Is higher than inside the country. In germanys highest Court Backing legalizing assisted suicide. The federal Constitutional Court today overturned a 2015 law that prevented doctors from helping terminally ill patients end their lives. And carnival goes political in rio de janeiro. For its treatment of minorities and indigenous peoples. Brent to our viewers watching on pbs in the United States and all around the world, welcome. We begin with the latest on the coronavirus here in germany. The countries Health Minister is warning that the country is at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic. This comes after Health Officials confirmed seven new cases of covid19, signaling the disease could be moving to a new phase. Here is more from the german Health Minister. We are at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic in germany. The cases into areas are further sign of this. This is a new aspect not traceable. Multiple persons have had contact with the affected patients. That is a qualitative difference to the 16 cases weve already had in germany, where in each case the chain of infection could be traced back to china. Brent i want to take it to our Political Correspondent who is standing by here in berlin. Good evening to you. The countries Health Minister they are the alarm, saying we are in a coronavirus epidemic. What is the government doing about it . Reporter the Health Minister sounded much more worried than before. He acknowledged the epidemic was those who contracted the virus had been in touch with so many people before being diagnosed, so he asked Health Officials, hospitals, medical practices in all of germany states to review their emergency plans for the pandemic and lot of the new cases. He is saying more people should be tested and he encourages people symptoms to come forward and get in touch with doctors. He also warned against a wave of panic. Some schools, kindergartens in the area where two people have been diagnosed have been shut down as well as to medical practices that were attended by two people, in line with the containment strategy in place to prevent the virus from spreading as much as possible. Brent we will show you this report that takes us to wear a new coronavirus cluster is spreading. Reporter authorities transported a 47yearold man and his wife to a dusseldorf clinic early thursday morning. His condition is critical. He tested positive for covid19. On wednesday, officials confirmed both he and his wife are infected. The man is gravely ill. He suffering badly from pneumonia and is on ventilation. The good news is that his commit condition did not deteriorate overnight. He is showing signs of improvement. As well he she has inflammation of the lungs and beaver, but she is nowhere near in the a serious condition as her husband. The children are showing no symptoms of the virus and are being closely monitored. The couple has an active social life, and as you might be aware, this weekend there were carnival celebrations throughout the state. What is important is that the woman is a Kindergarten Teacher and of course was working in childcare until the beginning of carnival celebrations. Children enrolled in Daycare Centers and schools in the area, as well as their parents, or being told to remain at home for the next two weeks. The goal is to break the chain of infection. This is quite a challenge, considering the man within various places while displaying symptoms. During the 1014 incubation period. So he has been in contact with an almost endless number of people. Reporter the man was recently treated twice at a University Clinic for an unrelated illness. Staff had contact with him there are now under quarantine. Brent if we look at that story and add it to the warning we are hearing tonight from the german government, the warning we heard yesterday from the world health organization, how worried should people here in germany be tonight . Reporter they are definitely more worried tonight than they were before the new cases broke here. Some on social media said they cannot reach their gp, they cannot reach some hotlines that are saturated. Some people think that symptoms and they assimilate flu symptoms to those of coronavirus. What is especially worrying tonight is that the people who got infected were the couple in dusseldorf attended carnival festivities, there was a short trip to the netherlands, and that will make the authorities work to try to identify further cases, more difficult. So a general concern here in germany. Brent there definitely is more reason to be concerned tonight than 24 hours ago. Thank you very much. The new strain of the coronavirus, which is known as covid19, first emerged in the chinese city of wuhan back in december. To date the virus has claimed almost 3000 lives. China still has the highest number of reported cases, or than 77 thousand, followed by south korea, italy, japan, and iran. 41 other countries or territories around the world have reported cases. That brings the global total to more than 81,000. This is what has happened just in the last 24 hours. South korea has reported its biggest oneday jump at infections. Brazil has confirmed latin americas first case. Here in europe, italy remains the front line in the struggle to contain the outbreak. The outbreak has now claimed 12 lives there. France tonight reporting its first for tally. And what about travel . International flights have been cut back or cancel. Heres a closer look at how countries around the world are fighting to ward off a pandemic. Recovered coronavirus patients in wuhan are finally free to return home after one last spray. The coronavirus is increasing its presence far beyond chinas borders. It ranges from cruise ships in japan to tehrans public transport. Its also having an effect on countries where it has not yet emerged. Ireland has postponed a major rugby game as a precaution. Italy is the country most affected by the virus in europe. Despite these concerns, Health Authorities in europe say there is no reason to panic about the coronavirus there. We take the virus in the situation very seriously. At the same time, we should also remember that four out of five patients have mild symptoms. In the u. S. , Health Chiefs warned the public to be on the alert. The immediate risk to the general American Public remains low, but as we have warned, it has the potential to change quickly. Meanwhile, 11 towns in northern italy where the virus has been diagnosed remain on lockdown. Only authorized personnel are allowed access. Nearly 50,000 people have been placed under effective quarantine there. Brent for more now we want to go to Margaret Harris with the world health organization. Shes working with the Coronavirus Team in geneva, switzerland. It is good to see you. Youve heard fort the german Health Minister has said, that germany is now in the grips of an epidemic. Do you agree with that language, and what is your advice tonight to people he in germany . Marget good evening. I agree with i do agree with much of what he said, particularly when he said dont panic. This is always difficult when someone says you got an outbreak. Outbreaks to make people frightened, but the best way to get through this is to stay calm and get knowledged up. Find out about the virus, and think about what you, your family, your friends and Community Need to do. That sounds general, but theres a lot you can do. What if you have to spend two weeks in quarantine or longer if there is ongoing infection in your neighborhood or your group or your school . Make those plans now. Im not saying run to the shops and get the food, but think about can you work from home . Talk to your employers, your children, your schools. Think about how you can keep things going. China has shown they can do it, and the rest of us can do it too. Brent what about when you have Government Systems that appear to be working against you . Im thinking about what is happening in iran there. They are claiming the United States is scare monger in, trying to use the virus to weaken the country. What do you do in that situation . Margaret we look at the sites. Iran has asked us to go and help, and thats what were doing. Were sending a group of experts in and looking at what they need and how we can get that to them as quickly as possible and help t there outbreak under control. Their other countries we have looked at long before the outbreaks began to occur in many countries. We are grateful that china managed to contain it for a long time, so we have been able to do a lot of work with countries we have identified as the most fragile countries, but now is the moment when we all have to look at what we can do and how we can get through this. Brent Margaret Harris joining us tonight from geneva switzerland. Thank you, we appreciate it. Here are some of the other stories making headlines around the world. Egypt has held a military funeral for former president hosni mubarak. He died on tuesday at the age of 91. He ruled egypt autocratic leave for 30 years before being ousted in the arab spring protests of 2011. Protesters on the greek island of less posts have crashed with Wright Police for second day. On the island of lesbos. They have called a 24 hour strike. Police investigating the car ramming are no closer to uncovering a motive. 29 euros suspect remains in custody and faces attempted murder charges. More than 60 people were hurt in that attack. Many of them were children. A major ruling here in germany that addresses who decides when we die. The countrys highest court today overturned a ban on medically assisted suicides. A group of patients and doctors brought the case to court, arguing that a law banning assisted suicide was unconstitutional. The ruling touches on an emotional debate about euthanasia and endoflife decisions, and it is especially sensitive here in germany, where the nazis used a socalled Euthanasia Program to kill hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities. The decision by the german Constitutional Court took many by surprise. The ruling means assisted suicide may soon legally take place in germany. The common rights of the individual allow the right to a selfdetermined death. That right includes the freedom to take ones own life and also to seek help from a third party as long as it is offered. One of the people who brought the case to court has a terminal illness and wants the right to end his life when it is no longer worth living. I dont want it to reach that stage, with difficulty breathing. Perhaps i wont be able to communicate. My quality of life will have reached its limits. And i wont want to go on. But not everyone welcomed the courts ruling. At a Catholic Charity hospice in berlin, many see things differently. Im simply concerned that there will now suddenly just be a really easy way that is quicker and also cheaper. Thats not something i want in our society. I want to be certain that Everything Possible is done so that people can live with dignity until the last moment. There are various opinions on the high courts ruling, also out in the street. If everything is done according to the rules and all the paperwork is there and the family agrees, i think it is a good thing. I think that people should always give life a chance. Among times of terrible misery, good things can happen. If its about someone who is terminally ill and has decided they dont want to live anymore, then they should also have that possibility that someone can help them. The courts decision now puts pressure on the government. Lawmakers will soon have to establish regulations for medication and procedures. Brent to india now, where some of the worst sectarian violence in decades has claimed at least 27 lives in the capital, delhi. The source of the violence is a controversial new citizenship law. The government says it grants protection to persecuted minorities, except muslims from neighboring countries. Since sunday, violence between hindus and muslims has turned some parts of the indian capital into a no go zone. Brutal clashes on the streets of delhi. Large parts of the citys northeast have been reduced to battlefields as mom violence has people running for their lives. Seems like this have rarely been seen in the nations capital. What began on sunday as a protest against controversial new citizenship law has descended into an allout religious riot. Pitting hindus against muslims and vice versa. Theast three days, i was not able to step out of my house because i was scared that a group of people will come to my house, they can do everything. The day befe yesterda at least 10 people received bullet wounds. There was firing from 11 00 in the morning until at least 6 00 p. M. Its not only residents themselves who have been targeted. This mosque was vandalized by rioters. A hindu flag now flying from its minaret. Delhis police have been criticized for not acting quick enough when violence broke out, but Authorities Say things are now under control. Sufficient force has been deployed. The ministry of home affairs has given us Additional Forces that we are deploying as well. The main reason for the failure to control violence has been the congestion in the area. There is a mixed population and there have been some incidents. But the streets of this part of delhi look far from normal. By any estimate, it will be some time before they do. Brent one of the areas in the northeast of the capital that is seeing a lot of rioting, our correspondent traveled there to assess the situation. Reporter what started as a peaceful protest against controversial citizenship Amendment Law has escalated into this. Arson on shops, mosques and religious structures attacked as well, and we are in the national capital. It has been burning for three days, and at least 20 people have been killed. Today, finally, after three days of violence, northeast delhi is relatively peaceful, still very tense. We can see heavy Police Presence and curfews and a ban on assembly have been enforced in this region as well. It will be interesting to see what the government decides to do next. The local government has called for the army, but the home minister and the interior ministry have said there is no need for that, the police have the situation under control. So far it does look under control. However, there have been allegations that there has been in action from the authorities as well as the police, that they have stood by while rioters and hindu mobs have attacked muslim groups, neighborhoods and mosques as well. A mosque was attacked and vandalized and a hindu flag was planted on top. Very tense times in the area and around delhi as well. We will have to watch closely if the debt toll goes up and if the government continues to take action in any way and reassure minorities that we are safe in country. Brent that report therefrom delhi. In thailand, authorities have ordered a Political Party that finished third in last years elections to be shut down. The party, which is called future forward, critics say the move is politically motivated. Future forward campaigned against the thai armys influence in politics. Flaunting their party logo in defiance, this is one of the most prominent basis of the future Forward Party. She, like other former party executives, has been panned for but banned from politics for 10 years, but that hasnt harmed her popularity. The former sports woman says she is determined to fight on. If you keep worrying, you caot do anything. Our primary goal is to change the country. A sentiment echoed by many experts. They are saying last week ruling hurt not only the party, but democracy itself. When you dissolve the future Forward Party like ts, you basically disenfranchise and take away the vote of more than 6. 3 million people. They will be very angry now that they are left without any representation. All week, students have been gathering at universities in bangkok and across the country to sw their suort for t ffp, and to call for democracy. Im wondering whether it may have crossed ahreshold, may have been a turning point. For the first time in the last 15 years, we are seeing the student bodies of different universities taking a role, having a say in time politics. Thai politics. I believe in democracy. I will fight. We are having some hope that one day it will move to a democracy. Asked whether she thought thailand would slide back into the old pattern of street protest onilitary interventions, they dont rule anything out. It doesnt mean we have to move from parliamentary democracy, no. At the end of the day, we might have to move towards that, unfortunately, but i still have high hope we can make gradual change happen. Many in thailand seem angry indeed, and determined to prevent the wish for democracy in thailand from the coming a thing of the past. From becoming a thing of the past. Brent here are some of the other stories making headlines around the globe. Officials in indonesia said the death toll from floods that hit the capital of jakarta has risen to five. At least three others are ssing and nearly 10,000 people have been displaced. Floodwaters inundated entire neighborhoods on tuesday, following a heavy downpour. A doomsday vault in the arctic has received 60,000 new seed samples to guard in case of a global disaster. The facility on a Norway Island now holds more than a million varieties of food crop seeds. New additions include offerings from india, mali, and peru, as well as specimens grown by the native american cherokee tribe. Camp front runners took aim at Bernie Sanders, despite Bernie Sanders extending his lead in recent weeks, former Vice President joe biden says he is still confident of winning the South Carolina primary on saturday. Now to south america, carnival season in rio usually features flamboyant flutes, feathers, and lots of fun, but this year, it is unusually political. Many floats are taking aim at the right wing government of the president. He is accused of dividing the country by targeting causes that are close to carnivals heart. The highlight of this years controversial carnival in rio, jesus on the cross, in the form of a young black man from a file villa favela, riddled with bullet holes. He would be black and he would definitely be killed by rios police force. Their message was directed at the government. Minorities that feel threatened by his government. I represent the women of the world who are attacked and murdered. Even before the festival got underway, conservative christian groups has already protested against the parade. This years carnival was the most political in years, taking aim at corruption, racism, environmental destruction, and the murder of indigenous people. Here we can say what we want, and this is o way of presting. As always, its a protest contained in a competition that consists of color, contours, and plenty of fantasy. Brent lots of fantasy for sure. Ive time glenn grand slam champion Maria Sharapova is retiring from tennis at the age of 32. The prodigy won her first title in 2004 at the age of 17. She completed a grand slam at the french open in 2012. The russian, who moved to florida as a child, was banned for 15 months after failing a doping test in 2016. She insisted shoulder injuries meant that she played only two matches in 2020. She lost both those matches. His a reminder of the top story we are following. Germanys Health Minister says the country is now in the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic. It comes as cases of the infection are spreading around the globe. For the first time, the number of new infections outside china has outpaced those inside china. Youre watching dw news. After a short break, i will be asked 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] watson phone for twenty. Im from twenty dont call. Welcome back to france when four under so realize paris headlines hour. Francis has minister calms nerves and says theres no corona virus epidemic in the country this has. Says that yes our concern. And Prime Minister breaks silence after the west will class in delhi in decade. Around a multi core for calm norm off twenty people were reported dead in hindu muslim clashes. And frances former Prime Minister goes on trial in paris philosophy cues of using public funds to pay his wife and children for what they never did