alive from berlin. the european central bank is launching a new stimulus program. the bank is buying bonds and cutting interest rates in a bid to increase lending to businesses and consumers. will it have the desired effect. ---- the fire -- d desired e ef? the killer diseases that are preventable. the alarm sounded over declining vaccination rates. they left their home countries

and made new ones. how w did they celebrate their newfound wealth? by building enormous statues. meet people in an indian town where luxury means having a model jumbo jet part on your roof. ♪ brent: i'm brent goff. to our viewers around the world, welcome. today, the european central bank have built a new stimulus plan aimed at boosting the euro zone economy. and what is expected to be his last major decision as ecb president, mario draghi announced a new cut of interest rates, putting borrowing costs further into negative territory. this is part of efforts to bring inflation down to just under the

ecb's target of 2%. here is mario draghi's rather downbeat assessment of the euro zone's economic prospects. >> the outlook for realty -- gdp growth has been revised down for 2019 and 2020. the risks surrounding the euro area growth outlook remain tainted to the doubt -- tilted to the downside. the risks maintain to the uncertainties to geopolitical factors, the rising threat to protectionism and immobility's in emerging markets. brent: chris joins us. are they trying to prevent a recession or's this in effort to mitigate the recession that is inevitable? >> kickstarting the economy.

that's what it comes down to. no matter what the end game is, mario draghi sees the economy and euro zone is faltering. germany, europe's biggest economy, contracted. they say the economy is on track for recession. they are trying to get the economy going. brent: you have all these external forces. brexit. will this stimulus program do what it is supposed to do? chris: there is skepticism. the measures have had limited effect before. the ecb was essential when it comes to saving the euro about a decade ago. ever since, the idea of economic expansion has been bigger than

what came out of it. if you look at the measures, the boldness and the risk that the ecb has to -- been taking, the economics convention has been somewhat subdued. mario draghi knows that. he knonows the limits of his power. that's why he has been calling on politicians to get their financial houses in order. today, he complained that there has been monetary policy, but very little else. in another call for action, he urged germany to use its $50 billion surplus to spend its way out of this economic downturn. brent: it's unlikely that is going to happen. what does all of this mean for people like you and me? chchris: it means if you havave money in the bank, you are not going to see much interest.

you are not going to make any money there. it also means that people will be looking for other ways to let their money work for them. that means the prices for real estate, for example, is likely to rise. people say, if i don't get any interest in the bake, -- bank, i can put into an apartment. chris: so real estate bubbles, such as the one here in berlin, could be on the rise? brent: what has the reaction been? chris: let's look at financial markets. the reaction has been subdued. even though there is more money likely to be flowing in the financial markets, across the atlantic, one word, fury, and the white house. donald trump, using the peg of the ucb -- tcb, taking aim at the federal reserve again, tweeting, they are trying and

succeeding in depreciating the euro against the very strong dollar, hovering u.s. exports and the fed. they get paid to borrow money, while we pay interest. there is another attack on the federal reserve. that is to decide on its monetary policy. brent: vaccinations have been one of the greatest successes in public health, saving an estimated 2.5 million lives every year. these are inclined do -- declined due to the outbreak of preventable diseases. it would be addressed today tomorrow by the global vaccination summit in brussels taking place today. >> not too long ago, laughter filled this fisherman's family home in madagascar. now the family is trying to cope with their grief. they loss -- they lost three

children in january due to a measles infection. they cannot t afford to vaccinae him. >> they are gone and it is g g's willll. we did n not expxpect they mighe if they did not get vaccinated. the fact that they were not vaccinated would kill them. >> madagascar are is s strugglig to contain its w worst outbreakf measles in decades among a desperate shortage of vaccines. the highly contagious illness increases susceptibility for other diseases and can cause blindness, brarain swelling and dedeath. over 200 peoeople have died in e epidemic. most of them, children. madagascar is not alone. worldwide, many countrieies are reporting an u unpcecedented rie of msles. many of f these caseses could he been prevented with a vaccination. like m madagascar, some countris don't have access to the vaccines they need.

in high income countries, where they are available, some people opt to not vaccinate themselves and their children. they wrongly belelieve that vaccines are harmful. >> there a are absolutely families, c communities, peoeop, who are subject too mimisinformation. they have the wrong information ababout, not only the disease,, seseverity and risks of disease, they don't understatand the truh ofof the matter. they also have misinformation about the e effectiveness o of vaccines and thehe safety of vaccines. we do see misinformation as an increasing threat. >> this so-called anti-vaxx movement say vaccines are unsafe, ineffective effective and produce serious side effects, some saying they can even cause autism. scientists say there is no evidence for any of that.

yet, misinformation is gaining momentum on social media. now, h health professionals and governments are looking for solulutions, including mac -- making vaccinations mandatory and impososing fines on parents who refuse. in madagascar, over 7 million children have been vaccinated in an emergency response. parents here are happy that vaccinations are available again. many know what losing a child to measles feels like, and hope they never have to endure such grief ever again. brent: for more on this, i am joined from brussels by our correspondent, a professor of public health in south africa. it's good to have you on the show. if i had heard this story for the first time today, i would have thought it was from 50 years ago. we are in the 21st century and

talking about a decline in vaccination rates. from your perspective, how serious is this decline? >> good evening. thank you for having me. i think we need -- there are declines, but they -- there are success stories. in many countries, we have seen an increase in vaccination rates. the reason -- the reasons vary widely. in low and middle income countries, and you've have given a balanced perspective on the situation in madagascar, which would fall into a category of low income countries. the reasons for declining vaccinations or outbreaks of measles are different compared to high income countries. you have pointed out that it is due to weak health systems,

inability, lack of vaccines, resource constraints, and inability of parentsts to get theieir children to a health facility for vaccination. then, also, in high income countries, including germany, we have seen that there is a small proportion of parents who are hesitant, and in some cases refuse to get vaccination to their children. it's important to look at the context and be specific about the interventions. it's not a case of one-size-fits-all. brent: i would assume it's easier to tackle the problem. in united states and north america, you have anti-vaccine movements. it's easier to fight a lack of resources than misinformation. would you agree?

>> i think both its situations, they have a different state of complexities. and so, the increased resources. you can't stay in a health system overnight. in many instances, you also find a big difference between vaccination coverage between the urban areas and the more outlying, remote areas. and ruraral arereas, where you e difficulties of getting health professionals. health systems tend d to be wear baby --. i think the complexities very. it's important to look at the problem in perspective. in north america, even here in europe, it's s a minority, a vol minority -- a v vocal minority

that is rerejecting vaccination. the strategies for that situation of refusal would be different. brent: professor, we appreciate you taking the time to talk w wh us and giving us your ininsight. here are some of the other stories making a -- headlines. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu met with vladimir putin today. ththe two leaders reportedly discussed military cooperation. they managed to warm up relations, deseste russia beieig a a key supporter of iran, which israel regards as an existential threat. beijing has summoned the german ambassador after germany's foreign minister met with hong kong democracy activist joshuaua wong.

beijing is acute -- beijing is accusing germany of meddling in its affairs. they say it will damage bilateral relations. relatives of zimbabwe's former leader robert mugabe have snubbed a plan to have him buried at a national monument. he was overthrown in a coup two years ago and replaced by a former ally. squabbling over the location for his funeral has thrown into doubt the date of his burial. at the moment, he is due to be laid to rest on saturday. >> robert mugabe's body, being carried into the stadium to line state. his widow, grace was at her late husband's side for his final journey. several people were injured when mourners broke through the police court on -- cordon/

. thousands had come to pay their last respects. many had emotional words of tribute. >> i am deeply touched. his death has affected me. i don't even know how to express it. his character was exceptional. he provided us with shelter and land. he has left us with a big void. >> this is where he i is being suggested to be buried. for many, it would be a fitting resting place for the former guerrilla fighter. >> we wanted the old man to go to heroes acre, where his other

comrades are. since he was our real founding father. this is what we want. for him to go to heroes acre. >> analysts say there is still deep anger between grace mugabe and the man who first tried to sideline her, then seized power from her husband in 2017. the family has accused the government of trying to strong-arm them into a state burial. >> the familily is the o one tht makes the decision and tells the government what t the family was to do. >> there was no feud between us and the government. >> the mugabes insist he will be laid to resest in a pririvate fy ceremony. even in death, he is proving as divisive a figure as he ever was in life. >> the first nigerians evacuated from south africa are now back home.

hundreds have signed up for free flights, following a leave -- a wave of violence in south africa. despite the relief of escaping, many are uncertain about their future back home. dw's correspondent was one of the first intnternational correspondenence to meet thee returnees at the airport. >> slowlwly, and with a lonong delay, it finally arrives. the airplane -- the airplane from johannesburg. journalists and some officials are waiting for the passengers to disembark. this the first machine from south africa with nigerian returnees. the first since anti-immigrant violence e erupted around johannesbuburg last week. now that the nigerians are back, what is the future hold for them -- what does the future hold for them? warm water, and a lot of uncertainty.

this woman has bought her child with her. >> i have the papers here. personally, this experience was total. i am hoping to find a job. >> hours earlier, and just outside of the airport, the usual hustle. ththe areas facing chronic unemployment, especially among its youth, just like south africa. ththis young man studied to o bn accountant, but can only sururve in cars. he believes the future is b blek for the returnees. >> i feel so sorry for them, because they are coming back. the government does not have a plan. where are they going to? start from -- to startrt from?

>> the governmenent has been crcriticized for not doing enouh wiwith the returnees. a private airline chose to volunteer to bring some of them home. >> one of the major problems is to medication. >> that is not with these people want to hear. 189 people arrived on the first plane, tired, exhaususted, and confused. expectining more from m the government. >> our govovernment needs to provide someplace -- some things like electricity, water r and gd roads. that is what south africa has. >> very basic needs to start a business like they had in south africa. where thth could make a living.. where they could no longer feel welcome. >> still to come, a room with a

view. it will take you to india to meet thehe homeownwners who wana bit more than your average home improvement area we will explain. to outer space. for the first time, astronomers have discovered water vapor in the atmosphere of a planet with earthlike temperatures that could support life as we know it. it is outside our solar system and orbits a star within what is knknown as its habitable zone.e. >> this planet has water vapor in its atmosphere. it is also orbiting its star at just the right distance, so it is not too hot and not too cold. this means liquid water can exist here. an essential precondition for life. this planet -- >> this planet takes all of the boxes. it doesn't mean it is good or habitable for human beings.

it's not necessasarily something we wld b be comfortatable with s human beings. >> with h the hubble help -- telescope,e, they y analyzed starlighght passing g through he atmospsphere. that's hohow thehey detected the war. scientists are waiting for the launch of more powerful telescopes to study the planet further and others like it. >> a much bigger picture, a more complete picture was, that the constituent atmosphere of these planets will have a much better idea of what is going on, whether they are interested in life or planet formation. >> in the meantime, don't pack your bags for a trip. you need to travel at the speed of light for more than 100 years to get there. we will be visitining anytime soon. -- will not be visiting anytime soon. brent: back here on earth, i'm joined by and astrophysicists with the technically diversity in berlin. it's good to have you here.

this is 110 light-years away. when exactly -- what exact we were researchers able to detect? >> what has been measured as the absorption of water vapor in the atmosphere of a planet that is orbiting a star. the planet orbits in front of the star. the lead of the star passes through the atmosphere. this is what we saw. brent: you can detect vapor, which would be water. >> we have -- we have liquid water on a distant planet. >> it's not liquid water. what we have detected is water vapor. water in the atmosphere. if you have a planet with the water on the surface, you should have it in the atmosphere. we also have detected water vapor and gas -- on gas planets

which don't have a surface with liquid water. brent: when you say maybe it could sustain life, do we really know what it would be like if we were in the atmosphere or on the planet? can we imagine? >> no. the police me know so far, which is a great measurement, is that there is water vapor in the atmosphere. the great thing about this detection is that it is the smallest planet for which we have succeeded to see any detection of atmospheric absorption. it's really the first time that a planet that is below for earth radius is, and 10 earth masses, usually these were gas planets. brent: it is called super earth, because it is so small? >> the planet itself is so small. what we have in the solar system is earth, the next business

planet is neptune. there is nothing in between. for the xo planets, we find planets in between. for those, we could not detect the atmospheres. that's the first one. brent: it's 110 light-years away from us. we were trying to grasp how far away that is. what would happen first? would we be able to get to super earth first or would brexit happen first? to put it in layman's terms. can we imagine how far away the planet is? >> we cannot travel that. the light needs 120 years to get there. nothing can travel faster than light unless we find another way to travel. brent: thank you, dr.. -- thank you, doctor.

when you are proud of what you have achieved in life, sometimes you want to shout it from the rooftops. that's what some homeowners are doing in india's punjab state. here is more on their crowning glories. >> they are larger than life. they arere bizarrerend a little showy. in this village, there are all kinds of statues, including a tank, a boat, a kangaroo, and many many airplanes. it seems the bigger they are, the better. this man owns the largest. he rents it out as a party venue. he has loved planes since he migrated to england at age 16. there, he worked in a factory to earn enough money to build a villa back improved job.

-- in punjab. >> we punjabis are famous for working hard. no matter where in the world we happen to be, we are always successful and we like to show itit. everyone here admires me for my success. >> those who still live here, anyhow. there are too many left. almost every ripped off -- rooftop statue represents a story of migration. their owners left to look for a better life elsewhere, in europe, the usa, or australia. many here dream of traveling, hence the local love of airplanes. most people living here are seek -- sikhs. the faithful here pray for safety while traveling. often for members already overseas. what are the point of the statues if no one is around to see them? santok's wife would rather be

with their grandchildren in england. >> my husband has always done what he wanted to. i have always followed his wishes. we come out here for a month or so twice a year. when the children and i say, let's stay in inland -- england, he doesn't listen. brent: you are watching dw news. after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. stick around. ♪

. yeah but its use welcome to live from paris world news and analysis from france twenty four. i'm not going these are the headlines. the fallout over the operation yellowhammer revelations as the people read all about the dire consequences of them. of a no deal breaks a parts johnsonon still resists opposition calls to recall the- pro wrote. or suspended parliament you can't have missed is also denying. that he lied to the british queen. of the reasons for holding that fight week suspension. democrats head to hehead in the united statess joe biden elizabeth warren. bernie sanders leading the field well they are neck and neck in the opinion polls