bases d.w. news live from virgin europe tightens its borders to guard against a new strain of corona virus countries move to ban travel from the u.k. where a new fire is variant is causing new lock downs and fresh fear to just how dangerous is the new strain also coming up the tiny state of monaco is enticed in more than just tax dodges these days to look at why so many people are flocking there this winter. and in the bundesliga vineet it capped off a great 2020 with a win at leverkusen putting them top of the table over the winter break.

i'm rebecca riches welcome to the program several european countries have introduced travel restrictions on people coming from the u.k. as a new variation of corona virus spreads rapidly there belgium the netherlands austria and italy have all announced restrictions including bans on flights and trains from the u.k. france and germany are said to be considering similar action this comes after british prime minister barak's johnson announced tougher measures to combat the new strain officials say while the new mutation is much more easily transmitted it's not thought to be any more dangerous well. over one out we're joined by d.w. correspondent in brussels bernd really get burned with seeing countries one by one

choosing to tighten restrictions why are we seeing a unified a year response here. a response by the european union is much slower because believe it or not the us no competence in closing borders or bending any travel the us to consolidate all 27 member states and only after that can coordinate a response so it's much faster for the member states now in emergency situation to act and own and to issue these throwdowns because borders a so do the responsibility of the member states of belgium and the does have already chosen to do so and it's very likely that also germany france italy and others of the fall in line and also close the borders for full flights at least as of the the channel tunnel is closed for trains but fright is still going on and also ferries going so it's not a total shutdown of the united kingdom but it's still it's

a severe blow of course to any travel activity but target was already banned in the u.k. for christmas on the british health secretary says that cases of the strain of virus have already been found in europe is it too late to stop it spreading across into the continent but this is this is how to tell because the united kingdom the authorities just told the european authorities on friday that this virus is 70 percent more transmissible than the original strain and that's why no people. entering a kind of an emergency mode the virus the new virus strain is known since september already so it's highly likely that it's already on the continent and in the world. now of course we can't forget that the clock is also taking on breaks at negotiations what effect will this likely have on my gosh ations. the wretched talks are going on here in brussels given the fact that the united kingdom is nose

under so much stress because of this new strain of the virus that there's speculation that the united kingdom is for the extension of the negotiating negotiation period so that they would not go into total clears in 12 days from now on so maybe the through drag on and the is very likely to accept that because they don't want to push britain over the cliff right now. heartburn reagan in brussels thanks very much for the update and concern about the new strain has led british prime minister bars johnson to reverse plans to ease coronavirus restrictions over christmas has imposed an effective lockdown on london and south east england the move has made the capital usually bustling with shoppers at this time of year almost unrecognizable millions of people have been forced to cancel their christmas plans under the new restrictions the prime minister is facing widespread criticism for the decision. however britain's health secretary says the government had to

take quick action this virus the new strain was out of control we've got to get it under control and the way that we can do that the only way you can do that is by restricting social call let's get more now from hamad minea he's ever ologist from the lancaster university in the u.k. mr renia thanks for joining us what more can you tell us about this new strain of the coronavirus. well this new strain of corn about as was 1st identified can treat back in september and that it was reported to the government in early october and since then we have seen and reached cases not only in britain london but also now in seoul east and the same strain is now being 25 in scotland and wales as well not that i learned because of the. large scale sequencing approach it has not been identified but there are less chance of that it wouldn't be here so as it stands now it appears that now $67.00 of the gov and positive particularly in london

region are belonging to this screen so that is pretty scary and what he said so identified all the way back in september why has it taken so long for the british government to act well when we 1st identified in in cannes at that point it was in one of those highly domino strain within the sequences that we're going to fight what happened over the time of course there is a limited restriction on to the movement but at the same time you know people are traveling within the country and overseas as well so there's a strain in travel quite secretly and therefore become more successful and if i guess that has more sickness that would become more common i think in the field and now at this stage we have seen really a fair proportion of what people are looking for because it could explain onshore a question that everybody would like to be certain of the answer is that as we see the vaccine suddenly being rolled out is this nice train going to also be able to

react to the vaccine to the vaccine or be taken care of by the vaccine. yes absolutely a big i mean when we talk about the nutrients we'd come in mind at the 1st instance 1st is that about the this why this is transmitted more within the population the 2nd things come whether it is more lito is causing more severe but you know if that is ease or the quarterback seems artifact it will not so the 1st one we certainly know that it is more 70 percent infectious but here it will be their regular classical strain of their over 19 lara's but how large because the impact onto the solidity of the disease or effective enough effectiveness of the vaccine is certainly something that we don't know to be honest but this is something that public health england is working very effectively and it in 3 weeks we will have more information but it is less likely it's going to significantly impact on vaccines so so therefore the current vaccine program that has all of weight would not have any significant setback for

a matter how mad men have are all of us from lancaster university thanks very much for your information thanks for having me. on pandemic has battered tourism around the world and the principality of monaco on the french riviera is no exception but lately the tiny city state has seen a little boost with a steady stream of day trip is seeking a reprieve from tighter restrictions across the border in france. a sunday lunchtime in monaco a few minutes away in france all the restaurants are closed because of the pandemic and decision to stay that way to january the 20th at the earliest here they are open and he was people who many of them french people. you knew who your really nice of you who are going to consult for the normal we're from nice we've come to eat in a restaurant because in france we're not allowed to. parents give us orders. you must leave the house you mustn't go in. what we are disobedient teenagers

we don't listen to our parents. cross the border to come in and out. if you like or. you wouldn't. you don't see it's an excellent thing it keeps the economy going do you think the french do the same thing oh. yes it would be a step towards getting back to normal economically to continue. and it's not as if there are anti covert missions here in fact there are quite a lot of. installs vision is old the tables have to be one and a half metres apart. no more than 6 people potato. your reservations only. must must come no later than 2 pm for lunch and 8 at night

when the curfew starts. we give them a permit so they can go home later but everyone has to be out by 930. you know. monaco is an independent country that's smaller than london's hyde park everybody knows everybody and people don't want to say anything that might displease the princely family holds the economic as well as political power when she found one person who sorts monaco's policy was too lax who don't speak anonymously. i'm really against leaving the restaurant open it's less about freedom and thoughtlessness and showing off freedom stops when other people's freedom starts when you trade on other people's liberty you're not defending liberty any more on the contrary. as the holiday season gets underway

support the principle this there's too many others with their feet who. bellies in the fridge people celebrate use with the grounds of the restaurant you know not this year not in france in any case good many could become a movie similar. to the restaurant here. take a look at some of the other stories making headlines this hour a powerful blast has rocked the afghan capital kabul killing at least 9 papal officials said a car bomb detonated as an afghan war mike his convoy was passing through the city he was among at least a dozen people wounded in the attack. a powerful cycle and has left a trail of destruction in fiji authorities say entire villages were wiped off the map emergency services are trying to provide food and shelter to people in the worst affected areas 4 people were killed but that number is expected to rise as aid workers reach out line places. 18 italian fisherman who were

held for several months by a libyan warlord have arrived home their families grated them at a syrian port prime minister decepticons. negotiated their release from libyan general. last week after us forces had accused the group of fishing in libyan waters. police in japan have rescued dozens of scale is trapped on a ski slope by heavy snow fall the group including $22.00 children had to spend the night in a cottage after toppled trees and power lines blocked the road to their resort record snowfall has caused disruptions across northern and central japan. some sport now and in bundesliga football buy in munich travel to live a cousin in a bid to knock their hosts off top spot and go into the winter break in 1st place leverkusen where the last unbeaten tain left this season having conceded only 10 goals along the way but they had their hearts broken by a last minute when. a gracious gesture from the hosts laver couzin bosses

presenting flowers to newly crowned player of the year robert levin duff ski and goalkeeper of the year manuel neuer. but once the game started leverkusen turned less hospitable patrick schick opening the scoring with 14 minutes gone. the flowers a distant memory for neuer. short corner the memories are can pass and schick beautifully meeting the ball on the volley for the opener. then byron got another present just before half time who else but robert leaven just be the beneficiary across from thomas millar and liver couzens defense left the world's best player unmarked to score the equaliser. and laver couzens generosity continued in the game's final seconds to live in dusty getting his 2nd

of the night unit and with the defensive blunder and the prolific poles shot deflected off edmond top soba into the next. $21.00 the final score and their munich and a fantastic 2020 in their accustom spot top of the table. and shout under a new coach have stevens into their 29th straight game without a win on saturday they sing one nil at home to promoted side bielefeld nathan the medina sent a beautiful long ball into the box and 5 in class was there to head it in her home early in the 2nd half stephens wasn't pleased with his team's defending with clubs given far too much space in front of the goal shot because of last win was way back in january. you were taking data just before we go one piece of news just to hand in the past few minutes the german government has announced a travel ban to and from britain joining italy austria and from.

government spokesman has been quoted by the a pay news agency saying it's working on a regulation to enshrine those restrictions that's after the british government said it had introduced a new rapidly spreading variant of the virus you're watching news of these back at the top of the hour with more headlines don't go away. why are people forced to hide in trucks. there are many cancers. such and there are many stories. like.

make up your. claim. made for mines. it's santa is always on the cool in december so it's the 2nd 60 year the father christmas of the holy land though israel and the palestinian territories are gripped by coronavirus the 2 slim santa hopes for a festive season program. this

. is because the c.e.o. on this way to work in the old city and this is sent to us house the workplace of jerusalem st nick and also it says family home it's december the busiest time of the year for santa and yet in 2020 the pandemic has changed everything it is very hard for us with this craziness. situation what we have would cover 19 i try my best to have a plan a b. c. as me as a cent i'm trying to bring joy for jerusalem and to the word also my message is always love and happy and happiness and safety for them and joy and we say inshallah everything would be ok the palestinian christian from jerusalem's old city has been slipping into the role of santa claus for the last 3 years in real life he's a former professional basketball player turned coach is that remembers that there

was no santa around when he was growing up in jerusalem a city 3 were 2 religions called home when i was a kid i never see real santa and that's why i want to eat of the children here this evening t.v. in the show on pictures or freak saturday like a toy and now when they see it really in jerusalem they feel very proud to see what we have said dangerous. but is that because this year it's no ordinary sense make he's home to his craft at specialist sent to school in the us these are the diplomas which i had my set the school they teach us how to make you whole the whole is not just to do it from the mouth you need to do it from your belly and when you do it from your belly must come from your belly up to all the way from inside that's the whole way how sad the smile as when he have a big belly ok you go like this oh christmas and of course i add to it as i'm in the jerusalem sand than the holy land i gave with the whole i continued

to be whole all whole it. just. it takes just 10 minutes to transform himself into center clothes. her christmas. it's today the palestinian sand is visiting in nursery school outside the old city. as we walk he prepares himself mentally he wants to be able to answer any questions to children might ask oneself the whole you currently urgings clothes they are already asked me that i say i go with their grade year i park it you have to ask for it and then i come with a camel to do so it's. just

it's thoughts i at the nursery school run by the daughters of charity center is to help decorate the christmas tree due to the pandemic he's unable to visit some schools or hospitals this year he and the children try to keep their distance from one another but it isn't always easy. i want you know who i am. your. destiny this year due to the 19 year old added spite of it we must spread cheer decorate the tree and make it festive there should be joy in our hearts despite illness and the virus. arabic hebrew and english spoken here and they celebrate all the holidays with their christian

jewish almost oh i think i sent a hands on balls and stuffed toys to get the kids i. do slim is the city which has long been a source of political conflict between israelis and palestinians the. indians hope to make east jerusalem their capital one day the old city is home to sites which muslims jews and christians consider holy the how am i sharif which contains muslim holy sites like the al aqsa mosque and the dome of the rock was closed during the 1st lockdown at the western wall the holiest place for jews to pray petitions helpless social distancing the church of the holy sepak or the holy site for christians also closed for almost 2 months.

is a walk step through the christian quarter the old city is much quieter than usual there are normal groups of 4 interests israel has closed its borders to visitors since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. it's very sad very sad to see jerusalem with the situation with governor i can really it's a it's a break my heart but i always say i believe in god and i will say i pray to god please god bring back life to the people here for business people all the shops are closed most people in the wrestling live from tourism. the church of the holy sepak i stands where jesus was said to have been buried and then resurrected normally hundreds of people both locals and foreigners flock here every day. is so few it's a close connection to the church. it's hurting my heart and it's very

very unique we never have the situation before and we usually come here in the break the easter time and of course with all the year tourists come to jerusalem and we are proud with all the world coming to visit jerusalem the heart of the word and that's make me feel very stress also because when i see people coming to our land to the church of the whole submittals for me it's being full in the heart. at christmas though people look towards neighboring bethlehem which christians believe to be the birthplace of jesus the city is now in the israeli occupied west bank. is on his way there to visit a family even sent it must be flexible and take a detour or 2 more thought i think i'm with the crowd now thinking 4 hours to go to the place. it's just to get worse yeah and

also that's it but it's close to the ground to go that far. but you know. i want to go to the flower see the kids are seeing the place the birth of place of birth the direct route from jerusalem to beth and this block by the israeli separation barrier and checkpoints palestinians coming from the west bank need an israeli permit to come to jerusalem and due to the pandemic there are additional restrictions in bethlehem the corona virus infection rate has once again risen dramatically the palestinian national authority recently imposed a curfew at night and on weekends. the 7 visits a family he knows the children antony and andrea is eagerly awaiting him though this time he can only go as far as their door knocked and to their apartment safety comes from. antone where center promised.

from jerusalem for. copies of something in the hope for the home to the house. that's just missing for me to sing for down . the atmosphere in bethlehem this year is different than any other year i'm 40 years old and for more than 40 years we've been celebrating christmas with joy and happiness because every year the main event was santa claus bringing happiness to our homes this year the christmas atmosphere is very different because of the covert $1000.00 pandemic santa claus is not going to visit children at home and celebrations will be limited as we all stay at home. in bethlehem christmas isn't being cancelled it will simply be celebrated differently not as color fully and above all without any foreign business

in the church of the nativity it's also very quiet. there are no more long lines to enter the grow 2 of the nativity this is the star marks the spot where jesus is said to have been born. he said only paying a sort visit to bethlehem but he still wants to visit the crash in front of the church of the nativity and is sent to suit he attracts attention when he goes. remember. this record i want to know if there were. rug. from the hotel. it's time for is said to return to choose but there's always time for a quick photo or 2. in

jerusalem people are also waiting for santa but 1st he must pass through the israeli checkpoint. even ng is falling on this city it's time to open the doors of santas house seeing said nick is always a thrill especially during a pandemic and for the use of. any on the xenon of i came to santa his house so my children could get to know father christmas this year there have hardly been any other activities in town so at least we can meet him and take a few photos with him and get into the spirit of things maybe safe every year i mean i have 3 girls 3 little ones so because of color now you know the situation this year has been difficult especially for kids so to make them feel happy since

we haven't done any christmas activities who came to see duracell in south of this is the only south and the holy land i don't think. that. i think they should. in spite of the pandemic he said because to see your aims to fulfil his duty. he knows that this year people need something to believe. i want to give them love and joy but i want i want i try my best to give them either if nobody would be a hound me i'll go in the street and give them but most of the work. like that so it lifts. you for it's. not just the stuff to.

tell africa. from puncture. to environmental and jeffrey i genuinely has made up his mind. to killing. he visits rural areas every week for the conservation donna initiative and sensitizes for lessons for the protection of the forest and b m. w. syphon things. spin. everything revolves around christmas. cheer in a german village famous for its handcrafted toilets candle arches. incense smoke. more. we find out what magic in seoul about. 60 minutes. happiness is for everyone schumann penises are very different from

primates you know we have a totally ridiculous sized view of nature and they're thinking that this is climate change brags that sex is helping us employees books you'll get smarter for free d.w. books on. hello everybody and welcome to africa i am some good train audio coming to you from kampala uganda it is good to have you with us again as always we hope and lots of reports from europe and africa things that people are doing to address environmental issues that we will also in the micro present that in nigeria has.