Latest news with #HagueConvention
India Today
5 days ago
- Business
- India Today
US regulators blame Indian authorities for failure to serve summons to Gautam Adani
A legal battle in the Eastern District of New York involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is facing persistent delays, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) telling a federal court that Indian authorities have yet to serve formal summons to the Adani Group chairman and his associates. The SEC's latest status report, filed on August 11, claims there are procedural hurdles in serving the summons, which must be done in compliance with the Hague Service civil lawsuit, originally filed last year, accuses Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and other related individuals of securities law violations and misleading representations linked to Adani Group activities. The charges stem from an alleged scheme to pay roughly $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure lucrative solar power contracts, a fact that prosecutors say was concealed from US investors. The Adani Group has consistently denied these allegations, dismissing them as "baseless." The status report, reviewed by India Today, shows that while the SEC has been actively attempting to advance the federal lawsuit -- stemming from allegations of securities law violations and misleading representations tied to Adani Group activities -- progress has stalled due to procedural bottlenecks involving cross-border legal to a previous report from July, the SEC had informed the New York court that nearly four months after requesting assistance from India's Ministry of Law and Justice in February, the summons remained unserved. The Law Ministry had reportedly forwarded the request to a court in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, but the SEC had received no confirmation of the summons being its most recent filing, the SEC confirmed it has continued to communicate with the Indian Law Ministry and is pursuing service under the Hague Convention. However, it stated that as of August 11, Indian authorities "have not yet effected service" despite ongoing correspondence. The SEC also noted that it had issued "Notices of Lawsuit and Requests for Waiver of Service of Summons" directly to Adani's legal counsel in India as an additional legal process is a direct result of an indictment unsealed in a New York court on November 22, 2024, which charged Adani and others with bribery and fraud. The indictment detailed allegations of a bribery scheme spanning from 2020 to 2024 to secure solar power contracts from Indian state electricity distribution companies. The US has jurisdiction in the matter because it alleges the Adani Group misled American banks and investors while raising billions for the solar energy SEC's civil action is separate from the criminal prosecution but stems from the same core allegations.- EndsMust Watch
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
Irish authorities tackle 52 cases of international child abduction by parents
Irish authorities are involved in efforts to resolve 52 ongoing abduction cases, where children have been moved to or from Ireland. The Irish Central Authority, which falls under the remit of the Department of Justice , handles international parental child abduction cases under The Hague Convention . As of August 7th, the authority was working on 39 outgoing cases, where a parent is in Ireland but their child or children were taken to another country. It is also working on 13 incoming cases, where a parent in another country is seeking the return of their child or children from Ireland. In 30 of the 39 outgoing cases, the children in question are understood to be in Europe, with nine cases involving children who are outside Europe. Eight of the 13 incoming cases relate to children who were previously located elsewhere in Europe, with five cases involving children previously outside Europe. READ MORE 'Each case can involve one or multiple children,' a spokesman for the Department of Justice said. 'In the majority of cases, this arises after a relationship between parents breaks down, and one parent chooses to leave their country of residency prior to issues of custody and guardianship being finalised.' An Irish man recently initiated legal proceedings against the Government over its perceived failure to intervene in locating his young daughter , whose mother moved her to Poland without his consent. Irish authorities said they have 'provided extensive consular assistance' in the case. The father has also criticised Polish authorities for their failure to locate his young daughter and said The Hague Convention was 'not fit for purpose'. In 2024, 20 outgoing cases were resolved, where children were returned to Ireland; nine cases were finalised in 2023; 16 in 2022; 31 in 2021; and 15 in 2020. In 2024, 21 incoming cases were resolved with children returned from Ireland to another country. A further 10 cases were resolved in 2023; eight in 2022; 19 in 2021 and eight in 2020. As with outgoing cases, some involved multiple children. Ireland is one of over 100 countries party to The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The convention 'aims to ensure that an abducted child is returned to the country where they normally live, so that issues of custody and guardianship can be decided by the courts of that country,' a spokesperson for the Department of Justice said. The authority 'communicates updates or requests for information between a parent in Ireland and the authorities of the other state involved,' a statement noted. 'It is not involved in the legal proceedings of the other country. It relies on the authorities of the other state to progress the application through their institutions and to keep it informed of any developments.'
Time Business News
06-08-2025
- General
- Time Business News
Fee and Processing Time for Unmarried Certificate Application in Pakistan
An unmarried certificate in Pakistan is an official document that verifies an individual's marital status as 'single' or 'never married.' It is commonly required for various legal, immigration, or employment purposes, particularly when a Pakistani citizen plans to marry abroad, apply for immigration, or fulfill visa documentation requirements. This unmarried certificate in Pakistan serves as proof that the applicant has no existing marital commitments and is legally eligible for marriage. The unmarried certificate is also referred to as a single status certificate or bachelorhood certificate in different countries. Pakistani citizens, whether residing in the country or abroad, may need to obtain this certificate from relevant local authorities to meet foreign government documentation standards. This document holds significant value when submitted to embassies, consulates, or foreign courts. In Pakistan, unmarried certificates are typically issued by the Union Council, Notary Public, or Oath Commissioner, depending on the purpose and destination country. While Pakistan does not have a centralized authority like NADRA for issuing this specific document, it is still recognized as a legal affirmation when drafted correctly and verified by authorized personnel. Some embassies require the certificate to be notarized, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), or even apostilled (for countries in the Hague Convention). Therefore, understanding where and how to apply is crucial. The unmarried certificate application must be submitted in person or through an authorized representative, especially for overseas Pakistanis. In most cases, a personal affidavit is also required, affirming that the applicant has never been married before. Preparing for an unmarried certificate in Pakistan involves gathering specific documents and presenting them in a standard legal format. While the issuing format can vary slightly depending on the authority or purpose, the essential contents typically remain the same. Below are the required documents: Copy of Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) Recent passport-size photographs Affidavit stating the applicant has never been married stating the applicant has never been married Witness affidavits (in some cases) (in some cases) Application form (if required by the issuing office) Passport copy (for overseas applicants) The unmarried certificate Fees in Pakistan usually includes personal details, CNIC number, statement of unmarried status, signature of the applicant, and attestation from a notary public or authorized officer. The certificate must be printed on stamp paper, signed, and sealed for it to be accepted by embassies and foreign offices. The unmarried certificate fees in Pakistan can vary based on where and how you apply. Some courts or notary offices charge a nominal fee, while legal firms may offer full documentation services for a higher price. The general cost breakdown is: Notary Public/Oath Commissioner: Union Council (if accepted): Lawyer services (optional): Attestation and MOFA processing: Additional Overseas applicants may incur higher costs due to courier charges, embassy legalizations, or hiring agents. Most unmarried certificates can be issued within 1–3 working days, while the attestation process may add another few days. It's essential to check the unmarried certificate requirements of the specific embassy or foreign government where the document will be submitted. For overseas Pakistanis, obtaining a single status certificate is often mandatory for international marriage registration, spouse visa applications, or residency permits. Foreign embassies frequently ask for attested or apostilled versions of the unmarried certificate in Pakistan as part of visa documentation or legal marriage verification. Since many countries require this certificate to be verified at multiple levels (notary, Foreign Office, embassy), professional legal assistance is often recommended. Additionally, those living abroad can authorize a family member or lawyer to submit the unmarried certificate application on their behalf using a power of attorney. This makes the process smoother and helps avoid the need for travel to Pakistan for a minor yet essential document. It's important to note that NADRA does not issue an unmarried certificate directly. Instead, NADRA provides marriage registration certificates, which can prove that a person is married. In contrast, the unmarried certificate is a sworn legal statement of never being married, supported by an affidavit. Legal firms and notary offices usually handle the creation and attestation of these documents. In some cases, embassies may cross-verify marital status through NADRA records to ensure the authenticity of the unmarried claim. Therefore, accuracy in the unmarried certificate format in Pakistan and the accompanying affidavit is critical to avoid delays or rejections in the application process. Q1: Who can issue an unmarried certificate in Pakistan? Typically, a notary public, oath commissioner, or union council can issue this certificate, depending on the case. Q2: What is the standard unmarried certificate format in Pakistan? The format includes personal details, CNIC number, a statement of unmarried status, and legal attestation. Q3: What are the unmarried certificate requirements for overseas submission? You will need CNIC, affidavit, passport copy (if abroad), and legal attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Q4: How much are the unmarried certificate fees in Pakistan? Costs range from PKR 1,000 to PKR 15,000 depending on whether you use a lawyer, notary, or additional embassy attestations.Q5: How can I apply for an unmarried certificate if I live abroad? You can appoint a relative or lawyer in Pakistan through a power of attorney to submit the application on your behalf. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
DW
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- DW
International Adoptions - A Global Scandal – DW – 08/05/2025
In the last 60 years, over a million "orphans' have been adopted by Western families. Many of them are now discovering that their past is a lie. International adoptions are at the center of an unprecedented scandal. This scandal is far-reaching. It involves children stolen from their mothers during the Pinochet dictatorship, as well as people described as Africa's "fake orphans'. The film follows investigative journalists, activists and researchers in South Korea, Sweden,France, Chile, Germany, Holland and Switzerland. How was this huge, lucrative market able to flourish? And why does it still exist today? Even today, women are manipulated, threatened or deceived into giving up their babies - often with the blessing of state authorities. The fraudulent practices persist despite the Hague Convention, which has governed international adoption since 1993. That is because the system is flawed and encourages corruption. In many cases, these practices come to light mainly due to pressure from adopted children who have grown into adults. After discovering the dubious conditions of their adoptions, they begin to search for their birth parents and demand explanations. These searches are often easier to conduct these days, thanks to social media, the Internet and the availability of genealogy websites. DW English TUE 19.08.2025 – 01:15 UTC TUE 19.08.2025 – 04:15 UTC WED 20.08.2025 – 09:15 UTC WED 20.08.2025 – 16:15 UTC WED 20.08.2025 – 21:15 UTC THU 21.08.2025 – 12:15 UTC SAT 23.08.2025 – 08:15 UTC SUN 24.08.2025 – 13:15 UTC Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3 Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8 London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3 San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4
Irish Times
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Irish man claims State has ‘abandoned' his child in Poland, court filings show
A man has lodged High Court proceedings against the Government over its perceived failure to intervene in locating his young daughter, whose mother moved her to Poland without his consent. Irish authorities said they are aware of the case and have 'provided extensive consular assistance'. An Irish man and a Polish woman are involved in a legal battle over where their daughter should receive care for a number of medical conditions, as previously reported by The Irish Times . According to medical records, the girl, who is 3½ years old, is autistic and suspected to have epilepsy. READ MORE The couple, who are married but estranged, previously lived together in Ireland before the mother moved back to Poland with their daughter in March 2024. In May 2025, a Polish court ruled that the young girl, who was born in Ireland and is an Irish citizen, should be brought back to Ireland as the mother relocated her to Poland without her father's consent. The father made a number of attempts to return his daughter to Ireland in June and July but has been unable to confirm her whereabouts. He recently lodged legal proceedings against the Department of the Taoiseach , the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs . The father claims the Irish Government has 'abandoned' his daughter by failing to help locate her. He also believes The Hague Convention, one of the main legal frameworks for dealing with international child abduction cases, is 'completely and utterly inadequate'. Irish authorities said they are aware of the legal proceedings but cannot comment on the specifics of the case. A spokeswoman said the Department of Foreign Affairs was 'aware of this case and has provided extensive consular assistance' but, as with all consular cases, cannot 'comment on the details of individual cases'. Both Ireland and Poland are signed up to The Hague Convention. As part of the convention, each country has a central authority that facilitates the return of abducted children to the country of their habitual residence. In Ireland, this body falls under the remit of Department of Justice. A spokesman for the department said the central authority 'provides assistance to parents and guardians of children who have been removed from the jurisdiction without their consent' and communicates 'any updates or requests for information between an applicant and the authorities of the other state'. The spokesman said 'any administrative and judicial measures required to decide on the return of a child are taken by the authorities in the contracting state that the child has been taken to' – in this instance, Poland. 'The Irish central authority is not involved in the legal proceedings of the other country. It relies on the authorities of the other state to progress the application through their institutions and to keep it informed of any developments or advise it of any information required from the applicant.' A department or minister 'cannot intervene in private, civil or international legal matters which are the subject of court proceedings either in Ireland or another jurisdiction', the spokesman added. The father said he had not seen his daughter in person in several months and was becoming increasingly concerned Polish authorities cannot confirm her whereabouts. The mother's legal case centres on her belief their daughter will receive better treatment in Poland. She told The Irish Times the child is 'safe and continues to receive appropriate medical care. 'Due to her health needs, we are currently focusing on her ongoing treatment, and I'm doing everything I can as a mother to protect her stability and wellbeing,' the mother said. 'She is currently taking new medications, and her condition remains serious, which means she cannot leave Poland at this time.' There are significant delays for autism assessments in Ireland, with some families waiting up to three years. The father argues that he is able to pay for private healthcare in Ireland.
