Another spike in coronavirus cases will meet the front line workers during one of the hardest jobs that there is every day. And u. S. President orders u. S. Troops to come home from afghanistan. The move is drawing fire from americas nato allies, including germany, plus 2 fatal crashes kept it grounded for 2 years now. After months of scrutiny, the boeing 737. 00 max has been cleared to fly again. I burnt off to our viewers on p. B. S. In the United States and to all of you around the world. Welcome. We begin tonight with politics and the pandemic. Lawmakers here in berlin have voted to give the German Government new powers, allowing it to introduce restrictions to tackle the coronavirus crisis. German president , vulture steinmeyer, signed the bill into law earlier this evening. It takes effect tomorrow. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets today to protest as politicians debated the legislation thank water cannon and pepper spray deployed by police to disperse the demonstrators. Thousands gathered near the German Parliament building many in the crowd, not wearing masks, or maintaining social distancing. They were protesting against coronavirus restrictions, which they see as a violation of their civil rights. In my opinion, the restrictions are disproportionate. Surely it should have been possible to come up with other measures that dont cause so much suffering. You still believe im here for my children and my grandchildren. I will not allow their freedom to be taken away. Yeah. Well Police Clashed with protesters outside lawmakers inside parliament who are largely in agreement and approve the new infection protections long. The law is meant to put the governments response of the coronavirus on a stronger legal footing. Previous legislation only listed broad general provisions and didnt foresee the severity of the pandemic, or the specific restrictions needed to rein it in. This led to local courts overturning some of the measures. The new law defines more concretely which restrictions can be introduced, including mandatory face masks, limited social contacts, and restaurant closures. Health minister, young spawn, defended the measures and criticize those protesting against them. To be allowed to be against it or even to deny the obvious oh, that is possible and must be possible in a free and open country. But those who are allowed are far from being right and certainly not in the majority or this did not deter the demonstrators outside. Despite polls showing they are in a minority, a recent survey found 56 percent of joy, womens believe the restrictions are justified. And some actually want even stricter measures are for more now we want to go to our political correspondents. I mean young, hes on the story for us here in berlin. Good evening to you saw him in so we know were talking about a minority here in germany. But a very loud minority, what kind of people were at todays protest, yet different kinds of people brained, many of them very angry as we saw all the ass, some of them throwing bottles. Soul studies at police who responded with would say cannon. These are a different sorts of groups. Youve got some anti vacs is youve got corona skeptics, youve got some conspiracy theorists and people with connections to the far right. But many other people just saying that really theyre worried about what they see as an erosion of civil liberties. But they only know it was a pretty noisy and agitated and at times aggressive, often in central. And is that their main objection here with this new legislation that personal freedoms are being eroded . Well, i had the impression that a lot of the protesters on the streets werent particularly focused on the legislation being discussed a short distance away in parliament. What theyre mainly protesting about is the corunna measures. In general, they oppose the distancing rules, the rules on wearing mosques and a lot of towns. And they say that those are, you know, that the government is taking away their freedoms. But i think its worth saying that some of those ideas were certainly echoed in the parliamentary debate. You had opposition parties and not just the far right a. F. P. By the way, saying things like the government was giving itself Carte Blanche to impose unlimited measures or indeed accusing the government of, you know, imposing unprecedented curbs on peoples freedoms. So there is some sort of crossover from this move in the street to the way they say shes being talked about a political level as well. And somebody, we know what the governments next step is in fighting this virus. Well we know that there will be another top level meeting with the charts that and Regional State lead is next week. And the big question there will be will the current lockdown around germany be extended . Will it be toughened up . We know that the infection numbers have improved in the last couple of weeks since lot down began, but maybe they havent improved quite enough yet. And some of the measures agreed in this new legislation today. Point towards, for instance, compensation that can be provided to people whove been affected by lock downs into 2121, going through to march and beyond. So that gives you some sense. The government is ready if they decide they need to extend the restrictions that are currently in place. As political correspondent, simon young, on the story for us in berlin tonight. Simon, thank you. Well, finding a pandemic is difficult politically, not only here in germany, governments are struggling to balance Public Health, personal freedoms and Health Care Systems at their limit and weakened economies. To talk about all of this, im joined now by geoffrey levy, professor of Health Management and policy at George WashingtonUniversity Professor levy. Its good to have you on the program. These karuna restrictions, they are not popular anywhere. Isnt there an automatic conflict here between Public Health policies and personal freedoms . I think thats a false choice. I think, you know, people need to understand and i think our political leaders perhaps have not on the as good a job as they could have. And explaining that these restrictions, however severe they may appear to be, are necessary to keep people alive and to restore our economy. And that in the long run this will benefit everyone in society. I think the particular challenge that we face in the United States is that even the animal restrictions like requirements to wear masks in public, have become so politicized. And therefore polarizing that its almost a political statement in some parts of the country. If you are wearing a mask, but we know we can return people to closer to normal lives if we adopt some of these restrictions. And i also think that now that we have axes truly on the horizon, recognizing that this is for a short period of time will make a big difference. Well, across the globe used to have groups of people who simply do not believe that the virus exists and they dont believe it in its dangers. And how do you approach these people . Well, i think thats a big challenge. I think, to some degree, weve been hurt by the politicization of this by Many Political leaders across the world. But i think it also comes at a time where there is so much distrust of expertise, so much distrust of science and so much distrust of government officials that this can be hard to overcome. Im not sure in the context of this crisis alone, we can do that though. What i do know is that certainly in the United States, as we see higher and higher rates of infection, as we see more and more people getting sick and dying, some of that skepticism about the nature of this disease goes away. Its a tragic way to overcome that attitude. But thats the reality. There is very good news. This week weve got 2 promising vaccines, pfizer in biotech saying today that theyre going to ask for a merge and see approval by the f. D. A. In the u. S. Thats all good news. Are you concerned though that once that 1st vaccination is given and that becomes a news story . Are you concerned then that people will just drop any attempt at social distancing and wearing face masks the things we have now to prevent infections . I think that is a very legitimate concern. I think people, but i also think the opposite mails to be true that we can tell people, hold on, hang on until you get that vaccine because its for a limited period of time. We do have some real challenges about making sure that we can produce enough vaccine thats going to take time, making sure it is equitably distributed within countries and across the world. But ultimately, this does shorten the time horizon. All right, professor jeffrey levy, professor of Health Management and policy at George Washington university. Reza live. We appreciate your time and your insights tonight. Thank you and stay healthy. Thank you. You do the same. Thank you our, lets take a look now at some of the other developments in the pandemic, the United States has reported its highest daily coronavirus related death toll since may. The u. S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the 1st covert 19 home testing kit. It provides results, positive or negative within 30 minutes, South Australia has imposed a 6 day lockdown after a sudden outbreak ended. What had been a long period with no new infections. And japan has seen its biggest rise in new delhi cases as preparations begin for next summers Olympic Games for india. Where the capital delhi is considering plans to reintroduce some walk down measures following festive gatherings and a drop in temperatures. The nation as a whole is bracing for a spike in new infections, but residents in delhi have already seen the numbers go up. W. Meets those on the frontline of the citys battle with code 19 the day is just beginning, but he knows if it be a long one. He counted 15 bodies in the morning when he left the morgue at delhis Largest School with 1000 hospital, where he will, he will spend all of the, at this chemical area. He helped commit the body sifi and ensure that people suffering the shock of losing a Family Member to the could. One of my it is have to up a protective dia as they see their last goodbyes for the last week. Has been bringing in twice the number of bodies that are dead. He is experiencing its 3rd spike in over 1000 cases, but close 200 deaths every day was assigned to the mortuary. Often many vocals befall him quit although vary by the number of corpses coming in. I had to step over bodies to sort through the names of the victims. I had to summon all my courage. Of course i was scared. Ive never seen anything like it in my life. Ive never seen so many bodies still, he soldiers on. He says someone has to here at the local, delis largest go, dont know why this facility. The spike is evident. The severity of the cases has also risen. As many more see admission. While this hospital still has a high number of designated coronavirus beds available, they only have a handful of free ventilators and intensive care units or i. C. U. Beds left. This after i. C. U. Beds at this facility alone have been for drupal during the pandemic. Authorities here are confident that things are under control, but they are also bracing for more cases. More and more people are coming home. So we hope this is because of the number of people who was there and social gathering. The authorities are now mapping out ways to prevent the Health Care System from being over the end, with daily gases in delhi, crossing the 8000. 00 mark. The National Government has now stepped in part these plans to significantly than pop the thing. Increase the number of i. C. U. Bed and also deploy Emergency Health care office. Elsewhere to delhi still the morgue and the board of stokley, distant worlds, crowds continue to try on the market. Just didnt think really for the restrictions is unnecessary because you is no need to worry cases are going up. So keep rising even during a shutdown. People go out anyway, you want to make a difference. Its not so would be interesting to eat. And right now, if you take some precautions, so it becomes easy for them. Back at the crematorium strongly disagrees. His is the kind of book that makes him vince when he sees the markets overflowing. And together on the street, memories of the dont dont maybe feeding for goes out and about but is still afraid to come close to his cheese young daughters and his aging mother. But hes not giving up. Lock down 15 is not an option. Its only that the pandemic ends that are jewish, and julie go home the pandemic in india. Lets take a look now at some of the other stories that are making headlines around the world. Thousands have been marching through central warsaw, protesting moves to tighten polands abortion law. Its the latest in a series of adminstrations. Last month, a court handed down a ruling that would impose a near total ban on abortions. That ruling has yet to go into effect. Thousands of antigovernment protesters gathered in the thai capital bangkok as lawmakers rejected their demands for sweeping changes to the constitution. Demonstrators want the Prime Minister just step down and they want curbs on the power of the monarchy. Chaotic protests a day earlier, left, more than 50 people injured. U. S. Secretary of state mike pompeo is holding talks in jerusalem. Hes meeting with the israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu. And with bahrains foreign minister ability for jani, the 2 countries have agreed to normalize their relations under a u. S. Backed deal. Well, with just 2 months left in office, u. S. President has called International Law by ordering a sharp reduction in american troop numbers in afghanistan and iraq. By mid january numbers will be cut to 2 and a half 1000 u. S. Soldiers in each country. As trump looks to make good on his Campaign Promise to end what he calls americas endless wars. But hes facing opposition, especially from nato allies. Soon there will be fewer u. S. Soldiers on the streets of kabul, as the pentagon prepares to reduce its presence in afghanistan even further. American soldiers have been deployed here since 2001, helping stabilize the country after overthrowing taliban rule. But suffering of a 2000 deaths of a time, the numbers of wind now outgoing President Donald Trump wants to reduce them to a skeleton force thats raising fears among afghans over the future security of that country. In my opinion, the withdrawal of foreign troops from afghanistan will cause the taliban to escalate their violence across the country. And it will also cause women to suffer more than one way as a goal. When u. S. Forces withdraw from afghanistan, Creative Power vacuum and the taliban will escalate the violence to seize more political power in afghanistan. And that as u. S. Troop numbers have fallen, extremists have gained in strength. This attack on Kabul University earlier this month killed 22 people. It was claimed by the socalled islamic state, which is emerged as a rival to the taliban. The taliban themselves have stepped up their attacks on Security Forces and civilians violating an agreement that foresaw the withdrawal of all u. S. Soldiers by may next year. Speaking in the afghan parliament, after the news of the drawdown broke the acting Afghan Defense minister played down the move. I wonder how much my own eyes dont talk about 1st of all. I dont have a sense that anyone is leaving. It could only, they might be ups and downs and numbers, but we are not worried about it. We have ready to defend afghanistan independently of him, but the point was that colonial understand, but many World Leaders are concerned. Nato chief u. N. Stoltenberg has warned of a potentially very high price for a premature pullout. And germanys foreign minister heiko mass cautioned against creating problems. For the peace talks with the taliban. Its specially important to us that the progress weve achieved so far isnt thrown into jeopardy by hasty actions. Thats why were particularly concerned about the u. S. Announcement could mean for the continuation of peace talks in afghanistan. In iraq, the u. S. Military presence was greatly reduced after the defeat of isis in 2017. This is increased the sway of neighboring iran and militia groups aligned with to hahn as u. S. Soldiers head home. They could risk leaving the field to americas enemies. All right, so what is the impact of this move on nato to talk about that, i want to bring in historian and former nato staffer, mr. Clouds, that mr. Bittman is good to have you on the show. Let me ask you, why is nato so worried about a reduction in u. S. Troops in afghanistan . I mean, what will nato have to do if there are fewer u. S. Troops there . Let me stop by saying something basic. I think that these announcement by the still u. S. President , irresponsible he seems to want to keep pot leaving, taught us behind him and to fulfill promises to his bow ties without regards to losses is just not acceptable for nato. It was the a problem. The outset that we would go into afghanistan to get them and that we really need to get in and in close consultation. And that is why our instance defines terry was against it, but that therefore he was sent away and puppets were installed in the m. O. D. E. To know stuff to reduce costs this as stone, dingly foolish. Even the republican majority, leader in the senate says its against american interests and you quoted secretary thats right. Let me just ask you, was, was there next consultation . Was there no consultation between the United States and nato, about this decision to withdraw u. S. Troops to my knowledge, to my knowledge, not at all. And there were sufficient warnings seen in fall most discussions. And some of it you sent already. It will str