♪ brent: this is "dw news" live from berlin. migrants is as pawns in a standoff between belarus and the european union, hundreds of messing on the border between belarus and poland looking for a way into the e.u.. russell's is accusing the roots of manufacturing a crisis. also tonight, germany's coronavirus infection rate now at the highest level since the start of the pandemic, raising the question of whether it is

time to put a vaccine mandate on the table. and -- -- >> we have not done nearly enough to address this crisis. brent: former u.s. president barack obama tells delegates at the cop26 summit they must do more to tackle climate change now as the conference enters its crucial second week. ♪ i'm brent goff. to our viewers watching on pbs in the united states and all around the world, welcome. tonight, european union member poland says belarus is orchestrating a confrontation at their shared border by exploiting vulnerable migrants. hundreds of migrants have amassed on the belarusian side. in response, poland is stepping up security to stop them from entering the country illegally. it says alexander lukashenko is

using the migrants to pressure the european union into dropping sanctions against his government . reporter: hundreds of men, women, and children headed to the belarussian border. they want to enter the european union by crossing into poland, a member state, and many have a particular destination in mind. >> don't come to poland. we are going to germany. no poland. everyone here. babies, women. reporter: that they were met by barbed wire and polish soldiers stationed along the border. some migrants tried to breach the fence but they were pushed back. poland says the situation is under control. the e.u. accuses belarussian president aleksandr lukashenko of instrumental raising the migrants, mostly from the middle east, to put pressure on the

bloc, allowing them to fly into belarus and then encouraging them to cross into neighboring e.u. countries like poland and lithuania. >> this is a continuation of the desperate attempt by the lukashenko regime to use people as pawns to destabilize the european union and, of course, the values that we stand for. we have repeatedly firmly rejected attempts are instrumentalized people for political purposes. porteruestionecause governme has denied manufacturg the situation in retaliation for e.u. sanctions on belarus. poland has deployed thousands of soldiers to the border, built a razor wire fence, and declared a state of emergency in the region, which cludes a media blackout. journalists and humanitarian organizations are not allowed to get close to the border. aid workers report that the migrants face extremely difficult conditions, as temperatures dip below freezing and food and medical care are

lacking. at least 10 people have been found dead on the belarus-polish border since the summer. brent: our correspondent is covering the story tonight from brussels. good evening to you jack. we know europeans are saying this is an orchestrated crisis. nevertheless, it is a crisis that could force the european union to appear to be having to choose between border security and protection of human rights. how is it going to avoid that? jack: is a really difficult one for the e.u.. let me give you an update, the european commission president, ursula von der leyen, just released a statement condemning what is happening, saying that belarus must stop putting people's lives at risk. she is calling on e.u. countries to extend the sanctions that are potentially being prepared. we know that foreign ministers from the european union are going to talk about increased sanctions against the regime of

alexander lukashenko on monday. she has also outlined the suggestion that they should explore potentially blacklisting airlines which are taking people into minsk, that that e.u. believes are being taken to the belarussian border and pushed across into poland to create this crisis. finally, we also know that she will send two of her two brass, the vice president and the foreign policy chief, countries of origin and transit. so we are thinking probably they might go potentially to iran, to iraq, maybe even ethiopia, the horn of africa and other countries in east africa where people are coming from. it is the most recent update that has just come out of the commission president. brent: what do we know about the plight of the migrants? you have been to the border and you have seen the situation they are in. describe it for us.

jack: we were there in mid-october. it was extremely cold. we met a woman who said she had just lost her baby in the forest before she entered into the side of poland. one of the things that is very difficult, and you are seeing those videos being released by the poland defense ministry on the border issue, with the fencing and the crowd of people trying to leave the belarussian site and enter poland, most of them wanting to make their way eventually into germany. . the reality is that where the polish authorities are releasing those videos, engineers are not able to access that exclusion zone, a three kilometer exclusion zone on the border within belarus and poland. journalists are not allowed to access it. so the information we're getting from there, including today, is only coming from the authorities, and that is something that will need to change if the situation will be

fully known, and the transparency around exactly what is going on there will come out. brent: your correspondent with the latest tonight from brussels, jack, thank you. you look now at some of the stories making headlines around the world. thousands of armenians called for their prime minister to resign, a year after he signed a controversial truce with neighboring azerbaijan. that peace deal handed over territory to azerbaijan, that armenia had control for decades. last year's conflict over the disputed nagorno-karabakh region claimed 6000 lives. dutch authorities have reintroduced mask-wearing mandates and stricter health rules. netherlands recorded the highest number of new coronavirus infections since midsummer, itching more than 11,000 new cases per day. the u.s. is lifting a travel ban on nine u.s. citizens imposed nearly two years ago to curb the spread of covid-19.

travelers from 33 countries, mostly in the e.u. are able to enter the u.s. again, but most travelers must be fully vaccinated and have to show in negative covid test prior to entry. all right, now to the worsening pandemic here in germany, where the incidence of new coronavirus infections has reached its highest level pandemic again. the seven-day average has now claimed to 201 cases per 100,000 residents. that is huge. compared to the previous record of 198 that we saw at the height of the third wave last december. daily infections are rising steadily. hospital authorities warned that many intensive care units are approaching capacity. . and with vaccination rates stagnating here, there are growing calls for more restrictions on those who choose not to be vaccinated. and as a new governing coalition

is still in the works, it is raising questions about whether a new public health measures are necessary, including possible vaccine mandates. here are some voices from right here in berlin this monday. >> sure, we are in a period of political change, but that does not mean we should not be concerned about the numbers read it is even worse than last year. we should take it seriously. >> i have mixed feelings about a vexing requirement. on the one hand, i wish more people get vaccinated so that we are all safer. on the other hand, i don't like the idea of forcing people. > i think there's too much panic right now. i think, of course, it is a thing, and we all have to be careful, but without stressing out, because that doesn't bring anything. >> [laughs] major concerns. i have been vaccinated three times and also have had the flu.

but still, what is being reported in the news, the politicians don't have it under control. if they would listen to the doctors who really know what is going on and have to care for the patients in the icus, if they asked them, they would come up with a different answer. >> i don't think the politicians will bring it under control. i mean, the people also have their part to play. we see that when new laws are passed, nothing happens. brent: let's pull in our political correspondent, thomas sparrow. good to see you. where are we right now? we have rising numbers of daily covid infections. that is true. that our authorities less concerned now knowing that about two-thirds of the population are

already vaccinated? thomas: no, i don't think they are less concerned. it is true that now two thirds of germans are fully vaccinated and that that makes the situation different to what was in previous cases, in previous waves of the pandemic. but what is concerning authorities now, very much so, is the fact that one third of germans is still not vaccinated. there was a poll a few days ago among unvaccinated people here in germany that revealed many are not interested in changing their mind. essentially, it is very difficult for german authorities to make sure that those who have not yet taken up the offer of vaccination can do so in the near future. it is absolutely necessary, according to german officials, for the vaccination rate to increase. it is not increasing at the pace and at this date at which authorities would like, and that is why i would certainly stress

that authorities are very concerned about this fourth wave of the coronavirus endemic here in germany -- coronavirus pandemic here in germany. brent: their timing is not good. we have an outgoing government and three political parties negotiating to form a new coalition government. they have unveiled fresh proposals today on how to fight the pandemic. what are those plans? thomas: the timing could not be more difficult. you have an outgoing government, angela merkel's government, in a caretaker capacity. which essentially means they will not make any decisions that could be long-term, that could affect decisions that will potentially be made by germany's new government. then you have the three parties you mentioned -- the social democrats, the greens, and the liberals trying to form a coalition. but they cannot implement their plans because they are still not in government. so you have germany in a

political limbo, at a very difficult time, with very high coronavirus numbers and a vaccination rate which is not going as fast as authorities would like, so very difficult situation bothgovernment and fos trying to form the new one. brent: there are growing calls for mandatory vaccinations in some areas. how likely is it that we are going to see some sweeping mandate at a federal level, for example? thomas: a poll recently revealed for the first time that a majority of germans would be in favor of mandatory vaccinations against coronavirus, but the current government has stressed in various locations in the past that they are against any compulsory measure in this regard, that it is up to each person to decide whether or not they will take that oxidation offer -- take up the vaccination offer. but there is growing debate here in germany about whether these

proposals should be enforced. whether vaccinations against coronavirus should be enforced. unlikely that we will see that immediately. what is likely is that the debate will continue to grow. brent: thomas, as always, thank you. former u.s. president barack obama says we are nowhere near where we need to be yet on slowing climate change. speaking today at the cop26 climate talks in scotland, he argued presciently for more action. take a look at what he said. pres. obama: there are times when i feel discouraged. times where the future seems somewhat bleak. there are times where i am doubtful that humanity can get its act together before it is too late. and images of dystopia start

creeping into my dreams. and yet whenever i feel such despondency, i remind myself that cynicism is the recourse of cowards. we can't afford hopelessness. instead, we are going to have to muster the will and the passion and the activism of citizens pushing governments, companies, and everyone else to meet this challenge. brent: that was the former u.s. president barack obama there, speaking earlier today. let go now to glasgow, scotland. i am joined by our correspondent who has been covering for this for us last weekend this week. good to see you again. former president barack obama said today he is now a citizen, no longer a president.

he is a citizen like a lot of the people in the audience there. and yet his voice had tremendous weight. talk to me about the importance of hearing barack obama speak today at cop26. so the atmosphere in the room was definitely something that hadn't been seen in the last week of this climate summit. amid technical negotiations over which the future of the planet hangs in their hands, amid all these negotiations, it was the first kind of celebrity moment that struck. a nerve he turned up on stage to applause. what he said was that while they need to get their act together, they need to step up their action in terms of fighting climate change, but he also gave a personal take on his views of citizens and and this pungency, and whether ere was hope -- cynicism and this policy, and

weather there was hope. to highlight this, he talked about some successes in the conference such as the pdge to cut emissions and stop deforestation, while also adtting there is a long way to go, that we are nowhe where we should be in terms of actually cutting emissions, stop burning fossil fuels and keep the temperature under control. brent: we note that this conference is now halfway through. will we see the commitments made, when all is said and done at the end of this week, will we see the commitments that president obama is calling for? guest: there are some positive signs so far, but generally, the people we have spoken to seem rath disappointed, if not downright cynical about the progress that is being made at this climate summit. but they are also highlighting that there is only so much that these big internatial diplomatic events can do. a big part of the problem is

fixing it withicountrie within national governments. that is partly what president obama addressed at the summit today. brent: our correspondent in glasgow, scotland for us. we appreciate your reporting. thank you. add to that cop26 summit in glasgow, african leaders are demanding climate justice and more support from rich countries . where the khon 2 is responsible for just 3% of global emissions, it remains the most vulnerable to global warming. we met one of the young activists leading the fight against language change in nigeria. >> my name is --. i am an echo feminist and porter. reporter: using a video blog as her fighting school, ola is one of africa's most vocal enviroental activists. having studied agriculture, the

27-year-old has always had a love for the environment, but it was after meet and greet greta thunberg at the 2019 cop 26 conference in madrid she was inspired to take further action. standing alone, she started the fridays for future movement in nigeria. >> all that we want is to have limit justice. it is where we are going that matters the most, irrespective of the country where we are from , or our race. we are all aiming at the same thing. reporter: one year into protesting every friday and giving talks, ola realized there was a lack of knowledge about climate change at the continent. so she started her own pan-african climate justice movement and website, where she writes about how africa specifically is affected. >> just like the clashes between the farmers and the survival issue for resource control, and

every other crisis happening within africa thatoes unheard, let people get to understand that we have a problem in our society, and we need to solve this problem right now. reporter: as an echo feminist, her work also focuses on how environmental rates are connected with women's rights. she regularly visits female farmers toeach them how to care for their environment and adapt better to the changes. her greatest passion is inspiring children and getting them involved in climate activism. at schools, she teaches about recycling and planting trees. >> i know know the iortance of planting trees. >> her lecture inspired me to stop cutting down trees and planting trees. to stop erosion.

reporter: for her, climate education is the only way to secure her future. in decades to come, there will be the next leader, the one at the forefront of climate change justice movement. reporter: she believes that everyone regardless of age can and should do something to protect the planet. brent: let's take a look now at some of the other stories that are making headlines around the world. nicaragua was socialist president has won a landslide fourth term in office with 75% of the votes in the controversial election. most of his main rivals were arrested earlier. they remained in attention on election day. the u.s. did not this election, calling it a sham. the european union has called nicaragu an autocratic regime. and astronaut has come the

first chinese womano complete a spacewalk. she walked for six hours outside ina's space station alongside her colleue. the estimates performed tests and installed equipment. russia and the u.s. had the first women working in space back in 1984, the first all-female duo. that did not happen in outer space until 2019. back here on earth, the top leaders of china's ruling communist party are holding a key meeting that is expected to further tighten president xi jinping's grip on power. he is said to be laying the groundwork for an unprecedented third term in office that would cement his position as china's most powerful leader in recent history. ♪ reporter: president xi jinping has not left china for over 21 months, partly because of the pandemic, but also because he is focused on building his legacy. the party meeting is an opportunity to make it clear he

is firmly in the driver's seat at home and abroad. >> the chinese people will never allow any foreign forces to bully, oppress, or enslave us. anyone who dares try to do this will have their heads bloodied against the great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion chinese people. ♪ reporter: this year marks the 100th anniversary of the chinese communist party. its official history is top item on the agenda. chairman mao zedong, the founder of the people's republic of china, was the first to enshrine his role as leader. his successor, den xiaoping, architect of the reforms that propelled china's economy to the world's second-biggest, did the same. xi wants to show he is an equally important leader, transforming china into a global power. he wants to make his power felt all across chinese society as well. he has boosted the military, and launched a crackdown that has muzzled tech tycoons like alibaba jack ma.

in recent weeks, he has been stepping up pressure on taiwan, which china considers its own island. at the party meeting laying the groundwork for next year's congress, xi is expected to secure hisosition for another five years. but one challenge is yet overcome economic headwinds. growth is slowing among an energy crunch and supply chain disruptions, and there are still concerns about china's real estate market. brent: catholic bishops in france have agreed to compensate child sex abuse victims, after a report last month revealed extensive abuse covering decades. they are meeting in lourde bishopss committed to allocating money in a find and said they would sell church real estate avoid taking out a loan if need be. reporter: it was a moment france had long been waiting for, a gesture of humility from

bishops. both a sign of repentance and their admission of guilt in the face of hundreds of thousands of cases of sexual abuse within the french catholic church. >> we must recognize the institutional responsibility of the church for all these acts, and as a consequence, take the path towards adequate compensation for the victims. reporter: it was a moving moment for victims like yolande. the psychoanalyst was herself abused by a priest at the tender age of six. but she thinks the archbishop's statement doesn't go far enough. >> he never talked about crimes or offenses. 330 thousand victims. that is not exactly a small number. nor did he speak about persecutions or even abuse of power towards victims. her testimony was included in

the extensive report on abuses which was commissioned either church, and has deeply shocked france. french bishops spent a month discussing the implications of the report. an independent commission will determine the amount of compensation to be paid for the victims, many which will come directly from the french church. ♪ brent: bundesliga football now. leverkusen were looking to establish themselves as one of the league's top clubs in a sunday match, but the arrivals should your metal late in the last half. leverkusen seemed headed for a fourth straight loss, but in the 90th minute, were this player taped in the equalizer. leverkusen escaped with one point. at this game might be remembered less for the goals on the pitch, but rather for the celebration off it.

the outpouring of joy in cologne was the result of this late goal by this player to earn a 2-2 draw against union berlin. watch him get up a notch with his coach, who was not necessarily in the mood for dancing. [laughter] nor was he in the mood for having his head taken. thank you. but cologne fans, especially with the club snatching a point. we are watching "dw news." after a short break, i will be back to take you through "the day." stick around. we will be right back. ♪

anchor: welcome to live from paris. news and analysis from france 24. these are the headlines. welcome back to the usa, from monday travelers who can show proof of vaccination against covid-19 or have a recent negative viral test can once again fly to the u.s. we have reaction and analysis. the catholic church compensating victims. and france's favorite after not coming home soon. thomas pesquet will slash down in the