China has introduced the world's first mobile 5G base station, designed for battlefield deployment after completing rigorous testing. Developed collaboratively by China Mobile Communications Group and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the station delivers high-speed, low-latency, and secure data exchange services. It can support up to 10,000 users within a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) radius, representing a significant technological advancement in military communication.

China: World’s First Military-Proof 5G That Can Connect 10,000 Robots

Are NATO bases in Europe under threat of an imminent attack? On Thursday, the NATO air base in the German town of Gelsenkirchen raised its security level. In a statement released on social media platform X, the base said that the decision was based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat and that all non-mission essential staff have been sent home. A spokesperson for the base in Gelsenkirchen said that the threat level had been raised to "Charlie", the second highest of four alert states. It is defined as "an incident has occurred" or "intelligence has been received indicating some form of terrorist action against NATO organizations or personnel as highly likely".

NATO Base in Germany Raises Security Level Due to 'Potential Threat'

The Pakistani Security forces have killed four terrorists as they foiled a major attack on one of its key Naval facilities in the Balochistan province. Watch to know more!

Pakistan: Second-largest naval air station in Turbat under attack

How did an enemy drone manage to get past America's defence system and kill three soldiers in Jordan's Tower 22? This report tells you what happened in the minutes leading to the deadly attack. Watch to know more!

Tower 22: Here's what happened in America's secret outpost

The US’ response to the drone attack in Jordan that killed and wounded US service members on Sunday is likely to be more powerful than previous American retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria, though the Pentagon and White House are being careful not to telegraph the administration’s plans. Now, the biggest challenge for the Biden administration is how to respond to the drone strike. When it's a known secret that Iran has backed these militias attacking U.S. bases, why won't U.S. attack Iran?

US bases attacked in Jordan: Officials say drone 'mix-up' led to the attack

Iran has revealed an underground air force base called "Eagle 44" Tuesday saying it is the first of its kind large enough to house fighter jets. WION tells you more in this report.

Iran unveils underground base for fighter jets

A reported shooting at the US&nbsp;Army's highly secure Ft. Meade base north of Washington Thursday was just an exercise, with no casualties as originally reported, a base official said.

Andrew Arconti, chief of plans and operations at the base, told AFP that the ostensible incident was a planned exercise for such emergencies, after another official had confirmed the incident to AFP.

"The reports of a shooting at Fort Meade are false. This was a planned exercise," the base said in a subsequent statement.

Initially, various base officials had confirmed to US media that there had been an "active shooter" who had been "contained."

The initial reports drew attention because Ft. Meade, in Maryland, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Washington, is home to the government's largest and most secretive signals intelligence agency, the National Security Agency, as well as the US Cyber Command, which conducts offensive and defensive cyber operations.

A reported shooting at the US Army's highly secure Ft. Meade base north of Washington Thursday was just an exercise, with no casualties as originally reported, a base official said.

A reported shooting at the US Army's highly secure Ft. Meade base north of Washington Thursday was just an exercise, with no casualties as originally reported, a base official said. Andrew Arconti, chief of plans and operations at the base, told AFP that the ostensible incident was a planned exercise for such emergencies, after another official had confirmed the incident to AFP. "The reports of a shooting at Fort Meade are false. This was a planned exercise," the base said in a subsequent statement. Initially, various base officials had confirmed to US media that there had been an "active shooter" who had been "contained." The initial reports drew attention because Ft. Meade, in Maryland, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Washington, is home to the government's largest and most secretive signals intelligence agency, the National Security Agency, as well as the US Cyber Command, which conducts offensive and defensive cyber operations.

'Shooting' at US army base was an 'exercise,' no casualties: Official

Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf&nbsp;said&nbsp;no US official or lawmaker asked for a military base in Pakistan, a Dawn report said.&nbsp;

Yusuf gave the statement while leaving for&nbsp;Islamabad on Thursday night.&nbsp;He was on&nbsp;a&nbsp;10-day visit to the United States capital.&nbsp;

Summing up the visit, the&nbsp;national security adviser told&nbsp;US-based Pakistani journalists,&nbsp;“The word base was not mentioned, not even once, during our talks, except in the media.&nbsp;Bases were not discussed at all from either side during this trip because we have already made our position clear. That chapter is closed."&nbsp;

Earlier,&nbsp;there were&nbsp;reports in both&nbsp;the&nbsp;US and Pakistani media, which&nbsp;said&nbsp;that the&nbsp;US&nbsp;was seeking military bases in Pakistan to influence developments in Afghanistan,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;if the Taliban seized Kabul.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;US officials&nbsp;also&nbsp;did talk about using Pakistani airspace&nbsp;to&nbsp;reach Afghanistan and having bases in the region but&nbsp;there was no mention of the location&nbsp;at&nbsp;a recent congressional hearing.&nbsp;

Underlining&nbsp;Pakistan’s desire to maintain good ties with both&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;and&nbsp;Beijing,&nbsp;Yusuf&nbsp;said,&nbsp;“If there are tensions between the United States and China, we cannot say that our relations with both will remain seamless.”&nbsp;

Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said no US official or lawmaker asked for a military base in Pakistan, a Dawn report said. Yusuf gave the statement while leaving for Islamabad on Thursday night.

Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said no US official or lawmaker asked for a military base in Pakistan, a Dawn report said. Yusuf gave the statement while leaving for Islamabad on Thursday night. He was on a 10-day visit to the United States capital. Summing up the visit, the national security adviser told US-based Pakistani journalists, “The word base was not mentioned, not even once, during our talks, except in the media. Bases were not discussed at all from either side during this trip because we have already made our position clear. That chapter is closed." Earlier, there were reports in both the US and Pakistani media, which said that the US was seeking military bases in Pakistan to influence developments in Afghanistan, especially if the Taliban seized Kabul. The US officials also did talk about using Pakistani airspace to reach Afghanistan and having bases in the region but there was no mention of the location at a recent congressional hearing. Underlining Pakistan’s desire to maintain good ties with both Washington and Beijing, Yusuf said, “If there are tensions between the United States and China, we cannot say that our relations with both will remain seamless.”

Pakistan NSA says, word ‘base’ never mentioned in talks with US 

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced a tax amnesty on Thursday aimed at broadening the government's revenue base in a country where only about 1 percent of the adult population are taxpayers.

Announcing that all 120 million national identity card holders will be assigned tax numbers, Abbasi told a news conference in Islamabad: "If you don't pay taxes, Pakistan will not be sustainable."

Under the amnesty plan, all Pakistanis will be able to declare their unreported income and assets and bring their money into the tax base after paying a 5 percent one-off penalty, Abbasi said. He said Pakistanis living overseas and declaring income or assets would pay a 2 per cent one-time penalty.

Pakistani politicians will be exempted from the amnesty, which will be effective until June 30.

"This is some 2-1/2 months' time you have to benefit from, and after that, you will have to face the law," the prime minister said.

Once the amnesty period expires, Pakistani authorities will use technology to identify and catch tax evaders.

He said only 1.2 million of Pakistan's 208 million people filed income tax returns in the last year, and of them, 500,000 paid zero taxes.

Abbasi said the government was also reducing the tax rate to encourage people to voluntarily sign up. Tax rates on individuals vary in Pakistan but can be as high as 30 percent for salaried individuals and 35 percent for non-salaried individuals.

Pakistan has one of the world's lowest number of taxpayers as a percentage of the population.

Successive governments have promised to rein in tax evasion and boost revenues but have faced fierce resistance to change, including from the many politicians and businessmen believed to be among those dodging payment.

Pakistan's nearly $300 billion economies has recently been showing signs of vulnerability despite surging growth rates above 5 percent, the fastest pace in a decade.

The government has in recent months devalued the rupee, imposed tariffs on imported goods and sought to boost exports to reduce growing balance of payments pressures.

A widened current account deficit has prompted analysts to suggest the country may need an International Monetary Fund bailout in the next 12 months.

Abbasi said he was aware of the challenges.

"We have been in a growth phase. There are current account challenges. We are tackling that," he said.&nbsp

Announcing that all 120 million national identity card holders will be assigned tax numbers, Abbasi told a news conference in Islamabad: "If you don't pay taxes, Pakistan will not be sustainable."

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced a tax amnesty on Thursday aimed at broadening the government's revenue base in a country where only about 1 percent of the adult population are taxpayers. Announcing that all 120 million national identity card holders will be assigned tax numbers, Abbasi told a news conference in Islamabad: "If you don't pay taxes, Pakistan will not be sustainable." Under the amnesty plan, all Pakistanis will be able to declare their unreported income and assets and bring their money into the tax base after paying a 5 percent one-off penalty, Abbasi said. He said Pakistanis living overseas and declaring income or assets would pay a 2 per cent one-time penalty. Pakistani politicians will be exempted from the amnesty, which will be effective until June 30. "This is some 2-1/2 months' time you have to benefit from, and after that, you will have to face the law," the prime minister said. Once the amnesty period expires, Pakistani authorities will use technology to identify and catch tax evaders. He said only 1.2 million of Pakistan's 208 million people filed income tax returns in the last year, and of them, 500,000 paid zero taxes. Abbasi said the government was also reducing the tax rate to encourage people to voluntarily sign up. Tax rates on individuals vary in Pakistan but can be as high as 30 percent for salaried individuals and 35 percent for non-salaried individuals. Pakistan has one of the world's lowest number of taxpayers as a percentage of the population. Successive governments have promised to rein in tax evasion and boost revenues but have faced fierce resistance to change, including from the many politicians and businessmen believed to be among those dodging payment. Pakistan's nearly $300 billion economies has recently been showing signs of vulnerability despite surging growth rates above 5 percent, the fastest pace in a decade. The government has in recent months devalued the rupee, imposed tariffs on imported goods and sought to boost exports to reduce growing balance of payments pressures. A widened current account deficit has prompted analysts to suggest the country may need an International Monetary Fund bailout in the next 12 months. Abbasi said he was aware of the challenges. "We have been in a growth phase. There are current account challenges. We are tackling that," he said.

Pakistan declares tax amnesty to broaden income revenue base

A Russian transport plane crashed on landing at an airbase in Syria Tuesday, the defence ministry said, killing all 39 people on board in one of the deadliest incidents since Moscow&#39;s intervention in the country&#39;s war.

The ministry said the 33 passengers and six crew members were all military personnel, in a statement carried by news agencies, revising up an earlier toll of 32.

&quot;The reason for the crash according to preliminary information could have been a technical fault,&quot; the ministry said, adding that the plane had not come under fire according to a report from the ground.&nbsp;

The transporter was around 500 metres (yards) from the runway at the Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, according to the defence ministry.

President Vladimir Putin expressed &quot;deep condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the crash and also to all of the military over the loss of their comrades&quot;.&nbsp;

Putin, who is on a trip in the Urals region, spoke to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on the phone about the accident, according to the Kremlin.

A commission will investigate the causes of the crash, the defence ministry said.

The Investigative Committee, which covers major incidents, also announced a probe into possible safety breaches, saying the plane was carrying out a planned flight.

- Red Army Choir - 
The accident is the second greatest loss of life for Russia since Moscow&#39;s intervention in the war.

In December 2016, a military plane carrying the famed Red Army Choir to Syria crashed after taking off from Sochi, killing all 92 people on board.

Moscow began conducting air strikes in Syria in September 2015, and its intervention has swung the nearly seven-year conflict firmly in favour of the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.&nbsp;

Putin made a surprise visit to Hmeimim in December where he ordered the start of a pullout of Russian troops, saying their task in the war-torn country had been largely completed.

Three battalions of military police and officers of the Russian Centre for Reconciliation would remain in Syria, as well as two Russian bases, Shoigu said on a subsequent trip.

Antonov-26 planes are used by the military in Syria for internal flights transporting troops and supplies between provinces, Kommersant business daily reported.

The planes have also been used on press tours.

&#39;Black boxes found&#39; 
The transport plane crashed and burst into flames near the highway that connects Damascus to Latakia on Tuesday, the pro-Kremlin daily newspaper Izvestiya reported, adding that the black box flight recorders had been found.

Tuesday&#39;s crash brings Russia&#39;s official military losses in the Syrian war to 84.&nbsp;

The most recent officially acknowledged military loss in battle in Syria was last month when a Russian pilot was killed after his plane was downed over Idlib province.

Russia has also acknowledged that five of its citizens were killed in a US-led coalition bombing in the eastern Deir Ezzor province on February 7, in the first admission of non-military Russian personnel killed in combat.

Moscow also said &quot;several dozen&quot; were wounded in the coalition strike.

The United States said its strike killed at least 100 regime and allied fighters and various reports indicated a death toll of up to several hundred Russians from the strike.

Russian nationals are regularly reported to be serving as paid mercenaries in Syria and taking on dangerous missions that often lead to casualties.

However, officials deny this and serving as a mercenary is illegal under Russian law. &nbsp;

Moscow&#39;s Syrian air base Hmeimim has been targeted in several attacks.

The military said that two drones carrying explosives attacked the base in January without causing any casualties.

On New Year&#39;s Eve last year, a mortar attack on the base killed two Russian soldiers.

In the most recent accident at the base, a Sukhoi military jet crashed while trying to take off in October, killing two crew members.

The defence ministry said the 33 passengers and six crew members were all military personnel, in a statement carried by news agencies, revising up an earlier toll of 32

A Russian transport plane crashed on landing at an airbase in Syria Tuesday, the defence ministry said, killing all 39 people on board in one of the deadliest incidents since Moscow's intervention in the country's war. The ministry said the 33 passengers and six crew members were all military personnel, in a statement carried by news agencies, revising up an earlier toll of 32. "The reason for the crash according to preliminary information could have been a technical fault," the ministry said, adding that the plane had not come under fire according to a report from the ground. The transporter was around 500 metres (yards) from the runway at the Hmeimim airbase in western Syria, according to the defence ministry. President Vladimir Putin expressed "deep condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the crash and also to all of the military over the loss of their comrades". Putin, who is on a trip in the Urals region, spoke to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on the phone about the accident, according to the Kremlin. A commission will investigate the causes of the crash, the defence ministry said. The Investigative Committee, which covers major incidents, also announced a probe into possible safety breaches, saying the plane was carrying out a planned flight. - Red Army Choir - The accident is the second greatest loss of life for Russia since Moscow's intervention in the war. In December 2016, a military plane carrying the famed Red Army Choir to Syria crashed after taking off from Sochi, killing all 92 people on board. Moscow began conducting air strikes in Syria in September 2015, and its intervention has swung the nearly seven-year conflict firmly in favour of the forces of President Bashar al-Assad. Putin made a surprise visit to Hmeimim in December where he ordered the start of a pullout of Russian troops, saying their task in the war-torn country had been largely completed. Three battalions of military police and officers of the Russian Centre for Reconciliation would remain in Syria, as well as two Russian bases, Shoigu said on a subsequent trip. Antonov-26 planes are used by the military in Syria for internal flights transporting troops and supplies between provinces, Kommersant business daily reported. The planes have also been used on press tours. 'Black boxes found' The transport plane crashed and burst into flames near the highway that connects Damascus to Latakia on Tuesday, the pro-Kremlin daily newspaper Izvestiya reported, adding that the black box flight recorders had been found. Tuesday's crash brings Russia's official military losses in the Syrian war to 84. The most recent officially acknowledged military loss in battle in Syria was last month when a Russian pilot was killed after his plane was downed over Idlib province. Russia has also acknowledged that five of its citizens were killed in a US-led coalition bombing in the eastern Deir Ezzor province on February 7, in the first admission of non-military Russian personnel killed in combat. Moscow also said "several dozen" were wounded in the coalition strike. The United States said its strike killed at least 100 regime and allied fighters and various reports indicated a death toll of up to several hundred Russians from the strike. Russian nationals are regularly reported to be serving as paid mercenaries in Syria and taking on dangerous missions that often lead to casualties. However, officials deny this and serving as a mercenary is illegal under Russian law. Moscow's Syrian air base Hmeimim has been targeted in several attacks. The military said that two drones carrying explosives attacked the base in January without causing any casualties. On New Year's Eve last year, a mortar attack on the base killed two Russian soldiers. In the most recent accident at the base, a Sukhoi military jet crashed while trying to take off in October, killing two crew members.

39 dead in Russian plane crash at Syria base: Kremlin

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed &quot;great sadness and sorrow&quot; over the deaths and promised a &quot;healing touch&quot;. 
Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. 
In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. 
As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. 
In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. 
They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. 
Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. 
A police spokesman said barring &quot;some incidents&quot; of stone pelting at various places, the situation &quot;remained under control&quot; in the valley. 
The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. 
Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their &quot;support in pulling J&amp;K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed.&quot; 
She said she needs people&#39;s support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. 
&quot;The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction,&quot; she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. 
Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, &quot;My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir.&quot; 
Asserting that &quot;I won&#39;t let the people down, despite facing a challenging task&quot;, she said, &quot;While my government&#39;s immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&amp;K, with youth being the focus of the government&#39;s welfare initiatives.&quot;&nbsp; 
Urging people not to &quot;play with peace&quot;, the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. 
&quot;I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here,&quot; said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. 
According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). 
Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. 
Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. 
Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. 
Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir&#39;s four districts. 
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. 
Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. 
Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. 
Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. 
 
(PTI)

Total toll reaches 35. Another youth is injured after security forces open fire to disperse a mob pelting stones at an air force base

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed "great sadness and sorrow" over the deaths and promised a "healing touch". Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. A police spokesman said barring "some incidents" of stone pelting at various places, the situation "remained under control" in the valley. The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their "support in pulling J&K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed." She said she needs people's support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. "The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction," she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, "My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir." Asserting that "I won't let the people down, despite facing a challenging task", she said, "While my government's immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&K, with youth being the focus of the government's welfare initiatives." Urging people not to "play with peace", the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. "I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here," said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir's four districts. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. (PTI)

While CM talks of 'healing touch', one more youth killed in Kashmir

Prime Minister Najib Razak&#39;s government threw its support in parliament this week behind an Islamic penal code that includes amputations and stoning, shocking some of his allies and stoking fears of further strains in the multi-ethnic country.

Critics believe the scandal-tainted prime minister is using &#39;hudud&#39;, the Islamic law, to shore up the backing of Muslim Malay voters and fend off attacks on his leadership ahead of critical by-elections next month and a general election in 2018.

The government on Thursday unexpectedly submitted to parliament a hudud bill that had been proposed by the Islamist group Parti Islam se-Malaysia&#39;s (PAS).

Although debate on the law was deferred to October by PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang, its submission to parliament brought criticism from leaders across the political spectrum, including allies of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, who represent the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.

Najib sought to ease tensions with his allies on Friday, saying the bill was &quot;misunderstood&quot;.

&quot;It&#39;s not hudud, but what we refer to as enhanced punishment,&quot; he told a news conference after meeting leaders of his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party.

&quot;It applies only to certain offences and this comes under the jurisdiction of the Syariah court and is only applicable to the Muslims. It has nothing to do with non-Muslims.&quot; 
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<h5>Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law.</h5>
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He added that the punishments would be limited and canings meted out under the law would not injure or draw blood.

Earlier in the day, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a key party in the BN coalition, called the submission of the hudud bill to parliament &quot;unconstitutional&quot;.

&quot;As we repeatedly pointed out, the implementation of Hudud law is against the spirit of the Federal Constitution, and would ruin the inter-ethnic relationship in the country,&quot; MCA President Liow Tiong Lai said.

Arguments for and against the introduction of hudud have divided Malaysia for years. Most of the Southeast Asian country&#39;s states implement sharia, the Islamic legal system, but its reach is restricted by federal law.

Still, the hudud bill appears doomed as the UMNO-led coalition lacks the two-thirds majority needed to pass it into law.

The Islamist party PAS is pushing for a constitutional amendment that would allow hudud to be implemented in Kelantan, a northern state where nightclubs are banned and there are separate public benches for men and women. 
 
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all. David Lynch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/amwriting?src=hash">#amwriting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/writing?src=hash">#writing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/writingtip?src=hash">#writingtip</a> <a href="https://t.co/ho15a54eLB">pic.twitter.com/ho15a54eLB</a>
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Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law.

&nbsp;

EYEING POLLS

Critics say that Najib, with an eye on by-elections for two parliamentary seats on June 18, is seeking to appease the majority Muslim votebank with his stand on hudud and to deflect attention from a multi-billion-dollar scandal at the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

They allege Najib was a beneficiary of 1MDB&#39;s funds, after about $680 million was deposited in his bank account before a 2013 election. Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

Some political heavyweights in Najib&#39;s party have questioned whether he can lead them to victory in the 2018 general election. However, he has consolidated power by sacking dissenters within UMNO, which has ruled Malaysia since 1957, and using a controversial and repressive colonial-era sedition law to silence other critics.

Najib seized on the resounding victory of a coalition partner in a Borneo state election earlier month as evidence that he and his government remain popular. The by-elections in peninsula Malaysia are likely to be a closer contest.

&quot;Najib did not want the 1MDB global scandal to become the issue in both by-elections,&quot; said Lim Kit Siang, parliamentary leader of the Democratic Action Party, adding that Najib has ensured the focus will now be on hudud.

People freak out as government decides to base legal code on religion instead of independent moral and intellectual principles

Prime Minister Najib Razak's government threw its support in parliament this week behind an Islamic penal code that includes amputations and stoning, shocking some of his allies and stoking fears of further strains in the multi-ethnic country. Critics believe the scandal-tainted prime minister is using 'hudud', the Islamic law, to shore up the backing of Muslim Malay voters and fend off attacks on his leadership ahead of critical by-elections next month and a general election in 2018. The government on Thursday unexpectedly submitted to parliament a hudud bill that had been proposed by the Islamist group Parti Islam se-Malaysia's (PAS). Although debate on the law was deferred to October by PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang, its submission to parliament brought criticism from leaders across the political spectrum, including allies of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, who represent the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities. Najib sought to ease tensions with his allies on Friday, saying the bill was "misunderstood". "It's not hudud, but what we refer to as enhanced punishment," he told a news conference after meeting leaders of his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. "It applies only to certain offences and this comes under the jurisdiction of the Syariah court and is only applicable to the Muslims. It has nothing to do with non-Muslims." Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law. He added that the punishments would be limited and canings meted out under the law would not injure or draw blood. Earlier in the day, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a key party in the BN coalition, called the submission of the hudud bill to parliament "unconstitutional". "As we repeatedly pointed out, the implementation of Hudud law is against the spirit of the Federal Constitution, and would ruin the inter-ethnic relationship in the country," MCA President Liow Tiong Lai said. Arguments for and against the introduction of hudud have divided Malaysia for years. Most of the Southeast Asian country's states implement sharia, the Islamic legal system, but its reach is restricted by federal law. Still, the hudud bill appears doomed as the UMNO-led coalition lacks the two-thirds majority needed to pass it into law. The Islamist party PAS is pushing for a constitutional amendment that would allow hudud to be implemented in Kelantan, a northern state where nightclubs are banned and there are separate public benches for men and women. Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all. David Lynch #amwriting #writing #writingtip pic.twitter.com/ho15a54eLB — The UnNovelist (@TheUnNovelist) May 28, 2016 Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law. EYEING POLLS Critics say that Najib, with an eye on by-elections for two parliamentary seats on June 18, is seeking to appease the majority Muslim votebank with his stand on hudud and to deflect attention from a multi-billion-dollar scandal at the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). They allege Najib was a beneficiary of 1MDB's funds, after about $680 million was deposited in his bank account before a 2013 election. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. Some political heavyweights in Najib's party have questioned whether he can lead them to victory in the 2018 general election. However, he has consolidated power by sacking dissenters within UMNO, which has ruled Malaysia since 1957, and using a controversial and repressive colonial-era sedition law to silence other critics. Najib seized on the resounding victory of a coalition partner in a Borneo state election earlier month as evidence that he and his government remain popular. The by-elections in peninsula Malaysia are likely to be a closer contest. "Najib did not want the 1MDB global scandal to become the issue in both by-elections," said Lim Kit Siang, parliamentary leader of the Democratic Action Party, adding that Najib has ensured the focus will now be on hudud.

Outrage in multi-ethnic Malaysia as government backs Islamic law

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