we live in a competitive world this cold it's cold it's too cold. to be free but the world is changing to my so important a moment you. can be prepared. to. visit the commodity stores march 22nd on t w. this is d w news and these are our top stories germany france italy and spain have become the latest countries to suspend the rollout of the astra zeneca coated 1000 vaccine over safety fear is the move follows reports of an increased risk of blood clots but astra zeneca and the w.h.o. insist there is no risk. mean maher security forces have again fired on pro-democracy protesters killing several people that they tell us he's come a day off the dozens of activists were killed in the largest city yank on the state

for costa says the military has imposed martial law in 6 townships in the city. and british police have arrested several protesters during a 3rd night of demonstrations in london people gathered to demonstrate against the breaking up of a vigil over the weekend for murder which for much of victims are ever odd the gathering led to confrontations between police and mainly female mourners the metropolitan police says it acted to protect the public as a vigil breached coronavirus restrictions well this is d w news from berlin you can find much more news on our website as well as analysis on. board. one year ago italy became the 1st european country to impose

a coronavirus lockdown today italy started shutting down yet again new cases are climbing hospitals are filling up a 3rd wave is hitting europe and the timing could not be worse with vaccination rollouts across europe already stubbornly slow today more each you can treat suspended use of the astra zeneca vaccine over blood clot worries europeans have an abundance of caution tonight what they need more an abundance of shots in the arms i'm broke off in berlin this is the day. 6 when the gemini suspending vaccination with the astra zeneca vaccine as a precautionary measure we continue to be a very cold about the program and it's it's great to see it being rolled out in such a sort of speed across 3 across the u.k. that sanction against a culture of 900 doesn't refuse to answer many of the concerns and the loss of

trust in the vaccine is leading. less uptake will undoubtedly board at the same site we did not reach his decision lightly but it's always been clear to me that this is a decision for specialists not for politicians but it's. also coming up the war in syria 10 years of fighting have left a nation in ruin a people uprooted and a future so dark it already haunts the present now we have with us in tempe and move to the biggest committee chris is the 2nd world war the many losses many of the current. composition of the i have to say that there is no life until the time. to our viewers on p.b.s. in the united states into all of you around the world welcome we begin the day with

a question for europe when you find yourself in the grips of the pandemics 3rd wave what is the best way forward increasing the number of bats in nations or decreasing the number of vaccines well tonight much of the european union is fighting the coronavirus minus one major vaccine today germany france italy and spain joined the list of the u. countries suspending use of the astra zeneca coronavirus vaccine on worries of possible blood clots and astra zeneca responded by. saying that 17000000 people have already been inoculated here in europe with no evidence of a heightened risk of blood clots the world health organization also saying there is no leak and adding that countries should not stop using the banksy that's advice that the german health minister is not taking us fatone and stuff to keep up confidence in this spec scene we now have to give our experts in germany and the

european union time to review this recent cases they must also clarify the question of whether the benefits of facts in nations continue to outweigh possible risks because one thing is clear non-blacks a nation also has serious health implications and that review process is what we're waiting on now. that was the german health minister speaking there let's take this now to professor paul hunter professor hundreds going to have you on the day as it stands tonight there is no evidence of a link between the astra zeneca bank scene and increased risks of blood clots career is that correct. number of cases this is being followed. something called. venous bemis such a strong dose which is pretty uncommon but when you're thinking about how many

people. right across europe. you would expect to see some cases surely my shots. following that nation so dr how do you explain that if there is no causal link here how do you explain what is happening here in germany in france spain italy in other european union countries. well i think what bob the issues is that want something like this is being right people to get nervous and both. members of the public and indeed also medical doctors as well and i don't think there is a i hate fear that he had to. to allow that thing to go ahead when when these sorts of concerns have been right the problem is that not going at it that seniors associated with a very clear risk of increased risk of infection death many times greater than what

is being suggested by this association which may actually probably webs turn out to be causal you know want to take a listen to a possible explanation that was given earlier today take a listen the. virus the sun has come virus appears to affect the blood in a very characteristic way and kind cause both this clotting and the bleeding we know that very well so. i would say the 1st thing before starting to pour the vaccine is to be absolutely sure that none of the cases or at least the majority of the cases don't have undiagnosed kovi it dr do you agree with this i mean could this all come down to people already being infected and not knowing it and then receiving the vaccine. it's not certainly

entirely plausible yes i mean we do know we know from the experience in israel least i went to a certain extent in the u.k. there are people tend to get an increased risk of if it was around the time of their nations largely because either they have gone a bit got the infection is that being going to trump the last minute or indeed because since they got the vaccine they sort of tend to relax and or eat when they are know that all that coming up they tend to relax saying in that following that it was fictions and that's been well described so it's quite plausible that such around the time of the vaccine more people than average would have been basing the infection and indeed that doesn't need to be investigated as a matter of priority if it hasn't already been done. fancy naming that what you

bring up there even in terms of public health policy you know we're hearing that this is spin she has been here as a precaution but it is without a doubt it's damaging the public perception of this vaccine people could refuse to get this shot and they could die as a result right yeah oh absolutely and i think that there are the statistics of that are absolutely very convincing and we know. the case is that of being a korean seem to be people forty's all thereabouts and the risk of dying if you get a an infection from the code at that age is wrapped about one in the house so that violent deaths that 1000000 people infected and that compares to what they call it center set suggest today at the risk of an association of about 4000000

doses that the statistics are very much. towards actually carrying on with really the vaccine especially if as as many people suspect this is. not to be real we understand that the european medicines agency plans to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss this but it's not tonight not tomorrow on thursday does that seem problematic to you. well i think when you when you call one of these meetings they a lot of the people there got other things that they can get out of things that maybe just as important for the public balance that their countries and also by the time you meet you need to shed a lot of the information that you've got so that so that by the time people have started in the meeting that they're actually fully aware of what the information is not yet check things out the information that they have got so you. see meeting

an hour or so sounds like a good idea but in reality what happens is that people are to prepare adequately for that they need very important discussions that they will be hosting yeah definitely be an important meeting this coming thursday that is for sure professor paul hunter of the university of east anglia in the u.k. professor as always we appreciate your time in your insights tonight thank. you. it is this vaccination policy and the public's dismay and disappointment over policy you know when you combine the 2 the result can be devastating for the political party in power just ask the conservatives of german chancellor angela merkel on sunday her c.d.u. party was handed stinging defeats in 2 regional elections it is safe to say tonight that the c.d.u. has every right to panic national elections will take place in september will step

down after 16 years as chancellor it will be a major political change in germany and the voters look set to punish those in power if the country's pandemic policy remains disaster number one germany super election badly for chancellor merkel's conservatives in 2 regional elections they significant enough support among voters the c.d.u. is in crisis one day late and the frustration was crystal clear among the party leadership is going to clearly say that the regional election results are disappointing because a cd used. in. an election result is always a wake up call for anyone who doesn't take note of election results who simply overlooks them simply not understood the meaning of an election. the c.d.u. was probably punished by voters for the painfully slow coronavirus vaccine rollout nationwide. a facemask procurement scandal involving conservative lawmakers only

made things worse. but one party's loss is another party's gain after winning the election in the wealthy state of bob to back the greens were in triumphant mode on monday in. overall we see that momentum for the greens continues we are starting the super election strongly the trend of recent years is confirmed in 2021. photos and i know it's fun to watch similarly the social democrats were eager to highlight their victory in the state of ryan and patton at. this comes as long as the election result especially right now. to the social democratic party as a whole. and we want to use the upswing to help ensure that we can lead a future federal government to provide a german chancellor on the subject are trying to stand the 2 regional vote and not necessarily a preview of what will happen in september when all germans go to the polls but

they do provide clues about what voters throughout the country want what problems they see what parties they like i'm not out what correlations might be possible at a federal level for the c.d.u. in particular they are also a stark warning they have 6 months to recover before their biggest challenge whether they can hold on to power without time 11 o'clock. let's look at this now with our chief political editor here in berlin good evening to you so am i reading this right with these 2 regional elections the voters have put americans party on notice either find a solution fast or find your way out of power come september. it's not quite as drastic as that but at the same time these elections on to role model for the whole country but then again they are too big to ignore those countries together they're about the equivalent of the size of belgium and the size

of croatia so but what they have proven is that the greens on just having a very good ride with the vote is that they are getting increasingly emboldened and thinking big and also thinking potentially other compensations than what we're seeing in the current polls which suggested for months that the likely outcome of the next elections with the angle on that we'll see you continuing in the lead and the greens being the junior coalition partner while the greens are coming across not more senior at this moment in time and that america will see you is on the defensive over corona but also on that you know scandal of some m.p.'s having had to resign because they took cash for a brain jing trade in those surgical masks so they set me on the defensive and they don't even have the top cans at the chance account is it taking them into these elections yet yeah that's right these elections they've started the countdown to

september when uncle americal plans to step down after 16 years in power and there really is no clear definite successor to her is there. well her favorite and she does protest to mark's over that is just the cane and the leader of the c.d.u. posse very recently but then he isn't that terror the popular across the board and just thought that this defeat is the 1st thing that happened body was in office and he's up against the most likely mouth of sudan as he still blanks come out of the closet with really wants to add to the race that he is the more popular of the 2 although he too has been hit over corona recently and that decision we're told will be sometime after easter still quite a while off with the seaview party still in limbo on which course it will take all right our chief political as a mechanic of on what is going to be an exciting election year here in germany

michela thank you. it began as one of the arab spring xb oldest uprisings it became one of humanity's biggest crime scenes 10 years ago today in the blossoming of the arab spring people in syria began protesting against the rule of president bashar al assad in the city of durai 15 children were arrested for spring anti-government slogans and that sent people into the streets demanding greater human rights and democracy and the regime of bashar al assad responded with a brutal crackdown that would morph into an all out war where than half a 1000000 people have died more than 5 and a half 1000000 syrians have become refugees 6000000 were displaced within syria losing their home with nowhere to go. it started with a glimmer of hope in spring 2011 the people took to the streets of syria after

watching the arab spring in other countries they decided to demonstrate for political reforms and democracy in their own country. but their story ended differently. president assad's regime brutally struck down the protesters. but they fought back a rebel army formed this peaceful protesters joined forces with his battle lines were drawn to one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 21st century began in syria. other world powers used the conflict for their advantage to spread their influence in the region. moscow and tehran supported a silent while the united states and turkey gave their support to the rebel troops . the assad government regained control of syria but their victory was blunted.

the country lay in ruins. it's the civilians who have suffered most since the beginning of the war at least half a 1000000 syrians have been killed more than 6000000 syrians have left the country and of the 6200000 a still displaced within syria more than half of them children 10 years later for the people of syria peace is still a long way away. with a list of program ocracy 5 years in syria is long and bloody tonight we want to focus on one of the most prominent human rights lawyer an activist. she was kidnapped by armed men in 2013 to this day her whereabouts and her fate remain a mystery the news investigative unit has been retracing her steps and this is what they discovered. mining. you heard this from the hostages.

when protests erupted across syria in march 20th level rights activist rosen said to me i was on the frontline she was key to revolutionary efforts across the country beside her also close friends mustn't we should. we meet the human rights lawyer in paris is. because. for me the most important aspect of president's personality is a rejection of injustice and willingness to do anything to fight injustice be. i when the assad regime responded with a bloody crackdown arresting thousands of activists resumé true and the world would know. she became a key stores she had this sort of softness almost frailty to her when you matter of the beginning and you like how she doing this very dangerous job. and then as soon

as you spoke to her you immediately discovered the sort of steely courage and principles. in 2013 the present slate regime had to mask for drama a town that would later be dominated by the hardline militant group jaish and islam . present launched women's initiatives for for the rule of law and documented human rights abuses including those committed by our travels. all that made her and petted her for jaish al islam to its control to its ideology and its desire to establish an emirate a caliphate. rather than was targeted several times the bullet left at her doorstep and none of this letter obtained by g.w. threatening her life the words i will kill you repeated 5 times a trusted confidant not even who are asked to leave tomorrow she responded the next

day saying i am not going to move we did not do a revolution lose thousands of souls so that such monsters can come and repeat the same unjust history. these people need to be held to account just like the regime. on december 9th 2600 armed men stormed her office they abducted resign together with her husband and 2 fellow activists after years of investigation human rights lawyer and his team are confident that jaish al islam are responsible they gave has exclusive access to their findings. a little additional witness statements we collected in syria and turkey corroborate that reson was held by the islamists before the trail goes cold. we've confronted high ranking members after they strongly denied any involvement in the attacks however its additional investigation

is underway by the french war crimes unit here in paris and a former top official of the group has already been arrested in connection with the case martin darwish hopes that the investigation of the finally bring clarity for him presence absence is reminiscent of the pro-democracy movement in syria. the fate of rozanne and her colleagues resembles that of the civil peaceful movement to try to create a moral eternity for syria. they were crushed between the regime and these islamist groups in the bed in the end terry and as well as the. 8 years after iran and her colleagues disappeared their fate remains one of the great mysteries of the revolution but friends and relatives have not given up hope that one day they will know the truth. and with me now is my colleague.

investigative units because of that story fascinating but when you look at the time it's been 7 years since what result of her colleagues disappeared in your opinion is there any chance of finding them after all this time finding them alive. it is a tough question and it's very tough to answer. we there are credible indication that she was held alive some years after their protection of her her husband and her her fellow activists and we have evidence we have reviewed evidence that she was held in a prison after. do we know if she's still alive no we don't right now we have to really follow up some some more leads. we have to corroborate information and this is sometimes really challenging because actually there are

a lot of wrong leads out there and we're trying to find more witnesses and investigate to really at the end shed a little bit more light on the fate of you and sort of the beginning of this segment the list of pro-democracy activists is long and it's a bloody one in syria why did you choose to focus on was on story i mean she is one of the most prolific figures of the sort of revolution she helped to build democratic structures she tried to document human rights violations and to understand her story. helps a little bit to understand the fate of the democratic movement of syria and to see how it was in a way crushed between the us half regime on one side and these radical islamist forces on the other side who in a way kidnapped the revolution and followed their own islamist agenda we heard

a new report that was on was against a group called. this right. tell us more about. just as some has been one of the most power. armed opposition groups and they are still operational in syria in 2013. was abducted they had their main bases and by 40 a satirist even later they also for mic so-called islamic state but they also for what other rebel groups because they really wanted to gain more control and by doing that they reportedly committed grave human rights violations we are talking about torture we are talking about false disappearance we're talking about massacres and what we know it's not that much because these violations haven't been documented that much. on the contrary of the

islamist groups they were part of the international peace talks and this coincidence really is also our attention and we really wanted to look for the internet. because excellent thank you very much and as you heard the w. is continuing to investigate the disappearance of resigned and her colleagues if you know anything about their whereabouts or the circumstances of their abduction or if you have any information you can contact us at tips at proton dot com but it is always done the conversation continues online you find us on twitter. or you can call me a burnt off t.v. remember whatever happens between now with tomorrow is another day we'll see you then everybody.

greg. kilcullen. for some. others the relegation battle is enough to get a leg up in the face disappointment in the fall hopelessly behind these months to come bottom of the. next on d w. the kimono lockdown has closed businesses.

limited production and. delivery changes. the global economy around the truck. but could reduce the flow of goods. comes consequences come pandemic is changing globalisation. in 45 minutes on d w. more than a 1000 years ago europe witnesses a huge construction boom. christianity firmly established itself. both religious and secular leaders or eager to display their power.

huge race began. including the tallest biggest and the most beautiful structures this is how massive churches were created. conscious the feat rolls starts april 12th on d. w. . od. the countdown is all.