Ethiopias government targets rebels in the north with asteroids. When you have companies that have the power of governments, some thing has to give the bosses a facebook and twitter grilled by both sides of u. S. Politics about that efforts to combat election dissent from ation and frowns debates a controversial new bill to protect police. But critics say it will stifle human rights and free speech. The pentagon has confirmed shop reductions in the number of u. S. Troops in afghanistan and iraq by made january just before President Donald Trump leaves office. Trump had wanted a full withdrawal from americas longest war by christmas instead, 2000 will come out of afghanistan and 500. 00 from iraq leaving 2 and a half 1000 in each country. Let us remind those who question our resolve or may seek to interfere with this prudent well planned and coordinated transition. The United States armed forces remain committed to protecting the safety and security of the American People and supporting our like minded allies and partners worldwide. Military leaders, u. S. Allies and senior figures in trumps. Republican policy have warned of the dangers of pulling too many troops out before conditions are right and minutes after the announcement was made, several rockets hit by gods green zone. A child was killed and at least 5 people injured. Lets go straight to alan fischer, whos out the white house allan, we were expecting this announcement. It still might have come as a shock. Well, if you go all the way back 220152016, when donald trump was running for president , he did so on the basis that he would end americas involvement in expensive foreign morris. And so its intention was always to draw down into numbers. You may remember back in 2018, he announced via twitter that he was pulling all american personnel out of syria. No. Led, partly to the resignation of the then defense secretary, jim mattis. This time, the army, the navy, everyone else has been given their orders that the president wants these people out of those countries by january 15th, 5 days before the inauguration. Now when it came to syria, the military slow ruled that idea holding up the whole process. This time the president simply doesnt want that to happen. He wants them to go ahead. He wants to be able to leave the white house and say that yet another election promise was gotten. Teed, hes got one eye on running again in 2024. But he also wants to shore to his base that when he makes an election promise, he keeps it. Now there are those who would question whether or not donald trump should be doing this. But hes absolutely clear. This is the right thing and hed tweeted back in october that he wanted all the troops out of afghanistan in time for christmas. Thats december the 25th. Hes not getting that, but he is getting significant reductions in troops in both afghanistan and iraq. Allan, whats the reaction been to this announcement from within the white house . Well, you would expect a number of democrats to be angry about this, and they are, they think that the president is doing something that is leaving a problem for joe biden to mop up. But theres also some disquiet among republicans as well. One republican congressman described it as a recruiting tool for i. So you may remember back just when barack obama was coming to his term at the end of the end of his tear in the white house, he made an announcement that he was pulling troops out of iraq. The reason he was doing that was because of an agreement that had been reached by his previous essar, george w. Bush, and the date had been set as well. So we really didnt have much option, but of course he didnt put up much of a fight to stop it either. And the republicans were saying that this really helped spawn the growth of i saw they were emboldened by the decision of the american president. While the leader of the republicans in the senate is saying this decision could have the same impact. I wanted 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 of her ship as drawdown and either afghanistan or iraq would be a mistake. So you might be saying, democrats are against this idea, and republicans are against this idea. Whats to stop Congress Getting their way . Well, its very difficult to do that because the president is the commander in chief of the forces of the United States. And if he wants this to happen, he will make it happen. And of course, no, he has an acting defense secretary who will do exactly what he wants. So the question is, come january the 20th, when joe biden walks into the white house as the 46 president of the United States, what will he do . Well, they consult with allies. Will he speak with people on the ground . Will he divest the decision . Theres just been made by the administration in the dying days of his time in the white house. And he, thanks for that. Allen, fish there for us at the white house. Lets get the view from iraq al jazeera felten is in baghdad. The reduction of u. S. Troops in iraq to 2500. 00 is not that significant in light of the drawdown that already took place earlier this year. In january, there were 5000. 00 troops present in country that number was reduced to 3000 as of september and of course, the political and security context that precipitated this reduction was rather complex. Back in january, we had the us assassination of iranian general customs for the money, as well as other iraqi officials, which prompted the parliament here to vote to oust foreign troops. And we also saw a rise in rocket attacks against u. S. Interests here in iraq. And in that context, the u. S. And iraq began renegotiating the presence of foreign troops that began reducing the numbers. Of course, the u. S. Arguing that this was not in response to the Parliament Vote or the rocket attacks that it was the result of the official defeat. That such a large presence was no longer needed. Now it remains to be seen how iraqi officials will react and it remains to be seen how it rainy unbacked groups in country will react. And what is very interesting is that within minutes of the announcement to reduce troops to 2500. 00, there was a rocket attack on the u. S. Embassy here in baghdad. Such attacks have occurred relatively frequently earlier this year. And they were blamed on iranian backed armed groups. Now over the recent weeks, we saw a halt in these attacks, and some of these uranian back ups have come out to say, we will wait for whoever is the new president elect. And we will wait for the trumpet ministrations to announce a full withdrawal of u. S. Troops from iraq. Now that did not happen, the reduction to 2500. 00 is not with these groups were demanding. And tonights rocket attack at the u. S. Embassy was probably a way to voice their disapproval with this latest announcement. Ethiopias government says its troops have achieved significant victories in the conflict with forces in the northern tier, a region and strikes have been launched at the regional capital. Its a main base for the Peoples Liberation front or tee. P. L. F. Which governs there to grant fighters, have refused to comply with government demands to put down their weapons. We have a bit o. Is in ethiopias capital and says the government believes it can end the conflict quickly. The european Prime Minister ahmed, is promising a crucial and decisive face in the fighting that to grow more from ethiopia. He says, his forces are now ready to take the city of mechanic up with all of the to go. We didnt. He made that announcement of to the expiry of a 3 day that he had given to degree fighters to surrender themselves to the Ethiopian National defense forces. Security sources have told him visit of the next 48 hours will be crucial as the European Forces launch a tux on mckinley for multiple fronts. The sources say the fighting is expected to get more intense. That European Forces near the mountainous areas surrounding the couple of the to go to a region mackellar that to grow Peoples Liberation front leadership in the conflict with the government in every suburb say that they had a very to defend their positions to the last month. Have been complaining about civilians getting hot in aesthetics, crowded out by Government Forces in mckellar, something that has been rejected and refuted by the government in the disability. Late last week, the t. P. A. Live fight to send up to 3 missiles across the border to a smarter a couple of at a trailer. Something diplomats say could bring in a trip into the fighting. But the tibial of later should maintain, is that they are already fighting at a tree and forces on the ground and say that up to 16 divisions of the trim forces present and helping Prime Minister its forces. Something that is of a body of nice size, largely ignoring calls for mediation from the un and foreign leaders. And as the conflict goes on, more civilians fleeing about 27000. People have crossed the border into saddam refugees who are now arriving at the peace of 4000. 00 per day. Are coming out of if you release, afraid with the stories saying that they have been fleeing heavy fighting. And that is not a sign of the fighting to stop right now or so. The fear is as the fighting continues, we could see more refugees arriving the number of 27000 or more than that is what we have read. Just give it could reach 30000 and beyond. The Palestinian Authority says it will restore coordination with israel on the eve of a visit by u. S. Ex. Your state mike pompei. It suspended all contacts 6 months ago in response to israeli plans to annex parts of the occupied west bank and had Significant Impacts including on organizing the transfer of palestinian patients to israeli hospitals. We will raise your contacts with those very issues on Financial Issues on Health Issues on and well be going to issues on and i think that israel is ready for the most the better country is that now israel is saying that they are ready to commit themselves to the side agreements. What does this really mean . That means that a glorious it means hell and it means financially, it means or other issues. Still ahead in the program. The drop drug charges against mexicos defense minister and another setback in President Donald Trumps fight against u. S. Election results. However, got the rain clouds gathering across eastern parts of china at the moment. We got a fair amount of wet weather streaming in here that will roll across the yellow sea into the korean peninsula. If youre in japan, enjoying the sunshine, make the most of it because this is whats on the way some heavy downpours, a possibility of some localized flooding. Going into thursday, it slides through north korea into south korea. Easing of it was that western side of japan as we head on into the weekend and not just on the northern flank, but a snow coming in behind as well for good measure that wessel weather that runs all the way down into central parts of china. Still in the warm side for the time being in shanghai, but even here, those temperatures will gradually fall away. Further south places say we got some dry weather into northern parts of the philippines ad also across much of vietnam where we have of course, a all for flooding a recently following on from iraq of typhoon say that theyre making their way across the region. Wetter weather will be further south and heavy downpours there it to malaysia and indonesia. You can see what the west sunshine across a good part of india, china and it stays that way as we go on through the next couple of days. As sunshine extends across, a good part of northern india was towards the funnels, the east into the paul, heavy downpours from lanka. One of the most wanted men on the planet, the mastermind of a 4500000000. 00 fraud. You want to put him in jail, but you cannot help being in the past ages 0 reveals never before heard recordings implicating some of the worlds most powerful players. Every one poster would benefit by the use of power and jolo on through a fugitive from a just, you know, youre watching aljazeera mind of our top stories this hour. The pentagon has confirmed Shah Productions in the number of u. S. Troops in afghanistan and iraq by mid january just before President Donald Trump, leaves office 2000 will withdraw from afghanistan and 500. 00 from iraq leaving 2 and a half 1000 in each country in his government says its troops have achieved significant victories in the conflict with forces in the northern tier. A region as strikes have been launched at the regional capital its main base for the tikrit peoples, liberation front or to katy p. L. F. , which governs that. The Palestinian Authority says it will restore coordination with israel and suspended all contacts 6 months ago. In response to israeli plans to annex parts of the occupied west bank has a Significant Impact including out on organizing the transfer of palestinian patients to israeli hospitals. At least 80 refugees have been killed after the engine of a boat exploded in the north atlantic city. It happened near cape verde, off the western coast of africa, around 150. 00. People with thought to be on the boat mainly from sun to go and gambia. It was said to be making its way from cape that it to spain. The United States has agreed to drop drug charges against mexicos former defense minister. Salvador c. N. Food. Ghosts was arrested in los angeles last month on suspicion of links to drug trafficking. A joint statement between the 2 countries said that c. M. Few ghosts could be investigated in mexico and charged under mexican law if needed. Lets go to our correspondent john holeman in mexico city john. So the u. S. Underwent a very long investigation to catch this guy there who arrested him a few weeks ago. And now they have less and go. Why is that . And whats the reaction been from mexico . Yeah, this is been a huge shock when the news broke about an hour ago in the 1st place when general same for eagles, who was the former head of mexicos armed forces for 5 years under the previous president enrique pena, nieto. He was arrested in los angeles airport because the big shockwave at the time, also because mexicos government were informed before he was arrested by the u. S. Authorities. And on the advice of that, the way they seem to have a really strong case against him. When you read in the indictment, the prosecutors were saying that they had messages between general see him for he goes, remember the former head of mexicos armed forces and an actual cartel called the hate to cartel. And he was named in some of the messages, apparently as you know, which translates as the godfather. So it seemed like this case was well on its way. And then suddenly we get this bombshell that the u. S. Has decided that its going to seek to drop those charges. And the general see him for he goes, is going to be coming home to mexico. Now you asked about the reaction there. Foreign minister, marcello abroad has just come out in a press conference and he said that this was a decision was taken out of respect for mexico and respect for the armed forces in mexico. Now theres a couple of very key points within that and respect for mexico. There have been a lot of noises from its current government, which is i said, wasnt told before the arrest took place that this was going to happen about the fact that, well, this is a guy we should be trying in, if anyone should. And the issues of sovereignty and national determination, which are huge with mexicos president and those manual lopez obrador. So obviously came into play and hes got quite a warm relationship with President Trump despite the fact that there are very different ends of the political spectrum. So that obviously played in here, Foreign Policy concerns for the United States. Also he said respect for the armed forces now from its current president. And that is manuel lopez obrador. Thats key. This man general him for he goes, the former head of the armed forces. They would obviously, perhaps not of taken this well, that their former chief was arrested in the United States and president and his men will not because of the daughter really depends on the armed forces, not just at the moment for helping in his Security Strategy and its record violence in mexico, but also for projects in terms of construction that he has going on across the country. So sorry for a long answer for you there, but thats basically whats the late into this and whats going on at the moment with it. Ok, john, you pretty much summed it up, john heilemann, that 1st live in mexico city. Many thanks. The buses, a facebook and twitter have promised action against election dissent from ation during heated questioning at a u. S. Senate hearing democratic party, senators, grilled monks, zaka back and jack dorsey about hate speech, an incitement to violence, while republicans question them about a perceived bias. Against conservative voices and opinion. In particular, how to as a block to an article by pro trump newspaper at the new york post. We made a quick interpretation using no other evidence that the materials in your vehicle were changed. And according to her, we block them from being spread further consideration. We need a distraction was wrong, and corrected it within 24 hours and hope to source trades. The rationale behind our actions, demonstrate servility, to keep mistakes in the changes, or turns apparently to the public. I believe this was the largest Election Integrity effort by any private company in recent times. This is what people expect of us, and im glad that from what weve seen so far. Our systems performed well. Election interference remains an ongoing threat that will never fully be solved. So we continue to improve with each i watch it. But our integrity work is really only half the story. We also ran an unprecedented Civic Engagement program to encourage people to take part in our democracy. Lets get more on this. Were joined by conde Technology Editor, and he joins us from washington day say, kyle, what did you make of the herring . Whats about fear . Yeah, you know, what stood out to me is the dynamic that has been playing out for the last year and change, which is, you know, there is a very clear dynamic of democrats and republicans being at absolute cross purposes on these issues. So, you know, they both really want to exert pressure on the tech companies. They want to give the government more of a say. And sort of dictating how moderation could or should work. But its, they want exactly opposite things. Democrats are looking for, as you said, greater action on misinformation disinformation campaigns. And oftentimes this is the exact same stuff, you know, misleading tweets from President Trump or people in his orbit that point to as evidence of anti conservative bias. And so thats what theyre all focused on. So you know what . I think our prime takeaway from todays session was 4 hours of a lot of political theater. But you know, no real indication of a path forward for legislation. We did get a stare from by i still see in the bag that they are open to reforming section 230. How significant do you think that was so this is the 1st time theyve either one of them, frankly spoken at length about it. Jack dorsey had said in advance testimony, you know, that he had sort of foreshadowed that this was going to come out. Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg have been saying for a little while now, you know, look we want to work with you. They certainly, you know, dont want to completely bend the apple cart. Dorsey a little if they think about sort of how twitter with c section 30 which protects platforms from lawsuits over their moderation calls and over stuff that their users put online. Hes been a little, you know, just sort of, hey, we want to work with you, talk to industry. Lets not blow this whole thing up, but we see, you know, there could be room for an update. Mark zuckerberg has been a little more specific. He said, you know, well hey, maybe we could work with you on on legislation that would impose transparency requirements. So we have to disclose exactly why we made a particular moderation call, you know, deleting someones posts or their account or added a fact check to twitter, whatever. But you know, its more of a Search Engine that signals they see this as are all these thing happen with our privacy legislation for the longest time the companies didnt want to touch even the idea. And then eventually, a couple years ago they started saying here, you know, we want to work with you. We want to make sure theres one federal standard. But even that didnt, you know, actually materialized, there was a lot of back and forth and discussion. But we have not seen you, kyle, stay with us because we have a bit of breaking news. I want you to and i want to ask you to respond to it. Were just hearing that President Trump has fide crists krebs. He is the direct safety, Cyber Security and infrastructure security agency. And this is because of statements that he made recently about the security of the 2820 elections. So kyle, what are your thoughts on this . Yeah, so chris krebs, as you said, i believe this was last week, put out a statement and theyre putting out a series of videos and other content as well. Just certifying like, look, really are charged with election security. And we have not observed any evidence whatsoever of, you know, these widespread voter phone claims or election genes being hacked in a lot of this nonsense. Thats been sort of being tossed around right now for which theres no basis. He has, you know, being the voice in the administration very clearly saying that this isnt happening. And obviously, trump is continuing to say that it has this has been expected for, you know, last week he was sort of privately telling folks in his orbit and readers, i think, reported that he fully expected to be fired on this. And its called good to get your thoughts called a Technology Editor that speaking to us from washington d. C. The French Parliament is debating proposed legislation that would ban images of Police Officers faces from being spread online, broke us supporters say it will help protect police. But critics say it is an attack on free speech. Natasha butler reports from power french documentary. The monopoly of violence exposes and examines Police Brutality in france, focusing on recent yellow face protests, but also taking in the suburbs. The hiring watch, it uses footage shot by journalists, all members of the public showing clips like this though, may not be possible in the future. The french government has proposed a new security law, part of which would crack down on the broadcast or sharing of images of Police Officers. Filmmaker david ukraine says the bill destroys basic freedoms. That over the lawmakers want to stop the free circulation of information and knowledge because in the last few years, france has discovered Police Violence. Its something that, in reality, has existed for a very long time in the suburbs, but was not documented in this way. Video has been used in several high profile cases of alleged Police Violence in the country, the death of delivery man, cedric sure, via during a police check in paris in general, was filmed by a passer by footage. The lead to an inquiry in parliament m. P. s debated the bill if passed a person could be jailed for up to a year and find more than 50000. 00 for broadcasting sharing identifiable images of a Police Officer with the intention of harming them out. So i journalists and opponents, the law gathered to protest. Campaigners fear that if jonathan citizens are dissuaded from filming the police, it will make it harder to hold some officers accountable for their actions. And some may act with impunity. But the government says the law is necessary to protect the safety of Police Officers. You say its not about stopping journalists from working. The law doesnt impact the right to inform for journalists or citizens. But it prevents Police Officers from having their identities put on line with cost of violence or to be subject to reprisals. They can have grave consequences. Protect the police for violence while on duty is essential, says this police union spokesperson, but he says the new law is not the law because he did all of the involved community. If the government would clear on the role of the police, what they can and cannot do in the schools would not be necessary. Only wrested demonstrations and recent attacks have prompted the government to take a tougher line on security. But instead of working on building more trust between Police Officers and the public, some say the new law threatens to overdo it. Natasha butler, just 0. Paris. Jordans reported its highest daily coded 19 infection figures. Since the pandemic began, there were almost 6 and a half 1000 cases announced on tuesday, while 66 people died. The government has acknowledged is struggling to contain the outbreak that says, going into another lockdown would be a last resort. This is al jazeera, these are the top stories. The pentagon has confirmed sharp reductions in the number of u. S. Troops in afghanistan and iraq by mid january just before President Donald Trump, leaves office 2000 will withdraw from afghanistan and 500 from iraq leaving 2 in