23 years. Sentenced weinstein was convicted of rape and Sexual Assault charges in a case that marked a major turning point in the me to the movement. Im off its good to have you with us it is now official the World Health Organization has announced that it now regards the spread of the new corona virus as a pandemic meaning it is an epidemic on a far greater geographic scale than affects a larger number of people the w. H. O. Have resisted calling the virus a pandemic until now but its director says that the spread of coded 19 across more than 100 countries means that the virus requires a new designation. Deeply concerned. By the im not a mean level of spread and see very easy and by the im not a mean levelers will be an option. We have that fota may have to be a system and that 19 can be contacted i used as a pundit mic. There was the head of the w. H. O. There while that announcement was being made by him in Geneva Switzerland italy announced that the death toll there from the virus has risen by almost 200 the biggest one day increased to 827 ireland and sweden today reported their 1st fatality is from the virus iran said today that a further 62 people have died bringing the death toll there to 354 worked infection rates are increasing across the world the United States is now reporting more than 8000 confirmed cases where in germany chance im going to marry has more in that up to 70 percent of the german population could contract the corona virus as the country reported its 3rd death from the disease the chancellor said the country must do Everything Possible to slow the viruses spread and to prevent the Health Care System from being overwhelmed she also said that she is open to scrapping the countrys strict spending rules to help the government fight the spread of the virus. The german chancellor today called on people to show solidarity with the elderly and with people suffering underlying ulysses he wore whitely to be most severely affected by the virus is being aware of this fact and aware of the fact that there. Are vulnerable groups of the copulations people with existing ellis older people who can have a more serious case of this virus if they catch it means that our approach has to be defined by ensuring that our Health System not be overwhelmed but rather that we have to be able to deal with the options we have in the Health Care System to ensure that we slow down this spread of this disease and this is why all of the measures that we putting into place are crucial because they gain as time or there was the german chancellor Angela Merkel speaking earlier today i want to pull in our Political Correspondent simon young hes on the story for us tonight here in berlin good evening to you so i mean so the sobering statistic came today from the chancellor 70 percent of germans will probably contract this virus run us through some of the chancellors other points today. You know but as you heard there the chancellor really recognizing that the coronavirus is here to stay the government is directing its efforts to responding to medical need and to delaying the spread and the chancellor said that germany is well placed to do that that theyll do whatever it takes whatever is necessary and you know measures are are in hand she was offered some practical tips saying sometimes its better just to small and look people in the eye for a bit longer rather than shake their hands and she was also saying that she understands if people feel they need to buy a few extra provisions but she wasnt encouraging panic buying that weve seen in some places so its all about response and an appropriate response a measure of calm but also a recognition that this virus is going to spread what does that mean in terms of daily life here in germany simon. Well it all already showing its effect the Health Minister day was calling for again for a law gatherings more than 1000 people really to be called off he said people dont really need to go to football stadiums or to clubs or concerts and you know hes calling on people voluntarily has to be said to step away from those events some regional states around germany have already canceled such events and banned them weve already seen the 1st bundesliga soccer matches taking place in stadiums empty of spectators and more of those are going to be going ahead weve also incidentally seen today the 1st member of parliament to f. T. P. This talk member has been diagnosed with corona virus he virus he and his staff have been put into quarantine so as in other countries youre seeing the effects of this virus and not everyone here in germany is convinced that the authorities are doing such a good job of dealing with this so i mean were going to talk about that in just a moment the 1st we have this report on the corona virus here in berlin. The dome of the rice talk normally teeming with visitors now its deserted the coronavirus has arrived in japanese capsule. And its beginning to pose a serious di lemma for many like at this private school in the citys east where an employee tested positive for the virus at the weekend initially palins house office didnt order the school to be closed leaving the head teacher to simply inform parents of the situation. As their own see until they were decision up to us to say we recommend this or that but not to take the responsibility thats left to us and we have a duty of care but we also have a duty to remain calm which sublime by tuesday afternoon the house office had ordered the school to close for 2 weeks but the case shows that clear guidelines are still lacking over exactly how to respond to new infections on the street opinion is divided when i dont its been conquered im old and im sick and they keep saying that only the old and sick die so they mean me by that age for more than 20000 people die from the common flu every year nobody talks about that or theyre making this huge fuss. There are now 6 public testing points in berlin so far only those with the most common signs of infection are being tested for the virus this patient has just returned from asia germany needs to take an example from south korea and you know theyve theyve tested everyone and they dont think about it just test whoever wants to do it and then there infections are going down now it looks like theyve come up with the problems concerns are also growing over the impact on the economy businesses are warning of a downturn officials are trying to allay fears. The overall and least we dont want any business in germany to be forced into insolvency because of the corona epidemic it could be me indians are going skin was possible thats kind of a mess no job should be lost as a result of the. Rules around short time work have been relaxed and Financial Aid has already been agreed the government has pledged 1000000000 euros to fight the outbreak. Is not one of the west affected regions in germany but many feel its time to get prepared. So thats a big tour of the situation here in berlin simon we know the World Health Organization today declared the corona Virus Outbreak a pandemic is that going to affect the german governments response in any way. Well i think it just underlines how serious this corona virus is and how seriously its being taken but the german governments response as i say remains to take measures appropriately and to watch and watch the situation the Health Minister today was saying its not a good idea to close the borders as some countries have talked about doing theres no need to test everybody arriving at airports that doesnt really have much of an effect and as we saw in that report just declaring your closing schools across the country Health Minister said thats also not a good idea that it could put more pressure on emergency workers who rely on schools to look after their children so the message at the moment hes just that simple advice of void large gatherings and keep washing your hands keep washing your hands so i mean you know. So i mean thank you. And the break is making itself felt in top flight english football the premier league has postponed manchester citys match against arsenal which was originally scheduled for tonight the decision came after arsenal players had contact with the owner of greek side in libya who has contracted coronavirus arsenal said the risk to players was extremely low but they were following medical guidelines and asking several players to self isolated home for the recommended 14 days its an abundance of caution there over all the latest on the coronavirus including information about what to do if you think you might be infected you can visit our web site that dot com heres a brief look now at some of the other stories making headlines around the world indias government has pledged strong action against the perpetrators of hindu muslim violence which left 50 people dead last month opposition lawmakers have demanded an inquiry and the resignation of the countrys interior minister over Police Failures in late february rival muslim and hindu mobs clashed in torched homes and businesses palestinian Officials SayIsraeli Forces have shot dead a palestinian teenager during clashes in the occupied west bank a 15 year old reportedly died after being shot in the head the israeli army said it was responding to a violent riot in the palestinian town of beit jalla near nablus. Japan has been paying tribute to the victims of the 20 you love and Fukushima Nuclear power plant disaster a powerful earthquake and then a tsunami killed more than 800000. 00 people and calls the nations worst ever Nuclear Accident this years ceremony was small because of the corona Virus Outbreak. The former movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual soul the sentence was close to the maximum term of 29 years which had been sold by the prosecutors the emails meant was greeted with cheers by women l side the new york city courthouse where weinstein was sentenced. To Harvey Weinsteins accuses its an outcome few thought was possible. Attorney Gloria Allred says justice has been done 5 clients this is what justice looks like 20 plus 3 years sentence handed down by judge burke this morning was just raced movie mogul who faced his final appearance in the same new york where he was convicted of rape and Sexual Assault against 2 women. Since his conviction last month the former head of mare max underwent heart surgery arriving at clots in a wheelchair weinsteins lawyer is asked the judge to take his poor health as well as his age and Young Children into account and was scathing of the outcome. I mean i think we all know that sentence that was just handed down by this court was obscene that number was a noxious there are murderers who will get out of court faster than Harvey Weinstein well that number spoke to the pressure of movements and the public weinstein has denied any wrongdoing and his lawyers plan to appeal the verdict prosecutors had sought a lengthy sentence given the former produces abuse spanning 4 decades and lack of remorse. Old read who represents accuser just a command part of a testimony outside course. She said ive never felt vengeful and going into this initially i didnt even feel anger i just felt sad sad for myself sad for everyone he hurt and i even felt sad for him for having done this to himself but i have observed and in difference a lack of remorse it seems like the final scene in Harvey Weinsteins fall from grace but the drummer from the. Weinstein faces further criminal charges in los angeles also for right and Sexual Assault that case could bring a maximum sentence of 28. 00 east. And heres a reminder of our top story the World Health Organization says that the spread of the corona virus me now be described as a pandemic the virus has spread to more than 100. 00 countries and has killed more than 4000 people there. This is up next looking at another historic day as u. S. Markets move in to bear territory chris is up next with stick around to write that. In support. Of some. Degree of