Latest from United News of India
United News of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
Putin to meet Md Zayed on Aug 7 in Moscow to discuss Russia-UAE bilateral cooperation, affairs in Middle East
World Moscow/Abu Dhabi, Aug 6 (UNI) Russian President Vladmir Putin is set to meet his Emirati counterpart, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on August 7, the Kremlin stated, reports TASS. "On August 7, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who will be staying in Russia on an official visit," the press office said in a statement. The two parties are set to "discuss the state and prospects of further developing versatile Russian-Emirati cooperation, and also essential issues of the international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East." The UAE Crown Prince last met the Russian President on the sidelines of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting today in Minsk, Belarus. The meeting between the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and President Putin explored the deep-rooted friendship and strong strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation. UNI XC ANV GNK
United News of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
LS passes Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 by voice vote
New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) Amid noisy protests by Congress and Opposition members, the Lok Sabha today passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, by voice vote after a brief discussion. When the House reconvened at 2 PM after second adjournment, presiding officer Sandhya Rai called for the proceedings of the House. However, the Opposition members had already entered the Well of the House raising slogans. Amid the din, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal moved 'The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 for consideration and passing. Despite the uproar, Sonowal said the Bill ensures greater safety at sea, robust protection of marine environment, faster response to emergencies and comprehensive welfare for the seafarers. It streamlines compliance, boosts tonnage under the Indian flag and enhances India's bankability as a maritime trade hub. He called the Bill as progressive, advanced and modern and said India has emerged as the largest supplier of Merchant Shipping Act 1958 presently governs merchant shipping in India and implements certain international maritime organisation convention. However, the present Act is outdated since it does not provide for some of the critical obligations under the international convention that have been adopted by India, he added. The Act is no longer adequate to realize the country's developmental vision and address the contemporary challenges of the maritime sector. He said that additionally the 1958 Act prioritises regulation over enablement and as a result does not adequately represent the bankability of India as a maritime trade hub aligning the domestic law with international best practices. "The focus of the Bill is increasing India's bankability in maritime sector." The Bill seeks to replace the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The Bill provides for temporary registration to unregistered vessels which are to be recycled in India. The Bill instead requires all vessels to be registered regardless of type of propulsion or weight. It expands the definition of vessels to include types such as mobile offshore drilling units, submersibles, and non-displacement crafts. The Bill adds that a foreign vessel chartered by an Indian person may be registered as an Indian vessel. This will apply where the ownership is intended to be transferred to the charterer after a specified period. The Bill states that the central government may create a new body to regulate security of vessels and ports. Amid the din, Captain Brijesh Chowta while discussing on the Bill termed it as a "landmark bill". He said, the Bill will modernize the country's maritime, create jobs and encourage foreign investments. Moreover, Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal too supported the Bill. The Bill was passed even as the Opposition chaos continued. After the Bill was passed, Sandhya Rai adjourned the House for the day. UNI RBE RB
United News of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
'One human pulling another is inhuman': Supreme Court bans hand-pulled rickshaws in Matheran
New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court today condemned the continued use of hand-pulled rickshaws, calling the practice inhuman and violative of the right to dignity guaranteed by the Constitution. The Court held that such manual labor, which involves a human being pulling another, must be abolished immediately, especially after 78 years of Independence and 75 years of the Constitution. A three judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice N.V. Anjaria passed the directions while hearing issues related to the ongoing e-rickshaw pilot project in the eco-sensitive hill town of Matheran, Maharashtra. The Court observed that individuals are compelled to adopt this inhumane form of labour due to poverty and lack of alternatives. Emphasizing that such practices betray the constitutional ideals of social and economic justice, the bench remarked: 'Permitting such a practice, which is against the basic concept of human dignity in a country like India, belittles the constitutional promises of social and economic justice.' Referring to the Court's own 1980 judgment in Azad Rickshaw Pullers Union vs State of Punjab, the bench noted that even 45 years after its observations on the incompatibility of cycle-pulled rickshaws with social justice, manual rickshaw pulling remains prevalent in Matheran. The Court stated, 'The question that we ask ourselves is whether this practice is alive to the Constitutional promise of social and economic equality and social and economic justice. The answer will, unfortunately, have to be in the negative... To continue such a human practice even after 78 years of Independence... would be betraying the promise given by the people of India to themselves.' Citing the precedent in People's Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India, where non-payment of minimum wages was held to be forced labour under Article 23, the Court emphasized that the State has a responsibility to rehabilitate those dependent on such degrading work and provide viable alternatives. The bench held that e-rickshaws represent such an alternative and directed the State of Maharashtra to implement an e-rickshaw scheme for genuine rickshaw pullers. The Supreme Court directed that there should be a phased abolition of hand-pulled rickshaws in Matheran within six months. Implementation of an e-rickshaw scheme modeled on Kevadia (Gujarat), where the State will purchase e-rickshaws and allot them on hire to genuine handcart pullers. The Matheran Monitoring Committee, chaired by the local Collector, will identify genuine rickshaw pullers and determine the required number of e-rickshaws based on ground realities. Remaining e-rickshaws may be allocated to tribal women and other locals to ensure sustainable livelihoods. Laying of paver blocks from Dasturi Naka to Shivaji Statue is permitted, but not on internal roads or trading routes. Concrete blocks to be replaced with paver blocks where applicable. The State is cautioned that lack of funds cannot be used as an excuse for non-implementation. The Court stressed, 'We clarify that non-availability of funds cannot be an excuse for non-implementation of the aforesaid scheme. We earnestly hope that the State would tender necessary assistance in stopping such an inhumane practice.' Due to environmental concerns, Matheran prohibits the use of motor vehicles, with only emergency services such as fire trucks and ambulances allowed. The Court noted that eco-friendly e-rickshaws are a viable alternative. This ruling comes in the backdrop of ongoing proceedings in the T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad case, a continuing mandamus litigation concerning forest and environmental protection. In earlier hearings, the Court had permitted the introduction of 20 e-rickshaws in Matheran on a pilot basis, with clear instructions that these be allotted to existing handcart pullers. The plan had faced resistance from local horsemen's associations, who sought modifications to the scheme. In April this year, the Court had allowed these e-rickshaw owners, all former handcart pullers, to operate them for transporting tourists and residents in the town. Senior Advocates Shyam Divan, Colin Gonsalves, and K. Parameswar (Amicus Curiae) appeared in the matter. UNI SNG RN
United News of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Iranian judiciary executes prominent nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi on charges of spying for Israel
Tehran, Aug 6 (UNI) Iranian judiciary on Wednesday announced the execution of Rouzbeh Vadi, a nuclear scientist and member of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute under the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, over allegations of spying for Israel, reports Iran International. Vadi, who held a doctorate in reactor engineering, and co‑authored a 2011 research paper with senior Iranian nuclear experts, Abdolhamid Minouhchehr and Ahmad Zolfaghari, who died during the Iran-Israel war. Vadi, however was killed in a state-sponsored execution back in June, with the judiciary alleging that he was handling sensitive data to Israel's intelligence agency Mossad. Iranian officials claim he was recruited online, vetted by a Mossad officer using the alias Alex, and later assigned to a handler known as Kevin. After his evaluation, Mossad allegedly determined that Vadi's workplace and level of access made him a high‑value source, according to the judiciary. He was then introduced to 'one of Mossad's top divisions.' At his request, payments were made monthly via a cryptocurrency wallet rather than a reward‑per‑mission system. The scientist was later instructed to buy items to establish secure communication and given technical training to gather, and transmit classified-sensitive state secrets. Iran would 'deal decisively and legally with spies,' referring to ongoing investigations following the June conflict with Israel, Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said on Tuesday during a visit to North Khorasan Province. Ejei recently said that more than 2,000 people had been arrested during and after the 12-day war, some of whom face the death penalty on charges of 'organizational collaboration with the enemy.' There has been a mas surge in arrests and state-authorised killings of various people, alleged to be working for Israel, the US, or third-party group seeking to damage Iran's nuclear program. Iran's intelligence services said they placed Vadi under surveillance after one of his trips to Vienna. He was eventually arrested in Tehran, and prosecutors charged him with 'espionage and intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime in exchange for a specified payment,' awarding him the death sentence, which was carried out by the Supreme Court on Aug 5, 2025. UNI XC ANV GNK
United News of India
5 hours ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Shooting League of India will be a landmark moment for the sport: Ronjan Sodhi
New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) Former world number one and Olympian Ronjan Sodhi is enthusiastically looking forward to the Shooting league of India (SLI) and has described it as a landmark moment for the sport. Sodhi, one of India's most decorated trap shooters said "The league format is something we have been discussing for a long time. With the kind of depth we now have in Indian shooting, this is the right step forward,' Sodhi said. 'It's going to be exciting for the fans, great for the young shooters, and much-needed for the sport.' "This league has the potential to transform Indian shooting. It's not just about medals anymore. It's about building a culture,' Sodhi added. Sodhi feels that apart from being a great platform for young domestic as well as International shooting talent the league will enhance visibility of the sport. "You can't love a sport you don't see. Kids have to see the sport to be inspired. Neeraj Chopra winning gold caused javelins to sell out across the country overnight. That's the power of visibility,' he said. "When international stars and Indian Olympians shoot together in a televised, high-energy league, it becomes a spectacle people will want to follow and join" he added. The Shooting League of India, scheduled to be held between November 20 and December 2, 2025, will feature eight franchise teams in a fast-paced mixed-team format. Events will include 10M and 25M Pistol, 10M and 50M Rifle (3P), and Shotgun (Trap & Skeet). Teams will compete in a two-pool league stage, with player selection strategically tiered into Elite Champions, World Elite, National Champions, and Junior & Youth Champions to create competitive balance. While praising government support through schemes like Khelo India and the National Centres of Excellence, Sodhi made a strong pitch for corporate involvement. 'You can't expect only the government to fund sport. Shooting has delivered medals consistently—at the Olympics, World Cups, and Asian Games. It is time to give back. Sponsors should see it as a national contribution, not just an investment.' Sodhi believes the franchise model can create financial sustainability for athletes. 'Shooting is a long-term sport- athletes can stay competitive for 20+ years. If we support them early with the right structure, they can build stable careers, just like in cricket or kabaddi.' Shedding light on the psychological side of the sport, Sodhi highlighted the mental resilience shooting demands. 'In shooting, you hold a gun-- you cannot show emotions. You cannot kick the turf or break your bat. You have to internalise everything. That's what makes it the most mentally demanding sport.' He also advocated for innovative broadcast elements, like cameras capturing facial expressions. 'At the 2012 Olympics, they zoomed in on our faces. Viewers could see me talking to myself between shots. That kind of intimacy builds emotional connection with the audience.' While not every registered shooter may get a team spot this season, Sodhi sees the league as a movement that will evolve. 'In the beginning, pick your favourite franchise, wear the jersey, cheer for your shooters. That is how fan bases grow. Give it time- it will happen.' As the Shooting League of India prepares to host top-tier international and Indian athletes, Ronjan Sodhi's words serve as both a reality check and a rallying cry- for fans, brands, and institutions alike. UNI RKM
