rferl--2020-03-06--Violence Hits Syria's Idlib Province Ahead Of Truce, Then 'Relative Calm'

A Syrian rights watchdog and activists are reporting `` relative calm '' in Idlib Province after a cease-fire agreed to by the leaders of Turkey and Russia went into effect at midnight , although they said violence continued right up to the start of the truce .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in the early morning hours of March 6 that a cautious calm was prevailing on major fronts in Idlib .
An activist who lives in Idlib city also told the German dpa news agency that the situation was calm on all fronts around the war-torn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took effect , however , the observatory reported that air strikes by Russian warplanes and shelling by allied Syrian government forces had targeted the countryside of Idlib and areas near Hama .
It reported that two Turkish soldiers had been killed in shelling west of the city of Saraqeb .
Early on March 6 , the Turkish Defense Ministry said its drones `` neutralized '' 21 Syrian regime troops in strikes hours before the cease-fire took effect in retaliation for the soldiers who were killed .
Following six hours of talks in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced they had agreed to a cease-fire to begin at midnight for northwestern Idlib Province , as they sought to ease tensions over a recent flare-up of violence .
The cease-fire is to be enforced along existing battle lines and envisages setting up a 12-kilometer-wide security corridor along the M4 highway .
The corridor is to be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops , starting on March 15 .
The meeting came amid tensions in Idlib , Syria 's last rebel stronghold , in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , a close ally of Russia .
A previous cease-fire deal for Idlib quickly fell apart , with Moscow and Ankara accusing each other of failing to adhere to that agreement .
After his meeting with Erdogan in Moscow , Putin expressed hope that the new agreement will `` serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population . ''
Erdogan said Turkey `` reserves the right to retaliate with all its strength against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On February 27 , Ankara reported the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an air strike blamed on Syria .
That led to retaliation and , on March 1 , Turkey killed 19 Syrian soldiers in drone strikes and shot down two government warplanes .
Turkey and Russia -- which back opposing sides in the conflict -- have avoided direct confrontation so far , but the latest incidents have led many observers to express concerns that NATO member Turkey and Russia could become embroiled in an armed conflict .
Ankara wants Assad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault on Idlib -- to pull back behind lines agreed under a 2018 deal brokered with Moscow .
Erdogan in late February told Putin that Russia should stand aside in Syria to let Turkey deal with Syrian government forces alone .
But Moscow , which has backed Assad with crucial air support in the past five years , has said the Syrian government should be able to assert full control over the country , which has been torn apart by civil war since 2011 .
The United States has expressed strong support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by our NATO ally Turkey '' and demanded that Syria and Russia end their `` despicable '' offensive in Idlib .
With reporting by AFP , Reuters , Interfax , dpa , and AP

A Syrian rights watchdog and activists are reporting "relative calm" in Idlib Province after a cease-fire agreed to by the leaders of Turkey and Russia went into effect at midnight, although they said violence continued right up to the start of the truce.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in the early morning hours of March 6 that a cautious calm was prevailing on major fronts in Idlib.
An activist who lives in Idlib city also told the German dpa news agency that the situation was calm on all fronts around the war-torn city.
Shortly before the midnight cease-fire took effect, however, the observatory reported that air strikes by Russian warplanes and shelling by allied Syrian government forces had targeted the countryside of Idlib and areas near Hama.
It reported that two Turkish soldiers had been killed in shelling west of the city of Saraqeb.
Early on March 6, the Turkish Defense Ministry said its drones "neutralized" 21 Syrian regime troops in strikes hours before the cease-fire took effect in retaliation for the soldiers who were killed.
Following six hours of talks in Moscow on March 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced they had agreed to a cease-fire to begin at midnight for northwestern Idlib Province, as they sought to ease tensions over a recent flare-up of violence.
The cease-fire is to be enforced along existing battle lines and envisages setting up a 12-kilometer-wide security corridor along the M4 highway. The corridor is to be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops, starting on March 15.
The meeting came amid tensions in Idlib, Syria's last rebel stronghold, in recent weeks as Turkey launched an offensive against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Russia.
A previous cease-fire deal for Idlib quickly fell apart, with Moscow and Ankara accusing each other of failing to adhere to that agreement.
After his meeting with Erdogan in Moscow, Putin expressed hope that the new agreement will "serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population."
Erdogan said Turkey "reserves the right to retaliate with all its strength against any attack" by Syrian government forces.
On February 27, Ankara reported the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers in an air strike blamed on Syria. That led to retaliation and, on March 1, Turkey killed 19 Syrian soldiers in drone strikes and shot down two government warplanes.
Turkey and Russia -- which back opposing sides in the conflict -- have avoided direct confrontation so far, but the latest incidents have led many observers to express concerns that NATO member Turkey and Russia could become embroiled in an armed conflict.
Ankara wants Assad's forces -- which have launched an assault on Idlib -- to pull back behind lines agreed under a 2018 deal brokered with Moscow.
Erdogan in late February told Putin that Russia should stand aside in Syria to let Turkey deal with Syrian government forces alone.
But Moscow, which has backed Assad with crucial air support in the past five years, has said the Syrian government should be able to assert full control over the country, which has been torn apart by civil war since 2011.
The United States has expressed strong support for Ankara, saying that "we stand by our NATO ally Turkey" and demanded that Syria and Russia end their "despicable" offensive in Idlib.
With reporting by AFP, Reuters, Interfax, dpa, and AP


rferl--2020-03-06--Russia Looks To Lure Citizens To Energy-Rich But Foreboding Arctic Regions

Russia is seeking to persuade more people to live in its energy-rich Arctic regions as part of a 15-year strategy plan signed by President Vladimir Putin .
The Kremlin plan , titled Foundations Of State Policy In The Arctic To 2035 , promises payouts to people relocating to the area and infrastructure development in the environmentally vulnerable territory .
It says the main goals are to boost the local population 's quality of life and speed economic development with improved infrastructure and technology .
The region has long been an economically depressed part of the country , hit with high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the departure of many residents over the past 20 years .
The plan calls for the development of scientific and engineering solutions to `` prevent infrastructure damage from global climate change '' that occurs in northern latitudes .
The Arctic region has gained the attention of nations in and around the region for its strategic military position and energy resources .
Last September , U.S. Defense Department officials met with representatives of eight Nordic and Baltic nations to discuss Arctic security and cooperation the great powers eye the region ’ s natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Arctic policy in 2018 highlighting its interest in the region despite having no boundaries with it .
The Arctic represents a shorter route from Asia to Europe , which the Chinese have called a `` Polar Silk Road . ''
Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax

Russia is seeking to persuade more people to live in its energy-rich Arctic regions as part of a 15-year strategy plan signed by President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin plan, titled Foundations Of State Policy In The Arctic To 2035, promises payouts to people relocating to the area and infrastructure development in the environmentally vulnerable territory.
It says the main goals are to boost the local population's quality of life and speed economic development with improved infrastructure and technology.
The region has long been an economically depressed part of the country, hit with high jobless rates and poverty levels, leading to the departure of many residents over the past 20 years.
The plan calls for the development of scientific and engineering solutions to "prevent infrastructure damage from global climate change" that occurs in northern latitudes.
The Arctic region has gained the attention of nations in and around the region for its strategic military position and energy resources.
Last September, U.S. Defense Department officials met with representatives of eight Nordic and Baltic nations to discuss Arctic security and cooperation the great powers eye the region’s natural resources and water routes.
China released an Arctic policy in 2018 highlighting its interest in the region despite having no boundaries with it. The Arctic represents a shorter route from Asia to Europe, which the Chinese have called a "Polar Silk Road."
Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax


rferl--2020-03-06--OPEC's Call For Deeper Output Cuts Sets Up Showdown With Russia, Kazakhstan

OPEC has proposed a larger-than-expected cut in oil production to help support prices and will press the message to non-cartel members , including a reluctant Russia , in a meeting on March 6 .
OPEC said on March 5 it wanted to cut supplies by an extra 1.5 million barrels per day ( bpd ) until the end of the year -- a deeper reduction than earlier suggested and for a longer period than had been expected .
The cartel had been expected to seek cuts of 1 million bpd and only through June of this year to help boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely amid the global coronavirus epidemic -- a situation OPEC calls `` unprecedented . ''
`` The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major adverse impact on global economic and oil demand forecasts in 2020 , '' OPEC said in a statement .
Russia and Kazakhstan , members of the broader OPEC+ group -- which will meet on March 6 in Vienna -- said they had not yet agreed to a deeper cut , putting a potential new agreement in danger .
OPEC+ already has a deal in place for cuts of 2.1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on top of that .
Saudi Arabia is OPEC 's biggest producer and has been pushing for a significant cut to lift oil prices that have tumbled 20 percent since the start of year and 8 percent in the past month .
Moscow , which relies heavily on income from oil exports , has pushed back on larger output reductions .
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on March 5 that Moscow was prepared for the effects of lower oil prices if no deal is reached .
Kazakh Energy Minister Nurlan Nogaev said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbs to June .
`` Moscow perhaps is underestimating that Saudi Arabia may be ready to walk away if it does n't get a positive answer , '' Amrita Sen , co-founder of the Energy Aspects think tank , told Reuters .
Reuters quoted sources as saying negotiations between OPEC and Moscow had been more difficult than in the past .
The news agency quoted two OPEC sources as saying if Russia failed to agree , the Saudis could insist on ending OPEC production limits entirely , possibly leading to a major decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black Gold Investors , told Reuters a worst-case scenario in which Saudi Arabia returned to full production would send oil prices down from $ 46- $ 50 a barrel currently to $ 25- $ 30 .
The lower level would be economically painful for OPEC members -- many of which are already struggling at current prices -- but also for Russia , which needs about $ 40 a barrel for its budgetary requirements .
With reporting by Reuters , dpa , AP , and Interfax

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has failed to reach agreement with Russia on a deal to cut oil production, sending world prices plummeting further.
The new coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the global economy has worried the oil cartel and Moscow, and both sides had hoped to agree to curtail production and stem the drop.
But OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo said on March 6 that the two-day meeting in Vienna had adjourned without result.
"At the end of the day, there was the general painful decision of the joint conference to adjourn the meeting," Barkindo said.
The international benchmark for crude oil dropped by 10 percent after the meeting adjourned. The price has dropped by nearly one third since the start of the year.
The 14 OPEC member countries had wanted to cut output by 1.5 million barrels a day, or about 1.5 percent of world production. But OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran say they need nonmember giants like Russia to take 500,000 barrels of that cut themselves.
Russia, which can tolerate low oil prices better than Saudi Arabia, was reluctant to agree to the cut.
Moscow is also reluctant to cut output of its main revenue-making export.
"From April 1 neither OPEC nor non-OPEC have restrictions," Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak told reporters after the Vienna talks.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters.


rferl--2020-03-05--Abkhaz Opposition Leader Reportedly Hospitalized During Russia Visit

SUKHUMI , Georgia -- An opposition presidential candidate in Georgia 's breakaway region of Abkhazia is now feeling well after being hospitalized in Russia for unclear reasons , his team says .
Aslan Bzhania 's team said on March 5 that Bzhania flew from Moscow to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi three days earlier and was hospitalized there because he felt unwell .
Bzhania was later put into an artificially induced coma and transported to the southern Russian city of Krasnodar , his team said .
Russian media reports have reported that Bzhania was diagnosed with `` poisoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegation rejected by Abkhazia ’ s de facto acting president , Valery Bganba , as being part of `` attempts to destabilize '' the separatist region .
Media in Abkhazia said Bzhania was hospitalized for `` multisegmental pneumonia . ''
Bzhania 's campaigners said he met with Abkhaz de facto Deputy Prime Minister Adgur Ardzinba in Krasnodar on March 5 to discuss the `` social and political situation in the region '' ahead of an early presidential election scheduled for March 22 .
Ardzinba , along with the separatist government 's former interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a presidential candidate .
Both suspended their campaign following Bzhania 's hospitalization .
The former leader of the breakaway region , Raul Khajimba , resigned in January following four days of opposition protests in the regional capital , Sukhumi .
The breakaway region 's parliament named de facto Prime Minister Bganba as acting president and announced that the cabinet would remain in place until a new leader was elected .
Abkhazia and Georgia 's other breakaway region of South Ossetia have been recognized as independent states by Moscow after a short Russian-Georgian war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international community consider both regions to be occupied territories .

SUKHUMI, Georgia -- An opposition presidential candidate in Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia is now feeling well after being hospitalized in Russia for unclear reasons, his team says.
Aslan Bzhania's team said on March 5 that Bzhania flew from Moscow to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi three days earlier and was hospitalized there because he felt unwell.
Bzhania was later put into an artificially induced coma and transported to the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, his team said.
Russian media reports have reported that Bzhania was diagnosed with "poisoning with an unknown substance," an allegation rejected by Abkhazia’s de facto acting president, Valery Bganba, as being part of "attempts to destabilize" the separatist region.
Media in Abkhazia said Bzhania was hospitalized for "multisegmental pneumonia."
Bzhania's campaigners said he met with Abkhaz de facto Deputy Prime Minister Adgur Ardzinba in Krasnodar on March 5 to discuss the "social and political situation in the region" ahead of an early presidential election scheduled for March 22.
Ardzinba, along with the separatist government's former interior minister, Leonid Dzapshba, is also a presidential candidate. Both suspended their campaign following Bzhania's hospitalization.
The former leader of the breakaway region, Raul Khajimba, resigned in January following four days of opposition protests in the regional capital, Sukhumi.
The breakaway region's parliament named de facto Prime Minister Bganba as acting president and announced that the cabinet would remain in place until a new leader was elected.
Abkhazia and Georgia's other breakaway region of South Ossetia have been recognized as independent states by Moscow after a short Russian-Georgian war in 2008.
Georgia and most of the international community consider both regions to be occupied territories.


rferl--2020-03-05--Ukraine's Parliament Passes Vote Of No Confidence In Prosecutor Amid Government Reshuffle

KYIV -- The Ukrainian parliament has passed a no-confidence vote in Prosecutor-General Ruslan Ryaboshapka , the latest move in a reshuffle that saw the prime minister and most of his government ousted .
At an extraordinary session on March 5 , 263 members of the Verkhovna Rada backed the no-confidence resolution against Ryaboshapka , who had been holding the position of prosecutor-general since August last year .
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy 's Servant of the People party has proposed one of their lawmakers , Serhiy Ionushas , as Ryaboshapka 's replacement .
The vote in parliament comes a day after lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honcharuk , who had been in office for six months , and backed Zelenskiy 's choice for his successor , Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal .
Parliament approved other cabinet members , including a new foreign , defense , and finance ministers .
Addressing lawmakers before the March 4 votes , Zelenskiy said Ukraine needs `` new brains and new hearts in the government.
” And Shmyhal wrote in a Facebook post late on March 5 that `` changing the government means that we want even better and faster reforms in Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prudent fiscal policy and constructive cooperation with the International Monetary Fund [ IMF ] and other creditors of Ukraine , '' he added .
The government reshuffle has put the country ’ s commitment to reforms into question at a time when Kyiv is seeking to finalize a long-delayed $ 5.5 billion loan program with the IMF , seen as crucial to economic stability and investor confidence .
In a statement sent to RFE/RL on March 5 , a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department urged the new Ukrainian government to “ demonstrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward with the critical steps necessary to further the country ’ s development , including strengthening the rule of law and combatting corruption.
” '' The strongest signal Ukraine can send that it remains committed to its reform trajectory is to secure a new IMF program . ''
A spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “ good progress was achieved ” under Honcharuk ’ s government “ in the pursuit of a broad and ambitious reform agenda.
” “ We expect the new government to demonstrate a similar degree of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as regards the fight against corruption and vested interests and in important sectors , including the financial sector , ” the statement said , adding that the rule of law “ remains the cornerstone of economic stability and investments.
” Zelenskiy won a landslide victory in the April 2019 presidential election on promises to end endemic corruption , attract foreign investment , and end the war in the east with Russian-backed separatists .
Three months later , the Servant of the People party swept national elections , giving him unprecedented power to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stalled by oligarchs for decades .
However , public trust in Zelenskiy has slid from nearly 80 percent in September to around 50 percent last month , polling figures from the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center show .

KYIV -- The Ukrainian parliament has passed a no-confidence vote in Prosecutor-General Ruslan Ryaboshapka, the latest move in a reshuffle that saw the prime minister and most of his government ousted.
At an extraordinary session on March 5, 263 members of the Verkhovna Rada backed the no-confidence resolution against Ryaboshapka, who had been holding the position of prosecutor-general since August last year.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party has proposed one of their lawmakers, Serhiy Ionushas, as Ryaboshapka's replacement.
The vote in parliament comes a day after lawmakers accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, who had been in office for six months, and backed Zelenskiy's choice for his successor, Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Parliament approved other cabinet members, including a new foreign, defense, and finance ministers.
Addressing lawmakers before the March 4 votes, Zelenskiy said Ukraine needs "new brains and new hearts in the government.”
And Shmyhal wrote in a Facebook post late on March 5 that "changing the government means that we want even better and faster reforms in Ukraine."
The new cabinet will continue “prudent fiscal policy and constructive cooperation with the International Monetary Fund [IMF] and other creditors of Ukraine," he added.
The government reshuffle has put the country’s commitment to reforms into question at a time when Kyiv is seeking to finalize a long-delayed $5.5 billion loan program with the IMF, seen as crucial to economic stability and investor confidence.
In a statement sent to RFE/RL on March 5, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department urged the new Ukrainian government to “demonstrate its continued commitment to reform by moving forward with the critical steps necessary to further the country’s development, including strengthening the rule of law and combatting corruption.”
"The strongest signal Ukraine can send that it remains committed to its reform trajectory is to secure a new IMF program."
A spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “good progress was achieved” under Honcharuk’s government “in the pursuit of a broad and ambitious reform agenda.”
“We expect the new government to demonstrate a similar degree of determination to pursue these reforms, including as regards the fight against corruption and vested interests and in important sectors, including the financial sector,” the statement said, adding that the rule of law “remains the cornerstone of economic stability and investments.”
Zelenskiy won a landslide victory in the April 2019 presidential election on promises to end endemic corruption, attract foreign investment, and end the war in the east with Russian-backed separatists.
Three months later, the Servant of the People party swept national elections, giving him unprecedented power to push through major economic reforms that had been stalled by oligarchs for decades.
However, public trust in Zelenskiy has slid from nearly 80 percent in September to around 50 percent last month, polling figures from the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center show.
With reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-03-06--Amid Questions About Political Future, Putin Says He Doesn't Intend To Become Head Of State Council

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he did not intend to head a newly empowered State Council once his presidency formally ends in 2024 .
In comments on March 6 , Putin also said he doesn ’ t want to end presidential term limits .
The remarks add to mounting questions about his future plans , as well as uncertainty about Russia ’ s political system amid proposed sweeping changes to the country ’ s constitution .
In January , Putin called for a series of constitutional amendments that amounted to a major reshuffling of future legal powers between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's parliament is expected to pass a final version of the amendments in the coming weeks , and Russians will vote on them in a referendum on April 22 .
Among the amendments is a move to formalize the authority of the State Council , which until now has been merely an advisory body for the Kremlin .
Some Kremlin watchers predicted that enshrining the State Council in the constitution would theoretically allow Putin to retain a supreme leadership role , once his second straight six-year term ends in 2024 .
Speaking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a depressed factory city about 300 kilometers northeast of Moscow , Putin was asked about heading the State Council .
`` There are suggestions to give the State Council some special powers and [ for me to ] become the head of that State Council .
What will it mean ?
It will amount to the situation of diarchy in our country .
Such a situation is absolutely fatal for Russia , ” he said .
He continued : `` It is not about me not being willing to [ be in power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my job , but setting up a scheme of power that would be unacceptable or destructive for the country for the sake of retaining my personal powers is precisely what I am afraid of and what I do not want to do . ''
The Russian leader also said that he thought ending presidential terms would be harmful for Russia ’ s future even though , he asserted , the country would benefit from political stability .
“ Why do n't I want to scrap limits ?
” Putin said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm not going to lose my mind , it 's not about me .
Stability , calm development of the country may be more important now , but later when the country becomes more confident and gets richer it will definitely be necessary to ensure government rotation .
``  Under the existing constitution , which limits presidents to two consecutive terms , Putin is barred from seeking reelection in 2024 .
Putin lamented the state of Russia ’ s political parties , while also downplaying the idea of turning Russia into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed amendments appeared to do in part .
`` Our country will not do well without a strong presidential power .
We do not have stable political parties , which , say in Europe , have been maturing for centuries , ” he said .

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he did not intend to head a newly empowered State Council once his presidency formally ends in 2024.
In comments on March 6, Putin also said he doesn’t want to end presidential term limits.
The remarks add to mounting questions about his future plans, as well as uncertainty about Russia’s political system amid proposed sweeping changes to the country’s constitution.
In January, Putin called for a series of constitutional amendments that amounted to a major reshuffling of future legal powers between the presidency and the parliament.
The country's parliament is expected to pass a final version of the amendments in the coming weeks, and Russians will vote on them in a referendum on April 22.
Among the amendments is a move to formalize the authority of the State Council, which until now has been merely an advisory body for the Kremlin.
Some Kremlin watchers predicted that enshrining the State Council in the constitution would theoretically allow Putin to retain a supreme leadership role, once his second straight six-year term ends in 2024.
Speaking at a meeting with residents of Ivanovo, a depressed factory city about 300 kilometers northeast of Moscow, Putin was asked about heading the State Council.
"There are suggestions to give the State Council some special powers and [for me to] become the head of that State Council. What will it mean? It will amount to the situation of diarchy in our country. Such a situation is absolutely fatal for Russia,” he said.
He continued: "It is not about me not being willing to [be in power] -- no, I do like my job, but setting up a scheme of power that would be unacceptable or destructive for the country for the sake of retaining my personal powers is precisely what I am afraid of and what I do not want to do."
The Russian leader also said that he thought ending presidential terms would be harmful for Russia’s future even though, he asserted, the country would benefit from political stability.
“Why don't I want to scrap limits?” Putin said. “It's not that I fear myself: I'm not going to lose my mind, it's not about me. Stability, calm development of the country may be more important now, but later when the country becomes more confident and gets richer it will definitely be necessary to ensure government rotation."
Under the existing constitution, which limits presidents to two consecutive terms, Putin is barred from seeking reelection in 2024.
Putin lamented the state of Russia’s political parties, while also downplaying the idea of turning Russia into a parliamentary republic, something that the proposed amendments appeared to do in part.
"Our country will not do well without a strong presidential power. We do not have stable political parties, which, say in Europe, have been maturing for centuries,” he said.
With reporting by AP


rferl--2020-03-06--Armenia, Azerbaijan Trade Accusations Over Fresh Border Fighting

YEREVAN/BAKU -- Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of violating the fragile cease-fire along their border for a second time in less than two weeks .
The State Border Service of Azerbaijan said on March 6 that one of its guards was killed by sniper fire in the Gazakh district late the previous day .
Meanwhile , Armenia ’ s Defense Ministry said its soldiers repelled an Azerbaijani commando raid against Armenian military positions early on March 6 .
Armenian forces managed to repulse the attack , inflicting `` casualties '' on the attackers , according to a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldier was slightly wounded in the fighting .
The Defense Ministry published on its website photographs of ammunition and a mine detector , which it claimed the attackers left behind while retreating .
Border fighting in the same area on February 24 left one Azerbaijani soldier killed and one Armenian serviceman wounded , according to Yerevan and Baku .
The two neighbors have been locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan 's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh for years .
Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict have brought little progress .

YEREVAN/BAKU -- Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of violating the fragile cease-fire along their border for a second time in less than two weeks.
The State Border Service of Azerbaijan said on March 6 that one of its guards was killed by sniper fire in the Gazakh district late the previous day.
Meanwhile, Armenia’s Defense Ministry said its soldiers repelled an Azerbaijani commando raid against Armenian military positions early on March 6.
Armenian forces managed to repulse the attack, inflicting "casualties" on the attackers, according to a statement.
It also said that one Armenian soldier was slightly wounded in the fighting.
The Defense Ministry published on its website photographs of ammunition and a mine detector, which it claimed the attackers left behind while retreating.
Border fighting in the same area on February 24 left one Azerbaijani soldier killed and one Armenian serviceman wounded, according to Yerevan and Baku.
The two neighbors have been locked in a conflict over Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh for years.
Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people.
Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict have brought little progress.


rferl--2020-03-06--Kremlin Critic Navalny Files Suit Against Russia At European Rights Court

Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny and his Anti-Corruption Foundation ( FBK ) have lodged a complaint against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights claiming authorities are `` unlawfully '' impeding their political activities .
The European Human Rights Advocacy Center ( EHRAC ) , which is part of the team representing the applicants in the case , said in a statement on March 6 that `` a large and invasive criminal investigation into alleged money laundering by FBK staff '' by Russian officials is little more than an attempt to stall their pro-democracy efforts .
`` I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my political activities .
The pressure is not only directed at me , but at the structures that I have created and the employees of these structures , '' Navalny said in the statement .
Navalny , 43 , has been one of President Vladimir Putin 's most vocal critics for the better part of a decade , enduring multiple incarcerations , a barred attempt to run for president , and a hamstrung bid for the Moscow mayor 's post .
Most recently , Navalny and FBK chief Ivan Zhdanov said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been emptied and all their payment cards and those of relatives were blocked in what they described as a move to discredit and disgrace them .
`` This is a hugely important case for the defense of democratic freedoms in Russia , and for the effective safeguarding of human rights defenders and other 'critical voices ' whose activities are constantly threatened by the arbitrary conduct of the Russian authorities , '' EHRAC Director Philip Leach said .
Russia passed a `` foreign agent '' law -- which requires all nongovernmental organizations receiving foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major wave of anti-government protests .
The Justice Ministry labelled FBK a foreign agent in October .
The FBK has refused to register as a foreign agent , saying it has never received financial support from foreign entities .
Since October , the FBK has unsuccessfully tried to appeal the decision of being branded a foreign agent .
Navalny has said that the move was another way of imposing pressure on his organization .
Last year , the `` foreign agent '' law was amended to brand reporters who work for organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents themselves .
The money-laundering case was launched by investigators last August as Navalny encouraged pro-democracy rallies over the rejection of most opposition candidates in municipal elections .
The protests , which ran for weeks , were some of the biggest in years .
Navalny has long been a thorn in Putin 's side .
He was barred from running for president in 2018 due to a tax fraud conviction that he has called trumped up .
Putin easily won the election .

Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) have lodged a complaint against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights claiming authorities are "unlawfully" impeding their political activities.
The European Human Rights Advocacy Center (EHRAC), which is part of the team representing the applicants in the case, said in a statement on March 6 that "a large and invasive criminal investigation into alleged money laundering by FBK staff" by Russian officials is little more than an attempt to stall their pro-democracy efforts.
"I have repeatedly faced persecution by the Russian authorities for my political activities. The pressure is not only directed at me, but at the structures that I have created and the employees of these structures," Navalny said in the statement.
Navalny, 43, has been one of President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics for the better part of a decade, enduring multiple incarcerations, a barred attempt to run for president, and a hamstrung bid for the Moscow mayor's post.
Most recently, Navalny and FBK chief Ivan Zhdanov said on March 3 that their bank accounts had been emptied and all their payment cards and those of relatives were blocked in what they described as a move to discredit and disgrace them.
"This is a hugely important case for the defense of democratic freedoms in Russia, and for the effective safeguarding of human rights defenders and other 'critical voices' whose activities are constantly threatened by the arbitrary conduct of the Russian authorities," EHRAC Director Philip Leach said.
Russia passed a "foreign agent" law -- which requires all nongovernmental organizations receiving foreign funding to register -- in 2012 following a major wave of anti-government protests.
The Justice Ministry labelled FBK a foreign agent in October. The FBK has refused to register as a foreign agent, saying it has never received financial support from foreign entities.
Since October, the FBK has unsuccessfully tried to appeal the decision of being branded a foreign agent. Navalny has said that the move was another way of imposing pressure on his organization.
Last year, the "foreign agent" law was amended to brand reporters who work for organizations officially listed as foreign agents as foreign agents themselves.
The money-laundering case was launched by investigators last August as Navalny encouraged pro-democracy rallies over the rejection of most opposition candidates in municipal elections. The protests, which ran for weeks, were some of the biggest in years.
Navalny has long been a thorn in Putin's side. He was barred from running for president in 2018 due to a tax fraud conviction that he has called trumped up. Putin easily won the election.


rferl--2020-03-06--Austria Extradites Tajik Asylum Seeker, Ignoring Activists' Warnings

DUSHANBE -- Austrian authorities have extradited a Tajik asylum seeker to Tajikistan on Dushanbe 's request despite warnings from activists that the man may face torture and an unfair judicial process there .
The Tajik Prosecutor-General 's Office said in a March 5 statement that Hizbullo Shovalizoda was arrested upon arrival at Dushanbe 's airport following his extradition .
According to the statement , Shovalizoda is suspected of being a member of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan ( IRPT ) and participating in an attempt to overthrow the government by force .
The IRPT , long an influential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament , was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015 .
Dozens of IRPT officials and supporters have been prosecuted and many of them imprisoned , drawing criticism from human rights groups .
The IRPT said on March 6 that Shovalizoda had never been one of its members .
`` Shovalizoda is most likely to be subjected to torture , ill-treatment , and unfair trial .
He , as in previous similar situations , may be forced to testify against himself and other people under torture , '' the party said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told RFE/RL that they had urged Austrian authorities not to extradite Shovalizoda , as he was not a member of any political opposition group or party .
Shovalizoda has not commented on his case but Vaisaiddin Odinaev , a Tajik political activist abroad , told RFE/RL on February 27 that the 29-year-old arrived in Austria a year ago but was not granted asylum as he sought , but instead was placed under arrest on January 22 .
According to Odinaev , although Shovalizoda is not a member of any political party , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Tajik opposition and openly supports the National Alliance of Tajikistan ( PMT ) , which unites several Tajik opposition political parties and movements in exile .
The PMT was established in Warsaw in September 2018 at a gathering of Tajik opposition activists living in various countries of the European Union .
Tajik authorities have been criticized for cracking down on dissent for years .
In 2014 , the opposition movement Group 24 was labeled as terrorist and extremist and banned .
In March 2015 , the movement 's founder , Umarali Quvatov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

DUSHANBE -- Austrian authorities have extradited a Tajik asylum seeker to Tajikistan on Dushanbe's request despite warnings from activists that the man may face torture and an unfair judicial process there.
The Tajik Prosecutor-General's Office said in a March 5 statement that Hizbullo Shovalizoda was arrested upon arrival at Dushanbe's airport following his extradition.
According to the statement, Shovalizoda is suspected of being a member of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) and participating in an attempt to overthrow the government by force.
The IRPT, long an influential party with representatives in the government and parliament, was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015.
Dozens of IRPT officials and supporters have been prosecuted and many of them imprisoned, drawing criticism from human rights groups.
The IRPT said on March 6 that Shovalizoda had never been one of its members.
"Shovalizoda is most likely to be subjected to torture, ill-treatment, and unfair trial. He, as in previous similar situations, may be forced to testify against himself and other people under torture," the party said in a statement.
Exiled Tajik opposition activists told RFE/RL that they had urged Austrian authorities not to extradite Shovalizoda, as he was not a member of any political opposition group or party.
Shovalizoda has not commented on his case but Vaisaiddin Odinaev, a Tajik political activist abroad, told RFE/RL on February 27 that the 29-year-old arrived in Austria a year ago but was not granted asylum as he sought, but instead was placed under arrest on January 22.
According to Odinaev, although Shovalizoda is not a member of any political party, he used to be a supporter of the United Tajik opposition and openly supports the National Alliance of Tajikistan (PMT), which unites several Tajik opposition political parties and movements in exile.
In October, Tajikistan's Supreme Court labeled PMT a terrorist and extremist organization.
The PMT was established in Warsaw in September 2018 at a gathering of Tajik opposition activists living in various countries of the European Union.
Tajik authorities have been criticized for cracking down on dissent for years.
In 2014, the opposition movement Group 24 was labeled as terrorist and extremist and banned. In March 2015, the movement's founder, Umarali Quvatov, was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey.


rferl--2020-03-06--Coronavirus Death Toll In Iran Hits 124, Including Former Deputy Minister

Iran says the death toll from the new coronavirus has risen to 124 in the Islamic republic , including a former deputy foreign minister who reportedly died after being infected with the virus .
Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpur said on March 6 that 17 people had died over the previous 24 hours , while more than 1,000 new cases were diagnosed as positive for the virus .
Hossein Sheikholeslam , an adviser to Iran 's foreign minister who took part in the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis , died late on March 5 of the COVID-19 illness caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IRNA reported .
Sheikholeslam served as a deputy foreign minister in the 1980s and later as an ambassador to Syria , as well as an adviser to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif .
Sheikholeslam was also one of the students who stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and took 52 Americans hostage , which prompted Washington to sever ties with Iran .
The coronavirus has claimed the lives of several other Iranian officials , including an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a former envoy to the Vatican .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive to the virus , including Vice President Masumeh Ebtekar , Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi , and more than 20 parliament deputies .
The semiofficial ISNA news agency reported on March 5 that newly elected conservative lawmaker Fatemeh Rahbar was in a coma after being infected with the virus .
Iran has closed schools , universities , and Friday Prayers in major provincial capitals while calling on people to avoid public gatherings and stay home .
Officials have also announced that checkpoints will be put in place to limit travel between major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus .
Speaking on March 6 , Jahanpur called on Iranians to stop traveling to tourist cities and provinces , including Isfahan , Gilan , Mazandaran , and the southern provinces .
Asked about Iran 's mushrooming outbreak , Mike Ryan , executive director of the World Health Organization 's emergencies program , said `` the Iranian system is switching on.
” `` We are seeing a much more all-of-government approach ... with a national action plan now , with 100,000 workers committed to this plan , '' Ryan said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries to take the coronavirus outbreak more seriously as it gathers pace in Europe and North America .
The Netherlands and the Vatican both reported their first confirmed cases of the virus on March 6 with the number of cases worldwide nearing 100,000 , a level expected to be breached later in the day .
The outbreak , which originated in China before spreading to more than 85 countries and counting , has claimed over 3,300 lives .
Iran and Italy have the highest death tolls outside of China .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters , calling for `` aggressive preparedness '' to combat the spread of the virus .
While governments scramble to contain the outbreak , businesses are girding for the worst .
Some major economies , including the United States , have cut interest rates and pledged billions of dollars to fight the epidemic , but the moves are failing to quell fears of a widening human and economic toll .
European stock markets on March 6 continued to fall on the heels of a bad day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Tokyo easing to six-month lows .
The Asian Development Bank said on March 6 that global economic losses from the outbreak could reach $ 347 billion , two-thirds of which would occur in China .
In the United States , four new states recorded their first cases of the virus , including Colorado , Maryland , Tennessee , and Texas .
The number of reported cases of the coronavirus has risen to 230 , with 12 deaths reported .
The crisis has prompted major employers in the northwest such as Google , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advise employees to work from home .
The recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the area alone .
The U.S. Senate on March 5 passed an $ 8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak .
With reporting by IRNA , AFP , dpa , Reuters , AP and CNN

A polytechnic school in Russia’s Tatarstan, a region some 900 kilometers east of Moscow, is using manufacturing facilities that are part of a nearby special economic zone to assemble Iranian attack drones and are increasingly turning to underage students as laborers, many of whom often work in exploitative conditions.
The revelations at Alabuga Polytechnic University raise troubling implications about the lengths that Russian authorities are going to in order to boost the war effort and how the advanced Iranian weaponry -- which is increasingly used to bombard Ukrainian cities and has only recently begun to be manufactured inside Russia -- could contribute to escalating tensions and rising civilian casualties.
The use of underage students as drone factory workers and the details of the manufacturing facilities were first reported by Russian independent media outlets Protokol and Razvorot, which published a series of investigations in July.
Since then, RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities has spoken with students who describe grueling working conditions and interviewed dozens of parents whose children have been enrolled at Alabuga Polytechnic University -- some as young at 15 -- who say that their children were forced to work exceedingly long hours, often without proper breaks or meals, and under hostile conditions that have deeply affected their mental health.
“My son enrolled and 2 1/2 months later he called for me to take him away,” Zhanna, who asked to be identified only by her first name to protect against reprisals for speaking about the operation, told RFE/RL. “He said to me on the phone, ‘Come and get me or I’ll die,’ so I picked him up immediately.”
Zhanna, who asked that her underage son’s name also not be used, says that she sent him from Nizhny Novgorod to study at Alabuga Polytechnic University in 2022 because of its reputation as a leading technical institution inside Russia.
The school offered students -- often between the ages of 15-18 -- an opportunity to get vocational training as part of a dual program that combines a classroom education with practical work experience. Students were also promised an opportunity to work and earn a locally competitive salary of up to 70,000 rubles ($700) a month as part of the work experience program that could further their career growth.
Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.
But, instead, those enrolled were encouraged and in some cases pressured into working at the drone facility, where the salaries of the mostly underage laborers are contingent on meeting tough production quotas.
“This is a textbook definition of what constitutes exploitation,” Sergei Podsytnik, an investigative journalist at Protokol who worked on the series of reports, told RFE/RL. “[Students] assemble drones, with the work taking priority over their studies.”
The pressure to fulfill these quotas has allegedly led to strenuous back-to-back days -- with some shifts lasting up to 15 hours -- with little time for sleep or adequate sustenance. Overtime work is often unpaid, further highlighting potential labor violations. Exhausted students also reported not always meeting their quotas, which led to them not earning the salary initially promised by the school. Many students came from disadvantaged backgrounds and relied on their earnings to cover costs for tuition, room, and board and would send the remainder home.
Other parents, such as Marina, said she decided to take her daughter out of the program when she discovered that she was working in apparent unsafe conditions and that staff from the school had instructed students not to tell their parents about the drone assembly work.
“This was the last straw for me,” Marina, who also asked for her identity to be concealed, told RFE/RL. “This is a dangerous production process that involves dangerous chemicals. They also forbid the kids from telling everything to their parents.”
RFE/RL sent multiple requests for comment to various staff and administrators at Alabuga Polytechnic University but received no replies.
Making Iranian Drones In Russia
The complicated and concerning dynamic at Alabuga Polytechnic University stems from growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia that has accelerated since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Iran has said it provided drones to Russia before the start of the war, but not since. However, U.S. intelligence officials have warned for months of continued deliveries and deepening cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, saying the two sides were exploring how to set up a manufacturing plant for Iranian drones inside Russia.
According to The Wall Street Journal, an Iranian delegation visited Yelabuga in Tatarstan on January 5, touring a potential site for such a factory at the Alabuga special economic zone close to Alabuga Polytechnic University. U.S. officials released satellite images in April of the plant being built.
Russia already possesses an array of unarmed aerial vehicles, or UAVs, which are used mainly for surveillance and artillery spotting, but has turned increasingly to Tehran for attack drones.
After being forced to abandon Ukrainian territory that its troops captured in the early stretches of the war, Moscow shifted to a strategy of relentless air assaults on Ukrainian cities. These attacks often rely on a combination of cruise missiles and self-detonating drones packed with explosives to knock out electricity and running water for the civilian population in Ukraine.
So far, Iran has provided Russia mostly with so-called "suicide" drones, known as the Shahed-136, that contain a modest amount of explosives that can detonate when the drones crash into targets, military experts say.
In acquiring its own domestic assembly line, Russia could dramatically increase its stockpile of the relatively inexpensive but highly destructive weapons systems.
WATCH: Russia has resorted to using Shahed-136 drones from Iran in its war on Ukraine. Ukraine says it's already downed many of the drones, which work by slamming into their intended target, laden with explosives. Ordinary Ukrainians say they can already recognize the sound of the drones, which use two-stroke engines like lawnmowers or motorbikes. Iran has denied supplying the drones to Russia.
The arrangement also offers substantial economic and political benefits for Iran, which has sought to portray itself as neutral in the Ukraine war. The appearance of Iranian-made drones over Ukrainian cities, however, has triggered threats of new economic sanctions from the West. The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have also all issued rules in recent months designed to cut off the flow of drone components to Russia and Iran.
The Washington Post reported in November 2022, citing unnamed U.S. intelligence officials, that the agreement to deliver Iranian drone schematics and materials for manufacture in Russia resulted from Iranian leaders believing that the arrangement would allow Tehran to avert new sanctions.
Foreign Recruitment And Patriotic Education
Alabuga Polytechnic University is formally not a college. All of its students are officially enrolled at nearby Yelabuga Polytechnic College, with the Alabuga institution existing on paper as a specialized program for students looking to break into high-tech industries.
Currently, about 1,000 students are studying at Alabuga Polytechnic University, with several hundred of them -- most of whom are between the ages of 15 and 17 -- involved in assembling the Iranian drones.
In addition to the work on the drones, there are other signs that point to blurred lines in Russia between the education system and the country’s military amid the war in Ukraine.
According to current and former Alabuga Polytechnic University students, team-building and organized extracurricular activities through the school often take on a “patriotic” character that may be designed to expose students to official government narratives of international events or echo talking points from state television.
Organized paintball games have become a mainstay for students, especially first-year arrivals, in which they are encouraged to compete against one another and then play together against more experienced outside players. Teachers and administration officials regularly refer to paintball as being part of a “patriotic” education needed to complement the technical aspect of their studies.
In one instance, a group of new students competed in paintball as Soviet soldiers against outside players who were dressed as troops from Nazi Germany in a capture-the-flag competition meant to simulate the World War II battle of Stalingrad. According to one student, the Nazi flag contained the compass symbol used by the NATO military alliance instead of the swastika used by Nazi Germany.
Other instances of political teachings from staff are more direct. In a recording obtained by RFE/RL from June 16, a senior administrator can be heard telling the teenagers that NATO launched a hybrid war against Russia back in 2011 and that it has slowly become more overt. The man then goes on to tell students that their hard work and exceeding long days at the drone factory are part of a nationwide struggle against the West and that their patriotism will be rewarded.
Several students and parents identified the man in the recording as Timur Shagivaleev, the director-general of the special economic zone where Alabuga Polytechnic University and the drone factory operate.
Shagivaleev did not respond to RFE/RL’s request for comment.
The man in the recording then goes on to tell students not to take holidays and to continue working “even if it's mom's birthday,” before ending his speech with, “Long live our great country.”
WATCH: Amid a new wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, analysts in Kyiv are gaining useful intelligence from a collection of downed Russian aerial weapons. They have been studying the remains of Iranian Shahed drones and Russian Kinzhal missiles, among others.
Multiple current and former students told RFE/RL that students who work in the drone factory are often praised by staff, while those who have refused or asked to be reassigned due to the high workload are often publicly shamed. In some instances -- according to recordings heard by RFE/RL -- staff even encourage students to bully others who are not deemed “patriotic” enough.
According to Protokol and Razvorot’s investigations, Alabuga Polytechnic University has also turned toward recruiting foreign students to enroll. The majority of them come from African countries, but also from Central Asia and Azerbaijan, where they are promised “world class” salaries as part of the dual-track world experience program.
However, these foreign students are then given low-skill and menial tasks around the campus and the special economic zone, such as janitorial work, and are also paid lower salaries than initially promised.
Written by Reid Standish based on reporting by RFE/RL’s Idel.Realities


rferl--2020-03-06--Dozens Killed In Kabul Attack Claimed By Islamic State

KABUL -- Gunmen have opened fire at a ceremony in Kabul , killing at least 32 people in the first major attack in the Afghan capital since the United States and Taliban agreed to a troop withdrawal .
The Health Ministry said that 58 people were also wounded in the March 6 attack , which was claimed by Islamic State ( IS ) militants , according to the extremist group 's Amaq news agency .
Five women were among those killed in the attack targeting a memorial marking the anniversary of the death of a Shi'ite leader that was attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah , who escaped unharmed .
IS militants , who see Shi ' a as heretics , claimed responsibility for a similar assault at the same memorial last year .
The Interior Ministry said the March 6 attack triggered sporadic clashes between special police forces and gunmen in the area .
`` Three terrorists '' were killed and the area was `` cleared , '' it later said .
The IS group said two brothers had targeted the gathering with machine guns , hand grenades , and rocket-propelled grenades .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction site near the event .
The Taliban , which signed a deal with the United States last week aimed at putting an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan , immediately denied responsibility for the assault .
At the United Nations , Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the attack “ unacceptable '' and said that `` those who carry out such crimes must be held accountable , '' according to spokesman Stephane Dujarric .
`` The attack is an inhuman crime against the national unity of Afghanistan , '' President Ashraf Ghani said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will deal decisively with the culprits of this event , '' he added .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that Washington “ condemns in the strongest terms today ’ s despicable ” attack .
“ Attacking the innocent and defenseless at a memorial event is a sign of weakness , not a show of strength .
Our thoughts are with victims and their families , as well as the brave Afghan security forces who defended against the terrorists , ” he added .
The attendees had been commemorating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ethnic Hazara leader who was killed in 1995 after being taken prisoner by the militants .
Abdullah , runner-up in the last three Afghan presidential elections , has served as chief executive of a coalition government since 2014 .
He has disputed all three election losses .
With reporting by Reuters , AFP , and Tolo News

The education of girls and women is universally accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, including nearly 50 Muslim-majority nations.
But Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers have banned teenage girls from attending school after the sixth grade since they returned to power two years ago. The ban was extended in December to women in universities.
Countless protests by Afghans inside the country, pressure from the international community, and lobbying by Muslim scholars and clerics have failed to convince the fundamentalist Taliban leaders to reopen schools.
Experts are divided over whether the ban is rooted in how the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is shaped by conservative Pashtun tribal customs and cultural practices or if it is prompted by how senior Taliban ideologues interpret Islamic teachings.
Most Taliban leaders are ethnic Pashtun, Sunni Muslim clerics. Many were educated in Deobandi madrasahs in neighboring Pakistan. Deobandism emerged as a puritanical Islamic revivalist movement in 19-century British Colonial India. Based on the Sunni Hanafi school of jurisprudence, it is a prominent strain among Islamists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tribal Influences
Sami Yousafzai, a veteran Afghan journalist and commentator, argues that the Taliban restrictions against women are linked to social customs and cultural practices in eastern and southern Afghanistan.
Most Taliban leaders come from various Pashtun rural tribal communities in these regions bordering Pakistan.
"They believe that a woman's place is either inside a house or in a grave," Yousafzai said of the basic Taliban belief influenced by the status of women in the families of clerics and religious leaders in these Pashtun regions.
“Women living in the households of the current Taliban policymakers were never educated and never left their homes,” said Yousafzai, who has tracked the Islamist group since it emerged as a ragtag militia in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar in late 1994. “These women never performed any government or nongovernmental jobs.”
Yousafzai says the Taliban backs policies shaped by this worldview by leaning on Islamic teachings supporting such ideas. He says Taliban leaders rely on sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad that discourage women from leaving their homes.
“Their primary belief is that pubescent girls should not leave home under any circumstance,” he said. “This is why they view women leaving home for education or work as engaging in moral corruption.”
In Afghanistan, a Muslim nation of some 40 million people, activists and rights advocates accuse the Taliban of implementing "gender apartheid" by denying women education, work, freedom of movement, and deciding how they can appear in public.
Most Muslims agree that Islam allows women to get an education. Yet the Taliban publicly says that it will allow girls access to education only after ensuring complete gender segregation and other unspecified conditions.
Almost all Afghan secondary schools were gender segregated and universities imposed a strict separation between men and women after the Taliban takeover.
Yousafzai says in conservative and traditional Muslim societies around the world, some clerics also favor restrictions on women's education, work, and their role in public life. But the governments in those countries usually oppose or limit such ideas.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia -- one of the most conservative Sunni Muslim nations -- has allowed women to drive and granted them freedom of movement without a male guardian. These steps are part of a reform and modernity drive by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
The Taliban ban on education has invited universal condemnation from Muslims globally.
“The Taliban's ban on women's education is not rooted in [the Islamic] Shari’a law but rather reflects cultural biases that contradict the teachings of Islam,” said Salam al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in the United States.
He said that contrary to Taliban practices, “Islam emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and encourages all individuals, regardless of gender, to acquire an education.”
Historical Conflict
But Islamic scholars and those who have attempted to convince the Taliban about reopening girls schools offer a different explanation.
John Mohammad Butt, an Islamic scholar and former BBC broadcaster who is the only Westerner to graduate from India’s Darul Uloom Deoband, argues that the Taliban's policy on girls' education is not tribal but shaped by the century-old conflict over modern education.
“The problem is that girls' education in Afghanistan -- indeed, contemporary education in general -- has generally been introduced in Afghanistan in line with a secular agenda,” he said.
In the 1920s, a coalition of conservative clerics and tribal and community leaders deposed reformist King Amanullah Khan. He wanted to modernize Afghanistan along Turkish leader Kamal Ataturk's secular lines and championed modern education and rights for women.
This opposition to modernity and secularism continued, and conservative clerics opposed women's education and work. It became a key part of the Islamist opposition to the pro-Soviet Afghan communist governments after the April 1978 military coup that ended the Afghan monarchy. The mujahedin accused the communists of spreading immorality by promoting women’s education and empowerment.
“This has led to particular wariness on the part of conservative circles in Afghanistan with regard to girls' education,” Butt said.
'Deep Ideological Conviction'
Obaidullah Baheer, a political science lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan, became part of an effort to rescind the ban by talking to the Taliban last year.
But he says the effort failed because “the ban is a matter of deep ideological conviction” for the current supreme leader of the Taliban, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.
Baheer says that the most prominent Taliban leaders have studied in Pakistani madrasahs and were thus disconnected from village and tribal life.
“They have been indoctrinated by the Deobandi school of thought so that they now enforce the strictest version of Islam on the Afghan population,” he said.
He argues that the ban on girls’ schools is a deliberate policy championed by Akhundzada, who he says has endorsed Taliban Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani's Arabic language book The Islamic Emirate And Its System. In this book, Haqqani supports a fringe Islamic opinion of preferring the choice of one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives, Sawdah Bint Zam'ah, who chose to stay at home until her death.
Baheer says Haqqani ignores his other wives and other female companions that played an active role in many sectors of society and how they served as students and teachers for men.
“This fringe opinion is not held by all Taliban leaders but is one that the current absolute sovereign, the Taliban emir, seems to be convinced of,” he said.
Butt says that even Haqqani has acknowledged the principle that if there is something that women need to act upon, then that is also something that women need to learn about.
“I hope the Taliban authorities will come to realize in the not-too-distant future that education for women will make Afghan women into better Muslims,” he says. “It will enable them to make a stronger contribution to the well-being of their country.”
Two years after grappling with the issue, Western diplomats appear to be encouraging Afghan conservative and clerical circles to find ways to end the ban.
Tom West, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, recently tweeted that Afghan women must be educated and contribute to the economy to help their country stand on its own two feet.
“If change to policies is made, it will be because Afghans have asked for it, not a result of foreign requests,” he wrote.


rferl--2020-03-06--Trump: Taliban Could 'Possibly' Seize Power After U.S. Pullout

U.S. President Donald Trump says the Taliban could `` possibly '' overrun the Western-backed government in Kabul after the United States withdraws from Afghanistan .
Trump was speaking to journalists at the White House on March 6 , days after the United States signed a deal with the Taliban aimed at putting an end to the 18-year war in Afghanistan .
Asked whether an eventual U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan might lead to the Taliban overrunning the sitting government , the president said it 's `` not supposed to happen that way but it possibly will . ''
`` Eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves .
We ca n't be there for another 20 years , ” Trump also said .
The U.S.-Taliban agreement signed in Doha on February 29 would allow allied forces to leave the country within 14 months in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Afghan government -- which the militant group so far has refused to do .
But Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has warned he was not committed to a key clause in the deal involving the release of up to 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not take part in intra-Afghan talks until that provision was met , and Pompeo urged both sides to move forward with prisoner releases .
U.S. officials have voiced frustration with renewed violence in Afghanistan , saying the Afghan parties to the conflict need to take advantage of the peace deal .
`` Violence must be reduced immediately for the peace process to move forward , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters on March 5 .
`` Do not squander this opportunity . ''
Pompeo urged Afghans not to care only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen to represent . ''
`` What we have urged all the parties to do is stop posturing .
It 's time to move forward , '' he added .
The United States plans to seek UN Security Council backing for the peace deal , according to the Associated Press .
A U.S. draft resolution , seen by the news agency , would welcome the February 28 announcement of the agreement and would encourage “ the sustained support ” of the UN and international partners for the efforts toward peace in Afghanistan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters , AFP , and RFE/RL ’ s Radio Free Afghanistan


rferl--2020-03-06--OPEC, Russia Fail To Reach Agreement On Production Cuts; Global Crude Prices Plunge 10 Percent

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) has failed to reach agreement with Russia on a deal to cut oil production , sending world prices plummeting further .
The new coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the global economy has worried the oil cartel and Moscow , and both sides had hoped to agree to curtail production and stem the drop .
But OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo said on March 6 that the two-day meeting in Vienna had adjourned without result .
`` At the end of the day , there was the general painful decision of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Barkindo said .
The international benchmark for crude oil dropped by 10 percent after the meeting adjourned .
The price has dropped by nearly one third since the start of the year .
The 14 OPEC member countries had wanted to cut output by 1.5 million barrels a day , or about 1.5 percent of world production .
But OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran say they need nonmember giants like Russia to take 500,000 barrels of that cut themselves .
Russia , which can tolerate low oil prices better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree to the cut .
Moscow is also reluctant to cut output of its main revenue-making export .
`` From April 1 neither OPEC nor non-OPEC have restrictions , '' Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak told reporters after the Vienna talks .
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters .


rferl--2020-03-07--Sweden Detains Two Russian Nationals In Connection With 'Attempted Murder' Of Chechen Blogger

Two Russian nationals have been detained by police in Sweden in connection with what authorities are calling the attempted murder of a prominent blogger and critic of the Chechen government last month .
Tumso Abdurakhmanov , who fled Russia several years ago , said he survived the February 26 attack by overpowering an assailant armed with a hammer .
It was the second attack outside of Russia this year on a critic of Chechnya 's Kremlin-backed leader Ramzan Kadyrov .
Media watchdog groups expressed alarm over the assault on Abdurakhmanov , including the Committee to Protect Journalists .
Abdurakhmanov live-streamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a bloodied man on the ground , asking him in Russian : `` Who sent you ?
Where are you from ? ''
The man replies : `` From Moscow ...
They have my mother . ''
Local Swedish prosecutor Therese Stensson told Reuters on March 6 that the prosecution was studying the video , which was widely shared on social media but not independently verified .
She added that the attack had taken place in the town of Gavle .
A 29-year-old Russian man has been detained since March 1 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , while on March 6 Gavle District Court ordered into custody an alleged accomplice , a 30-year-old woman also from Russia .
In online posts and videos , Abdurakhmanov has been highly critical of Kadyrov for oppressing opponents .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on February 27 played down the incident and other attacks on critics of the Chechen leader , saying : `` We are not inclined to draw parallels . ''
The incident was first reported by a Chechen rights group , though it had given the location as Poland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum in Poland , but was turned down , despite appeals from human rights groups , including Amnesty International .
Human rights workers have accused Kadyrov of widespread abuses in the region , allegations he denies .
They say Kadyrov is ultimately responsible for the violence and intimidation of political opponents by Chechen authorities , including kidnappings , forced disappearances , torture , and extra-judicial killings .
Supporters claim Kadyrov has brought relative calm to the volatile region following two wars between Moscow and separatists after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Imran Aliyev , another Chechen blogger known for his criticism of Kadyrov , was found in a hotel room in the northern French city of Lille with stab wounds , according to French media .
The Committee to Protect Journalists said the attack on Abdurakhmanov was `` alarming and must be thoroughly investigated . ''
`` Bringing the perpetrators of this attack to justice is crucial for ensuring the safety of Chechen dissidents living in Europe , '' said Gulnoza Said , Europe and Central Asia program coordinator at the New York-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported attempt to assassinate '' Abdurakhmanov , the representative on Freedom of the Media for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) , Harlem Desir , tweeted on February 27 , noting that the attack came after last month ’ s suspected murder of Aliyev in France .
With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Two Russian nationals have been detained by police in Sweden in connection with what authorities are calling the attempted murder of a prominent blogger and critic of the Chechen government last month.
Tumso Abdurakhmanov, who fled Russia several years ago, said he survived the February 26 attack by overpowering an assailant armed with a hammer.
It was the second attack outside of Russia this year on a critic of Chechnya's Kremlin-backed leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
Media watchdog groups expressed alarm over the assault on Abdurakhmanov, including the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Abdurakhmanov live-streamed the aftermath of the attack, standing over a bloodied man on the ground, asking him in Russian: "Who sent you? Where are you from?"
The man replies: "From Moscow ... They have my mother."
Local Swedish prosecutor Therese Stensson told Reuters on March 6 that the prosecution was studying the video, which was widely shared on social media but not independently verified.
She added that the attack had taken place in the town of Gavle.
A 29-year-old Russian man has been detained since March 1 on suspicion of attempted murder, the prosecutor said, while on March 6 Gavle District Court ordered into custody an alleged accomplice, a 30-year-old woman also from Russia.
In online posts and videos, Abdurakhmanov has been highly critical of Kadyrov for oppressing opponents.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on February 27 played down the incident and other attacks on critics of the Chechen leader, saying: "We are not inclined to draw parallels."
The incident was first reported by a Chechen rights group, though it had given the location as Poland. In the past, Abdurakhmanov had sought asylum in Poland, but was turned down, despite appeals from human rights groups, including Amnesty International.
Human rights workers have accused Kadyrov of widespread abuses in the region, allegations he denies. They say Kadyrov is ultimately responsible for the violence and intimidation of political opponents by Chechen authorities, including kidnappings, forced disappearances, torture, and extra-judicial killings. Supporters claim Kadyrov has brought relative calm to the volatile region following two wars between Moscow and separatists after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union.
In late January, the body of Imran Aliyev, another Chechen blogger known for his criticism of Kadyrov, was found in a hotel room in the northern French city of Lille with stab wounds, according to French media.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said the attack on Abdurakhmanov was "alarming and must be thoroughly investigated."
"Bringing the perpetrators of this attack to justice is crucial for ensuring the safety of Chechen dissidents living in Europe," said Gulnoza Said, Europe and Central Asia program coordinator at the New York-based media watchdog.
"Alarmed by the reported attempt to assassinate" Abdurakhmanov, the representative on Freedom of the Media for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Harlem Desir, tweeted on February 27, noting that the attack came after last month’s suspected murder of Aliyev in France.
With reporting by Reuters and AFP


rferl--2020-03-07--Uzbekistan Says It Will Be 'Observer' Of Russia-Led Trade Bloc

Uzbekistan says it will become an observer of a Russia-led economic union before deciding whether it joins or not , Tashkent announced on March 7 .
The Eurasian Economic Union ( EES ) was established by Russia and allies Belarus and Kazakhstan in 2015 .
It has since grown to include Armenia and Kyrgyzstan .
Another former Soviet republic , Moldova , is an observer .
The bloc aims to ensure free flow of goods and capital within its borders , although some members have criticized it for allowing too many exceptions to free trade .
The EES has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to power in 2016 following the death of longtime leader Islam Karimov who showed no willingness to join .
Observers say Uzbek-Russian ties have warmed under Mirziyoev who has ended his predecessor 's isolationist policies and has sought to boost foreign investment .
With a population of 34 million Uzbekistan could potentially become the second-biggest consumer market in the EES after Russia .
In his State of the Union address to parliament on January 24 , Mirziyoev said his government `` is studying ways to cooperate with the Eurasian Economic Union . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s products pass through EES member states , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , and Russia .
`` In addition , '' he said , `` the same countries are the final consumers of 50 to 80 percent of Uzbekistan ’ s exports . ''
He went on to add that `` integration means better conditions for our migrants in Russia and Kazakhstan . ''

Uzbekistan says it will become an observer of a Russia-led economic union before deciding whether it joins or not, Tashkent announced on March 7.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EES) was established by Russia and allies Belarus and Kazakhstan in 2015. It has since grown to include Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Another former Soviet republic, Moldova, is an observer.
The bloc aims to ensure free flow of goods and capital within its borders, although some members have criticized it for allowing too many exceptions to free trade.
The EES has been courting Uzbekistan since President Shavkat Mirziyoev came to power in 2016 following the death of longtime leader Islam Karimov who showed no willingness to join.
Observers say Uzbek-Russian ties have warmed under Mirziyoev who has ended his predecessor's isolationist policies and has sought to boost foreign investment.
With a population of 34 million Uzbekistan could potentially become the second-biggest consumer market in the EES after Russia.
In his State of the Union address to parliament on January 24, Mirziyoev said his government "is studying ways to cooperate with the Eurasian Economic Union."
Mirziyoev noted that 80 percent of Uzbekistan’s products pass through EES member states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.
"In addition," he said, "the same countries are the final consumers of 50 to 80 percent of Uzbekistan’s exports." He went on to add that "integration means better conditions for our migrants in Russia and Kazakhstan."
Based on reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-03-07--Turkey Says Idlib Truce With Russia Seems To Be Holding

A truce between Russia and Turkey in Syria ’ s Idlib Province appears to be holding , according to the Turkish defense minister .
Hulusi Akar said on March 7 that there had been no violations of the cease-fire .
`` We will continue to be a deterrent force to prevent any violation to the cease-fire .
None occurred since [ the ] cease-fire entered into force , '' Akar said .
The cease-fire was reached in Moscow after talks to contain a conflict which has displaced nearly a million people in three months .
Turkey will use self-defense rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces or bases in the region , Akar also said .
The deal also calls for joint patrols by Turkish and Russian forces in Idlib , including along a major road , starting on March 15 .
Turkey has started to work on the procedures and principles of a safety corridor around the road , Akar said , adding that a Russian military delegation will visit Ankara next week to discuss steps to take .
Russia and Turkey back opposing sides in Syria 's nine-year conflict , with Moscow supporting President Bashar al-Assad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several previous deals to end the fighting in Idlib have collapsed .
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

A truce between Russia and Turkey in Syria’s Idlib Province appears to be holding, according to the Turkish defense minister.
Hulusi Akar said on March 7 that there had been no violations of the cease-fire.
"We will continue to be a deterrent force to prevent any violation to the cease-fire. None occurred since [the] cease-fire entered into force," Akar said.
The cease-fire was reached in Moscow after talks to contain a conflict which has displaced nearly a million people in three months.
Turkey will use self-defense rights if there is any attack targeting its forces or bases in the region, Akar also said.
The deal also calls for joint patrols by Turkish and Russian forces in Idlib, including along a major road, starting on March 15.
Turkey has started to work on the procedures and principles of a safety corridor around the road, Akar said, adding that a Russian military delegation will visit Ankara next week to discuss steps to take.
Russia and Turkey back opposing sides in Syria's nine-year conflict, with Moscow supporting President Bashar al-Assad and Turkey backing some rebel groups.
Several previous deals to end the fighting in Idlib have collapsed.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters


rferl--2020-03-07--U.S. Raises Alert Level For Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan Over Virus Fears In Neighboring Iran

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department has raised its alert level for Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan over steps taken by the countries in response to the global coronavirus crisis and the outbreak being seen in neighboring Iran .
The alert levels announced on March 6 for both countries were raised to Level 3 , one below the highest warning classification .
A State Department statement said Americans should `` reconsider travel to Azerbaijan due to the risk of a significant increase of COVID-19 cases emanating from the Iranian border and the government of Azerbaijan 's response to COVID-19 . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international travelers for the virus and had `` implemented mandatory quarantine for suspected cases in designated quarantine facilities . ''
It also cautioned that travel restrictions imposed in other countries and reduced commercial flight availability could prevent travelers from arranging medical evacuation if needed .
`` Medical care in Azerbaijan is not consistent with U.S. standards , and basic medical supplies may be unavailable in some areas , '' the State Department said .
`` Travelers should consider these factors and their health before traveling to Azerbaijan and follow the Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus if they decide to travel . ''
In a separate , shorter statement , the State Department said Americans should “ reconsider travel to Turkmenistan due to travel restrictions and quarantine procedures instituted by the government of Turkmenistan in response to the novel coronavirus.
” The two countries have not been among the hardest-hit , but both border Iran , where infections have reached crisis levels with at least 4,700 cases and 124 deaths .
Azerbaijan has reported six infections , with at least three of them people returning from Iran .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Turkmenistan , but the Central Asian country has shut down most of its borders in response to the crisis .
The United States already has a Level 4 travel alert in place for Iran , with which it does not have diplomatic relations .
`` Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens .
Those present in Iran should exercise increased caution due to an outbreak of COVID-19 , '' the alert says .

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department has raised its alert level for Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan over steps taken by the countries in response to the global coronavirus crisis and the outbreak being seen in neighboring Iran.
The alert levels announced on March 6 for both countries were raised to Level 3, one below the highest warning classification.
A State Department statement said Americans should "reconsider travel to Azerbaijan due to the risk of a significant increase of COVID-19 cases emanating from the Iranian border and the government of Azerbaijan's response to COVID-19."
It said the government in Baku was screening international travelers for the virus and had "implemented mandatory quarantine for suspected cases in designated quarantine facilities."
It also cautioned that travel restrictions imposed in other countries and reduced commercial flight availability could prevent travelers from arranging medical evacuation if needed.
"Medical care in Azerbaijan is not consistent with U.S. standards, and basic medical supplies may be unavailable in some areas," the State Department said. "Travelers should consider these factors and their health before traveling to Azerbaijan and follow the Centers for Disease Control's guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus if they decide to travel."
In a separate, shorter statement, the State Department said Americans should “reconsider travel to Turkmenistan due to travel restrictions and quarantine procedures instituted by the government of Turkmenistan in response to the novel coronavirus.”
The two countries have not been among the hardest-hit, but both border Iran, where infections have reached crisis levels with at least 4,700 cases and 124 deaths.
Azerbaijan has reported six infections, with at least three of them people returning from Iran.
There have been no cases officially reported in Turkmenistan, but the Central Asian country has shut down most of its borders in response to the crisis.
The United States already has a Level 4 travel alert in place for Iran, with which it does not have diplomatic relations.
"Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens. Those present in Iran should exercise increased caution due to an outbreak of COVID-19," the alert says.


rferl--2020-03-07--Iranian Lawmaker Dies After Contracting Coronavirus

An Iranian lawmaker has died after being infected with the coronavirus , Iranian media reported on March 7 .
Iran is one of the countries outside China most affected by the spread of the disease .
As of March 6 , the country had reported 4,747 infections .
The parliamentarian who died on March 6 was identified as Fatemeh Rahbar , a newly elected lawmaker from Tehran .
It was unclear whether she was included in the country 's official toll of 124 deaths from the virus , given on March 6 .
Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpur on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous 24 hours , while more than 1,000 were additionally diagnosed as positive for the virus , bringing the total to more than 4,700 .
The coronavirus has claimed the lives of several other Iranian officials , including an adviser to Iran ’ s supreme leader and a former envoy to the Vatican .
A number of other officials have tested positive for the virus , including Vice President Masumeh Ebtekar , Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi , and more than 20 parliament deputies .
Iran has closed schools and universities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reduced working hours across the country to slow the contagion , which has spread to all of its 31 provinces .
Global stock markets have been battered over the past 10 days as fears rise of an economic slump amid declining consumer demand and travel because of the virus .
China says that nearly all of its new confirmed coronavirus cases outside of the epicenter city of Wuhan have originated abroad , including many who arrived on flights from Iran .
The authorities on March 7 said mainland China had 99 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , down from 143 cases a day earlier and the lowest daily number since January 20 , The National Health Commission ( NHC ) said that , outside of the central Hubei Province , there were 25 new confirmed cases reported for March 6 , of which 24 came from outside China .
It said that most of them were in northwestern Gansu Province from quarantined passengers who entered the provincial capital of Lanzhou on commercial flights from Iran between March 2 and March 5 .
The capital , Beijing , reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came from Italy .
For the second day in a row , there were no new infections in Hubei outside of Wuhan , the provincial capital .
The latest cases bring the accumulated number of confirmed infections in mainland China to 80,651 .
Deaths related to the COVID-19 virus in mainland China rose by 28 for the day to total 3,070 .
In recent days , the rate of new infections has risen higher outside of China than in the country where it started .
Iran and Italy , along with South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With reporting by Reuters , AFP , AP , and dpa


rferl--2020-03-07--Uzbek President Orders Abolition Of State Cotton Quotas

President Shavkat Mirziyoev has ordered the abolition of a decades-old state quota system for cotton crops , a major change that rights activists said should help end the Uzbekistan 's longtime problem with forced labor .
The decree , signed by Mirziyoev on March 6 , cancels quotas beginning in 2020 for the cultivation and sale of cotton .
The order also removes obligations on farmers to participate in cotton production , which experts say should give them more flexibility to plant other cash crops .
Cotton exports have long been a major source of revenue for Uzbekistan stretching back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central planners ordered wide-scale cotton cultivation , despite the country 's hot , arid climate .
But mandatory production quotas have led to labor abuses , with many Uzbeks being forced to help do the back-breaking labor of picking the crops .
Children have also been forced to pick cotton .
An international coalition of rights groups known as the Cotton Campaign has for years lobbied the Uzbek government to do more to stop forced labor .
It has also pressured major clothing brands to prevent their products from utilizing cotton picked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously imposed restrictions on the import of Uzbek cotton goods .
Lynn Schweizfurz , an advocate with the Uzbek-German Forum on Human Rights , welcomed the abolition of the state quota system , saying it would give farmers more freedom to plant crops of their choosing .
But she also warned that the Uzbek system of 'clusters ' -- a system aimed at making the country ’ s agriculture more efficient and modern -- could end up hurting farmers .
The International Labor Organization also hailed the change , calling it a `` @ @ @ @

President Shavkat Mirziyoev has ordered the abolition of a decades-old state quota system for cotton crops, a major change that rights activists said should help end the Uzbekistan's longtime problem with forced labor.
The decree, signed by Mirziyoev on March 6, cancels quotas beginning in 2020 for the cultivation and sale of cotton.
The order also removes obligations on farmers to participate in cotton production, which experts say should give them more flexibility to plant other cash crops.
Cotton exports have long been a major source of revenue for Uzbekistan stretching back decades into the Soviet era, when central planners ordered wide-scale cotton cultivation, despite the country's hot, arid climate.
But mandatory production quotas have led to labor abuses, with many Uzbeks being forced to help do the back-breaking labor of picking the crops. Children have also been forced to pick cotton.
An international coalition of rights groups known as the Cotton Campaign has for years lobbied the Uzbek government to do more to stop forced labor. It has also pressured major clothing brands to prevent their products from utilizing cotton picked with forced labor.
The U.S. government had previously imposed restrictions on the import of Uzbek cotton goods.
Lynn Schweizfurz, an advocate with the Uzbek-German Forum on Human Rights, welcomed the abolition of the state quota system, saying it would give farmers more freedom to plant crops of their choosing.
But she also warned that the Uzbek system of 'clusters' -- a system aimed at making the country’s agriculture more efficient and modern -- could end up hurting farmers.
The International Labor Organization also hailed the change, calling it a "historic development."