>> live from berlin, you are watching "the journal." here's a look at what's coming up in the next 15 minutes. the military steps up its offensive to retake tikrit from isis and surgeons will stop in hong kong, hundreds of thousands of people vote in a referendum calling for more democracy in the chinese territory. soccer, the cup netherlands defeat mexico to advance to the quarterfinals.

>> the iraqi military has launched a major offensive to take back areas seized by the militant group isis. the government has bolstered its air power with the urges of russian fighter jets. the planes could be deployed in the battle for tikrit, two major -- one of two major cities that felt to insurgents earlier this month all stopped washington is also providing military support as the security situation across iraq continues to deteriorate. the offensive is unfolding both in the air and on the ground. a massive effort is being mounted to retake tikrit and pushback isis militants. resistance is strong and at this point, it's impossible to say which side has the upper hand. say the army was forced to retreat in some places, but there are also reports that isis has suffered as -- heavy casualties.

>> fighting continues, but tikrit university is now under our full control. university is very large and has a number of buildings, but the iraqi flag flies over all of them. >> russia is delivering equipment to the iraqi military. the first of more than a dozen russian fighter jets arrived in iraq. in urgent need of your support, baghdad paid 370 million euros for the planes. >> we desperately need these russian planes right now. they are especially useful in supporting our ground units and fighting isis terrorists. jets will come into service with the next four days to aid our soldiers and fight the isis terrorists. >> nearly 200 kilometers south of tikrit, security forces have set up fences around baghdad.

the army has deployed around 60,000 soldiers. the clear message is baghdad will not fall. >> german chancellor angela merkel and the french president held a four-way phone call on sunday with russian president vladimir putin and his ukrainian counterpart. the call was part of a push for diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crisis in eastern ukraine. they want to do and to pressure russian rebels to lay down their arms. shaky cease-fire between ukrainian military and rebels is due to expire on monday. the path forward is still anything but clear. several hundred residents took to the streets in eastern ukraine to demand an end to the ongoing conflict. the pro-russia demonstrators carried a giant ribbon, a russian symbol of bravery. but they want peace on their conditions. iswe are for peace, but what

peace? if they continue shooting, we will take up weapons and defend our land. we will fight for our home. in the ukrainian capital at the same time, several thousand people gathered outside the president's palace to protest against peace and the government's truth. they demanded more weapons to drive out the pro-russian separatist. >> they are not letting us fight, they are not deploying certain battalions, and russian -- russia is gathering its troops will stop the mission has to be faster. died or were injured again today. what is this these fire? there can be no cease-fire with such people. >> the violence continued over the weekend. three ukrainian soldiers were killed in an insurgent attack near the eastern city of sloppy on scott.

this video released by the ukrainian defense ministry shows a government literary convoy in the same area and troops exchanging fire with unidentified assailants. >> there are unconfirmed reports that islamist extremists have killed as many as 30 to build -- 30 villagers in northeastern nigeria. witnesses say many of the victims were christians. they reportedly burned down for churches and the number of homes as well. wheretack took place near boko haram insurgents abducted nearly 200 schoolgirls in april. benjamin netanyahu says his country is ready to expand its military operations in the gaza strip. the warning follows airstrikes by israeli jets against targets in gaza after a rocket attack on the israeli town of sterritt. the military says it attacked 12 sites in gaza, used for what it called terror activity.

the palestinians said two people were injured. there has been an increase in rocket attacks from gaza this month as the israeli army carried out operations against hamas in the west bank while searching for three missing israeli teenagers. , nearly 800,000 people have taken part in an unofficial poll on electoral reform. the boat is part of a campaign by activist to crank out the pressure on authorities for democratic reform. beijing has denounced the poll, calling it a farce. voting in hong kong's unofficial referendum wrapped up on sunday. organizers are fighting for the right to choose their leaders directly. while the results of the ballots will not be legally binding, they believe the action has symbolic significance. >> this boat is very meaningful.

it's an opportunity for the people of hong kong to exercise their civil rights. have rejectedia the vote as an illegal farce. under the present system, a committee is responsible for choosing candidates for hong kong's top leadership positions. activist say that limits their choice to beijing-friendly politicians. the former british colony was returned to chinese rule in 1997 under a so-called one country two systems arrangement. a policy report this month says the self-governance was subject to authorization from beijing. interest bonds, thousands of lawyers took part in a silent protest to stop occupy central, which organized the boat, says it will call massive protests and her allies the financial district of the government doesn't agree to reforms. officials are seeking to calm investors fears after rumors of an impending banking crisis sparked runs on two major institutions.

the president said the rumors are false and there's no need to worry about savings account all stopped the comments come after authorities detained six people for plotting to to stabilize the banking system. police launched a criminal investigation in response to a series of e-mails and text usages that incited fears the country's third-largest bank is close to collapse. cup soccer now, warhol and made a dramatic impact in the dying seconds of their match against mexico to win the game 221. the mexicans controlled most of the game but in the last 10 minutes, the dutch took over and the effort paid off all stopped >> mexico were on the verge of a major upset, with minutes or meeting, they lit into goals that ended their world cup aspirations. the mexicans dominated but they also had a bit of luck. just before halftime, the netherlands were not awarded a penalty when the dutch star was fouled in the penalty area.

then in the second half, the mexicans drew first blood as there was a score for a one nil lead. thedutch team was facing prospect of elimination. but that's when they upped their game. the mexican keeper made some egg saves until the 88th minute. that is when a veteran mitts -- veteran midfield got it a shot that left and. the game went into extra time. he was fouled after making other tantalizing run to the box. he took the penalty shot and made no mistake for the final 221 victory. >> joining us now to discuss the match is art from the dw sports desk. the netherlands and mexico -- mexico controlled most of the match and the netherlands are through. what happened? >> ari and robin happened. use the dutch player you could

count on from the beginning of this game until the very end. he tried his best to press forward even when the rest of the dutch players were not dominating the game. also the dutch were able to rally because they paste themselves better. -- dutch rarely threatened there was a penalty shot that could have been awarded it wasn't, but they paste themselves better. i think the mexicans ran out of energy and that's when the dutch smelled blood and went for the jugular. >> let's talk about robin for a minute. the dutch of them a lot stop is there too much pressure on him? >> you can always count on him and he's used to pressure. he plays for viramune egg, which is a team in the headlines for good or bad. he's used to that and on the international devil, the community relishes it and it is his time to shine. i think he's going to rise to the occasion. >> briefly, how far do you see

them going? >> normally i would say they would not go another round. they will lose mcwhorter idle but they are going to play against either costa rica or grace. i love what costa rica are doing and they might expand to the semi finals because one of those two opponents. >> thank you so much for joining me in the studio. today's action includes a clash of the underdogs, costa rica versus greece. neither team should have reached the knockout phase, but they're going in full of confidence while the greek side rethinks strategy. arica's footballers have made a name for themselves and secured a new generation of fans. pastpractically danced uruguay, italy and england. the world cup adventure continues with greece. >> we are looking only at ourselves.

andcountrymen back home until the last possible minute. >> the costa rica and are thoroughly enjoying their success and some consider them a good that to win against greece. thinking of the biggest success but we are remaining realistic. >> the greeks put great faith in their defense. >> we got through the group phase. now we have the great opportunity to take our story further. >> greece or costa rica? neither were expected to make it this far but only one of them would take it a step further and reach the quarterfinals.

>> young musicians from all over the world are in berlin to attend the young classic orchestra festival. it brings together some of the most gifted young instrumentalist, but not everyone enjoys the same prospects will stop in romania, lack of funding talented youth have little chance of making it as professional resistance. >> playing in the orchestra is a big honor. downside.is a national in romania's youth orchestra don't get paid for these services. the 22-year-old violinist took off time from studies in munich to attend reversals. >> at the beginning, it was really tough getting everyone together but we are all really happy. we didn't think it would be so big and successful. the percussionist is one of a fool -- one of the few

intermediate with a full-time job. he earns just a fraction of what he would make in germany. >> here, the salary is about 1600 euros a month. in romania, you would not get 400 or 500 euros as a percussionist. >> these young players dream of making it as professional resistance, but to do that, they need to go abroad. being part of the national youth orchestra is a matter of prestige. some 1000 musicians from around the world are taking part in the annual young euro classic festival in berlin. many of the young players would like to stay. they say be positioned have the best prospect in germany. >> most of the world's musicians consider germany to be an artist's paradise. an incredible number of them come here to study and they expect to be able to pursue a career after their studies will >> on that note, we leave

you. thank you for watching "the journal." >> u.s. secretary of state john kerry traveled to iraq on monday to discuss the sectarian violence threatening to tear the country apart. he urged nuri al-maliki to change his tactics. essential that iraq possibly leaders form a genuinely inclusive government as rapidly as possible within their own constitutional framework. intense,rt will be sustained, and if iraq possibly leaders take the necessary steps to bring the country together, it will be effective.

>> the u.s. accuses maliki of marginalizing sunnis and driving them into the arm of islamist fighters that control much of northern and western iraq. are fightingtants to establish an islamist state in iraq and syria. >> a court in egypt handed down sentences on monday for journalists accused of supporting the muslim brotherhood. and two egyptians working for al jazeera were given seven to 10 years in prison after a trial in which many said the prosecutors presented no credible evidence. the sentence stunned the defendants and sparked international criticism. >> we are deeply dismayed by the fact that a sentence has been imposed and we are appalled by the severity of it. officials denied the verdict was political and said it had nothing to do with freedom of speech.

>> a court in sudan freed a woman who is sentenced to death from converting from islam to christianity. adjusted day later, she was seized at the airport as she tries to leave the country with her american husband. officials accuse the 27-year-old mother of resenting falsified travel documents. on thursday, she was again released on the condition she remain in the country and was granted refuge at the u.s. embassy. jensenrman military private plane collided over western germany on monday. both civilians were killed. the euro fighter plane was able to return to its base. investigators are examining what caused the collision. >> russian president vladimir putin announced a change of

policy toward ukraine on tuesday. speaking ahead of a is a to austria, he said he would ask parliament to revoke his authorization to intervene militarily in ukraine. he said the move was aimed at easing tensions in russia's neighbor, but the russian leader called on kiev to engage in direct talks with separatists in control of parts of eastern ukraine. his partial backdown was seen as some as a response to pressure ahead of the european union summit later in the week. eu leaders have threatened fresh economic sanctions of austell failed to promote de-escalation. >> france's national front announced they failed to unite right wing parties in the european parliament. our needed 25 members of lament from seven different

countries to be able to be accorded status as a parliamentary group. as an officially recognized lock, the far right parties would have enjoyed special privileges. these it would have included extra funding from the eu. >> iraqi prime minister nuri al-maliki rejected calls to form a government of national unity on wednesday. the shiite leader said giving in to demands to share power with other groups would be tantamount to a two. for the formation of a so-called national salvation government is an attempt by those who oppose the constitution to put an end to the democratic protests. >> international appeals to form a unity government or echo by . i'llntial shiite iraq solder who said the future of much wrap -- should represent all parts of the iraqi population.

more than a million people have been displaced from their homes as the fighting continues. many sought refuge in the safety of kurdish controlled areas will stop there is also growing concern among barak's neighbors with the conflict threatening to further destabilize the entire region. >> the situation in ukraine dominated the meeting of foreign ministers in brussels on wednesday. the top diplomat said russia must stop arming pro-russian separatists in eastern ukraine. safely say the arms and equipment clearly enhance of some groups of separatists were not all at the local supermarket. >> nato ministers called on russia to do more to diminish tensions in eastern europe will stop the threat posted by nato cold war effort for the united

states called on members to increase military spending. >> more than 20 people were killed in the nigerian capital on wednesday when an explosion shook a busy shopping area. the blast occurred as many shoppers were getting ready for the world cup match. there was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion fell on boko haram. they have targeted the city in recent months. polls tos went to the elect a new parliament. the vote went ahead despite continuing unrest in parts of the country. 22 of the new seats are reserved for women. would usher in a more stable government. libya has been gripped by a power struggle between islamists and moderate since the ousting

of dictator muammar coffee three years ago. >> european union leaders began their june summit on thursday with a ceremony in belgium. they were remembering the out rate of world war i 100 years ago. around half a million people died in fighting in the small belgian town between 1914 and 1918. he gained notoriety as the battlefield with the german army played poison gas for the first time. today, rows of graves are a somber reminder of the horrors of war. what hundred years later, european cooperation is proof that at least some lessons have been learned from history. the world health organization warned on thursday that west africa's able a outbreak is likely to spread further. any thismic began in

year and has been transmitted to neighboring countries. so far, it has claimed some 400 lives, making it the worst the aid to date stop organization, doctors without borders, says more health workers are needed to educate people. the disease is spread by bodily fluids and causes organ failure and is fatal to 90% of cases. >> the group phase of the world cup wrapped up in the salon thursday with a one nolan for germany over the u.s. both teams advanced to the knockout stage. group rivals portugal and ghana exited the tournament. the first two weeks of way were a disappointment for spain as well as four-time winner italy. both teams failed to qualify for the next round. italian fans were especially angered after uruguay star luis suarez bit an italian player heing their match will stop

protested to the referee who did no action. received a band for nine international matches and was sent home. uruguay advanced after their one to nothing win. >> eu leaders meeting in brussels shows a new president for the european commission. back the 28 member states the former luxembourg prime minister. >> i think the decision is one that is us a president of the european commission with european experiments and to will also be responsive to the wishes of the individual member states at the european parliament will >> david cameron lobbied hard against him and that he regretted the choice.

opposed him on the ground he was too much of a federalist and in favor of war power for brussels will stop the election is likely to prevent skeptics for a membership in the run-up 2017. angela merkel made it clear she takes london's concerns gracefully and she hopes britain will opt to remain in the european union. -- the at the eu summit block signed association agreements with ukraine and two other former soviet states, moldova and georgia. the ukrainian president signed the treaty, which is rss or rejected last year, triggering antigovernment or test that eventually ushered in new leadership in kiev. it binds the country poster to the eu i removing all trade barriers to the common market. moskal threatened consequences for ukraine, saying russia will do everything in its power to protect its economic interests.

>> the german parliament on friday approved reforms to the country's transition to renewable energy. outside, protesters/the subsidies for cutting to renewable energy suppliers and demonstrator say that will result in more power generated from fossil fuel. in parliament, the economics minister defended the reforms will stop he said the energy transition was becoming to trend -- compete -- becoming too expensive. >> in recent years, costs have risen by 10 ilion euros. since 2010, they have more than doubled. -- 10 billion euros. to regulate set electricity will have to pay a levy. intensive industries will >>largely unaffected of stop

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