berlin. tonight in germany, a call for a harder, longer coronavirus lockdown. ahead of germany's conservative party and a possible chancellor candidate says tougher restrictions would slow the third wave and be a bridge until more people are vaccinated. also coming up, a setback in the fight for gender equality in india. why the covid-19 crisis is hitting india's working women

harder. tensions mount in eastern ukraine after russia defends military movements near the border. the accrete he and president accuses moscow of posing a serious threat. the prime minister who is going to court in trying to form a new government at the same time. israeli prime minister netanyahu watches coalition togs as witnesses are called in his corruption trial. ♪ i'm brent goff. tour viewers on pbs in the unit in state and around the world, welcome. after half a year of lockdowns, germany may be headed for longer, tougher coronavirus restrictions. tonight, more german leaders are calling for a harder lockdown. easter weekend saw a slowdown in vaccinations in several german states.

vaccination setters have been closed come appointments restricted and local health officials say they are short on vaccines. the health minister says vaccinations will pick up pace in april as supplies increase and local doctors begin administering the shots. one of those calling for a harder lockdown is the head of germany's most populous state and he leads chancellor angela merkel's conservative party. >> that is why i think we need a bridge lockdown. we have to build the bridge to the point in time where a lot of people are vaccinated. i know that a lot of people are tired of the pandemic. but also that a lot are ready to go a step further and then in may or june, to enter a new phase. a large majority of citizens are willing to take this step so that we have a better outlook and more planning security.

the bridge to a breakthrough success in testing means we need to double down now in a lot of areas and move toward a lockdown. brent: we want to bring in a professor of political science. shes here in berlin. it is good to have you on the program. is his call for a harder lockdown motivated by the pandemic or is it motivated by his own politics? >> obviously both pandemic and politics but think more politics because he is running for chancellor. he has a severe counterpart from bavaria. he has been calling a long time for harder lockdowns where in the beginning, he was a more liberal man. to compete, he also wants to go

for a hard stance. brent: polls show that a majority of people in germany support a tougher lockdown. he may campaign to be the next chancellor. he only stands to gain in popularity wh more lockdowns. >> not only getting popularity but fighting aolitical fight and fighting the pandemic. you're right. there is still a majority for harder lockdowns. having said that, the majority is decreasin in the first lockdown, second lodown, we had something like 80, 90% majorities. now it is awo thirds majority. u have resentment in population. we had a huge demonstration last sunday. there is contest and people are getting tired of lockdowns. it is a polarized society. brent: there is a big question of who is calling the shots here. we know there is a power battle

going on between the 16 german states and the federal government, right? >> yes. since thpandemic, we have been inaugurated counsel would -- council hood of state premiers, which is an unusual format of german politics. it has been created for crisis nagement. ere are ambitions to amend them and basically govern the corunna crisi on her own. i am not so sure whether this willork. the statpremieres have a huge sovereignty role in germany to play. wiping them from decision might be legally difficult. brent: how much do you think the thinking of the campaign and the national election, which is scheduled for september, how much of that is playing into the coronavirus policies we are seeing right now?

>> ihink a lot because obviousleptember is close. just five months ahead. everybody wants to get out of this lockdown, out of corona was to get people vaccinated and backo normal. it does nohave a chaellor yet car although -- yet. alough the person who wantto go -- he was the governor needs to show hcan bring germany out of the crisis. after soany fakes -- so may mistakes or faults that ve been arising with vaccination problems ando on. there is a real effort to prove you can govern the country in crisis. brent: that is a good point. appreciate your time and your insights. thanyou. >> thank you. brent: here are more the latest developments in the pandemic. new cases in india have passed 100,000 in a single day for the

first time, meeting india has the world's highest recorded infection rate. britain has confirmed it will take further steps out of the lockdown getting next week as its vaccine program continues the pace. not shops can reopen and outdoor dining will be allowed again. the jerusalem post has reported pfizer has halted shipments of the vaccine to israel after the country reportedly failed to pay for its last batch. in india, new data has indicated the covid-19 crisis is pushing women out of the workforce at a rapid rate. a study by the center for monitoring the indian economy says only 9% of working age women are employed. that is a massive gender gap that could get worse as the country faces another spike in covid cases. a closer look. >> out of work for more than a year.

the 55-year-old domestic worker used took a at several homes in an upmarket neighborhood. the pandemic has turned her life upside down. the lockdown was really bad for us. we survived on russians that were donated to us. -- on rations that were donated to us. our employers told us not to come. we could not do much after that. she is one of many women who lost their livelihoods overnight when the government imposed a lockdown last year. according to multiple studies and surveys conducted recently, women workers, especially those who work in the unorganized sectors have taken a much harder hit by the covid-19 lockdown implemented compared to men. a large number of these women have lost on work entirely or have seen a sharp fall in their incomes.

a social worker who helps women working informally. she says one then can travel to find work, family responsibilities mean women have to stay closer to home. any the unorganized sector, women lost all work. those who sits -- who stitched fabric at home, those who were in construction labor. the cases of coronavirus are still rising. it does not look like they will get back -- get their work back anytime soon. women's participation in the woforce was already declining. the sudden shutdown because my covid-19 was a severe blow. india's economy shrank by nearly a quarter in the first few months of the pandemic. economist ss the impact of the downturn has been disproportionate. >> it is the women. they are the more vulnerable in the labor force. they are the poor educated comparably. they are the poor skilled comparably because i don't think the government has done enough to actually provide for jobs post pandemic.

those who have jobs, they are working less hours. it is almost inevitable the men are going to have whatever work there is going to be and not women. >> this is an extra financial burden. on top of cang for her sick husband and daughter, her own health is deteriorating, further limiting her options. it is going to be difficult to get work, that i have a family to look after. i have been trying to get work. we will keep doing so. she feels she cannot go back to her village as there is nothing there for her now. life has become a daily struggle for survival. brent: the pandemic in india. here is a look at some of the other stories making headlines. in the george floyd motor trial, the minneapolis police chief has testified kneeling on floyd's neck violated department policy. the chief said the actions of former police officer derek

chauvin were not part of police training. that statement contradicts a key argument of the defense, which maintains derek chauvin was just doing what he was trained to do. the united nations says at least 40 people have been killed in sudan's west door for region during clashes between two tribes. the fighting started on saturday and is continuing. tribal violence earlier this year displaced over 120,000 people. the clashes pose a challenge to sedans transitional government seeking to end decades of unrest. vladimir putin has signed legislation that will allow him to stay in oicentil the year 2036. the change is part of constitutional reforms approved in a referendum last year. putin has already been in power for more than 20 years. ukrainian president zelensky is expressing alarm about russian troop movements near his country's eastern border.

he called moscow's actions a serious challenge to the security of ukraine. the kremlin has denied troop movements near the border pose any threat. the united states has asked moscow to explain what it is calling provocations on the border. >> ukrainian troops and russian backed separatists both accuse each other of committing deadly attacks. rising tensions after a quiet phase. just a few days ago, kiev accused moscow of living large numbers of russian troops to the ukrainian border. this has awakened grim memories of 2014 when russian troops also amassed at the border. >> moscow should cease military escalation and unconditionally reaffirm its commitment to a political and diplomatic settlement and cease fire regime. >> the kremlin sees no cause for concern, saying russia is free to move its troops within its

own territory. the presidential spokesman has warned the u.s. and nato against stationing their troops in ukraine or near the russian border. >> such a development would lead to heightened tensions near russia's borders and of course this would require additional steps by russia to ensure its security. >> since 2014, more than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict over eastern ukraine. a peace deal has not been implemented. both sides agreed to a cease-fire in july of last year. brent: for more, i am joined by our correspondent david stern. just how tense is the situation tonight? >> i would say ukrainians including the government are very much focused on what is happening on the east and ukrainian border inrimea,

which russia annexed from ukraine in 2014. as you heard from the report, there were reports of troops and equipment moving into these areas. there were a lot ofosts on social med showing that as well. we have also seen a great deal of diplomatic activity and statements as we also heard there. ukrainian allies expressing concern. most importantly, u.s. president joe biden picking his first phone call to president zelensky since biden became president. as you here, the russians say there is nothing to worry about. the ukrainians are very much focused and concerned about what is happening at the moment on the border. brent: the timing of this, why is this conflict flaring up again now? >> obviously that is the key question. why now?

there are a number of surmises, theories. it is not the first time we have seen troops and equipment on the border. this has happened a number of times over the last seven years of this conflict. this may be a pressure technique. it should be said also the peace talks have been in a way of bringing pressure onto ukrainians. this is what is being banded about in kiev. ukrainians are looking for the possibility there could be an attack or troops moving across. it is difficult to say exactly what the russian -- if there is some plan behind the russian movements. what exactly that is. brent: we know president biden has sent clear messages about his stands on russia, on putin and ukraine. do the ukrainians feel a higher

level of support from the united states? >> yes. as i sd, this was the first phone call biden made to zelensky. beyond what the other u.s. officials were saying, this obviously is a step up. the ukrainians welcome this. it was zelensky not long after the phone call ended made his own statement talking about how welcome this was, how he fel the support of the united states and obviously this is something the ukrainians have been waiting for for some time since biden had become president. brent: the latest in kiev tonight. thank you. in israel, attorneys have called the first witnesses in the corruption trial of benjamin netanyahu. the prime minister appeared in jerusalem court to face charges including bribery and fraud. he could go to prison if found

guilty. it comes as israel is struggling to form a new government. >> israel's prime minister did not want to appear in court but he had no choice. the judges insisted on his presence while the prosecution read out the charges against him. he is accused of trying to orchestrate positive coverage in israeli media shared a massive abuse of power. netanyahu nizoral charges, which is why witnesses were called in. before they could testify, netanyahu left the district court to the cries of opponents and supporters. >> i came here to support and strengthen my great leader. not only is he great. he is unique. he saved the jewish people and the people of israel. they cannot beat him. >> we came to demonstrate for the rule of law and for

democracy in israel. we have been demonstrating for four years. nobody who has been accused of crimes should be prime minister of israel. this is the man who would decide whether net and yahoo! will remain prime minister. no political camp received a clear mandate after the elections two to go, forcing him to choose a candidate to form a new government. to help them decide, he has been consulting with the various parties elected to parliament. >> i think and i can say it now, after talking to you and the party, that the people of israel should be very concerned the situation could worsen enough to drag us into a fifth election. >> he hopes to decide by wednesday. ethical concerns may play a role he says, hinting at how netanyahu's corruption trial could influence his decision. brent: benjamin not new --

benjamin netanyahu is already israel's longest later. earlier, we spoke to a former speaker of israel's -- and former interim president of israel. we asked him what this tells us about the state of israeli democracy. >> he is a very persuasive conservative leader. there is a full generation who was born or grew up or were educated into the situation of nobody else but netanyahu. the fact he is such a strong leader, like other leaders around the world where for so many years is in a way a very good point to his side. the downside of that is it looks as if the opposition of no netanyahu, which feels it is

corrupt, it is stagnated, he cannot deliver anymore, he prioritized personal agenda over the state agenda. so now the jury is out. is it possible netanyahu will have his cabinet or will an alternative arise? today, negotiations started. the jury is out. brent: authorities in indonesia say dozens of people have been killed in flash floods and landslides triggered by a tropical cyclone. if he and torrential rain pounded a cluster of islands. emergency teams are struggling to reach people. >> in this village alone, hundreds of houses were swept away by a flash flood triggered by rainstorms. this man is looking for his relatives who he believes have been buried under the house.

dozens are reported dead and the death toll is certain to rise with many still unaccounted for. on the early morning of april 4, we received reports that some areahave been heavily affected due to the storm, torrential rain and extreme weather, which also caused high offshore waves. here in the province, rescue workers are trying hard to bring survivors to safety and evacuees have to hold on tight. but damaged bridges and roads are hampering their efforts. about 30,000 people have been impacted by the floods. indonesia's president has offered his condolences for the

dead and called for vigilance. >> i urge everyone to follow the directions of local authorities regarding the danger of floods and landslides due to extreme rainfall. >> more downpours are expected over the coming days with offshore waves as high as six meters possible. there is hope paired the cyclone is reportedly moving away from indonesia. brent: sports news now. the bundesliga game saw the berlin derby. looking for a win that would keep them in the hunt for european qualification and keep city rivals mired in relegation trouble. >> forced into a change for the derby. the positive covid-19 case test meant put into gold. perhaps urged on by fireworks

outside the ground, started with a bank. reacted well to push over the second minute header. but there was nothing the stand innkeeper could do nothing -- could do moments later. a rocket made it 1-0 after 10 minutes. it looks like it would take an easter miracle to get back into the match. one arrived when the referee deemed this challenge worthy of a penalty. 1-1 after 35 minutes. that is the way it finished after a second half in which no one could get it right in front of goal. the spoils shared in the derby although the point earned has done neither side much good. brent: we all know that covid-19

can have long lingering symptoms such as fatigue and some -- and shortness of breath. dw's london correspondent introduces us to a voice coach who usually trains upper singers. now she is using her talents to help long covid sufferers breathe more easily again. >> blowing bubbles to help with long covid. susie is a trained vocalist. she has developed special breathing exercises for covid patients. >> for some of them, it is hard work. it allows your voice a little bit of a chance to on press should -- to unpress. >> she says it is thanks to susie she feels well again. she was suffering from a lung infection and needed oxygen. >> three months on, i remember feeling so fatigued, breathless. literally from my bed tthe

bathro, i would get breathless. ♪ >> she never dreamed out of all people, singers from the english national opera would be the ones to help her breathe. >> arms down to shoulder height. >> participants learn to relax and improve their posture and most of all to breathe. >> hold that for a moment. >> we think a lot about slowing breathing down because if you are over breathing, you are taking in lots of air and attend not to be lling the air. just giving people tools to slow things down and anchor them in the moment is really helpful. ♪ >> being part of a group is hugely impornt. ♪

>> i could have never imagined coming out of that dkness all by myself. it has been a he support stem fore. it is like my family now. we have had i guess you could say come in person -- a common purpose to get better. what more beautiful way than to sing our lungs out and heal them at the same time? >> music and edison have come together in this unique project. it has been so successful it is being rolled out in cobe clinics across the u.k. -- in covid clinics across the u.k. she dreams of singing on a real upper stage together with others like her. that dream could come true. as soon covid restrictions allow , the english national opera plans to stage a very special opera with covid patients who have learned to breathe again through singing.

♪ brent: we like the sound of that. here is a reminder of the top story this hour. the head of germany's governing party has called for a tough or lockdown to contain the covid-19 search. tougher restrictions are needed until more people in germany have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. you are watching dw news. after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. tonight, britain lifting its lockdown but giving no lift to the travel sector. we will be right back. ♪

♪ >> the vaccination program going from strength to strength, england is to ease lockdown from april 12. boris johnson urging caution while expressing his desire to get back to the pub for a pint. the interior minister launches an inquiry. all exposed by a reporter