A possible covert 19 vaccine, as cases in europe and elsewhere saw 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 Donald Trump leaves office. But senior figures in the military and Times Republican party say its a mistake and a risky move. 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 3000 personnel there. 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 a stand 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 a brochure that is draw down 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 county promise has been delivered. Alan fischer aljazeera at the white house 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, eisel was officially declared seated 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 custom, some in money 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, as far as his chief of cyber security, just days after we rejected the president s claims of electoral fraud, chris krebs in his agency, responsible for elections, security. You said the poll was the most secure in american history. Trouble accused him of making inaccurate statements. Drums legal challenge to the Election Results has suffered another setback. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected his campaigns arguments, that Republican Party observers did not get close enough access. Joining vote counting president elect joe biden is projected to have won the state. But trump is contesting the result. There and in other battleground states. If interest nick is a u. S. Foreign policy expert and assistant professor of International Relations at nanyang technological university, he says trumps actions could dent the United States reputation on the global stage. Hes becoming more reckless and the consequences of both these moves. I mean it, in normal circumstances, you would imagine a president would be quite happy to hear that there was no foreign interference in the president ial election and who would reward a bureaucrat that was able to help guarantee the legitimacy of that election. But this is donald trump, were talking about. So this is a whole different type of beast. A good part of Americas International interest derives from its longstanding, as the worlds oldest democracy. And the allure that the United States generates around the world as a result of bits, a liberal democratic constitution and political process is invaluable. And so trump is basically undermining american soft power in the eyes of the world. And thats a critical asset that the United States is going to be going to have been its arsenal as it sort of enters into geopolitical competition with an authoritarian regime in china. So trump is undermining american democracy. That really is undermining a swan intangible source of american power. Irans foreign minister says techron is ready to fully return to its commitments under the 2050 nuclear deal. If u. S. President elect joe biden lifts, sanctions told iranian media that biden could swiftly lift sanctions by signing 3 executive orders. He also says tehran israeli agents guss, a u. S. Return to the landmark accord, which donald trump withdrew from 2 years ago. You can join, but one thing can be done automatically. America will implement its commitments as part of the Un Security Council resolution. And we would feel our commitments in the way this needs no negotiation or conditions and its feasible. I got to give mr. Biden becomes president hed be capable of lifting all sanctions. If he doesnt, it means he doesnt want to. If you appears, government says to grand forces are destroying bridges in an attempt to stop the militarism vans to the main city. This week, printed by minister ahmed announced what he called a final offensive to end the conflict in the region. But kalis, the main base for the Peoples Liberation front or p l. F. 3 and fighters have refused to comply with government demands to put down their weapons. Well, how about those following the developments from addis ababa. The fighting is going on, all particularly on the western part of the ticket, a region where the fighting has been more intense ever since. It started, as you said, they are up to 4 bridges have been destroyed by the Peoples Liberation front, those bridges leading to the city of mick. As we were coming back from dawn that yesterday we saw vehicles, trucks cutting bridges, which we believe if you have been National Defense forces, ones to use to place the bridges the top been destroyed. This morning we walk up to a very strong statement from the brits cion get bitter because the head of the ticket, Peoples Liberation front of them is fish. And thats fighting the government in a disobey, but he says that theyre not going to nail down. Theyre not going to sort of end up on the will fight to the last monday funding the city of mckinney and every part of to get a region. He says, he says the people in the to crave region have been really supportive of them, including women dont need to be there, jewelry and other valuables to support their cause. So we are seeing a lot of claims of victory also on both sides. But what we know is that the Prime Minister, ahmed has, issued a statement saying that this is now the decisive and final face of the fighting. Now theres been good news about several covert 1000 vaccines in recent weeks. Now, a chinese vaccine is the latest to show some success during trials. The vaccine known as corona virus has reached stage 3 of the trials. Researchers say, could provide enough protection against the virus. Researchers believe the vaccine could be suitable for emergency use during the pandemic. If any new has more from beijing, china has 5 vaccines in total, which are undergoing final stage days 3 trials. But the clear front runner here is a vaccine thats been developed by the company signed of act vi otec called corona vac. Now this vaccine works by including an inactivated form of the virus, that is a virus that has been chemically killed in a lab, and that will be injected into a subject and ideally produce an immune response in somebody who is receiving it. Now, according to an article published in the medical journal lancet, this vaccine had some success in mid stage trials. This was based on study and a study of about 700 people, although the article didnt say what the success rate of the vaccine was. Now that was done that was accumulated in april and may instance then quite a bit has happened with the son of that vaccine. 1st of all they began phase 3, final stage trials overseas. Now those trials couldnt be conducted here in china because of the lower number of carved 19 numbers, but theyve since began in indonesia, bangladesh, and in brazil, a southeast chinese province called judge in september, started up a Pilot Program for members of the public to receive this sign novak vaccine, and since september the judge on government says 740000. People have received that vaccine, including Many International students who were about to go overseas to commence their studies, as well as international business. And now of course, medical experts around the world say it is extremely risky to be giving members of the public or people this vaccine before the phase 3 trials have been have been ended, and theyve had any conclusive results. But certainly, the Chinese Government does seem to be very, very confident in this particular vaccine. Well, the impact of corona virus continues to be felt across europe. But tuesday, the u. K. Reported almost 600 deaths are the highest daily number since may. It also recorded more than 20000 new infections, but its governments under fire for its spending and safety equipment. After a watchdog phone company is recommended by politicians were more likely to be given covered 1000 contracts brannons in london with more on how the governments responding to the watchdog. The National Audit office, which is the Government Spending watchdog, it keeps an eye on exactly how the government is spending taxpayer money has come out with a very critical report. d as to how the government went about procuring items relating to the coronavirus and its prevention and protections, and in particular, p. P. A. Personal protective equipment. According to the National Audit office, a report thats been released, the smaller its a catalog of problems. I mean, basically it says more than 13000000000. 00 worth of contracts were awarded directly without going through a competitive tender process. Firms recommended by members of parliament, peers and ministers offices. These are basically within the concert Ruling Conservative Party were given priority. Inadequate explanation was given as to why particular supplies were chosen and not enough was done to address potential conflicts of interest. Now its pretty critical stuff. The government minister whos been doing the rounds of the t. V. And radio stations this morning, has been unapologetic, saying there was massive pressure to get this p. P. Out. People out to the front line to the hospitals that needed it. And just we had to get it done quickly, so he, he makes no apology for cutting corners. But that said, the opposition parties are going to make a lot of hay with this. Still ahead, an aljazeera not backing down thousands of people protest in thailand as the government prepares to hear proposed amendments to the constitution. Perus swears in its 3rd president , within a week after days of protests forced his predecessor to resign however, the rain clouds are gathering across the korean peninsula. We got a huge, massive cloud here. Its just pushing across the sea, some big downpours station, a weather system. This for the time being to some very heavy rain. In fact, you see over 100 millimeters of rain in only 24 hours, it gets a move on as we go through the next couple of days, solid around 18 celsius that cloud, that rain, that very wet weather, the stormy conditions pushing through north korea, south korea eventually getting into q. C. For thursday come friday, itll make its way across honshu and hole card. A snow on the northern flank of that will see that wetter weather gradually coming through and look at the temperatures fall back just 8 celsius for soul as we go through friday. 7 ice there into where basing as well. The cloud will rain that comes right down towards the fos out the east of china system based on pieces of wet weather. Also coming in here. Wet weather to into some parts of india. Once again, well see some heavy showers around under the dash towards tamil nadu strike is still seeing some rather lively showers. Still see a few showers there into carroll. Noticed some lesser weather just now making its way across northern plains. Thats the one that cleared the air in new delhi. As we went through the early part of the week. The folk at a small is back now for friday from fossil fuels to modern day renewable. As societies develop, the energy demands increase, requiring Innovative Solutions to meet such demands as a global power, development of investment companies. Nebraska power is uniquely positioned to deliver against the state. We provide business growth, promote social economic benefits, and provide innovative, safe, and fire mentally, sound, Energy Solutions for future generations. The breast Pioneering Future Energy to move the water out as either a reminder 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. And so leave both countries with around 2500 soldiers. Senior officials have expressed concern about plans if the o. P. s government says to Ground Forces are destroying bridges in an attempt to stop the militarys advance to their main city. This week, Prime Minister ahmed, announced what he called of the final offensive to end the conflict in the region. A chinese Coronavirus Vaccine is the latest to show success jury trials with such as say, the vaccine known as corona vaccine, could be suitable for emergency use during the pandemic. 3, former prodemocracy politicians in hong kong have been arrested for disrupting a Legislative Council session. Earlier this year, the Hong Kong Government says the politicians acted illegally. The former politicians say its yet another attempt by china to silence his critics in Hong Kong Set a clock reports for prodemocracy legislated to head home. He was arrested at his home early on wednesday morning, also under arrest for 2 other legislators, right chan and eddie chu. Theyve been chance for this incident. The prodemocracy politicians through what was described as a foul smelling liquid at the president of the citys legislature. It was during the 2nd reading of a controversial bill which criminalizes the mocking of chinas national anthem. Emergency services were called in the chamber was shut down. As a result, the lying, the passing of the legislation. Police say they intended to cause harm. The politicians say their arrest is unfair and unexpected. I condemn the other 3 arrests of the police and i condemn what the regime is doing. I just have people with democratic values, people who speak for the whole battle of these latest arrests, a part of a citywide crackdown on opposition and dissent in hong kong. Its intensified since the introduction of beijings National Security law in july that legislation targets what it calls acts of terrorism and penalizes critics of the mainland. November 8 legislators were charged for their role in a violent confrontation in the Legislative Council. In may police, its using public power. It was a criminal procedure to regulate a politician, legislative what they speak, what they do in fire, all that of which are. This is ridiculous. This