we'll take a very quickly. >> regarding western balkans. we know that russia exerts influence there. not only serbia, but for example in greece. do you know, do we have knowledge about united states government to make pressure on those countries. to impose sanctions on russia, even those eu members like greece. >> u.s. pressure on serbia and others to follow the russian sanctions. >> yes, even those such as greece, because russia has links with greece and finance, we have information finance french right-wing parties and everything like that. >> three big questions. i'll let you, if you want to russia/japan relations and sort of russia's policy in asia. any reflections on russia's policy vis-a-vis the african congo if you have that level of specificity and how to encourage european countries such as serbia and others to follow u.s. sanctions path. olya, i'll start with you. >> on japan, i think this is a really interesting and valuable question to ask. because if russian japanese reapproachment does happen, i think that damages the russia r

>> first off, the western balkans, i agree that is an area of concern. it is an area of concern because it is an unresolved set of conflicts and one that the e.u. and nato has not stepped in to say this is a part of europe and it is going to be successful, democratic, and so on. it is a bit of a gray zone. that is an opportunity. within that you have indigenous constituencies that are unhappy, they look to russia as an alternative to the status quo. that is an opportunity for russia to work with those constituencies. the opposite is true among nato and eu countries where we have done a good job of building constituencies for transatlantic orientation, for the e.u., for nato, even places like the baltic states, we have substantial russian speaking communities with no real affinity for being part of russia. they really want to be part of the baltic states. the example you have probably estonia. education in the issue is not that the russian speaking community does to learntheir kids estonian. they desperately want to be integrating into the current society

at this summit talking about connectivity with the western balkans, instead of using the words "enlargement" or "adhesion." >> thank you. seoul has vowed to mediate between the u.s. and north korea after pyongyang threatens to cancel a summit between kim jong-un and donald trump which is scheduled for june 12. south korea announced on wednesday it might not attend -- north korea announced on wednesday it might not attend if washington demands they abandon their nuclear arsenal. saying he hasn't received any inclination on the talks being in jeopardy. israel says it has launched an overnight air raid on a hamas facility in gaza after gunfire in the territory covered soldiers and damaged a building. mass protests saw 60 palestinians killed by israeli forces. hamas has claimed that most of the palestinians killed were members of the infamous group. netanyahu has responded saying israel will continue to protect itself. spokesman said today 50 of the 60 people killed were hamas' people. israel will continue to defend itself as much as necessary. anyone who threatens our communities, we will defe

and maybe the western balkans-- >> first, wilet me make it clea. there are concerns with just about every country in the world, including in the united states of america that i have, so, if you want me it talk about some of the trends in our own country that i don't think are healthy, i'll be glad to do that. but what russia is doing is a direct attempt to not only deal with their own country, but to deal in a more global way to affect democratic institutions. so, that's why i put a spotlight on russia. we don't see that from other countries that we are referring to. there have been some trends in greece that have been troublesome and i commented about that over the time. issues in regard to macedonia is one that i would like to see resolved. to me, this is something that, i understand it's a challenge. and i don't -- and it's-- i'm not on-- i'm not part of that history, so want to get too detailed, but that's an issue that i think that that region would be well-served by the resolution of that issue. so, in regards to serbia, serbia was moving tow

western balkans, i agree that is an area of concern. it is an area of concern because anis an on -- it is unresolved set of conflicts and one that the e.u. and nato has not stepped in to say this is a part of europe and it will be secure and so on. it is a bit of a gray zone. that is an opportunity. that you have constituencies that are unhappy, they look to russia as an alternative. that is an opportunity for russia to work with those constituencies. true among nato anti-e.u. companies where we have done a good job of building constituencies -- that is true among nato and e.u. countries where we have done a good job of building constituencies. they have no real affinity for being part of russia, they want to be part of the baltic states. you have heard of -- we look at education in estonia. is not that the russian speaking community is not want their kids to learn estonian, the issue is there are not enough teachers to teach them estonian. they desperately want to be integrating that in society. it is in the gray area where we have not

to your point on the 2016 -- in addition to greece or southern europe. >> in the western balkans, first let me make it clear, there are concerns just about every country in the world including the united states of america we talk about some of the trends our own country that are not healthy, i could do that. but with russia they're doing a direct attempt to not only deal in their own country put to deal and more global way to affect democratic institutions. that's i put a spotlight on russia. we don't see that from other countries. there have been trends in greece that have been troublesome. the issue in regards to macedonia i would love to see result. to me, this is something that i understand it's a challenge. and i'm not looking at that history so i don't want to but that's an interesting and area where i think they would be well served by that issue. so in regards to serbia, serbia was moving towards immigration in europe and it has slowed down. russia has been partially responsible for that. they recognize that area they can penetrate public opinion and affect the politics o

right that catalan conflict has implications beyond the spanish border i'm talking about the western balkans because cost of the first beat to join the you can advance any further. because pain will never recognize it probably fearing the capital and like you said d.c. any kind of scenario where spain may change position on cost of the of the keep its position on catalonia was foreign minister of spain during seven years and i have tremendous pressure from some european countries from the united states from some both countries to recognize course i never. you know cannot imagine how much i have to defend the spanish position because i knew what but president and i think russian federation understood. kosovo is the example of how to should be abided accepted this kind of recognition you know the kurdish sort of independent. mistaken international i said from the beginning and i think that would be the proceeds from the space if that is. between belgrade and pristina and they come most widely in a peaceful and agreed. settlement while the spain would recognize i would record my but i am proud

he talked about the western balkans. greece orn to southern europe, maybe the southern met -- maybe the western balkans? , thereme make it clear are concerns in just about every country in the world including want me toif you talk about the trends in our own country that i don't figure healthy, i will be glad to do that. doing is a direct attempt to not only deal with their own country but to deal in a more global way to affect democratic institutions. that's why a put a spotlight on russia. we don't see that from other countries that we are referring to. there have been trends in greece that are troublesome and i have commented about that. as far as macedonia, i would love to see that result. -- i would love cede that resolved. i understand it's a challenge. i'm not part of that history. to get to detail but that's an issue that i think that region would be well served by a resolution of that issue. in regards to serbia, serbia was moving toward integration in europe. it has slowed down. i think russia's partly responsi

are resuming their summit in the bulgarian capital sofia today with their counterparts from the western balkans they'll be discussing the e.u. expansion into that region with albania and macedonia at the head of the line but in parts of the balkans there are aspects of daily life that hardly reflect you standards in parts of kosovo for example women often face of the year discrimination domestic violence is rampant and the justice system there repeatedly turns a blind eye to that again man has been locked up in prishtina us women's prison for nine years now for killing her husband we can't reveal have real name the marriage lost it just a year but it was torture as a husband can be terrible and even. bush incredible but i should also i went to the police so often once i even took the pistol my husband said he'd bought to kill me if i felt threatened but the police did nothing so i don't remember their names but i do remember their faces when you wanted one told me if you were my wife you wouldn't have had the chance to come here or because i'd have killed you with this pistol if a policeman say

is seen as a community of stability and certainty, of a rules—based system, especially in the western balkanseuropean union left in the last few years because of its weakness has been filled by russia. in the current instability, there is still an awareness that, with all its faults and problems, the european union is holding on. but if it is like this at 27, how will it work at 37, 47? the question is what president macron is calling the coalition of the willing, which is going to be very, very important in the months to come, if international security keeps deteriorating. so, europe could move, especially for security reasons, towards a smaller coalition. so, a two speed europe. this is a very likely possibility. a bit of a reality check on the eu, all is not cheery in the eu. you have hungary, poland, moving to the far right. really challenging the liberal centre that is at the heart of the eu. these are serious, serious problems. serious challenges. but at the same time, they are pushing forward an attempt to find solutions, that will regroup more countries. that will be a delay for us in

european union leaders are also said to discuss in for truck infrastructure investment in the western balkans six countries from the region or so. membership but they could be met with resistance from members opposed to expanding the bloc yesterday's talks focusing on salvaging the iran nuclear deal after the us announced its out of the deal. a correspondent back riggins at that summit joins us now from sofia good morning to you a band leaders have a very tricky task ahead of them today offering balkan countries the prospect of closer links to counter russian influence while steering clear of openly offering them membership in the e.u. how are they going to bridge that. the year leaders with basically really new promises given fifteen years ago already in the summit intent on eking greece all balkan countries to join the european union some day if they are fit and if the e.u. is willing to take them in but today in sofia the only decoration that has these european countries these balkan countries have an european perspective the vote membership is not mentioned in that declaration so it's pus

right that catalan conflict has implications beyond the spanish border i'm talking about the western balkans because cost of us beat to join the you can advance any further. because ben will never recognize it probably fearing the couple and like you said d.c. any kind of scenario where spain may change position on cost of the of the keep its position on catalonia was foreign minister of spain during seven years and i have tremendous pressure from some european countries from united states from somebody countries to recognize course or i never. you know cannot imagine how much i have to defend the spanish position because i knew what but president and i think russian for that they should understood. kosovo is the example should not be abided accepted this kind of recognition you know the kurdish of independence is mistaken international i said from the beginning and i think that would be the position especially if that is. between belgrade and pristina and they come mo twenty in a peaceful and agreed in. settlement while the spain would recognize i would recognize but i am proud when. decide

supposed toit was be about the western balkans.ssion as far as the eu is concerned. as turned into a talk about how the eu confronts donald trump two issues that they don't like. first, the u.s. pulling out of the iran nuclear deal and second, the trade actions against the european union. , but has been no decision there has been an attempt to promote this united front in europe where we know that leaders squabble a lot. that says a lot. ♪ ♪ welcome back to "bloomberg best" i'm bloomberg chatterley. steve eiseman made a big-time that before the 28 -- 2008 crisis. he's now recommending that investors short deutsche bank. he explains why an exclusive conversation. -- deutschek has bank has real profitability issues. they haven't spent money on technology in a long time. they're probably undercapitalized. they are a problem bank. it has to shrink are medically. >> do you see more consolidation in these european banks? >> i can't speak to whether there will be consolidation or not, it will definitely be consolidation in the united stat

the summit was supposed to be about the western balkans, a low level discussion as far as the europeans concerned. but what it has turned to is a talking shop about how the e.u. confronts donald trump. mainly on two issues they don't like. one, the u.s. pulling out of the iran nuclear deal, and two, the trade sanctions against the european union. there have been no decisions, but i think there has been an attempt to promote this united front in europe, where we know that leaders squabble a lot. that says a lot. ♪ ♪ julia: welcome back to "bloomberg best." i'm julia chatterley. steve eisman made a famous bet against some prime mortgages -- subprime mortgages before the 2008 financial crisis. it was immortalized in the book and film, "the big short." he's recommending investors short deutsche bank. the explains why in an exclusive conversation with yvonne man. >> deutsche bank as a real possibility, issues in money and technology and has not spent money in a long time. they are probably undercapitalized. deutsche bank is a problem bank and has to shrink dramatically. yvonne: to see more

theresa may is in bulgaria for the eu—western balkans summit in sofia, where she will attend a workinge customs union, because we're leaving the european union. of course, we will be negotiating future customs arrangements with the european union, and i have set three objectives. the government has three objectives in those. we need to be able to have our own independent trade policy. we want as frictionless a border between the uk and the eu so that trade can continue, and we want to ensure that there is no hard border between northern ireland and ireland. live to westminster and our assistant political editor norman smith. if you are accommodated within the realms of possibility, despite what downing street is sailing, but that deadline might need to be extended, given the deadlock over the customs union? well, the speculation at westminster is now rife that mrs may is looking at the possibility of perhaps extending the deadline, so we remain in the customs union longer, for two reasons. one, a view that technically we simply will not be in place to put in place the sort of options t

sofia — was no coincidence — move — a nod to potential future expansion of the eu bloc into the western balkansat the french president had to say. i'm not in favour of moving towards a large but before we have the required certainties and before reform has been made on it deepening functioning of the eu. our europe correspondent gavin lee is in sofia. the security cars a comment to the leaders in what has been the first summit between european leaders and the six leaders of the balkan states that have met for the first time in 15 years. the point being here that the national palace of culture and sofia and bulgaria is that the eu are saying we want to improve links with the balkan states that want to join the eu. the other issues of corruption, allegations of cronyism ina corruption, allegations of cronyism in a government which has long stopped the likes of albania and macedonia, montenegro, boss media, kosovo from joining. it's worth noting that the expansion seems to be bands today because it seems a sensitive time. with brexit and going from 28 to 27. issues with the financial crisis and a

something that you have stored in the region of the western balkans today the president of the european. union just released of that he said i would like to thank you. and you start something you want to host a european heads of state government to sofia but. we. meant is afflicted with enough to ensure that we keep peace as best we can thank. god for an important step forward is one that germany and france have taken around the conflict in ukraine i'm pleased. to see you we haven't achieved the kinds of successes we wanted in a nominee format but we know that with conflicts you have to be in it for the long haul and we will be to make sure that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of ukraine is preserved thank you ma'am come up. to get there when you find particularly when france germany and britain. have a clear attitude in terms of defending a rally we know that the situations in extremely complicated and wondering the escalation in recent hours have shown us that it really is a matter of war and peace and i can only advocate that everyone above if need more exercise restraint b

theresa may is in bulgaria for the eu—western balkans summit in sofia, where she will attend a working be leaving the customs union, as we're leaving the european union. of course, we will be negotiating future customs arrangements with the european union, and i have set three objectives, the government has three objectives in those. we need to be able to have our own independent trade policy, we want as frictionless a border between the uk and the eu, so that trade can continue, and we want to ensure that there's no hard border between northern ireland and ireland. there are fears ofjob losses at mothercare with the company set to close 50 of its 137 remaining stores. former chief executive mark newton—jones is also expected to be re—appointed just over a month after he was sacked over poor christmas sales. full—year results for the retailer are due this morning. some experts predict a 95% fall in profits. that's a summary of the latest bbc news. more at 9.30. thank you. we are just looking at your emails about fixed odds betting terminals and the stake being reduced from £100 down to

those normal conditions will prevail over night was showers around the balkans for greece and turkey and the circulation the western med slowly improving other words the wind is lightning the showers not as widespread as they have been the last couple of days and in fact the warmth is increasing in western europe twenty four to twenty seven against the british isles about the same as the remnants here in romania where the rest of europe is just recovering having dropped ten degrees it's starting to warm spell you get on that massive great he's going to be i think a big mass of thunderstorms and heavy showers from remaining through greece still into turkey and probably macedonia as well remaining showers in southern france just a few wondering thunderstorms but that feels a bit more like spring the weather by this time should have improved on the north coast of algeria tunisia the wind is lighter no showers around but the difference in temperature in current as one twenty seven in cairo but the breeze brings forty six to us one. top stories people voting in their first parliamentary election. ballots in beirut is ha

central areas the risk of some storms that extends down through the balkans into southeastern parts of europe and across ukraine into western parts of russia we've got an air of low pressure giving some rain is also looking pretty unsettled across more western areas is a frontal system pushing in across the u.k. and down through france do you would like to see some snow over the alps during the course of sunday is cold air pushes in generally and across the west chance i want to share a spot generously quite a weather but still the risk of some big showers across more southeast and there is continues although aside the military in weather conditions looking generally fine the wind is telling to come off the mediterranean so it's not particularly warm but caro should fret quite well with a maximum of thirty degrees and it stays fine as we head on through into sunday into central parts of africa is looking pretty lively here at the moment all the way from uganda and so sit down across towards the gulf of guinea region some big showers here the last twenty four hours those are going to continue all the way towards ghana for th

so i predict higher breaks of flooding in slovenia maybe the balkans and certainly windy and unpleasant weather in that part of the western med is already happened in sicily it's happened in algeria and more especially tunisia strength the wind has been particularly noticeable and you see the circulation there as i say it's not going away it might move for example you got a picture on thursday of this northwesterly wind but probably in the sunshine but. the day beyond and it's their longest sunny but still windy. there with sponsored by. packet for us what were you hearing what were you seeing whether on line horrendous things humans all just. about that or if you join us on the sacked a lot of the major countries in the commonwealth have far bigger fish to fry and chips to eat base is a dialogue. about some of this excess if perhaps everyone has a voice what happens when the robots themselves are making to. join the conversation. welcome back a quick reminder of the top stories here on the al-jazeera says it hopes the u.s. will be sincere during trade talks beginning on thursday level u.s. delegation has arrived in beiji

those normal conditions will prevail over night was showers around the balkans for greece and turkey and the circulation the western med slowly improving other words the wind is lightning the showers not as widespread as the have been the last couple of days and in fact the warmth is increasing in western europe twenty four to twenty seven against the british isles about the same as the remnants here in romania where the rest of europe is just recovering having dropped ten degrees it's starting to warm slowly get on that massive green he's going to be i think a big mass of thunderstorms and heavy showers from remaining through greece still into turkey probably macedonia as well remaining showers in southern france just that if you want rings under storms but that feels a bit more like spring the weather by this time should have improved on the north coast of algeria tunisia the wind is lighter no showers around because the difference in temperature in carbon as one twenty seven in cairo but the breeze brings forty six to us one. going green bacteria in a bar a tree in super heated gas escaping from the book and it

central areas the risk of some storms that extends down through the balkans into southeastern parts of europe and across ukraine into western parts of russia we've got an air of low pressure giving some right it's also looking pretty unsettled across more western areas is a frontal system pushing in across the u.k. and down through france do you would like to see some snow over the alps during the course of sunday is cold air pushes in generally and across the west chance i want to showers but cherry slightly quieter weather but still the risk of some big showers across more southeast and there is continues although aside the most right in weather conditions looking generally fine the wind is telling to come off the mediterranean so it's not particularly warm but caro should fret quite well with a maximum of thirty degrees and it stays fine as we head on through into sunday into central parts of africa is looking pretty lively here at the moment all the way from uganda and so sit down across towards the gulf of guinea region some big showers here the last twenty four hours and those are going to continue all the way towards

>> first off, the western balkans i agree with that that is an area of concern and it is an area of concern because it is an unresolved set of conflicts and one that eu and nato have not effectively stepped in to say this is a part of europe that is going to be successful, democratic and secure. it's a gray zone and that's an opportunity for russia. within that you have indigenous constituencies that are unhappy that look for russia an as an alternative to status quo and that is an opportunity for russia to work with those constituencies. the opposite is true among nato and the e u countries, for transition for eu and nato and the baltic states we have had russian speaking communities that have no real infinity for being part of russia. they want to be part of the baltic states. for example, you have probably heard -- we look at education in stonean. not that they don't want their kids to learn that, there aren't enough teachers to teach them. i think on the deterrence on nato, we have done well. it's in the gray area we haven't had an outward looking focus, external focus. we have been ver