Germanys main Political Parties have signed a Coalition Agreement that allows them to govern together under the third term leadership of chancellor angela merkel. The deal for the socalled grand coalition now goes to a ballot of spd members, with a presult expected in december. The coalition will stand for solid finances, prosperity, and social security, and will oppose a debt union for europe. The leaders of the three Coalition Partners in a display of unity for the cameras. But despite the appearance of readiness for action, this is still a provisional document. The three have signed an interim accord. They will put pen to paper on a deal if the spd can have grassoot members expected. Accept it. They have come a long way since the elections in september. We came to the talks with very different ideas. That is why it took a while. It was very interesting. You can look at the same issue in very different ways. For me, it is what makes life exciting. For me, the negotiations went well and were marked by trust. Spd leader Sigmar Gabriel now has to portray persuade his party to sign off. This is the case he will argue. The grand coalition has written a Coalition Agreement for ordinary people who carry out their responsibilities every day. There is a lot in it to help stabilize fairness and social balance in this country. The tensions are more marked between the social democrats and the bavarian conservatives of the csu. They are uneasy bedfellows. We had a lot to do, so we did not get to bed until 6 00 in the morning. Separate beds. [laughter] i nearly slipped up there. I guess things will get a bit easier if the social democrats back the deal. The spd vote is due in mid december. A date the leaders of all parties are worried about. If the spd reject the deal, the grand coalition will be over before it starts. That is the big question right now. The deal may be signed, but it still has a major hurdle. About half a million spd members have to back it. Will this package go through . The spd leadership, of course, is emphasizing the fact that they managed to push through one of the key social democrat demands. That is for a minimum wage of 8. 50 euros. They will try and turn this into a vote for a minimum wage. It will be very difficult if they managed to do that, it will be difficult for restroom grassroots members to reject it. The problem is that the grassroots are very skeptical about a coalition with Angela Merkels party at all. Because it is very much stronger numerically, and they are afraid the social democrats would simply be swamped. If they reject the deal, they will be pulling the plug on party leadership. The chancellor for her part has been laying out priorities. What are they . It is interesting. She has made a number of important concessions to the social democrats in order for them to get it past grassroots members. She remained very hard on two issues. She doesnt want new taxes, and she doesnt want new borrowing. I understand that means she wants to keep fiscal policy very much in her own hands and will probably want to have a finance minister from her own party. We will be getting back to you in just a minute. Central to this agreement is its focus on no new debt and no increase in the tax burden. Germany has been watching very closely other euro zone nations suffer from deep austerity measures and would rather rein in expectations. Take a closer look now at some of the key issues that have been agreed on. Money has been central to the talks, and the two parties agreed on two key issues. They will be no tax increases to Fund Campaign promises, and the goal is for germany not to rack up any new debt from 2015 onwards. The key aim is a stable budget. Some of the main points are retirement. The two sides agreed on a minimum pension for people with low incomes that have paid pension contributions for decades. Mothers who had children before 1992 will also receive higher pensions. All this is set to be largely funded by the pension fund, not by new taxes. Another point is a National Minimum wage of 8. 50 euros from 2015, the most important issue for the social democrats. Some industries will be temporarily exempted. The parties have also agreed to clamp down on temporary work and shortterm contracts. And, dual citizenship is coming, at least for some. Children born in germany to foreign parents will no longer have to decide on only one nationality by the age of 23. The spd wanted dual citizenship on a much more widespread patient basis, but didnt get it. And infrastructure. The head of the christian democrats Bavarian Sister Party insisted on making foreign parties drivers pay tolls, but it will only be increased if german drivers dont have to be pay more for using motorways, and if it conforms with eu law. Finally, european policy. Early on, the spd had to give up on its suggestion to bailout nations worst hit by the crisis with eurobonds. The cdu rejects the idea of pulling existing sovereign debt to Lower Borrowing costs. However, the new Coalition Government will tighten regulation of banks and Financial Markets. Lets go back to john, in our parliamentary studios. What does this Coalition Agreement mean for germanys position on europe . Well, i think it means more of the same. It means merkels position is very much stronger. If the Coalition Agreement is approved by the social democrat grassroots, it will mean that merkel will be able to determine policy and should be able to argue policy, push it through in brussels. And she wont need to she hasnt until now had to do so to win the support of social democrats in parliament. That will be done a fine closed doors. What she is clearly going to do because it is an essential part of the Coalition Agreement is she is going to continue the link between income and spending. She feels justified in doing that, also, because of what is happening with greece, as we have seen with greece able to show a primary Budget Surplus this year. The latest on the Coalition Agreement. Thanks very much. What to do with what do the representatives of german business make up the coalition . Reactions are mixed. Some expressed concerns over the coming minimum wage and expected Higher Energy costs. This report from a business reporter. The Coalition Agreement contains a number of goodies for lowincome to germans and retirees. Workers in the Food Services can look forward to a minimum wage of 8. 50 euros per hour. About 9 million Senior Citizens will see pensions increase. It is hoped giving more people people more money to spend will stimulate the economy. But industry representatives say the price could be steep for some companies. Despite a number of good features, in our view it is a dangerous combination. The minimum wage and higher social insurance pose a threat to the labor market. And the switch to read Global Energy sources will also increase costs. That is because conservatives and social democrats agreed to accelerate the dreaded transition to clean energy, and at the same time cut subsidies energyintensive industries currently enjoy. Some economists are optimistic. The institute has long stressed germany needs to invest in its future. That is something the agreement calls for, increased spending in infrastructure and education to make sure germany is competitive in the future. German business groups all agree that the proposals will cost a lot of money, but they are relieved conservatives were able to keep their promise not p Financial Markets did not exactly jump for joy at the grand Coalition Agreement, but there was some relief. Our correspondent has the details. People here in the frankfurt floor did not jump for joy. It was not like that. But the Coalition Agreement between the conservative parties and the spd was greeted with some relief and led to a new record high in the dax. People said unpleasant surprises were not part of the package, and that was good news. They also liked to hear that there would be no tax hikes in the next two years. A little skeptical that would be indeed successful if the economy went south, for example. And they were not at all agreeable with the statutory minimum wage across the board. This could cost jobs, cost jobs, they said. The best share in the dax, ironically, was a share because of this minimum wage. Competitors may have to engage in paying lowpaid employees more, hurting their competitiveness. The Deutsche Post gained more than 3 . A quick look at numbers. Dax ended the session up. Similar picture for the euro stoxx 50. Wall street is still trading. Dow jones industrials currently flat. The euro, after hitting a four year high on wednesday, stands at 1. 3567 beer 1. 3567. It was meant to be a big day in the not see nazi trial in germany. Beate zschape is on trial. She is the only member of the alleged nsu group still on trial. The other members committed suicide as Police Closed in. Beate zschapes mother took the stand for two minutes. She refused to testify and immediately left the courthouse. A muchanticipated hearing was over in moments. Earlier, zschapes cousin gave comments to the course. Court. She grew up he grew up with her and revealed more. He was wary about answering questions about her neonazi past. One lawyer said the witness should not have held back. He cant just say that he grew up with beate and that they were like brother and sister and not say much about her. You have to ask, is he taking us for a ride . Little by little, the court was told by the about the nsu activities in the 1990s. Zschapes cousin told the court that one nsu member handed out flyers honoring a nazi leader and that one of the dead members always carried a gas pistol. Zschape and the two other nsu members were inseparable and isolated from others. Dws correspondent was in unit covering the hearing. She sent us this report. You could hear a pin drop when the mother of Beate Zschape entered the court only to say she would make use of her right not to testify against her own daughter. We also heard from the cousin of Beate Zschape. He will have to reappear on thursday after giving very Little Information over the course of hours of questioning. The presiding judge clearly lost patience with the trial. Days in court are already scheduled it could be well that we see other defects of the nsu murders kick in before we see any court reeling, not least because the Coalition Deal just signed includes a whole page of measures to be taken to reform the police and Intelligence Services in germany after their complete failure over the nsu murder series. Political shockwaves and the end of and year in italy. Within the last few hours, the Italian Senate has voted to expel Silvio Berlusconi from parliament, with immediate effect, over his conviction of tax fraud. He has dominated politics like no other for two decades, and now he faces arrest after losing immunity from prosecution. He has already been sentenced to a year of house arrest for masterminding an illegal scheme to reduce the tax bill of his media company. Here is more about italys billionaire politician who says he is a victim of persecution by a convicted political establishment. We will go live to rome. First, this report. Is this the end for Silvio Berlusconi . Not as far as hes concerned. The 77yearold hasnt given up yet. He told supporters he would seek a fresh mandate at the next elections. This is a bitter day. And a day of mourning for democracy. But i will keep on fighting and start a new election campaign, a campaign for freedom. It is vintage berlusconi. It thrilled his supporters. But a term will be that easy. Now that he has been expelled from the senate, he lost his immunity. His conviction for tax fraud means he is banned from Holding Political office for the next six years, and he paces further investigation and the possibility of further trials. Senate the Senate President announced berlusconis expulsion. That followed an intense and passionate debate between berlusconis opponents and supporters in the senate. Berlusconi is out of parliament for the time being. The potential for him to disrupt the running of government has at the very least been diminished. There were very dramatic scenes in the Italian Senate today. Lets bring in live our correspondent from rome. Some senators almost came to blows in the senate. Can you tell us more . The ruckus we are describing in the senate was less between berlusconis backers and politicians on the side of the left than between berlusconis backers and his former backers. One of the reasons berlusconi is in a weak position is a number of his backers, about 59 in both houses, have effectively turned their back on him. The deputy Prime Minister, a former berlusconi diehard, was today described by one of berlusconis more loyalist backers as a parameter for having pirhana for having jumped ship. What everybody is wondering right now, will Silvio Berlusconi be going to jail . This ousting from parliament is pursuant to a tax fraud sentence for which he will not go to jail. He will do Community Service or house arrest for that. However, now being outside parliament, yes it is possible that it will be easier for magistrates to arrest him because there are various ways you can hold off from being arrested when you are inside parliament. They may be able to get him inside jail easier in upcoming investigations. There are a few coming down the line. Berlusconi is presenting himself as a victim of persecution. How is the italian public responding to all this . It is roughly down the middle over berlusconi for 15 years. I think it will push him like that. I was talking to people in his favor today. It was the same claims we have been hearing many years, that he is the victim of leftwing magistrates, a left i can we miss conspiracy. I even heard that europe was behind all this, europe decided to get rid of berlusconi. His supporters will continue to say this, even as berlusconi now campaigns outside parliament. Thank you very much. To thailand now, where antigovernment protesters have taken over several ministries in the nations capital. Demonstrations have spread to a number of provincial capitals, where the opposition is strong. That includes the tourist island of phuket. The protest leader told supporters he is willing to die in the fight to overthrow the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister faces a no confidence resolution in parliament. She is accused of using an amnesty bill tubers protect her brother. A tragic back lash in brazil repairing for the upcoming world cup next year. Wto construction two construction workers were killed in an accident at sao paulo stadium. It also partially destroyed a section of the stands. They are due to host the opening match of next years world cup on june 12. It is unclear if repairs can be completed in time for the december deadline for completing all world cup venues. Bayern munich have moved a step closer to winning their group with a convincing victory in moscow. They be gsk 31. The result leaves the defending champions firmly in command. You can find the results of all the other Champions League matches at our website, dw. De sport. Moving onto another german side in action tonight. Facing group a leader Manchester United at home. If a win they will secure a pass to the knockout phase. In training, they unleashed a surprising amount of energy. Raring to go on wednesday, and they will need plenty of passion against Manchester United, who are already one point ahead. We are a power to be reckoned with this season, and we want to carry that over. First, we have to be defeated at home. That goes for Manchester United, too. If all goes well and we achieve what we want to, we can defeat our opponents. Over the weekend, the bundesligas number two also won away. For the striker, the eighth goal of the season so far. Along with the sweetness of victory, there was also pain. A midfielder tore a muscle and will be out for wednesdays game. Man u is currently only sixth in the english premier league. But they won at home, 42. A much more different situation now. We are more mindful about how we get the result. To keep ourselves in a strong position in the group. For leverkusen, the biggest game of the season so far. Just itching to get the ball into the net. Soon to have a brush with the sun that will determine whether it will light up the night sky for millions of people. It is hurtling our way after a journey that lasted over 4. 5 billion years. It is 1. 5 kilometers wide. Its first Journey Towards earth could also be its last. Astronomers have been tracking the comet since last year. Early this month, the, comet burned much brighter. Parts of it have grown off broken off and the tail has grown brighter. Depending where you are, you can spot it with the naked eye. It is already has already traveled through a number of constellations. On thursday, the comet will come close to the sun, whipping around it at a staggering speed of 1. 3 million kilometers an hour while being subjected to temperatures of over 2000 degrees lcs. Celsius. It could break apart, but the worstcase scenario for amateur astronomers would be fascinating for scientists, who could find clues in its remnants about the origins of the solar system. A lot of the water and earth is said to have come from comets. Water that eventually allowed life to develop. If the comet survives, its date with destiny survives and state with destiny, amateur astronomers could look forward to a spectacular show of light. It will be visible to the naked eye for several weeks, and could briefly turn into the brightest celestial body aside from the moon. The definition of art has been expanding for the last century. The latest frontier might be on your desktop. Would you go so far as to classify Computer Games is work of arts works of art . That is the aim of designers in the city of kassel. We will let you decide. A mop and bucket rather than guns is what players of this game used. Their challenge is to clean up the guts after a killing. Everything is covered in blood. It is hard to bear, because we are not used to seeing this side of things. Normally when you play Computer Games you never think about what is actually happening, but somebody has to clean up the mess. The video games of this exhibition are far from maines ring mainstream. Any have a critical message. In this game, perfect woman, the players have to perform contortions to become the perfect woman. She was inspired by her own experiences. As a woman, you are expected to be a perfect mother, career woman, and also lover. Very Different Things are asked of you. The games are clearly fun to play, but their value goes beyond entertainment and into the realm of art. A game that comes art it has its own signature, its own take on the world, and if that is expressed strongly. Constantly creative, the designers continue to innovate during the opening of the exhibition. Bouncing ideas off each other and the public. It is wonderful to do something against the gaming industry. That fosters peoples sociability, being together, and their intelligence. Computer games as works of art, something we may hear more of in the future, even if designers are not averse to plundering the past. That is all. Thanks for watching us. You are watching live from paris. Berlusconi down but not out. The former Prime Minister is expelled from parliament, but he insists his political career is far from over. The man on top of the government in mali is jailed for murder. Frances burqa band comes under bantiny