ah, where's blue, the color of her favorite sex is tradition to prevent her from going to games and play an insurmountable obstacle. little girl football on the p starting february 4th on d w. ah ah, this is did it renews life from rural and prudent blast the west over the ukraine crisis? the russian leader accuses the u. s. and its allies of trying to draw moscow into war. we ask about the plate of those cards in the cross hairs as the threats of an

invasion lose large. also coming up. israel eases the rules on vaccine passes, but new cove at $900.00 cases are still running at record levels. and many doctors and nurses are in quarantine and athletes are preparing to go for gold at the winter olympics in beijing, but political issues and the ongoing pandemic are causing headaches for organizers ah on level right, thank you so much for joining us. russian president vladimir putin has launched a blistering verbal attack on the west. as the crisis over ukraine shows, no signs of easing in his 1st public remarks. this year on the stand off couldn't, has accused the us and its allies of ignoring moscow's concerns over security in

the region. and he says, the west is trying to draw russia into war for weeks he has left to talking to others. but no president vladimir putin has accused the united states of trying to drag russia into conflict with found mag loaner, new village of the united states. the most important goal is to contain russia. what, that's the thing you wouldn't smith, in this sense. ukraine itself is just a tool to achieve this goal. virginia. this can be done in different ways. one of them is to draw into armed conflict on across the border and key of british prime minister boris johnson offered a show of support to ukrainian president vladimir cholenski. johnson warned that war would be a lose lose outcome. russia invasion of ukraine would be a political disaster and humanitarian disaster in my view would also be for russia

for the world, a military disaster as well. and i the how potential invasion completely of flies in the face of president putin's claims to be acting in the interest of the ukrainian people. ukraine is not completely relying on diplomacy to protect them. president to lands gannons a huge addition to his nation's army web demos was the shot was thought human over . we will create a new political cooperation format in europe between ukraine, great britain and poland was abusive. within the next 3 years, we will increase the number of the ukrainian armed forces by 100000 professional soldiers army. in a video release, just hours before boris johnson's visit, soldiers tested rocket artillery systems, just north of the crimea and peninsula, which russia invaded an onyx from ukraine and 2014. both sides are preparing for

war. while the diplomat try to make peace let's get you to let us now. did we correspondence? nick kali is in the ukranian capital, kia. first of all, nick, how we're present putting remarks received in ukraine. i think with little surprise this is what ukrainians say. they've been hearing for the past 8 years since that conflict broke out in easton, ukraine says russia annex crimea. they say anything has changed is that the west is now paying attention to those tanks on ukraine's borders. basically what we heard from vladimir putin was the main message was about ukraine being a vassal, a porn basically play thing in the hands of the west and not the country with its own agency. and we've seen the kremlin at refusing to talk direct to care of in recent weeks and months preferring talk direct to administration in washington dc, not even talking to the e u or, or bigger european states. so that's little surprise here and it doesn't really feel like

a big change because people here have been very nervous and making preparations, basically since december. so this is more of the same from vladimir putin. all right, we're going to talk a little bit more about the people caught in the cross hairs, but 1st ukrainian presidents zalinski has announced that he is going to increase a ukrainian troop numbers we talked about that also is ukraine fortifying its borders? what is the situation in the border lands? well, that's, that plan to increase the size, the army that will take some years to carry out that is a longer term plan. that doesn't change much in terms of the balance of power for now, which is very much not in ukraine's favor. russia has many more troops, has a proxy about half as many troops as you can't, has in total mass on ukraine's border right now by some estimates m and a in terms of navient terms of air strength, ukraine way behind there in no real position to prevent russia coming in and without a nature guarantee,

the cranes acutely aware of their vulnerability. as of people living close the front lines. well, it depends where you go in don't bass, where that conflict with russian back separate is, has been rumbling on for years. people are very aware of the risks they see shelling, they see as soldiers dying because the civilians are fully victims. this conflict in other places for the way it all feels a bit unreal and a bit difficult to really equate with their daily lives. but given that russian troop build up is all along ukrainians, northern border, and now also in russia's allied bella roost. some of those russian troops now about a 100120 comes away from where i am now. hearing care of this is all very close and it is present for ukrainians. who previously might have thought that the conflict with russia is hundreds of companies away. now it is everywhere and it is an acute threat. let us talk a little bit more about that. i, i wanna, i want us to get a sense in our viewers to get a sense of, of what people are feeling at the moment. you know, you have conversations with people there. what is the overall emotion and you know, what impact are these tensions having on their day to day lives where it's

a really strange sense. so for most of this, of this escalation in recent weeks, you really heard from ukrainian friends and contact that they couldn't really see why the west getting so excited. they said, as i mentioned that this convict russia had been going on for years and they didn't see a particular difference. there was a dummy run as it were in spring $1221.00. when russia brought trips, the board isn't that fizzled out with any without any conflict happening in the end . but now you're in the same people who were downplaying this. you weren't taking the so seriously them will by the by tell you that they are withdrawing money from banks, keeping small notes in foreign country currencies ready to laying, buying apartments. so taking on debts because they just don't know what the future will hold. and if this is a country that they can build a future and, and whatever happens in this now, even if this current escalation is m doesn't go any further and is an ended. this is the long term take way for ukraine's that this instability on their borders really undermines investments and ukraine, foreigners coming here, but also ukrainians own belief in the future of their country did abuse. nick kali

reporting from kia ukraine. nick, thank you for your coverage. let's get you up to speed with the other stories making world news right now. the european commission has given the green light for some nuclear energy and natural gas investments, to be labeled as sustainable officials say private investment can contribute to climate goals. but critics warn the legislation jeopardizes the target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 austria says it is considering a legal challenge to the ruling in australia too. large bush fires have prompted evacuations on the outskirts of perth and emergency warning has been issued with blistering temperatures. and high winds threatening to intensify the blazes in the coming days. the fires have burned through some 100 hector's of land. at least 26 people have been killed in the democratic republic of congo after

a high voltage power cable snapped and fell. the incident happened on the outskirts of the capitol kinshasa authority, say the cable hit homes and a market killing. several people instantly is released may soon be able to stow away their vaccine passes for good. israel was one of the 1st countries to introduce the pass, but officials have decided that from sunday it will only be needed in high risk situations, such as hospitals and care homes. and for large parties, the government is relaxing the rules despite being in the middle of a wave of cov, it infections since the early morning. yeah, a leland has been on duty on a cove at ward, an elderly patient needs oxygen, and some comforting boards. the coven boards at this hospital in tel

aviv are extremely busy, isabella. there are a lot of cases, in fact, we have new and takes every day for when one is released. another is submitted at night till i numbers are on the rise. we always experienced a delay or even when the general infection rate scenes lower, we at the hospital are still dealing with the higher numbers from the 2 weeks previously over the phone with william at i fame valley finish wine. though over all army grown infection rates, show signs of slowing down. the number of patients and hospital remains high. is where i was one of the 1st countries in the world to roll out a rapid vaccination program. over 65 percent of the population have been vaccinated twice, but only 48 percent have had a 3rd booster shot so far. in january, those and the most vulnerable categories were offered a 4th. oh, i began her career fair or ethical talk during this way of most of our patients

have been elderly. it reminds us of the flu or the complications are comparable. people are dying now. the way they would die from the flu shot. also, most of your people are dying of our micron. m. i spoke with the animal friend most patients on this board a vaccinated elderly people with underlying health conditions working on the ward is exhausting for everyone. adding to this hospital, it's like other institutions are struggling with stuff shortages due to the highly contagious ami grown very. and i numbers of doctors and nurses are in quarantine issues. children which depakote, it's the 1st time we've been at flu capacity here in israel, but we're dealing with it with him. that's just how it is, is the se, and it's our job to look after patients. and i love them, but it's definitely hard. and there's a lot of barna among the staff section like what got to let's of a theme cop army save a whole day. we have to work very hard until with them. but we're happy to do

what's necessary lawful. but yes, it's exhausting and, and it doesn't look like it's going to end soon. although i am personally cautiously optimistic initiative danica as the as oak the museum on set for now everybody here must keep going do the best they can for the ongoing influx of patients. and hoping that the peak of the current wave will soon subside. that report by tanya kramer, we can take her to tel aviv and speak to an adapt david david o v h, a epidemiologist from the ben gorey and university of the negative a professor. welcome to dw news. i understand that you sit on the panel that advises the israeli government and you've been critical in the past of some of their approaches with cases still high in your country. is this the right decision? day green past actually was introduced in order to have

a logical spaces. it was not introduced in order to enforce vaccinations. vaccinations are extremely important. they say the news went according to our estimates about $20000.00 deaths em. but currently with the army crumb and with the fact that the people vaccinated they say probably from hospitalizations and death, but much less so being infected. so we need to adopt a green pass. we don't want to abolish it all together. we want to keep it also for the future if needed in the country. probably this is best to have it as a voluntary measure or when you have high risk situations such as hospitals are really care homes. are the a high risk activities. vaccinations are very, very important and we are now in the really unprecedented situation and we need to

adapt the current measures to me. ology a, we need to vaccinate. we need to still use the mask of course. and i think that by the fact that we adopting the green past, it's very important also from a the trust of the public right now dr. israel has been slowly rolling back curves . is there widespread support for that? i think that the current government, you know, was trying to balance the measures in terms of keeping as much as you can, the number of cases. but remembering the public, it is also about a social support and economy a i think it currently we could do much better in terms of opening schools. i think it was an important factor, but there was also confusion and tension between the ministry of health and

ministry of education and also criticism about the economic support. because so many people are in isolation. learning to leave with if you compare israel and situation and other countries, you know what happened there about a year ago. things are very different. we have an option of testing and many other things we need to learn to leave with the virus because the coffee is going to stay with us. we learning that day that day is going to hear about having vaccines below the age of 5. and i think this will be another important measure because of the national going to enter, i think a finally to the regular schedule for children and a we're going to deal with strengthening to have a system as much as needed. they suffered a lot during the last 2 years, epidemiologist and david of it in tel aviv, sir, thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions. thank you. look up

now here in germany, debate is raging over winter. a former far right politician can go back to his old job as a judge, yes meyer was a member of parliament for the far right a d party. he now wants to preside over courts after failing to win reelection. he used to be a member of parliament for the far right, a f b party. and recently he was categorized as extremist by the domestic intelligence agency. yes, maya is known for his far right and unconstitutional statements. also, while he was in parliament, back in 2017, he was reprimanded for trivializing the holocaust. this whole propaganda and re education directed against us, which is supposed to persuade us that outfits was factually the consequence of german history. i hereby declare this cult of guilt to be over to be finally,

over in september, last year, maya was not elected for a 2nd term in parliament. now he wants to go back to his previous job as a judge in the german state of saxony. according to the law, he's allowed to do that, but many believe the justice minister can stop him from doing so. you perhaps wiseman? oh, yes. behavior during his time as a member of parliament gives reason to at least initiate disciplinary proceedings. and to examine whether one can also use his statements to accuse him of having violated his official duties or whatever doesn't from institution pallets this could possibly even leave to his dismissal as a judge. it wasn't victor who until the justice ministry and sacks, and he doesn't think it can pursue this route. but there is another possibility, a so called judge impeachment. if judges violate the german constitution,

they can be removed from office after a vote by a 2 thirds majority in the state parliament and the decision by the federal constitutional court. but the hurdles are high and the clock is ticking. for those who want to stop maya. let's get you more on this. so i will turn out to did of you chief political correspondent, melinda crane, who is closely following this story up melinda, a put this in perspective to us. what are the chances that mr. meyer will be able to return to his job as court judge? well, as we heard in the report, there are instruments that might make it possible to stop him from doing so. but the threshold is quite high, both legally and politically, as, as we heard there if it can be shown that he has violated the constitution with some of his statements and opinions. then that would be the legal basis. and

in the report, you did hear him, for example, in a way indirectly challenging the holocaust, which certainly does look to be in violation of the german constitution's core prohibition against violating human dignity. but he caged his words there so, so even that as a legal threshold is challenging and then there's the political threshold that at least 2 thirds of the members of saxon, these state parliament would have to agree that this measure be implemented and then would have to go to germany's highest constitutional court, where 2 thirds of the judges would have to say, yes, this is grounds to prevent him from assuming his old post. so difficult indeed, precisely because germany is a democracy where rule of law matters. and yet, that's exactly what he is trying to subvert,

with many of his statements and actions, role of law. very thorny issue that you outline of their melinda. and i understand that there have been other reports of a right wing extremists who work as lawyers and civil servants. um, put this in perspective for us. how and demick is this, how pervasive is this issue? it's an absolutely grave a problem regardless of the numbers. because the fact is that whether serving in the administration or sitting in parliament as mr. meyer did, these members of the a, f, d have a platform for expressing views that do call rule of law into question and, and work to subvert democracy. they use democratic institutions for that purpose. last week, the a f d is somewhat more moderate. co leader york. martin announced that he was quitting his post and leaving the party because it is becoming increasingly radical. it's heartbeat's ever more to the right. he said in pounds, ever louder,

so the party has been in disarray for some time. and in the last election, it didn't do well in the west of germany. but it had resounding success in many parts of the east, which is where mister mar would be working if he's allowed to return to his post. the aft is radicalization risks widening the divisions between eastern and western germany and stoking polarization in this country. to w chief political correspondent corresponded rather melinda crane molina. thank you so much for laying it all out for us. and we're going to go to our next a top story. beijing will become the 1st city to host both the summer and winter olympics. when this year's games officially begin on friday, almost $3000.00 at least will be competing for glory. but with health concerns and political tensions dominate account lines in the build up sports is at risk of becoming a sub plot at beijing 2022. billions. have been invested into

making beijing 2022, an extravagant festival of competition. but the build up has been about so much more than sport politics. for instance, some nations including the u. s. and the u. k. have declared a diplomatic boycott over schuman rights issues and wilson competitors, but no ministers or officials. meanwhile, organizers have threatened athletes with punishment for any behavior or expression that they deem in breach of chinese law, and will expect the io see to rigorously enforce its own rules. limiting protests, facia are valuable as an indian pick charter. there are very strict rules. so for the middle ceremonies and during the competitions, political protests are not permitted on other occasions, like at press conferences or during interviews or on personal platforms, the athletes are free to express their opinions. but the athletes must be

responsible for what they say. again, she got absolutely the sofa, due to covey athletes, and journalists will be kept insecure bubbles, while no spectator tickets will be sold to the public. organizers say health and safety are paramount. bela, of course covey counter measures are still on top of our agenda. we actually, we have been making effective measures and everything is under control. without a safe games, there would be no guidelines. so we will make sure that the health and safety of all participants is our top priority fun definitely. a total of $32.00 new cases were reported by elliptical authorities on wednesday alone. i've expected the pandemic is proving to be one of several headaches for the organizes of beijing 2022. alright, so 2 days away from the beijing winter olympics and so happy to have here with meet

tom going away from the w sports. tom. just how much disruption do we expect as a result of the ongoing pandemic? plenty, i think is probably in a word about the answer to that question. now of course the has already been a fair bit of disruption, as we heard and report 32 cases registered just today in beijing. obviously the athletes are inside the closed loop. mccovie bubble and they're subject to daily testing. the worst case scenario, of course, for any is to test positive and then it gains over. they won't be allowed to compete. of course, for reporters and for the participants for officials. they're also in bubbles in beijing at the moment, subject to a lot of testing as well, and also for spectators. the disruption has basically already happened. now it was at the end of last year, when the decision was announced that beijing organizes wouldn't be self any. any tickets to international spectators. they then earlier on this year in january, announced that they wouldn't even sell public, you know, stage

a public sale of tickets to domestic spectators. there will be a few who especially invited along. it's unclear exactly to whom those tickets will be going. but yeah, obviously, cove, it costing a long shadow over the games. and another thing that's also casting a long shot, of course, a diplomatic boycotts by the likes of the united states and the united kingdom. how has that been received by beijing yet? well, i mean, of course it's not being taken. we've not been received with glee. no oversee, doesn't go as far as a full boy called the games that was discussed in some countries by the u. k. in the u. s. also, australia have elected to state a diplomatic boycott that just means that they won't be sending any government officials or any diplomatic representatives. now china achieve the usa of grandstanding, political posturing and of undermining the games when the diplomatic boycott was announced. and it's one of several political issues that our phones in china's side

during these games. another example, of course, is the participation of taiwan. now, taiwan is a territory that is claimed as part of china by the people's republic. they can be at the games under the banner of chinese taipei and the delegation from chinese taipei had said that they wouldn't attend the opening or closing ceremonies. now they've now being told by the i see that their participation is required. but you know, for these kind of things to be making, the headlines obviously distracts from the games. and of course, it's inconvenient. china is not what they hope people would really be talking about . and a few words tom, what can fans expect from beijing 2020 tale in for in terms obviously, plenty of highlights. and one of the things that a lot of people are looking forward to is the bobsled. because we will see the return of jamaican books didn't seem to that competition after 24 years of absence from the games. we've also had great things about that track. it's brand new, supposed to be very interesting, very long, lots of interesting coolness and things. so that's something to look out for that starts thursday next week. carling of course not going forward. the wins again.

that's actually begun to day the 1st preliminary rounds. so yeah. in sporting times or so, plenty of highlights, obviously on offer. we can't wait. tom, good night. thank you so much you and thank you for watching a stick with us up next thursday, w news, asia. he speaks with me in mars government in exile one year after the army take over is the way forward negotiation or armed conflicts. that story and a whole lot more coming up in just a moment and it'll be news. asia with the rush banner j. i'm layla, harakas, berlin on behalf of all of us here. thank you so much for spending this part of your day with ah, with

asked fashion, a 1000000000 dollar business for the gross exploitation for the men and pollution for every one. the chinese fashion giant shaking eclipse as anything

like it before ever faster and ever cheaper, but it will cost the world so much more than money made in germany. in 60 minutes on d, w. every day counts for us and for our planet. global ideas is on its way to bring you more conservation. how do we make cities, reader, how can we protect habitat, what to do with them all our ways? we can make a difference by choosing smartness solutions over stains, said in our ways global ideas. the environmental series in global $3000.00 on dw and online one of

mankind's oldest ambitions could be within reach. what if it really is possible to reverse aging researchers and scientists all over the world are in a race against time. they are peers and rivals. with one daring goal to help smart nature more life starts february 16th on d, w. this is date of the news asia coming up to date, men, laws, government in exile daily d. w. talks with the military are the only way out of the crisis.