trim report from the heart of brazil stuart's march 9th on d. w. ah ah. ah, business dw slide from berlin. russia announces its withdrawing more troops. the defense ministry says drills in the russian controlled crimea and peninsula half and it, it's released this video which it says shows military units leaving premier to return to the home based on also on the program a day of unity president brought him as zalinski leads ukraine and celebrations in defiance of suggestions from the west that to day could see the start of

a russian invasion. and the european union's highest court rules that brussels can cut funds for member states that disregard democratic standards. the case has major implications for poland and hungary. and its awards night at the berlin international film festival stars and audiences are back despite some pandemic restrictions. so which fil, with the gold bad, he'll show you some of the effects. ah, i'm good. how else as well come to the program? and we begin with the latest developments in the crisis over ukraine. russia says it has begun withdrawing troops from the crimea. that's territorial, has annexed from ukraine. in 2014,

the russian defense ministry says military drills of the region on our over. and that tax and soldiers are returning to their basis. yesterday, the kremlin announced it was pulling back some forces from its border with ukraine . western allies have welcomed that statement, but say they need to see evidence that this is actually happening. meanwhile, ukraine is celebrating a day of unity called by president vladimir zelinski. people paraded the flag the olympic stadium in the capitol hill. they're also being encouraged to fly the flag from buildings and to sing the national anthem. some u. s. officials had previously warned that today might see the start of a russian invasion. and mister zalinski had an upbeat message for his fellow ukrainians. hello, we are all united by our wish to live, to live in peace, to live a happy life with our families, parents and kids. we have the full right to all of this,

because we at home here in ukraine. nobody will love our home as much as we do, and nobody can defend our home as we can. i wish you a happy unity day, my blue yellow ones, a happy day of unity of ukraine in the east and west in the south and north. it works only together, and when it works, we are strong, richie ukraine's president from his lensky speaking there. and a little earlier, i spoke to the w correspondent, but he has billing our who's covering a ukrainian military maneuver in the city of revenue. i asked him whether we are seeing a big d escalation that ukraine's leaders have been hoping for what it could be, but ukrainian authorities are careful. they have said that they do not see the final proof that they're really withdrawing yet. they're still looking at all the information, so they're really careful on that. and they want to be really sure that it is

really happening this. the russia will be in any way if, if russia starts withdrawing. now it will also be able to bring them back quickly. so this is a why ukraine is really careful and is waiting for it, but you can feel a certain deterrent here anyway. it also, the ukraine is still upholding a military exercise that's taking place where you are right now. what is key of trying to say with this? so this major exercise has just finished, the president has come here. he has watched this exercise and then he's had talks with the soldiers. ukraine is of course saying that it is going to stay prepared this. this crisis is nowhere over. ukraine has been at war for 8 years and any other form of encourage beat a military incursion. or some kind of cyber warfare or any of this can still happen

so. so the signal of course, the president is trying to send here is that ukraine is, is still prepared and of. and there may be also making use of all the attentions they have been getting on this day that has been pinpointed by some western services as the day of a possible incursion. today is also ukraine's day of unity. that's a public holiday that was just invented 2 days ago. how are you finance celebrating? how are they reacting to it? yes, the president, 2 days announced this day off, a national unity. that is, of course, another reaction to this, to this state that has been said by the information that was linked by western services. and they are flag rising ceremonies all over the country. a lot of official activities and some ukrainians also have been putting the national flag,

for example on their cars are celebrating in the street, but it's a working day. it is not a holiday, so you will not see masses of you craning celebrating this war, that the fact that this war just didn't happen, or as some kind of a victory. it's, it is a way to by the government to give this day a different spin to, to, to send a different message to the world from this message like we've been hearing for the last few a weeks that this is, this country is at the brink of of an invasion. d. w correspondent, mateo, spelling of that in the ukranian city of witness. thank you very much. that is a before the announcement of withdrawals outside estimates, put the number of russian troops close to ukraine's borders at 130000. and that's including $30000.00 involved and exercises in neighboring bill roost. the build up has happened in stages, but it has given russia opportunity to flex his military muscles and show the scale

of the potential threat to ukraine. russian fighter jets patrol the skies above bella. ruth, on the ground, russian marines practice combat drills with a bellow ruffian army. just some of the 30000 or so russian troops taking part in the launches military exercise held between the 2 neighbors. since the collapse of the soviet union in russia's northern leningrad region. more footage, released by the russian ministry of defense. this time one of its tank units involved in another military exercise. and in the south, russian wall ships openly train in the black sea.

the country's military buildup harangued ukraine has been no secret. even if getting accurate numbers has been hard. satellite images released this week have shed more light. these jets were photographed on sunday at an air facing crimea. an area annexed by russia in 2014 and images of military helicopters were taken near the russian city of sa, lottie. not far from the ukrainian border. on tuesday, moscow announced it was withdrawing some of its forces. hours later, the ministry of defense released these images would ship maintain show troops leaving crimea. meanwhile, ukraine's militaries, a fraction of rushes. it's active duty troops and just a quarter of its foes. we even if civilians are being trained up to help

bridge the gap. some members of nato have been providing ukraine with military age, but it's hard to compete with a nuclear power even if it says it doesn't want war. many western leaders are reluctant to take the russian leader at his word. european union is urging moscow to take real steps to deescalate dentures and to follow words with actions. meanwhile, natal ministers are meeting and brussels to reaffirm their commitment to alliance members in eastern europe. later chief, yet straight back says there's no evidence russia is backing down. we have heard the signs from moscow about her readiness to continue diplomatic efforts. but so far we have not seen any de escalation on the ground. on the contrary,

it appears that russia continues the military buildup into chief you and strode back. speaking there now for the view from brussels, where nato is her order. let's go to our bureau. chief alexandra found an arm and there. alexandro nato leader, stored by clearly not buying duties, gestures, a house, nay, to prepare it for the road ahead. nato allies are seeing now they need 1st to verify whether russia is really pulling back. some troops from near the ukrainian border, and that is certainly what is happening now and, and we can expect to nato allies to continue their dual track approach towards russia. on the one hand, they are saying they are open to dialogue and they want to keep talking about russia security concerns. on the other hand, nato will continue to provide the fans and a terrans. many nato allies have started sending additional troops to

eastern europe, the u. as of course, but also other nations, such as tanya, for example, or germany. and now nato secretary general st oldenburg, has made clear that he believes that the current situation has already labs to a deterioration of the security architecture in europe. and that it will have long term consequences. and that means that nato defense ministers will talk here today about and enhance natal presence in eastern europe. they will speak about a additional battalion at additional battle group that could be established in romania, a group that would be resembling those forces already in place in the baltic states and in poland. while west, the leaders reject so far be put in ski demand that ukraine will not join nato or

can i offer instead nieto has made it clear dat de could offer a discussions about confidence building measures that could lead to more transparency when it comes to military drill for example, or troops movement do you as for their part, they are offering russia and discussion about arms control. and sir, also more transparency and deployment of missile is dad's all on the table and russia we can expect is interested in speaking about that. however, when we talk about russia's main concern, main demand that need till ban ukraine from becoming a member ever, that is not going to happen to happen, nato has medically, this is not on the table to w, brussels bureau chief, alexandra phenomena. there sir, thank you. other example, let's have

a quick look now at some of the other stories making headlines. this are germany's by on tech has unveiled a new mobile center made of shipping containers to produce vaccines in africa, the drug makers, to san facilities to either senegal, ronda within months by on time has been criticized for refusing to open its patterns to other manufacturers. honesty, international says to graham fighters, deliberately killed civilians and gang rapes, dozens of women and girls in ethiopia, as i'm horror. region previous investigations found evidence of abuses committed by all sides in the here. long civil conflict in brazil, flooding landslides have killed dozens of residents in the hills above. rio de janeiro, firefighters and rescue workers are still searching for survivors. authorities in the region have declared an official disaster. while germany's trans, that will of shots and the regional states are leaders are considering easing the

pandemic restrictions. infections and germany have started to for, and almost 3 quarters of the populations have had to vaccinations. new routes would allow bigger private gatherings and entry into stores as long as people where amassed the unvaccinated would be allowed back into restaurants and bars. with a negative test and clubs could be reopening. something much awaited here. it barely. we've asked a couple of bellingers. what they think of the prospect off loser restrictions, or we should wait another 4 to 6 weeks until just before easter. that's the right time. as long as everything happens, gradually, it's a good idea that you have to be careful that things don't get out of control and really looking forward to it. i thing it's about time. and especially that i also had a coroner recently saw only chron and you know it's, it's really like a flu. a lot of friends are of my friends. they had it and i just feel like their

measurements are not according to the risk in germany, a thing as well. it, it seems a bit too much right now, i think in we have to show the corolla pass every time you go in a story. i've never done that before, so i think it should be nice. well, i think you're about 2 weeks behind england to be honest with you and i think is possibly the best thing we can do because we all get back to normal. we all have to get some sama, not normality in our lives. and if we don't do it now, we will never do it well. easy. pandemic rules is also on the agenda for taiwan. after nearly 2 years following a 0 covert strategy authorities may lift entry restrictions on business travelers. next month, the hard line approach has helped the ireland keep reported karone of ours cases under $20000.00. but there's a cost. for example, 2 couples whose love crosses borders to w's joyce lee report from taipei. it has been over 700 days since iran then, and has singaporean boyfriend more as last met in person. she can't afford to leave

taiwan because of the strange quarantine ruse when she returns home. and morris can't come to the island because the body is closed. 2 years apart have been hot on a couple days ago that we can only see each other on the screen whenever i see couples on the street. and i feel very sad because my boyfriend can't be around at home at home. and i will play at 1st, we thought the border would be closed for 6 to 12 months. longer than that, it's already been 2 years. and taiwan is still under tight covey rules like that. and how long under the sierra covert policy, taiwan has kept a sport as seo to since the beginning of the pandemic. all forms of terrorism are banned and transmitting to another country through taiwan is suspended. only residents are allowed to enter the island. every one must quarantine for 2 weeks and south isolate for another 7 days despite being fully vaccinated. i'm in the

major international airport in taiwan, but you can barely see any passenger in the arrival whole. this used to be one of the busiest apples in the world, but passenger for liam dropped to a less than a 1000000 loss chair. the was in for decades. morris can only face a tie want if he and irene get married, but they can't unless they meet face to face. many by national couples are stuck in the same dilemma. you have gone, it is unfair. i mean, we're not married, but we're also a couple like why every one should have the right to be with their loved ones. i could understand the closed border policy 2 years ago, because we didn't have vaccines at the time with the marine. but now almost everyone's fully vaccinated and the new variants are much milder. yet the same policy remains. i can't accept that. with my view from cove, it restrictions have and it can less long distance relationships. and the past 2

years, i ran a morris, i, one of the few capos still surviving love from afar. european union unions, highest court has ruled that brussels concoct funds for member states, a disregard to protect standards. the case is major implications for poland and hungary uses. both countries are undermining the rule of law in areas such as judicial independence and wants to slash billions of euros and recovery france the countries are due to receive law corresponded barbara visa is at the european parliament in as strossberg. barbara, what makes this case so significant this case is so important because now the door is really open for the european union. finally, after years of a legal and political battle, particularly was poland and hungary, about democratic values, and the rule of law. finally, they can against those 2 countries, they can sanction them if they come to illegally sound finding that

a corruption is ramp and particularly in hungary, those are the accusations. and that the judiciary, the independence of said this judiciary is undermined. that is happening in both countries. now though, that is the thrust of this whole thing, the european power parliament, that european union, particularly in the parliament who are powerless to and looked on as post countries sort of went more and more autocratic. an authoritarian in their rule, and now they can was hauled, always draw money from them. that is of course, the ultimate sanction in the you. we know that so is it now ok there. poland and hungary will have their fonts caught now that we don't know yet, we might do later in the afternoon because the european commission has really been dragging their feet. they have just not done anything. they could effect that last

year even before this verdict. because the regulation was already in force, but they for political reasons, out of a father for a consideration for political peace within the commission. and within the you, they didn't do anything. and parliament is really furious about this in action. i talked to parliamentarians here about their opinion on this verdict and what they think should be happening now. let's listen to what they have to say. i think it's a good day for the rule of law in europe and, and now it's high time that the commission is using the new mechanism. and finally starts really acting on the rule of law, preserving the, your rule of law in europe. i think it's time that there is no rebates anymore on the rule of law in europe. well, this takes away the last excuse of the european commission not to act in this rule of law crisis. european parliament has been pushing for this mechanism to be used for over a year now, because it has been the legal instrument for over a year. now really is the time to use it to fight against the rule of law crisis in

the european union. barbara ha, poland and hungary reacting and we've seen some reactions from hungary already of quarries. so over the weekend, victor r and spoke about is g hot. that the european union was waging against hungary, so he is sort of a stoking the fire is and, and turning this whole thing against a, into a culture war. and that has been his strategy all along. whereas it's about to ramp and corruption in hungary. that's what the european union says in poland. they have been so far more careful. there were certain signs that the polish government might be a willing to compromise and sort of withdraw some of the regulations and, and some of the judicial regulations that and that have been a question here. but we will see if the e commission now goes ahead and really against 2 countries, or we can of course, expect strong pushback from both countries through

w corresponded barbara based on strasburg before us. thank you, barbara. and here are some more headlines in brief u. s. gun manufacturer that made the rifle used in one of america's deadliest school shootings as reached a historic settlement with victims families. remington arms has agreed to pay $73000000.00 to relatives of those killed in the 2012 sandy hook massacre. the family of so maker killed on said last year are suing the actor, alec baldwin, lawyers claim baldwin ignored safety rules before firing the gun. that end of camera one, helena hutchins, life during filming of a of a western a criminal investigation is under way to night. is awards night at the berlin international film festival. despite pandemic restrictions, the stars are back on the red carpet and audiences back in front of the silver springs. so which film will scoop the bell and alice top prize the golden ban. but

here's a look at some of the contenders. the standard performance of the festival came from german turkish actress. milton captain has the title character in robbie. a corners versus george w bush. eat with us. i job you. corner c 4 with georgie bush. no. just looking in president f i e t, and cast via ish o had ins on it's the true story of a loving mother who fought for 5 years to get her son released from guantanamo prison. you miss him. have him if i show you, but i will describe it misty. this is a good look amused, obviously captain's rabbit is a force of nature who doesn't lead anything. german bureaucracy, social norms or the u. s. government stand on the way of getting justice for her son. justice is nowhere to be found in robe of gems.

the debut film by mexican bolivian director natalia lopez, gay ardo, a moody impressionistic look at the violence and brutality of the mexican drug wars . the film divided critics, but many agree it was the most visually arresting film in berlin this year. in both sides of the blade, french director clare denise managers to be both stylish and intimate. her story of a woman caught between 2 men is deceptively simple. but the performances by juliet be nash, as long so london are subtle and emotionally devastating. they come to the berlin festivals most moving love story is the chinese film returned to dust director li. really john's gentle tale follows a pair of outcasts and a forced marriage as the e count in existence in a series of small villages. they're constantly uprooted as farming communities are

torn down to make way for urban expansion method. but politics are subtext here. the real story in return to dust is the growing love between mar and glee, ying, an affection that is never sentimental and all the more affecting for its restraint or did abuse film critic scott roxborough reflects on how the pandemic has influenced this year's festival. the 2022 belly knowledge held in the midst of the crone of virus pandemic has been a bit of a strange affair. and the film shown here seemed to reflect the sense of alienation and a longing for connection that i think a lot of us have felt of the past 2 years. the movies have been less spectacular and apic and more intimate and introspective. last a celebration of the magic of cinema and more reflection on the people we miss. and on the things we've lost. scott roxborough reporting that and before we go,

a story that shows you. you should never underestimate a man in his fifties. the greatest surfers ever lived. kelly slater here is competing in a wealth surf league event at the ripe old age of 50. he celebrated the milestone just days after winning at the famous pipeline event. that incredible feat means that this event at sunset beach, not just part of some sentimental retirement to her. it means that slater, who 1st one the world title in 1992 goes into the new serve season. as the number one ranked, suffer in the world. at age 50 you watching the w news as a reminder of the top stories we're following for you. russia says it has begun withdrawing troops from the crimea. moscow annexed this territory from ukraine in 2014. the defense ministry says military drills in the region are over at the tank . some soldiers are returning to that basis. moscow has also announced some troops

pulling back from ukraine's, but west to lead, as remain skeptical that russia is really ready to stand down. natal chief in stoughton back says there's no sign of the escalation on the ground. and that's it from me. and the news team don't go away, the environment magazine, eco africa is up. next, i'll be back at the top of the hour. gabels respectful with with

who you africa. it's usually very quiet here. but when shall searches for oil, things get loud. so loud creatures killed and the fisherman that our lives will be finished. our food with finish can oil exploration in south africa be stopped for good eco africa

next on d w. oh, hello guys. this is the 77 percent. the platform with issues and share ideas. you know, on these channels, we are not afraid to talk to and then he keeps talking. young people clearly have the solution. the future is 77 percent. now every weekend and d, w. dogs are more intelligent than most people. a psychology professor john pillay has proved it. how you act with

scientific studies, of course, with good girl called out into the secret of a friendship with dogs and dos. starts february 25th on d w. ah, ah ah welcome to a new edition of echo africa 1st week. we're taking another look at the impact or drilling has on the environment. my name is chris, a lamps common to you from nigeria. i with me as always, is my co host from you got that. hi everybody. i am sandra twin over here in

compiler. uganda. happy to help you with us.