CHINKIPORA, INDIA // Covering their faces with green scarves, a dozen protesters blocked an arterial road leading up to this village in north Kashmir with large boulders.
Policemen in riot gear assembled on the other side. Amid slogans of "Azaadi, Azaadi", or freedom, the crowd soon began aiming rocks at the policemen, who hit back with tear gas shells. After a lull, the rattle of gunfire rang in the air.
Scenes like this one in March are now increasingly common in Kashmir. Until some years ago, stray incidents of stone pelting were limited to Srinagar's Jamia mosque, usually occurring for brief spells after Friday prayers. But in recent months, kann'e jang - stone pelting - has emerged as a potent form of resistance, especially among Kashmiri youth, spreading to the restive valley's towns and villages.
Last month, the killing of Tufail Ahmad Matoo, 17, a student from Srinagar, in a stone pelting protest triggered violent clashes - the worst in two years - in parts of north and south Kashmir, claiming 10 lives.
Kashmiri human rights groups are questioning the harsh techniques employed by the Indian government to quash stone pelting.
Stone pelting here - unlike anywhere else in India - is often met with live bullets. Kashmir's police are also blamed for firing tear gas shells straight at the chests of protesters, often with lethal results, instead of firing at a parabolic trajectory, which is the norm.
Such violations, observers say, are rousing bigger and angrier crowds to take up stone pelting.
"Stone pelting is an expression of rage by a subjugated people whose political means of expression and demands are systematically limited," the International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice, a Srinagar-based rights group, said in a statement.
In 2008, mass protests and demonstrations erupted in Kashmir, sparked by the state government's promise to lease forest land to a board that runs a Hindu shrine. The deal would have promised guestrooms for nearly half a million Hindu pilgrims who make the trek to the holy Amarnath caves each year. The protests, largely peaceful, were met with a heavy military response. Security personnel opened fire at protesting crowds, killing 60 Kashmiris.
"Stone throwing is the outcome of the government's systematic denial to allow Kashmiris the legitimate right to protest - even peacefully," a Srinigar-based commentator who requested anonymity, said. "Why is there no space for political dissent in Kashmir?"
Omar Abdullah, the state's chief minister, admits that security personnel are ill-trained to handle the surge in this new form of protest without inflicting casualties. He says his government has approached the UK police to train a Kashmir police contingent in crowd-control techniques.
Altaf Khan, the superintendent of police of the southern town of Sopore, said stone pelting is a "wicked" ploy by militants, aimed at maximising violence in Kashmir. During several such stone pelting protests, he said, militants had emerged from the crowds to open fire at soldiers and then melted back into the crowds. Some of the ring leaders who mobilise the crowds are on the payroll of Kashmir's separatist leaders, he claimed. Syed Ali Geelani, the leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a conglomeration of Kashmiri separatist political groups, vehemently denies the charge.
"Peaceful solutions or talks have little relevance in Kashmir today," he said, insisting that stone protests are the product of genuine grievances of Kashmiris.
"Stone protesters are not impoverished, jobless men," said a 28-year-old stone pelter, a research graduate from Kashmir university. "We are not hoodlums greedy for money and neither are we anti-social elements."
The young protester did not wish to be named, fearing he could be booked under the Public Safety Act, under which citizens can be detained for up to two years without charges.
He is not fearful of protesting, he explained, despite the risks. Some of the protesters are as young as 6. Over the past year, he has learned to deal with threats like teargas shells - he burns tyres whenever a shell drops as its fumes neutralise the effect of tear gas.
"Our land is under occupation," he said. "If we don't throw stones to protest, should we pick up guns?"
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'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
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Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
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The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Palestine and Israel - live updates
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
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Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
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Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
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Mane points for safe home colouring
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
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Draw for Europa League last-16
Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
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THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4
Price, base: Dh145,000
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km