>> this is dw news. stores and shops in germany are open again, but restarting europe's biggest economy comes with a warning and a risk. >> we must not be callous or irresponsible even for a moment. >> balancing back to business with the battle against the coronavirus. also coming up, what happens if you cannot even give something away?

oil prices turn negative for the first time as a coronavirus causes demand for crude to collapse. and does it take a virus to end israel's political paralysis? israel is about to get a unity government. i am brent goff. welcome. we begin tonight with a germany back in business, but still at risk. today, stores and shops reopened after what has been a five-week coronavirus induced shutdown. it is a first step in what will be a gradual return to economic normality and it comes in a world still dominated by the new normal, the coronavirus. the chancellor issued a warning

and a reminder tonight. >> it is shopping, but not as we knew it. customers are required to keep a sift the sense -- a safe distance with one another. chancellor merkel announced the easing of the lockdown days ago, but she is worried people may think the pandemic is no longer a problem. >> we must proceed slowly. step-by-step and with caution. it would be a real shame if we were to suffer a relapse despite being able to avoid that and put our initial successes at risk through our actions. so we must not be careless or irresponsible, even for a moment. >> this retailer near the french border is only allowing 15 people at a time into his shop. he has had to improvise a plan to keep everyone safe. >> we have put a bell at the

door. each customer rings the bell, and then we let them in if possible. otherwise, they will have to wait 10-15 minutes. we put a table and a chair outside. the estimate can sit in the sun and read a magazine while they wait. >> unlike in other states, shops with over 800 square meters of sale space can open if they are divided into separate areas. meaning big department stores can return to business, too. in saxony, masks are required on public transport. the lack of a single set of rules for all of germany has irritated some. >> i would like to see standard rules for retailers across the whole country. and i would prefer the rules doubly implemented immediately -- to be implemented immediately. >> retailers are optimistic as they emerge from the lockdown, they hope new business will not

lead to a surge in infections. >> germany stresses that digital solutions will be needed to prevent the spread of new infections in the coming months, but germany has often lagged behind other european countries when it comes to digital technology. our chief political editor asked the german health minister, will this be germany's achilles heel responding to the pandemic? >> have different levels, the community level, the state level, and the national level. what we see is yes, we should have invested more in previous years in the digitalization to actually make these different levels better in reacting to a situation like this.

it takes one to two days until we have the information here in berlin. it is just an example, but an important one to have a real picture of this outbreak that we want to change through digitization and actually support and fund investments that need to be taken. we really want to speed up. -- speed up digitization in the public health system. >> there is a lot of debate about european solidarity and germany's solidarity in this crisis. germany has taken inpatients from abroad. how far will german solidarity go? will that also include potentially sending personnel or equipment? or even as far as coronabonds? >> for example, we are able to donate couple hundred ventilators to spank him italy, france, the u.k., countries that we wanted to support -- spain, italy, france, the u.k., countries that we have wanted to support.

we have an exchange. now we can give masks, somee medidical masks, to belgium, our polish neighbor. we want to be of help as much as we can in this difficult -- in these difficult days. the european union seemed to be somehow disorganized in a crisis. it took some time to pull everything together. but now, what we see is where stronger -- we are stronger and confident we are getting out of this stronger than before. regarding the economy, for example, we have pegged a a $500 billion ececonomic stimulus that is to help send incentives for investment where it is needed and to help those countries that need to invest in their health system, as well. since we have obviously some economic trouble, as well, and

in this, we are together. it shows the health system as well as the economic situation. >> it could also tear europe apart. you see it could bring europe together? >> in the beginning, there was a stressful time for europe. there are concrete measures, packages, there is always a discussion that shows different interests between the 27 member states. but as always, when it is needed, we come to we result. what is important for us. -- we come to aa result. what is important to us. we are a european solidarity. at the same time, we don''t want incentives for the future that might lead the runway. -- might lead the wrong way. we have reached european solidarity so far. yes, there are debates, and some

of them are stressful. but in the end, we are stronger together. >> was the german health minister speaking with us earlier. here is a brief roundup of other coronavirus developments around the world through the global death toll has exceeded 167,000 according to johns hopkins university in the u.s. the number of viral related deaths in france has surpassed 20,000. spain will ask the eu to set up a massive 1.5 trillion euro fund to help countries recover from the economic follow. italy reported its first drop in the number of active cases as well as the lowest daily death toll that the country has seen in the last week today. in early march, a number of european union countries promised to take in at least 1600 migrant children from camps on greek islands, including a camp in less bows. the coronavirus -- lesbos.

they have flown the first group of 70 unaccompanied minors. children rights organizations say that is nowhere near enough because thousands of other youngsters who desperately need help are being left behind. >> for many children, this is their bathroom and their playground here. ththe camp currently houses over 7000 children. because of coronavirus restrictions, none of them are goining to school. many international aid workers have left their posts. >> it is a miracle we are even alive. as a virus takes hold, they will need to treaeat the ill. all they can think about is how they will bury the dead. because that is all they will be able to do. >> he is from afghanistan. hehe has been living here fofor seven monthths together with his wife and two children.

they share for square meterers - four square meters. coronavirus has made things much worse. they are worried about their five-year-old. the boy was b born prematurely d suffers from epilepsy and fainting spelllls. >> what happens if the virus comes here? even heaealthy humans can't figt it. thousands have died around the world. so how can a frail little boy like mohammed possibly surviviv? >> they do not let him out of his sight -- out of their sight even for a moment. what the boyoy really needs is medicine and specialist treatment in a good hospital. but nothing like that exist in this camp. that is why two months ago, the family got a special permit to leave lesbos, but the authority canceled -- the authorities

canceled the permit because of the coronavirus. >> we wanted to process thingngs fast so we could get out of here as s soon as posossible to go sosomewhere where our s sun cant proper treatment and is looked afafter. all our thoughts and only concern is with mohammed. >> the international medical organization, doctors without borders, rununs a provisionanal clinic next to the camp. bubut they are unable t to treat chronic illnesses likeke mohammed''s. it is good, they say, that some children are being flown out, but they add it is far from being good enough. >> it is a positive development, finally, that sosomething isis moviving. and that children are being taken out. but these numbersrs are so smal, that the question for me is not a question of capacity, but an issue of political will. >> as the pandemic spreads,

relief organizations are now calling for the full evacuation of the camp. but greece's government took a different approach, they tightened the law governing the right to silence for a month. >> they say the law hahas chang. why has s it changed? can't anybodyy see this child needs treatment? can't they see this is not a good place to keep him? they can't stay? is this law considering these things at all? >> he says he now regrets ever taking his family on the dangerous journey to europe. and many here now believe that while the greek authorities -- what the greek authorities are set on doing is to use the coconditions of f the camp ass e turret. the message -- stay away from europe. >> how did it come to this? i am joined by a migration specialist who helped construct the eu turkey deal.

good to have you back on the shshow. in the report, we saw overcrowded camps, this was not supposed to happen according to the plalan that you co-authored. what hasas happened?d? >> we have a very simple answer to this. we have far totoo many p peoplen these islands. it can a accommodadate a few thouousand humanely. now we have 39,000 people. 13,000 of them are childreren. 8000 our children below the age of 12. this i is no place for keeping children, especially since it is clear they will not be returned to turkey. there are no returns to countries of urgent. >> there are no returns right now in part due to the e pandem. has the pandemic made the plan you co-authored no longer feasible? >> right. it is worse than that.

ththe deaeal from 2016 was calld off by turkey in februauary of this year, based on the eu giving support t to refugeeees n turkey, substantial, 6 billion, for four yeaears. this money h has been spent, but no new projects are e being planned. there are momore than 3 mimillin refufugees in turkey where the health system is also suffering tremendodously. thesese refugegees are now alsoo losing t their jobs. until now, they received funding from thehe eu, 1.1.7 m million d socicial support. that number isis increasining. we havave a regionalal problem t if it all gogoes wrong and if we don'n't have with more people tryiying to cross s with no hehg conditions for them, we are putting more pressure and more suffering. >> the eu has paid the money it has promised turkey. his turkey basically trying -- is turkey basically trying to

extort more money out of the eu by using migrants as blackmail material? >> tururkey is the country off t refugees in the world and has been for many years. the money that you give turkey and d -- the eu gave turkey was an investment for schools, for clinics in turkey, thehe question is,s, can they agree oa new deal when the eu continues to fund the integration of syririans when countries like germany can help greece? >> we appreciate your time andnd your insight tonight. thank you. >> i thank you. >> here is a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the world. the education minister of

germany saysys the government plans to give interest-free loans to students in need. it would be extended to international students who are not from the european union. brazil's president has joined crowds in a public rally in brasilia. he criticized coronavirus lockdown measures imposed by state governors. brazil has the highest number of infections in latin america, but bolsonaro continues to downplay the severity of the pandemic. in australia, three beaches in sydney are open again in a tentative step two ease coronavirus restrictions. locals are allowed to exercise but must respect social distancing. bondai beach remains closed. finally, benjamin netanyahu has agreed to form an emergency unity government with his political rival. this ends a year-long political deadlock folollowing three

elections. the coronavirus in israel has forced the two archrivals to reach a deal. over the weekend, protests were held against benjamin netanyahu, facing trial on three charges of corruption he has denied -- charges of corruption. hehe has denied any wrongdoing. let's brining in our correspondt in jerusalem.. it is amazing. after three elections, now israel is about to get a new government. did it take the coronavirus to get this movement? >> it is quite unusual t times. as you said, three electionsns, multiple attempts to form a gogovernment, , and almost a yer and a a half it tooook them t tt to this point. it is also unusualal, because ts is the eve of the holocaust remembrance day. first and foremost, thiss government, this national

emergegency government as it is called, should now focus on dealing with the coronavirus crisis. at the same time, they also wanted to of -- to avovoid a for selection.n. -- to avoid a forced election. benjamin netanyahu gave u up on his election promise to sit with the prime ministster, who faces corruption chargrges. at the same time, benjamin netanyahu got more and more supporort i in polls again becae he is the one dealing with the coronavirus crisis herere on a dailily basis. > b beyond dealing with the pandndemic, what do we know w at the contentss of the agrereemeno build this unity government? >> b basically, ththis is a power-sharing agreement, , which means p prime minister benjamin

netatanyahu will stay as prime minister f for the next 18 m mo. beni ganz will become his deputy. he will alsoso be defense minister. his centrist alliancee broke apart.t. he will be there with a smaller fraction, but he will also get key ministries like the justice ministry, the foreign ministrtr. ththat was one o of the sticking poinints, it seems, that benjamn netanyahu will get veto power over judicial appointments, and in this agreement it says from the first of july, , there could be a potential for annexation of parts of the occupied west bank. >> tania kramer. in jerusalem. thank you. u.s. oil prices have dropped

below zero for the first time in history. that's right. producers are now paying buyers to take it off their hands. demand has collapsed thanks to the coronavirus, but producers cannot just turn off the pumps. that has left him with over flowing storage facilities and a product that is essentially worthless. >> the coronavirus pandemic has brought economies around the world to a halt along with a demand for oil. after weeks of tumbling prices, crude dropped low zero for the first time. producers literally cannot give it away. an agreement last week to slash output faiailed to ease worries. >> think we have got an economic -- >> i think we hahave got a an economicic disaster ahead of us.

we are dealing with t the lack f traveling from t these lockdownn measures.. people arere not going to work. nobody is flying anywhere. that is really causing a demand problem. >> since storage facilities have filled up, oil is now practically worth nothing. >> let's go now to our financial correspondent in new york. good afternoon to you. help us get our heads around this. we are used to worrying about $100 a barrel. now we are talking about negative oil prices. how did we get here? >> it is unbelievable what is going on in the industry. compare it to what is happening in the dairy industry. if you are a farmer and you produce much milk, you can just basically dump it on your field. the oil industry -- in the oil industry, that is not possible. oil demand fell so much more then you can cut production in the short-term -- than you can

cut production in the short term. storage facilities have reached their capacity levels. it is $40 here trading in new york. >> saudi arabia and russia agreed to major production cuts last week. why was that not enough? >> that is the problem. yes, they decided to cut production by roughly 9.5 million barrels a day, but demand is dropping so much further. i am standing here in front of a local gas station in brooklyn. oil prices on average here in the country at the moment are at $1.80 per gallon. hardly anybody can take advantage out of it because nobody is moving, nobody is working. they just don't need the amount of gas as they usually do. >> what about the fracking

industry in the u.s.? are these negative prices and existential threat to producers? >> yes, actually, it is a big threat for this part of the u.s. economy. gas and natural gas -- the oil and natural gas is roughly 8% of the domestic product. a lot of those companies are indeed debt -- in deep debt, or they were before the coronavirus . it is not unlikely we will see a lot of bankruptcy cases. the banks gave some of the money , they are already putting reserves to be prepared if credits actually go to zero, basically. it's a big development that is also threatening even further, the overall economic growth in

the u.s. >> if you did the math, too, $1.80 translates into 40 euro cents per liter. are these prices good news for consumers and businesses? >> in general, yes, but as i mentioned, first we have to reopen the economy before people can really take advantage of those lower prices. but that is maybe the little break thing. -- bright thing. it becomes a bit cheaper in the near future. >> it reminds me of when i was a university student. gas was that cheap. thank you. staying in north america, investigators in canada are trying to determine the motive he had the worst mass shooting the country has ever seen. the gunman disguise himself as a

police officer before wreaking havoc on rural communities across nova scotia am a shooting residents and setting houses ablaze -- nova scotia, shooting residents and setting houses ablaze in an attack that lasted hours. >> the rampage ended in this gas station, where the gun man killed. he shot at least 18 people dead. the hunt for the shooter spent 100 kilometers from the canadian province -- in the canadian province of nova scotia. several people, including a police officer, were slain in various locations. >> countless families are in mourning today. each person who lost their family and friends, and they, too, will need their support. the impact of this incident will extend from one end of ththe province to another. >> canadian prime minister justin trudeau paid tributete to ththe slain officer and the

victims. he also provided emergency services. >> no one m man's action can bud a wall between us and a better day no matter how evil, how thoughtless, or how destructive. >> the motive is still unknown. investigators suspect the gunman planned the shooting spree. he disguised himself as a policeman. as canadians mourn, prime minister trudeau pledged to continue with a planned introduction of further controlled than legislation. >> league officials have been making preparations to play matches behind closed doors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. the premier of germany's biggest h, reportedly telling media a move is possible under certain conditions. a meeting between the league and

clubs is scheduled for thursday of this week. here is a reminder of the top story we are following for you. angela merkel has warned germany to stay in focus on physical distancing as germany eases the coronavirus restrictions. merkel says the country has achieved a great deal, but it will be a delicate balancing act to keep new infections undnder control. she warns if new infections spike again, they returned to stricter lockdown measures will be unavoidable. you are watching dw news. after a break, i will take you through the day. stick around.

can take at two am et. the price of oil is some to a new record low. three hundred cents thanks to minunus thirty nine dollarsrs a sub zero tetel. your this is happppened in spite ofof opec's decision to slash production by 10% stocks of all energy defense of falling. into one day right in history we have in our system of this is that it can. be up. just take to streets of us to my an end to the cause nineteen lockdown president