Latest news with #Connecting
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Woman dies by suicide; husband, in-laws arrested for dowry harassment
A day after a 27-year-old woman died by suicide at her in-laws' residence in Ambegaon Budruk, Katraj, her husband and in-laws were arrested for physical, mental harassment and abetment to suicide on August 10. The couple got married on May 2, 2024, but within days, her in-laws began pressuring her to bring ₹ 20 lakh from her parents to fund a business. When she couldn't fulfil the demand, they allegedly subjected her to harassment, says police. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) The arrested accused include the woman's husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and a relative. They were produced in court on Monday and remanded in police custody till August 16. According to police inspector Rahul Khilare, in-charge of Ambegaon police station, 'The couple got married on May 2, 2024, but within days, her in-laws began pressuring her to bring ₹20 lakh from her parents to fund a business. When she couldn't fulfil the demand, they allegedly subjected her to harassment.' The woman's father has filed a police complaint. The complaint states that the woman had earlier filed a dowry harassment complaint in Solapur against her in-laws under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 498. However, the case was withdrawn after both families sought to resolve the matter. The C-summary report in that case was filed just 11 days before her death. Khilare said, 'We have arrested four persons, including the in-laws, and a relative in connection with the incident which took place at her in-laws' residence where she took the extreme step on August 9.' The police have booked the accused under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 108 (abetment), 85 (act caused by inducement), 115(2) (abetment of suicide), 352 (assault), 351(2)(3) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (dowry harassment). Reacting to the incident, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on X posted, 'While the tragic case of Vaishnavi Hagawane's death over dowry-related demands is still fresh, yet another deeply saddening incident has occurred. Every individual responsible must face the strictest possible punishment.' Help is a call away Pune-based NGO - Connecting - works towards providing support to those in emotional distress using the philosophy of mindfulness-based active listening, thereby preventing suicide. Helpline numbers: 1800-209-4353 (toll-free) and 9922001122 all days, 12 pm to 8 pm. Walk-in facility: 12 pm to 5 pm, Monday – Saturday. Email: connectingngo@
Euractiv
15-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
Europe's Net-Zero Ambitions Need a CO₂ Transport Plan
Europe's bold climate ambitions need solid infrastructure to support them. If the EU is serious in leading the world in clean technologies, curb industrial emissions, and maintain global competitiveness, it cannot overlook one essential component to make this a reality: a regulatory framework for CO2 transport. Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is no longer theoretical. Projects across the continent, such as Porthos in the Netherlands and Greensand in Denmark, have moved from promise to practice. These frontrunners have made final investment decisions and begun operations. But for Europe to scale up from isolated projects to a coherent, cross-border network, it must urgently develop a regulatory framework that provides clarity, incentives, and investment certainty for CO2 transport infrastructure. Without this, Europe cannot connect the dots between industrial emissions and safe, permanent storage. The Missing Link in Industrial Decarbonisation According to the European Commission's Industrial Carbon Management Strategy, CO2 transport is the "key enabler common to all pathways." Whether CO2 is destined for underground storage or industrial reuse, it must first be moved. And often it will have to be moved across national borders. The Joint Research Centre estimates that Europe will need a CO2 pipeline network spanning up to 19,000 km by 2050, requiring between €9.3 to €23.1 billion in investment. But the market alone won't deliver this infrastructure at the scale and pace required. We need a European regulatory package to coordinate planning, harmonise technical standards, and unlock public and private funding. Give Investors a Clear Signal The lack of a predictable regulatory framework makes long-term investment risky. Building pipelines, terminals, and storage hubs is capital intensive, and future demand is uncertain. Without certainties, network operators can't justify oversizing infrastructure to capture economies of scale, hence making Europe less resilient. The forthcoming EU regulation must provide such certainties. It should define infrastructure components, establish clear rules on third-party access, and allow for cost-recovery mechanisms like tariff regulation or contracts-for-difference schemes. Most importantly, it must not penalise the first movers. Early investments should be protected through grandfathering provisions or exemptions to ensure regulatory certainty and fairness. Public Funding Is Essential but Not Sufficient The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Innovation Fund have taken important steps. In 2024, the Commission awarded €452 million to five CCUS projects. Earlier this year, it committed €1.25 billion for energy infrastructure, including €250 million for CO2 transport and storage. Yet these figures are shadowed by what is needed to meet the EU's 2030 target of 50 million tonnes of annual CO2 injection capacity. Funding must go beyond first-of-its-kind projects. Strategic support should enable network build-out, support smaller emitters, and de-risk private capital. That means significantly increasing budgets in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), launching an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) for CCUS, and deploying EIB-backed guarantees to absorb early project risk. Connect Europe. Literally. One of the biggest barriers to overcome is fragmentation. Existing national or even regional rules, such as those in Denmark and in Flanders, are important steps forward, but they risk creating a patchwork that hinders cross-border integration. The EU regulatory package must ensure consistency while respecting Member State autonomy, especially for storage infrastructure. This includes resolving legal barriers to access CO2 stores in the UK and Norway. A bilateral EU-UK agreement recognising each other's carbon market and storage rules would unlock cost-effective storage options, potentially saving EU emitters €2.6 billion per year by 2040. Europe's climate goals shouldn't stop at its borders. Not Just Pipelines While pipelines will be the backbone of the CO2 network, they won't serve everyone. Many emitters, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe, are far from industrial clusters or storage hubs. For them, non-pipeline transport, for example via ship, barge, rail, and truck, is the only viable solution. The regulatory package must recognise this and avoid subsidy schemes that unfairly favour one mode over another. While regulated tariffs may not be appropriate for ships, access to funding, standardisation of quality and safety requirements, and liability frameworks should apply across all transport modes. The EU must ensure unity by allowing all emitters to participate in CCUS, regardless of geography. Planning for the Future, Starting Now Permitting delays are already affecting projects like Porthos in the Netherlands. Europe cannot afford to let bureaucracy slow down climate action. That's why CO2 transport infrastructure should be designated as "net-zero strategic projects" under the Net-Zero Industry Act, with streamlined permitting, single contact points, and faster environmental assessments. Planning must also be integrated with electricity, hydrogen, and gas networks. Repurposing gas corridors for CO2 transport could cut costs and accelerate deployment. An EU-wide aggregation platform, as envisioned by the Commission, could help match CO2 emitters with storage providers, enable better forecasting, and facilitate investment decisions. A Strategic Asset for Europe This is not just a climate issue. It's an industrial strategy issue. CCUS can safeguard jobs, attract investment, and help decarbonise sectors like cement, steel, and chemicals, where emissions are hardest to abate. By developing a robust CO2 transport network, the EU can lead globally in low-carbon industry while maintaining its economic sovereignty. Getting the regulatory framework right is not just a box-ticking exercise but rather a strategic necessity. Without clear rules, stable funding, and coordinated infrastructure, CCUS cannot scale. If Europe wants to remain industrially competitive while delivering on climate goals, it must treat CO2 transport as the enabler it is. Francesco D'Apolito is EU Senior Communications and Events Officer at CCSA. Thierry Grauwels is the EU Director at CCSA.
09-07-2025
- Business
Bangladesh Pavilion: A Symphony of Tradition and Innovation
Bangladesh has a population of more than 170 million in a land area approximately 40% that of Japan's. Predominantly an agricultural country blessed with fertile soil, it has seen remarkable economic growth in recent years through an increase in exports and migrant workers. The theme for the pavilion is Connecting Lives: A Symphony of Tradition and Innovation. Images of ancient rice cultivation, festivals, and other customs, along with the depiction of a society that is rapidly developing due to the IT industry can be seen on a giant LCD screen. These are accompanied by detailed miniature exhibits showing the topography of the country, with its radial river patterns, and highlighting past and present ways of life. The main focus of the pavilion's exhibits is textile products, which are both traditional crafts and a major export. At the entrance to the pavilion, visitors can discover beautifully patterned and hand-embroidered fabric, nakshi kantha . Also featured are Jamdani weaving, a traditional Bengali hand-weaving technique that creates a delicate fabric, and jute, a local specialty often called the 'golden fiber' which has been gaining attention recently as a sustainable material. Japanese brand leather goods manufactured in Bangladesh are on display too, emphasizing the partnership between the two countries. The Bangladesh pavilion is located in the Connecting Lives zone. ( See the official map for details.) Bangladesh marks its national day on Sunday, May 11, at the Expo National Day Hall. An exterior view of the pavilion. (© ) (Originally published in Japanese. Reporting and text by Uchiyama Ken'ichi and . Photographic assistance by Kuroiwa Masakazu of 96-Box. Banner photo © .)
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Junior doctor dies by suicide in Pune; police begin probe
A 28-year-old junior doctor working at a prominent hospital in Pune was found dead at his residence on Dhole Patil Road late Sunday night, police said. Originally from Gujarat, the doctor was discovered hanging in his room. A handwritten note recovered from the scene mentioned passwords to his mobile phone, ATM card, and digital wallets, along with a brief message that read, 'Thanks, everyone.' 'We have registered an accidental death report at Koregaon Park police station. The exact reason for the suicide is yet to be ascertained,' said senior police inspector Sunil Thopte. The hospital expressed grief over the incident and denied any allegations of workplace harassment that have been circulating in some sections of the media. 'We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate death of one of our resident doctors, apparently by suicide. The matter is under police investigation,' the hospital said in a statement. It added, 'Media speculation about workplace harassment is entirely baseless and incorrect...' Police are continuing their investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the incident. Help is a call away Pune-based NGO - Connecting - works towards providing support to those in emotional distress using the philosophy of mindfulness-based active listening, thereby preventing suicide. Helpline numbers: 1800-209-4353 (toll-free) and 9922001122 all days, 12 pm to 8 pm. Walk-in facility: 12 pm to 5 pm, Monday – Saturday. Email: connectingngo@
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
25-year-old IT engineer jumps to death from 21st floor
Pune: A 25-year-old woman working with an IT company in Hinjewadi died by suicide after jumping from the 21st floor of a residential building in Phase 3 of the area, police said on Thursday. The incident took place early Saturday morning. According to the police, the woman had arrived at the residential society on her two-wheeler at around 4.30am. She took a lift to the top floor before taking the extreme step. The Hinjewadi police confirmed her identity based on the vehicle found at the parking area. The autopsy was conducted at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH), Pimpri. According to the police, a note, believed to be written by the deceased and recovered from her belongings, stated that she was taking the step voluntarily and had lost the will to live. Police have registered an accidental death case and ruled out foul play. Preliminary investigation suggests she may have been suffering from depression. Officers also spoke to a friend of the deceased, who confirmed that she had been staying with her. Blood-stained clothes and personal items were found during a search of the room where the woman stayed. The mobile phone and other articles have been seized as part of the investigation. Help is a call away Pune-based NGO - Connecting - works towards providing support to those in emotional distress using the philosophy of mindfulness-based active listening, thereby preventing suicide. Helpline numbers: 1800-209-4353 (toll-free) and 9922001122 all days, 12 pm to 8 pm. Walk-in facility: 12 pm to 5 pm, Monday – Saturday. Email: connectingngo@
