did particularly well in polls and so what we also heard from steinmeyer is that he is calling on germans to get embrace democratic change and if you are not satisfied with the current proceedings of things then yes we can change it but that doesn't necessarily mean that we have to feed into this the hate and particularly the far right populism that we've seen growing in recent years ok thank you that's political correspondent kate brady and you can watch the president christmas address in full later today on. now 30 years ago today romania's revolution drew to a close with the execution off dictator. it was the final and bloodiest chapter in the series of revolutions in the 1989 that overthrew communism in europe that then voice is a retired military prosecutor who played a role in ending the tyranny and he shares his perspectives on that to moshe's time when the revolution broke out in december 1909 was in the sick of it this barracks in togo vish to remain years hate to dictate to nicolae ceausescu and his wife elena who are on trial. a young prosecutor at the time cross-examined the c

did particularly well in polls and so what we also heard from steinmeyer is that he is calling on germans to get embrace democratic change and if you are not satisfied with the current proceedings of things then yes we can change it but that doesn't necessarily mean that we have to feed into this the hate and particularly the far right populism that we've seen growing in recent years ok kate thank you that's political correspondent kate brady. and you can watch president stand by as christmas address in full later today on. a wildfire in the city off valparaiso has damaged or destroyed more than say a 100 homes several districts in the western part of the city had to be evacuated it's not known what triggered the blaze but hot temperatures and strong winds helped the flames to spread. fleeing the flames with pets. and household possessions. the fire started in the woody hilly area on valspar esau's outskirts and quickly spread. to consume dozens of homes in its path. under huge boulder thick black smoke rose above the city. as the flames crept closer residents tried in vain to stop them a

president steinmeyer visited the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could. this christmas he asked germans to fight hatred and defend democracy. democracy needs self assured citizens who have confidence and drive common sense and decency and who show solidarity with others. i know that all these qualities are present in you. in this society. steinmeyer says what exemplifies germans is their daily commitment to improving society as you lend a hand to help your fellow human being in your neighborhood in your clubs as a volunteer or a salaried employee thousands of you are helping even tonight for example in police stations in hospitals and care homes. flung hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. and you can hear the german the president's the christmas address in its entirety right after this newscast but we 1st want to give you a round up now of some of the other stories making news around the world. and burkina faso $35.00 civilians almost all of them women were

steinmeyer says what exemplifies germans is their daily commitments to improve society. you lend a hand to help your fellow human beings in your neighborhood in your clubs as a volunteer or a salaried employee thousands of you are helping and even tonight for example in police stations hospitals and in care homes president steinmeyer says he hopes germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. and you can watch president's timers speech in its entirety here on news at midnight berlin time that's then about 2 hours but next we shift our attention to remain about country is marking 30 years since the execution of former dictator nicolai churches screw the overthrow of his communist regime while sharp who would remain here for over 2 decades that imposed hiving off our tarrying former leadership on his country following a brief show trial he was executed along with his wife elena on christmas day 989. and ditto views are search she joins us now he was there at that momentous time in romania is hi

president steinmeyer visited the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could this christmas he asked germans to fight hatred and defend democracy well. democracy needs self assured citizens who have confidence and dry common sense and decency and who show solidarity with others. hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. ok for more on this i'm joined by data political correspondent kate brady kate president say it off the events that took place in $21000.00 he reflects mostly on the attack in the city of what does that tell us and i think it really underlines the importance of this issue right now in germany of course the number of reports of anti-semitic crimes has been slowly creeping up in recent years and of course the events in hollerin october which you mentioned really did shape german society and of course under semitism is an issue that germany is still trying to address and has been trying to address for decades now and of course whenever crimes like this happen anywhere i

steinmeyer said the event he reflected on most was the anti-semitic attack in halle. >> it underlies the importance of the issue in germany and in other countries as well, but, specifically, the number of reported anti-semitic crimes in germany has been creeping up in recent years and the event in halle and october really shook german society, and he really used this attack as a symbol in his speech, specifically the door, which prevented the attacker from entering the synagogue back in october, saying if that door was strong enough to stop that attack, or germans now strong enough and capable to stand up against anti-semitism, but also whiter than that, are they stronger and capable to stand up against any kind of racism and any kind of hate? laila: that was kate brady, our political correspondent on the president's address. you can hear the speech in its entirety after our newscast, at midnight here in berlin. that's just under three hours' time. first, i want to take a look at some other stories making news around the world. in burkina faso, 35 civilians, almost all of them women,

also noted how political debates have become more prominent while president steinmeyer told germans we live in highly political times and added i really don't think we can complain about a lack of freedom of speech far from it we haven't had this many arguments in years and you can see and watch the german president's the christmas address in its entirety on ditto you news on christmas day. next we turn our attention to syria where there has been no end to the misery inflicted on civilians in the besieged province of idlib the last major rebel on clay facing the latest regime offensive russian airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 8 people 5 of them children sheltering in a school in the province the united nations is warning that children are now bearing the brunt of serious increasingly violent conflict. multitool now men in egypt has become a ghost town people living here have fled the government offensive against rebels. shaab people are fed up fled to live in the alief trees this is a vegetable market there's no one here i don't see how anyone other than journalists tak

in this society because of steinmeyer says what exemplifies germans is their daily commitments to improve society. you lend a hand to help your fellow human beings in your neighborhood in your clubs as a volunteer or a salaried employee thousands of you are helping even tonight for example in police stations hospitals and in care homes. president don meyer says he hopes germans can continue to find courage and often is in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. well the jury's political correspondent kate brady a joins me to talk more about the president's address and imus this time i said that the event that that he reflected reflected on the most was the anti semitic attack in hollywood does that tell us well it really underlines the importance of this issue right now in germany and in other countries as well but specifically of course the number of reported on to semitic crimes in germany has been creeping up in recent years and they have vents in hala in october that attack that really show could german society and he really used this attack as a symbo

president steinmeyer visited the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could this christmas he asked germans to find hatred and defend democracy. democracy needs self assured citizens who have confidence and drive common sense and decency and to show solidarity with others. i know that all these qualities are present in you. in this society. john meyer says what exemplifies germans is their daily commitment to improving society. to help your fellow human being in your neighborhood in your clubs as a volunteer or a salaried employee thousands of you are helping even tonight for example in police stations in hospitals and care homes. hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. well the jury's political correspondent kate brady or joins me to talk more about the president's address and then mr stein my said that the event that he reflected got reflected on the most was the anti semitic attack in hollywood just tell us well it really underlines the importance of this issue right now in ge

president steinmeyer visited the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could. this christmas he asked germans to fight hatred and defend democracy for. democracy needs self assured citizens who have confidence and dry common sense and decency and who show solidarity with others funk hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. and you can watch president christmas address in full later today on d w. now let's take a look at some of the other stories making news around the world in hong kong demonstrators are continuing a standoff with police following christmas eve protests riot police fired tear gas in a major shopping district activists blocked streets and smashed shop windows anti-government protests in hong kong and now in this 7th month. thousands of people in bangalore in southern india have held a candlelight vigil so precious a controversial citizenship nor the legislation speeds up indian citizenship for people from several asian countries but not if they are mus

president steinmeyer visit the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could. this christmas he asked germans to find hatred and defend democracy. democracy needs self-assured citizens who have confidence and drive common sense and decency and who show solidarity with others. hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. on december 26th 15 years ago a tsunami killed nearly a quarter of a 1000000 people a gigantic wave in gulf the coast of indonesia sri lanka india and thailand and 9 other countries the wave that hit indonesia was 17.4 meters high and underwater quake that caused it was one of the strongest ever recorded sri lanka's eastern coast was especially hard hit more than 10000 people died in the southern region. can dial. looks out over the indian ocean nearly every day get up and deter life 15 years ago when she lost almost her entire family to the massive tsunami. only a little bit of law but all 9 of us lived near the beach so many tonight when i think about th

which 2 of our fellow citizens were murdered on the streets by the moderate forums and president steinmeyer visited the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could. this christmas he asked germans to fight hatred and defend democracy rusty the ball democracy needs self-assured citizens who have confidence and drive common sense and decency and who show solidarity with others. hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future and you can watch president as christmas address in full on. a wildfire in the chilean city of bell but it is still has stem it still destroyed more than a 100 homes several districts in the western part of the city had to be evacuated it's not known what triggered the blaze but hot temperatures and strong winds helped the flames to spray. fleeing the flames with pets. and household possessions. the fire started in the woody hilly area on valspar esau's outskirts and quickly spread. it consumed dozens of homes in its path. under huge boulder thick black smoke rose above the

was awarded the german order of merit the country's highest civic honor by president fun fall to steinmeyer in berlin the award celebrates the 41 year old's athletic career and commitment to community service if it is a unicef ambassador and launched a foundation supporting children dealing with poverty in illness in 2001 thing after the awards ceremony and it made it clear he's enjoying himself after 21 years in the pros. it's a full on fungus i said from the start that when my career was over i would need a year or 2 to take a step back and enjoy my family they played 2nd fiddle long enough. the wicki is no stranger to accolades he led the dallas mavericks to the 2011 n.b.a. title and was the 1st ever european to win the league m.v.p. award in 2007 his larger than life play in the u.s. helped elevate the previously rarely played game back home. though he's accomplished enough for a lifetime germany's record point getter is already thinking of the next step. off a souped up i listen i've always tried to give everything for my sport with passion and heart. but now i want to different perspe

president steinmeyer visited the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could this christmas he asked germans to find hatred and defend democracy rusty democrat the ball democracy needs self assured citizens who have confidence and drive common sense and decency and to show solidarity with others funk hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. well the political correspondent kate brady or joins me to talk more about the president's address and then mr stein my said that the event that that he reflected got reflected on the most was the anti semitic attack in hollywood just tell us what it really underlines the importance of this issue right now in germany and in other countries as well but specifically of course the number of reported anti-semitic crimes in germany has been creeping up in recent years and the events in in october that attack that really show could german society and he really used this attack as a symbol in his speech specifically the door which actually prevented th

steinmeyer also noted how political debates have become more prominent.e told germans, "we live in highly political times," and added "i really don't think we can complain about a lack of freedom of speech -- far from it, we have not had this many arguments in many years." you can see and watch the german president's christmas address in its entirety on "dw news" on christmas day. next we turn our attention to serial weather has been no end to the misery inflicted on the last major rebel enclave facing the regime offensive. airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least eight people, five of them children sheltering in school in the idlib province. the united nations is warning that children are now beariring the brurunt of syria's increasingly violent conflict. >> it has become a ghost town. people living here have fled the government offensive against rebels. >> people are fed up. they fled to live under olive trees. this is a vegetable mararket. there's s no one here. i have not seen ananne other ththan journaliststs taking pictctures. >> most of those

president steinmeyer visited the location of the anti semitic attack as soon as he could. this christmas he asked germans to find hatred and defend democracy for. democracy needs self assured citizens who have confidence and drive common sense and decency and who show solidarity with others funk hopes the germans can continue to find courage and optimism in the coming year so they can find the strength to create a better future. stay with us for the german president's christmas address in full coming up straight after the news but 1st let's take a look at some of the other stories making news around the world. michael bloomberg a u.s. billionaire with his sights set on the democratic candidate for president is under fire after unknowingly employing prison labor for his campaign the former new york city mayor's staff subcontracted a vendor that uses prison based call centers with female inmates to place calls on his behalf. in a friend's ballet dancers took part in a strike against the government's pension reforms by performing parts of swan lake on the steps of the paris o

america but went to colombia and ecuador and to the collapse because silence in february 29000 steinmeyer all great of the whole year to mark the 250th anniversary of birth wolf was of course the perfect member of the delegation since she had helped to rescue the great explorer from brevity of oblivion. if someone had told me 8 years ago when i sat on my own in an archive reading through home was horrible had writing that in 2019 i would listen to the german president give a speech in quito about whom was relevance for the environmental debate today i would have never believed it and that for me was very very very important moment a moment with goosebumps and everything because through me the homework that is so important is the one who talks about who warns about the destruction of the environment. more than 200 years ago and to see him being used for this argument again i think is just wonderful. has been translated into many languages and sold in dozens of. countries she's been invited all over the world has received numerous prizes and given dozens of speeches at conferences or on tel

self-governing forces self-support areas of donetsk and luhansk regions also about incorporation of steinmeyer formular. of course draw a lot of issues we weren't able to resolve today unfortunately. obviously we will have to do this in the future i'm confident that we will do this together. the nominee for happened 3 years ago. and the fagot were able to start this dialogue. i think this is quite positive also i want to emphasize the role principles that i will never break and will now while 8 as a president of ukraine. and which. people will never agree with which is inability of federalization possibility for resolution cranium is unitary country it is according to the constitution off ukraine. another thing is. that it is impossible to actually affect director of development of ukraine ukraine is independent democratic country. of development will always be chosen by the people of ukraine 3rd thing that it is impossible to come to compromise in resolving the conflict in the east by means of. reducing control of the territory so everybody knows that each ukrainian considers donbass and crim

was awarded the german order of merit the country's highest civic honor by president funk focus steinmeyer in berlin. via word celebrates the 41 year old's athletic career and commitment to community service if it is a unicef ambassador and launched a foundation supporting children dealing with poverty and illness in 2001 pivots he is no stranger to academics he led the dallas mavericks to the 2011 n.b.a. title and was the 1st ever european to win the league m.v.p. award in 2007 his larger than life play in the u.s. helped elevate the previously rarely played game back home to wicki is also his national team's record point getter with a career unlikely to be replicated any time soon. he's a tall one aren't his remind of the top story that we're following for. leaders of adopting a joint statement that seeks to play down fears of disunity within the military alliance on the 2nd thing of summit talks member states acknowledge the challenges posed by china's growing influence the 1st days all sharp differences between the american and french presidents. you're watching the w. news after a sho

well what we have at least is an agreement on a path for what that is what is called the so-called steinmeyer form that there will be local elections which will be followed by a special status for that i'm. after german president and founder is 9 miles right exactly that's where this formula comes from however this still barely a lot of questions how this formula will be implemented so 1st of all will this fall going to be implemented under control of the well both sides under government control and international control so that many steps that have to be considered until they can be steps for what which will perhaps in the end lead to the dumbass wheaten coming back to ukrainian control and also the border between ukraine and russia being back under control of the government which is the most important aspect now that the new you can. any and president volodymyr selenski he was elected partly on a promise of bringing peace to ukraine how important is it for him to deliver on that promise it is very important and also he wanted an aliyah summit he wanted the summit already in september so it

nowitzki has received germany's highest civic honor in a ceremony in berlin germany present from the steinmeyer awarded him the order of merit for his sporting achievements as well as charity work with see retired in april at the age of 40 after playing 21 seasons for the dallas mavericks in the n.b.a. in 2007 the german was voted the league's most valuable player and later led the mavericks to an n.b.a. championship in 2011. so congratulations to him now you are watching the dubbed in news here's a recap of the breaking news story that we're following for you this man from georgia was gunned down in broad daylight in a burning pot last summer. now germany has expressed to russian diplomats in connection with the killing german prosecutors suspect russian or church and involvement in the killing. coming up next on news asia. on death row in china but innocent iraqis to form a managed to regain deaf. and be the one to tell the last launch of democracy into itself the same possible under prime minister that in the more these hindu nationalist government. that and more coming up on the dr news asi

special status for the less than the guns and the steinmeyer formula. another key sticking point is this border again our correspondent just mentioned that that is the border between the republics and the russian federation why is this such a sticking point for both ukraine and russia. well it's a sticking point because there's very little trust between the 2 sides because there's a fear that once. the ukraine. return of the coup control of the borders returns fluke year they are going to relaunch their offensive against the people looked at us no longer and the russians will then be in local station to provide any assistance so that's what they want to put in place before them in place there you've got the constitutional change it's there in the guise of use of the special status and you have the elections and so therefore then and only then will you marry you know bring in your borders under control otherwise basically we're going to go back to what happened in 2014 when the government launched a horrific offensive against these 2 provinces georgia le

a 2-part question about the current status and the first is whether the steinmeyer formula is something the opinion of russian government agreed upon after the paris meeting and if that is the case where it fits in ukrainian public opinion, how unpopular would that be in certain parts of the opinion body politic? >> the ukrainian public opinion was very suspicious of all the moves, steps and statements that were made on the way to normandy. we had a -- protesters stayed overnight to wait until the press conference and outcomes of the normandy meeting and once they heard the president speaking at the press conference they said we are finally going home. that is the best kind of message so when the formula 1st appeared in public space the reaction was hysterical. on the day when the announcement was made that we agreed to i came back home and my mother in law was babysitting kids and she attacked me and said i had to resign from this corrupt country's government that will compromise ukraine and give it to the hands of vladimir putin. i had to open a bottle of cognac, fill a glass for her

i have a two-part question about the current status of minist minister diplomacy and if the steinmeyer formula is something that they've agreed upon after the paris meeting and where that fits in the ukrainian-- if that's popular for a certain part of the opinion body politic. and they were suspicious of the moves, steps and statements made on the way to normandy. we had a protest in front of the presidential office who stayed -- protesters stayed overnight to wait until the press conference and the outcomes of normandy meeting. and once they heard the president speaking at the press conference, they said, okay, we're finally going home. that's the best -- that's the best kind of message. so when the formula first appeared in public space, the reaction was hysterical. on the day when the announcement was made that we agreed to it, i came back home and my mother-in-law was baby-sitting kids and she attacked me and she said i have to resign from this corrupt country, government that will compromise ukraine and will give it into the hands of putin. so i had to open the bottle of cognac an

we now have the steinmeyer formation and i would like to get from secretary hale, your thoughts about how were proceeding -- is russia winning this debate on how we will resolve conflict in ukraine by developing a formula that will ignore the occupation of crimea and establish a tom any for eastern ukraine with still keeping ukraine as a divided country, is that where we are headed? what is going on in this proce process. >> we are united with our allies in europe and of course with the leadership in ukraine to get the russians out of ukraine. crimea is part of ukraine in eastern ukraine as part of ukraine, that's objective. and we call for immediate entity to get this occupation. our focus, several initiatives as you said and it's good that the normandy process is resuming after a long period where there was nothing happening. we'll see what comes on the ninth of december. i don't want to predict something that has not fully formed yet. but we've also seen president zelensky has with some success been able to engage in dialogue with the russians for attention. but we need to see much

we now have the steinmeyer formation and i would like to get your thoughts about how we are proceeding. is russia winning the debate on how we are going to resolve conflicts in ukraine by developing a formula that will ignore the occupation to establish semi autonomy for eastern ukraine but still keeping ukraine a divided country? what is going on in this process? >> we are united with our allies in europe and with leadership in ukraine to get the russians out of ukraine. crimea is pretty ukraine, eastern ukraine is part of ukraine. that is the objective and we call for the immediate end to this occupation but our focus, there are several initiatives as you said. the process is resuming over a long period where nothing was happening. we will see what happens on 9 december. i don't want to predict something that hasn't fully formed yet but we have also seen that president zelinski has reduced the tension. but we need to see more on the security front prior to any political activities related to minsk. the heart of the occupation. >> as it relates to the steinmeyer formulation that was r

the table is the minsk agreement in 2015 and recently it isn't not a version of it it's called a steinmeyer agreement which was signed by president selenski a couple of months ago basically what it means is that it paves the way for elections in the separatist a russian backed separatist territories in eastern ukraine and also a special status for this particular region but the main stumbling block here is that there are differences about the timeline ukraine wants elections only when the troops have been pulled out russia doesn't agree with that kind of timeline so that's something that seems there's not going to be a breakthrough on these very serious issues here what we are expecting is a very small break for maybe some small steps in this peace agreement maybe only a cease fire or another prisoner exchange that's also something that so once again is on the top of his agenda here all right for the mr vasant in paris force how the political crisis in lebanon is showing no sign of ending after a main contender for prime minister would drew from the race so i mean furtive says lebanon's top