To retype civilians in syria, it was among the worst crimes to take place in the conflict. Now human rights organizations are hoping that a court in germany will deliver justice for the victims and argentinian a football legend is laid to rest at a private ceremony and went inside as tens of thousands of fans lined up to pay their final respects at argentinas president ial palace thank you so very much for joining us. And sadly, we start with a grim milestone here in germany that has been hit in the coronavirus pandemic. The country has again recorded more than 22000, new daily cases pushing its total to beyond the 1000000. 00 mark. And thats according to figures from the robert costa institute for disease control. Germany largely contained the spread of the virus during the 1st wave in the spring, but its been hard hit hard by the 2nd wave of infections. And we can take you now to our chief Political Correspondent melinda crane, to get more on these very disturbing numbers. Melinda, germany has been struggling to keep the virus at bay during this 2nd wave. Tell us about the situation across the country right now. Well, the numbers have been steadily on the rise since early october, and as you know, partial lockdown measures were put into effect in mid november. The number of daily infections has plateaued or decreased somewhat since then, but nonetheless, as you say, we are now seeing daily rates and they do swing back and forth. But we are seeing daily rates occasionally surpass 23000. 00 per day, and thats nearly 4 times as many infections as we had at the height of the 1st wave of the infection of cova during the spring. So definitely a very strong rise. That said, there is a great deal more testing being done now. So possibly the numbers in the spring did not show the full extent of infections at that time. And the other point to bear in mind is that we are not seeing a higher mortality rate. In fact, the mortality rate per capita is actually somewhat lower than in the spring. Nonetheless, there is no question that the numbers here are serious. The numbers are serious, of course, of germany hitting now that 1000000 mark of coronavirus cases just as the Holiday Season is approaching a very important date in this country. What will christmas look like . Well, the chancellor has been meeting regularly with the federal states to discuss what kind of lock down measures need to either stay in place or perhaps even be increased. And the latest such meeting as many of them do took hours. It took place this week and there was some agreement that the restrictions will stay in place until december 20 s, then be slightly relaxed over christmas, and probably go back into place in january in the measures that im talking about. Include both the closing of bars and restaurants except for takeout. Trying to keep schools and kindergartens open so far. And also restrictions on gatherings amongst people, especially on family gatherings. Over christmas. That said, the states were more or less in agreement on this when they left this marathon meeting on wednesday. Nonetheless, were already seeing some federal states saying they want to take it in a different direction. For example, 4 states saying they now want to allow, overnight stays in hotels over christmas. So germanys federalism is becoming a challenge in terms of the clarity of the restrictions and perhaps also of the public willingness to abide by them. Because as long as there is confusion amongst the public, there is also a higher probability of restriction fed cheek and or simply people not obeying the restrictions because theyre not quite sure what applies to them in the pretty quick preview of place that they live. Shes Political Correspondent, elaine the crane reporting. Thank you. And thats what we exactly did. We asked people here in berlin, whether they think the measures currently in place are enough to keep the virus from spreading out of control. I wish you something, the impala, the measures are good. They dont seem to be working properly because the numbers arent really going down. But i think the measures are the right ones. I may be making myself, im popular, but i think we shouldnt allow too many people together over christmas here in berlin. The virus doesnt make any exceptions for christmas. And i think that if we just follow these simple measures, wear masks, keep our distance, dont travel when its not really necessary. Then well get the situation under control. And measures should be stricter, because its absurd that 400 people die every day. Just remarked on my god, i think its good that we have these measures. The incidence rates are worrying. So i think that what we are doing goes in the right direction. Some views there are here. And now of course assertions are just one weapon in the arsenal. When it comes to fighting the virus, and we now know that several potential vaccines have achieved very positive and encouraging results. But before, even one of them has been approved for use. Billions of doses have already been purchased and the vaccines from by on tech and fice are modernity, and astra zeneca and oxford university. The 3 research and Development Groups furthers ahead in the trials will. In fact, 9600000000 doses have either been paid for or are under negotiation, so which countries are the biggest customers . India is at the top of the list, having already purchased 1600000000, vaccine doses before trials have even finished. The e. U. Is the next with 1400000000 and millions more on reserve. And the us has already paid for 1000000000 doses with another 1500000000 under negotiation. So, so far so good. But what about the poor countries who have far fewer doses than they need . How can a Fair Distribution be insured . 1st coat that 19 vaccines on the verge of being authorized. Billions of vaccine doses have already been secured by wealthy countries. This has raised concerns that the jet blue drive much later and low income countries. To vote that an initiative was founded kovacs backed by the w. H. O. Countries for presenting 2 thirds of the out population has job prospects. Goal is to make sure all Member States get vaccines. Forgotten is a financial needs. But how does it work . On its website . Kovacs explains that strategy. Member states pooled their efforts and money to support the development of several vaccine candidates. Instead of competing against each other. They dont negotiate their pricing together. Therefore, keeping prices low. Once effect effects scenes of vailable, it says, all participating countries, regardless of income levels, will have equal access to these vaccines. For low income countries, it is the only viable way in which their citizens will get access to covert 19 vaccines. The wealthy countries have other options. States like the u. K. And countries of the you have joined the initiative, but they have also made by the true deals with manufacturers on the side. These Bilateral Agreements have created an imbalance between the different members. Critics say by poor countries are solely dependent on colfax, wealthier ones used it as an add on to its bilateral deals. And there is more critics argue that these by littrell deals make it harder for kovacs to do its job. Because when a big share of jabs is already promised to individual countries, kovacs can only distribute what is left to many hotter countries. Not all vaccines will be equally suitable for practical reasons. They are likely to prefer those easier to transport without the difficult coal chain to maintain. And finally, big countries like the u. S. And russia havent even joined the initiative. Instead of supporting kovacs, theyve only invested in the development of their own vaccines. Kovacs nevertheless, is sticking to its goal by the end of next year. He wants to have 2000000000 doses distributed around that no numbers. His goal there like to welcome out here lisa, he is a member of the European Parliament and the Health Spokesperson for the largest Political Group in the European Parliament. The e. P. Be a very good day, sir. What is he doing to help developing a nation secure a Vaccine Supplies . Now were doing a lot. A lot of the European Union was the 1st block that promoted this global effort was left on the line already in may. He invited the rest of the world. And many reacted, unfortunately not donald trump, to create a global effort to really get a vaccine to everybody. And our treaties that we have done with the pharmaceutical industry are including a clause that we can give sent to. So that countries and that is most likely to happen because we have treaties already with 6 companies. And if every project is successful, which seems to be quite likely. Now the results are promising, but its not safe because european medical edge of say, the agency didnt really check it. We need to wait for this check, but it is possible that we have twice as many doses of vaccine as we need in europe. And then its already clearly planned that we give a lot of these vaccines to poorer countries on top of kovacs. The European Union will contribute, so that our neighbors and not so poor countries like africa, will have access to the vaccine. And that the missile is why is it important for the European Union that there is equitable access to vaccines . Is that they explain why that is in the interest of the European Union. It is in our interest that people in all over the world have access as soon as possible. It is not equitable, we have to be honest. Im fighting for the best possible medical condition also in poor countries. Since 30 years i worked in guatemala, im. I was a member of the Development Committee and its an important target for me, but we will not be able to supply everybody around the world. At the same day, we will start in europe, and United States will start in the u. S. I hope joe biden would change the policy of donald trump and also give backs in the poorer countries. But we will not do it the same day. We are voted in europe, i voted to europe, so im responsible for my people. And i cannot tell them we cannot vaccinate you because we have to give the vaccine tomorrow called. I think this is a dilemma, but we tried to avoid this style amount as soon as possible because of the some member of the European Parliament and the Health Spokesperson for the largest Political Group in the parliament. The so thank you for coming on pleasure. And you are the speed at which pharmaceutical companies are competing to get their vaccines on the market has raised some safety concerns. So would you take a vaccine if one was available now . Did i mean its wants to know what you think . And we have a survey, you can take to be part of our you tube channel and click on the Community Section to answer the question, would you take a vaccine when it becomes available . You can also leave a comment there. Once again, go to the Community Section of our you tube channel, and thats where youll find the survey with a quarter and from you. Here are some of the other stories making news around the world right now. Hundreds of type prodemocracy protesters have turned out in the capital, bangkok to call for changes to the government constitution. And the moderate protestors ducked the rally a rehearsal to oppose a coup as months of near daily protests fuel, rumors of another army takeover. Thousands of farmers in northern india are marching on the capital delhi to protest against new farm laws. Demonstrators faced tear gas and baton charges from police as they broke through barricades. Farmers say the reforms will cut their earnings and benefit large corporations. The government says the changes are needed to boost incomes and positivity russian Opposition Leader alexina volley has urged lawmakers to slap sanctions on president Vladimir Putins inner circle. On the appeal came during a Virtual Conference of the European Parliaments Foreign Affairs committee. Activists were invited to brief lawmakers on the situation in russia and head of parliamentary elections next year. Human rights activists are trying to use the courts here in germany to prosecute the perpetrators of 2 chemical weapons attacks against civilians in syria. In 20302017, the activists want to members of the syrian president Bashar Al Assads regime to be called to account for the atrocities. Assad denies involvement, but opponents say there is enough evidence to bring an indictment. They also say they have evidence that the Syrian Regime has carried out more than