ah, we should light on the opaque world who's behind the benefits, and why are they a threat to whistle creek wolf starts january 5th on d, w. ah ah ah, i see that we news lying from berlin exchanging threads while keeping the door open for a diplomatic solution for russia and the u. s. discussed the simmering tension surrounding ukraine, but neither wants to give in to the others. demands. also coming up,

the latest surgeon coven, 19 cases is worrying governments around the globe. many are imposing new restrictions and looking for ways to stop the spread of the highly transmissible con variance and devastation in brazil as heavy rain and floods and the lives of over half a 1000000 people. authorities in the state of by comparing the effected area to a war zone and call for international health. we mr. we love you. we thank you. south africans remember anti apartheid icon and nobel peace prize. laurie, it's desmond to tooth. ah, i'm nichol further. welcome. the program russian president vladimir putin and his

u. s. counterpart. joe biden spoke on thursday as tensions have been steadily rising over russia's troop build up near the ukrainian border in the 50 minute call by demanded a de escalation and threatened russia with new sanctions. putin warned that such a move would lead to a complete rupture of ties between the 2 countries. despite theories of irreconcilable differences, both sides agreed that there were grounds for meaningful progress. it's the 2nd time this month. the 2 leaders have spoken and more talks with senior us and russian officials are set for january. for more, let's bring in james, curt shake. he's a visiting fellow with a brookings institute, specialize on european politics and u. s. foreign policy strategy. mister cur. take these were the 2nd talks this month between president biden and fulton. what results do you expect?

i think they'll be more still made because i don't see the united states backing down. i said, united states and its allies does this really should not be a conversation between the united states and russia over the heads of the ukrainians. this is, this is about the democratic west, the free world. it's about the european community standing up for the really post world war 2 settlements and values, which is that countries are not allowed to invade other countries and sees their territory whenever they like. it was precisely what russia did in 2014, in annex saying crimea. and what it's been threatening to do over the past several weeks. so i think the west in the free world needs to stand firm and making clear to mr. brewton, that his telecom city will be met with a severe response not only by the european union in the united states, but i also think by ukrainians. i think they put up a very tough fight. and i know,

actually, i don't, i don't think he's going to launch a, a full scale invasion of ukraine because i think he's quite aware of the consequences of that. so mr. kirk, russia wants nato, to commit to never allowing ukraine to join. you say that the west should stand firm? how likely do you think the by an administration is to scale back cooperation with ukraine in response to these russian concerns? i don't think they will. it's been a pretty strong bipartisan policy in this country. over the past. really since the end of the cold war and certainly since the invasion of ukraine in 2014, to stand with the sovereign decisions of independent countries in europe and ukraine, like any other country like russia is allowed to make its own foreign policy decisions. provided that they don't violate or threaten their neighbors. and if there's only one country that's threatening neighbors, it's russia,

ukraine. the notion that russia has a legitimate security interest in this heels threatened by nato or by ukraine is preposterous. the russians are constantly invading their neighbors. they've been doing this for 70 years and they had a problem with it. and that's what we're seeing again, unfortunately. how can we move forward from the stalemate from this situation? i think the message needs to be sent to the kremlin that any further violation of ukrainian sovereignty will be met with very punishing sanctions. i think that they should be kicked off the international swift banking system. there should be the certainly in your country in germany, the nor seem to pipeline should not be going forward. that is a major strategic and i would say moral error on the part of the german government as it gives russia enormous leverage over central and eastern europe. over frankly,

the political decision making of, of european countries. so that should also be put to a halt. and i also think it, i think we should be increasing our military support to ukraine. i'm not advocating sending american soldiers or any european country sending their own soldiers to fight in ukraine against russia. certainly we should be sending them all the military aid and support and arms that they need. right. james car, take pleasure speaking to you. thanks for sharing your opinion on that you rapidly arise, uncovered 19 infections are worrying governments around the globe. many countries are hastily introducing limits on new year's celebrations in an effort to curb the spread of the virus and recent days, various countries have registered record numbers of new infections. and officials say the highly contagious on the con variant is to blame. despite a shortage of tests, the u. k has been reporting record breaking case numbers just like denmark. many

countries in europe we're seeing unprecedented peaks amid the rapids spread of the omicron variant in germany. case numbers are also rising, but for now still comparatively low isn't in schools and overall, we're a bit more disciplined than some of our european neighbors. asia masks are especially effective against omicron that sets germany apart. we cannot forget that england and denmark barely had social distancing measures in place recently, and masks were not born. that is certainly different here in germany, just as in bought one sandwich. i'm sure, unless the end of the year come, may be deceptive. few tests were administered during the holidays and numbers reported more slowly. health minister car lauterbach says the actual volume of cases could be 2 to 3 times higher, and a spike may be seen quite soon. queues at test centers are increasing. this location in berlin carries out over a 1000 tests a day. then we feel it's coming up that the numbers are slowly increasing long

distance dying by mid january. that should be a more realistic picture of the situation, but the number of confirmed omicron cases is increasing at a faster pace in northern germany as a search entirely possible that the proximity to scandinavian nations is a factor. omicron is very dominant there. so the virus may be traveling over the border. i think everyone understands that a virus will not stop at border starting. he's just the was fun again finish. i had my over federal and state officials in germany a do to meet on the 7th of january, to map out a strategy to combat the spread of the virus. now let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories making headlines around the world. today. authorities in the u . s. state of colorado have ordered thousands of residents to evacuate. dry conditions are fueling, the spread of danger is wild fires and fierce. when's are helping the flames jump from one location to the next 2 communities about 72 kilometers north west of denver have been hit by the places after days adrift on

a sinking boat. more than a 100 ro hinge or refugees have been allowed to disembark in indonesia authorities, there had originally planned to provide the stricken vessel with aid and then push it back into international waters. the decision was reversed after increased pressure from human rights groups and the un doctor's in, sudan, se security forces have shot dead for protesters during demonstrations against military rule. tens of thousands of people breathed tear gas and defined a security lockdown in car 2 and other cities, calling for a peaceful transition and free elections. residents and brazil's northeastern state of by e r, a, surveying the damage after devastating floods. the region was lashed by weeks of heavy rain that has killed at least 24 people and injured many more. hundreds of

towns and cities have declared states of emergency and are appealing for aid from the brazilian government and foreign countries. flooded roads 1st stems devastated homes. the aftermath of 2 months of intense rain in the state of by year is for worse flooding to hip, a region in over 30 years. dozens are dead and tens of thousands displaced. i left everything behind but allowed up. i'm waiting for the water to go down so i can start clearing my house. now he then surveying the damage for the 1st time. every room here is under water and there's little that is still dry for those who had little before is a devastating loss. but i've lost everything. fridge, freezer, sofa bed, every good. in other parts of estate,

the water has already gone. this entire street was once submerged. now for damage caused by the flooding is fully exposed. or better, i only manage to save my television while i got my mattress out, but i won't use it. it's soaking wet. hate you know you you. i lost my fridge wardrobe so far. plaza, everything has gone residents. he are appealing for aid, clean drinking water, food, and show to provoke with no where to go. or far it is struggling to cope with the scale of destruction. the governor by year is calling it's for worst disaster in the states history. in south africa, a memorial service has been held for this me the late archbishop desmond to to the anti apartheid fighter and nobel laureate, died last weekend at the age of 90. his funeral is said to take place on new year's

day in cape town. people across the rambo nation have been remembering too too, and paying their respects. ah, just a simple wooden coffin for a man whose being remembered as a humble hero. schools gathered in johannesburg and cape town to remember archbishop ameritas desmond to to one of the rainbow nations most revered voices for human rights. his successor embraced one of 22 daughters. she's grieving her tata her father as to to was known to so many south africans is like a daughter really in pain cry, or somebody for a finger to pray for her religion. a short head up. we love her, and we will continue to support her. even weren't daughter is gone to,

to didn't want to be remembered with pump. so inside the cathedral, a small ceremony was held leaders and ordinary south africans alike laid flowers. and those gathered performed songs and some of to two's favorite hymns. ah, his grandson spoke and thanked manas for helping his family through a difficult time. we've been reassured by the outpouring of love and prayers and support that afford in from around the world. ready that he will not be out of mind just because he's out of sight. we miss you. we love you. we thank you. as tutors coffin was carried out, members of the public sang songs and celebration of his life and legacy. oh,

born under apartheid he dreamed of a different south africa. and through his ministry he helped bring that nation into being of 2022, just around the corner. a sweet new year's tradition in japan has taken on gigantic proportions a rice cake, weighing 700 kilograms has been offered at a shrine into cheeky prefecture. north of tokyo is an annual tradition marked by prayers for a good harvest. the rice cake will remain on display until january 20th, and then be broken up and given to visitors. and as the world readies itself to welcome the new year, the iconic ringing of big ben in london was tested ahead of celebrations. the clock tower of the houses of parliament had been under restoration for 3 and a half years, but the scaffolding was removed just in time for the world famous bell to perform

its most important duty. london's traditional new year's fireworks and concert have been cancelled due to cov, it's 19 restrictions, but there is no holding back big bens bond. you're watching the w news from berlin. i'm nicole for a late for a more headlines and analysis. remember there's always our website, d, w dot com and on social media you'll find as under act dw news for myself and the entire team. thank you so much for your company. stay with us and stacy ah ah, linda.