Seeks immunity from prosecution in three corruption cases. Violence and arrest as protesters in hong kong begin the new year with another massive arrest. Another massive protest. Supporters and members of anaren back group have withdrawn from the u. S. Embassy compound compound in baghdad after two days after a two day siege. Leaders of the Popular Mobilization forces ordered them to leave, but as a condition, they want a parliament to vote on a timeline of withdrawal of foreign forces. Protesters angry about airstrikes that killed at least 27 people. Earlier on wednesday the crowd threw rocks and lit fires outside the compound. Iran Supreme Leader has condemned the u. S. Condemned the airstrikes and says tehran will defend itself if threatened. The u. S. Dispatched an extra 750 troops to the region following the protest. President donald trump threatened to retaliate against iran but said he did not want a war. We begin our coverage with this report from baghdad. They left just as they had arrived a day earlier, determined and angry, but also pleased had managed to deliver a message to the u. S. Supporters of the Popular Mobilization forces who had to find the Prime Ministers orders to withdraw just the day before now heeded the call of their leaders. While some dismantled tents and buried away supplies used to camp the night out, the more defined ones staged a final showdown, burning tires and flags to the sound of antiamerican slogans. Get out of our country. We dont need america. We can protect ourselves. Reporter the attack on the u. S. Embassy was sparked by the latest u. S. Strikes against has bolo against has belonged brigades. The majority of the crowd consisted of members and supporters but some say they were driven by what they perceives as it what they perceive as an unjust american policy in the region. My land, and if you want to stay here, you must , when the American Government believes and alliance, we can leave. Reporter as crowds withdrew, u. S. Helicopters circled overhead after reinforcements arrived the night before. It was clear that authorities here did not want to risk confrontation. Iraqs Security Forces surrounded the embassy but used no force to remove the crowd. Iraqi governmental forces have been put in a very confusing position. As i mentioned, they share a partnership an alliance with both countries, the u. S. And iran. So they must prove to the u. S. It has taken a neutral stance or is protecting the u. S. Mc because thats what the government has to do. Reporter and yet the outer gates of the embassy, burned and vandalize, bear witness to the iraqi governments inability to protect the u. S. Presence here. The siege here appears to be coming to an end with Iraqi Counterterrorism forces now taking over the security and basically securing the area, but hezbollah brigades say it is a first lesson for the United States. They have vowed that will not stand down until they see a full departure of u. S. Forces from iraq soil. Peter lets take it to washington and our correspondent, gabriel alexander. We know mike pompeo has been checking in with his regional allies here in the middle east. Do we know what has come out of that conversation . Gabriel not fully, but were getting a better sense of who he spoke to and perhaps why. Secretary of state mike pompeo made a round of phone calls to regional allies, to Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu of israel. He thanked him for israels continued support. He also called the Prime Minister of iraq on wednesday as well and stressed to the prime government of iraqs obligation to protect u. S. Diplomatic facilities in the obligation to see that these sort of attacks on the u. S. Embassy do not happen again, according to the readout from the state department. Secretary of state pompeo also had a phone call with the qatari emir. This was an important call because qatar is an important ally to the United States. According to the state they discussed recent developments in the region and committed to find peace and security and continue the path to finding peace and security and what both countries can do to achieve that in the region. Again, qatar is very important to the United States because of the air base outside of doha, and qatar, while an ally of the United States on multiple levels, also speaks to iran and qatar is neutral when it comes to the iranu. S. Conflict. So it could be critical as it always has been for the United States. What you are seeing here is pompeo basically spending a lot of time on the phone basically shoring up regional allies to get a better sense of what is going on in iraq and how to handle it moving forward. Peter was washingtons handling of this colored . . By the Historical Context there. Re so many raw nerves here absolutely, no doubt about that at all. Was the u. S. Embassy in tehran being overrun and stormed, many years ago. For decades ago, but that is still very raw, those images of u. S. Helicopters pulling diplomats off the roof of the embassy there in tehran. Those images are still very clear in the eyes of many people here in washington. More recently, the u. S. Ambassador to libya killed on a benghazic mission in that was stormed a few years ago. These are all things that are very, very much in the mind of pompeo, trump, many people here in washington and the government. On what we saw in baghdad tuesday was certainly a close call for the United States, no doubt about it. I think thats why you are seeing on one level so much diplomatic efforts by pompeo and others in washington but also the sending of 750 u. S. Troops to the region, that is a direct response to this because i think the u. S. Realized quickly they are very vulnerable in baghdad and the situation there could have gotten much worse, very quickly, and it still could if the situation escalates in the days and weeks ahead. Gabriel, methinks. Relief surprised have started reaching thousands of australians stranded in fire ravaged talents. This week has seen the deadliest spate of blazes since the crisis began in october. 15 people have died in New South Wales. Military aircraft and navy ships are being helped are being used to help. More than 1000 homes have been destroyed. Conditions are expected to worsen in the southeast on saturday. Firefighters are creating natural fire breaks to limit the destruction. Melissa clark is in New South Wales and she says most people are trying to escape the flames, but some are still choosing to stay. Melissa people can either go north or south but those choosing to go south can take this knowing mountains highway i spoke to people from all , just trying to get away. Interestingly, a couple of locals i spoke to dont want to leave, even though they are being advised to leave if they can. The authorities are clear they want anyone who has the capacity to lead to do so as soon as they can. Power is being restored here overnight but there are still many places that dont have power. They want people to leave as soon as possible, but getting them that information is proving tricky. There has been misinformation getting around as well, particularly when there isnt mobile reception. Hell have to win the support of a majority of members in the knesset. Requesting immunity is likely to delay any potential trauma several months. This report from west to rishel them. Just four hours before the deadline, the israeli Prime Minister came on television and said he would ask the Israeli Parliament to grant him immunity. Intention to shatter all the fabricated accusations against me. Its meant to protect elected officials from lawsuits and those who aim to harm the will of the people. To be months before mps vote on it. Israel will hold its third election in a year in march. Netanyahus request can only be debated by a Parliamentary Committee once a government has been formed. Then has to come out of committee and be presented to knesset members to be voted on. Forming a government could take months. Arever, some politicians wanting to speed up the process. Already the request for immunity has divided israeli politicians. Deadfluential figure has has said he will vote for immunity. November, the israeli attorney general decided to indict netanyahu in three separate cases including fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. Take the decision to issue an indictment with a heavy heart, but wholeheartedly with the deep sense of commitment to the rule of law, to the publics interest, and to the citizens of the state of israel. Netanyahu and his supporters are claiming the charges are politically motivated and that Law Enforcement and the judicial astem are in effect, mounting coup against him. Netanyahu now faces a tough fight, he has to win an election, former government, and then persuade mps to vote for immunity which lasts only as long as he remains in office as orme minister or are iffy it has already been a very uncertain year in israel he politics and the future, it would seem, is equally uncertain. Peter plenty more new still to come, including the woman described as africas richest denies allegations of corruption in an exclusive interview with al jazeera. Welcome back to your International Weather forecast. The cloud you see on the satellite image will be pushing into the pacific. What we will be left with on thursday is relatively quiet conditions across much of the area. We will pick up some snow on the western coast, mostly on the higher elevations. China, weown toward expect to see the rain increase across much of the central areas. It will be a chilly and wet day with the temperature about eight degrees. Southern part of the philippines, expect to see some heavy rain over the next days. We are watching a little bit of disturbance pushing through. It will not get any bigger than it is right now, really just a tropical wave. About 150200 milliliters of rain. Scattered showers for manila. Over toward thailand we do expect to see widespread sunshine across much of the area. For bangkok, expected temperature of 34 degrees. Peter welcome back, youre watching al jazeera. A reminder of our top story so far today. After two day siege at the u. S. Embassy compound in iraq, protesters backing a proiranian group have now withdrawn, but with one condition. They Want Parliament to work on a timeline for the full withdrawal of troops. Supplies have started to reach thousands of australians ravaged. Y bushfires the israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu has asked parliament to bring him immunity from prosecution in three corruption cases. He was indicted on charges bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Libya is envoy to accusing Security Council members of violating an arms embargo. He said there are concerns about foreign fighters being flown into libya. The Turkish Parliament is expected to vote on thursday on whether to deploy troops. It follows a request for military support by the ewing backed government in tripoli. Its coming by the you in backed government in tripoli. Turkeys Vice President says Turkish Forces may not be a nonresident scholar at the middle east institute said foreign interference in libya is nothing new. Theou have right now primary players that are turkey and russia, i would say, on the predominately uae with Logistical Support from the egyptians. They have bombed tripoli since april. There are well sauce will source reports that show forces have already been deployed to of then behalf government. However, it is not clear how many there are so far. There has definitely been a constant influence influx of russian mercenaries that has ramped up. Because of u. S. And european inaction, and i will single out france for being the primary culprit for european inaction in this case, these two players are now poised to influence the military landscape of libya and therefore dictate is political future, probably with excluding leavings in the process, much like they did in syria. Held in syrias rebel province, they were shelliling d airstrikes by the government and russian forces. Turkey accuses those forces of targeting a school. Five children are among the dead. Attacks on idlib profits have intensified in recent weeks, forcing thousands from their homes. At least 400 prodemocracy demonstrators have been arrested in hong kong after peacefully new years day march through the city ended in violence. Tens of thousands of people took part in the police approved rally, but its permit was revoked after massive demonstrators rollcall from the main ground. This report from hong kong. Reporter what was supposed to be a peaceful march disbanded into chaos and destruction on the streets of hong kong. Fire burned before it was doused by a water cannon. Elsewhere, Police Trouble to rest of protester after demonstrators ignored their warnings to leave. It was deemed to be an illegal takebly, meaning they can actions to clear the streets, and that is exactly what they are doing here. Clearing the streets of protesters as well as the barricade structures that have been set up. Had earlier used umbrellas and bricks to block roads. Police fired rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd. The march that started peacefully in the early afternoon attracted tens of thousands of people who slowly made their way along the 3. 5 kilometer route. Young and old, they chose to spend new years day much the same way hong kong had spent the second half of last year, at another street demonstration. It will depend on the government and the Chinese Communist party. The protest will continue. Way, laborlong the union group set up recruitment boots and volunteers collected donations to assist the protest movement. Demands include an independent investigation into allegations of Police Misconduct during the protest and the right to choose their leaders. Occasionally protesters would direct their anger at the police. The protests in hong kong have gone on for nearly seven months now, in even though there are rallies and gatherings almost reduced inthey have intensity, with no indication the government is willing to negotiate further. Theres no way to know how long this will go on. Peter the daughter of angolas former president denied allegations of corruption after court froze her bank accounts. An estimated 1 million worth of assets is being seized. She has been described as africas richest woman, with an estimated net worth of more than 2 billion. Her father is the former president. Oil production makes up about 89 of its other exports. Son of the the president and brother of isabel, went on trial for corruption. He has pleaded not guilty. Says there has been a lack of due process. We have not been summoned. We have not received any notices from the court, neither i nor any of the directors of our board, this is a completely secret procedure. We were never called to show any documents or present any witnesses. Ofather was the former ruler angola. He was the president for a very long time. He chose not to stand for this election. He chose not to stand in 2017, believing it was important to have a transition. It was important for someone new to calm. The new people who came on board charged abrother was few months ago. He was under protective custody for a long time. In angola the law establishes you are only allowed to be under protective custody for four months. A complete violation of his human rights, blatant violation of his rights, his legal rights. He was not afforded representation. They have not allowed him to pay for his legal fees. He had to ask for a state longer to represent him, and im very concerned that these court cases instrumentsitical for a strategy of undermining the legacy of the Prime Minister and what he had achieved. Runoffa president ial winner with 54 of the votes. One losing candidate said the vote was rigged and is bowing to contest the results in that supreme court. Thailand has banned singleuse plastic bags at major stores in an effort to clean up the countrys waterways. Thats part of a government plan to reduce stress reduced plastic by 2021. Explains,s jessica changing Consumer Attitudes will be the biggest challenge. Plasticd 45 billion bags are used every year in thailand. The new year will bring a change in behavior for consumers all around the country. The stores will all implement a ban on plastic bags around the world. There is also a ban on Beauty Products and plans for a ban on plastic cups within the next two years. Is a good idea because it will clean up the environment. These days it is so hard because the weather is changing. Its hard for me to do my job as a driver because of the heat. We need to reduce the garbage overall. The highest percentage of plastic usage comes from places like this, fresh Fruit Markets and fruit stores, and getting independent sellers to get on board with a plastic bag proved challenging. I think the Plastic Bag Ban is a good idea, but what will i use instead . These flowers are wet, so they need to be in a plastic bag. Still, reducing plastic is a good idea because of climate change. Casees been a one that caught the publics attention, that case and others like it served as a graphic reminder to the public of the dangers of excessive plastic usage. Peter holland or the netherlands comes to mind when we think about two loops. The government about tulips. Bernard smith reports from amsterdam. Not a country, despite can despite suggestions to the country to the contrary. The country is officially called the netherlands. Tired of beingis referred to as legalized prostitution and wants a reprint. New pr push, its asking us to forget holland and think only of the netherlands. For the rest of the world, holland is quite clear where it is, from a small spot somewhere on the earth, where dutch people live, and to change that image idea ofto change that holland into the netherlands, think it is quite a task, quite a difficult task. 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