Time british prodigy. Welcome to news asia. Glad you could join us protests against the government of the monarchy have been held in the tight up to bangkok today. Protesters are demanding greater accountability from the monarchy. After it emerged, the king had transferred the chrome assets to himself, increasing his world enormously. And under pressure, the government has responded by invoking the countrys strict just laws and georgia, get these 12 protest leaders with the monarchy. Now a lot of the anger is directed against the current king, but have argued along who spends most of his time here in germany. His long stories have become a headache for berlin, with the government being questioned by the opposition on whether he actually conduct state business from here up. The government has said this would be unacceptable. For months, prodemocracy protesters in thailand have been trying to send a message to the king, reform our country and your monarchy. But the man theyre addressing has often been absent thousands of kilometers away. In fact, while protests raged on the streets of bangkok, the time monarch spent much of his time in germany in a luxury hotel and the Southern Area and alps. His extended stays in the quaint area have put the German Government and a bind. Belen has been trying to determine whether the king conduct state affairs from his bavarian hideaway, the foreign minister stated that that would be a deal breaker for germanys hospitality of the us. Obviously, im also watching the thai kings behavior in germany. Weve not just been monitoring this year recent weeks. Were monitoring this long term. If there are things that we consider to be illegal, there will be immediate consequences and verge this consequence. But thats easier said than done. A parliamentary investigation has found that germany has a limited Legal Options because the king enjoys diplomatic protections like other visiting heads of state. Even if hes there on private business. Its called frustration among lawmakers who commissioned the research, the left party saving data. Len had this to say on twitter. Anyone who like the thai king along with the military junta, brutally knocks down the Democracy Movement shouldnt be rewarded with a visa for luxurious, long term stay in germany by the federal government. It appears germany has just one option to take action against the king, and thats using a decades Old International treaty on diplomatic relations. Parliamentary researches said berlin can declare the king a persona nongrata or an example person and expel him from the country. But that option was described as a last resort. It also carries the risk of a diplomatic escalation of the Political Drama that germany wanted. No part in the was so now theres less pressure on german politicians. In mid october, the king returned to thailand to the joy of his royalists, supporters. His critics are hoping theyll finally address their grievances and not return to his hideaway and the ferry and mountains. Many germany are hoping for this thing. Felix heidrick is a senior associate of the German Institute for international and Security Affairs with southeast asia, the focus area of his research. Felix, welcome. Now there have been somewhat strong words from the foreign minister who called mass, yet it appears according to the parliamentary restitution. At least there isnt much the government can do about the typing here in germany. How do we read this . Well, i read it as an interplay of international affairs, basically of domestic affairs. And actually in my view, thats most certainly the case in most Foreign Policy making and here as well. So on the one hand, you have german Media Outlets reported that reporting very critically. On the time warner extended visits to germany as well as on his role in current tire. Fast plus you have at to, thats increased scrutiny by the opposition in the parliament in the bundestag. So that domestically has put pressure and continues to put pressure on the government and burden to act. And on the other hand, you have the demonstrations in thailand including those taking place in front of the german embassy, actually in bangkok, calling on berlin to act as well. While at the same time, the current Thai Government is cracking down on those prodemocracy protesters. So this is how i read the dense surrounding this issue, basically as the interplay of domestic and international factors. However, i would say with regard to the future developments are more depends on the developments in thailand and rather than whats the pressures in germany, i think much of it will depend on how events will unfold in thailand in the future will come that innovative. But what is there a wider geo strategic lens with which germanys looking at this whole affair . Well, theres the geostrategic context is marked by an intensifying sign of american rivalry in the context of this power shift towards asia that many people have been talking about for 4 years now to the whole of asia, not just to china. So asia is increasingly important used to teach, and you economically the letter, especially to trading state like germany. And at the same time, berland has for a long 4th for quite some time equated china with asia, china, asia policy was basically china policy and vice versa. So this over dependence on china, especially economically, is now seen as a challenge for berlin and berlin. Now, in the context of also this new pacific guideline, 6 diverse, if you cation 6, new pop up in us, is there, southeast asia. And the plan you Free Trade Agreement with thailand is one indicator of this. So, and at the same time, you have the military let tiger government since the coup in 2000 for the move bring of a closer to 2 china due to what they perceive to be unjust criticism of their internal affairs by western states and so on. And so forth. So i say this, this conundrum is the strategic context where were dealing with at the moment with regards to german tie affair. Us right, rafi. Felix, how do you see this playing out in the future of protests continue in thailand . Well, i think in short term, not so much as long as the king is in thailand. I think this will take domestic pressure from the government and dahlan to a certain extent, and hes predicted to stay in thailand actually for the rest of the year 2020. I obviously dont know, but this is, this is what i hear. How about if, if the king were to return and say early 202122, the very a that is right and protest still carry on in bangkok or even worse, theres a bloody crackdown by the military. I think the, the agenda will, the did this issue will be on the agenda of girl and with the new urgency, i would say fairly tired of we leave it there for the timing, but thank you so much for joining us. Thank you. Thats no secret that in india most families would rather have a son than a daughter. Abandoned determining the sex of a baby before birth exists but female fee to side still occurs. Its what contributes to india, having a skewed sex ratio of our 920 females to every 1000 males, one of the poorest in the world. But things are changing or beat very slowly, and theyre changing in communities where it matters the most familiar sound of celebration and naming ceremony for a baby girl by live under them. My name is appalling. Im 30 years old. This is my 2nd child and ive had a baby girl. Im very happy about it. And so is my family. They werent disappointed and so they didnt harass me at all. The people who govern our village have celebrated the birth of my baby girl. Traditionally such ceremonies are held to welcome baby boys, not girls, but many say that has to change so many like the liberation. I dont really work in progress. Little person really, really one will prevent sex so they dont in the balance. Elimination. 6 issue increases issues related to growth. We get positive response from those perception or because you say the changes are girl who was considered to be a burden. Now now he becomes very, very celebrated Community Based projects like this one are making a difference. 15 years ago, only 870 girls were born here for every 1000 boys. Now that number has risen to over 920 government from there, so you have a short so many legal instructions because were me. So one was your direction. The other thing was giving positive in centers and activities, which Community Gets ignored. These gang activities, they complement each other. And finally, at the i mean, real sense that Women Empowerment honoring these baby girls and their mothers is one significant step on the path to greater equality. Yeah, i think everyone should feel happy when a baby girl is born. Like we have these celebrations for our girls because we want them to be respected and treated equally on equal status for girls who benefit all of society candidate. And thats it for today. Theres of course more on our web site. Now on tuesday, pakistans president out of me visited islamabad to bridge farewell to its only elephants. The only galvan is set to file to cambodia to begin nice as a friend sanctuary campaign. As a fight for years to rescue him from poor conditions. And now that hes leaving, hes getting his farewell to with those images. Were back tomorrow. Well see you back. The for the final against the coronavirus pandemic as the rate of infection in developing the latest Research Information and contacts. The coronavirus update. Come on t w. Ws crime fighters are back africas most successful in radio drama series continues this season. The stories focus on hate speech prevention and sustainable local production. All of a sows are available online. And of course, you can share and discuss among africas Facebook Page and other social media platforms, crime fighters to mindanao. As vaccines receive approval and become available to the world, the next questions ethical, such as, who gets the vaccine 1st . Not only do we have to take into account which age groups to prioritize, but also which jobs. Frontline, Health Workers around the world are already demanding better protection. And how should distribution work around the world . As it stands, rich countries are already preparing infrastructure and buying up future doses by the billions that leave poor countries already grappling with Inadequate Health care systems struggling to secure their own. The Fair Distribution of a Coronavirus Vaccine looks set to be one of the major challenges of the coming months. If not years. The World Health Organization who well hear from later, says the world cannot afford to get it wrong for time is running out to prepare a framework for getting any vaccine to everyone who needs it. Its a huge achievement for the scientists at the university of oxford. Together with drug maker, astra zeneca, theyve developed their own corona virus vaccine. Researchers say its most effective when patients receive a half dose followed by a 2nd full dose a month later. The developer say it offers several advantages over competing vixens. It can be stored at refrigerator temperatures for more than 6 months, making it easy to distribute. And astra zeneca claims it can be produced more cheaply than other vaccines. The company is now seeking emergency use listing from the World Health Organization. Its really excellent to see that the high efficacy that were now getting at these trials, coupled with the safety, billeted to manufacture in large doses. The ability to feed into existing Distribution Networks or vaccines that already are in place around the world. Because all of that to get this vaccine and other vaccines as well is whats going to really make a difference. We have to get a lot of people. Thats a native astra. Zeneca is the 3rd western drug company to report success with their Coronavirus Vaccine candidates. Recently German Company biotech in partnership with pfizer and u. S. Based company madonna presented m r n. A based convert 1000 big scenes, which the companies claim are almost 95 percent effective. Vaccines developed by chinese and russian researchers also show high reported efficacy. Some have already been approved for mergence use. The next challenge is going to be to get enough people immunized fast enough to have an impact on the virus. And that does take time. Simply takes time to manufacture, to get x. Is distributed and then to get into peoples homes. It cant just be done. It remarked. So the more vaccines weve got, the more doses the reach of the right. Since weve got the easier thats going to be the question remains, how can the vaccines be distributed in a fair way without discriminating against poorer nations . Thats the challenge facing the covert 916. 00 Global Access initiative, kovacs. But with industrialized nations having already secured iran, 1200000000 doses for themselves, the task is daunting. But we can now speak to richard, may he go from the World Health Organization, immunization and Vaccine Development program. He joins us from browser village in republic of congo. Thanks a lot for being with us. So lets just talk about this kovacs coalition for getting the vaccine to the poorer countries of vaccines getting close to kovacs is still 4000000000. Underfunded is kovacs going to be ready for this vaccine . Well, i think 1st of all we need to clarify that the core of us was set up to make sure that looking at countries in the majority of africa, country can get access to a lot of work and hed sit quite some time. Be sure schools offer, at least we dont have facts in those this, but we can, i do look countries baby out of 21. So we can get a fundraising over this. It or its to raise up to 2000000000. 00, maybe end of december 2020. Is it 1st . I think we dont see that at least the preliminary data that we have show that thats very good to give you reach the g 8. So its something very positive terms of where you can you go in under 787. 00 countries involved in kovacs already, which is, you know, a lot of countries, but theres one notable country that is not involved. And thats the us. I mean, can this program succeed without the worlds biggest economy . Well, i think that has been because the debates that he does be shown that t. N. T. The victim of at least some played vaccines too. Unless you look country through that mechanism can be a cheat. Because if you look at the number of that, there are 2 cooks today we have 189 countries and presenting close to 90 percent of the global have supported the initiative. Saw as much as we, have now. The u. S. , the United States of america to join i think thats how we work this down so far. Its you look, you know, im supporting, got this reaching up introducing these are seen at the same time. Yes, there any hope that under a biden presidency that the u. S. Might get involved when i think its good to predict. So we cherish and we do hope that the changes that you need to see it might of course send it different signal and shit. So how confident is the director that porn ations are going to be able to get access to the vaccines they need . Well, i think the body can be 100 percent. Sure. And this is even greece, as you know, and i was during the g 20 summit that there was a release that some of the country articulate, i think, i mean, maybe not. If i see, i did say time that other countries saw they were continuing to push for that and to make sure that many countries in the region we see in the same thing. But there is very little guarantee at the moment that we think this is why we need to continue to do that. If i focus or to me go from the World Health Organization. Thanks for joining us on the call that 900. 00 special. Thank you very much. And that is the part of the program where you get to ask the questions youve been submitting them through you cheap channel. So now lets put one of them to ask a science correspondent, eric williams. Its covered 19, now endemic. When i read this question, i thought ok, its time to talk about the elephant in the room. The fact that despite all of our fondest hopes, this virus is not going to fizzle out and go away 1st. Lets define endemic the way were using the word here. Is in its epidemiological sense, which describes when an infection is more or less constantly present in the background within a specific population and geographic region. But it also implies that its in a kind of steady state, which hope in 1000 is not at the moment. Its still spreading fast and furiously in many places all over the planet. One of 2 things could happen next. When enough people build up immunity to it through infection or vaccination. Coated 19 could become an endemic disease or it could just apparently burn itself out and disappear like sars dead. But not thats not going to happen. In other words, at this point, if we could say that the disease was endemic, wed actually be farther along the road towards returning to life as usual that we are. It would mean covert 19 was no longer out of control, but was a disease we had tools to cope with. Well develop those tools eventually just like we did with aids and influenza. In fact, probably a lot faster, but, but wiping the virus out entirely at this point would take a massive planet wide strategy like the one that wiped out smallpox and is nearly banished, polio. But projects like that take high levels of cooperation between nations and they take time. So who teen is going to be with us for the foreseeable future . But to some extent, at least for whoa, whoa, depend on us science correspondent eric williams. A vaccine for cover 19 could be just around the corner, but how willing are people around the world to actually take it . In a recent survey published in the journal, nature shows around 70 percent of respondents would take a vaccine when it became available. People in Asian Countries like china, south korea and japan, lead the way in terms of their readiness to get vaccinated while large proportions