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World's top nuclear watchdog warns of unusual activity at Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear plant

World's top nuclear watchdog warns of unusual activity at Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear plant

Time of Indiaa day ago
The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, said on Sunday it had heard hundreds of rounds of small arms fire late on Saturday at Ukraine's nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia, which is occupied by Russian forces.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in its statement that the large number of shots, repeatedly fired for about an hour from 10 pm local time, was unusual and that it was seeking further information about the incident.
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HC halts probe in lynching case after cops invoke lesser murder charge
HC halts probe in lynching case after cops invoke lesser murder charge

Time of India

time31 minutes ago

  • Time of India

HC halts probe in lynching case after cops invoke lesser murder charge

1 2 Meerut: Allahabad high court has halted the ongoing police investigation into a mob lynching case, observing that police had booked it under a "general murder clause" instead of the more stringent BNS Section 103(2) which specifically addresses "mob violence motivated by hate". The court directed Uttar Pradesh govt to file a more comprehensive compliance affidavit aligned with the Supreme Court's 2018 Tehseen S Poonawalla guidelines. A bench of Justice Siddharth and Justice Avinash Saxena passed the order on Thursday while hearing a criminal public interest litigation filed by Mohammad Alam, elder brother of the deceased, Shahedeen Qureshi, 37, who was beaten to death by self-styled cow vigilantes on Dec 30 last year. The Poonawalla judgment by Supreme Court laid down binding guidelines for handling mob lynching cases, focusing on prevention, accountability and victim support. It directed states to appoint nodal officers in each district, register FIRs without delay, provide interim compensation to victims or their families, ensure time-bound charge-sheeting and trial, and take departmental action against officials found negligent. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Glew (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo by Taboola by Taboola The court noted that circumstances of the assault on Shahedeen — carried out by a group allegedly driven by communal hate — fulfilled the conditions for action under BNS section 103(2), which criminalises mob violence by five or more individuals when motivated by identity-based hate. The next hearing is scheduled for Aug 5. Around 3am on Dec 30, Shahedeen — a former bodybuilder who had been unwell for several months and was working as a cart-puller — was assaulted inside the Mandi Samiti premises in Moradabad. He was admitted to hospital with serious injuries and later died during treatment. A video surfaced online showing a group of men beating him. Although one person was detained on cow slaughter charges, no arrests have yet been made in connection with the lynching. The petition alleged that police shielded the attackers and failed in their duty to prevent the crime, also claiming that Shahedeen's signature on the FIR had been taken under pressure. It demanded a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), cited gaps in the police response, and sought Rs 50 lakh in compensation for the family. Though the investigating officer submitted a counter affidavit, the HC observed that the state govt had not demonstrated compliance with the Poonawalla ruling. The court gave three weeks for a fresh affidavit and emphasised the need for specific steps as per the norms. Petitioner's counsel Syed Ali Murtaza told the court that strong documentary and digital evidence — including videography, photographs, postmortem and medical findings, FIR copy, and eyewitness testimonies — had already been placed on record. He argued that a probe by an SIT or an independent agency was essential to ensure impartiality and credibility. The court said the matter required a more focused and legally correct investigation, which could only be ensured by shifting the case under Section 103(2) and applying the binding Supreme Court guidelines. Courts in Karnataka, Mangaluru and other states have followed similar principles in recent lynching cases to strengthen legal action. Shahedeen's family welcomed the court's intervention. "We were holding on to hope, and now, with this order giving new direction to the probe, the family feels some relief. Our brother is gone, but justice must prevail," his brother and petitioner Mohammad Alam told TOI.

Mumbai lawyers write to DGP, seek action against MNS for attacks on non-Marathi speakers
Mumbai lawyers write to DGP, seek action against MNS for attacks on non-Marathi speakers

Time of India

time31 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Mumbai lawyers write to DGP, seek action against MNS for attacks on non-Marathi speakers

Mumbai: Three lawyers wrote a letter to the DGP on Monday seeking legal action against the MNS for recent attacks on non-Marathi speaking people by party workers. The letter cited MNS chief Raj Thackeray 's speech at a rally in Worli on July 5. It claimed that Thackeray made inflammatory and inciting statements against non-Marathi people, which resulted in the party activists taking an aggressive stance against common citizens, assaulting local shopkeepers, and threatening them. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Stating that the unity, peace and integrity of the nation was being threatened due to such incidents, the letter requested the police to take action under the National Security Act (NSA) against the main conspirators and "anti-national" elements. The letter, written by advocates Pankaj Mishra, Nityanand Sharma and Ashish Rai, described such incidents as "serious and unlawful situations that threaten social harmony and the law and order". Emphasising that it is the duty of every Indian to respect Marathi language, the letter alleged that in recent days, the MNS workers have been involved in acts of assault, threats and public humiliation of non-Marathi speaking individuals residing in the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Such incidents are a serious threat to national integrity, coexistence, and a law and order situation has arisen not just in Maharashtra, but across the entire country, it claimed. The letter urged the DGP to launch a probe into the speeches and violent actions of MNS leaders and party activists who have been given police protection. Legal action should be taken against those found guilty of creating an atmosphere of fear, which will harm future harmony, and those who make unconstitutional statements should be punished, the letter said. MNS activists recently thrashed a sweet shop owner for not speaking Marathi. Earlier this month, MNS workers damaged the glass door of share market investor Sushil Kedia's office in Worli after he declared he would not speak Marathi. On July 5, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS head Raj Thackeray shared a stage for the cause of the Marathi language, and vowed to oppose the "imposition" of Hindi in Maharashtra after the state govt rolled back the GRs on the introduction of Hindi as a third language in primary schools.

Friction along border resolved, let's go for de-escalation, Jaishankar tells China's Wang Yi
Friction along border resolved, let's go for de-escalation, Jaishankar tells China's Wang Yi

The Print

time32 minutes ago

  • The Print

Friction along border resolved, let's go for de-escalation, Jaishankar tells China's Wang Yi

His call to discuss de-escalation came on the back of India and China disengaging from friction points across the LAC for nine months now, following an agreement struck in October 2024. However, except for Depsang, where patrolling has been held as per schedule mutually agreed upon, other friction areas continue to remain out of bounds for regular patrols. Even though thousands of troops continue to be positioned in forward areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishankar noted that friction along the borders stands 'resolved'. New Delhi: Stating that India and China have 'made good progress' in the past nine months towards normalization of bilateral ties, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Monday told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that both countries should now aim for de-escalation along the borders. The clashes at Galwan in the summer months of 2020, had seen India at one point deploy an additional 68,000 troops, nearly 90 tanks and around 300 infantry combat vehicles to eastern Ladakh. In February 2024, the two sides agreed to avoid any further massive build-up of troops in Ladakh, as reported by ThePrint. On 21 October, 2024, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that a bilateral agreement had been reached to disengage at the friction points, which set the stage for a political thaw of sorts between New Delhi and Beijing. 'We have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalization of our bilateral relations. It is a result of the resolution of friction along the border and our ability to maintain peace and tranquility there,' said Jaishankar Monday in his opening remarks during a bilateral discussion with Wang. He added: 'This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust and for smooth development of bilateral relations. It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation.' Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to China. On Monday he is in Beijing, holding bilateral talks with the Chinese leadership including vice president Han Zheng, apart from the discussions with Wang. The Indian external affairs minister will travel to Tianjin Tuesday to attend the foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). 'As neighbouring nations and major economies in the world today, there are various facets and dimensions of our ties. Measures towards normalizing our people–to–people exchanges can certainly foster mutually beneficial cooperation. It is also essential in this context that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided. I hope to discuss these issues in further detail,' Jaishankar said on further normalisation of various facets of bilateral ties. Ties between India and China had cratered following the clashes at Galwan. Following the disengagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan last October. This set the stage for the operationalisation of a number of bilateral mechanisms between the two neighbouring countries. Also Read: 'Continued normalisation of ties can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes'—Jaishankar in Beijing 'Zero tolerance for terrorism' India's National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh travelled to China last month for various SCO-related mechanisms. Singh refused to sign a joint statement of SCO defence ministers citing the language over terrorism, and the Pahalgam terrorist attack in particular. 'Tomorrow, we will be meeting in the format of the SCO, whose primary mandate is to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. This is a shared concern and India hopes that zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld,' said Jaishankar during his bilateral discussion with Wang, indicating India's position on its expectations from SCO. Pakistan too is a member of the organisation, in which all decisions are arrived at through consensus. China has long supported Pakistan, especially through its exports of arms to Islamabad. In May, during the 87-hour conflict between New Delhi and Islamabad, a large part of Pakistan's defence forces relied on Chinese-made platforms to respond to India. Nevertheless, India and China continue to engage through bilateral mechanisms to reduce tensions, with a number of confidence building measures being implemented. The first batches of pilgrims left India for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The two countries are set to resume direct air services once the technical negotiations conclude. On the thaw in ties, Jaishankar said, 'This is best done by handling relations on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. We have also earlier agreed that differences should not become disputes, nor should competition ever become conflict. On this foundation, we can now continue to develop our ties along a positive trajectory.' (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: Iran embassy in India dismisses fake X handle's claim Kashmir is in Pakistan, 'attempt' to damage ties

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