. >> the government of south sudan signed a cease-fire deal with rebels on thursday. it was the first sign of progress after years of negotiations in the epm -- ethiopian capital, addis ababa.

thousands have been killed in the fighting, and around half a million displaced. a power struggle between the president and his former deputy. the spot reports of ongoing fighting, it is hoped the truce will be a first step toward lasting peace. >> canadian teen pop star justin bieber was a listed -- arrested in florida, craving headline news around the world. he was cited for drunk driving. the court appearance took place by video link through prison. he was later released on bail. intin bieber admitted to seeming marijuana and prescription drugs before getting in the car. he has also been charged with resisting arrest. >> thank you for hearing us right away. >> it is the latest in a series of incidents involving justin bieber, which has tarnished his squeaky clean image.

>> a former yugoslav and croatian secret agent was extradited to germany on friday to face trial for his alleged role in a cold war assassination. he has been linked to the murder of a yugoslav dissident in germany three decades ago. yugoslav agents grossly observed .issidents abroad after croatian independence, he continued in senior roles. ago, interview a few days he denied involvement in the killing. >> there is nothing that connects me with murders. ago that ing time had absolutely no involvement in the killing or other deaths. i was involved in classic secret service work. that means defending croatian territory. >> german federal prosecutors issued an arrest warrant against him and his former boss. toatia refused for months

extradite, but relented after the eu threatened to withhold aid. >> the former business partner of a kremlin critic was released from prison on thursday. his release was ordered by russia's highest court. he 57-year-old had been in jail since 2003, convicted of tax evasion and money laundering. -- like hisky partner, his imprisonment was slammed by international observers as politically motivated. greatness iss of starting young. video emerged at the end of the week of a super skateboarder in australia. the two-year-old is still in diapers, but can skateboard with the best of them. the toddler comes from a family of skateboard enthusiasts, and has apparently been practicing

since he was six months old. by his father,n is currently going viral. and that concludes our review of the week's news.

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