ah, ah ah ah, this is dw news coming to you live from berlin on the kron becomes the dominant corona by restrain in the us people line up to get tested in washington as authorities say the highly contagious newbury. it now accounts for almost 3 quarters of all new infections. well, this comes as leaders in germany,

plot countries, next steps against the army kron variant. they're expected to impose contact restrictions, even on those who've been doubly vaccinated or recovered from covered 19th. and poland draws up plans requiring doctors to report all pregnancies to the state activists called it further stem to control women's bodies in a country where nearly all the portions are already banned. plus, diving into the frigid waters of lake geneva. some party folks come for a re christmas dinner. ah. hello em, terry martin. good heavy with us. the only kron corona bar is very, it is spreading rapidly around the world. case numbers have exploded in many countries in the us army kron is now the dominant strain accounting port,

73 percent of old infections just a week ago, that figure was 12 percent in new york virus cases are surging just ahead of holiday season gatherings. oh 03. 0 one huh. oh, this is just a test. new year's eve in times square has not come early by the on the chrome wave has hit the us sooner than many experts expected nearby and new yorkers line up to get tested with christmas just days away and cases surging. many are worried. definitely feels like that 1st wave of the pandemic without anxiety, all these long lines are on the city. people getting tested on exams are getting cancelled for people in grad school like myself. so i kind of feel like that really part of the content we didn't really know was happening. i think we've all been affected as a new yorker, we're targeting every single promotion that we can um got double vax boosted

regular testing. i am planning to travel for the holidays, but depending on the result of this test, i'll probably stay put in your back. americas took pandemic advisor. anthony found she though, had a hopeful message for those worried about the holidays. and you can go the extra mile and get tested before you have a family gathering or a group get test the day before or the day of getting together, but vaccinated and boosted people. one of the family members of accident, it should feel very comfortable in getting together and enjoying a holiday meal or a holiday. get together president joe biden plans to address the rapid rise in corona virus case as later on tuesday. but he's already made it clear with some of the blame lies for those who choose to remain and vaccinated. he'll issue a stark warning and make clear and vaccinate individuals will continue to drive hospitalizations and deaths. that is not trying to scare people or maybe it is

trying to make clear to people in the country what the risks are here of not being vaccinated. despite the worsening situation in times square, some people were still in a festive mood. thought this might be the last time new york has see these lights in person. the math still hasn't decided if new year's celebrations here. we'll go ahead and let's get more from peter chin hong. he is a professor of medicine at the university of california in san francisco. good to have you back with this. tell us the doctor had shown a week ago on the chronic count for just 12 percent of us infections. now it's 73 percent. what does that tell you about the virus? it's tells us terry, that this virus is speeding i had and forward like no other variant before. and if you think about 2 weeks ago, it was one percent. so it tells us really 2 things. first of all,

that probably genomic sequencing lives, what the cases really are in the community. and secondly, once you get enough people infected in a community, it's like little kern, a virus bombs going off. the increase is really exponential corona, virus, bombs. what do you expect the situation to be like then 2 weeks from now in the u. s. y c continued spread. i think it started off. 4 in the east coast, really because of a lot of contact with the u. k. and with the southern african countries, there are direct flights from dr. misburg, for example, to new york, new jersey, d. c. it's not as prevalent maybe in california yet, although it's increasing authorizations are not that high compared to the east coast, but it's spreading westward. so i see a big sweep i see potentially unprepared hospital systems for this deluge. texas has reported which believe to be the 1st known omicron related death in the

us. do we know yet whether on the cross is more deadly than other variants? we don't know that for sure, cherry. but in many cases, this 1st death that's confirmed to arman cronin us is a metaphor of lots that come this was an unvaccinated individual who was previously exposed naturally, but because of unvaccinated and on boosted it kind of confirmed our predict greatest prediction and fears. very serious e l. death. if not vaccinated, he got re general and these monoclonal antibodies are no good against on red cross . these particular types we need others that are less available in the us for them to work. how well is the us prepared for what's coming? well, i think we're not as prepared as we should be. i think this took the biden administration

by surprise. it came out of left field almost. and i think that in all senses, testing has been seriously under provide, in a hospital by seas are breaking points regionally. national guard is being called out . i think probably the greatest potential casualty is not the physical beds. it's the, you know, psychological state of american people at this point. we wanted to have a christmas way. we can go to theater and see friends and family and all of a sudden this is that greatest right person. thank you very much for talking with this. that was talk to peter, chin, hong, talking to us from san francisco. thanks so much, jerry. his lucas. some of the other developments in the pandemic world wide new zealand has postponed openings and of its borders amid concerns over the over chron variant. quarantine. pre travel is now possible for new zealanders only from the

end of february onwards. in australia, infection rates have served with the state of new south wales reporting 3000 new cases on tuesday alone. but the australian government has been reluctant to impose new restrictions. the european union, meanwhile, has approved the use of the nova vax vaccine in people aged 18 and older european medicine's agency said data shows the vaccine has an efficacy of around 90 percent . well, germany's leaders are meeting to day to plot this country's response to the op kron variant new cases have eased off recently, but experts are warning the next wave of infections could be the biggest yet new credit virus infections in germany rose in the autumn peaking at over $70000.00 per day in late november, and they've since dipped to around $50000.00 in recent days. here's a look at a how infection rates, though, are in other countries. we're all micron is spreading fast and there are many of

there was right next to germany, the u. k. as it, it's highest numbers up ever with 800 people per 100000 infected. over the last 7 days, the weekly rate in denmark is risen even higher to more than a 1000. the netherlands is below $600.00. germany's infection rate is just over $300.00, but as that is expected to rise quickly, as i said, well, a range of measures are on the table here in germany, including limiting social contacts, even for those doubly vaccinated or who recovered from covet 19 preparing for alma crohn, germany is rushing to get a vaccine booster shot to its critical workers like these firefighters in hamburg before the new cove at 19 variant becomes dominant. here, while daily cases are sinking across the country, experts more in the dreaded wave could arrive just after christmas. and 4th and nationalist explanation. it's a rapid exponential increase i talked with wanted,

if you take the conservative estimate that cases double every 3 days or what scientists and britain are reporting every 2 days. and if you only need a pocket calculator to see that that's extremely fast, is bombs and mitchell. while vaccines are the 1st line of defense, germany's government is preparing new restrictions for as early as next week, even for the fully vaccinated. like to send off not by to that we will have further restrictions on private contacts. so we're well prepared for the spread of the new virus mutation all over europe. was them? oh, it's a huge vial in novel pals. fight it. what the new curves will look like is unclear, that still needs to be discussed with the leaders of germany states, but it seems everything is on the table. is global, then the speech dated by the if experts predictions are confirmed and what we're seeing in neighboring countries continues be allied. and we can't rule out a general lockdown, including everything from businesses to education,

to private gatherings, and yet mismatched reason. for starters, that will likely mean cancelled new year's eve parties. and those making fitness resolutions for 2022 might have to postpone hitting the gym until the alma chron. waive is over. our chief political correspondent in a crane, is following the story closely. melinda, there's been no new snow serge yet in new cases, detected in germany with respect to a corona virus. is this just the calm before the all? mc cron storm. that's certainly what it looks like. in fact, the infection numbers are a bit erratic at the moment on monday they were slightly up from the weekend, then a little bit down again. but what we're seeing now are infections that essentially represent the receding 4th wave that was caused largely by the delta variant of coven. 19. the fact is though a micron has already set foot in germany and the fears are growing that it could

become the dominant variant as soon as late january or early february, because as we heard earlier, it is so much more infectious than previous variance. so an expert panel that's advising the new government here in germany says that if the spread of the only cranberry yet continues, as it has been doing so far, that a significant part of the german population will fall sick or have to go into quarantine at the same time and experts say that ultimately we could be looking at a $100000.00 new cases per day. so this expert group is warning that on the kron is a very high risk threat even to fully vaccinated people who haven't received a booster. and certainly also to those who've recovered from the coven. 19, they're calling a new dimension of the pandemic that is rolling across germany. now, sir, the jury government understand is preparing new measures to combat the next way. melinda, what sort of restrictions are we looking at? and when will they take effect?

well, the government has ruled out strict locked down ahead of christmas, but there is concerned that medical facilities could soon be overwhelmed. some are already and that essential services could be interrupted. so german politicians on the federal and state levels are meeting today to talk about how to tackle the the coming wave. and the chancellor said monday that he expects to reach agreement with state premiers on imposing further contact restrictions. and apparently they will be discussing a paper that would limit private gatherings to 10 people starting on december 28th, regardless of whether people attending those gatherings has been vaccinated. and regardless of whether they're indoors or outdoors, and in fact, night clubs will be closing here in berlin. this is a popular new year's destination. but those who want to come here better prepared to stand out in the hall than even outdoor gatherings, as i said, will be limited,

and those are unvaccinated. they can mix only with a maximum of 2 other people. germany's new government was sworn in just 2 weeks ago . this must be quite a stress test. melinda, for chancellor schoultz and his inexperienced health minister. absolutely. it is. although one must say the health minister is perhaps inexperienced in holding the reins of government, but he has served in the legislature the bonus tag. and he also is a very well known epidemiologist with lots of experience that's the reason he was chosen. however, the government is looking at an emergency situation where essential services like police fire brigades, a less kristi water could be facing trouble continuing to function if infection levels get as high as are predicted. so me emergency plants absolutely are needed and the government knows it. but it's getting off to a late start. pressure is on monday, korean, our chief political correspondent, thanks so much. sketchup on some other stories making headlines around the world

today. japan has executed prisoners for the 1st time in 2 years. the 3 inmates were put to death, the tokyo detention house, and had been convicted of multiple murders. there is wide port for capital punishment among people in japan, despite criticism from human rights groups. one of egypt leading pro democracy activists has been jailed for 5 years on charges of spreading fake news. up the pato has already served a 5 year sentence for taking part in unauthorized protests rights groups describe the trial is a sham. the us said it was disappointed by the burning former us president donald trump was heckled at an event when he declared that he had received a cobit $900.00 booster shot, he dismissed the hecklers as a very tiny group while on stage with conservative talk show host bill o'reilly in dela. okay. troops in the philippines have been racing to deliver aid to

regions devastated by super typhoon rye. at least 375 people were killed and hundreds more injured when the massive storm hit last week. half a 1000000 people have been forced from their homes. the red cross has launched an emergency appeal. many survivors are desperate. i am hungry. have mercy. that's what's written on this man's shine as he tries to flag down help. surrounding him a fallen power lines, a mangled mass in the carnage. survivors of super typhoon rye have been left and begging for food and water. oh, but what is the liam for buffy? what is really important during this situation is water and food. the people

are under stress and they need water. well, oh, they are so thirsty, loanable, begun. oh no, i hope we can fix the supply. and then it will be in a moment, the president rodrigo utility has promised about 36000000 euros in funds to help with the recovery. it must be some samo are going well, but reaching the people who need help is no easy feat. many areas are still struggling with down communication lines, power outages and blocked roads. the anger and desperation a palpable people here feel abandoned. because the linen gate mallette should have at least given us one fire truck for water, but there is none in law. no one showed up, i don't know where the politicians and election candidates are did up in the let's

see what happens when election time comes around. when they come here next, they'll see that they'll be hurt by what the people here will say, except that lemme balancing was helping them a bow to brazil at the monotony. wonderful. the red cross has appealed to the international community for 19000000 years to help victims of the disaster. but with scientists warning that climate change is making typhoons like this deadlier, that amount of money may just be a drop in the ocean. now to ethiopia, where the t cry, people's liberation front, the t p l f says it will withdraw from several regions that had captured in the last few months. the withdrawal could mark a turning point tennis possible step towards a ceasefire. after 13 months of brutal war, the ethiopian government says the t p laughs announcement is a cover of tactic for us recent military setbacks, ethiopia has been engaged in civil war for over a year,

which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions or join. now, by william davidson, a senior ethiopia analyst with international crisis group. he was based for many years in ethiopia, and he joined just now from cambridge in the u. k. we have the kira forces, the t p l f se they are pulling back to take ride from neighboring regions. is this a turning point in the war? it's certainly a very important moment. i think it reflects the fact that the plan by the take the leadership to capture this and impose the transitional government or at least to take control of that, your booty, car door have proved unachievable and they've come under pressure from drone attacks is what is popular mobilization on the i'm hara and federal side. so definitely a significant moment and it will say the fact that they've made this explicit call

presentation of hostility is also adjusted that positions in some important ways giving up immediately on the return of the territory and the west. and so now we have to see how the federal government respond. what does this retreat tell us, william about the relative strength of to grow and forces compared to those of the if the opium government there's very different interpretations of, of that, that take i leadership is claiming that this withdrawal was, was orderly. and that while they did face challenges, they didn't suffer massive losses. the narrative from the other side is supposed opposite, that the forces have been decimated, have in terms of manpower and also the loss of equipment. who through these drone attacks, we do know that the federal military has been significantly depleted, but we also know that there's a lot of recruits on, on that side. but really at this moment, the strength grey forces or how they depleted, they have been

a little bit hard to ascertain. this conflict has killed thousands and created the humanitarian crisis in ethiopia, but there are broader implications to it as well. how is this conflict affecting the region as a whole where we've had the direct involvement of, of eritrea in the conflict, we got 60000 refugees going to sit on from west and take rye. there's a possibility of sit on still getting further involved in this complex, especially if this piece efforts failed. and there's an offensive to reclaim west and take right from heart control whether also retrench rates that could brings the dawn into the pit chip. it really impacts on the rest of the horn of africa. yes, it comes from being stabilized very important country in the region. but serious impact would only come if we see a continued variation and possibly some breakdown of governmental authority. then we would potentially massive out refugee outflows in the region. william davidson,

senior analyst with the international crisis group. thank you very much. thank you . now to poland, which has one of the strictest abortion laws in europe, banning the procedure and all but a few cases. now the government wants to go even further by creating a legal register for all pregnancies. d w is alexandra phenomena reports now on an issue that often pits individual women against hospitals and the police, cloudy, acoustic, 26 years old entrepreneur. earlier this year she decided to and an unwanted pregnancy, using abortion pills. she ordered on the internet for one looked with ela. i went to a hospital just to confirm that i am not pregnant anymore. oh, i was. but once they are, i was brutally examined, though on the doctor didn't providing any medical information. instead, she scared me saying the state prosecutor needed to know that she would report me

to the authorities of others. washy, jonathan's washing despite poland sneered. total ban on abortion. women who terminate pregnancies cannot be prosecuted under polish law. that however, didn't prevent the police from interrogating her. a. claudia coast oak tells me, oh sam. okay, says look what we asked and they wanted to know how the pills were delivered out what the package looked like. so i'm open, i had to give them the names of all my friends who knew i had an abortion. not no idea what that was for help. also. last year, a court ruled that abortion in poland is only permitted in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is threatened, thousands took to the streets in protest with the intact until nina vandals come with one of them, is the reproductive rights activist says, that the results of the new law amounts to torture is found on the horse. it means that polish women are forced to carry pregnancy. with fetuses that have no rain that have no call if they are in distance outside of their body. we have legal har

hart failures. it's just impossible to describe how it feels like to be a woman enrolling to date. as of january, the government also plans to introduce a centralized register we're pregnancies and miscarriages are reported. pro choice activists fear this data base could be used to cause legal problems for women who use abortion pills or find other ways to an to pregnancy, pos shit or chefs. key is the gynecologist in which he says the concerns about the register are justified. as the data is available anyway, but he also says he is fed up with the issue being politicized in poland, if jelly bush with her we as doctors would like to be left alone by politicians. we want them to stop using us for their purposes or both sides of doing it. piazza or chef ski fears they're restrictive abortion rules in poland will have floss, think consequences. first could be the boys who they shows that there are women

with who now are afraid to get pregnant. so she has a job, they think, what am i going to do when i find out my thetis has an illness or gene damage your school. so that's why they decide not to get pregnant at all. so that is the lack of mothers against your prenatal examinations because they fear the results above a wrinkle. but the debate in poland continues with pro life activists demanding father restrictions and criminal charges against people selling abortion pills. the activists who sell the pills or any money on that. and this is what we want to stop . we want to stop this business of ah, business of deaf. you could say claudia could still cannot come to terms with what's going on in poland. she's hoping for a political change soon. otherwise, she says she is going to leave the country. well,

weather forecasters here in europe aren't offering much hope of a white christmas for most parts of the continent, but temperatures are still cold enough to live in the senses of those brave enough to gopro winter swim in switzerland. thousands took part in a traditional pre christmas dip in frigid waters. oh, baby, it's cold outside, but for some geneva that means it's time for a swim. the brave bared their skin in record numbers at this year's christmas cup. after last year's event was canceled due to the pandemic over 3000 signed up for a chance at glory and frozen toes to certain moral, pre gone, manifest. this is certainly the biggest winter swimming event in the world. oh yeah . it's that phenomenon of getting together and releasing your joy, the cold water takes us away from all our problems. due to the polar emma to challenge begins with a splash from a bucket, while it may look sadistic helps the swimmers bodies prepare for the coming shock.

once they've taken the plunge, the contestants have to swim 100 meters, while some are playing to win for others, the reward is a feeling of relief when it's all over. so i've quoted you is horrible for the 1st 10 seconds, but afterwards you feel really good. why are you doing this? aha, because we're having fun or soil for the smile afterwards. exactly, with a smile afterwards as well. oh maybe that explains the record attendance permission once again to do something out of the ordinary. oh. 6 you're watching d w nurse, thanks for being with us. ah ah

ah, thu iep and testing beautiful and pristine in the so called tron a remote island off the horn of africa. an unusual part of him, in,

untouched by the civil war, discovered by just a few tourists. the forgotten paradise. so cool. kluso on d. w. true hero wor, socialist construct. almost soviet, of course, was an ideal in the soviet union. millions were educated, according to this archetype. after the collapse of the eastern block, it disappeared. or did it almost soviet, to cause a soviet state of mind? in 45 minutes on d, w. o. o does a ah,

more and eternity. time. it can be measured precisely. indeed, everyone experiences it differently as if there are different forms of time. time. ah, a phenomenon, a dimension. if we know we won't live forever. an illusion. about time presenting future's past starts december 31st on d, w. the path into the mountains is steep, stony, and spectacular like the island itself. so co tra is regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the world.