the headlines this hour families in this city sued the government for its perceived mishandling of the pandemic as they grieve relatives loss to the coronavirus we speak to their lawyer. and that my clients were not informed about the presence of a dangerous and highly contagious virus in italy your heart told off until march but it was little more than a treatable infraction people aged over 60 can get these get vaccinated with russia . as the country's health ministry approved its use for elderly people and america's top infectious disease expert she admits to deliberately misleading the public about 19 herd immunity in order to get more people to take the vaccine russia's long awaited 5th generation far into service we take

a closer look at the sukhoi s u 50 said. its problems in the cells of our days especially internal prevalence plays makes a significant doesn't hold your brains out it appears it can still read our. fellow good afternoon you're watching r.t. international it's 5 o'clock in moscow now in italy relatives of covert 19 victims have filed a criminal negligence lawsuit over the government's handling of the pandemic the bereaved families demanding answers from the country's prime minister health minister and president of the badly hit long but the region one of the lawyers told us more about the case. you know that my clients were not informed about the presence of a dangerous and highly contagious virus in italy we were told off until march but it was little more than a true. fashion residents were told to go about their lives as normal italy was the

1st country in europe to have such a high death toll those who have joined a civil action are not only home or lumber de region you can from all over iraq. for 500 families filed the civil lawsuit against the authorities asking for 100000000 euros in compensation they do allege that italian officials didn't have an updated national pandemic plan and that they were slow to respond to the outbreak in lombardy and other regions taking too long to declare an emergency or listen we did bear the brunt of the pandemic in europe towards the start of the year the 1st kobe deaths emerged back in february with the pandemic quickly spreading then across the country then in march the government imposed a national lockdown to tackle the outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic more than 70000 people have died with over 2000000 infected in italy prime minister he said he can't say has previously denied accusations that he underestimated the

crisis however families behind the civil action do insist that the government was slow to respond. known as the bout nothing was done * to prevent the spread of the virus and then obviously we were not ready we didn't have intensive care oxygen masks prepared adequately so regardless of where this virus developed elite was not ready to face said up to now not one politician has responded to the committee or those representing victims to explain the 70000 deaths we've heard nothing from lumber to his regional government health ministry and prime minister contact or are obliged to take a position to write a deed in court and provide an explanation to all of italy's citizens. russia's putting fico the vaccine has been approved for people aged over 60 votes after trials demonstrated its effectiveness. as more details more we might be

dropping off on 2020 but still the big news stories keep coming in the russian health ministry has just announced of the efficacy of the sputnik v. vaccine against covert 19 in the age of 60 plus is 90 percent what does that mean well it means that when the time is right those citizens can take the wilds fast register job against corona virus with full confidence now the testing will not catch refinished on the 24th of december and this is what officials have to say about the findings. clinical trials have been carried out some people over the age of 60 the studies of confirmed safety and effectiveness the ministry of health has approved amendments to his medical guidance people over the age of 60 can also get vaccinated now. now this is an important development because until now we'd only know the results from trials on people aged between 18 and 60 this fresh announcement shows that for people over the age of 60 the protection that the

vaccine provides is just as convincing as for the younger population now it also reiterate the findings of the phase 3 trials which is that immunity only increases over time so on the fast day of the job the efficacy is around 91 percent but that jumps right up to 95 percent on the 42nd day that's as the antibodies multiply and they start doing the work properly a mass vaccination campaign was rolled out here in russia in early december at the moment it's front line workers that are leading the charge we're talking about medics law enforcement transport workers teachers it's thought that around $200000.00 people so far have been inoculated in russia at the start of next year it said probably in february the general population will get its chance and now of course we've been told people over the age of 60 will be able to be part of that if they want to apart from of course truly changing the lives of those people over the age of 60 who being or not risk category have spent the best part of this year at

home in isolation really this news comes at a crucial moment in russia's fight with covert 19 today the country passed the grim milestone of $3000000.00 total cases this week proved to be one of the most fatal on record since the start of the pandemic with daily deaths between 5 and 700 daily new cases averaging 28000 so this latest development really inspiring hope and of course confidence at a decisive moment in the crisis with covert and subsidy for those who have been watching so tirelessly on the sputnik the job over the last 9 months also a sign the sputnik the is living up to its name the we found out only recently often. much speculation being the factory. now the united states' top infectious disease expert has found himself in an awkward spot after dr anthony found he

admitted to the new york times that he notes the numbers on herd immunity upwards to bolster public support for covert faxing. the estimate is that you'll need about 70 percent maybe 75 percent of the people in the country vaccinating to get their own breland herd immunity let's say we get 70 by percent 80 example of population backs and we may actually arab or not herd immunity protecting our society where you can make an extrapolation from other infections i see between 75 and 8085 percent of the population when you were surveyed said 60 percent or more would take it i thought i can nudge this up a bit so i went to 8085 we really don't know what the real number is i think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90 percent but i'm not going to say 90 percent. in the new york times once again admitted to misleading the public yesterday this is not science so we are not smart

enough to think for ourselves says elects a bureaucrat. well a 2 year old talked to fact she's the long time director of the national institute of allergy and infectious diseases throughout the summer he was a permanent fixture to the white house coronavirus briefings and is a leading figure in the fight against the pandemic early this week thanks to became one of the 1st high profile figures to me to receive them and to have been faxing although his core advice has had a tendency to move around a little bit over the past over the past year right now people should not be what there's no reason to be walking around with a mask the fundamentals are not rocket science it's universal wearing of masks an issue in that is to make sure you do whatever you can to safeguard the safety and the health of the children as well as the teachers close the bars and keep the

schools open and the founding editor of the online news site this can't be happening to say that the best thing to do is for the authorities to be straight with people well that's not the way to deal with that with a. pandemic and none of them have been it done a good job of that you've got to trust people telling the truth say you know this is a crisis we're not sure how to handle it but this is what we think is the best way to do it that would be the honest way to do it and then people would have more confidence in you. you know when you tell him to do stuff i'm not sure i would go with lying i would go with that you know he made a bad he made a bad decision to not level with people with what they knew for me the best thing to do would be to tell people what you know and be straightforward with them and then change it if you find out something different later. now from trying to garner support in the u.s. to causing yet more public skepticism a doctor in boston has reportedly suffered a severe allergic reaction after taking the return

a coded 19 vaccine 6 to say similar cases are being investigated too after shots of the pfizer japp were dr hussein said the desired day who has an allergy to shellfish said side effects included his heart rate doubling dizziness and plummeting blood pressure he used his epi pen luckily missed sent to an emergency room at the hospital where he took the job he has since been released he is ok with has told c.n.n. that the company is investigating the incident but let's get more on this now from william schaffner of preventative medicine professor vanderbilt university and we appreciate your time this afternoon thanks for coming on what do you make of this latest incident do you think it's a very concerning one for the jap. well we've known that a rare reaction can occur after these vaccines you know we've used mostly the pfizer vaccine so that's been associated with pfizer the murder maxine is made in

a very very similar way to pfizer and so that we have a reaction a one of these severe allergic reactions with them or to back scene is something that's not surprising and rather expected when we're now giving this vaccine to millions of people no worthy anyone with a serious previous allergic reaction to report that and they will be treated specially and they are going to be watched for a half hour after they receive the vaccine fortunately this chap this physician did well as have all the other patients so far so i don't think it's a major concern but we have to contend with that going forward and the plans are in place to do this with maximum safety ok he doesn't see any reason then to stop perhaps the vaccinations that the taking place at the moment to investigate this one and he thought the you think everything should just continue as if it. yes

absolutely i think we should continue our vaccination program remember everyone will be asked whether their had a severe allergic reaction in the past this chap did and they will be treated separately they will be sure to have all the information so that they can make an informed choice and if they get the vaccine they will be watched for a full half hour that's longer than the average person will be watched for 15 minutes. just on that do you think expert advice then should be given to paypal for example i've read that some people are recommending that if you are taking this jab it's better to have it done at the hospital and stay there for 30 minutes or an hour to get the treatment you need just in case it is is that what you say. well it's not a bad idea if you have had one of these severe reactions in the past you know who you are those persons they usually carry that epinephrine depend that it be penned

with them at all times and yes i would make sure that if i were one of those people i would get the inoculation at a place where they treat me right away is there anything more that the government can do you think to try and persuade people to take care of these jabs because there's a large sort of anti vax as they call it movements i mean within that there are people that probably have had vaccines in the past but know that this particular one has been developed very quickly do you think the some and then we have a story like this on top of it but what can the government do more gee thinkers and the thing that they can do you just have to look at the data as it comes and. well the government and all of us locally who are providing the vaccine are conducting a big educational campaign we're doing that with our personnel in the medical center we're providing lot of information and many opportunities for everyone to ask questions and what we've found is as we do that people elect to get the vaccine

and so that's very gratifying good information along with reassurance and if you answer everyone's questions and that's a good thing besides you know to in the beginning we in white coats and blue scrubs the medical profession are 1st in line i think when other people see that medical people lining up to get the vaccine that will be very reassuring to them also just finally when what you say to paper they say well it we still don't know the long term impact to be of these vaccinations because they haven't been studied over the long term. that's certainly true but remember the best majority of reactions to vaccines in the history of that scenes occur within the 1st 2 months so we have hands that rich experience already and then if you really hesitant take your time step aside and keep asking questions and we hope you'll be reassured

to take the vaccine because as dr found she said we need a very high percentage of people to be vaccinated to get this so-called herd immunity 7080 plus percent that's a lot of people like a william that will leave it on that point really niceto see tonight as william schaffner he's a professor of preventative medicine and he was talking to us there from the usa thanks for coming on. thank you. now still to come this hour i'm going to celebrate her last christmas as the german chancellor. looks to think could be a success. boxing day a special. boxing day is

a holiday celebrated the day after christmas with us being the 2nd day of christmas tom. is your media a reflection of reality. in a world transformed. what will make you feel safe from. tyson lation community. are you going the right way or are you being let. go of. what is true what is great. in the world corrupted you need to descend. to join us in the depths. for a mate in the shallows. without

a now the russian military has received his 1st combat ready generation sukhoi fighter jet it has taken over 2 decades for the se 57 to go from the drawing board to the skies and into production. brings us up to speed. a unique combination of speed stealth and super maneuverability the su 5 to 7 miles who will fight who currently is the most modern russian military player saying here you see is only one it's been designs to gain superior say that meaning it's an interceptor killing going guided missiles it's also fallout being able to strike

really able to target the flying in space or sense that by other add planes of its care but there it takes out and if the topic close range dogfighter thinks so its out stuff like when you were a bit see is got that but let's give you say. the as you have to 7 is a single seat jet the duties of the copilot are now the formed by also official intelligence the plane combines the functions of an interceptor and the strike aircraft that just is being billed as a self by the banks to break down all those materials those things and shape its bombs and missiles accountings special instrumental weapons space that makes it hard to get invisible to any range that they would be using infrared eyes it's obvious that the outcome of the arrow combat primary depends on the skill of the pilot these guys the test pilots are the ones determine what to remove and what to retain in the planes in order to set limits for combat pilots they have to push their jets found beyond those limits looking over the edge and risking their lives

number 4 did so and it was clear from the little we are the link between all the departments that develop various systems equipment displays information and control field goals every new generation of aircraft turns out to be more complicated so our task is to make an aircraft easier for combat pilots the more comfortable the pilot feels the more effectively they fulfil their tasks plans that by 202876 must produce as. 57 aircraft will be in service with the russian air force. powerful the weapon the more likely it will never be used i believe it's an element of deterrence like any other weapon we're not creating things to attack but if it is required that we defend ourselves we must be able to do that adequately and respond properly to all the modern challenges of science technology and this so quite a long road ahead for the su 57 it has yet to showcase its enormous potential and no doubt it will hear more about it as it will definitely be on the razor journal

and my the aviation industry. now the german president has given his christmas address the nation and despite being a terrible year he did try to look on the bright side of the pandemic the. fellow citizens what a year has been a tiny virus took possession of our lives and our thoughts thwarted plants and shattered dreams the pandemic reminded us how vulnerable we are how fragile what we call our normal life is but we were also able to experience something else how strong we are when we look out for each other and are there for each other. language merkel is celebrated her last christmas is german chancellor as she has promised to leave her post next year and speculation is already rife about who will replace her with all of his festive take on who and what is next for. every year at this time i get to look back on and forward to what's going on in

germany in european politics with let's face it a usually pretty forced best of moti 2050 wasn't the most cheerful of years here in europe a month if you will that i've been able to get a hold of the letters to some said it was written by mrs anglo merkel from with me to germany where i'm going to. has been elected to the role of leader of the christian democratic union party this year's a bit special though it's the last festive period with the angle of merkel as german chancellor she said this step down from the top job next autumn but i'm also well aware not to use these festive wrap ups in the past to announce the retirement of a major german political figure only to have them turn over the far more important position stepping down is z. hope for their long serving outspoken leader interior minister holds the office said that he hopes to see all restrictions disappear dance-y.

i even listed the help of a very special guest to go through the content is looking to take up residence in the chancellor's office just behind me he's made a list he's checked it twice he's going to find out who's most likely going to win the nomination for the c.d.u. c.s.u. party and then according to reputable polling most likely the election next autumn not really as catchy is the original is this whoa whoa whoa thanks for having me can i just ask you one question before we start. your sound it's just the accent it's a bit more northeast england north pole and i'm pretty sure pretty sure. is a dog in a reindeer suit. well rotors are and i'd pull if i were you lose her and i wanted to remain long the nice list well quite you mention your. famous least they're

using math so how do the runners and riders of valuing to be the next german chancellor stack up at the moment it looks like whoever gets the nod for the c.d.u. c.s.u. policy they've pretty much got it so i would look tough and they were it's a good time to be a roman catholic more loyal to the book against of the country whose model of the 3 main content is for induction brackets and all the love song things voters are likely to find a role to be as well as nice let's have a look i don't know if we'll video some tight my job to say that well i've done this now.

they are the only possibilities though are they. there's also a very small 'd chance that c.g. . turned all of the decision to stand there to health minister yet. could throw his hat into the ring you should get that c.d.u. c.s.u. nomination should be sorted out early next year but current coalition partners the social democrats they aren't doing too well with polling among voters are they nor to you list the way there were it would seem at least with the voters anyway i couldn't possibly tell you what's on my actual list data protection rules you see. to keep an eye on the greaves though they have been 'd

a big gays in recent months while it may be a stretch to say they have a chance of government they may well have a big say in its makeup thanks very much for coming to talk to me it's just been busiest time of course anything coming up in the near future for you safe around of gold with these the body next month and then sometime in march supposed to go. through with the tooth fairy that's the pending a lot of back say you know call some months before that i want to wish all of the boys and girls though how well your was a very merry christmas wow well that's quite the exist all it's left for me to do is wish you all a very merry christmas from all of us here in the german capital base for all of us . he's a lefty still i mean he's written a book. about. your

older i'll just come up to half past 5 in moscow we're back again at the top here. narrator and their parents got married on their easter for the girl in the green minutes where a marriage weapon of mass communication is spreading into their blair and intense way to marry the danger threatened gender identity is represented well devices more than 12000000000 contaminated conjured fuel you don't need to worry about that to your mother mary read against alternative visionary fast you'll start to question the whole american way to expel the air i related to them and it is

where i'm going to create a period or maybe on their merits a under cover and i'm going to say about a side area where you will get exposed to arcane arctic waves gave them time and if your library was alcohol use is as brave everything to. track down where there are you can defend yourself and your reference from the weapons of mass communication. or transfer the teen girl to the enemy of things or do rare. americans love by an aunt.

this is us. fundamental part of how our political leadership and our country at large understood the bargain you get a hope and then you know rebel right as the things you don't revolt if you have a stake in the system. and think about the longer deeper history housings men in the united states not just that question of the american dream but the bigger question of who the dream is for. today the industry prefers to spend millions of you will not be to do daily conditions i will be sniffing all about making money making profits in some of the corporations international markets import export do you imagine the number of

chronic diseases in every community it is not due to new viruses own new microbes that's not true so it is due to. the city though that moment all discipline. the last supper was obviously b.s. to cuba they could only come in to see the move to the side. of the sky if the so food industry is successful it will create more jobs it will create more value added it will create more growth so i don't see why we shouldn't also fight for the interests i think industry except that we have regulation we want regulation i was industry at least we don't behave any aspinall to. chemistry has also given us fulfilment in many ways by caring teen and abundant food supply if we look at our world today there are still famines but there are

political famines are caused by political problems are not caused by an inability to grow food and if we look at infectious diseases if you were in the middle of a pandemic now with a pandemic is killing less than one percent of the people that are in facts and in past times pandemics could kill 30 to 70 percent of the people that were infected so chemistry has given us much improved quality of life in many ways and then we have to ask well with these unintended consequences that are causing species go extinct that are causing environmental injustice is how can we make things better because certainly we can handle those things better than we have.