>> hello and welcome to the news hour. here's what is coming up in the next 60 minutes. afghan forces pull out of another district in hellman province conceding control to the taliban. deal is done in violent protests in northern india which disrupts water supplies to the capital. uganda's opposition leader is taken away as supporters plan protests. fijians warned to brace for

a rising death toll as news trickle in from ravaged islands: plus... meet the 106-year-old whose visit with the obamas at the white house got her dancing with joy. >> hello, afghan government forces have pulled out of another district in southern hellman province. in the past week they had withdrawn from another district. helmand has seen some of the fiercest battles since the invasion of 2001. but the afghan army said it's a strategic retreat. >> we have decided to pull our troops from their defensive role and get them ready for an offensive. the new move is part of the a new strategy. they are still on the ground. they have not gone somewhere

else. we're providing them with new training and equipping them in order to get them ready for a spring offensive. >> crossing over to afghanistan, with more on this decision, reza, for the forces to pull out of the southern district in helmand. >> yes, in is a development that does not bode well for the afghan security forces in their fight against the taliban. i'll briefly tell you what we've been confirmed a couple of hours ago. a senior official in the afghan army confirming to al jazeera that troops, including police officers and soldiers have pulled out of the critical district of the nozod in helmand province in southern afghanistan. this means within the past three days two districts have seen afghan troops pull out. that would seem to suggest that the afghan army. afghan forces are on their heels

while the taliban is gaining ground in momentum and territory. we should point out that the spokesperson for the governor of helmand confirming that the troops have pulled out. however, when we contacted the defense ministry in kabul, the spokesperson there had a different version of development that he acknowledges the troops have pulled out, but he tells al jazeera that this is all part of a shifting of troops, a reorganization in preparation for an offensive coming up against the taliban in the coming days and weeks. a little bit about helmand province in many ways is the heartland of the taliban. the taliban has fought fiercely for it for more than a decade and it's an economically strategic place. most of the world's opium is produced in afghanistan and most of afghanistan's opium is produced in helmand. pro assumebly whoever controls this critical province controls

the opium production. >> riza, you talk about this up coming offensive that's coming up. i want to ask you about the timing of this retreat. particularly just days before the fourth round of talks between representatives from afghanistan, pakistan, china, and the u.s. that are meant to be held in kabul. >> yes, it's hours. that meeting is happening tomorrow. once again this is a session where the government to the united states, pakistan, afghanistan, and china are set to sit down and discuss some sort of framework for peace talks with the taliban, the afghan government. many officials, senior officials seem optimistic about the prospect of the taliban sitting across the negotiating table. with afghanistans. however, when you see developments like this, you have to wonder if the taliban and all their factions are willing to sit down and talk peace with the

afghan government, then if if that happens, will it have a positive outcome. >> just to bring you breaking news. a deal has been reached on the cessation of hostilities in syria. we cross over to james bays who joins us from the united nations to tell us more about what deal has been reached, james? >> well, i'm hearing from diplomats, high level sources from a number of different nations that we have certainly an agreement between the russians and the u.s. i understand that the announcement will come from the secretary of state john kerry in the near future in the next couple of

hours. he's i where the two nations have been co-shares to try to get the cease of the violence. it's not quite a cease-fire because it's not part of the peace treaty, but of course it would be a very important development. they've given the timeline from hostilities and they're likely to announce shortly that is by midday on friday damascus time all the parties on the ground, all the syrian parties, the conflict, with the exception of isil they will have to commit by that time that they will part of the cessation of hostilities. then 12 hours later as friday goes into saturday at midnight the cessation of hostilities is supposed to come into effect.

this is a deal done with the u.s. and russia calling for the secession of hostilities, and obviously they cannot deliver it, the warring parties on the ground have to do it that. we're expecting the announcement of what i've just told you to come in the next couple of hours. >> we'll be taking that announcement as it comes, james, but the big question is you've addressed this, but can they get the different parties to commit to this cessation of hostilities? >> well, yes, i think that is going to be the problem. what they want from each of their parties is for them to come up with what they call a focal point. a person who is responsible who they can contact so that that one person can represent the groups sign up to the cessation of hostilities and if there is some sort of breach they know who to contact and try to get

back into line. i can also tell you that the plan after this cessation of hostilities is in place on friday night midnight going into saturday, damascus time that they're then hoping that within seven days or so to persuade all these parties to go back to the negotiating table in geneva and resume those peace talks. >> and james, how much has what has happened on the ground mill taylorly in syria contributed to this decision that been made? >> well, certainly i think it's contributed to the decision made by russia in the u.s. one then has to ask what has happened on the ground happened in recent days, and if they'll agree to this sort of cessation, particularly parties like the kurds, who have been taking

ground in recent days, will they want to sign up for this? will some of the opposition groups want to sign up to they? big question marks. just because russia and the u.s. backed, i'm sure, by the rest of the international community when this announcement is made just because they say there is a lull in the fighting, is that going to happen on the ground in a place like syria, where there has been civil war that has claimed so many lives in five years. it does not mean that the cessation of hostilities is going to happen, but it does mean that a timeline and target are going to be announced. >> james bays reporting from the united nations. thank you. to india where a deal has been reached to end days of protest by an influential farming community, which has turned violent and cut the water supply to the capital of new delhi. despite the announcement that has been made we're getting

reports of sporadic protests still taking place? >> indeed, leaders have met with ministers to sto--to create the dea deal. they're appealing to the jat community, they make up a large part of the population, a very large number. many people on the ground that we've spoken to and announcing they don't trust the government leaders. they've been promised this before time and time again. each time with each promise they've been given hope over the years, and yet nothing has actually happened. lots of smaller communities say they'll carry on these protests. this is a breakthrough in the fact that bolton wanderers sides have sat across the table and have reached a compromise.

the government has indicated they do want to give the jat reservation status. >> this brings a new type of debate? >> the type of debate going on right now why is there such affirmative action? why should it be given to caste? shouldn't it be given based on nick status. caste that are traditionally farmers from the agriculture community, but many people see them as not under privileged, and many people see them as well represented in government. other castes say their claim for reservation status is not necessarily justified. the issue here is that many governments, not just this one that has come to power, has promised them res station status

during election campaigns. each time they've been promised this, and each time it has not come through. the issue is that it's made them angry. they're fed up with what they call empty promises, and there is no guarantee that they will stop the fight until they get something concrete. >> all right, reporting from new delhi, thank you. there is a tense stand off going on between indian police and students. students who are accused of inciting people to rebel against the government are surrounded by officers at university. >> students here are showing their solidarity with students in campus protest here's earlier this month. one student has been arrested while others went into hiding saying the allegations are false and manufactured to crackdown on freedom of expression and

dissent. the students were not allowed entry on the campus this morning and they have since kept their distance. al jazeera spoke to one of the students on why he and the others went into hiding. >> there are no grounds. but the false charge and doctored videos have declared us building. >> the students union and the opportunitier commuter administration are trying to find a solution to the stand off and trying to get the sedition charge dropped. the accused students say they're willing to surrender to police to clear their names. but they and the other students say they'll do so under what they say are fair conditions. >> the three-day stand off. india administered kashmir have ended. they attacked a military convoy and five indian forces and a

civilian have been killed. police have arrested uganda's main opposition leaders for the fourth time in eight days. he was detained as he tried to leave his home where he had been under house arrest since saturday. he refutes the outcome of the presidential election. the outcome has also been criticized by the u.s. and the european union. malcolm webb joins us. getting a briefing right now. what do they have to say? >> well, they say the arrest it is because he was telling protests that opposition would be peaceful that they say would be violent. i have former president of nigeria who has dormed that the commonwealth of observers. thank you for joining us. the opposition leaders in descension and the widespread

rigging, what is the position of the commonwealth election observers on this situation? >> well, first of all we pointed out the number of things that should not have happened have happened. on the day of the election, the grows incompetence on the part

of the commission they are fully prepared when it came to the crunch they were not prepared at all. >> the elect traditional commission said they had problems that the opposition said is much worse than competent. they say that there have been taking of ballot papers, ballot box stuffing and serious malpractices deliberately. what is the position of the commonwealth on that? >> we know there is inexcusable delay. a delay of four hours

particularly in kampala, the headquarters of the electoral commission the opposition of some people against the opposition, we cannot say that we know exactly why the delay happened but it happened against short order that was given by the electoral commission. i'll say this, in a place, that

come of them have been there at 6:00. by 10:00 no there is no sign of materials. i don't know if, in fact, there were other places. >> thank you president. that's the former prime minister to the president.

>> thank you very much. much more ahead including after ten years in power we'll look why bolivia appears to have decided enough is enough for its president. plus... >> we're reporting where 30 people have been found to have escaped the syndicate. >> we have more on the nba coming up a little later. >> first, a massive clean up is underway in fiji after cyclone winston hi, the strongest storm to hit the nation. >> the word being used around fiji is platenned. these were villages on remote

islands. on iffy's main island phone lines are cut. boats have not reached them yet nor planes. it is not known yet how many were injured or if people died. fiji's prime minister warned people to expect bad news. the damage has been widespread. homes have been destroyed 37 many people have been left confused what to do. >> the cities of suva escaped the full force of the cyclone. still an hour north there is widespread destruction. it felt pretty windy here now but this is nothing compared to

how it was when the cyclone was at its peek. you see how the roof has gone, it's destroyed inside, and the debris is everywhere, the same stories to the valley, and there a guesthouse totally destroyed. nearby houses have been strewn down the hillside. this woman's house did survive but only just. she and her friends are cleaning up, grateful to be alive. >> it was terror. it is terrible. it is horrible. >> in this part of fiji already screws are at work for restoring power lines and clamoring up to repair mobile masts. but there are many mobile masts damaged in places still inaccessible. the fear is what news will

emerge once the part of the country that is currently cut off will have restored communication. >> al jazeera has uncovered an illegal trade in human organs in indonesia. villagers in west java have sold their kidneys for $5,000. we have reports where three members of the syndicate have been arrested and doctors at a government hospital questioned by police. >> at least 30 people who live here in a nearby community have just one kidney. the police say they sold their other kidneys to middle men for $5,000 each. >> i was in a bad situation. i have huge debt and i didn't have a house. i couldn't pay my rent for four months already. >> organ trade is illegal in indonesia. but people can donate their organs to friend and relatives.

in order to sell his kidney he had to pretend he knew the recipient. he had no problems at the screening at the public hospital. >> the doctor told me t he would give me lots of money for my kidney so i could open up my own business. >> the police have so far questioned six doctors with possible collusion with possible criminals. >> they work together with the syndicate and the hospital. of course the doctors would be prosecuted. >> they deny any involvement, but the screening process is designed to weed out any cases of trade in organs. >> this is part of the process that needs to be refined. we need to look at this from case to case. this needs to be further investigated. if there are possible mistakes, which could be the case, then this should be part of the

investigation. i agree with that. >> according to the health ministry, 150,000 indonesia kidney patients need a transplant. >> we all know about the brokers. they've been here for a long time. they set up a community of kidney patients, and people who want to sell their kidneys. >> but some cannot afford to pay a middle man up to $25,000 for a kidney. it's a story not many here in this village are willing to share. they're ashamed that poverty has forced them to sell their own kidney, a deal that many here now regret. that, police say, will unlikely keep poor villagers from the kidney trade. this man sold his kidney for $5,000. he said his house has

deteriorated since the operation. >> i feel betrayed. what can i do. i have nothing. i can only suffer in silence. >> in an effort to stop the trade in kidneys parliament members have urged the government to establish a donor bank where organ donation will be regulated and donors properly screened. >> now to the arguments in libya over forming a unity government. mps in the internationally recognized parliament based in tibruk cannot agree to weather to join or not. the united nations said agreement is vital because a divided libya could pave the way for isil to create a stronger platform in northern africa. >> after two days in heated debate it seems that the tibruk parliament is no closer to backing the internationally

endorsed unity government. it seems there are many points of disagreements including who makes up the 18-member cabinet. >> the name of ministers appropriate posed is an example of exclusion and marginalization. because a third of libya's population are not represented. >> libya has been in turmoil with dozens of militias, each fighting for control since the overthrow of muammar qaddafi i in 2011. each have their own militia and foreign backers. general haftar have been leading forces backing the government in tibruk. the situation has been made worse by isil stepping in to an

already crowded battlefield. talks led by a presidential council being formed last month, last year they formed an unity government that still has to be endorsed by both sides. as the talks continue, so does the fighting. haftar forces have made gains in parts of been gas did i and eastern libya. there is support under the control of the libyan national army. it had been used to ship weapons to isil fighters. haftar forces have taken control of the area south of bengahzi. not just to end the suffering of the libyan people, but to prevent isil fight freers gaining any more ground. al jazeera. >> still ahead on the al jazeera news hour, macedonia stop

thousands from crossing the greek border. we'll be live with the latest. we'll hear from lewis hamilton as pre-season testing begins.

>> these people have decided that today they will be arrested. >> i know that i'm being surveilled. >> people are not getting the care that they need. >> this is a crime against humanity. >> hands up... >> don't shoot. >> hands up... >> don't shoot. >> what do we want? >> justice. >> when do we want it? >> now. >> explosions going on... we're not quite sure - >> is that an i.e.d.?

>> hello again, the fop stories on the news hour. world powers have reached the deal of hostilities in syria. the agreement calls on warring groups to end fighting by noon damascus time on february 26th. afghan government forces have pulled out of a second districts in helmand province effectively conceding to the taliban. the government says that this is a tactical retreat to the jat communities want a share of caste-based benefits. but their leaders say they want an agreement in writing before calling off protests.

this activist video is set to show government planes reportedly dropping barrel bombs on rebel-held districts. if it false it gives the government forces the upper hand to encircle the city. here are some of the people who are running from the violence. 90,000 people have been displaced in the last few weeks, and many of them heading towards turkey for safety only to find hospitals and other services over the border are overwhelmed and they're on the verge of collapse. >> it is a battle front that is

key to survival. it could be an irreversible set back to the rebels. just a few kilometers from the border crossing with turkey it is a much-needed gateway. the hello are surrounded by two enemies in a few days you'll hear about our victories and things will return the way they were. >> the message that things could change, a number of locations were targeted including an hospital. aid agencies have already warned that the devastated health system is close to collapse. >> it's close to the border so people think it's a safe place. that's why people are here. this means that we have more

patients not just providing care to the people in azaz. all the hospitals in the northern countryside no longer operate. we also lack staff. >> many say they're not going to wait to be we seened by government line forces. from their positions inside the city they still have access to strongholds in western syria. >> they want to besiege aleppo city but we're using all our strength to prevent this. it those that they're strong and they're weak. we are staying here to liberate the city with our blood. >> the opposition feel the same about azaz. it's not just home to thousands of syrians. it's now the last line of defense. they use it to receive supplies from turkey and it could be used as a base to launch counter offenses.

for over a week there has been no movement on that front. there was a risk of a wider global conflict, and it seems that battle has been put on hold temporarily. azaz has lost military importance begins rebel supply routes have been cut just outside of the town. >> a german navy ship has arrived in italy with more than 350 rescued refugees and migrants on board. it docked at the island of sicily. those on board are mainly from west africa including nigeria, senegal and mali. meanwhile, on the greek macedonian border afghan

migrants have staged a sit-in protest they're demanding to be granted passenger to continue their journey towards western europe. more than 400 afghans have gathered along with syrians and iraqis. joining us from the greek-macedonia border to tell us what the situation is with the afghan refugee, and why they're not allowed to cross over. >> 24 hours ago this was a completely different scene. all these tents were not here. there were hundreds of people standing in front of the camp. they can't get in simply because the camp is full. what is happening it's further down from 100 meters here you have the borderline. there you have some afghans nationals who are very angry because they're not allowed to cross into macedon in a and continue their journey.

so they are sitting on the tracks there, and they're saying well, if we can't go through, then no one else will go through. now you have many migrants who are in the midst of refugees. what we understand, they're not going to move. they're going to stay there until they're also allowed to continue. >> what are officials saying about this situation. >> there are a few afghans, some say up to 900 who are also stranded on the border between macedonia and serbia. now what we're hearing from macedonia officials say this is not our decision. we are trapped in a domino

effect. the borders further up are closed to afghan nationals at the moment. what is not clear if this is a permanent decision, is this a temporary decision? this is one question that no one has been able to ask at the moment. there is extreme worry about these refugees especially the afghans who have spent so much money and energy to reach this poise. they have no option to continue the road. going backwards, staying stranded in greece, greece does not have the ability to keep them. this idea of closing the borders more and more to different nationalities. >> well, a conference to address the humanitarian crisis has been

taking place. bernard smith reports. >> a woman hit by shrapnel which landed near a water drinking fountain. last year this food aid convoy was one of the few that has managed to get through. the convoy was carrying one month of rations for 3,000 families. there are around 800,000 people in the city. >> people are angered. there is no medicine. there is no healt help for the people. >> the saudi-led coalition are

fighting each other across yemen while al-qaeda, separatists and other groups use the chaos to fight for territory and influence. the u.n. said 7.4 million people are suffering from severe food insecurity. all sides have been accused of ignoring risks to civilians. >> we call upon all parties. >> more than 6,000 people have died in the last 12 months of conflict. this is the first time that there has been an attempt to coordinate the humanitarian aid response to the conflict in yemen. and just the immediate critical needs. the u.n. said it needs $1.8 billion now. bernard smith. >> human rights watch has published a report accusing the

ethiopian government of violently oppressing protesters in the region. they have been demonstrating for four months against land reform. the governments reject the findings of the report. protests began in november over plans to expand the boundaries into the region. they were afraid their land would be taken and scrapped the urban development plans in january, but protests continues, and according to human rights watches security forces have shot randomly into crowds and torture detainees. let's cross over to new york and speak with leslie, the deputy director of human rights watch african division. leslie, then, you must have taken part in the publication of this report that human rights watch has put out. now if the ethiopian governments

say that the situation is largely under control, but this is something that you don't agree with? >> that's right. we're hearing daily reports of ongoing protests, of ongoing killings and arrests and a lot of people who have been arrested over the last three months remain in detention they continue to restrict access to many in this area. >> speaking of restricting access, leslie, how difficult does that make your job to assess the situation? >> it is extremely difficult. doing this kind of research is a huge challenge. there have been people who have fled the area and successfully managed to get out of the region, and we've spoken to many

of those people victims as well as and we're able to collect information from people on the ground. but it remains very challenging and one of the indicators is the fact that the numbers are very unclear. we know that scores of people have been killed and hundreds if not thousands arrested, but those numbers still remain obviously they are a huge margin. >> leslie, the ethiopian government did draft the plans in january. why do you think that did not calm the situation? >> i think there are two reasons. i think the initial factors that triggered the protests, this plan, the expansion of the capital has been overtaken by the event. so people are very angry and frustrated about the killings and the arrests and the abuses that have been taking place over the last three months. secondly there is a very serious

level of distrust and lack of confidence in the government. so even though they did withdraw the plan, which is an important concession, we haven't seen other steps. we haven't seen an end to the violence. we have not seen the release of the hundreds of people who have been detained unlawfully. we have not seen the release of some of the political leadership that have been detained and are being prosecuted under the anti-terrorism law. i think those kinds of steps will be more important confidence-building measures. >> how likely these steps are actually taken? >> we really hope that the ethiopian government will reconsider their approach. clearly the violent owe probation is not working and it's only resulting in tragic loss of lives and blood shed. many of the people who have been shot and arrested are students. many of them are even children

under the age of 18. this is really a tragedy, and i would sincerely hope that ethiopia and it's partners would revisit the strategy that is being deployed here. >> we thank you very much for speaking to us from new york. >> early results appear to show that--it will be a blow to the presidency. we have reports from. >> it's difficult for many bolivians to remember when morales was not president. but they've decided enough is enough and he won't be able to run again in 2019. he remains, however, a popular

president. >> he has transformed bolivian politics. >> a few weeks ago his campaign was well ahead in the opinion poles. but a strong opposition campaign caused it serious damage. >> he was not all powerful. he was replaceable and beatable. he has shown to be a normal human being capable of making mistakes. >> morales came to power and nationalized the oil and gas industries and gave voice to indigenous population, which had been marginalized. but not everyone is screaming si, si, si, believing that you can have too much of a good thing. power corrupts or even there

needs to be change. >> there is no equality. there is no justice. we have to change this government. >> a lot of young people have seen how things are in other countries and that's influenced their thinking. >> president morales gambled with his election. he'll have to step down in 2019. >> sports is coming up on the al jazeera news hour. in india some worrying news ahead of the asian cups. details coming up in just a moment.

>> well, they call it the world's mobile congress. an event to show the latest in smart phone technology all over the world. it's happening in barcelona, and we're there. >> they've enjoyed golden times with year over year in sales the trouble is those years appear to be over. just two of the top five makers have shown increase in the last

quarter. the reason, a slowing chinese market coupled with saturation in many of the markets as each phone makers can't come up with a significantly better model, most people are choosing to hold on to the ones they have. phone sales are down. this high tech collar allows you to track your animals at all times. >> location technology, the ability to tag and follow becomes really relevant. you can fit them with the collar, follow them. >> there is nothing new to online shopping. but this application takes it to another level. not only can you look at the products that you can buy in three dimensions. you can select them.

put it in a basket. this allows them to text message and gives them a physical location where they can deliver the goods in a couple of hours. some of the smaller companies are trying to pack more into less. this has a high-powered video in the happened set and there is seemingly endless innovation around gadgets with sales of new mobiles down and breathing new life and functionality into existing models seems to be the focus. age. >> now time for the sports news. >> thank you so much. well, manchester united will take on the in cup fifth round.

their hosts play on the third tier of english football, but the united boss is not taking them lightly. >> you cannot continue with losing gains and the question is how we are lifting ourselves for the game you have to accomplish that. >> the executive committee member, the ban was imposed after the president of the football association of thailand was found guilty for failing to obey a previous ban. he was on the executive committee for 18 years until being voted off last year. in the nba the toronto raptors bounced back to beat the memphis

grizzlies 98-85. over in portland the trailblazers won their fifth game in a row. the u.sthe blazers are in hot form to beat golden state last year. they've won ten of their last 11 games. formula 1 champion lewis hamilton tested in barcelona. they unveiled their car on monday. hamilton will attempt to win his third consecutive championship this year. mercedes has dominated two f. f-1 seasons. >> i've been racing for a long time. i imagine its like anyone buying a new car.

>> australian has got themselves in strong position in the second test against new zealand taking a lead of 135 into the second innings. it has put new zealand into trouble. the black caps are 121-4. they need to win to level the match series. suffering a major set back ahead of the asian cup. thhe has had a back spasm, earlier. you hope that their captain is fully fit for next month's world cup. he led them to winning it in 2007. islamabad united has booked a place in the super league. the competition going on in

dubai right now. they win to get there. despite best efforts, they would smash 38 in 17 balls. and they came up short, winning by 50 runs and will face qatar for the title. unseated pablo would clench the title. i'm very happy not only because of this win, but because of what i did in the semifinals, beating rafael nadal. this is my fourth title and obviously i'm very happy. >> two-time masters champion bubba watson has won in california. the 37-year-old rallieded to

hold 16 and 17, closing 3 under 68. it's his ninth career pga victory. he now moves up to fourth in the world rankings. now the most pre-ties justic most prestigious race, denny him blindenny hamblin winning his first-ever race. despite being the top team, sixth different players scored for the wild. minnesota became the 20th nhl team to play outdoors since they've launched such gains in 2003. that's all your sport for now.

>> living to 106 years old is a pretty impressive feat. but take a look at this. >> well, that's virginia m mcloren. she finally got her wish to meet america's first black president. she said she keeps moving. that's her secret to a long life. >> well, that's it from myself and our colleagues in london will take over in just a moment

with more of today's news. just stay with al jazeera. >> the only live national news show at 11:00 eastern. >> we start with breaking news. >> let's take a closer look.

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>> only on al jazeera america. >> an agreement is reached between u.s. and russia calling for hostilities to stop in syria. also coming up in this program. afghan forces conceding control to the taliban. uganda's main opposition leaders held by police promising to protest after disputed elections.