♪ ♪ ♪ anchor: this is "dw news, coming to" you live from berlin. more storms lashing the british isles. now, the storm is bringing misery. thousands were evacuated from their homes. power lines are down. also coming up, extreme caution. brussels cancels its new year's eve fireworks and public

festivities after the discovery of plans for terrorist attacks. the mayor says it is better not to take risks. and no laughing matter. legendary comedian bill cosby is arraigned on charges of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his home. a judge has set his bail at $1 million. ♪ ♪ sarah: i am sarah harmon. welcome to the program. they'll force wind. 2015 is not going quietly into british isles. first, people were flooded out of their homes. now, the storm is battling ireland, scotland, and northern england. they say it is partly due to el niño and partly due to climate change.

reporter: the water is inescapable, leaving some stranded in their vehicle is. it has also flooded businesses and homes, with residents at a loss about what will come next. >> i do not know what we are not anymore. reporter: the republic of ireland has seen a storms batter its coast, as seen in this footage from the southeast. nearby towns also fell victim to the floods, with residents turning their attention to the cleanup. >> you know, it is terrible to see a village like this underwater again, you know? something has to be done about it realistically. it is terrible to see these shops. >> it is horrible.

>> everything in my house is gone. everything. we had about four feet. reporter: bridges built centuries ago could not withstand the latest flooding. parts of this bridge near york in northern england were swept away by the torrents. this historic city has been among the worst hit, and there looks to be more rain on the way. sarah: we are joined by a meteorologist in the north of england. owen, good to see you. britain was already battling storms over christmas, and now storm frank has happened. how much worse are things going to get? owen: yes, sarah, it was quite a battle, especially in the western part of the u.k. the situation is likely to get worse for some people because we have had a lot of rain again today, falling on ground, of course, that is already wet, and

the river situation is already very high. swollen rivers, businesses devastated by this, as well, and the record for rainfall over the space of a month has been broken. a new record has been set, over 700 millimeters of rain over the space of a month, and the previous record was about 550 millimeters, and that does not include today's rain and the rain that has been introduced by storm frank. certainly, the situation will get worse before it gets better, but the weather situation, it will improve over the next few hours and the next few days. sarah: put this in context for us. is it time for us to start accepting this as the new normal? owen: good question. people are asking whether this is global warming or the el niño effect, which warms the atmosphere, and then that has an

effect on the weather conditions. i mean, storm frank was rarely unusual in the sense that it was an area of low pressure out in the atlantic, suite often see here across the u.k., you know, risen from the systems that come across from the atlantic. this went through a rapid genesis, which is when it gets deeper and deeper, and then it batters the u.k. whether or not this is something we will see more of is difficult to tell, really, until we see what the next few years will have in store. sarah: ok, we will check back in with you then. briefly, how are people coping? bridges collapsing, roads -- owen: there were not enough warnings in place, but, of course, as meteorologists, you forecast what is likely to happen, and then the water rises

and keep on rising, it is impossible to cope with that. it has been a hard time for people, especially over christmas and going into the new year. hopefully things will improve for the families who have seen devastation in the past few weeks. sarah: thank you very much for that, owen. severe weather is also having a major impact across the atlantic. water levels are can to doing to rise in winter flights in the u.s. midwest. officials are keeping watch over 19 vulnerable levees across the mississippi river and its tributaries in the space of missouri and illinois. emergency workers have rescue people from their vehicles, and officials have described the flooding as historic and dangerous. the national weather service is forecasting record levels along the mississippi. at least 49 people have been killed as a result of the storm in past days. and extreme weather conditions are also affecting some of the

most remote areas of the globe. in the north pole at this time of year, temperatures normally range from -30 to -40 degrees celsius. right now though, it is plus four, and the mercury could climb even higher. the phenomenon is being kospi warm tropical air currents coming from the atlantic and a pressure front from iceland pushing warm air rapidly over northwestern europe and the atlantic towards the north pole. well, coming up, we will have more on the financial cost of extreme weather when we cross over to our business desk. turning out to some other news, paris and brussels have canceled new year's eve fireworks celebrations citing the rise of islamic violence. two men were arrested in belgium on suspicion of planning terror attacks on new year's eve and are due to appear in court. officials say both men are members of the same bicycle club, and one is known as a radical preacher and is

suspected in recruiting others to tear. recent anti-terror raids revealed a threat of imminent attacks in brussels. the cancellation of the festivities in brussels and paris underlines the nervousness that many governments are feeling before the new year's eve celebrations. the large crowds expected across the continent have raised fears of possible terror attacks, prompting countries in many places to beef up their security. reporter: in the german capital of berlin, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather in front of the brandenburg gate, and patrols will be going, inspecting individual before entry. we have significantly increased security personnel. we have surveillance, and we are prohibiting any large bags. we have restricted entry and exit points.

they say they are expecting a crowd typical, and officials say there is no sign of an imminent threat. they are urging the public to be vigilant. >> of course, we need to be in a position to counter any threat that may come towards london or any other city in the u.k., but we have to temper that with how real is it? the risk is very small. reporter: additional security officers are stationed around london, as well as other emergency responders. france has been in a state of emergency since the november 13 attacks in paris, and a strong military presence is evident on the streets of the capital. >> we are to reassure and to protect people. they need to be able to continue

their daily lives as normal. >> we still think about the attacks, of course, but you have to ignore it all and just go on and live your life. it is our life to live. >> and yes, we will be there to celebrate. reporter: while european capitals remain on high alert, officials say people should not let security concerns spoil the mood leading into the new year. sarah: i am join now in paris from eric randolph, who covers news from a french news agency. ask for joining us. just last month, paris was the target of a devastating terror attack. is there more nervousness before new year's eve? guest: i would say paris is wary and occasionally nervous. everyone has been slightly looking over their shoulder, and it is obviously on everybody's

minds, but we are getting to a point now where it has been long enough that people are slowly starting to get back to normal, but it is definitely something that is on everybody's mind. sarah: extra security has been promised. can you already see that on the streets? guest: we have been seeing heavier security ever since the charlie hebdo attack in january, and it is now routine to see military all over the streets, even outside my small daughters nursery. we have ever you are armed soldiers at all times, and it is something that has become, sadly, quite routine. sarah: a much more somber celebration this year? as that the impression you are getting? guests: there is a lot of talk of defiance and of getting back to normal, and i think that will drive people out on the streets

to a certain that, but it is true will probably see smaller numbers, maybe 20% or 30% less than normal. most of the festivities are on the sean cities they -- on being champs elysee, and i think there will be a certain element of somberness about the festivities this year, but also an attempt to bring an air of defiance, showing that paris can get back on its feet and still have a good time, and i think people know that it is not going to be -- nobody is expecting an attack tomorrow. the attacks that we have seen have been very random. they can hit at any time, and i think people know that we just have to carry on as we have been normally and try and put these things behind us.

sarah: all right, eric randolph from paris, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. bill cosby is facing charges that he drugged and sexually assaulted a woman in 2000 four. he was escorted by supporters. it was the first criminal case brought against the comedian following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. he says the 2004 encounter was consensual. they'll has been set at $1 million. if found guilty, the 78-year-old could face a lengthy jail sentence. reporter: bill cosby, a beloved comedian. but he may not recover after the prosecution filed criminal charges against him. >> we are here today to announce charges have been filed against william henry cosby.

these charges stem from a sexual assault that took place on an evening in early 2004 at mr. cosby's home in the township in montgomery county. reporter: he said he pressed her to take pills entry wine while she was at his home. it is not clear what kind of pills he gave her. however, they say it made it impossible for her to repel his advances. he is one of the most successful african-american comedians. his greatest television success came with "the cause be show" that started in 1984. the latest -- earliest incident was updated to the 1960's. sarah: u.s. naval special say

iran has conducted a missile test, launching unguided rockets just over one kilometer from american ships and commercial traffic, and the north korea top official in charge of relations with south korea has died in a car accident. he served three generations in the dynasty and was often credited with easing tensions between seoul, korea, and pyongyang. we are back in 60 seconds. stay with dw. ♪

♪ ♪ sarah: you are watching "dw news." our top story. storm frank has battered english isles, affecting areas already devastated by weeks of heavy rain. experts say damage could top 4 billion euros. voting has been taking place in a central african republic with

long lines outside polling stations as people waited to participate in parliamentary and presidential elections. the country has seen significant unrest since the last president was ousted in 2013. voters are hoping these elections will mark a new start for the country and bring stability, but there are many challenges still ahead. report: years of violent clashes two christian and muslim militias have deeply divided the republic. but under tight security, voting went ahead is fully cross the nation. in the capital, the interim president praised to the process. >> many people thought this would not be possible because of politics and organizational reasons, but you can see we are in dignity and peace, and we are proud of that. reporter: some 11,000 yuan peacekeepers were there to monitor the vote. it is the first open election

since muslim rebels seized power in the majority christian country in 2013. after years of violence and uncertainty, people are now eager for change. they are optimistic this will increase stability. at the polls, voters were enthusiastic. >> i am very moved to see the number of voters coming to the polling station to fulfill their duties as citizens. >> i am very proud. if we could not have voted today, we would not be free. but now that we can vote, we are free. everyone is happy. report: the conflict has created a humanitarian crisis, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee the country. many have ended up in neighboring cameroon. in this camp alone, some 12,000 people registered to vote.

>> i am already registered. i am ready to vote so that peace and returned to my country and i can go back home. reporter: three men are viewed as front runners among the 30 presidential candidates. improving the military and situation and disarming rival groups are just some of the tasks that will face the winner. rebuilding the country after years of unrest is another. election results are expected in two weeks. if no candidate gets a clear majority, a runoff will be at the end of january. sarah: as we mentioned earlier in the program, storm frank continues to batter part of the u.k., and we have more about the rapidly rising cost with ben. ben: affecting homes and businesses in england, scotland, and ireland, and even more damage is on the way. estimates are i watering only

high, and that is about being properly covered. reporter: it is the worst flooding this part of england has seen in 70 years. as the cleanup continues, cost are mounting. consulting house price waterhouse coopers says it could be about 3 billion pounds or over 4 billion euros. that may even be on the conservative side. driver consultants -- rival consultants have an estimate 2 billion pounds more than that, but this is already a reality for small businesses, like here. >> i think everybody and every company is doing the best they can to recover and to deal with the problems in hand. we have insurance. we are going through the motions, but it is taking more time that we would like, but you have to allow it that time. reporter: but not everybody had the foresight or the funds to take out insurance.

try minister david cameron says they will have an initiative to make flood insurance affordable beginning in april for homeowners. little comfort to small business owners though. they will not be covered under the scheme. ben: stocks stumbled on the last day of the year here, and it was a very busy 2015, but along with all of the volatility, there were some real winners. japan's financial markets, also closed thursday and friday, they put in a stellar performance, the nikkei climbing over 9%. german equities did even better. a lot of help came from the european central bank. it's easy money policy is driving investment in shares, and a different story in the u.s. with the dow down. no miracles expected. i mention the gains for german stocks, but it was a nerve-racking you're getting

there, and conrad is here. conrad: up and downs in the course of this trading year, and it first during the first months of the year, the german dax climbed to an all-time high on april 10, 12,390. but more people became skeptical whether china was able to reach its own growth targets this year. then, during the summer months, the stock market in china more or less crashed, and the chinese government surprisingly let the chinese currency depreciate several times. for people on the financial markets worldwide, this was a shock, and stocks decline. also here in frankfurt. a bit of optimism returned towards the end of the year, and when the federal reserve nudged

up its key interest rate for the first time in years, that was even seen as a positive sign. the dax ended with a yearly gain of 9.5%. ben: as you can see there, people going home come but there are millions of kids who are first -- forced to work. in nigeria, a quarte of all under 14 have to get jobs to support their families or pay for school, and many keep working when they turned 14, like godwin. our reporters met him. reporter: godwin should actually be at school today, but his job is more important to him. almost every day, he works at construction sites in a small town in southwestern nigeria. he mostly helped install aluminum roofing. even though both of his parents were, they do not earn nearly

enough to feed him and his five siblings. -- even though both of his parents work. god would knows how important it is that he helps out and contributes to the family income. reporter: he is happy to have found a job, but sometimes, godwin cannot live up to his parents expectations, and that is why he has joined an association to protect their rights. >> they go and explain about the rights we need in africa. reporter: the local movement is holding its weekly meeting, and godwin is taking part.

the organization is not trying to abolish child labor there. but they are trying to get better working conditions. one man who used to be a part now teaches social studies and volunteers as a group coordinator. many people you're look up to him as a father figure. >> to do what my parents, the community i live in want me to do. there was no organization. that can teach or tell us about children having a voice. reporter: he used to sell peanuts when he was a child. today, his younger siblings have to work, as well. he keeps trying to convince his mother to send them to school instead. his younger brother is also

skipping school today. he has to earn money also. he knows it is unlikely to change unless he joins other children to fight for a better future. ben: my future gets even better from this point in time. that was my last show of the year. sarah: let me wish you a good slide into the new year. ben: i would come and give you a kiss, but -- sarah: and someone not having a good time towards the end of the year, fifa. the first batch of evidence was handed over to u.s. authorities, concerning bribery among administrators. loretta lynch and others have been in regular contact. the evidence transferred on wednesday includes bank documents related to swiss-based

fifa. so far, they have indicted 27 current or former soccer officials connected to the sale of tv rights. about 700 dogs and their owners joined in and annual race in madrid to raise awareness about abandoned animals. the race is organized by a local animal shelter, and it has no winners or losers. people of all ages and sizes and parks -- barks are there, and they want to bring awareness to issues, including dogs on public transit that is your "dw news." i am sarah harmon. see you again in 30 minutes. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

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>> hello here you are watching -- hello. you are watching "live from paris." one person has been arrested in the belgian capital. prosecutors say the suspect is linked to november pass the tax in paris -- to november's attacks in paris. more in just a couple minutes' time. a calm day of voting after two years of bloodshed. polls are closed in central african republic.