A Security Forces use live fire on protesters. And as part of our special coverage of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the berlin wall we visit the famous shopping boulevard what used to be the west berlin many east berliners flocked there as soon as they could have firsthand look at capitalism. Im told me all id well welcome to the program. Nato members are at odds at the worst possible time as the world marks 30 years since the cold war began to and france a crucial member of the winning team suggests this alliance no longer functions that puts nato future in doubt and is prompted german and nato leaders to condemn the criticism. Part of the berlin wall is displayed outside nato headquarters right now again stoltenberg is meant to be celebrating the anniversary of the victory over communism but instead hes declaring that his alliance isnt dead. Nato is strong. United States North America and europe we do more to get that done got done for decades one of natos most important members has spoiled the party in a historic week for the alliance a manual knock holes at least he is calling into question some of natos founding values in an interview with the economist magazine back home said the mutual defense pact was in danger of breaking down. What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of nato he said adding you have no coordination whatsoever of strategic Decision Making between the United States and its nato allies. Its the events of last month in syria that have my call worried 1st the alliances largest member of the United States announced a troop pullout without consulting its allies then another Alliance Member turkey marched into the syrian northeast despite the vehement objections of berlin and paris theyre worried it threatens european security. But does all this add up to a threat or just a blip in natos history nato in germany insisted today in berlin that the alliance is still alive and well even if we do have a problem. Even if we do disagree from the german perspective nato is very much in our interest its our Security Alliance had been. For its part berlin has been signaling an increase commitment to the alliance visiting training soldiers defense minister and a good outcome carabao i said shes in favor of making nato is 2 percent spending target mandatory she least is optimistic about nato even as other Alliance Members question its future. Lets get more on this from our washington correspondent pablo fully and u. S. Public has there been any reaction from the u. S. To mccraw criticism of nato. Well the reaction really has come from the secretary of state. Who in germany at the moment and it was actually what he said was pretty positive actually of nato on his visit to germany on thursday now we cant really forget that he actually spent time in germany as an officer during the cold war and what might surprise a lot of people is actually had positive he was about nato considering what President Trump often said since he took over the presidency in 2016 now pump a 0 said that nato remains very important and critical and historically one of the most important partnerships that exists between many of these nations now he also spoke of the remarkable work of nato and the also defended President Trump which is quite interesting considering you know the words of micron and like i said what President Trump has said about nato hes been incredibly critical of germany and the other european nations saying that they should spend more money they should reach the target which is set out by nato of 2 percent and whats definitely probably going to be coming up and president from one told back on that is the fact that he believes that will be a topic of discussion at the next nato summit which will take place in london next month considering what you said about President Trump and his comments about nato is the u. S. Abandoning its nato allies. I wouldnt say that the u. S. Is abandoning its nato allies now it has been criticized recently for abandoning its allies not its nato allies and that would be of course in direct reference to where the u. S. Is treatment of its longstanding allies the kurds in syria now thats really where a lot of the criticism has actually. Recently and also the fact that the u. S. Under President Trump has actually you know it hes been sort of hesitant in many ways to where consult with his nato allies have thats also come under a lot of criticism particularly from you know the european members feeling that they should have really been you know warned about a lot of. Topics that President Trump has brought up or also the criticism that hes being gearing towards nato but in many ways whats been interesting is that President Trump has actually increased the commitment to monetary and also troops tonight and i know this is coming i made all these you know these strong words of these have to say about the alliance so its its been an interesting day today with pomp a. O. Also considering what weve been hearing from President Trump in recent months ok published in washington thank you. And this problem mentioned the u. S. Secretary of state michael is in germany where hes taking part in events this week marking the 30th anniversary of the fall of the berlin wall on thursday he and his german counterpart did some reminiscing together to try and improve current relations between their countries. It was in some ways a deeply personal visit us secretary of state my pump you used the 1st day of the stay in germany to return to School Military base he was stationed here is a soldier in the eightys one of these things back then. Patrolling the border that separated east and west germany together with foreign minister heikal mass this was also no cajun to ease the recent tensions in the u. S. German relations. It was a bit of a walk out of every life for me. Every. Member structure. You can see. You can say i saw a piece of history that i was a tiny little part of back in the late 1980 s. I think its indicative of the Incredible Court relationship between our 2 countries michael mass expressed gratitude for american support of the german reunification process is it because. We are committed to see you with great solidarity and gratitude that we owe our freedom to you as well as our unity. Should annoy each company you also wanted to show solidarity with jews living in germany in the eastern city of hollow together with mass he visited the side of of recent anti semitic attack and they are not see gunmen had shot the 2 people last month after he was unable to enter a synagogue and carry out a mass shooting michael thank you for coming here with me today thank you for being here to pay honor to those individuals who were killed here to the people who want simply to come here and worship in their own faith in the way that they desire in the end my computer will meet german chancellor im going to machall to discuss Current Issues in foreign policy. Now to some of the other stories making news around the world. A judge in new york has ordered u. S. President donald trump to pay 2000000. 00 for misusing funds from his own charity the donald j. Trump Foundation Money was channeled from the charity directly into trumps 2016 president ial campaign. The bolivian government has blamed the opposition for postelection violence that has rocked the country vice president. Naira urge opposition leaders to accept the results of octobers president ial vote for as an evo morales one of 4th mandate in the 1st round of the election amid allegations of vote rigging. In west africa tens of thousands marched in the guinea and capital city can achree to protest a change in the countrys constitution that could allow the president to seek a 3rd term 13 demonstrators have been killed in clashes with police in recent weeks. To iraq now where protests against the government are not relenting at least 6 people were shot dead in the latest round of violence and the socalled battle of bridges over control of some of crucial parts of baghdad there is still everything to fight for. For iraqs protest as this will go to is a symbol of a country divided its time to stop them getting too close to government ministries they strive emphasize tear it down. The. Book while the pictures might look similar this is not europe in 999 its rather the start of another deadly clash in baghdad. With protesters again running for their lives and Security Forces apparently once more firing live rounds into the crowds evident that we are not afraid of your bombs or sound grenades or your smoke bombs we want to get rid of the government because we the young people of iraq are dying because we have missed out on our youths of margin several 100. It is being dubbed baghdads battle of the bridges because both sides are struggling for control of the crossings of the tigris river approaches says one to reach the grains on on the other side while Security Forces want to stop them from getting there. The now this is a strategic style made on the straits but its one thats paralyzing the city and increasing pressure on the authorities. Of the bottle that you politicians have destroyed the country for years of taking whats ours get out we dont want you paralysis to outside the capital protest this regime in a blockade of one of the countrys mind ports from here food imports into the country and oil lays that. Political crisis thats already heating the economy threatening any remaining stability this country still has. Now as part of the special coverage of the anniversary of the fall of the bell in wall were looking at what for many east germans was the 1st time shopping in the capitalist west of the night on the 9th of november 1809 the very. Night the wall came down east germans cross the border in their thousands and many headed straight to west berlin is most popular shopping boulevard 1st and a street that was a showcase of consumerism in the divided city. Is crystal skull but has this report. Historic footage on display in gigantic size uku for saddam is one of several locations throughout berlin where pictures from 30 years ago are being projected onto the side of buildings pictures of political leaders from back then of Anxious Border patrol guards and of people overwhelmed with joy once the berlin wall had come down now the coffers and um theres particular significance because few other places in germany stand as much for the abundance of goods in a Free Market Society and the might of the consumer as this shopping boulevard for decades shops have been selling old couture fashion from paris handmade shoes from italy or pricey jewelry it with diamonds from botswana and of course it is home to the world famous t. V. The Department Store off the west so this is where people from east berlin and the g. D. R. Flocked to once the gates once the border was open they came in droves because this shopping boulevard offered to them what they had been craving for years and what had been unavailable after that the fact that the west German Government gave each east german citizens 100. 00 for marks welcome money once they crossed the border and if you have a little extra cash to spend why not do it on one of europes most famous shopping both of ours. That was our correspondent christopher cover in the heart of berlin and all this week is bringing you special coverage and reports on the events leading up to the fall of the berlin wall 30 years ago well also have live coverage of saturdays ceremonies and commemorations. South africas Rugby World Cup winners kicked off their nationwide celebration tour in the capital pretoria the springboks were greeted by jubilant fans including president Cyril Ramaphosa the south African Rugby Union has bought insurance for the webb ellis cup while it parades around the country theyve even appointed someone to manage the trophies movements during the parade and make sure only squad members and the president get their hands on it. This is the live from berlin up next doc film on the night the wall came down for more news visit our website e. W. Dot com. From the above. Its all happening to children coming. To link to news from africa and the world your link to exceptional stories and discussions continue and we will come to see their views africa in program tonight from for a new journey from the zito i would say down here