this is d.w. news live from berlin no end in sight of germany's lock down regional leaders seek to extend pandemic restrictions be on the east as infection rate so will pass that threshold set to protect hospitals from being overwhelmed. and poland enters a new lockdown as coronavirus cases increase there the government closes bars restaurants and borders for 3 weeks as infection rates near record highs. classed eastern australia battles its worst floods in decades a relentless down pollings the outskirts of sydney under water and dams overflowing

with no let up in sight or sars he's declared natural disaster. i'm rebecca richards welcome to the program several german states of pushing to extend a strict coronavirus restrictions into april that's according to a draft plan of tamed by the news agency a.f.p. germany is battling its 3rd wave of the corona virus the rate of infections has to pass that threshold of $100.00 per 100000 people a level at which experts say hospitals risk being overwhelmed already say variants of the virus are driving the rising numbers chancellor angela merkel and regional leaders will meet on monday to discuss further measures. joining me now is deputy political correspondent. break it to us gently won't walk away expect from that

meeting on monday. well nothing terribly new we have seen a draft document circulated by the social democrat side of the governing coalition and we have seen under them act we'll see if the stuff pretty fast to stress that this is not a draft coming from the chance to itself and talk of an extension time wise wait into april and should of course crucell ahead of the easter holidays but i do expect the demonspawn senate and the states to point towards that formula that they found 2 weeks ago when they discussed which steps to take and that is that magic threshold that you mention $100.00 but 100000 people infected within the space of 7 days below that we would expect an easing of the current lockdown but you just cited it germany has gone past that threshold and we seem to be moving away from

a unitary approach across the country in terms of whether some so close to a very regional diff more differentiated approach in which might see salts open if the incidence rates drops but they're not dropping at the moment right now we have to tend to the vaccination rollout less than 9 percent of people in germany have received a fast shot of the back saying fall behind the u.k. and the us and many other countries why is that. well and what is being cited by the government is that the vaccine simply isn't there what is true is that the e.u. keeps exporting vaccine whereas the united states for instance won't taxiing out having said that there is a recognition on the side of well he said yes that the e.u. that germany was slow in getting this out this seems to be a lot of red tape that german states stumbling over and production facilities simply not being fast enough and patience certainly when you look at the opinion

polls is wearing thin on that very issue and you mentioned that it's exactly what i want to ask you next i mean isn't given the slow progress of the vaccination rollout the same english never ending lockdowns head does the government still have public support. it does overrule what we are seeing also is that people would like to see tougher restrictions once again particularly with extra flights now going to make your code people taking more risks being willing to take risks it's a large majority of the population that wants to rein in that wants to remain cautious but we are seeing under them apples conservative exceed you see us you see drops significantly in the pinion polls and this could of course have an effect if this follows through until september we see general elections here and really and the end of the year. thank you very much for that update.

and a look at some other developments in the pandemic now tokyo is lifting its state of emergency just days before the start of the olympic torch relay that precedes the games to be held in july experts warn that an easing of restrictions could lead to a resurgence of the coronavirus the west bank and the gaza strip have begun administrating the 1st vaccine doses delivered through the kovacs mechanism while israel leads the world in immunization against covert 19 the palestinian territories have struggled to procure vacs aims and a european summit shared jeweled for next week has been moved online in response to rising infection numbers in member states the summit was due to take place in brussels on thursday and friday. now let's turn to some of the other stories making news around the world and tanzania mourners have been paying their respects to like president john mega foolery who died earlier this week his body has been lying in state in dar es salaam the coffin will travel to other parts of the country in the coming days. voting is underway in the republic of congo's presidential election

denny. is expected to extend his 37 year grip on power the main opposition party is boycotting the vote which it says is illegal. in syria at least 5 civilians have died after shells fired from government controlled areas hit a hospital in a rebel held town activists say medical staff were injured in the explosion and at the red it comes despite a cease fire in the region backed by russia and turkey. off origins in astray or have declared a natural disaster as tarantula rains continue to pummel the east coast of the country the downpour is causing some of the worst flooding in decades people were evacuated from near sydney as more than 30 centimeters of rain fell on the area in just over a day emergency services are warning of a life threatening situation. skloot stone the manning river in new south

wales. much of the state has been affected by dangerous flash flooding it's causing widespread damage and discrediting lives american sea services have appealed to people not to drive through the flood waters it's not worth. the risk you creating significant risk to yourself or your families and also to the rescuers who need to come and. record reams of most of the state some areas have reported the worst flooding in half a century and the dying poor is are showing no signs of abating. we're just inundated at the moment. and the water still rising demographic of course you know you know. here this is the worst i've seen it last year just after christmas it was pretty bad as well but not this bad. there's going to be a lot of people that my good i get there has a lot of about i want to get to work the ride will be wrecked and as well that's

going to get a test and i think a lot of people bit of a walk up call the government is offering financial assistance to people affected by the floods meteorologists are warning that this extreme weather is set to continue for several days. and for more let's bring in journalist purcell harrison pleasant in sydney hi richelle so new south wales is saying some of the worst flooding in decades and parts of sydney where you are also now being evacuated what kind of damages are we talking about here well actually authorities are said to right it's currently lashing the middle coast of new south wales is a once in a century then it is the right who are breaking ranks that is lashed that region but also as you said right here in sydney evacuation orders were given this sunday afternoon to thousands of residents in old west and see sydney notably the head

rift area a national disaster has been declared in 16 local government areas across the state we know that hundreds of properties of properties have been damaged and now how well prepared all far scenes and people think as we heard that obviously there's going to be some funding from the government but how well prepared. well i think both authorities and residents were taken by surprise by just how quickly the strains arrived and how quickly the floodwaters started rising so there was a grace amount of preparation and 13 makeshift evacuation centers of popped up in those affected regions of cross the state there were more than 100. volunteers on the front line there and they have reportedly carried out some 700 led rescues just in the past 3 days so that and enormous amounts of the

mountain again that's a once in a lifetime in a stream of weather events that i think just nobody was prepared for was expecting the rain is going to keep bashing this area well into next week so i think it's a case of of people really just hunkering down and bracing for the worst harrison cressy in sydney stay dry and safe thank you. honestly get football now in dortmund were on the road saturday in cologne where young scoring sensation in holland grabbed 2 more goals and his club they did both of them to win a point early in the match holland controlled along past and poked the ball into the net to give dortmund a one nil lead but cologne scored twice to go ahead until the 90th minute women always popped up again to make it 2 to the dorseys dortmund stay in 5th place in the league. let's take a look at the school so far this weekend in the bundesliga in sunday's early game

mindstate hoffenheim to boost their hopes of escaping relegation on saturday champions by undestroyed stuttgart despite playing short handed most of the game live below felled frankfurt down to berlin bowls one and lost placed last again to berlin is leading leaving houston at the moment while host outspoken in the late game. when tenet's germany's alexander has won a thrilling mexican open final in acapulco the world number 7 say they're at the bottom of the screen recovered from a shaky stuck start rather debate stephanus set to pass in straight sets 6476 that's was the top seed and had stormed into a 41 late in the 1st set before sarah turned it around the german said the presence of fans at the tournament had made it the most fun he'd had in recent months.

berlin is home to one of the world's top orchestras the philharmonic but since last year it hasn't been able to perform in public due to the pandemic now the orchestra is looking at ways to change that it's given a test concert with numerous safeguards to protect both players and the audience from the coronavirus. romeo and juliet the 1st live concert after berlin's few armani concert hall in more than a year. to your audience of 1000 people paid to some of 20 year olds and that included a code with 19 text despite the 3rd pandemic wave hitting germany with rising numbers of infections these concert goers eagerly starting line. what do you expect from today a great concert from the orchestra conductor including finally able to listen to music in a concert hall with many people around the world. it's good for the soul. i

feel really really great i don't feel like i'm a guinea pig at all it's an honor to be here today plus the sound of people clapping that's a noise that i haven't heard for a long time. book before the applause the crowd have to get tested instead of a drink and an opportunities or 3 got their throats walked 500 people were tested in just 90 minutes and not one of them was positive for corona virus. the technicians who turns to the crowd were also allowed to watch the concert on the orchestra were tested 2. kinds who were helped by can't describe how happy the orchestra are that they're allowed to play in front of an audience one of them told me they'd bought a new suit for the occasion other members said it's like 10 christmases in one. chief conductor care oprah trego i'm the berlin philharmonic passion like this hasn't been witnessed in a long time the pilot project in 9 cultural venues runs until easter tickets sold

out within minutes. and let's take you to vote in central france now and have a look at a very rare ritual that's been caught on camera kuantan a famous hand that was put in contact as they say with a male counterpart on the scene and they made it it's an incredibly rare moment as fame does are only fertile for 24 to 48 hours a year there's says they'll know in around about a fortnight if she's pregnant or not. they're watching data has a reminder of our top story this hour reports say several german states are pushing to extend strict coronavirus restrictions beyond chance that uncle americal will meet regional leaders on monday to discuss rising infection rates. as it were up to date data in-depth stories reporter is next they'll be more news headlines at

the top of the hour until then there's always our web site at state dot com you can download our data news app as well or follow us on social media where at the w. news i'm rebecca rivers in berlin for me. and the entire team here thanks very much hope to. cut. by 2050 more than half the world will be living with limited water resources we haven't had to think about our water or worry about. i think that era is over this is the crisis of our time it's a financial product like any other financial we live in

a competitive world just call to its core it's blue cool water used to be free but the world is changing the most important commodity junkers. recently. saw her city for commodity starts march 22nd on g.w. . as the from the dives it does i asked my job means working through data and want to dine means to us humans but through this i come to understand so much more about in life outcomes. and the mark. begich scheffler is an undertaker she sends people off on their final journey and often is a comfort to the ones they've left behind as the corona pandemic drags on she tries to accomplish the seemingly impossible to be close to strangers in their most

difficult hour while staying at a safe distance. all. candlelight helps create a subject to the atmosphere the mask is a precaution to get scheffler and her coworkers are right to give or prepare the body to be laid out in the casket in germany this is the undertakers task. haven't flown such long hair raising isn't it after suffering else i missed for years this woman passed on aged 95 in a nursing home in berlin with them for a little freshener up a bit for her final journey. siren i always washed the body often together with family members and i. didn't open up my then it's

like giving them one final loving careerists or one final loving gesture on. the lead the new before i give up my we clean interest the body. and give them a farewell touch there have been times when the family lives behind did so much when we just stand back and provide little assistance. it's always so touching that happens. but the coronavirus pandemic robbed many people of this opportunity in many cases those left behind were only allowed a final glimpse then yes i'm not i'm a one off what if she had died all full with the covert 19 and of course we would have to take more precautions. then we put on smallpox somewhere not only masks but also some protective devices. and then we'd have to take extra care when moving the body. being the primary danger comes from the air that might still be in her lungs

that could escape. in the long way of life but there's really quite a lot to consider them and or at least for this to go from in march. of the deceased's they've prepared this winter big it says one in 5 had the coronavirus. the 4th it's quiet rare that we trace the body in undergarments but that's all she had from wearing suits to suck which is east we've seen everything in the. i often wonder she's satisfied with her life if you were to ask her now was she happy. might she have done something differently she could decide all over again my insight and current. not long ago to get made a life changing decision she gave up her position on the board of the media outlets and went into business for herself. safe

travels. ok the change came as quite a surprise to bigots family. the 1st thing i did was tell my husband. and his initial reaction was very calm and collected but today looking back he admitted he thought nothing would ever come of it that he thought i'd forget about it in a few weeks like a crazy thought that never lasts. but he was wrong. 6 year old me to seize her mum's profession as a normal job like any other death is no to do in the family. i want to my daughter nice but i day she knows i'm an undertaker. and she also knows the most part what that means it's that it's not the main topic of conversation. it's completely normal just like with any other profession sometimes we talk about

it and sometimes we don't and it always comes up when she sees that atlanta move that started a little bargain who prescribe. for food then she'll say mum's got to come and bury it. and now i know the other is only strange the others say. that i know you're only an undertaker for people ok good. when being good was 27 her mother died suddenly without any previous illness she was. years old her death and begins experience with the undertaker back then still affect be a good in her work today that my. niece i saw for myself what it was like back then went from one day to the next without any warning you find yourself having to part with someone very close to you. and your guns kind of mention of cops even some reason at the time we got run through a process more or less possibly. a passive nobody really actually was there to help

us. it was all quite run of the mill. and. that time should have been more comforting for us. and that's why i'm trying to do things differently now. not so much bigot and sorrow started the funeral parlor in the midst of the pandemic a relatively uncomplicated process in germany the fair house or fairy house office custom funeral concepts tailored to individual requirements the 2 women often accompanied the family members for several weeks doing what they can to help them through difficult farewells that's not customary for the business and be a good service as cost a bit more but mourning family member henry car appreciates all he does. can i get that for you but yes it really was any cox mother passed away a few months ago after a long illness if you can this is what i think it turned out beautifully we had

a brand. they think it's so beautiful. penny's mother was cremated like most to seize germans any design to earn herself. if. they do everything here with some much love and care they really think about how to make this process as bearable as possible how can they bring a little joy to the mourners how can we connect better it's a good feeling. thing. when they. come through place or in a. perfect fit perfect. when it's in orbit or if i weren't such an environmentalist i would have laid one last cigarette in there. but i couldn't do that to the environment. penny's mother did not die of covert still even at her farewell the pandemic makes itself felt the big wake won't be taking place for

henny it just makes the burden harder to bear i've invited it's so sad that i have to call all my mom's family and friends before the funeral and tell each and every one of them that we can tug at the cemetery and that we'll all have to wear masks we'll have to postpone that for when it's safe to gather again sometime in the summer i hope that makes me so sad and embrace what bring us closer together and to be able to take someone in your arms and receive comfort yourself it's such a shame to have to miss out on that this is the top shot of. the funerals to be held the following day. since the mourners want to be able to eat together she packs lunches for everyone. in cafe at a café we could have just reserved a table and taken everyone there it would have been easier because we could have spent more time together that way but a lot of love has gone into this and can anybody but not every problem caused by

the pandemic can be solved as creatively as you can such simple things as shaking hands or even just reaching out a hand and sometimes i take by hand in both of mine when i see that someone is struggling and i have them really tight and deep in their eyes i miss that i long for the day when that's possible again. but nobody knows when that day will arrive big it has to take things as they come back to with something her profession has taught her how much the diaper does to me my job means working through death and what dying means to assume and this toward for inspection but as a result i've come to appreciate so much more about life and i think i'm much more able to enjoy life my and that's leaving spurns a question that's leaving a nice and so there are so many things about life i couldn't truly grasp until now the 3rd. this truly is not just a profession to me it's a calling. from italy off the album. and her life's work begins where another

life ends the day has come when his mother is to be buried. now it is today is another corona situation some 50 people lost the data burial and at the wake of 2 words there's only around 20 are allowed into the chapel and will open the door was will have loudspeakers outside and a microphone set up inside so the ones who have to stand outside will be able to listening. just let me take a quick look up front to see if you can really list is there i'm sure must be this initial distancing rules allow no more than 20 people in the chapel at a time the other mourners will have to live. into the ceremony over loudspeakers when i'm excited it's just about to start and we've had to set up quite a lot in a relatively short time and it's a lot situation so everything that works works and everything that doesn't doesn't we can't repeat anything. out that's smart our. i would say.

789. 2 chairs. chairs i need chairs once everything set up i'll come down. they had just half an hour to decorate the chapel sarra and to get have some helpers to make sure it all goes without a hitch hennie gets to see the results 1st. through it looks great doesn't it now light a few candles so it's even better if it's so wonderful to see how many people have sent flowers it's so incredibly beautiful. in between the speeches music by the top the hose and the beatles blasts through the loudspeakers it's a memorial service that's not just sad just the way henny wanted it.

hurt. her. any can take fitting leave of her mother and big it is glad that everyone is happy attention is going on and now i can breathe a sigh of relief and happiness that eventually worked out so well and the feedback was so positive many people said that's exactly how she was in life and that she would have loved the service and that's great that's a nice is feedback you could ask for and. be a good scheffler undertaker mc friend in need and shining light in times of darkness. play. eco africa.

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