berlin tonight no early exit from the coronavirus lockdown here in germany. despite climbing numbers of infections, the variants has consulate -- chancellor angela merkel considering another month. also coming up tonight the kremlin critic alexei navalny has flown into germany, -- the russian opposition leader,

her husband has been imprisoned for a legen-- allegedly taking his role day two of donald trump's second impeachment trial, the prosecutor accusing the former president of being the insight or -- incitor in chief of the riot at the u.s. capitol. ♪ >> i reviewers -- to our viewers welcome, germany's federal and state leaders have agreed to extend the countries coronavirus lockdown until march 7, the decision came after chancellor -- chancellor angela merkel hd meetg. she made it clear she wanted the national lockdown extended for several more weeks at least. schools, shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities have been closed here in germany since mid-december.

the number of covid-19 infections and deaths have been on the decline here in germany, but the chancellor is urging the public to stay vigilant. at today's summit she warned that coronavirus mutations could fuel a new wave of infections. >> this is a third wave we have to fight. we can only fight it if we bring down the incident rate. if health authorities get control of the virus again, meaning they can be in contact tracing again, then we can reduce the incident rate even more with further steps. that is what we want. that is why the period between now and mid march when the experts tell us that the mutated viruses could gain the upper hand over the previous virus is so important. we must continue to reduce our

case numbers and be very careful. >> that was the german chancellor speaking earlier tonight, let's go now to our political editor who has been following this story. the chancellor entered the discussions today with a cautious approach and we know that she is worried about these viral variants. did she get what she wanted? >> she did, partly, what she did not get was that there is some kind of agreement on schooling. she had to leave it to all 16 states which she legally have to anyways, but she could not find a common line for those gradual school re-openings which some states want to proceed with and others do not. what she did do is for the first time, she pegged rio can -- reopening's to the magic formula which used to be 50 infections per 100,000 people within the

space of seven days. that was the threshold when debate started about gradually getting out of the lockdown, that is now down to 35 because of the fear of those mutations. at the same time, there is a promise that if this cannot be reached at the very local level, that there could be very local reopenings. that is a change in the approach as this mutation arrives in germany. brent: how is this going to go down with the public? people have been living in the lockdown now for months. >> we are still upwards of more than 50% of germans are behind the lockdown, at the same time when you talk to politicians, the conversations that they have in their constituencies, they really felt the pressure and we can see now that hairdressers out of all trades will be allowed to open again for the

first of march. they want to demonstrate that there is some kind of light at the end of the tunnel. brent: enough cannot be said about getting a good haircut these days, they are rare and few and in between. let's talk about the vaccination campaign, speaking of rarity, the campaign has had a bumpy start. how is it going now? >> it is slightly picking up speed, but at the same time, germany which has some 83 million inhabitants is at the level of israel when it comes to weekly vaccinations at the rate of 700,000. that is by far not enough, but there is the promise from the german health minister that soon there will be enough capacity to get all of those vaccinations because so much vaccine is arriving here.

germany has been slow on the uptake, it remains way too slow to deliver fast enough what is the ultimate exit from this pandemic, vaccinations. that is why she is so insistent on breaking off those contact, springing -- stopping any spread in its tracks. brent: it is hard for people to accept any lockdown when they know the vaccine is there. many thanks. there are reports tonight that the wife of jailed kremlin critic alexi no bonnie -- alexi no lonnie has arrived in germany. a magazine is reporting that she landed in frankfurt after flying in from moscow this evening, her arrival comes after a week -- a week after her husband was sentenced to prison for allegedly violating his

probation -- as he recovers from a violent poisoning attack. with me as my colleague who has been following this story. what do we know? >> you said it, she has landed in frankfurt earlier today, russia's interfax news agency reported that she had left moscow, we did not hear anything for a few hours then came this report from them. there is no comfort take -- confirmation from his camp, we have no reason to doubt the reporting here. according to the guardian which has spoken to his sources, it is reporting that her exit from russia is temporary and not a permanent one according to the guardian. brent: it is surprising considering the situation with her husband. >> exactly, she has constantly

stood by her husband's side ever since his voicing last august and his recuperation and eventual return to russia on january 17. at the moment she cannot be by his side because he has been sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly violating the terms of his probation on embezzlement condition -- conviction. he was in germany being treated for poisoning, i guess we have to look at it from her point of view as well ever since they have returned to russia on january 17, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in support of alexei navalny and in protest of his conviction, there has been a huge crackdown on anyone associated, opposition activists, anyone seen to be connected to him has been targeted.

brent: when alexei navalny came here for treatment for the poisoning attack, that took a medical emergency and turned it into a diplomatic situation. with his wife coming to germany, are we going to see any impact on ties between germany and russia? >> what we know from the past week is that russia expelled diplomats from germany, poland, and sweden and germany acted in kind. i guess we have to see what the further diplomatic repercussions could be although there have been some aeady. brent: it would be good to get to the reason of what this visit is. thank you. the army in myanmar has rated the party headquarters and detained the leader, the international community becoming increasingly concerned with the united states expected to

announce sanctions on me and or later today -- myanmar later today. anti-coup activists have returned to the streets for a fifth day to demand the release of their elected leaders and to highlight their grievances, they are using ever more creative tactics. >> sitting in inatable tubs, this group of protesters are risking their lives. they are -- their protest tactics, quirky humor, and use of english. this is one protest idea from the young generation, we are always thinking about how to be creative because we need international attention. >> younger generations are using both sial media and lessons learned from activists in neighboring hong kong and thailand to gain support.

on the street dressed as beauty queens, or going shirtless like these members of a bodybuilding club to show their opposition to the coup. demonstrators are calling for an end with a military dictatorship and freedom for the nation's elected leader and her allies, they also want a new constitution and a return to democratic freedoms. the groups remain undeterred after tuesday's violence, security forces declared the rallies illegal drenching peaceful protesters with water cannons. there are reports that police fired live rounds to disperse some marches. a teenage protester was shot and critically injured, waiting outside the hospital where the 19-year-old girl is fighting for her life, her sister vowed to keep mistreating --

demonstrating. >> i will keep protesting until we can get rid of this military dictatorship for the sake of my sister, i want to ask people around the world to support this protest. >> a banner strung from a highway shows the injured girl. many of the demonstrators are shocked, but still determined. >> now we see that the military is taking brutal action against us, but we young people will lead the protests through various groups in every peaceful way. >> a curfew and restrictions on gatherings have been put in place, but they have not stopped fresh protests from breaking out across the country. brent: here are some more of the stories making headlines around the world, a powerful earthquake has struck the south pacific triggering a tsunami warning from new zealand and other

countries in the region. the 7.7 tremor struck east of the loyalty islands, reporters have warned the public to stay away from the beaches along the northern coast. one of saudi arabia's most vocal women's rights activists has been released from prison. they were arrested in 2018 allegedly for violating counterterrorism laws, part -- charges that critics describe as politically motivated. she openly advocated for the right of women to drive and to end the male guardianship system. poland's independent media outlets have suspended programming to protest a planned new advertising tax. they say it represents an attack -- attempt to undermine press freedoms. the government says this new solidarity tax is needed to raise money with state finances strained by the pandemic. clashes have erected at the greek capital between police and

students on protests against planned education reforms. critics say the reforms threaten academic freedoms built up after the end of military rule in the 1970's. democrats are laying out their case on this day two of donald trump's second impeachment trial. trump is accused of inciting the right -- riot at the u.s. capitol in which five people died. impeachment managers are arguing that trump undermined the election for months. democrats and trump's defense team now both have two days to present their case in the u.s. senate. here is with the lead prosecutor had to say earlier today. >> the evidence will show that he clearly incited the january 6 insurrection. it will show that donald trump surrendered his role as commander-in-chief and became

the insight or -- inciter in chief of a dangerous insurrection. this was as one of our colleagues put it, the greatest betrayal of the presidential both -- both in the history of the united states. brent: let's take the story to washington, our correspondent is on the story. this trial is becoming must see tv in the u.s., what are we seeing so far from the house impeachment managers? >> you are right it is on all channels here and the question is, is america mesmerized with the performance of the house managers, of the democrats making their case and what are they trying to do as you said before, they are trying to make three points, the donald trump was responsible for what happened, that he knew what he was doing, and he had a plan

that started before that with lies that he lost the election, etc. and not to forget different phone calls to different officials in different states to put them under pressure. remember the phone call to georgia to the secretary of state there, to find them 11,000 votes. the democrats so far making their case and their timeline in very much detail, we have not seen what they have promised it and that is new video, video which nobody has seen from the closed-circuit television cameras in the capital. we are still waiting to watch for this and see what they are providing to make their case. yesterday, 13 minutes of video that was pretty impressive and very emotional and i have to say to wrap it up mother democrats -- the democrats tried to keep this emotional to get to the

republicans, to the republican senators who are not likely to vote in their favor or for a conviction. brent: we will be looking at that video coming up right after this news bulletin. you mentioned online, i know that this trial is expected to be a speedy one, it could be over a week from today, why are both sides are eager to have this wrapped up? >> it gets complicated but two main things, democrats and the white house, they want this to be over one way or another because they want to be back in the limelight. the white house and joe biden needs to push some policies he promised in his campaign through the senate. the white house needs the legislative to be actually working on things, not just the impeachment. democrats have promised they have been -- they can do both, at the moment they are just busy

on the case. today for eight hours, tomorrow for eight hours, then is -- then it is the republicans turn. the republicans have an interest to make this very speedy because they want to leave the past behind, they want to focus towards the future and get on a new track, positive and already elections in 2022 in mind. brent: we saw the vote on the constitutionality of the impeachment, the vote was largely along party lines, that is what we are going to see for the verdict is what people are saying, right? >> absolutely, there is no doubt that most bets are on voting along party lines. yesterday seven republicans voted with democrats for the declaration of this trial to be constitutional, but at the end it -- is an acquittal or

conviction of donald trump lightly? there will be at least 40-44 republicans who voted against a conviction that means he will be acquitted. brent: i right there with the latest in washington, thank you. belarus has been rocked for months by protests over that disputed reelection of the hard-line leader. more than 30,000 people have been arrested since august, but the unrest shows no sign of easing. prominent health -- athletes like the olympic basketball player are among those pushing for change. she was jailed for 15 days for protesting. speaking from athens, greece where she now plays basketball, she told us that she still supports the opposition movement. >> before i am an athlete, i am

a human. i have a right to raise my opinion, to not agree with something. me being an athlete, it was time for me to be the fan for the people that supported me through my career and i use my platform and my voice on all those -- when all those terrifying events happen, i cannot be quiet. there is no other option for me. when reunited together we knew there was a chance that we are not an exception and the government can use us to show us -- other athletes, to show people that anyone can be in jail. my father dropped me off in an airport and i was wrapping my luggage and someone tapped me on the shoulder and it was two policemen and they said they

were there to arrest me for participating in protests. literally put in a cell that is very small and my second day there, they have taken everything from us, they have taken mattresses so the only place youan sit is on a bench. they turned off the hot water, our toilet was not flushing. in the 15 days i was there, they never let us take a shower. i do not believe in till th last minute because they did not -- they took me and put me in a car, the only way i could relax when i got out of that car and hugged my mom and dad and i could breathe a little bit. we are more than athletes and i love that, this is more than just a game. i am using what i've learned and trying to apply to life. if you have told me that i would be arrested or spent time in jail, i would be like, no way.

i do not regret anything that has happened to me. throughout my career i have learned that you have got to look at the positives to move forward and this is what i am doing. brent: from basketball to football, they are preparing for the finals world cup in qatar, the world has confirmed that the top player has taken leave for personal reasons. he is the offender and german media reporting that his former partner has died. nhe was a starter in monday's semifinal when -- win over the egyptian side. here's more on the match up in the final with mexican club ti e res. >> he has almost on it all, the number one club in the world won a handful of titles in 2020.

they eventually became part of the silverware collection that season. now in qatar, they have one more title to go. winning everything plus the fifa club world cup is tantamount to -- football perfection. it has only been done once before back in 2009 by barcelona. >> winning the final at the club world cup would be the cherry on top. with all of the titles we have won and then this additional one, maybe you do not think about it much, but in the end when you know only one team has one 6 -- won six tits in a season and you have a chance to be second, it is a chance to make football history. >> chasing history, robert leben doll ski -- 11 dusky

he help them reach their first fever club -- fifa club world final since 2013. success would add a cherry to the dream season he already had in his first season in charge. brent: now to south korea where efforts are being stepped up to hold coronavirus cases among people spent -- peoples pets. they are offering free tests for pets who have been tested positive. a kitten has been -- become south korea's first case of animal covid-19. >> this is no ordinary trip to the veterinarian. health care workers made a house call to test this out for the coronavirus. after some coaxing, the animal emerged from its kennel for a series of swabs. as of monday, house pets can be

tested free of charge if they meet the requirements. >> dogs and cats that came into contact with a confirmed patient can apply for testing. if it is determined that there are symptoms, you can contact the animal department and a team of health care workers will visit your home to collect a sample. >> pets who test positive must remain in isolation for 14 days. around the world, other animals including zoo gorillas have tested positive. the officials here are not taking any chances. after months of rising cases, the numbers in south korea are now on the decline, restrictions are fully being in the first vaccine has been approved in the country.

other local governments plan to follow in their footsteps to ensure these four-legged friends are also free to roam. brent: not the pets. northern europe has been walking carefully through snow to avoid any slip ups, but an artist has taken this to a whole new level, he and his friends use their footsteps to make this elaborate work of art read the patterns were combined to resemble massive snowflakes. the whole these -- peace, 160 meters across but it will not withstand the test of time. enjoy it will you can -- well you can. the top stories we are following for you, germany's leaders have agreed to extend the national lockdown until march 7. the chancellor has insisted on restrictions despite falling numbers of infections, schools

and hairdressers may be able to open earlier. the wife of kremlin critic alexei navalny is reported to have flown from russia to germany. a magazine says that she landed in frankfurt on a flight from moscow this evening, the russian opposition leader, her husband, has been imprisoned for allegedly breaking his parole. you are watching dw news after a short break i will be back to take you through the day. tonight, the second day of the second impeachment trial of donald trump.

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>> here are the stories making world headlines. donald trump on trial. impeachment managers say the former president alone is responsible for an attack on the u.s. capitol that killed five people. they are arguing that trump had been stoking his supporters for months. our washington correspondent is standing by with the latest. the u.s. announces sanctions againsthe military regime in myanmar following a coup there last week. protester in the fifth straight day with two protesters -- hurt in clashes with police. one critically.