Blastoff. China launches an unmanned spacecraft to the moon. Aiming to bring back rocks from the lunar surface must not have, although he continues on tuesday, captain has been left out of the cattle, get ready to face at camp we start this news. I have us where president elect joe biden. After weeks of delay and uncertainty is formally beginning, his transition to the white house, the head of the General Services administration has designated biden as the apparent winner of this months president ial election that clears the way for the transition to get underway. Donald trump has refused to concede defeat, or the rawest his administration to start the process, but hes promised to keep up the legal fight, insisting without evidence that the election was quote, corrupt bidens team has welcomed the move, which frees up millions of dollars for his new administration, it can now work with federal officials on a coronavirus response, as well as a National Security strategy. Now, serious particle, hay and reports from washington. This is the letter president elect. Joe biden has been waiting for giving him the federal resources he needs to begin putting his administration in place. Trump loyalists. Emily murphy had delayed for weeks, but monday in this letter, she says she decided on her own. Not the biden was going to be president , but that he can start planning in case he is us president tweeted out. He gave her permission to move forward, adding their own case strongly continues. We will keep up the good fight. But almost all of his legal cases have been quickly thrown out of court. I do think that he did have some interesting legal cases that he could have brought in a lot of these really close states in michigan and pennsylvania. But he didnt bring any of them his, his legal team resorting to these while, you know, theories of conspiracy. President trump is also losing momentum in the states on monday in michigan, the results were certified giving joe biden, that critical win. This letter means that biden can now actually plan to be president , but the most important thing is getting all the people who need to be approved to get soetoro approval to get security clearances. And there are spouses, and thats process has been stalled until now. So the fact that we now have an ability to g. S. A. To begin the process of doing all those clearances and getting all these processes, that means that the, by the ministry, hope we hit the ground running on the afternoon of january 29th. The money will flow to the biden transition team. It will enable the team to have offices to have access to the federal agencies that they will be transitioning, the biden teen into officially on january 20th. So its a significant change. It basically means donald trump and his administration recognized that joe biden was the victor in this election. This is important because since the election, every signal from u. S. President and his team has been that he won the election that hes going to continue to live in the white house. This is the 1st indication that he may be beginning to realize that he didnt. And come january 20th, he will no longer call this home to call him aljazeera or the white house. Any suggestion of trump backing down was followed up by this tweet. He said, what does the g. S. A. Being allowed to preliminary work with the dems have to do with continuing to pursue various cases on what will go down as the most corrupt election in american political history . We are moving at full speed ahead. He finished by saying, well never concede to fake ballots and dominion, which is a reference to the company which supplies vote counting machines and software. Joining us from melbourne, brendan oconnor, whos an associate professor of american politics at the United States, studies center at the university of sydney. Good to have you with us up, brendan, so president elect joe biden. Finally, given the formal go ahead to begin his transition to the white house, but President Trump isnt going to make it easy for him is he know it. The white of evidence numbers of court cases have finally led to an official acknowledgement from deep in the trumpet ministration. This isnt some only fair dont before but the worlds. d of transition, the wheels of democracy slowly churning this slowly turning to a new administration. Donald trump of course, isnt going to give a gracious concession speech. His tweets just great evidence of that lack of grace. But there. d is i think inevitability at this point that joe biden will be sworn in on the 20th of january. And hes already naming over the last few days, who will be those around him in his cabinet as President Trump still have any cards left to play . Well i think people of fear that trump would just refuse that trump would maybe try to instruct republicans of michigan and elsewhere to simply just to clear him the winner to put forward. Elector was loyal to trump. But that hasnt been occurring. Some have had dark feeds of tram calling in the military that looks less and less likely as the day sky by. And i think the sort of wearing factors of just the sheer weight of evidence. The fact that no american Major Television networks than tap Cable Networks have been on trumps side. Fox news has not been backing trumps claims of conspiracy, or at least not all of their rankings, and certainly not most of the reporters since. So. d of the game being for trump, i think its very much upon us, immobile that this transition period looked like. Will the Biden Administration hit the ground running . How will it compare to the early days of the Trump Presidency . Well, i think its in looking in some workouts, like a 3rd term of the bomber ministration, sort of an alternative government in whiting a lot of these people of fame podcasting or writing reports or going on to us talking about how negative the trump administrations impact, particularly is on alliances. Tony blinken, whos playing foreshadowed as the secretary of state is someone has a long history working with joe biden in the of ministration. A big advocate of the Atlantic Alliance the night how alliance and so a lot of safe hands. A lot of people are very much experienced in government and a lot. d of people in ny joe biden pretty well joe biden, himself just turning 78 has had a long. d experience with a number of these papal, i think it will hit the ground running. That doesnt mean that its going to make great decisions, but it is a contrast to the trumpet ministration. Who came in on january 24 years ago, under degree of chaos that hadnt transitioned well what had sacked, chris christie, who was heading up the transition the day before the election mark and flynn was announced as sick as National Security adviser, i think on the 20 of the 22nd of january, last to 23 dice. He was, you know, one of the 1st to go of a number of people who just seem to cycle in and out of the trumpet ministration, many ambassadorial appointments, not my. Where is i think the be a very contrast, the difference with biden, who won, just rely on political loyalists and democrats, but a lot of just career Public Servants will be given a jury under joe biden really gets to front of many thanks. Indeed, brendan oconnor, there from the university. Oh my pleasure. Well, joe bidens, newly unveiled National Security team of the expected cabinet. Nominees are diverse in race and gender. They include americas 1st female heads of intelligence and treasury, the 1st latino chief of homeland security. As well as several obama era officials, as we were hearing roslyn jordan, reports ahead. Of tuesdays announcement of his cabinet members, president elect joe biden spoke briefly to reporters. There just as the security by bidens team of diplomats and military leaders is familiar to washington, insiders and foreign leaders alike. Former deputy secretary of state tony blinken, nominated to be the u. S. Is top diplomat, Ambassador Linda Thomas greenfield, chosen to represent the u. S. At the United Nations and former secretary of state john kerry, back in government once more. This time as bidens point person on Climate Change beneath a photo of his granddaughter watching him sign the paris climate accords in 2015, kerry told his twitter followers the Climate Crisis demands nothing less than all hands on deck. Foreign policy experts say it will take the us years to repair the damage caused by the current president , donald trump, whose america 1st Foreign Policy shredded relations with the european union, the u. N. And nato. And wanted to be with you trumps affection for strongman leaders such as Vladimir Putin and kim jong un. Horrified both his political opponents and the u. S. As allies from a refusal to grant asylum seekers. Safe haven to deciding to abandon both the paris climate agreement and the iran nuclear deal. Experts say trumps Foreign Policy ultimately undermined the u. S. His reputation overseas. You know, i think repairing and renewing america at home is critical. If were going to be model soft power influence, countries want to work with us. The biggest challenge facing the new white house getting too comfortable. The only slight concern is that this team may convince itself that theyve got the right answer because they all sort of look at the world the same way. Theyve all been through a lot of the same experiences and theyre going to have to ask, how do we bring in fresh ideas . Some recommendations, finding ways to restart. Denuclearization talks with young, young, updating, and improving the nuclear deal with han and keeping the afghan peace talks on track. No matter how long it takes. But maybe most important, say Foreign Policy expert, reassuring the u. S. Allies that it is reliable. And then proving it from day one. Rosalynn jordan aljazeera, a former militia leader in the democratic republic of congo has been sentenced to life in prison for war crimes. Tabo and barry scheck was charged with murder, rape, sexual slavery, listing child soldiers in north kivu province. His rebel group and 2 others are accused of daily 400. 00 rapes during a series of attacks. And 2010, his trial by a special military court began 2 years ago. Not to let out the 7 colors that many eastern to see has never experienced a trial on this level. Its a historic moment chuck has been found guilty of war crimes. He is someone that no one thought they would ever see in the dark. So just for that, its a huge step forward for justice says yes, there are certain aspects of the verdict which we are not so happy with. For example, the recognition of the crimes against humanity for rape and but the fact remains that in general it is a very positive verdict and a great message for the victims that justice is being served. Thomas fessing is a senior at Congo Research with human rights watch. He joins us now live from london. Thomas could have you with us. What do you make of this verdict . Well, this verdict has sent me a major step in the fight against impunity in congo. I think this trial that shine, that this fight the many challenges the congolese judiciary was actually capable of taking on such a complex case such a high profile case and that, you know, with multiple Security Issues at stake. And that gets through. And so thats a major step counts ability in congo, and also goes to show you that you know, the work of the many survivors. An activist who took great personal risks in the pursuit of justice actually paid off. This was a good day for justice in congo. Yesterday so the victims receive justice. Ok, the guy has been sent to prison for the rest of his life. But what satisfaction do they can can they derive from that . Well, i think just the fact that you know, justice was delivered that a sentence and such a tough sentence against such a war. Hes satisfaction in itself, victims and the families who see that, you know, the crimes have been acknowledged have been recognized and that their suffering has been recognized. That, that is the 1st part of the 2nd part is obviously that now to see that the reparations, that the courts as well would it in favor of the victims will actually reach devic timbs. And there is still a lot of work to do in that regard. Each time thats of course is altering reparations for the teams. It is extremely rare that the victims actually see any penny of it. And so they will still be a lot of work to do. We still think that for example, the congolese state protect civilians in that, in that, in that period, the time of when the crimes were committed. And so maybe the congolese state should have being also given to partying in those reparations. But the verdict said that only the accused should be paying those reparations. Now, whether the jews will be able to pay those reparations, we will have to see. And how is that going to happen . These remain question mark, but just the fact that and he could get used of being sentenced, and that the trial has been successful in those regards. Thats already an important step accountability. The judge ordered reparations to 11 of the victims who participated in in the trial. But as we said in our introduction to the queues of nearly 400 rapes, what about all of the hundreds of other victims . Yes, and you know, more than 300 people have been interviewed during the investigations for this trial, but because of the challenges only 11 made it to the trial. And i think that shows you the challenges of these trial that many victims were not actually able to travel to attend a trial because of fears of or crimes olds because of intimidations and threats. Some of them actively threatened during the trial because had a lot of influence actually in the population. And so it wasnt safe. And also theres still an active investigation, as you know, went to great length to reach victims. Some of them displaced at multiple times during the trial, so there were a lot of Security Issues that made it impossible. So many of the victims in the survive is to attend the trial. But as you said, on the 11 victims, those who participated in trial have been given reparations by the cole to all what needs the accused has been ordered to pay reparations to them. Now we need to clarify whether the courts will also all the and ensure that we each or has victims. And we not only talking about the 400. 00 victims of right that you mentioned, but hundreds more. All of the multiple crimes that shake us forces out of committee to the and so there is still a lot of work to do towards those reparations for the victims. Really good story to tell us many thanks and to tell, especially the from human rights watch. This is the news hour from aljazeera still to come on the program looking to the future in iran. Could a top advisor to the Supreme Leader become the next president. And in brazil, a black man dies after being beaten by 2 security guards at a supermarket. But in sports, the n. F. L. Makes history at a monday night football game. Santa will be here to tell you why a little later. Ethiopias government says the grand Regional Forces have started to surrender. It follows a deadline by Prime Minister ahmed for them to lay down arms buy weapons, stay or face an attack on the main city of mckelway. But to graze leadership says that theyre fighting back and have destroyed an Ethiopian Military division, including a helicopter and 2 tanks. Its difficult to verify either account because of a communication blackout in the region is following developments for us from nairobi, kenya malcolm, what are we to make of these claims and counterclaims claims of advances from as you just said, but Ethiopian Government numbers of grey and special forces have surrounded in the far region, the region to the east of the to grain region. We havent yet heard a response from not from the military leadership, but they are themselves claiming victory as they say theyve destroyed that division of tanks as well as a helicopter. Now that something, the Prime Minister, the federal Prime Minister, his spokesperson has denied very hard as they say, to work out whats going on. Because all of the communications are being cut off. Whats happening to the people who of course, in the middle of this really ordinary civilians. But 40000 about 40000, people have already fled over the border to neighboring sudan where theyre living in refugee camps. And certainly they dont feel safe. Both sides have denied targeting civilians, but Rights Groups say it civilians have indeed been targeted and hundreds, possibly thousands of people have being killed. If indeed there is to be a battle in or around the city of mcalary. Theres half a 1000000 People Living there who would also be at risk, both sides of war, heavy weaponry, as far as we know, tanks, artillery and so on. And so with a densely populated area, the city like it could be a very dangerous situation. Indeed for the People Living now, i was there, as malcolm web reporting live from nairobi. Many thanks malcolm. Saudi arabias state owned oil company around khost says that a hooty attack on one of its facilities wont affect oil supplies. The rebels fired missiles at the north general bulk plant on monday it hit one of the tanks, causing a fire. The company says that it was put out in around 40 minutes, but the tank is now out of action. No casualties are reported. Well, what was a just punishment . Everybody in the safe in the a cell block . The customer, a very fine brother or not, but what the relation or is it really the ones that are really thought was that the person of the holy israels Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu says that he will visit bahrain. Soon after an invitation from the states crown prince. But the foreign minister of neighboring saudi arabia is denying reports of a secret meeting between the kingdoms crown prince