How many troops are going to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of next year?

Wednesday night at the White House, President Barrack Obama announced the phased withdrawal of 10, 000 U. S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, with a target of removing the rest of a 33,000 surge force by the end of next year.

Thousands of people have demonstrated in cities and towns across Syria, calling for more freedom. In the southern city of Deraa, protesters said at least 20 people were reported to have been killed when shots rang out after a statue of the former President Hafez al-Assad was set alight. The Syrian authorities prevented journalists from entering Deraa. Lina Sinjab sent this report from Damascus.