By Deepak Arora
 NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan met the British High Commissioner to India, Ms Lindy Cameron, and had engaging discussion on deepening academic collaboration between the two countries. The High Commissioner shared updates on the upcoming University of Southampton campus in Gurugram, set to open in July 2025. The two also had engaging discussions on deepening academic collaboration encouraging more UK students to Study in India as well as top UK universities to establish campuses in India, and strengthening the India-UK education partnership....more
 NEW DELHI: The UK and India have signed a Programme of Cultural Cooperation, enhancing cultural exchange through the arts, heritage and creative industries, helping drive growth and opportunity. India's Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy signed on Friday the India–UK Programme of Cultural Cooperation....more
Pope Leo urges unity for divided Church, vows not to be 'autocrat'
VATICAN CITY, May 18: Pope Leo XIV formally began his reign on Sunday by reaching out to conservatives who felt orphaned under his predecessor, calling for unity, vowing to preserve the Catholic Church's heritage and not rule like "an autocrat".
After a first ride in the popemobile through an estimated crowd of up to 200,000 in St. Peter's Square and surrounding streets, Leo was officially installed as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church at an outdoor Mass.
Well-wishers waved U.S. and Peruvian flags, with people from both countries claiming him as the first pope from their nations. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also has Peruvian citizenship.
Robert Prevost, a relative unknown on the world stage who only became a cardinal two years ago, was elected pope on May 8 after a short conclave of cardinals that lasted barely 24 hours.
He succeeded Francis, an Argentine, who died on April 21 after leading the Church for 12 often turbulent years during which he battled with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised.
In his sermon, read in fluent Italian, Leo said that as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, he would continue Francis' legacy on social issues such as combating poverty and protecting the environment.
He vowed to face up to "the questions, concerns and challenges of today’s world" and, in a nod to conservatives, he promised to preserve "the rich heritage of the Christian faith", repeatedly calling for unity.
Crowds chanted "Viva il Papa" (Long Live the Pope) and "Papa Leone", his name in Italian, as he waved from the open-topped popemobile ahead of his inaugural Mass, which was attended by dozens of world leaders.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert who clashed with Francis over the White House's hardline immigration policies, led a U.S. delegation alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic.
Vance briefly shook hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the start of the ceremony. The two men last met in February in the White House, when they clashed fiercely in front of the world's media.
Zelenskiy and Leo had a private meeting later in the day.
In a brief appeal at the end of the Mass, Leo addressed several global conflicts. He said Ukraine was being "martyred", a phrase often used by Francis, and called for a "just and lasting peace" there.
He also mentioned the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying people in the Palestinian enclave were being "reduced to starvation".
UP Farmer's Son, Raj Mishra, Elected Mayor Of Market Town In England
LONDON, May 18: A farmer's son from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, who was elected as a local town councillor earlier this month, has been chosen as the new mayor of Wellingborough, a market town in Northamptonshire in the East Midlands region of England.
Raj Mishra, 37, was elected from Victoria Ward of the town in the local elections held on May 6 and went on to be elected the fifth mayor of Wellingborough Town Council at an Annual Town Council Meeting on Tuesday.
News of his election brought much cheer among his friends and family back in Mirzapur.
"It is an honour to serve as the mayor of Wellingborough. I am committed to working collaboratively with all residents to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous community. Together, we will build a brighter future for our town," Mishra said in a statement.
"As mayor of Wellingborough, I bring years of local insight, professional experience, and a strong passion for public service to our community. Understanding the unique needs of our area, I am committed to supporting initiatives that drive positive change.
"My approach is rooted in listening, being approachable, and acting with integrity. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected Wellingborough for everyone," the statement adds.
The Town Council Mayor is elected annually by the council from its elected members with a primary role to preside over council meetings, ensuring the proper conduct of business and interpreting standing orders.
The mayor also serves as a civic representative, connecting the council with the community and attending formal events.
Mishra, a Conservative Party member, has chosen the Veterans Community Network and Louisa Gregory's Hospice Campaign as charities for his 2025-26 term.
His efforts over the course of the year will revolve around raising the profile of these organisations and attract funds and support for their work during his term.
"My approach to leadership is rooted in active listening and collaboration. I believe that every resident's voice matters, and I am dedicated to ensuring that our town's governance reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our community. By fostering open dialogues and building strong relationships, we can address challenges head-on and create lasting positive change," adds Mishra.
Robert Francis Prevost Is New Pope, Takes Papal Name Pope Leo XIV
VATICAN, May 8: US Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff.
Pope Leo, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica around 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel signifying the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
The choice of Prevost was announced by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti with the Latin words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope) to tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear the news.
Aged 69 and originally from Chicago, Prevost has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023. He has given few media interviews and rarely speaks in public.
Leo becomes the 267th Catholic pope after the death last month of Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope and had led the Church for 12 years and widely sought to open the staid institution up to the modern world.
Francis enacted a range of reforms and allowed debate on divisive issues such as women's ordination and better inclusion of LGBT Catholics.
Ahead of the conclave, some cardinals called for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, while others said they wanted to turn back the clock and embrace old traditions.
Trump slaps 100% tariff on foreign films, calls them threat to national security
WASHINGTON, May 5: In a sweeping move aimed at reviving the American film industry, US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has authorised the Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative (USTR) to begin the process of imposing a 100 per cent tariff on all movies produced outside the US.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticised other nations for offering lucrative incentives to lure American studios and filmmakers abroad and described the situation as both an economic and national security threat.
"The American movie industry is dying a very fast death," Trump stated. "This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!"
Trump stressed the need to return to domestic film production, and said, "We want movies made in America again!"
He added that the new tariffs are intended to level the playing field and encourage studios to keep their operations on US soil.
The proposed 100 per cent tariff on foreign-made films follows less than a month after China’s move to cut the number of Hollywood films allowed into its market, a response to Trump slapping unprecedented levies on Chinese goods. China is the second-largest film market.
However, instead of reviving Hollywood, the tariffs have the potential to backfire, further hurting major studios like Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros, which are still recovering from the pandemic, CNN said in a report. This is because many American films are shot overseas to benefit from tax breaks and lower labour costs.
Trump’s push for tariffs on film production marks a departure from his focus on physical goods. If enacted, these would be the first US duties targeting services rather than goods.
Starbase in Texas is a 'real city’, says Elon Musk after winning key vote
STARBASE (Texas), May 4: Elon Musk's dream of getting city status for his Spacex spaceport in the United States' South Texas became a reality on Saturday, with 97.7 percent of voters backing the project of turning Starbase into a new municipality.
The Tesla CEO rejoiced with the news and posted on X, “Starbase, Texas is now a real city!”
Starbase is the facility and launch site for Musk's rocket program, which is under contract with the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It hopes to send astronauts back to the moon and, one day, to Mars as well.
The Texas base was launched in 2019, and the idea of Starbase was floated by Elon Musk in 2021, according to a report. Of the 283 eligible voters at the ballot were SpaceX employees at the Boca Chica Bay site bordering Mexico, or those who had connections to the company.
Musk confirmed the news of Starbase becoming a real city after polls closed and Cameron County published unofficial results. Remi Garza, Cameron County election coordinator, said that Elon Musk registered himself to vote as well.
However, the SpaceX CEO had yet to cast his ballot when the early voting period closed on April 29. Documents reportedly showed that nearly 500 people live around the Cameron County base, where the land is mostly owned by SpaceX or its employees.
The ballot also named Bobby Peden, vice president of testing and launches at SpaceX, as Starbase's mayor with 100 per cent of the early vote. His name was the only one on the ballot.
The Starbase vote comes in the backdrop of Musk's decision to reduce his working time at the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration and instead devote more time to his electric car company, Tesla.
SpaceX's general manager Kathyrn Lueders had also last year echoed Musk's proposal for Starbase city and appealed to local authorities to grant the site city status. She had argued that the rocket company already maintained infrastructure there like roads, education services and medical care.
While most of the people were enthusiastic about Starbase becoming a real city, some were not upbeat with the prospect.
Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, earlier raised concerns over environmental impact and warned of more "destruction".
Hinojosa said a day before the polling, “They would attempt more illegal dumping, they would build up their dangerous rocket operations and cause more seismic activity, cause our homes to shake, and that they would destroy more of the wildlife habitat in the region.”
The SpaceX hub overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, renamed by President Donald Trump as Gulf of America, and there is already a row going over the access to the Boca Chica Beach.
Hinojosa said that SpaceX has had limited access to Boca Chica Beach for several years. She said that she worried the vote would entirely cut off access to a beach that people's "families have been going to for generations".
The descendants of an Indigenous tribe in the region, Carrizo or Comecrudo Nation of Texas, also have complained about Starbase's city status.
The Environmental Protection Agency and Texas authorities found in 2024 that Musk's SpaceX was responsible for persistent spills and pollutant release into Texas waterways.
Musk had also responded to reports that SpaceX rockets had caused damage to wild bird nests and said, "To make up for this heinous crime, I will refrain from having omelette for a week."
Harvard apologises for antisemitism, Islamophobia on campus amid Gaza war
BOSTON, May 1: Harvard University on Tuesday released two major reports revealing widespread antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias on its campus. The findings, which are based on hundreds of student and staff interviews, mark a crucial moment in the school's response to rising tensions after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
The report presents a troubling picture of how students treated each other in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war and the security concerns for Jewish, Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian students on the campus.
“I’m sorry for the moments when we failed to meet the high expectations we rightfully set for our community,” Harvard President Alan Garber said in a letter Tuesday accompanying the reports.
The report also offered recommendations for the university covering admissions, handling complaints and how it teaches.
The reports, commissioned by Harvard President Alan Garber shortly after he took over in early 2024, are part of the university’s effort to confront allegations of bias that have drawn national criticism and triggered multiple federal investigations.
The report comes at a time when the federal government is under fire over the allegations of antisemitism following the October 7 attacks. On Monday, the government opened another investigation, alleging discrimination at the Harvard Law Review.
The Task Force Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Bias described a campus in which antisemitism has been excluded from forms of prejudice such as racism or xenophobia.
The report included an example of a Jewish student planning to give a speech describing their experiences as a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor. But the student recounted being told, “I cannot mention my grandfather’s rescue mission in my speech because his rescue mission involves Israel. Nowhere does my speech mention the current war or Zionism. It is strictly about the Holocaust.”
The report also described a “new era” of pro-Palestinian organizing with tactics such as injecting discussions of the Palestinian cause into a wide range of areas in student life and using disruptive tactics at important events including first-year convocation at Harvard College and match day at the medical school.
The task force on antisemitism recommended changes in eight categories, including admissions and discipline. For admissions, it suggested assessing an applicant’s aptitude in navigating situations with diverging viewpoints — something Harvard College already did with a new essay question announced last year.
The Task Force on Combating Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab and Anti-Palestinian Bias said students and other members of the community felt “abandoned and silenced” during the 2023-24 school year.
Muslim students told the task force they were living in fear. One said peers had lost their jobs for being leaders in Muslim faith groups. They were also concerned about doxxing — the posting of private information about a person without their consent, which they said created a climate of intimidation that was compounded by the perception that the administration’s response was inadequate.
The report on anti-Muslim bias suggested seven sets of recommendations, relating to safety, freedom of expression and transparency. Proposals also included increasing courses on Palestinian studies and bolstering cross-cultural understanding.
The authors of the reports said they set out to listen to the concerns of community members and not to verify them.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump's administration froze $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard, one of the world's finest educational institutions, after the university defied the government's demands over campus protests.
In a letter to Harvard on Friday, President Donald Trump's administration had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university, as well as changes to its admissions policies in a move to curb 'anti-Semitism activities.'
It also demanded that the university audit its views of diversity on campus and stop recognising some student clubs.
However, Harvard University refused to accept a deal with the Trump administration, saying it would not “negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights.”
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Career Diplomat Serious Contender To Be Next Pope
VATICAN, May 1: A seasoned diplomat who worked with Pope Francis for 12 years, Cardinal Pietro Parolin is well-known in Rome and abroad, and a serious contender to be the next pontiff.
The 70-year-old Italian was secretary of state -- the Vatican's effective number two -- for almost the entire Francis pontificate, and its most visible exponent on the world stage.
With his air of calm and subtle sense of humour, Parolin is the consummate diplomat, a polyglot with experience in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
He played a key role in mediating a thaw between the United States and Cuba, as well as making a key Vatican agreement with China on naming bishops.
Parolin is the favourite to replace Francis, who died on April 21, when the conclave of cardinals starts meeting on May 7.
He is well known to world leaders and diplomats. Crucially, he also has a fine grasp of the intricacies the Roman Curia, the Holy See's central government, and was part of a group of cardinal advisors to Francis.
His role, and his moderate positions on many social issues, would suggest continuity with Francis if he were to become pope. At the same time, sources say he can reconcile the Church's different factions.
"He's the best known cardinal of them all. But the question is whether his profile will help create a consensus around him. It could also work against him," an ecclesiastical source in Rome told AFP, speaking anonymously.
The source noted that Parolin "has never had pastoral responsibilities and has taken few positions on societal issues".
"He has remained in a very institutional role. It is difficult to know what he thinks, which could be a weak point."
Fluent in French, English, and Spanish, Parolin is approachable but cautious in public, avoiding any statements that could be misinterpreted -- unlike the often outspoken Francis.
He frequently found himself seeking to smooth feathers after an outburst by the late pontiff, notably on the Ukraine war, when Francis alternatively offended Ukraine and Russia.
The Argentine pope appointed Parolin shortly after being elected in March 2013, and made him a cardinal in 2014.
Parolin was involved in the Vatican mediation that led to the 2014 resumption of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba.
He was also integral to the signing of a 2018 agreement between the Holy See and China on naming bishops, which has since been renewed.
The accord gave both sides a say on appointments and has been a crucial step in improving relations between the two.
However, the deal has been criticised by some conservatives, particularly Americans, who accused Parolin of sacrificing Chinese Catholics forced into an underground Church.
Parolin advocates for a similar accord with Vietnam.
Parolin was born on January 17, 1955, into a deeply Catholic family near Venice in northern Italy. His father managed a hardware store and his mother was a teacher.
His childhood was marked by the tragic loss of his father in a car accident when he was 10, and his vocation came soon afterwards.
Parolin entered the seminary at 14, was ordained a priest at 25 and then went to Rome to study canon law. He also trained as a diplomat, joined the Holy See's diplomatic service in 1986 and has spent the last four decades criss-crossing the globe.
His missions took him to Nigeria until 1989, then to Mexico (1989-1992), war-ravaged Rwanda and then to Venezuela from 2009 to 2013.
Despite his reticence to comment on many societal issues, Parolin has declared that priestly celibacy is not a dogma, and in 2023 described as "indefensible" the attempt to link sexual abuse in the Church with homosexuality.
He also described celibacy as a "gift from God to the Church", has denounced abortion and surrogacy as serious violations of human dignity. Parolin has criticised the idea that gender can differ from sex. |
