Help them and manage its financial problems. The u. S. Says its pulling out additional troops from afghanistan and iraq by mid january. Thats going to leave around 2 and a half 1000 soldiers in each country just before president truong leaves office with senior figures in the military and Trumps Republican Party say its a mistake and a risky move aljazeera. As alan fischer reports from the white house, donald trump campaigned in 2016 and ending americas wars abroad. In the final days of his presidency, hes acting to cut numbers in both iraq and afghanistan. From 4500 in afghanistan, the number will drop to 2500. It will be the same number in iraq where there are currently more than 3010 or so now this is consistent with our established plans and strategic objectives supported by the american people. And does not equate to a change in u. S. Policy or objectives. In the stern is the us is longest war. Its lasted 1000 years. More than 2300. 00. Soldiers have died. Its cost more than 193000000000. 00. Earlier this year, the u. S. With the help of qatar, negotiated a deal with the Afghan Taliban to bring a permanent cease fire and remove all Foreign Forces out of the country by mean next year. In october, donald trump tweeted he wanted all u. S. Service personnel home by Christmas December 25th when hes leaving biden is something that again, in the long run is probably where we would have ended up with eventually anyway. But the timing is seen as very rash and dangerous. Donald trump has a nice troop withdrawals in the past. Famously tweeting in 2018 that he wanted all u. S. Service personnel out of syria. That announcement led in part to the resignation of then defense secretary jim mattis. The military rule, that idea then, but its clear that donald trump wants the troops out and on the timetable, hes unknowns. But the decision has brought criticism, even from his own side. President barack obama pull troops out of iraq just before the end of his time in office, ordering an agreement and a deadline set by his republican predecessor. But republicans claim that move led to the growth of eisel, a risk one senator says, trump is taking no other to extremely important here in the next couple of months. Not to have any earth shaking changes with regard to defense and foreign policy. I think, preservatives, drawdown a new there, afghanistan or iraq would be a mistake. The head of need to has warned of a quick uncoordinated withdrawal. Seeing it risks lives. But its clear donald trump wants to leave office, claiming another Campaign Promise has been delivered at the white house. Summer 14 has reaction from baghdad. The office of the Prime Minister here in iraq published a statement saying that the Prime Minister spoke to secretary of state mike pompei o over the phone and that the 2 sides continued to cooperate in the future. But that the troops were being reduced in light of the growing capabilities of Iraqi Security forces to address terrorism in the country. And of course, i saw was officially declare defeat in 2017. But the coalition has still been engaged in fighting an insurgency and trying to contain sleeper cells that remain operational in that country. But of course, its much more complicated than that. If we go back to earlier this year, there was this Parliament Vote to oust all foreign troops. And that vote came in response to the u. S. Killing of iranian general customs from him on the and other iraqi officials here in baghdad. And weve also seen a surge in rocket attacks on u. S. Interests, and it was in that context that the 2 sides renegotiated u. S. Military presence, beginning the drawdown from 1st 5000. 00 troops earlier this year to 3000. 00 troops as of september. So this additional drawdown is not that significant in light of the reductions that have already taken place. But what remains to be seen is the impact on the u. S. Led coalition here because the u. S. It provides the logistical backbone. It provides the force protection to other Coalition Countries and it may lead other coalition members, for example, from European Countries to reconsider their presence here in country. And it also may prompt a further transfer of responsibilities to the nato mission here, which has already taken on some institutional capability building. Donald trump has fired his chief of Cyber Security just days after he rejected the president s claims of electoral fraud. Chris krebs in his agency, responsible for election security. He said the poll was the most secure in american history. Trump accused him of making inaccurate statements and toms legal challenge to the Election Results to suffered another setback. Pennsylvanias Supreme Court rejected his campaigns arguments, that Republican Party observers did not get close enough to access jaring vote counting president elect joe biden is projected to help one of the states. But trump is contesting the result there and in other battleground states. Irans foreign minister says tehran is ready to fully return to its commitments under the 2050 nuclear deal. If u. S. President elect joe biden lifts sanctions 2 years ago, donald trump withdrew from the deal, calling it the worst in history. Well, lets go live to us, said big whos in teheran for us. Just took us through what has been seen. Well, fine, mr divides raef gave an interview to an iranian newspaper, and his message is both to a domestic audience and an international one. He said that the United States must return to the deal and lift those sanctions. In fact, he said it would only take president elect joe biden, 3 executive orders to revoke everything. Donald trump has done now that shows that the iranians are paying attention to whats taking place in america, and also trying to understand the political system thats after president elect. Joe biden expressed his willingness to rejoin that 2015 nuclear deal, but he had some caveats. He wants iran to return to their commitments, which iran has been reducing since donald trump removed the United States from that deal and imposed sanctions. Now this is iran, very much putting down a clear path to how they think that things can move forward. This is what she had to say. You can join one seam can be done automatically. America will implement its commitments as part of the u. N. Security council resolution. And we would feel our commitments in the j. C. This needs no negotiation or conditions and its feasible. Oh boy, did i get mr. Biden becomes president hed be capable of lifting all sanctions if he doesnt, i mean he doesnt want to get so those sanctions are very important for iran. President Hassan Rouhani has also been speaking this morning and he spoke about those sanctions. He said that the country had been under sanctions for a very long time. But the specific ones imposed by u. S. President donald trump has particularly difficult impact on iran, on its economy, especially during the covert pandemic. Now he also pointed his finger at some of his political opponents in the country saying, why are you criticizing my government when you should be criticizing the United States . Now we talk about what takes place in the United States and the 2015 nuclear deal. But also that has had an impact on the internal politics of iran. President hasnt rouhani, and the reformists have staked their pitch correct in that 2050 nuclear deal. And there are some in this country that think that hasnt worked. This is president , hasnt ronnie and divides reef trying to salvage their pitch to refute trying to salvage that deal, looking forward to the president ial elections set to take place here in iran next year in june that the reformists havent been doing well in the polls. In fact, in the parliamentary elections, they really have the most conservative parliament, the country has seen since 1989. And the hope is from president hasnt rouhani, that if the United States returns to that deal, that the reformists could do much better in that president ial election next year. Thanks very much indeed, said big on interim president has called for calm after he was sworn in. Francisco said gusty is the countrys 3rd leader in order to reach the former official of the world bank will serve until elections are held in april. Been in turmoil since congress voted president s martin discolor out of office last week, accusing him of corruption. But his replacement resigned after only 5 days on amazon says has more from lima on the challenges for the faces. Hes only going to take the government through these last few months into elections on a, on april next year and turn in the government over to a newly elected government in july. But he has many challenges ahead for these past few for the, for the next few days of work for the next few months, i think the most important is to bring back stability in the country. That has been in turmoil for the past week. He understands this very well 24 hours before having been sworn in. He already spoke in congress saying that these protests have been a call, a serious call of attention to legislators and politicians from the people. And he also understood that he had to get close to the people. He went out, he walked out and waved at protesters outside of congress. And then last night he went to hospital to visit those wounded in the protests. One very important thing, he needs to tackle the pandemic. Peru had one of the worst outbreaks in the world, and he needs to tackle the economy because of the pandemic. Millions of jobs have been lost. So he has a lot on the agenda now. And he has said, its going to be brief and its going to be hard, but they are going to be very focused, as he said, still ahead on aljazeera detained for causing a stink. Well have more on the arrests of former opposition. Politicians in hong kong. And the u. S. Drops drug charges against mexicos former defense minister. Could the move heal the rift between the 2 nations. However High Pressure dominating the weather across central and south western parts of us are keeping it reasonably quiet well as the clear skies a cold side from time to time, of course of the this time of year. But around the area of High Pressure, were drawing the winds in from the southwest, the direction opera cross the other, the british isles, pushing over towards scandinavia. So we got some mala in place here. Behind this cold front, this blue line, something of a chinese thats going to happen over the next couple of days. Ahead of that. What were looking at 13 souses in glasgow. 1516. 00 celsius for london and paris for simplicity, showers rattling 3 for much of europe. The central parts down towards the southwest, generally fine. And dry mr. Fog early on. Certainly some given a shit. So my wintry show is there across scandinavia, pushing up its rules that western side of russia must cover the top temperatures minus one celsius. So cold enough, then we got some showers down towards the southeast, was from a nearby area. Its a grace into that eastern side of the mediterranean. Theyll still be in play as we go on through thursday, but look at the change towards the northwest 5 celsius. The top temperature in glasgow as the winds go around to a northerly direction. Just 9 degrees there for london, more weather coming in. As we go on through thursday. Wet weather, i went with a push into central parts of this snow for the alps. The b. B. C. s journalism is revered around the world, but its close relationship with the British State has always placed limits on its independence. I love the 5 exist but a small things. It goes close. Phillips exposed the little known century long tussle between the b. B. C. In the u. K. Government and considers the current threats to its future if the government has it, in for the b. B. C. What it is, leave the enemies on. The movers battle for the b. B. C. , a listening post special on aljazeera to test youre watching out to sea to remind of our top stories this hour. The u. S. Has confirmed it will reduce the number of troops in afghanistan and iraq by mid january. This only both countries with a round 2500 soldiers senior officials have expressed concern about the balance. Irans foreign minister says tehran is of ready to return to its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal if president elect joe biden, rejoins the agreement and lift sanctions on the top, withdrew from the 2 years ago. Perus interim president , francisco said casti has been sworn in as the 3rd leader in more than a week. And there have been widespread protests ever since. President martin, the scouting was impeached and the state of South Australia is going into lockdown for 6 days to stop the spread of covert 1922, new cases of whats been described as a highly contagious strain of the virus have been detected. Schools of nonessential businesses will be closed and people have to stay home. The states premier has described it as a Circuit Breaker lock down to control community infections. This is about South Australia pausing so that wait, stay ahead of the virus. Our concern is that if we dont have the Circuit Breaker that we will not stay ahead of this, there is no 2nd chance to stop a 2nd wife. We are at a critical point, but we will get through this. We may be physically distanced, but South Australians have never been more united. South korea is tightening its social distancing measures after its all the highest daily rising coronavirus cases. It has been praised for its handling of the pandemic, but as winter approaches that are worries about a possible new wave, the latest restrictions are due to begin on thursday. Public right has more. South korea has been keeping the number of new infections down to around 100 per day for the past few weeks. But in recent days, its seen the number stay stubbornly above 200 per day and its now topped 300, hence these new measures. Now these numbers might not seem large compared to the spikes that were seeing in the rest of the world. But south korea, like its east asian neighbors, is determined to keep on top of this pandemic because we get into these colder winter months of the northern hemisphere. Until we can reach that all important vaccine. South korea has a 5 here social distancing system and this raises the level from one to 1. 00. It will mean slightly tighter restrictions on things like nonessential gatherings or run the numbers of people allowed into restaurants and bars. And it affects the soul metropolitan area which is home to around half the countrys population, but significant leaderboards, the kinds of lockdowns that we are seeing elsewhere throughout this pandemic, south korea has been determined to keep its economy moving. And it believes it has in place. The kind of accurate and efficient best and trace system that with a few adjustments here and there will allow it to stay on top of any new clusters or outbreaks. Certainly that could still be dark days ahead, but certainly not as dark as in other parts of the world. The head of the International Olympic committee is encouraging athletes to get vaccinated against covert 19 when possible. Tell us, but finished a 2 day visit to tokyo with the stop of the citys nationals stadium, is one of the venues for the games which have been delayed by a year because of the pandemic. 11000 athletes are expected to compete in tokyo starting in july 2021. But we really encourage that whenever they have a break, sydney should like to go through solidarity with people has weakened to a Tropical Storm as it pushes across central america. Nicaragua, as a category 4 with howling winds, big forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. This is what the of hurricane looked like from the sky, but on the ground it brought more devastation to central america. Already battered by a major hurricane 2 weeks ago. Where unleashed flooding in winter of 250 kilometers an hour before reaching honduras on tuesday he left a trail of destruction as the military struggled to bring people to safety. 40000 were evacuated from their homes in the 80000, you know not not the number but we have nowhere to go. We can only hope that god will have mercy on us by yoder made landfall just 25 kilometers from where he came here. 2 weeks ago, killing more than 120 people. This time the death toll might be considerably lower after how you know, it was downgraded to a Tropical Storm. The preliminary report, we were given deals with toppled trees, light poles, and electrical lines. Also roofs of destroyed homes and businesses. Higher order 1st, pushed over the colombian islands of san andres. Simpler monday. It is the strongest storm to hit colombian territory on record. I spoke with the mayor of providencia. He gave me information about the damage, which we were able to see from the flight up to 99 percent of our infrastructure has been damaged. Theres been an unprecedented number of storms and hurricanes this season. It is tend out to be even west and we thought it started earlier and is going to end even late. For example, continuing flooding in countries like somalia in nicaragua is going to affect the incoming harvest. And we really strain subsistence farmers and already whilst its still early days, it is quite, it is quite clear that this will extend the emergency even into, into the, into need 2021. But for now, the attention remains on the still heavy rains that could bring more flooding and deadly landslides, in the regions already saturated soil. And listen, there are 3, former prodemocracy legislators have been arrested in hong kong. But its a question theyre suspected of destructing, a legislative meeting held in june to discuss a bill which criminalizes any insult to the Chinese National anthem. Sarah clarke has the latest from hong kong the theyve been arrested for their role in a particular incident where the president said he was distressed at this particular incident. And it was during the 2nd reading of the National Anthem bill, which was very controversial at the time. All 3 have been charged with other offenses prior to wednesdays arrest. Hes been arrested previously for charges theyve been arrested in the past for a similar charge which is disrupting the lives of council process. I should say down by beijing and hong kong to try and get any dissent on november 1st and 2nd, we saw 8 politicians. They were also arrested and charged in the chamber where they were fighting each other battle to get the particular position on the committee meeting. So its a widespread clampdown by hong kong and beijing protests, and its a campaign by china to install to the motherland. So we also expect further unrest in coming of the coming months. If the o. P. s government says to groom, forces are destroying bridges in an attempt to stop the militias advance to their main city. Is the main base for the Peoples Liberation front. On tuesday, Prime Minister announced what he called a final offensive to end. The conflict in the region fighters have refused to comply with government demands to put down their weapons. Both sides are ignoring calls for mediation from the un and foreign leaders. And as the conflict goes on, more civilians fleeing around 27000. 00, people have crossed the border into sudan. Refugees who are now arriving at the peace of 4000. 00 per day. Are coming out of it. Really scared of read the stories saying that there have been fleeing heavy fighting and, and that there is not sign of the fighting to stop right now. The fear is, as the fighting continues, we could see more refugees arriving the number of 27000 or more, and that is what we have registered. It could reach 30000. 00 and beyond. The u. S. Has agreed to drop drug charges against mexicos former defense minister salvador send for those was arrested in los angeles last month. Its now up to mexico to investigate and possibly prosecute him. John heilemann reports from mexico city. 2 it was a bombshell precedented when the former head of the mets knaan forces, general salvador simply goes, was arrested by u. S. Authorities in los angeles airport. Again as they saw everything. But now theres been a bigger shock. In extremely unusual u. Turn, the u. S. Has decided not to prosecute him and to send him back to his homeland. See him for a cause was accused of trafficking drugs to the u. S. And protecting a cartel from mexican and u. S. Law enforcement, prosecutors said one of his nicknames was the reno the godfather. The mets can foreign minister muscly were brought. Welcome the move to return him. Significant its a decision that we look at kindly and we think is positive. We dont see this as part of the road to impunity. But as an act of respect towards mexico and its armed forces, he said to see him for eagles will now be investigated in mexico, incorporating the u. S. Evidence. But he didnt say hed be put on trial. Maya said i in the uk for president under his man will open the door. This is a question of sovereignty. He sees dealing with c. M. For eagles. As his administrations perrotta tive the decision to get their former chief, but will also help strengthen the president s relationship with the military who has come to rely on for policing and infrastructure projects. The move was announced in a joint statement from the us mexican attorney generals that talked about the strong Law Enforcement partnership between the countries and the united front. Those words, when suv an important bilateral relationship, but they raise questions too. If there is such trust in the relationship, why didnt the u. S. Authorities tell them . Its come ones about the investigation in the 14 months that they were conducting it. And whats going to happen now when the general returns to a country with rampant impunity . John home and al jazeera mexico city. 6 months after suspending all contact with israel, the Palestinian Authority now says it will resume coordination. The decision comes ahead of us secretary of state mike compares planned visit to an israeli settlement in the occupied west bank on wednesday. The p. A. Suspended ties back in may in response to israeli plans to an expanse of the occupied west bank. We will raise your contacts with those ladies on Financial Issues on Health Issues on what are they going to issues on anything that israel is ready for. The most important thing is that now israel is saying that they are ready to commit themselves to the side negatives. What does this really mean . It means that according to the gun, it means helen. It means financial and it means, or other issues. Argentina wants its super rich to help support families whove been hit hard by the coronavirus punk demick. Its congress has begun debating a bill to impose a wealth tax to raise billions of dollars. There is a book reports and has more from one of argentinas tax by and how it should be sliced and made. An economic crisis has become food for lively discussion. And when a site is and now for the 1st time deputies are set to debate imposing a wealth tax on arjun times who have over 2000000. 00 in assets. On tuesday, thousands took to the streets outside congress to show support for the new tax and the government of the farm. And this, it was as if we are seeing a very delicate situation in argentina with people struggling to find food, people who have lost their jobs. So i pose in a tax on wealth as necessary from the tax under discussion would amount to 2 percent for individuals with assets worth more than 2500000. 00 and scale up to us much as 525. 00 for all trial wealthy Citizens Holding their fortunes outside the country. Argentina is desperate for funds as a coronavirus than demick has had a devastating impact in the economy. Poverty rates are close to 50 percent, but commercial chambres in the country warning that a wealth tax in this context could have an impact on potential investors who already see the country as a negative for business. Several nationals are fleeing the south american nation, claiming that doing business in argentina is complicated and unprofitable volatile politics, price and currency controls and state interventionism are part of doing business. , here the law is being debated as argentina begins discussing with the i. M. F. , how to pay over 40000000000. 00 in debt. That says, the opposition will vote against the people this kind of taxes pro recessional. Its not a tax that will promote investment. On the contrary, the problem is how this tax is being discussed and the public protests by the government that generates a climate against business. There was no discussion. The only intention is to show that they are champions of the poor when they are getting into the austerity measures demanded by the i. M. F. Us. But president of the for member said the new tax is meant to aid public coffers to cope with a pandemic. We are living in terms with solidarity years to be the role in congress. We see the debate on wealth tax. What is being debated is whether those who have more can express in terms of him agency in solidarity with the rest of the country. These are difficult times for argentina, years of recession and inflation, and the impact of the pandemic have left millions in need finding balance between providing aid and stabilizing the economy is seen as crucial to help the country leave its economic troubles behind. That is how when a scientist this is all to say with these of the top stories, the u. S. Has confirmed it will reduce the number of troops in afghanistan and iraq. By mid january, the city of both countries with around 2500 soldiers. Senior officials have expressed concerns about the plans and donald trump has fired his chief of Cyber Security just days after we rejected the president s claims of electoral fraud because crabs and his agency were responsive