ah ah ah this is the w news life from berlin a big 1st day for germany in your defense minister. i was after being sworn in bonus for story that meets with us defense secretary lloyd austin, topping the agenda, german battle thanks for you. christ. also on the program, more than a 1000000 french workers strike against president michael's plan to raise the retirement age. and i'm leaving because with such

a privilege role comes responsibility. the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead. and also, when you are not using the prime minister jacenta shops, the country by quitting nearly a year before her term is due to act, the billions of people are expected to criss crossed china as they make their way home for sundays lunar new year celebrations. but a surgeon cove 19 infections is casting a shadow over a normally festive season. ah, i'm fil gail. welcome to the program. germany's new defense minister boris chris doria says, hosted his u. s counterpart lloyd austin here in berlin for talks on ukraine. reason comes

ahead of nato consultations on friday at which countries are expected to make critical decisions about further military aid to cave. germany's facing mounting pressure to allow allies to send german made tanks to ukraine a busy 1st day in office. shortly after getting his certificate of appointment, forrest historian met his yes counterpart, lloyd austin. both of them signaled their unified stance. i'd like to thank the german government for all that it is going to strengthen ukraine, softer french, and your contributions of security of systems from training for new crimes to friend bruce herbert and valuable these off to negotiate. so often in history, fight the federal republic of germany and the united states of america in augusta and side by side in their pro ciocca. but also on the concrete issues i walk in and be at the infantry fighting vehicle. it says that the patriot air defense system here or the multiple rocket launchers but for many in germany and further afield,

one thing is missing battle tanks for ukraine. something that beneath the show of unity is turning into a growing dilemma for both countries. according to media reports, germany would allow german made leopard tanks to be sent to ukraine. if the u. s. agrees to send its own while there is still division within the german government on that matter. yes, officials have insisted that washington has no plans to send us may tanks to ukraine for now. expectations are growing ahead of friday's meeting of the ukraine defense contact group session had ramps then abbeys in cell than germany. a meeting where the 2 countries might be able to settle the tank debate, at least for now. now our political correspondent benjamin elvira's gruber was all all over those talks at welcome ben, a boisterous doris was just wanted just this morning. how ready was he for this meeting? so was definitely pretty quick. he met the german president who also told him,

you need to get started right away. then he had a phone call with his french counterpart and then the meeting that we just saw in the report there with the us secretary of defense, lloyd austin. but that's something that the german chancellor also stressed when he announced who would be his new cabinet member saying that his interior minister of lowest sex. and he also dealt for many years with topics of security. and this is way, way also appointed him to this critical, critical position in times of war. ok, so germany taking a lot of heat from its allies at the moment for blocking the supply of these german made a leopard tanks to ukraine. what we're hearing is germany will drop its objections only if the u. s. and those tags in 1st sense it's tanks. in 1st, we presume that this was on the table today. we presume that it was on the table to day and that it also will be on the table tomorrow on friday with this important meeting. and if i'm sen, abas and self and germany,

and that's something that was already mentioned in a press release by the us department of defense saying 10 countries in counting. we'll have a meeting on the sideline off the counter group meeting focus, particularly on the issue of getting left tongues to ukraine. that's always a difficult topic for the german chancellor. he was press specifically on this tanks also a few days ago. the war that couldn't make forum in both way said that's important . germany has sent several heavy weapons already mentioned as several of them, but he has not on said yet if germany also wants to send these tanks. we have this media report there were also mentioned in the piece of germany would wait for the us to send the ap rams talk tanks and then germany would continue to send to this liberal talks to ukraine. so there will definitely be take center stage at this meeting of the ukraine defense group in the i'm stand where they will talk about the arms deliveries and very important. and what ukraine brit ukrainian president

followed him as lens. he has been asking for repeatedly to send the main battle tank to sent a battle tanks to ukraine as quickly as possible. i have been benjamin virus and grover, political correspondent. okay, says it needs modern equipment, like those leopard, 2 tanks in order to break through the russian front lines, ukrainian tank unit, se they'll be able to quickly integrate the new technology on the battlefield. a ukrainian base in the hockey region. the area has been under russian fire again since the weekend of tatiana high to moscow and her medical team are looking after this tank brigade. the men have been stationed here for weeks or more is supposed to come, of course. so i was good, isn't that these are russian project childs nearly every day and night. they fire at my colleagues and our ambulances at the moment,

we only have 2 of these vehicles, at least this ones survived. shana hi to moscow inspects the vehicle they use as an ambulance. that has to hold out a while longer. there's no money to replace it. that worries her, they're more and more bullet holes. mission a professional necessary to much. these are all old cars that volunteers donated to us citizen official and that if they buy up cheap old cars, then they bring them here and give them to us fidel osha thumbs. well, yeah, we then were pad them all the time at a month to month or so because they keep breaking down. no. am i supposed to push gina? it's not just the makeshift ambulances, a tank officer, michael, a tempo is worried about the condition of his own vehicles used to live. this was the mono we're fighting here with old tanks from the soviet union. listen, i'm spot with the same tanks. the russians have often, with the quote, have an advantage to break through the russian front lines,

or we need more modern main battle tanks like the leopard to ignition of the chain loosely. so far his unit has been using old soviet t 72 battle tanks from the early 19 seventies. the tanks have seen a lot of use and some of them are badly damaged. hence the push to get leopard two's as soon as possible on so i them to go was lou there. i'm sure our soldiers will master the modern technology. what is that soldiers who have bad experience with a t 72, you will learn to master the leopard. very quickly. withdraw told to do much ripka enough to see what the, you know, you, my little part. the soldiers here are waiting for russia to mount another major offensive doctor high to moscow is going to stay here, though she could earn much more money and keith dominy situation, i'm exhausted tired all the time. i'd like to go to my little daughter who's

waiting for me at home, but i know that the soldiers here need me more. even when i'm gone for a short time, i worry about how the men are doing denisha. then on at this phase hopes that the new modern tanks will arrive soon on marina made on as the defense on the list of the war studies department at kings college london. we asked her why ukraine is so desperate for his tax. while ukraine hasn't got any tanks or many hanks laughed and whatever it was using, those were old soviet hangs and obviously to gain a competitive edge, especially in light of the fact that the russians have billed ash along the hands along the front line. ukraine is in desperate need for tanks, and as a matter of fact, they are asking for some 2 to 300 tanks, which is a significant number. but this number indeed, makes sense because sake would be integrated to conduct defensive,

as well as offensive combined arms operations. as defense on lr marina might on now regardless of asset u. s. germany and passed over heavy tanks, 11 european that nato members have announced a new package of military support from ukraine, meeting of defense ministers in estonia, which included a britain pole in the netherlands. and the baltic states agreed that they would send a heavy artillery air defense, ammunition, and infantry fighting vehicles. poland, that it is prepared to send the squadron of it's german, made leopard to tanks, even though berlin has not given its approval. that i will take a look at some more storms making headlines around the world. the e u has condemned to russian foreign minister, so gay, love rav for michael in western policy over you crate to the holocaust. with the love rob said the west was thinking what he called a final solution of the russian question. in reference to the nancy genocide of

europe's jews, you foreign policy chief, joseph burrell, said the statement was entirely misplaced to you after alec baldwin is to be charged with involuntary manslaughter over an accidental shooting. in october 2021 cinematographer alina hutchins was killed when a revolver, mr. but mr. bolton was rehearsing with. fired alive round. the actor had denied responsibility for the death thing that he'd been told. the gun was safe to use. the swedish climate active is greater, thornburg has accused global fossil energy. firms are fueling the destruction of the planet. she was speaking of the world economic forum and divorce. she presented a letter that she, another activists had written to energy companies demanding they stopped the exploitation of fossil fuel reserves now to peru and the capital lima is bracing for more mass protests in support of the ousted president petro castillo. gordon,

10000 police officers have been deployed ahead of the rally as demonstrators from across the country of port into the city. protest began last month after president castillo was impeach, following a failed attempt to dissolve congress. more than 50 people have been killed in clashes of police in the southern and his regions. since that when get more from our correspondent nicole re sousa in lima, the peruvian capital o. welcome nichol, what's go? 4000. the escalations and many of them now are getting on the way to the protest here and lima. and it's the quite 10 situation that is police everywhere on the streets. you just mentioned that it's over 10000 police officers. they right here in the capital to make sure that the protests are safe and secure. and there's also lots of, lots of people were very motivated to raise their voice to ask for the resignation of the novel out of their current president. and to also condemn or the violence

that has happened over the past few years past for you a few weeks. they have been at the moment more than 50 or people who have been killed in connection to these protests. and many here are condemning this and it makes them even more worried and angry as well. and talk us through what these protesters won't become. i'm standing here at a campsite and there, there have been roughly 1000 protesters coming here. it's a university site just right behind me at the entrance. and there's a lot of posters are saying that the novel laughter is a murderer. and that they will raise their voices for those who have been killed in connection to the protest. and we also took a look inside on the premises and here's what the people have to say to us. get him on saturday morning. so we want dinner. we wanted to resign, and the conquest to be restructured and that i found them. we want a new constitution so that the country can find its way back to peace. i suppose if

you get, ah, you must. well, there is no poverty law. must me feel more abandoned, not that there is nothing golf here. no history is waiting for us. why not? that's why we came here today to fight her. hello charlie. oh no. it's almost where no tower is more along the way we go. now they say we are terrorist, but that's not the truth. that's not how should be where now, asking dean, it will go out there to step down the coal authorities. there must be quite concerned about the potential for violence. the potential violence is given us, but from both sides i would say just yesterday and also to day um it was confirmed as there's 2 more a death in connection with the protests. one person was a shot in the head, the other one in the rest. and they died and that's why the tensions here are also very felt and, and there is a lot of police but on one side that violence also can come from the police. there's also on the other side of, on some, some protesters who are more prone to be more violent during these protests and

where things could get tense. so this is a long time going already for a few weeks, but this is not over now. this protest is gonna start in a few hours and then we will see are the, the scale of it really also the scale of the violence today. thank you for that. so nicole reese in lima now to france, where more than a 1000000 people have joined strikes and protests over pension reforms proposed by president emmanuel macro. most public transport isn't running while many schools are closed. in a ratio of unity, all french trade unions have joined the strikes are present, macro was to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. a. see as people with a clear message for president macro, hands off our pensions. the huge crowds here in paris and across france, a reflection of the deep unpopularity of the proposed reforms. according to

a poll this week, 68 percent of the public are opposed. every french trade union has come out united against them. many critics say hiking the retirement age would hit manual workers, hardest gene cut. it. people won't work 2 more years because most of them, especially those with strenuous jobs, shift workers, night shift jobs, jobs in the production sector, clean israel, i workers can't work 2 more years. or if they do, there were tie a broken. that is what a stake. it's a social issues that you want to retire. seiko even die before you get that. what you want to enjoy life now was gullet movie did lady. but mc, crawl, insist through forms, are essential. it could seem, if we want to be fair between the generations and save our pay as you go system, we must carry out this reform in countries that are living longer and longer,

where we have crated strong and fast systems based on equality between the generations. at a time when you have fewer and fewer working people, it was, and more and more pension, as likely, if you want the pact between the generations to be fair, you have to carry out this reform, this at the phone. but with french companies posting, record profits, processes say there are other ways the pension system could be funded. the government hasn't yet introduced the reforms in parliament. but trade unions warned that if it doesn't abandon them, this wave of opposition will be just the beginning. straight to a paris and we can join that jo, mr. john laurence, and welcome joan. a. how is the debate it? it's been a big day for strikes and demonstrations in france today. now, most of the demonstrators have gone home, leading a few members of what they call the black blocks the far left and kissed militants . if they call to throw stones in the police for about 20 rest in paris,

some more around the country, the c g t union, one of the biggest unions involved today says 2000000 people were out there demonstrating today. 400000 of them in paris. the actual figure is probably rather lower than that, but even the employment minister has conceded that the mobilization today has been very big on the strike front. the education minister says a 42 percent of school teachers didn't turn up to work today. it was the same for just under half of the work is in the state electricity company and around a 3rd of a public set to work as a rule, we're on strike. so we have a several dozen schools which i didn't open it, 'til and a lot of trying to cancel. now this isn't the 1st or wife or for public sector strikes the head, france in the last few years. how significant to the latest well, i would say this is probably the biggest test of the strength so far for an annual

maximum. and the trade unions are, i'm particularly an unusually united against this pension reform. in the past, the pensions issue has been one that is brought down, governments know to be the government object. she writes their problems to and as you pay, which fell after strikes, paranoid, the country to the 3 weeks, and that's a pension for my food or thrown in the to bell in parliament. i'm. although back from my friends, policy has a supposed to be conservative. the socialists and bruce of extreme left very strong in parliament. these 3 right also quite strong in parliament now or against this even if he can get his bill through parliament. how things are really decided on this issue in france. it's about how hard the strike spite. can the unions bring

the economy to a whole to the way that they did in 1995. and what will public opinion do we heard in your piece? just now? 68 percent of the public at the moment, against the reform for quite a high number, isn't it? and so that doesn't look so good for macro, but perhaps as strike goes on, maybe people get fed up with a disruption at rally too. and that's what maximum spanking one in any case. so just a quick word on where the french are on this issue because as i recall, a president macro was elected the 1st time promising to do exactly this. i'm very well, i don't strike that time. they went out and strike in 2019 and now they're out on strike again. is anyone proposing an alternative? yes they are. i mean, michael saying things are very urgent. he says,

the page you go system that so the france has where by people currently work or paying the pensions of those who are retired. he says, we're on the brink with a system. if we don't do something quite radical, then it's going to be bankrupt. this year and stay in deficit for next year for the civil future 25 years and is, is what some economists to sash. but there are alternatives out there. an economist close to us only mental show the far left leader. and he's saying that, well, what you need to do is just get people to pay it and get employees to pay it more a little bit. but above all, get the employ use, try more into the system and that will, that will learn that that was all things out. but, you know, for us already has extremely high tax on employment. so that's a tricky solution. that is, well, we'll see how it unfolds. thank you for explaining us. are clearly john john

morrison and paris new zealand prime minister just in the are done her shock, the country with the announcement, the g stepping down early. she led her labor party to a landslide, re election victory 2 years ago. but now says february, the 7th will be her last day on the job. just in the arden led newland through the pandemic terrorist attack and natural disasters. she now says she is ready to pass on the baton inside the day. i am not seeing that i will not be seeking really and in my tennis prime minister will conclude no later than the stephen of he bri. i know what this job takes and i know that i no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. it's that simple.

island became the world's youngest female head of government. when she was elected in 2017, at the age of 27, she quickly gained global recognition for her brand of liberal and inclusive politics. the following year, she had a baby becoming the 2nd elected leader in history to give birth while in office. how compassionate response to the mar shooting at christ church mosque in 20. 191. her widespread pres. we a nuisance. parliament voted to change the nation's gun laws less than a month later. voice wisely. 4464, and a government's go hard. go. early approach should the pandemic is bodily. what got her a 2nd home in 2020 newsline whitley chart, bordeaux's and imposed

a prolong lockdown to stop the spread of the virus. but bold suggest her popularity has waned in reason. once a plan departure has come as a surprise not only to those who supporter but also those who don't i think she was an excellent leader. and i'm devastated that she skinny, she's resigning. now. it was time for her to go in and no one in the right. mine would have been voted for her. so like, i was never surprised. i actually, i was a bit shock, chose shop, but she for him to tell a little, you know, i kind of thought that she was gonna be in it for the long haul. it was, it was a shock. it is a shame to see her and effectively the like pick go up, but i guess nobody's a replaceable arden says she has no plans yet for the future. other than spending more time with her family. well,

the lunar new year gets under way on sunday. i am in china, it's a holiday with an even more special meaning issue. as 1st i'm chinese citizens will be allowed to travel. since the pandemic broke out, i transport authority say billions of trips will be made during the holiday season, and not sparking concerns about the spread of corona virus from cities to rural areas. that travel rush on a scale not seen in years lunar new year in china, march the world's largest annual migration by land, air and water. travelers are relishing a life after lockdown. we got to see i'm going home and i feel so happy. so excited recently that this has been my 1st time going home in the past 3 years. the url when i get to my home town, well, i'll surely do a p c r test just to protect myself. otherwise, i will know if i'm infected. china abruptly ended it 0 covert policy in december

after imposing some of the world strictest. pandemic measures residents of big cities are now reuniting with relatives in the countryside. that has china's president jean pink concerned says state devi medical resources. there are spread thin in a video holiday message g paid tribute to china's health care workers on that long im on your trade for that is reaching our this wave of the epidemic m came fast either and fierce grandfather. all the medical workers have been working on epidemic prevention and control and while providing daily medical care at the same time for dr. chunky j all you have been working long our household clean so hard work, putting it over time or the emission all for the sake of protecting the lives and health of the people. you've made great contributions here. i thank you for your efforts by that same color but time of caution and joy for travelers. this

lunar new year had set you up to date. i'll have more at the top of the hour next here on d, w a to the point. the panel today discussing water, criminal infighting, means for the brushes, war of aggression. and you could have good decked with

who to the point. strong opinions, clear positions, international perspectives. a sake of of military ross voiced her breasts and rushes, bore efforts, mounting failures and a new talk commander in ukraine have hinted at a possible new offensive join us on this edition of to the point. kremlin power struggle. what infighting means for prudence. war of aggression to the point with

d w. thank it's ah a land of contrast of ambitions of equality 75 years ago, mahatma gandhi peacefully led the country to independence. provide deals with what has remained of his vision with what's the status of human rights and social justice in what's called the world's largest democracy with

is the moment to unleash on violet bass. and re imagine that these teachings or elements to us. ah, gandhi's legacy starts january 28th on b, w. a shake up of russia's military leadership, has ukraine bracing for a possible new offensive improvements war. so what to suspected rifts in the kremlin need for their future war strategies. rush as top soldier valeri, a garrison has been named the latest new commander.