♪ >> this is "dw news" log from berlin. the u.s. breaks its own record for new covid cases in a single day as the country registers more than 75,000 new infections. we hear from our correspondent in miami about an increasingly desperate situation in hospital settings. also coming up, european leaders seek common ground at a make or break summers -- summit in brussels. they aim to approve a recovery

package to help economies, but divisions run deep. signs of discontent emerge from iran as demonstrators protest the government's handling of the economy. and sex workers in germany say the coronavirus b ban on prostitution is putting their livelihoods and safety at risk by driving the business underground. welcome to the program. united states has broken yet another coronavirus record -- 75,000 new infections in one day . that's almost as many as china's official six-month tally. florida is the new epicenter. on friday, the sunshine state

recorded more than 11,000 new cases. the state also recorded the fourth consecutive day with more than 100 deaths. florida's republican governor, who was facing criticism for his handling of the pandemic, has blamed the high number on increased testing in the state. our correspondent is in miami outside the jackson memorial hospital. we are seeing grim new figures. what is the situation like on the ground? >> it is horrible, the situation. florida is a so-called red state. there are 18 in the united states, and the terminology stems from a report which was prepared for the coronavirus task force in washington, d.c., in the white house which the white house has not made public yet, but it is true florida has tremendous new infection case numbers. yesterday, 30,000, today, 11000

and the day is not over. doctors we talked to from the jackson memorial hospital do not expect any good news for the next following days or today in terms of infection rates and death rates. remember, infectionon rates is e thing, death rates is another important number, and hospitalization rates. the problem in miami as hospitals do not have enough icu beds anymore. that means they have to create more than they had planned originally. >> what about the people there? are they taking the situation seriously? >> i have to tell you, no but they don't. in large, large, large amounts, people seem to be oblivious or just do not care or are uninformed about what really is necessary.

again, we talked to medical professionals, and they said it's very simple -- it comes to something really simple, wear masks. do not engage with large crowds, and keep social distancing alive. do it. stay six feet apart in public and in closed rooms and wear a mask, but this message does not seem to come through, not here in miami, not in florida, not in arizona, not in california, not in many, many other states. i could go on and on. numbers of coronavirus infections are rising. why? because states have pulled back on theheir measures, no more mandates, and people apparently do not want to wear masks. >> you said states have retreated on their measures they put up against the coronavirus. what is governor desantis proposing to get infection rates under control then?

>> good question. he's not really proposing anything to get the -- actively proposing something new t to get the infection rate under control. desantis, as well as a few other governors -- for example the governor in georgia -- seem to think -- apologize for the noise. that's a medical helicopter from the hospital taking off. governors in states like here in florida and georgia seem to think that there is no way they want to roll back into a shutdown, and therefore, they trust that their medical systems are able to handle increasing infection rates. they are reluctant to issue a mandatory mask wearing order to the public. >> thank you. back here in europe, eu leaders are holding a summit in brussels to try to reach an agreement on how to divide a 750 billion euro

fund to help member states recover from the pandemic. there are deep divisions over its grants or loans should be given to help the hardest hit nations. germany's chancellor, angela merkel, is presiding over the summit and has admitted finding a compromise will not be easy. ask masks on, gloves off. european leaders are back in brussels for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis with the bloc's finances at the top of the agenda. a lot is at stake. >> i know it will be very difficult because it's not only about money. it's a question of the future of europe. >> michelle hasas putut a finanl package on the table to help the european economy get back on its feet. in addition to a budget of more than 7 trillion euros, a recovery fund has been proposed.

money from the fund would be borne by the eu and financial markets and directed toward countries hit hardest by the crisis such as spain, italy, and greece. what is driving a wedge between leaders as if the money should be handed out as grants. the so-called frugal 4 insist it should be mostly loans and paid back. he is considered one of the biggest obstacles to a deal -- the austrian chancellor. he things an agreement can be reached but not necessarily this weekend. >> there are still a lot of questions to be answered. first of all, to where should the funds flow? what is the suitable criteria for this? >> so clearly delighted to be meeting up agagain i in person,e jovial atmosphere is not expected to last long. german chancellor angela merkel's cautious optimism in the days leading up to the summit seems to have subsided.

>> it will take a lot of willingness to compromise in order to agree on something that is good for europe, that will be good for the people of europe with regard to the pandemic, that would be a suitable response to the economic difficulties we are experiencing. therefore, i expect very tough negotiations. >> for now, leaders' positions, like their seats, are still far apart. >> earlier, i spoke to the copresident of the european greens in brussels and asked how optimistic he is that leaders will be able to reach an agreement on the recovery fund at the summit. >> to be entirely hononest, i i don't know. i wouldd say 50-0-50. some spepeak about the f fact tt ththis cerinlyly wld b be coconclusive and anonother one d be in response, but i don't know what new element would surface that would change the landscape.

all the elements are on the table. now is for european leaders to show that they are leaders, that they are able to rise to the occasion and show political courage, like chancellor merkel did earlier this month when she decided to make a u-turn and support common borrowing. >> you said there are no new elements on the table, but it appears there are. the czech prime minister said he wants to use the money for the car industry. the polls and hungarians -- the poles and hungarians don't want any e ethical issues attached. >> i would say some of the money may need to be invested in the

auto industry and agriculture. the question is do what? if this is to shore up losses they made in the past, sorry, this cannot be the purpose, but if t this is to help agricultur, becoming greener, if it is to help the car industry becomingng greener, thehen why not? indeed, what we need is this money to serve investment. we are not going to give this money to member states or two companies with no strings attached. we want this money to be invested in making the european economy more robust and more resilient, and if that is the case, maybe indeed all industries can become greener, and if that money can help them become greener, then fine. >> the green condition you mentioned probably will not be well received in hunk area, for example, or the czech republic. does this crisis show that the cohesion and solidarity in the

eu is wawaning further? >> it shows there is a profound lack of trust among european leaders. the divisions are multiple, and indeed, ever since the global financial crisis, uc trust destroyed in massive quantities. we need to rebuild trust, and it's better to enter a crisis with trust, but indeed, the level of trust is minimal, but then again, it is in everyone's interest, and i'm sure viktor orban understands that because his country has been on the receiving end of massive european funds over the last decades. i'm sure that if he has a choice between getting the money flowing to the country with strings attached and refusing the attached strings and getting no money, i have an idea where his heart be.

>> thank you very much for joining us tonight. >> my pleasure. have a nice evening. >> time now for a quick roundup of other stories making headlines around the world today. after five-day manhunt, german police have arrested a heavily armed fugitive in the country's black forest. officials launched the search after he disarmed four officers at gunpoint and fled into thee woods last sunday. u.s. supreme court justice ruth bader ginsburg says her liver cancer has returned.d. in a statement, the 87-year-old justice says she is undergoing chemotheherapy andnd will contie to carry out her duties on the court. ginsburg has undergone treatment for cancer four times since 1999. antigovernment protesters have staged a a rally in iran. they are angry about the state of the country's economy, which is being hit hard by u u.s.

sanctions. polilice later dispeperse crowdd authorities cut internet access in the region as videos of the rally spread online. in lebanon, the deepening economic crisis has sparked months of protests. many people are being plunged into poverty as the lebanese currency continues to slump. it has lost 70% of its value against the u.s. dollar in recent weeks. the country is threatened with debt default, and now a serious energy shortage is compounding its problems. >> beirut's citizens have taken matters into their own hands, putting up cables and massive electricity generators. anan energy shortage is the latt consequence of lebanon's economic crisis. during the pandemic, it is a huge challenge, for hospitals in particular. generators run 20 hours a day at this hospital. "we are constantly trying to get diesel. we are already rationing it.

it pains me to say that we beg for diesel. the hardest thing is that we have to pay for it with cash." no more diesel means no more electricity, and no electricity means no operations. but the rising demand for diesel is pushing up its price with the energy crisis causing an increase in prices across the board, many people in lebanon are falling into poverty. "we only take the cheapest things in small amounts because everything has become so expensive and is beyond our means." rocketing energy prices mean higher production costs at businesses both large and small. lebanon's economy is in ruins. >> you are watching "dw news." still to come -- a symbol of

racism or a sign o of respect? a german town grapples with its cultural legacy as protest builds against its coat of arms. first, we had to cuba. the country wants to allow wider use of the u.s. dollar as it wants to tackle a major economic crisis that has led to shortages . the communist country's heavily controlled economy was already struggling with u.s. sanctions after the economic collapse of its socialist ally venezuela before the covid-19 pandemic made inns much worse. >> currency is complicated in cuba. the communist state has 2 -- pesos and convertible pesos, but it is u.s. dollars that people really want. they are needed to pay for foreign goods, vital in a country beset by shortages. the government has removed a 10%

tax on their use. despite the hostility that persists in the united states government with the implementation of measures that intensify the economic blockade, it has been decided to end the 10% tax on income and cash dollars to the banking system. but not everyone here has access to dollars. tourism is at a standstill due to the pandemic while many u.s. firms are banned from doing business in cuba. the issue now is where are we going to get u.s. dollars? we're are a country that is under blockade. foreigners are coming in. there is no way of getting u.s. dollars. for those who can get them, though, this is good news, and not just because of the tax cut. before now, only goods such as

home appliances and cars could be bought with them. now it will include food. >> prostitution is one of several traits that have been shut down in germany since the start of the coronavirus. although brothels and massage parlors have officially been shuttered since mid-march, many sex workers carry on illegally, and that's putting them and their clients at risk. brothel owners say they can offer a safer environment all around. >> no sex, just information. they are using an open house to raise awareness that it has been shut for four months during the pandemic with many prostitutes working illegally to make ends meet. "illegality always means unprotected space. she cannot protect herself. she cannot go to the police

because she is working illegally." around 33,000 prostitutes are registstered in germany.. most work in clubs, but there are far more working illegally, and the number is growing due to pandemic restrictions. laura says brothels can stick to strict hygiene rules, social distancing, compulsory mask wearing during erotic massages, even customer registration. "we have regular customers who call up and want to make an appointment, and its no problem to get down the number." 16 members of parliamentnt are agagainst the reopening and in e long term want to ban prostitution with help given to women forced to leave the profession. "you cannot ban prostitution without offering prostitutes something that offers them a

chance to make a life. in berlin, they see that is unrealistic. instead, they are calling for better working conditions. "bands generally, and coronavirus show this, does not stop prostitution. it finds its way to all countries at all times. there are enough people who practice it and make use of the service or cut -- service." >> as a society, we have a problem that we have an ambivalent undivided relationship with prostitution and there's the danger some people even want to use the pandemic as leverage to question prostitution as a whole, and

that really is not on." will brothels reopen soon? here they are well prepared. >> time to bring more headlines. catalonia's regional government is urging barcelona residents to stay home and avoid meeting in large groups to help stem the new surge in coronavirus infections. authorities say the measures are meant to avoid having to impose a mandatory lockdown. the world health organization says brazil's coronavirus outbreak is stabilizing. new cases are no longer rising exponentially in the country, creating the case to drive down the infection rate. brazil is the hardest hit country in latin america with over 2 million confirmed cases and nearly 80,000 dedeaths. vast areas of china have been inundated by severe floods. since june, heavy rains have forced nearly 15 million people from their homes. officials say they are seeing the highest average rainfall levels for 50 years.

. the reason -- the recent antiracist discussion has fueled a number of discussions. once considered honorable, and number are now considered offensive, so who decides what stays, what goes, and who decides how to sit -- how the decisions are made? >> picturesque halberd in bavaria. the town's striking coat of arms is at the center of a heated controversy. opponents call it a symbol of racism, but many residents are mystified. "is there really nothing else to worry about? we've got bigger problems than the coburg wall. he is the patron saint of coburg, and i find this whole discussion out of order." >>

he's never upset anyone. it can stay as it is. the quest dates back to the middle ages when black people were often described as moore's -- moors, a term now viewed as derogatory. the emblem features saint marissa's, a black christian knight who was martyred and is now commemorated. "to that extent, i think the word moor is ok, and the representation of a black man as the symbol of coburg is absolutely fine. it is an expression of esteem and veneration for the saint." that is not a view shared by two youngng berliners who startd a petition against coburg's coat of arms.

alececia is frfrom the area a ar her, calling a black man a moor is no longer acceptable amid the black lives matter movement. "it suggests to some that all black people look the same, complete nonsense for continent where people look totally different from one another. others find something exotic in it, a ferocity that has to do with savage peoples. it is a racist portrayal that shouould not be allolowed to continue." the town council is irritated by the debate and is not giving any interviews on the subject of the coat of arms. the answer could be just to change the description, says this resident. "he's got a name after all, malicious. why shouldn't it be the coburg

malicious? -- mauricius?" it's not easy to find the right balance, especially in coburg. >> washington, d.c.'s nfl team faces sexual harassment claims from 15 women that used to work the club. the allegations were made public by "the washington post." law firm has been hired to conduct a review of the claims. earlier this week, the team's longtime nickname "the redskins" was dropped for being deemed racist. german whatcom butter has quit football at the age of 29. he is best remembered for providing the famous assist that bonn, germany his 2014 world cup final.

he was most recently under contract and said despite the highs, football made him deal there's a saying that goes -- good things come to those who wait, and that is certainly the case for captain tom moore, a world war ii veteran. he was promoted to colonel after he raised millions of pounds for the british national health service with a charity walk around his garden, and now his accomplishments have been recognized by royalty, and the 100-year-old has gone one better with a knighthood. >> limits the pandemic, queen elizabeth seldom takes part in official duties, but this is a unique situation in unique times for a unique man. captain tom moore, a world war ii veteran, fundraising hero, and national icon, now britain's longest-serving monarch knighted

him, allowing him to carry the title sir thomas more -- sir thomas moore. a ceremony was held on the grounds of windsor castle following social distancing rules. he captured the hearts of many one prior to his 100th birthday, he walked 100 laps in his garden, raising over 33 million pounds for health workers and prompting prime minister boris johnson to nominate him for knighthood. prior toto the ceremony, he was worried about only one thing. >> i'm a little overwhelmed. it is and everybody that gets a chance to see the queen, is it? -- it isn't everybody. >> are you still worriri a about kneeling down and getting up? >> i think if i kneel down, i may never get up again.

>> luckily, he did not have to kneel during the ceremony. >> congratulations. here is our top story at this hour -- germany's chancellor angela chairing an eu summit aimed at bridging differences over a corona recovery plan. member states are deeply divided over conditions for handouts from the 750 billion euro fund. you are watching "dw news." after a short break, i will be back to take you through "the day." remember, you can always get the latest at dw.com. thanks for watching. ♪

. twenty four twenty four .com. hoping to agree to a recovery package to drag them out of the health crisis that's kept them apart for weeks the leaders come face to face for a summit in brussels with the commission president saying the stakes. couldn't be higher for the block catherine bennett from our business desk is here on sets for the latest. fears grow across france the second code nineteen wave is crushing a prince weston and southern shores. latest figures show that the for the fourteen people have died in the past twenty four hours. with almost seven thousand patients