brent: this is dw news, live from berlin. tonight, your union thing is about -- the european union placing its bets on vaccine passports. the german chancellor, saying the documents could be ready in time for europeans to take their summer vacations. also coming up, thousands of armenians take to the streets after their prime minister accuses the military of attempting a coup. some, rallying in his defense, but many others demanding the prime minister resign.

and syrian kurds, peeling for international support, as they face a revival of the islamic and northeast area, with troops helping them. they say they are being overwhelmed by the terrorists. ♪ i'm brent goff. to our viewers watching on pbs, in the united states and around normal life back, even in the midst of this pandemic. today, european union leaders met to discuss how to better manage the coronavirus crisis. there's agreement on one controversial proposal. vaccine passports. the digital certificates could even be ready in time to allow for summer travel.

discussions focused on the need to speed up vaccinations. new infection numbers remain stubbornly high in many european countries. this map gives an overview of the infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the past seven days. in yellow, countries with fewer than 50, such as finland. the darker orange, the higher -- the darker the orange, the higher the infection rate. germany has an incidence rate of 51. sweden and the czech republic, very high, more than 200. we have this look now at the coronavirus challenges. the eu continues to face -- challenges the eu continues to face. reporter: vaccine variants and freedom of moments. the block is struggling to keep up with recent developments, as the eu councile president made clear in his invitation letter to this today leaders conference. it remains challenging due to the emergence of new variants and the need to strengthen -- strike the right balance in the single market.

the block has failed to coordinate its anti-coronavirus measures. with traffic piling up at some of its internal borders, like here between germany and the czech republic. >> for us, it is essential to make sure keeping the safety of our citizens in mind that the variance of the virus do not make it to germany. reporter: with member states acting on their own, brussels has reacted with a slap on the wrist. >> the commission sent specific letters raising our concerns to six member states. which are belgium, denmark, finland, germany, hungary, and sweden. who were currently applying stricter measures than what is provided for and direct recommendation, including leaving or entering the country. reporter: while targeted restriction measures are necessary in the eyes of the eu commission, blank ba

no the virus taught us that closing borders does not stop it, but we see the disruptions. reporter: with spring on its way, another fight is waiting to break out among european leaders. greece suggested an eu wide vaccination certificate. other member states like denmark and sweden have already begun developing their own passports, with the block as a whole risking fragmentation on the matter. but the biggest challenge of all is this -- is the slow rollout of the vaccination program. leading to growing in patients among leaders. >> new european commission should exploit the economic power of the eu to put pressure on these huge operations. reporter: from ramping up vaccine production to closer coordination, a lot is on the

table. brent: we have team coverage tonight. i want to bring in our correspondent covering the eu summit in brussels for us, and our chief political correspondent, here in berlin. good evening. where do we see all eu member states in agreement when it comes to managing this pandemic? >>onn oe page, when it comes to the facthe hing tha ever a tnowed to get f am oesof t onalut is moreso smoothhan it has been ' men thererbe nrinnecte what will co,

but it's not clear what will be used. there's another debate on the horizon. brent: you've been listening to the press conference with the german chancellor, angela merkel. what were the key points she outlined? >> she was clearly on the defensive on the issue of vaccines, pointing out while the u.s. was not allowing any es out, it was the eu companies based in the european union that were providing vaccines for much of the world. here, this as it -- this exit strategy, the opening up via something like this ssss entrtposs e i asked her if everyone ll get the go-ahead in time for summer holidays to make use of

this. let's take a listen. >> we expect to have vaccination certificates ready by the y y but i can't guarantee it. anymore than i can guarantee that vaccines will be delivered on time. but as politicians, we've set ourselves that target for the coming months. i spoke of three months. i believe all eu states are working to achieve it within a limited train from -- limited timeframe. >> so you get a sense that the eu was still a lot more shy to apply pressure to those companies, to really sit down -- set down some clear rules. at the same time, i also asked her where there would be sufficient vaccinations here are germany to also think about easings of restrictions for those who happen vaccinated. she said it is up to every individual state what they do with such a passport once it is

actually there. at least here, i promise it is in the pipeline. it should be there by the summer. brent: it will be interesting to see if this summer, people with vaccination passports going on vacation and other people still waiting to be vaccinated. what does that mean in terms of the pharmaceutical companies who have told the european union that they will be late in delivering the vaccines they had promised? >> michaela already mentioned how it will come into effect. the head of the commission made one thing clear. everybody agrees we do not want to see an export man as we have in the u.s. with a u.k. for instance, she made clear. instead, we want transport transparency. 95% of the vaccines that are being produced are leaving europe to the rest of the world are coming from pfizer-biontech. she sent this company in

particular is playing by the rules, fulfilling its contract, which is why there's not much concern. other companies like astrazeneca, there are more concerns, they are keeping a close eye on them. brent: we will see what happens between now and the start of the summer, that will be key. and get to both her correspondence -- thank you to both our correspondents. here are some of the others of elements in the pandemic today. a large study from israel indicates the biontech-pfizer vaccine works as well in the real world as it did in clinical trials. the study published in the new england journal of medicine shows the vaccine offers very high protection against covid-19. india has reported its highest number of cases in nearly a month, more than half recorded in one state come home to the financial capital, mumbai. the world health organization says we need more understanding of long-term covid symptoms. it says listening to patients

affected by long covid should be a priority for every public health authority. here's a look at some of the other stories making headlines this hour. the former u.s. president's tax records are in the hands of a few new york prosecutor, part of a criminal investigation into whether trump lied to get favorable loan terms and tax benefits. information will not be made public. trump has been fighting to block the sharing of his records. the u.s. supreme court ruled against him earlier this week. a german man has been charged with spying for russia at the german parliament. prosecutors say the suspect worked for a company contracted to check electrical equipment for the bundestag. he provided information allegedly on the buildings and floorplans to the russian secret service. the case is likely to heighten existing tensions between berlin and moscow. hundreds of police officers conducted early-morning raids in the german capital and surrounding regions targeting a band islamist group.

officers raided a apartments allegedly linked to the group, which berlin's interior ministry says advocates attacks and promotes islamic state. thousands of protesters supporting the military regime have been out on the streets of myanmar. there have been a number of reports of clashes with anti-coup demonstrators. the u.k. announced further sanctions against the military regime. police continue to forcibly make up -- breakup anti-regime protests. in armenia, months of political tensions are reaching a tipping point. thousands attended rallies today in the capital after the prime minister accused the military of an attempted coup. many turned out to support the prime minister, but many others are calling for his resignation. the prime minister has been a divisive figure. more so following armenia's defeat in a conflict with erbaijan last year. reporter: and embattled leader,

holding onto power, for now. armenia's top generals called on the prime minister to resign on thursd, following mont of protests. but this time, his supporters have come out in force. stepping in front of the crowd in the capital,'s denunciation of the attempted coup. >> the army must do his job. the army cannot look back. at the army cannot interfere in political processes. the army must obey only the people. and the political power chosen by the people. reporter: but the opposition also took to the streets in numbers. they pressed the general's demand. >> there was a were we lost shamefully wh the prime minist, who w responsible for that, has not left his post.

since that day the public has been danding his resignation. reporter: his troubles stem from last year's war with pfizer by john over the region. -- with azerbaijan over the region. armenia lost control of large parts of the disputed region and of azerbaijan territory linked to armenia. thousands of armenians had to flee their homes. the army suffered heavy casualties. the crushing defeat fuels anger on the streets, where protesters have set up for the long haul. brent: for more the situation, i am joined by the caucus program director at chatham house in london. this is a volatile situation right now. what is your take on the situation in armenia tonight? >> this has been described as an

attempted coup. this is an exaggeration, i think. when you think of a coup, you think of the army taking control of the media, incarcerating elected leaders. that's not what's happening in our media -- in armenia. this is more intervenon by the military, calling for the prime minister to resign after a fierce exchange of criticism around the conduct of the war. i think that is the context for this. every country that goes to a devastating defeat needs to have a reckoning. brent: how much support would you say does the prime minister have tonig -- that the prime minister has tonight? >> he has lost a great deal o his popularity and legend missy due to the defeat last november. -- and legitimacy due to the defeat last november. but he is still a popular political figure in

armenia. many are in favor of elections. by all accounts, the prime minister would still win in that event. i2 think there are -- i think there are 2 key problems playing out here. the first is, this domestic reckoning around the conflict is playing out as a civil military confrontation. the army was very carefully guarded and neutral in 2018's revolution. that is a regressive step. yet their concern is it is playing out on the streets. the primitive to reverted to evoking a powerful language about the return of the regime, the previous regime, rather than solving problems through institutions. this is very emblematic of the weakness and fragility of armenia's democratic transition. brent: you describe the situation as an attempted coup, you foresee it a splitting to the point where we see the army

trying to forcibly remove the prime minister from office? >> i do not see that a likely outcome. there's of course the risk. but the armenian military has actually been very careful in recent years to preserve neutralityn politica affairs. i think there is a will across the broaderopulation to see this resolved through snap elections and a new dispensation of the country rather than through confrontation on the streets. another essential element is a formal inquiry into armenia'sailings in the war last autumn. the reckoning plays out in a form of authoritative inquiry rather than street battles. brent: lawrence, thank you. islamic state militants are seeking to mount a

comeback in northeast syria. yet minister shed struggling to hold them off, serious kurdish forces were instrumental in taking back control of highest held territories. the fighters are now regrouping in the region, especially around the town near the prison camp. they say they have been left to fend for themselves. reporter: when he sets off, for your travels with him. -- fear travels with him. he depends on his job as a bus driver to support his family, but risks his life on every journey. >> every day, they find to were three dead bodies here. -- two or three deadodies here. people have been kidnapped, killed, then tossed aside. reporter: islamic state militants have been spreading fear with increasingly rick went -- increasingly frequent attacks in northeastern syria. district villages and towns. especially at night.

they extort money from residents. set off bombs and behead people. >>n they have already attackeds in the village, killing residents, driving them away. they are causing us so much suffering. we need help to stop this disaster. reporter: but the leaders of the kurdish aunous region are hopelessly overwhelmed. thousands of fighters are set to have taken up residencen the vast desert. the kurds like aircraft and special equipment to track them down. allies such as the u.s. have withdrawn. >> the kurdish units are the onlynes still fighting i s. that is what w are experiencing right now. we are suffering because of it. reporter: tens of thousands of i.s. supporters remain in the camp. 250 kilometers to the north. after the terror group's

defeat in 2019, they were captured by kurdish fighters. since then, many have become further radicalized. >> is the i.s. coming back? hopefully. yes. >> where exactly? what makes you think it will come back? >> victory is near. i.s. is now pulling the strings behind the scenes. smuggling and weapons come arming followers. kurdish control of the camp is in danger of sleepin aware. an islamic sta has practically emerged here. police patrol the camp. the men have non-permitted relationships with women. if they don't cooperate with security forces, they are executed. in the villages of this province, memories of the i.s. reign of terror are

fresh in people's minds. women were whipped and terrorized. even after liberation in 2017, militants struck again and again. he was targeted for cooperating with the kurds. one night, he heard gunshots. >> my wife was arguing with an armed man in uniform. another was two meters behind her. in between, my son was lying dead on the ground. they killed him with five shots. reporter: in january alone, the so-called islamic state carried out more than 100 attacks in northeastern syria. 40 commuters died recently in an attack on a bus. people in the crisis torn region, once again fearing for their lives. brent: for more now, i am joined by a journalist and middle east expert. tell me what do we know about the state of islamic state in northeastern syria, as it stands

tonight? >> we are talking about a very rough area. the area of eastern syria and western iran mainly consists of desert. it is difficult to control, because on both sides of the border, yohave travel networks -- tbal networks. it is perfect for jihadism. the islac state has never disappeared fromhe region. they juswent underground, where they survived the attacks from the international coalition and they eaped imprisonment, ey went into hiding. they continuously attack the population. enriching forces in syria, as well. there are 100 aacks per month in syria andhe same number in iraq. brent: there's one prison camp where these jihadists have been able to set the rules. executing people inside the camp even. for people on the outside listening, can you explain,

how's that possible? aren't the kurds supposed to be guarding and in control? >> it's like a small city. 60,000 people who live there. the living conditions are unbearable. there's lack of food, lack of medical care especially. the border crossing was closed last year toraq due to russian veto in the security council, so there's no direct humanitarian aid coming to northeastern syria. this makes the living conditions very bad. there are syrians inside, iraqis, and for nationals. the most radical ones are the foreigners. these are the women who were trying to reestablish sharia courts, religious police. they are brainwashing the children. the kurds want to do with three-step plan, they want to let the syrians go, the ones that have turned their back on isis ideology, the ones that just joined them because they maybe didn't have a choice, so

they can register and leave the camp. the second step would be to convince the iraqi government to take their nationals. the third step is they want to start to kind of free ability and the radicalized -- and de-radicalize the foreign population. they would need the international community to help. brent: we will see if they get that help from the international community. at lot hat -- a lot has to still be done. we appreciate your insights. thank you. scientists are warning that the gulfstream current in the atlantic ocean, which brings warmth to europe and north america, is under threat. it is weaker than anytime in the last 1000 years. a consequence of global warming. and in a new study, researchers say that could bring about an increase in disasters such as hurricanes. we will speak to one of the studies authors. first, look at what is

happening. reporter: its long been known the gfstream is changing. but scientists are still examining how that affects the world climate, also known as the atlantic convection current, it acts as a giant heating system. the circular flow ensures generally mild weather in north america and northern europe. but researchers are concerned that the gulfstream is slowing down and becoming weaker. >> climate models suggest that such weakening could also change the winter storm tracks over the north atlantic and actually cause more severe winter storms in the northern western part of europe. reporter: the week occurrence could also alternate environments underwater. as the gulfstream may no longer be warm enough to accommodate certain choral species, for example. scientists say this is the

result of man-made climate change. >> we know there's a direct link between increased co2 emissions, global warming, and global warming through increased freshwater fluxes into the southern and north atlantic iibits the system, which is the sinking of water that's their. reporter: all of the changes could lead to more destructive weather events and rising sea levels. but a lack of reliable data means a long-term consequences are still unclear. brent: the ethics committee of a football's world governing body, fifa, drop the bible -- dropped a bibury case. -- dropped a bribery case. the time to pursue the case has run out. the fief investigation found back in -- the investigation found broken rules and the 2006 world cup. all three have denied any

wrongdoing. he won a world cup with west germany as a player and another as head coach. in los angeles today, lady gaga's dog walker was shot at, and her two prized french bulldogs have been kidnapped. police say the man, the dog walker, was walking near los angeles, near sunset boulevard, is expected to survive his gunshot wounds. lady gaga, known to be externally protective of her little pooches, is offering half $1 million to anyone who can return the dogs. the sinker is currently in rome shooting a film and understandably distressed. here's a reminder of the top stories we're following for you. the european union leaders have agreed on the need for digital vaccination certificates, enabling people to travel in europe despite the coronavirus pandemic. the documents could be available before summer vacation.

thousands have taken to the streets of the armenian capital in support of the prime minister after he warned of an attempted coup by military leaders. blocks away, his opponents also gathered. the prime minter has faced months ofrotests since armenia's defeat by azerbaijan and the conflict last year. you're watching dw news, live from berlin. after a short break, i will be back to take you through "the day." stick around, we will be right back. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

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♪ >> welcome to "live from paris world news and analysis" from france 24. emmanuel macron's warning we will have to live with covid-19 in the long term. he spoke following the eu summit on the coronavirus pandemic. an attempted coup d'etat in armenia. the prime minister faces growing anger over the troops from azerbaijan, described as a betrayal. violence in myanmar as demonstrators purporting to