Exactly what President Trump wanted. And former audi chief Rupert Stadler is formally charged for his alleged role in the dieselgate scandal. And a scscientific breakthrough, or the stu o of nightmamares . A japanenese scientist has been given the greenen light to start experiments creating human animal embryos. Brent im brent goff. To our viewers on pbs in the United States and all around the world, welcome. Tonight germany is saying no. No to joining a proposed u. S. Led Naval Mission to protect shipping in the gulf. The u. S. Has asked allies to help protect vessels as they pass through that very important strait of hormuz because of tightened tensions with iran. Germany already expressed skepticism about the proposal, saying priorities should be given to diplomatic efforts to deescalate tensions. This is what the countrys foreign minister heiko maas said earlier today. The German Government will not participate in this sea mission proposed and planned i the United States. We are in close agreement with our French Partners in this regard. We think this strategy of maximum pressure is wrong. We do not want a military escalation. We will continue to work with diplomacy. Brent for more on this im joined by our correspondent kate brady on the story for us in berlin. Good evening to you, kate. So, we are getting a clear answer from the foreign minister. Germany will not join a Naval Mission in the persian gulf. And we have to clarify, saying it will not join a u. S. Led Naval Mission, right . Kate exactly. Some straight talking from the German Foreign minister, reiterating again what we already heard yesterday after that request came from washington to germany to join that u. S. Led mission. Right now germany is very much set on trying to find a diplomatic solution, and above all, trying to make sure that the situation does not escalate further. At the same time however, it is worth pointing out that just on the others of europe today in brussels, the new German Defense minister, annegret krampkarrenbauer, or akk as she is known here, was meeting with nato allies including the u. K. And france, who are also very important signatories on that rather fragile Iran Nuclear Deal right now. And her answer to the press was not quite as direct and clearcut as heiko maass. We can have a listenen to what e had to say now. We are considering this request in close consultation with the United Kingdom and france. And we are doing this with particular consideration of our political and pneumatic goals diplomatic goals. And from that overall assessment, a decision will be made. Brent so kate, what is akk, the new German Defense minister, what exactly is she saying there . Kate basically we just heard annegret krampkarrenbauer, or akk as she is known, she was in brussels earlier today meeting with nato allies. She had been working closely, particularly with france and the u. K. , who are also very important signatories on that very fragile Iran Nuclear Deal right now. And contrary to a certain degree to what heiko maas, germanys foreign minister was saying, akk, as she is known here, said that germany has not yet reached a decisioion on that request frm washington to join that u. S. Led Naval Mission in the strait of hormuz. But at the same time it has to be said that she did reiterate, like heiko maas, that germany is working closely with european allies, and first and foremost wants to explore all possible diplomatic avenues, diplomatic means to try and deescalate the tensions there. What germany wants to avoid a course above anything else is an escalation of that situation. Germany is very much aware of the risks that are at stake here. So first and foremost it is very much a diplomatic route, and that is what germany is in favor of. Brent kate brady on the story for us tonight here in berlin. Kate, thank you. Money is getting slightly cheaper in the United States. The Federal Reserve has cut its key Interest Rate by. 25 points to a range slightly above 2 . It is the first rate cut in more than a decade and is being viewed as a precautionary step. The fed wants to preempt threats such as President Trumps trade wars or lowinflation, as well as a dim Global Economic growth outlook. Fed chairman Jerome Powell repeated his pledged today to act as appropriaiate to sustain the suspension expansion, wording analysts interpreted as a signal for possible future rate cuts. Wall street did not medially react to this because it was widely expected. Steven beardsley is here now. The decision, it has consequences everywhere, doesnt it . Steven that is right. What this does basically is make the u. S. Dollar cheaper. It makes money cheaper. Itit encourages lending, it encourages people to take out loans to spend. That is the idea, it is meant to boost the economy. That is traditionally why you boost Interest Rates. Globally it has consequences as well. If you are if you have debt in u. S. Dollars and makes it cheaper. Also obviously you can benefit from the Worlds Largest economy having easier money. So it is generally seen as something that will ripple across. Brent peoeople looking at this may be puzzled because we have been here in the u. S. Economy is rolling forward, that unemployment is at a record low. So why does it need this boost . Steven this is what is extraordinary about this, especially if you listen to the presser with Jerome Powell, the fed chairman, after this happened. Job levels are high, Consumer Spending is high, the normal metrics are all there. He says this is basically an insurance cut is meant to be preemptive and keep the good times rolling, essentially. That has fed watchers scratching their heads because they say, isnt the fed supposed to be data dependent . The data is good and yet you are cutting rates. Why . What he said was interesting. He said if you look at the markets, twice this year at the beginning of the year we were against the rate cut, then we got rocky. Once we signaled we were changing our position, things corrected. It is about signaling confidence is what he is saying. Brent so he is playing with market psychology. Steven that is what seems to be happening. What was really interesting about this presser is the question kept being asked, what does 25 basis point early due to the economy . Doesnt really inject enough capital . He said no, it creates confidence. The fear is there is this headline reaction, they are reacting to the headlines. Brent what about reacting to the u. S. President . He wants a lot more done. Steven of course he wanted a steeper cut and he has alreadady made himself known even before this decision was announced that he wanted to see more. What is interesting is the trumpian ecosystem and a 24 hour news cycle seems to has taken its effect. Jerome powell says do not look at the 25 aces points itself look at what we are signaling. The headlines generated by the trade dispute, that is something they have to react to. It is a new world. Brent it is fascinating. A token act actually has teeth. Steven, thank you. It has been four years since the emissions cheating scandal in germanys auto minister Auto Industry happened and there are still new suspects. The latest is Rupert Stadler, who used to head up the Audi Division of volkswagen. Reporter for more than 20 years, Rupert Stadler was one of the top executives in the german Auto Industry. Today, the former audi boss finds himself facing charges of fraud, false certification, and criminal advertising practices. All consequences of his alleged role in dieselgate, the emissions cheating scandal which has rocked the car industryy in germany y since details first emerged almost four years ago. Stadler is accused of allowing sales of hundreds of thousands of volkswagen and audi models to continue after september 2015. That is when munich prosecutors say he already knew those same models have been fitted with Illegal Software that helped the vehicles game emissions tests. Audi is part of the volkswagen group. Before joining audi, stadler was head of the board for the volkswagen group. He served as audi chief executive from 2007 until 2018, when h he was formally dismissed after being arrested for his alleged role in the scandal. He spepent more than three monts in custody before his release. The Public PublicProsecutors Office said stadler and three other defendants are being charged. Audi says the case is separate from the wider investigation into the carmakers role in the scandal which was settled last october with an 800 million euro fine. Brent it is still more than a year away but in the u. S. , the democrats are already gearing up for the 2020 president ial election. 10 candidates faced off last night in a television debate. They addressed issues such as immigration, health care, and who is the best candidate to stop President Donald Trump from winning a second term. 10 more contenders including the former Vice President and the front runner, joe biden, will debate tonight. Reporter it was billed as a political blockbuster. These Democratic Candidates met for a second time to spar live on tv. Oh say can you see reporter they saying out of the same hymn book during ththe rendition of the national anthem, but all unity disappeared when a fierce debate ensued and progressives like Bernie Sanders clashed with more moderate candidates like john hickenlooper. But there was one thing all contenders agreed upon. Trump must go. We have got to take on trumps racism, his sexism, xenophobia, and come together in an unprecedented Grassroots Movement that not only defeats trump, but transforms our economy and our government. We will call his reeses amount for racism out for what it is and also talk about its consequences. It does not just defend offend our sensibilities to hear him say senenher back because she is a woman of color, a muslim american. It just does not offend ourr sensibilities when he calls them immigrants rapisists. Reporter senator elizabeth warrrren reminded d her rivals n spspite of their differences, democrats will soon have to unite to defeaeat their common enemy. Donald trump disgraces the office of president every single day. And anyone on this stage tonight or tomorrow night would be a far better president. I p promise no matter who our candidate is, i wilill work my heart out to beat donald trump and to elect a democratic congress. Reporter 10 more democrats will debate each other on wednesday. It will be some time still before the party chooses a candidate to try and unseat trump in the 2020 elections. Brent here are some of the other stories now that are making headlines around the world. A new york court has held a hearing in the case of financier Jeffrey Epstein w who is acaccud of sex trafficking. Prosecutors are seeking a trial date next summer, but epsteins lawyers have requested more time. The former highprofile body manager is accused of paying girls toecruit undnderage victims for sex at his manhattan mansion and other locations. Wild fires are burning millions of land in the center and east of russia including siberia. The military is being called to aid thousands of firefighters. Experts say the fires were caused by thunderstorms s that t during abnormally high temperatures, then later spread by strong winds. The African Union has condemned the killing of four student opposition protesters in sudan earlier this week. They were shot by government forces, as they protested the countrys military rulers. The opposition signed the outlined of a powersharing agreement with the military government just weeks ago. In afghanistan, at least 30 people have been killed and 10 wounded by a roadside bomb. In the latest it is the latest in a string of attacks as president of campaigning gets underway. Security is deteriorating across the country with both the taliban and Islamic State fighters mounting neardaily attacks. Reporter the victims were all civilians. The majority of the dead, women and children. They had been traveling on a bus in a highway linking the two key cities in western afghanistan. The bus then hit an improvised roadside bomb. We were heading to kabul when our vehicle was hit by a landmine. I saw many people martyred and injured. Reporter there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Afghan government officials blamed taliban insurgents to operate in the area and are accused of planting new explosives. But a taliban explosive spokesman denied their involvement. The bloodshed is expected to intensify now that an official and penny for afghanistans president itial election isis underway. Onon sununday, just t hours afte incuenent presidedent kicked d f his campaign, at least t 20 peoe were killed and more than 50 wounded when a suicide attacker and gunmen targeted the cap rule officece of his running targeted the k kabul o oice of s running mate. Once again, civililians bore the brunt of the violencnce. The election will coco the lives s of our pooool people r pepeople. The poor are the main victims. Ii myself are affected mm afaffected by thee attack. I myself am affected by the attack. I cannot go anywhere. I have no shelter. Reporter with the taliban and other insurgent groups determined to undermine afghanistans fragile demococra, many afghans worry about further Violent Attacks in coming weeks. Brent it could be a groundbreaking element in science. Japanese officials have given approval for experiments that aim to create the first ever hybrids of humans and animals. The scientist and his team say they plan at first to take embryos from animals and implant human cells inside them. Next they will place those embryos in host animals, starting with rats as the hosts. The rats would carry the modified embryos to term. If all goes according to plan, then those rats would give birth to a new kind of rat capablele f growing human tissues insnside. The researchers would like to extend the study to other kitess inind of hosts like pigs, which could growow larger organ. The researchers ultimate goal would be growing human organs to give to people needing organ donations, but the plans raise manyny questions both scientifically as well as ethical questions. Big questions. And to talk about the ethical questions i am joined by our very own ethics expert martin gak. It is good to see you again. K, i will ok, i will ask you something that is obvious, but what sets this apart from other scientific experiments . Martin the main issue here is not so much these kind of experiments had been done before, including with human cells. They were just never allowed to proceed be on the 13th day of gestation. The difference here is the Japanese Authority have essentially given the goahead to bring this gestation to term. Brent why are they saying yes . Martin well, the main reason is the understanding is there are enormous benefits for humankind, if you will permit me the hyperbole, in this kind of experiment. Brent for organs . Martin yeah. This is no small thing. Because this has been already tried, not with humans, but with mice and rats. Mice which c could not produce, had a deficient pancreas, were essentiaially submitted to the same process. Rats actually grew the pancreas. They w were replaced back into e mice and the mice were keyword of diabetes. Were cured of diabetes. It is such a powerful story of what could possibly happen with technology that is hard to see why it should not be asked why it should be explored. Brent the lead scientist points to what youre talking about and says there is no ethical problem psoed here. Martin i think that is an overstretch. Every single asset comes with a liability and this is no different. There are many problems here. One of them is that if you do have an animal of any sort, an orgaganism t that has human nat, then the question is if that organism has rights. Is entitled to rights . Probably not obligations. What would this thing have rights, and how close would have to be to a human being for it to have rights . Would a thing with a human pancreas have rights . One would generally think no, because the issue of a pig would probably be enough for us to steer away from that. What if we had an instance where partrts of the digestive system were affected by this genetic experiment in which neural structures are present, now we begin to see things which have to do with brainlike functions, then do we now have a question about rights . It obviously opens an enormous field of questions. It is important to keep in mind that the technologyis that the technology is there and it is not going away. Brent i am surprised we are talking about a japanese scientist getting the green light. Who is going to police this, first of all, and who is going to tell us that in some labs, somewhere, they are not already doing these kind of experiments on a higher level . Martin we cannot. Nobody can tell us. The one thing that we can assume, sort of, in a normal, calculated risk approach, is given the fact that the technology is there, given the fact that benefits are quite literally enormous, it could be a complete change in the way we understand human nature, because we could be talking about Replacement Parts for human beings in the long run. Brent which a a lot of people o neneed organs martin the important thing to underline is given this is already there, it is probably better that we begin to develop structures of regulation in places like japan that have much stronger regulation, as opposed to countries like china who do not really have strong regulatory structure. So the point here is this is there and already happening and we need the structure. It is important to keep in mind that we should probably steer away brent as always, we appreciate your insights. People in the russian capital moscow are protesting against plans to build a highway near a Nuclear Waste dump. Authorities say the construction work poses no risk to the local community but residents say they do not believe the government has their best interests at heart. They are determined to stop thee project. Dws Emily Sherwin reports. Emily Dangerous Levels of radiation. That is what this Nuclear Physicists radiation counter tells him every time here. Moscows metals factory started dumping Nuclear Waste on this field in the 1940s and 1950s when the area south of moscow was not yet part of the city. So far the Radioactive Material is contained u under a layer of clay, but the activist insists the plan highway could cut straight through Nuclear Waste. They might start digging up the soil and moving around without taking into account it is contaminated. It would be released into the atmospsphere and anyone who breathes the soil in would get radiation into their lungs. Emily he has been giving informal tours of this spot the journalists and locals. This sign warns of radioactive contamination, and these are the sorts of science might expect to find near a Nuclear Power plant, but they are right here in the city of moscow. Local residents are worried about what could end up in the river, and in their lungs. If you know that this nucuclr waste is here but they are not going to touch it, then it is not too worrying. But knowing they will build a road here and all the waste could slip down the hill, that is r really scary. Emily she says locals have always known about the Nuclear Waste in their neighborhood. The site is partially closed off, but the riverside nearby is popular with residents. A view from above shows just how urban area is. The Nuclear Waste site is slotted between a park and moscows main river. Now the plan is to build a flyover parallel to the railway bridge here. Construction is slated to begin later this year. The city says the new road will ease traffic in moscow and they insist construction is safe. The soil will not be disturbed at all. A support for the flyover will be built here. Its foundations will be up to five meters below the surface. We have carried out studies of the soil at that depth and they were no radiation levels above the norm there. And the road will not touch the ground here. Emily but people in the area do not believe the authorities. They recently held a protest against the highway, which people here see as the latest sign that their government does not care about them. Science here read road of death and warn of a second chernobyl catastrophe. She lives in the highrise apartments across from the planned construction. She grew up here and has and has been fighting the highway since march. From my point of view, they are committing a crime against the people who live here. I do not know whose interests are driving them, but they are in no way considering our interests. Emily the frustration here is palpable. But the protesters want to keep fighting with petitions and protests to make sure their homes and their city stay safe. Brent in womens soccer, former United States coach pia sundhage has taken charge of the Brazilian National team. After her pointman last week she was officially unveiled in rio de janeiro. The swede led the u. S. Side to two u. S. Olympic titles during her time in charge. She was praised by the president of the Brazilian Football Federation as quote, the best coach in the world. All right, yeah, talk about a blow dryer blowoff. Brazilian president gyre bolsonaro has snubbed frances foreign minister, canceling their meeting at the last minute and instead going to get a haircut. Bolslsonaro streamed his haircu. You can see itit right there. He was live on facebook at the time he was scheduled to meet the French Foreign minister. Frances top diplomat was planning to discuss Environmental Issues with bolsonaro, thrhreatening to pull brazil out of the paris, a court. His spokesman later said the president had other reasons for canceling the meeting. He said it wasas not due to the haircut or a dye job. Heres a reminder of the top stories that we are following fofor you. Germanys foreign minister heiko maas says germany will not join a u. S. Led Naval Mission to protect shipping in the persian gulf. Maas prefers to use diplomacy, he says, to deescalate tensions with iran. And for the first time in more than a decade, the u. S. Federal reserve has cut Interest Rates by. 25 . President trump wanted a bigger cut. But the reduction is in line with market expectations. Youre watching dw news. After a short break i will be back to take you through the day. Stick around for that. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] take at two am et. The Federal Reserve cuts its key Interest Rate by a quarter percentage the first rate cut by the u. S. Central bank in over a decade. Migrgrants on board a an Italian Coast Guard v vessel are allowed to disembark this off to ititals hardline interioior mininister t assusurances. From the e. U. That france germany ireland luxembourg portugal would join the Catholic Church in caring for the group. And the Israeli Government grants p permission to build ovr seven hundred Housing Units for palestinians. As well as thousands of units for jewish settlers in the west bank the approval c