After Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal on all charges, a state university in Massachusetts, US seems to have offered students to attend racially segregated "processing spaces" but mistakenly distorted some facts in the case in the communication. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In an email sent to students by Fitchburg State University on Friday, it falsely claimed that the rifle used by Rittenhouse was automatic. It also said that the two men killed in the riots were protesting the "wrongful death" of the alive Jacob Blake. It also claimed that Rittenhouse carried his firearm across state lines. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/transgender-day-of-remembrance-biden-honours-46-transgender-americans-killed-due-to-violence-in-us-430839" hreflang="en">Transgender day of remembrance: Biden honours 46 transgender Americans killed due to violence in US</a>

"The Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness is creating space for our community to process the 'not guilty' on all accounts verdict in the Kenosha, Wisconsin case where Kyle Rittenhouse, an Illinois native, shot and killed two people protesting the wrongful death of Jacob Blake in 2020," the original email said. &nbsp;

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Lots of lies and segregation in this posting, from Fitchburg State University! Defund the colege/Universty system they are systematically RACIST! <a href="https://t.co/pcy5vXqNzm">https://t.co/pcy5vXqNzm</a>
— Gorbag goes camping (@LarryHe93057136) <a href="https://twitter.com/LarryHe93057136/status/1461860621121581056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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It went on to give details of times for separate gatherings of "students of colour" and "white student" groups in designated spaces. It said that such race-segregated spaces were also listed for the faculty and staff. &nbsp;

"This moment has and will undoubtedly impact many in our community, so please see these spaces as an opportunity to discuss thoughts, emotions and reflections," the email read. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-thanksgiving-tradition-us-president-joe-biden-pardons-peanut-butter-jelly-430778" hreflang="en">In Thanksgiving tradition, US President Joe Biden pardons ‘Peanut Butter’, ‘Jelly’</a>

According to the case, Rittenhouse had an AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle, which he got from a friend, who bought and kept it in Wisconsin for him. &nbsp;

In a subsequent correction from the school, it said, "In the haste of creating these events, some factual errors were included in the original communication." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal on all charges, a state university in Massachusetts, US seems to have offered students to attend racially segregated "processing spaces" but mistakenly distorted some facts in the case in the communication.

After Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal on all charges, a state university in Massachusetts, US seems to have offered students to attend racially segregated "processing spaces" but mistakenly distorted some facts in the case in the communication. In an email sent to students by Fitchburg State University on Friday, it falsely claimed that the rifle used by Rittenhouse was automatic. It also said that the two men killed in the riots were protesting the "wrongful death" of the alive Jacob Blake. It also claimed that Rittenhouse carried his firearm across state lines. Also Read: Transgender day of remembrance: Biden honours 46 transgender Americans killed due to violence in US "The Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness is creating space for our community to process the 'not guilty' on all accounts verdict in the Kenosha, Wisconsin case where Kyle Rittenhouse, an Illinois native, shot and killed two people protesting the wrongful death of Jacob Blake in 2020," the original email said. Lots of lies and segregation in this posting, from Fitchburg State University! Defund the colege/Universty system they are systematically RACIST! https://t.co/pcy5vXqNzm — Gorbag goes camping (@LarryHe93057136) November 20, 2021 × It went on to give details of times for separate gatherings of "students of colour" and "white student" groups in designated spaces. It said that such race-segregated spaces were also listed for the faculty and staff. "This moment has and will undoubtedly impact many in our community, so please see these spaces as an opportunity to discuss thoughts, emotions and reflections," the email read. Also Read: In Thanksgiving tradition, US President Joe Biden pardons ‘Peanut Butter’, ‘Jelly’ According to the case, Rittenhouse had an AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle, which he got from a friend, who bought and kept it in Wisconsin for him. In a subsequent correction from the school, it said, "In the haste of creating these events, some factual errors were included in the original communication." (With inputs from agencies)

After Rittenhouse trial, US university distorts facts, but offers race-segregated safe spaces to share views

Defending its student union's decision, a university in Britain said the training to students working in the adult sex work industry planned by the group is aimed at educating people about sex work and how to respond sensitively when someone discloses about the work in the industry. &nbsp;

Durham University, which is located in the city of Durham, England, added the training is not designed to encourage the students to enter the industry, but looks to destigmatise it. &nbsp;

A spokesperson of the university said, "We are emphatically not seeking to encourage sex work, but we are providing support to our students. We don’t judge. We listen, support and give practical help. We run many courses for students and staff on topics from mental health and well-being to drug and alcohol awareness." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brothel-offers-free-entry-private-sessions-to-people-taking-covid-shot-on-site-in-austria-429012" hreflang="en">Brothel offers free entry, private sessions to people taking Covid shot on-site in Austria</a>

The spokesperson added that eliminating the stigma related to this work can help students, who are vulnerable or at-risk, access "the support they need and to which they are entitled." &nbsp; &nbsp;

In an email, the Durham Student Union had recently advertised the training which laid out the union's stance on sex work and the importance of destigmatising it. &nbsp;

According to ‘Palatinate’, the university's student newspaper, the email read, “Student sex workers should not face any barriers to accessing support which is well informed and free from prejudice." &nbsp;

Mary Foy, Member of Parliament, Durham has also backed the decision of union. Foy said the university "consulted carefully before deciding to provide this support, engaging with student representatives, members of the university's sexual misconduct and violence operations group, equality, diversity, and inclusion unit, counselling and mental health service and safeguarding representatives.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/women-face-tough-time-as-miscarriages-lead-to-manslaughter-charge-in-us-428979" hreflang="en">Women face tough time as miscarriages lead to manslaughter charge in US</a>

“This was not a decision made on a whim or to promote sex-work. The safety and well-being of students in Durham is paramount," Foy added. &nbsp;

The proposal has attracted backlash from Michelle Donelan, minister for higher and further education in Britain, who said, the training was an attempt to "normalise selling sex." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"I'm deeply concerned that any university is legitimising a dangerous industry which thrives on the exploitation of women. It is right that vital support is offered to women who are being exploited. However, this course seeks to normalise selling sex, which has no place in our universities," Donelan said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

Defending its student union's decision, a university in Britain said the training to students working in the adult sex work industry planned by the group is aimed at educating people about sex work and how to respond sensitively when someone discloses about the work in the industry.

Defending its student union's decision, a university in Britain said the training to students working in the adult sex work industry planned by the group is aimed at educating people about sex work and how to respond sensitively when someone discloses about the work in the industry. Durham University, which is located in the city of Durham, England, added the training is not designed to encourage the students to enter the industry, but looks to destigmatise it. A spokesperson of the university said, "We are emphatically not seeking to encourage sex work, but we are providing support to our students. We don’t judge. We listen, support and give practical help. We run many courses for students and staff on topics from mental health and well-being to drug and alcohol awareness." Also Read: Brothel offers free entry, private sessions to people taking Covid shot on-site in Austria The spokesperson added that eliminating the stigma related to this work can help students, who are vulnerable or at-risk, access "the support they need and to which they are entitled." In an email, the Durham Student Union had recently advertised the training which laid out the union's stance on sex work and the importance of destigmatising it. According to ‘Palatinate’, the university's student newspaper, the email read, “Student sex workers should not face any barriers to accessing support which is well informed and free from prejudice." Mary Foy, Member of Parliament, Durham has also backed the decision of union. Foy said the university "consulted carefully before deciding to provide this support, engaging with student representatives, members of the university's sexual misconduct and violence operations group, equality, diversity, and inclusion unit, counselling and mental health service and safeguarding representatives.” Also Read: Women face tough time as miscarriages lead to manslaughter charge in US “This was not a decision made on a whim or to promote sex-work. The safety and well-being of students in Durham is paramount," Foy added. The proposal has attracted backlash from Michelle Donelan, minister for higher and further education in Britain, who said, the training was an attempt to "normalise selling sex." "I'm deeply concerned that any university is legitimising a dangerous industry which thrives on the exploitation of women. It is right that vital support is offered to women who are being exploited. However, this course seeks to normalise selling sex, which has no place in our universities," Donelan said. (With inputs from agencies)

UK university defends its student union's decision to offer sex work training

Gunmen abducted four staff members and their children from University of Abuja on Tuesday. Attack on a large institution in Nigerian capital is a rare occurence in the country.

The spate of kidnappings started last year as gangs of armed men, locally known as bandits carried out series of abductions from schools. They also attacked villages. Most of the incidents took place in the northwest of the country. The kidnappings were carried out for ransom.

There have been kidnappings of individuals on the outskirts of Abuja, but attacks on universities are rare.

"Suspected bandits attacked the staff quarters of the university in the early hours of today. We have report that four of our staff and their children were, nevertheless, abducted," the university said on its Facebook page.

A source at the university told Reuters that one staff member was taken together with his son and daughter.

Nigeria's security forces are stretched on several fronts, including growing lawlessness in the north and northwest and a 12-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast that has killed thousands.

(With inputs from agencies)

Gunmen abducted four staff members and their children from University of Abuja on Tuesday. Attack on a large institution in Nigerian capital is a rare occurence in the country.

Gunmen abducted four staff members and their children from University of Abuja on Tuesday. Attack on a large institution in Nigerian capital is a rare occurence in the country. The spate of kidnappings started last year as gangs of armed men, locally known as bandits carried out series of abductions from schools. They also attacked villages. Most of the incidents took place in the northwest of the country. The kidnappings were carried out for ransom. There have been kidnappings of individuals on the outskirts of Abuja, but attacks on universities are rare. "Suspected bandits attacked the staff quarters of the university in the early hours of today. We have report that four of our staff and their children were, nevertheless, abducted," the university said on its Facebook page. A source at the university told Reuters that one staff member was taken together with his son and daughter. Nigeria's security forces are stretched on several fronts, including growing lawlessness in the north and northwest and a 12-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast that has killed thousands. (With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Gunmen abduct staff, children in rare attack on a university

Coffee for some is the difference between a day half won and the battle lost at the outset. As its warm embrace cradles you out of your slumber each morning, you forget your worries for a little while, making you well-prepared for hammering life gives you afterwards.

So if you want to sip the drink and also give out informed opinion a-la a wine connoisseur, then you are in luck because University of Florence in Italy is offering a master's degree in coffee. The course has already found takers and first batch of 24 students will begin the course in January. This will be a nine-month course. They will gain practical and theoretical knowledge about coffee.

The supervisor of the course, also head of university's department of agriculture, has been quoted in media reports as saying that the course will cover all aspects of the business. This will include teaching students about origins of coffee and even serving of the drink. &nbsp;

Check out: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/iconic-indian-adverts-from-the-90s-that-will-warm-the-cockles-of-your-heart-413990">Iconic Indian adverts from the 90s that will warm the cockles of your heart</a>

Students will learn history, chemistry, technology and economics of coffee. They will also be sent to gain practical experience with companies in the sector.

The very first course will be in Italian but the university is ready to offer course in English language if it gets good response.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/australian-man-suffering-from-acute-pain-breaks-guinness-record-for-longest-plank-twitter-explodes-411325">Australian man suffering from acute pain breaks Guinness record for longest plank; Twitter explodes</a>

Italians are avid coffee drinkers. An average Italian drinks nearly 6 kg coffee in a year. That's more than the European average.

If all the jargon of the course bores you, the prospect of dreamily sipping coffee in one of Florentian squares may make you take the plunge.

Coffee for some is the difference between a day half won and the battle lost at the outset. As its warm embrace cradles you out of your slumber each morning, you forget your worries for a little while, making you well-prepared for hammering life gives you afterwards.

Coffee for some is the difference between a day half won and the battle lost at the outset. As its warm embrace cradles you out of your slumber each morning, you forget your worries for a little while, making you well-prepared for hammering life gives you afterwards. So if you want to sip the drink and also give out informed opinion a-la a wine connoisseur, then you are in luck because University of Florence in Italy is offering a master's degree in coffee. The course has already found takers and first batch of 24 students will begin the course in January. This will be a nine-month course. They will gain practical and theoretical knowledge about coffee. The supervisor of the course, also head of university's department of agriculture, has been quoted in media reports as saying that the course will cover all aspects of the business. This will include teaching students about origins of coffee and even serving of the drink. Check out: Iconic Indian adverts from the 90s that will warm the cockles of your heart Students will learn history, chemistry, technology and economics of coffee. They will also be sent to gain practical experience with companies in the sector. The very first course will be in Italian but the university is ready to offer course in English language if it gets good response. Also Read: Australian man suffering from acute pain breaks Guinness record for longest plank; Twitter explodes Italians are avid coffee drinkers. An average Italian drinks nearly 6 kg coffee in a year. That's more than the European average. If all the jargon of the course bores you, the prospect of dreamily sipping coffee in one of Florentian squares may make you take the plunge.

University of Florence to offer masters degree in coffee

&nbsp;No gunshots have been heard since the Taliban took control of Kabul but the situation is precarious and getting more so with each passing hour, say four Indian teachers in war-ravaged Afghanistan, appealing for immediate evacuation so they can return to their families back home.

All four are teachers at the Bakhtar University in Kabul, which was overrun by the Taliban three days ago.

"We have reached out to every possible forum in India and we are hoping that the government will do something to ensure our immediate evacuation. I have not stepped out of the campus in two days and every time there is a commotion outside, my heart skips a beat," Mohd Aasif Shah told PTI over the phone.

Shah, who is a resident of Kashmir and has been teaching economics at the Kabul-based varsity for four years, said he like his colleagues fear the current atmosphere following the unexpected turn of events.

"I had plans to go back on Monday. I even had my ticket booked but the situation was rapidly changing. It took me hours to get to the airport and the sight at the airport was like the entire Kabul had gathered there. The flight was cancelled and I had no choice, but to return to the university hostel," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/making-taliban-great-again-billboards-with-biden-dressed-as-taliban-militant-pop-up-in-us-413542">'Making Taliban great again': Billboards with Biden dressed as Taliban militant pop up in US</a>

Shah had returned to Afghanistan two months back after the government decided to conducted offline examinations.

"My family used to be here with me in Kabul. We all went back to India after the Covid outbreak, and classes were online. However, the government decided to hold exams offline. So only I came back for two months and I was to return after the exams were over," he said.

Watch

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Syed Abid Hussain from Bihar, who teaches marketing at the university, said so far everybody is safe but considering the situation, "we do not want to live in this uncertainty".

"We have tried to get in touch with the embassy as well as the Ministry of External Affairs. We have not heard from them yet but I am confident that the government must be putting efforts for our safe and quick evacuation from Kabul," he said.

Adil Rasool from Kashmir, whose wife is there with him at the varsity said, "We are just praying that the situation does not get any worse than this and we are able to go home safely."

Right now everybody is inside the campus and waiting for a positive development from the Indian embassy or the government, said Rasool, who has been teaching management at the university since 2017.

Afroz Alam from Jharkhand, who teaches computer science at the university, said so far there has been no bloodshed but the fear remains.

"There has been no bloodshed outside, we have not heard gunshots too in the city but the scare remains whether this is momentary. The campus is huge, we do not have to move outside for necessities too. I am just hoping for safe and quick evacuation from here," he said.

Two days after Kabul fell to the Taliban, India on Tuesday completed the evacuation of all its diplomats and other staff members from the Afghan capital under a "difficult and complicated" exercise, effectively closing its mission for the second time since 1996 when the militant group captured power.

The mission to evacuate close to 200 people including the Indian envoy and other staffers in two military aircraft was accomplished with support from the US, a day after the Kabul airport witnessed unprecedented scenes of desperate residents rushing into it in an attempt to flee the country fearing the Taliban's brutality.

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon told media persons that the situation in Kabul is complex and "quite fluid" and that the remaining Indians stuck in the city will be brought back home when the commercial flight services resume.

On its part, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the focus now would be to ensure the safe return of all Indian nationals from the Afghan capital in view of the prevailing situation in the country, adding India's visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility and it has been extended to Afghan nationals.

The Taliban swept across the country this month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1

No gunshots have been heard since the Taliban took control of Kabul but the situation is precarious and getting more so with each passing hour, say four Indian teachers in war-ravaged Afghanistan, appealing for immediate evacuation so they can return to their families back home.

No gunshots have been heard since the Taliban took control of Kabul but the situation is precarious and getting more so with each passing hour, say four Indian teachers in war-ravaged Afghanistan, appealing for immediate evacuation so they can return to their families back home. All four are teachers at the Bakhtar University in Kabul, which was overrun by the Taliban three days ago. "We have reached out to every possible forum in India and we are hoping that the government will do something to ensure our immediate evacuation. I have not stepped out of the campus in two days and every time there is a commotion outside, my heart skips a beat," Mohd Aasif Shah told PTI over the phone. Shah, who is a resident of Kashmir and has been teaching economics at the Kabul-based varsity for four years, said he like his colleagues fear the current atmosphere following the unexpected turn of events. "I had plans to go back on Monday. I even had my ticket booked but the situation was rapidly changing. It took me hours to get to the airport and the sight at the airport was like the entire Kabul had gathered there. The flight was cancelled and I had no choice, but to return to the university hostel," he said. Also read | 'Making Taliban great again': Billboards with Biden dressed as Taliban militant pop up in US Shah had returned to Afghanistan two months back after the government decided to conducted offline examinations. "My family used to be here with me in Kabul. We all went back to India after the Covid outbreak, and classes were online. However, the government decided to hold exams offline. So only I came back for two months and I was to return after the exams were over," he said. Watch Syed Abid Hussain from Bihar, who teaches marketing at the university, said so far everybody is safe but considering the situation, "we do not want to live in this uncertainty". "We have tried to get in touch with the embassy as well as the Ministry of External Affairs. We have not heard from them yet but I am confident that the government must be putting efforts for our safe and quick evacuation from Kabul," he said. Adil Rasool from Kashmir, whose wife is there with him at the varsity said, "We are just praying that the situation does not get any worse than this and we are able to go home safely." Right now everybody is inside the campus and waiting for a positive development from the Indian embassy or the government, said Rasool, who has been teaching management at the university since 2017. Afroz Alam from Jharkhand, who teaches computer science at the university, said so far there has been no bloodshed but the fear remains. "There has been no bloodshed outside, we have not heard gunshots too in the city but the scare remains whether this is momentary. The campus is huge, we do not have to move outside for necessities too. I am just hoping for safe and quick evacuation from here," he said. Two days after Kabul fell to the Taliban, India on Tuesday completed the evacuation of all its diplomats and other staff members from the Afghan capital under a "difficult and complicated" exercise, effectively closing its mission for the second time since 1996 when the militant group captured power. The mission to evacuate close to 200 people including the Indian envoy and other staffers in two military aircraft was accomplished with support from the US, a day after the Kabul airport witnessed unprecedented scenes of desperate residents rushing into it in an attempt to flee the country fearing the Taliban's brutality. Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon told media persons that the situation in Kabul is complex and "quite fluid" and that the remaining Indians stuck in the city will be brought back home when the commercial flight services resume. On its part, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the focus now would be to ensure the safe return of all Indian nationals from the Afghan capital in view of the prevailing situation in the country, adding India's visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility and it has been extended to Afghan nationals. The Taliban swept across the country this month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1

Hope govt will ensure our immediate evacuation: Indian teachers stranded at Kabul varsity

Universities in Kabul wore a deserted look on the first day of Afghan school year on Monday. Professors and students are still trying to decide&nbsp;what&nbsp;to make of Taliban's new rules. Taliban have promised a lenient stance than their previous regime in 90s towards women's education.

From 1996-2001 women's freedoms in Afghanistan were ruthlessly curtailed. They faced ban from receiving higher education.

This time, the hardline Islamist group have said women will be allowed to go to private universities under the new regime, but they face tough restrictions on their clothing and movement.

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Women can only attend class if they wear an abaya -- a flowing robe -- and a niqab -- a face veil with a small window to see through -- and are separated from men, the Taliban said.

"Our students don't accept this and we will have to close the university," said Noor Ali Rahmani, the director of Gharjistan University in Kabul, on an almost empty campus on Monday.

"Our students wear the hijab, not the niqab," he added, referring to a headscarf.

The Taliban education authority issued a lengthy document on Sunday outlining their measures for the classroom, which also ruled that men and women should be segregated -- or at least divided by a curtain if there are 15 students or less.

"We said we didn't accept it because it will be difficult to do," Rahmani told AFP.&nbsp;

"We also said that it is not real Islam, it is not what the Koran says."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-open-fire-to-disperse-demonstrators-who-chant-anti-pakistan-slogans-in-kabul-411312">Taliban open fire to disperse demonstrators who chant anti-Pakistan slogans in Kabul</a>

From now on at private colleges and universities, which have mushroomed since the Taliban's first rule ended, women must only be taught by other women, or "old men", and use a women-only entrance.

They must also end their lessons five minutes earlier than men to stop them from mingling outside.

So far, the Taliban has said nothing about public universities.

Usually on the first day of the academic year, university campuses are packed with students catching up after the summer break. This did not happen on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Universities in Kabul wore a deserted look on the first day of Afghan school year on Monday. Professors and students are still trying to decide what to make of Taliban's new rules.

Universities in Kabul wore a deserted look on the first day of Afghan school year on Monday. Professors and students are still trying to decide what to make of Taliban's new rules. Taliban have promised a lenient stance than their previous regime in 90s towards women's education. From 1996-2001 women's freedoms in Afghanistan were ruthlessly curtailed. They faced ban from receiving higher education. This time, the hardline Islamist group have said women will be allowed to go to private universities under the new regime, but they face tough restrictions on their clothing and movement. × Women can only attend class if they wear an abaya -- a flowing robe -- and a niqab -- a face veil with a small window to see through -- and are separated from men, the Taliban said. "Our students don't accept this and we will have to close the university," said Noor Ali Rahmani, the director of Gharjistan University in Kabul, on an almost empty campus on Monday. "Our students wear the hijab, not the niqab," he added, referring to a headscarf. The Taliban education authority issued a lengthy document on Sunday outlining their measures for the classroom, which also ruled that men and women should be segregated -- or at least divided by a curtain if there are 15 students or less. "We said we didn't accept it because it will be difficult to do," Rahmani told AFP. "We also said that it is not real Islam, it is not what the Koran says." Also Read | Taliban open fire to disperse demonstrators who chant anti-Pakistan slogans in Kabul From now on at private colleges and universities, which have mushroomed since the Taliban's first rule ended, women must only be taught by other women, or "old men", and use a women-only entrance. They must also end their lessons five minutes earlier than men to stop them from mingling outside. So far, the Taliban has said nothing about public universities. Usually on the first day of the academic year, university campuses are packed with students catching up after the summer break. This did not happen on Tuesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan universities wear deserted look as Taliban impose fresh rules

The Taliban’s acting higher education minister on Sunday imposed a ban on co-education classes in Afghanistan, saying that “the women will be allowed to study in university, but they won’t be sitting in the same classroom with the men.”

Abdul Baqi Haqqani said the Taliban group will respect progress made in women’s rights, but only according to their strict interpretation of Islamic law.

“The... people of Afghanistan will continue their higher education in the light of Sharia law in safety without being in a mixed male and female environment,” AFP quoted Abdul Baqi Haqqani while speaking at a meeting with elders, known as a loya jirga.

He further said their government will ensure that girls and boys are segregated at primary and secondary schools.

“The Taliban wants to create a reasonable and Islamic curriculum that is in line with our Islamic, national and historical values and, on the other hand, be able to compete with other countries,” Haqqani said.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-kill-afghan-folk-singer-days-after-having-tea-with-him-409240">Taliban kill Afghan folk singer days after having tea with him</a>

Ever since the Taliban stormed to power in mid-August usurping the western-backed government, the radical Islamist group have repeatedly stressed to rule differently than their 1990s stint when girls and women were banned from education.

However, recent reports of the Taliban killing popular local folk singer Fawad Andarabi and comedian Nazar Mohammad have reinstated fears of the earlier days of the oppressive regime where entertainment was considered a sin as per their understanding of Islamic law.

The Taliban have yet to announce their government, saying they would wait until after the departure of US and foreign forces.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban’s acting higher education minister on Sunday imposed a ban on co-education classes in Afghanistan, saying that “the women will be allowed to study in university, but they won’t be sitting in the same classroom with the men.

The Taliban’s acting higher education minister on Sunday imposed a ban on co-education classes in Afghanistan, saying that “the women will be allowed to study in university, but they won’t be sitting in the same classroom with the men.” Abdul Baqi Haqqani said the Taliban group will respect progress made in women’s rights, but only according to their strict interpretation of Islamic law. “The... people of Afghanistan will continue their higher education in the light of Sharia law in safety without being in a mixed male and female environment,” AFP quoted Abdul Baqi Haqqani while speaking at a meeting with elders, known as a loya jirga. He further said their government will ensure that girls and boys are segregated at primary and secondary schools. “The Taliban wants to create a reasonable and Islamic curriculum that is in line with our Islamic, national and historical values and, on the other hand, be able to compete with other countries,” Haqqani said. Also read | Taliban kill Afghan folk singer days after having tea with him Ever since the Taliban stormed to power in mid-August usurping the western-backed government, the radical Islamist group have repeatedly stressed to rule differently than their 1990s stint when girls and women were banned from education. However, recent reports of the Taliban killing popular local folk singer Fawad Andarabi and comedian Nazar Mohammad have reinstated fears of the earlier days of the oppressive regime where entertainment was considered a sin as per their understanding of Islamic law. The Taliban have yet to announce their government, saying they would wait until after the departure of US and foreign forces. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban 2.0: Women allowed to study, but ban on co-education classes in Afghanistan

In China, a well-known university seems to have asked its colleges to prepare lists of LGBTQ+ students and report on their “state of mind”, said an internal directive, which was published online on social media platforms. &nbsp;

Shanghai University has sparked an alarm among young people in the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Citing “relevant requirements”, the “Campus Survey” has asked colleges to “investigate [and] research” students identified as LGBTQ+. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;As clock ticks countries rush to evacuate nationals from Afghanistan

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The information on the students’ state of mind and psychological condition, which includes social contacts, political stance and mental health status, was also requested by the university. &nbsp;

The “relevant requirements” referred in the survey were not explained. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Several students and activists alike have expressed concern and have also anticipated a possibility of a crackdown on these students after the information-gathering exercise. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/now-china-asks-private-firms-to-migrate-data-to-government-run-cloud-services-409161" hreflang="en">Now, China asks private firms to migrate data to government-run cloud services</a>

On Weibo, some legal experts also questioned whether this measure violates China’s new data privacy law. &nbsp;

Shanghai University is yet to give its take on the development, which has raised several eyebrows. &nbsp;

Several people have liked, shared and commented on the original Weibo post, which shared the directive. It also had a screenshot of the document. The original post has been removed.&nbsp;

In China, a well-known university seems to have asked its colleges to prepare lists of LGBTQ+ students and report on their “state of mind”, said an internal directive, which was published online on social media platforms.

In China, a well-known university seems to have asked its colleges to prepare lists of LGBTQ+ students and report on their “state of mind”, said an internal directive, which was published online on social media platforms. Shanghai University has sparked an alarm among young people in the country. Citing “relevant requirements”, the “Campus Survey” has asked colleges to “investigate [and] research” students identified as LGBTQ+. Watch: As clock ticks countries rush to evacuate nationals from Afghanistan × The information on the students’ state of mind and psychological condition, which includes social contacts, political stance and mental health status, was also requested by the university. The “relevant requirements” referred in the survey were not explained. Several students and activists alike have expressed concern and have also anticipated a possibility of a crackdown on these students after the information-gathering exercise. Also Read: Now, China asks private firms to migrate data to government-run cloud services On Weibo, some legal experts also questioned whether this measure violates China’s new data privacy law. Shanghai University is yet to give its take on the development, which has raised several eyebrows. Several people have liked, shared and commented on the original Weibo post, which shared the directive. It also had a screenshot of the document. The original post has been removed.

For ‘investigation’, university asks for LGBTQ+ students’ lists in China

An internal communique issued by China’s Shanghai University has raised eyebrows of many after it ordered its colleges to report students who identify as LGBTQ+ or “non-heterosexual”.

The internal directive, published online on both Chinese and foreign social media platforms, contains a questionnaire purportedly asking the colleges to “investigate and research” students who identified themselves to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, The Guardian reported.

It is also claimed to have requested information on the students’ “state of mind and psychological condition, including political stance, social contacts, and mental health status”.

The matter came to light when a Weibo user posted it on the social media platform on August 26, calling the practice “horrendous”.

“It looks like Shanghai University isn’t the only university to ask for ‘reports’ on LGBT students and keep track of them,” the user wrote. “Whether the school’s intention was good or not, this is horrendous.”

The screenshot of the questionnaire was also shared on Twitter, generating a heated discussion about China’s ongoing ‘crackdowns’ on the country’s sexual minorities.

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"Relevant reqs" part esp concerning. This Jan article is eg of how uni admin look at LGBT students. Calls for student cadres to collect info on LGBT students &amp; for guidance counselors to "help" "non-biologically gay students" "form the correct perspectives on love &amp; marriage." <a href="https://t.co/n09dTuWxBX">https://t.co/n09dTuWxBX</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Gb9125dWo">pic.twitter.com/6Gb9125dWo</a>
— Darius Longarino 龙大瑞 (@DariusLongarino) <a href="https://twitter.com/DariusLongarino/status/1430861604606840832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as #LGBT, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements. It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown,” a reporter based in China tweeted.

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Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGBT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGBT</a>, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements.” It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown. <a href="https://t.co/33hWvqwEtq">pic.twitter.com/33hWvqwEtq</a>
— Yaling Jiang (@yaling_jiang) <a href="https://twitter.com/yaling_jiang/status/1430843294213279744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The latest incident comes days after it was reported that Chinese social media giant WeChat was allegedly removing dozens of LGBTQ+ accounts, fuelling fears that the move was part of a wider crackdown.

Several LGBTQ+ groups told Reuters in July that their WeChat accounts had been locked, while others had their content deleted from the platform.

Also read <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/china-deletes-lgbtq-university-accounts-from-biggest-social-media-app-wechat-396452">|&nbsp;China deletes LGBTQ university accounts from biggest social media app Wechat</a>

The accounts were a mix of registered student clubs and unofficial grassroots groups, and some had operated for years as safe spaces for China’s LGBTQ+ youth, with tens of thousands of followers. The move sparked outrage among some university students and activists.

Even though China has decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, the country still does not recognise same-sex marriage.

(With inputs from agencies)

An internal communique issued by China’s Shanghai University has raised eyebrows of many after it ordered its colleges to report students who identify as LGBTQ+ or “non-heterosexual”.

An internal communique issued by China’s Shanghai University has raised eyebrows of many after it ordered its colleges to report students who identify as LGBTQ+ or “non-heterosexual”. The internal directive, published online on both Chinese and foreign social media platforms, contains a questionnaire purportedly asking the colleges to “investigate and research” students who identified themselves to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, The Guardian reported. It is also claimed to have requested information on the students’ “state of mind and psychological condition, including political stance, social contacts, and mental health status”. The matter came to light when a Weibo user posted it on the social media platform on August 26, calling the practice “horrendous”. “It looks like Shanghai University isn’t the only university to ask for ‘reports’ on LGBT students and keep track of them,” the user wrote. “Whether the school’s intention was good or not, this is horrendous.” The screenshot of the questionnaire was also shared on Twitter, generating a heated discussion about China’s ongoing ‘crackdowns’ on the country’s sexual minorities. "Relevant reqs" part esp concerning. This Jan article is eg of how uni admin look at LGBT students. Calls for student cadres to collect info on LGBT students & for guidance counselors to "help" "non-biologically gay students" "form the correct perspectives on love & marriage." https://t.co/n09dTuWxBX pic.twitter.com/6Gb9125dWo — Darius Longarino 龙大瑞 (@DariusLongarino) August 26, 2021 × “Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as #LGBT, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements. It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown,” a reporter based in China tweeted. Shanghai University is ordering its colleges to report whether they have any students who identify as #LGBT, according to a university notice that cites “relevant requirements.” It’s confirmed by a student and a staff member of the uni. The purpose of such order is unknown. pic.twitter.com/33hWvqwEtq — Yaling Jiang (@yaling_jiang) August 26, 2021 × The latest incident comes days after it was reported that Chinese social media giant WeChat was allegedly removing dozens of LGBTQ+ accounts, fuelling fears that the move was part of a wider crackdown. Several LGBTQ+ groups told Reuters in July that their WeChat accounts had been locked, while others had their content deleted from the platform. Also read | China deletes LGBTQ university accounts from biggest social media app Wechat The accounts were a mix of registered student clubs and unofficial grassroots groups, and some had operated for years as safe spaces for China’s LGBTQ+ youth, with tens of thousands of followers. The move sparked outrage among some university students and activists. Even though China has decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, the country still does not recognise same-sex marriage. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese university asks colleges to compile list of LGTBQ+ students, stokes fears of ‘crackdown’

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning.

Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal."

He said that authorities knew which substance was administered but the name couldn't be disclosed in order to not hamper the investigation.

A sign posted on a glass door on the university campus warned "all members of Darmstadt Technical University" that "drinks and water containers" at the Materials and Earth Sciences department had been "tampered with."

"As a precautionary measure we advise against the consumption of food and drinks left on university grounds in the coming days," the warning sign read.

According to local media, some of the seven people affected suffered from "serious poisoning" on Monday afternoon (August 23) which led to discomfort and discolourations of fingers and feet.

A 30-year-old student assistant was doing "much better" on Tuesday after his life was in danger a day earlier, according to "Hessenschau."

(With inputs from agencies)

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning. Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal.

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning. Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal." He said that authorities knew which substance was administered but the name couldn't be disclosed in order to not hamper the investigation. A sign posted on a glass door on the university campus warned "all members of Darmstadt Technical University" that "drinks and water containers" at the Materials and Earth Sciences department had been "tampered with." "As a precautionary measure we advise against the consumption of food and drinks left on university grounds in the coming days," the warning sign read. According to local media, some of the seven people affected suffered from "serious poisoning" on Monday afternoon (August 23) which led to discomfort and discolourations of fingers and feet. A 30-year-old student assistant was doing "much better" on Tuesday after his life was in danger a day earlier, according to "Hessenschau." (With inputs from agencies)

German police probe attempted murder after poisoning attack at university

Hungary’s&nbsp;Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seems to have&nbsp;given his opponents a chance to&nbsp;hurt his political fortunes in the future&nbsp;over plans for a Chinese university campus in Budapest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There has been an outrage over the proposal, according to a CNN report.&nbsp;The&nbsp;prime minister's populist government had earlier announced a controversial plan for a Shanghai university to open its first overseas campus in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It was slated to come up at a&nbsp;derelict plot on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary. And&nbsp;Hungarians would be apparently paying&nbsp;for it.&nbsp;It seems to have become a perfect recipe for disaster.&nbsp;

The protests&nbsp;against this proposal have united&nbsp;Hungary's opposition&nbsp;in an attempt to topple Orbán's ruling party at next year's general election. They want to&nbsp;turn his nationalist rhetoric against him.&nbsp;

In&nbsp;Orbán’s&nbsp;11-year-rule, several demonstrations have been&nbsp;organised&nbsp;in Budapest against his assault on democratic freedoms.&nbsp;But his right-wing Fidesz party has always enjoyed landslide election wins.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Now, the situation is different all due to the&nbsp;proposed Fudan University campus issue.&nbsp;

The use of&nbsp;Hungary’s&nbsp;taxpayer money in the building of the&nbsp;university&nbsp;seems to have been warned as serving the interests of China's Communist Party.&nbsp;

The campus is due to come up on a land slated for affordable housing for around 10,000 Hungarian students.&nbsp;

Carrying placards&nbsp;emblasoned&nbsp;with the word 'treason' and slogans such as 'Hungarian money for Hungarian universities’,&nbsp;thousands of protesters took to streets in Budapest last month to oppose the plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seems to have given his opponents a chance to hurt his political fortunes in the future over plans for a Chinese university campus in Budapest.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seems to have given his opponents a chance to hurt his political fortunes in the future over plans for a Chinese university campus in Budapest. There has been an outrage over the proposal, according to a CNN report. The prime minister's populist government had earlier announced a controversial plan for a Shanghai university to open its first overseas campus in 2024. It was slated to come up at a derelict plot on the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary. And Hungarians would be apparently paying for it. It seems to have become a perfect recipe for disaster. The protests against this proposal have united Hungary's opposition in an attempt to topple Orbán's ruling party at next year's general election. They want to turn his nationalist rhetoric against him. In Orbán’s 11-year-rule, several demonstrations have been organised in Budapest against his assault on democratic freedoms. But his right-wing Fidesz party has always enjoyed landslide election wins. Now, the situation is different all due to the proposed Fudan University campus issue. The use of Hungary’s taxpayer money in the building of the university seems to have been warned as serving the interests of China's Communist Party. The campus is due to come up on a land slated for affordable housing for around 10,000 Hungarian students. Carrying placards emblasoned with the word 'treason' and slogans such as 'Hungarian money for Hungarian universities’, thousands of protesters took to streets in Budapest last month to oppose the plan.

Plans for a Chinese university spark outrage in Hungary 

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is the world's top research university as per the citations per faculty indicator, while the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, is ranked 41st in the category, according to the coveted QS World University Rankings released on Wednesday.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore has got a perfect score of 100 out of 100 for the citations per faculty (CPF) metric in the analysis by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). In the overall rankings, three Indian institutions have figured in the top 200 universities of the world list.

Lauding the institute, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in his social media handle said: "Proud of Indian Institute of Science, IISc Bangalore, to achieve the first rank as a research university with the perfect 100 score on CPF measure."

According to the 18th edition of the rankings, the India Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, is India's top ranked institution for the fourth consecutive year at the QS World University Rankings 2022. However, it has fallen four places to 177 from its 2021 rank of 172.

IIT Delhi, has become India's second-best university, having risen from the 193rd rank to 185 since last year. It has done so by overtaking the IISc which bagged the 186th rank, a notch below last year's rank, according to the rankings.

IIT, Madras, has risen 20 places and now ranks joint-255th, which is its highest position since 2017. IIT-Kharagpur is ranked at 280, while IIT, Guwahati, in the joint-395th rank has entered the global top-400 for the first time.

While IIT, Hyderabad, in the 591-600 rank band, enjoys its first year ever in the top 600, the Jawaharlal Nehru University has made its debut in the QS World University Rankings and is placed in the 561-570 band.

Indian universities have also improved their research impact, relative to global competitors. 17 of India's 35 universities have seen a rise in their CPF score, against only 12 drops in CPF, according to the rankings. However, Indian universities continue to struggle in QS's measure of institutional teaching capacity.

23 of India's 35 universities have suffered declines in QS's faculty/student ratio indicator, with only six recording improvements. No Indian university ranks among the top 250 in the faculty/student ratio category. Indian universities have made consistent progress in QSs academic reputation metric with 20 of India's 35 entrants improving their scores, while only nine have experienced drops in their rank.

For the QS World University Rankings, institutions and universities were judged on six indicators-- academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, faculty/student ratio, international faculty ratio and international student ratio.

This year, rankings listed the world's top 1,300 universities - 145 more than in the last year's edition, which can be found in 97 locations. Of 13,000 institutions, 6,415 were found eligible for the survey analysis, and 1,705 were assessed for the final table. The results accounted for the distribution and performance of 14.7 million academic papers published between 2015 and 2019, and the 96 million citations received by those paper. They also accounted for the expert opinions of over 1, 30,000 academic faculty and over 75,000 employers.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieved a record-extending 10th consecutive year as world number one. The University of Oxford has risen to second for the first time since 2006, while Stanford University and the University of Cambridge share the third spot.

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is the world's top research university as per the citations per faculty indicator, while the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, is ranked 41st in the category, according to the coveted QS World University Rankings released on Wednesday.

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is the world's top research university as per the citations per faculty indicator, while the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, is ranked 41st in the category, according to the coveted QS World University Rankings released on Wednesday. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore has got a perfect score of 100 out of 100 for the citations per faculty (CPF) metric in the analysis by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). In the overall rankings, three Indian institutions have figured in the top 200 universities of the world list. Lauding the institute, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in his social media handle said: "Proud of Indian Institute of Science, IISc Bangalore, to achieve the first rank as a research university with the perfect 100 score on CPF measure." According to the 18th edition of the rankings, the India Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, is India's top ranked institution for the fourth consecutive year at the QS World University Rankings 2022. However, it has fallen four places to 177 from its 2021 rank of 172. IIT Delhi, has become India's second-best university, having risen from the 193rd rank to 185 since last year. It has done so by overtaking the IISc which bagged the 186th rank, a notch below last year's rank, according to the rankings. IIT, Madras, has risen 20 places and now ranks joint-255th, which is its highest position since 2017. IIT-Kharagpur is ranked at 280, while IIT, Guwahati, in the joint-395th rank has entered the global top-400 for the first time. While IIT, Hyderabad, in the 591-600 rank band, enjoys its first year ever in the top 600, the Jawaharlal Nehru University has made its debut in the QS World University Rankings and is placed in the 561-570 band. Indian universities have also improved their research impact, relative to global competitors. 17 of India's 35 universities have seen a rise in their CPF score, against only 12 drops in CPF, according to the rankings. However, Indian universities continue to struggle in QS's measure of institutional teaching capacity. 23 of India's 35 universities have suffered declines in QS's faculty/student ratio indicator, with only six recording improvements. No Indian university ranks among the top 250 in the faculty/student ratio category. Indian universities have made consistent progress in QSs academic reputation metric with 20 of India's 35 entrants improving their scores, while only nine have experienced drops in their rank. For the QS World University Rankings, institutions and universities were judged on six indicators-- academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, faculty/student ratio, international faculty ratio and international student ratio. This year, rankings listed the world's top 1,300 universities - 145 more than in the last year's edition, which can be found in 97 locations. Of 13,000 institutions, 6,415 were found eligible for the survey analysis, and 1,705 were assessed for the final table. The results accounted for the distribution and performance of 14.7 million academic papers published between 2015 and 2019, and the 96 million citations received by those paper. They also accounted for the expert opinions of over 1, 30,000 academic faculty and over 75,000 employers. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieved a record-extending 10th consecutive year as world number one. The University of Oxford has risen to second for the first time since 2006, while Stanford University and the University of Cambridge share the third spot.

QS World University Rankings: 3 Indian institutes in top 200; IISc top research university

Hungary appeared to backtrack on plans to build a Chinese university in the capital Budapest after thousands took to the streets at the weekend accusing the government of cosying up to Beijing, provoking an angry Chinese response.

Opponents of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban fear the planned $2 billion campus could undercut the quality of higher education and help Beijing increase its influence in Hungary and the European Union.

A senior Orban aide said late on Sunday the university was not even at the planning phase, and once the plan took shape, in early 2023, it could be put to a referendum.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/budapest-renames-streets-near-planned-chinese-university-to-highlight-human-rights-abuses-389076">Budapest renames streets near planned Chinese university to highlight human rights abuses</a>

"Once the project's conditions are known, we support a referendum in Budapest to decide whether locals want Fudan University here," Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, told the pro-government news web site Mandiner late on Sunday.

Orban, a self-styled illiberal, has built cordial ties with China, including massive joint business projects, and has several times this year blocked EU statements denouncing China's record on human rights, angering his allies.

According to media reports, the government was willing to pay for the construction of Shanghai-based Fudan University's first campus in Europe with a Chinese loan. The campus would displace a planned local student housing area.

Public support for the campus is low, according to an opinion survey conducted last month, and Orban's ruling Fidesz party has weak support in Budapest, so a referendum could turn out against the project.

Orban and Fidesz face their first competitive elections next year after three successive landslides since 2010. Opposition parties have united against Fidesz for the first time and caught up with them in polls.

Political observers say Orban could decide to bide his time on Fudan and return to the idea after the election.

"It is hallmark Fidesz to take two steps back to wait until the issue loses political steam, then attempt it again when it is more convenient politically," Political Capital analyst Peter Kreko said.

Orban has abandoned unpopular projects before, such as a tax on internet traffic, a separate administrative court system and plans to privatise marinas at Lake Balaton.

Opposition spars with China

Gergely Karacsony, the opposition mayor of Budapest and a top contender to challenge Orban in elections next year, said on Saturday the university protest was a symbol of Hungarians rejecting heavy-handed government decisions.

"Although we are worlds apart on human rights... we really just don't want a Chinese elite school built at the expense of Hungarian taxpayers," Karacsony told Saturday's rally.

A media spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, who did not give his name, criticised Karacsony's comments on the embassy's Facebook page.

"In broad daylight, it is unseemly to criticize the internal affairs of another country, especially when I heard some key words in his speech, such as 'Tiananmen Square protests', 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'values'," the official said.

The Chinese embassy said it would address Reuters questions on a planned Fudan referendum at a later stage.

Hungary blocked an EU statement in April criticising China's new security law in Hong Kong, undermining the bloc's efforts to confront Beijing's curbing of freedoms in the former British colony.

Hungary appeared to backtrack on plans to build a Chinese university in the capital Budapest after thousands took to the streets at the weekend accusing the government of cosying up to Beijing, provoking an angry Chinese response.

Hungary appeared to backtrack on plans to build a Chinese university in the capital Budapest after thousands took to the streets at the weekend accusing the government of cosying up to Beijing, provoking an angry Chinese response. Opponents of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban fear the planned $2 billion campus could undercut the quality of higher education and help Beijing increase its influence in Hungary and the European Union. A senior Orban aide said late on Sunday the university was not even at the planning phase, and once the plan took shape, in early 2023, it could be put to a referendum. Also read | Budapest renames streets near planned Chinese university to highlight human rights abuses "Once the project's conditions are known, we support a referendum in Budapest to decide whether locals want Fudan University here," Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, told the pro-government news web site Mandiner late on Sunday. Orban, a self-styled illiberal, has built cordial ties with China, including massive joint business projects, and has several times this year blocked EU statements denouncing China's record on human rights, angering his allies. According to media reports, the government was willing to pay for the construction of Shanghai-based Fudan University's first campus in Europe with a Chinese loan. The campus would displace a planned local student housing area. Public support for the campus is low, according to an opinion survey conducted last month, and Orban's ruling Fidesz party has weak support in Budapest, so a referendum could turn out against the project. Orban and Fidesz face their first competitive elections next year after three successive landslides since 2010. Opposition parties have united against Fidesz for the first time and caught up with them in polls. Political observers say Orban could decide to bide his time on Fudan and return to the idea after the election. "It is hallmark Fidesz to take two steps back to wait until the issue loses political steam, then attempt it again when it is more convenient politically," Political Capital analyst Peter Kreko said. Orban has abandoned unpopular projects before, such as a tax on internet traffic, a separate administrative court system and plans to privatise marinas at Lake Balaton. Opposition spars with China Gergely Karacsony, the opposition mayor of Budapest and a top contender to challenge Orban in elections next year, said on Saturday the university protest was a symbol of Hungarians rejecting heavy-handed government decisions. "Although we are worlds apart on human rights... we really just don't want a Chinese elite school built at the expense of Hungarian taxpayers," Karacsony told Saturday's rally. A media spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, who did not give his name, criticised Karacsony's comments on the embassy's Facebook page. "In broad daylight, it is unseemly to criticize the internal affairs of another country, especially when I heard some key words in his speech, such as 'Tiananmen Square protests', 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'values'," the official said. The Chinese embassy said it would address Reuters questions on a planned Fudan referendum at a later stage. Hungary blocked an EU statement in April criticising China's new security law in Hong Kong, undermining the bloc's efforts to confront Beijing's curbing of freedoms in the former British colony.

Hungary appears to back-pedal on Chinese university plans after protests

A top Pakistani university has expelled two students for hugging and proposing on campus, after a video of the incident went viral on social media.&nbsp;

A special disciplinary committee of the University of Lahore held a meeting on Friday and summoned the two students but they failed to appear.&nbsp;

The committee then decided to expel the boy and the girl and banned them from entering any of the university's campuses.&nbsp;According to the University of Lahore, the two students were involved in gross misconduct and violation of university rules.&nbsp;The students in question were summoned before the committee but failed to appear. Thus, in pursuance of Section 9 of the General Discipline and Code of Conduct on the Campus, the committee has decided to expel the two students for violating the varsity's rules and regulations and serious infraction of the code of conduct. Furthermore, as per Section 16, they are debarred from entering the premises of University of Lahore and all its sub-campuses," read a statement from the University of Lahore.&nbsp;

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University of Lahore WTF...........🙂 <a href="https://t.co/PiCt5FD78Q">pic.twitter.com/PiCt5FD78Q</a>
— NنDEEM (@Nadeem_M7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nadeem_M7/status/1370009639660761089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The video of the proposal took Twitter by storm, it was one of the top trends on social media last Thursday when the incident took place.&nbsp;The viral footage shows the girl with her right knee bent on the ground, holding a bouquet of roses, proposing to the boy, who then takes the flowers and pulls the girl for a hug. Nearby students are seen cheering them along.&nbsp;

As the footage went viral, the university took notice of it.&nbsp;

Expulsion of the couple drew mixed reactions on the internet. A social media user posted the picture of Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan from the movie 'Mohabbatein' where he played a college principal, who was against romance in college.&nbsp;

"Presenting to you, the Principal of the University of Lahore," read the caption with a photograph of Bachchan.&nbsp;

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University of Lahore administration purportedly expelled Hadiqa and Shehryar from university for publicly going for marriage proposal &amp; momentary display of affection. University says both students violated code of conduct and committed gross misconduct in the university. <a href="https://t.co/MDIVJ4Mk9U">pic.twitter.com/MDIVJ4Mk9U</a>
— Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZahidGishkori/status/1370444536099446784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Slain prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto's daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari termed the university action ridiculous.&nbsp;

Former cricketer Wasim Akram's wife Shaniera Akram said in a tweet: Apply all the rules you want but you can't expel love! It's in our hearts, it's the best part about being young and it what makes life worth living! You learn more about love than you can ever learn at an institution.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A top Pakistani university has expelled two students for hugging and proposing on campus, after a video of the incident went viral on social media. A special disciplinary committee of the University of Lahore held a meeting on Friday and summoned the two students but they failed to appear.

A top Pakistani university has expelled two students for hugging and proposing on campus, after a video of the incident went viral on social media. A special disciplinary committee of the University of Lahore held a meeting on Friday and summoned the two students but they failed to appear. The committee then decided to expel the boy and the girl and banned them from entering any of the university's campuses. According to the University of Lahore, the two students were involved in gross misconduct and violation of university rules. The students in question were summoned before the committee but failed to appear. Thus, in pursuance of Section 9 of the General Discipline and Code of Conduct on the Campus, the committee has decided to expel the two students for violating the varsity's rules and regulations and serious infraction of the code of conduct. Furthermore, as per Section 16, they are debarred from entering the premises of University of Lahore and all its sub-campuses," read a statement from the University of Lahore. University of Lahore WTF...........🙂 pic.twitter.com/PiCt5FD78Q — NنDEEM (@Nadeem_M7) March 11, 2021 × The video of the proposal took Twitter by storm, it was one of the top trends on social media last Thursday when the incident took place. The viral footage shows the girl with her right knee bent on the ground, holding a bouquet of roses, proposing to the boy, who then takes the flowers and pulls the girl for a hug. Nearby students are seen cheering them along. As the footage went viral, the university took notice of it. Expulsion of the couple drew mixed reactions on the internet. A social media user posted the picture of Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan from the movie 'Mohabbatein' where he played a college principal, who was against romance in college. "Presenting to you, the Principal of the University of Lahore," read the caption with a photograph of Bachchan. University of Lahore administration purportedly expelled Hadiqa and Shehryar from university for publicly going for marriage proposal & momentary display of affection. University says both students violated code of conduct and committed gross misconduct in the university. pic.twitter.com/MDIVJ4Mk9U — Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) March 12, 2021 × Slain prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto's daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari termed the university action ridiculous. Former cricketer Wasim Akram's wife Shaniera Akram said in a tweet: Apply all the rules you want but you can't expel love! It's in our hearts, it's the best part about being young and it what makes life worth living! You learn more about love than you can ever learn at an institution. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Social media erupts as Pak varsity expels students for 'hugging' on campus 

Higher educational institutions can restart physical classes only with 50 per cent attendance in areas outside containment zones, as per directions by the respective governments, said the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday.

It issued guidelines for the reopening of university and college campuses after several months of closure due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

As per a statement, the guidelines may be adopted by institutions outside containment zones, as per the local conditions and directives of the respective government authorities.

For centrally funded higher education institutions, the head of the institution should satisfy themselves regarding the feasibility of the opening of physical classes and decide accordingly.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-19-caseload-goes-past-840000-with-47638-fresh-infections-341038" hreflang="en">India's COVID-19 caseload goes past 840,000 with 47,638 fresh infections</a>

For all other higher educational institutions, including colleges and universities, the opening of physical classes is to be done as per the decision of the respective governments.

According to the guidelines, the universities and colleges are allowed to open with activities where social distancing can be adhered to, and face masks and other protective measures must be in place.

Final year students may also be allowed to join for academic and placement purposes.

For programmes, other than research and postgraduate courses in science and technology, online and distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching, but students will be allowed to visit respective departments in small numbers for consultation with faculty after seeking appointments.

The UGC guidelines added hostels may be opened only in cases where it is necessary and sharing of rooms will not be allowed. Symptomatic students will not be permitted to stay under any circumstances.

Before opening, the central or concerned state government must declare the area safe for opening.

Higher educational institutions can restart physical classes only with 50 per cent attendance in areas outside containment zones, as per directions by the respective governments, said the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday.

Higher educational institutions can restart physical classes only with 50 per cent attendance in areas outside containment zones, as per directions by the respective governments, said the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday. It issued guidelines for the reopening of university and college campuses after several months of closure due to the COVID-19 lockdown. As per a statement, the guidelines may be adopted by institutions outside containment zones, as per the local conditions and directives of the respective government authorities. For centrally funded higher education institutions, the head of the institution should satisfy themselves regarding the feasibility of the opening of physical classes and decide accordingly. Also read| India's COVID-19 caseload goes past 840,000 with 47,638 fresh infections For all other higher educational institutions, including colleges and universities, the opening of physical classes is to be done as per the decision of the respective governments. According to the guidelines, the universities and colleges are allowed to open with activities where social distancing can be adhered to, and face masks and other protective measures must be in place. Final year students may also be allowed to join for academic and placement purposes. For programmes, other than research and postgraduate courses in science and technology, online and distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching, but students will be allowed to visit respective departments in small numbers for consultation with faculty after seeking appointments. The UGC guidelines added hostels may be opened only in cases where it is necessary and sharing of rooms will not be allowed. Symptomatic students will not be permitted to stay under any circumstances. Before opening, the central or concerned state government must declare the area safe for opening.

India to reopen universities at 50% capacity; UGC issues guidelines

The much-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court on the raging issue of holding final year examinations before September 30 may come on August 28, reports said.

SC on August 18 had reserved its order and asked for the parties to submit their responses in writing with the court.

A three-judge bench of the Apex court headed by justice Ashok Bhushan will pronounce it’s verdict at 10.30 am.

University Grants Commission had asked all universities and colleges to conduct their final year examinations before September 30 as any more delay will result in the loss of an academic year. The exams could be conducted online, offline or both.

Those who won’t be able to appear in the examination because of COVID or other difficulties, as states like Bihar and Assam are reeling under severe flood impacts, will be allowed to take the examinations later.

(With inputs from agencies)

The much-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court on the raging issue of holding final year examinations before September 30 may come on August 28, reports said. SC on August 18 had reserved its order and asked for the parties to submit their responses in writing with the court.

The much-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court on the raging issue of holding final year examinations before September 30 may come on August 28, reports said. SC on August 18 had reserved its order and asked for the parties to submit their responses in writing with the court. A three-judge bench of the Apex court headed by justice Ashok Bhushan will pronounce it’s verdict at 10.30 am. University Grants Commission had asked all universities and colleges to conduct their final year examinations before September 30 as any more delay will result in the loss of an academic year. The exams could be conducted online, offline or both. Those who won’t be able to appear in the examination because of COVID or other difficulties, as states like Bihar and Assam are reeling under severe flood impacts, will be allowed to take the examinations later. (With inputs from agencies)

Supreme Court decision on UGC case on final year university exams 2020 on August 28

Universities worldwide are every year ranked by&nbsp;Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR), revealing which world's best 1,000 universities.

The ranking, which was released on Wednesday, revealed a slip in the ranking of Indian universities this year.

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The QS World University Rankings 2021 have just launched! 🦁 The wait is over – discover the world's best universities now: <a href="https://t.co/JEcuTvC93A">https://t.co/JEcuTvC93A</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QSWUR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QSWUR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/topuniversities?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#topuniversities</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rankings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rankings</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/highered?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#highered</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/studyhere?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#studyhere</a>
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The list, which had 25 Indian universities last year, saw names of 21 universities this year, out of which at least&nbsp;10 fall under Indian Government's Institution of Eminence (IoE) scheme.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bahrain-brags-its-riches-as-school-holds-farewell-on-f1-ciruit-305101#venue-repurposed-to-bid-farewell-305085">Have a look:&nbsp;Bahrain brags its riches as school holds 'farewell' on F1 ciruit!</a>

Out of the 21 institutes that featured in the list, 14 saw a decline in the ratings.&nbsp;

The decline in the rankings came as a shock, especially since majority of the listed universities are a part of the IoE scheme, which concentrates on bringing the universities to a point of excellence.

<img alt="QS Rankings 2021" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5e9ae108-c8a1-4c72-b7d0-7a9fa071d898" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_36.jpg" />

The IoE scheme by the Indian Government aims at grouping 10 public and 10 private&nbsp;institutions, and help them by providing them the needed resources and infrastructure to reach the top 500 ranks globally within a decade, followed by top 100. In addition to structural advances, the government also provides Rs 1,000 crore to each university over a period of five years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/creativity-cant-be-transferred-through-online-classes-kasturirangan-304212">Also read:&nbsp;Creativity can't be transferred through online classes: Kasturirangan</a>

Based on six key criteria -- academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, faculty/student ratio, international faculty ratio and international student ratio -- IIT Bombay&nbsp;ranked 172, followed by IISc at 185th and IIT Delhi at 193.

According to experts, the dip in rankings is due to the student-teacher ratio. The experts believe there is a lot of talent in the country, but the students are not getting proper attention due to high number of students and limited faculty.

QS experts also believe Indian institutes have not been able to find creative ways of teaching and attracting talented students - which institutes of other countries have managed to do.&nbsp;

Universities worldwide are every year ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR), revealing which world's best 1,000 universities. The ranking, which was released on Wednesday, revealed a slip in the ranking of Indian universities this year.

Universities worldwide are every year ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR), revealing which world's best 1,000 universities. The ranking, which was released on Wednesday, revealed a slip in the ranking of Indian universities this year. The QS World University Rankings 2021 have just launched! 🦁 The wait is over – discover the world's best universities now: https://t.co/JEcuTvC93A#QSWUR #topuniversities #rankings #highered #studyhere — QS World University Rankings (@worlduniranking) June 9, 2020 × The list, which had 25 Indian universities last year, saw names of 21 universities this year, out of which at least 10 fall under Indian Government's Institution of Eminence (IoE) scheme. Have a look: Bahrain brags its riches as school holds 'farewell' on F1 ciruit! Out of the 21 institutes that featured in the list, 14 saw a decline in the ratings. The decline in the rankings came as a shock, especially since majority of the listed universities are a part of the IoE scheme, which concentrates on bringing the universities to a point of excellence. The IoE scheme by the Indian Government aims at grouping 10 public and 10 private institutions, and help them by providing them the needed resources and infrastructure to reach the top 500 ranks globally within a decade, followed by top 100. In addition to structural advances, the government also provides Rs 1,000 crore to each university over a period of five years. Also read: Creativity can't be transferred through online classes: Kasturirangan Based on six key criteria -- academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, faculty/student ratio, international faculty ratio and international student ratio -- IIT Bombay ranked 172, followed by IISc at 185th and IIT Delhi at 193. According to experts, the dip in rankings is due to the student-teacher ratio. The experts believe there is a lot of talent in the country, but the students are not getting proper attention due to high number of students and limited faculty. QS experts also believe Indian institutes have not been able to find creative ways of teaching and attracting talented students - which institutes of other countries have managed to do.

Indian universities slip in world rankings; IIT Bombay tops India's list

Three students were found dead in a cave <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-appeals-to-wto-against-the-european-unions-discriminative-palm-oil-restrictions-268519">in Indonesia</a> on Monday after they got trapped inside by floodwaters.

Heavy rains had smashed the region, effectively flooding it. A search and rescue operation was launched to retrieve five people alive from Lele cave and West Java.

The victims "were trapped inside the cave for quite a while before the team managed to evacuate them," said local search and rescue agency spokeswoman Seni Wulandari.

According to sources, the rescue team took an hour to reach the cave, which is 30 metres below ground level.

Watch:&nbsp;Indonesian cave art is earliest known record of "storytelling"

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indonesian-cave-art-is-earliest-known-record-of-story-telling-researchers-say-268590/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Water entered the cave like a waterfall. Initially, only five students were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-cave-reopens-for-visitors-after-wild-boars-rescue-259377">inside the cave</a>, including the victims," Ari Alfian, a senior member of the club said.

Alfian claimed that the weather was normal when the kids ventured into the cave. However, unexpected heavy downpour crippled the area.

"Another three came in to rescue them as the bad weather arrived. They were all trapped but only five managed to survive''', he added.

The students had gone to the cave to undergo basic caving training and were part of a university nature club.&nbsp;

Storms and bad weather have plagued <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indonesia-foreign-minister-arrives-in-india-to-attend-key-talks-on-indo-pacific-region-267986">the country</a> lately.

(With inputs from agencies)

Three students were found dead in a cave in Indonesia on Monday after they got trapped inside by floodwaters. Heavy rains had smashed the region, effectively flooding it.

Three students were found dead in a cave in Indonesia on Monday after they got trapped inside by floodwaters. Heavy rains had smashed the region, effectively flooding it. A search and rescue operation was launched to retrieve five people alive from Lele cave and West Java. The victims "were trapped inside the cave for quite a while before the team managed to evacuate them," said local search and rescue agency spokeswoman Seni Wulandari. According to sources, the rescue team took an hour to reach the cave, which is 30 metres below ground level. Watch: Indonesian cave art is earliest known record of "storytelling" "Water entered the cave like a waterfall. Initially, only five students were inside the cave, including the victims," Ari Alfian, a senior member of the club said. Alfian claimed that the weather was normal when the kids ventured into the cave. However, unexpected heavy downpour crippled the area. "Another three came in to rescue them as the bad weather arrived. They were all trapped but only five managed to survive''', he added. The students had gone to the cave to undergo basic caving training and were part of a university nature club. Storms and bad weather have plagued the country lately. (With inputs from agencies)

Three university kids found dead in a flooded Indonesian cave

The changes to the charter of Fudan University in Shanghai, considered one of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/chinas-failed-quest-for-soft-power-268344">China</a>'s more liberal institutions, came to light on Tuesday when the education ministry said it had approved alterations for three universities.

Within hours, the Fudan amendments were trending on the Weibo social media platform with one hashtag viewed more than a million times.

"If I may dare to ask those who initiated the amendment of the Fudan University charter, how do you expect our generation of Fudan people to face our ancestors," said one Weibo user.

But that post and many similar ones questioning the changes - in particular, the removal of the phrase "freedom of thought" - was deleted by Wednesday afternoon, although the issue was being discussed in private WeChat groups.

Since Communist Party leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, China has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-tightens-the-screws-after-leaks-on-state-sponsored-atrocities-in-xinjiang-268348">tightened</a> controls on the internet and civil society in a campaign that has seen increasing censorship and shrinking space for dissent, including on campuses.

Xi has also sought to boost the party's role and deepen its influence across society.

A video circulating on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon showed a group of Fudan University students singing their college anthem, which includes the phrase "freedom of thought", during their lunch break.

Students there confirmed to Reuters that the event had taken place.

Calls to Fudan University's press department on Wednesday to seek comment went unanswered. The Ministry of Education did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.

Late on Wednesday, the 114-year-old university posted a statement on social media saying the charter alterations had been made "in strict accordance with legal procedures".

It also noted, however, that the school would continue to have the same anthem. The song, composed in 1925, includes the phrase "academic independence and freedom of thought".

The party has kept an eagle eye on campuses to nip would-be dissent in the bud since university students led pro-democracy protests centred on Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Universities in China have long operated without full academic independence. Curricula are bound by Communist Party diktats and political norms that render certain topics or positions off-limits.

Still, some commentators on Weibo noted how the amendments pointed to an expansion of Communist Party control, with the revised charter saying that&nbsp;Fudan's "party committee is the core of the university" and would be responsible for setting its direction and making major decisions.

The new charter said the university would "weaponise the minds of teachers and students using Xi Jinping’s socialist ideology with characteristics of China in the new era”.

Fudan is ranked 109 globally in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-will-greater-autonomy-bring-quality-to-indias-top-colleges-34995">Times Higher Education</a>'s 2020 World University Rankings.

The two other universities that made changes to their charters were Shaanxi Normal University and Nanjing University, according to documents published by the Ministry of Education, which showed that it had approved the changes on Dec. 2

Their revised charters similarly included references to strengthening the leadership of the Communist Party at the universities.

The changes to the charter of Fudan University in Shanghai, considered one of China's more liberal institutions, came to light on Tuesday when the education ministry said it had approved alterations for three universities.

The changes to the charter of Fudan University in Shanghai, considered one of China's more liberal institutions, came to light on Tuesday when the education ministry said it had approved alterations for three universities. Within hours, the Fudan amendments were trending on the Weibo social media platform with one hashtag viewed more than a million times. "If I may dare to ask those who initiated the amendment of the Fudan University charter, how do you expect our generation of Fudan people to face our ancestors," said one Weibo user. But that post and many similar ones questioning the changes - in particular, the removal of the phrase "freedom of thought" - was deleted by Wednesday afternoon, although the issue was being discussed in private WeChat groups. Since Communist Party leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, China has tightened controls on the internet and civil society in a campaign that has seen increasing censorship and shrinking space for dissent, including on campuses. Xi has also sought to boost the party's role and deepen its influence across society. A video circulating on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon showed a group of Fudan University students singing their college anthem, which includes the phrase "freedom of thought", during their lunch break. Students there confirmed to Reuters that the event had taken place. Calls to Fudan University's press department on Wednesday to seek comment went unanswered. The Ministry of Education did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. Late on Wednesday, the 114-year-old university posted a statement on social media saying the charter alterations had been made "in strict accordance with legal procedures". It also noted, however, that the school would continue to have the same anthem. The song, composed in 1925, includes the phrase "academic independence and freedom of thought". The party has kept an eagle eye on campuses to nip would-be dissent in the bud since university students led pro-democracy protests centred on Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989. Universities in China have long operated without full academic independence. Curricula are bound by Communist Party diktats and political norms that render certain topics or positions off-limits. Still, some commentators on Weibo noted how the amendments pointed to an expansion of Communist Party control, with the revised charter saying that Fudan's "party committee is the core of the university" and would be responsible for setting its direction and making major decisions. The new charter said the university would "weaponise the minds of teachers and students using Xi Jinping’s socialist ideology with characteristics of China in the new era”. Fudan is ranked 109 globally in the Times Higher Education's 2020 World University Rankings. The two other universities that made changes to their charters were Shaanxi Normal University and Nanjing University, according to documents published by the Ministry of Education, which showed that it had approved the changes on Dec. 2 Their revised charters similarly included references to strengthening the leadership of the Communist Party at the universities.

Change to Chinese university's charter dropping 'freedom of thought' stirs debate

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fourth-round-of-relief-measures-to-be-introduced-in-hong-kong-carrie-lam-265826">Police in Hong Kong</a> this week re-entered the campus of a university it besieged for more than 10 days last month, gathering newly discovered chemicals and petrol bombs hoarded by anti-government protesters in the Chinese-ruled city.

Following the dramatic saga - where riot police and more than 1,000 demonstrators transformed Hong Kong's Polytechnic University campus into a battleground,&nbsp;officers were called to retrieve additional dangerous items found among the debris and stowed in locked areas.

Between November&nbsp;26 and December&nbsp;2 authorities seized 4,296 petrol bombs, 671 bottles of chemicals and 622 weapons, police said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Officers first entered the Polytechnic campus on November 29, when they collected thousands of petrol bombs, which they dusted for fingerprints, as well as bows and arrows and bottles of chemicals.

The campus conflict began in mid-November when protesters barricaded themselves against riot police in days of violent clashes that marked a significant escalation in the political unrest that has roiled the former British colony for six months.

About 1,100 people were arrested in connection with the campus siege.

Sparked by a controversial and since-withdrawn extradition bill, the protests have swelled into broader calls for greater democratic freedoms.

Those who have joined the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slaps-sanctions-on-united-states-for-passing-hong-kong-rights-bill-265730">pro-democracy demonstrations</a> accuse China of increasingly interfering in freedoms promised to the former British colony when it was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Pro-democracy parties won a resounding victory in local district council elections late last month. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has appealed for peace in the city but has not offered any concessions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-series-of-week-long-lunchtime-protests-begin-265716">Sustained demonstrations, scheduled to continue this week</a> and expected to draw thousands to the streets this weekend, show few signs of abating and are taking an economic toll on the global financial hub.

Business activity in Hong Kong contracted at the fastest pace in 21 years in November, dragged down by the protests and softening global demand, an IHS Markit survey showed on Wednesday.

Asia's largest distributor of luxury brands, the Blubell group, has appealed to Hong Kong landlords to scrap the base rent in shopping malls, saying a slump in tourist spending will push even more retailers out of business.

Sales in some of its stores, two of which are on the verge of closing, have dropped as much as 60 per cent during the six months of protests, Bluebell chief executive Ashley Micklewright told the South China Morning Post.

Hong Kong recorded its largest-ever retail collapse in October, with sales dropping 24.3 per cent to HK$30.1 billion, the government said Monday.

The new figures will extend the technical recession recorded last quarter, with the government preparing to release the fourth round of economic stimulus.

Police in Hong Kong this week re-entered the campus of a university it besieged for more than 10 days last month, gathering newly discovered chemicals and petrol bombs hoarded by anti-government protesters in the Chinese-ruled city.

Police in Hong Kong this week re-entered the campus of a university it besieged for more than 10 days last month, gathering newly discovered chemicals and petrol bombs hoarded by anti-government protesters in the Chinese-ruled city. Following the dramatic saga - where riot police and more than 1,000 demonstrators transformed Hong Kong's Polytechnic University campus into a battleground, officers were called to retrieve additional dangerous items found among the debris and stowed in locked areas. Between November 26 and December 2 authorities seized 4,296 petrol bombs, 671 bottles of chemicals and 622 weapons, police said in a statement late on Tuesday. Officers first entered the Polytechnic campus on November 29, when they collected thousands of petrol bombs, which they dusted for fingerprints, as well as bows and arrows and bottles of chemicals. The campus conflict began in mid-November when protesters barricaded themselves against riot police in days of violent clashes that marked a significant escalation in the political unrest that has roiled the former British colony for six months. About 1,100 people were arrested in connection with the campus siege. Sparked by a controversial and since-withdrawn extradition bill, the protests have swelled into broader calls for greater democratic freedoms. Those who have joined the pro-democracy demonstrations accuse China of increasingly interfering in freedoms promised to the former British colony when it was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Pro-democracy parties won a resounding victory in local district council elections late last month. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has appealed for peace in the city but has not offered any concessions. Sustained demonstrations, scheduled to continue this week and expected to draw thousands to the streets this weekend, show few signs of abating and are taking an economic toll on the global financial hub. Business activity in Hong Kong contracted at the fastest pace in 21 years in November, dragged down by the protests and softening global demand, an IHS Markit survey showed on Wednesday. Asia's largest distributor of luxury brands, the Blubell group, has appealed to Hong Kong landlords to scrap the base rent in shopping malls, saying a slump in tourist spending will push even more retailers out of business. Sales in some of its stores, two of which are on the verge of closing, have dropped as much as 60 per cent during the six months of protests, Bluebell chief executive Ashley Micklewright told the South China Morning Post. Hong Kong recorded its largest-ever retail collapse in October, with sales dropping 24.3 per cent to HK$30.1 billion, the government said Monday. The new figures will extend the technical recession recorded last quarter, with the government preparing to release the fourth round of economic stimulus.

Hong Kong: Police retrieve another round of petrol bombs from university

The Hong Kong police said on Wednesday that they intend to stick to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-house-passes-hong-kong-rights-bill-president-trump-expected-to-sign-263483">peaceful solutions</a> to the standoff at&nbsp;the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

Ho Yeung-sing, Chief Superintendent and Commander of Yau Tsim District of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made the statement outside the PolyU campus, calling protesters to drop their weapons and leave the campus in a peaceful manner.

Additionally, Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, said Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will uphold the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and will work to rebuild its image, during a press conference inside the Chinese embassy in London Wednesday.

The chief superintendent said the police that they had names of around 300 people under the age of 18 who had left the university. He added that while 700 protesters&nbsp;had been arrested, there was still a small group which was refusing to come out.

He said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-students-sewer-escape-thwarted-as-rows-with-uk-us-grow-263389">efforts are being made to clear obstructions</a> and police are keeping maintaining communication with the leaders of different groups. He noted ambulances and first-aid staff are allowed to do their work, and police are now waiting for the remaining protesters to leave the campus voluntarily.

Watch: US House passes Hong Kong rights bill

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''Apart from peaceful means, we also adopt a feasible approach to solve the problem. In this regard, we made a special arrangement for underage people. As long as they give up their weapons and leave the campus in a peaceful manner, we do our best in this regard, but we'll record their personal details and then let them go. But, of course, we will reserve the rights to pursue a case later," said Ho.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-university-protest-fizzling-out-as-over-1000-arrested-by-authorities-263246">protesters gathered at the PolyU campus</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;November 11, committing violent acts such as hurling gasoline bombs and shooting arrows at police and government supporters.

"Increasing violence in Hong Kong has continuously affected our core values and the international community's confidence in Hong Kong. This impacts Hong Kong's rule of law. Only through fortifying the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle by ourselves and rebuild our home, can we see the Hong Kong that we know once again," said Cheng.

Initially, the protests were triggered by a controversial bill that would have allowed extradition to China, but eventually morphed into a full-fledged movement asking for democracy in Hong Kong.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The Hong Kong police said on Wednesday that they intend to stick to peaceful solutions to the standoff at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Ho Yeung-sing, Chief Superintendent and Commander of Yau Tsim District of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made the statement outside the PolyU campus, calling protesters to drop their weapons and leave the campus in a peaceful manner.

The Hong Kong police said on Wednesday that they intend to stick to peaceful solutions to the standoff at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Ho Yeung-sing, Chief Superintendent and Commander of Yau Tsim District of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made the statement outside the PolyU campus, calling protesters to drop their weapons and leave the campus in a peaceful manner. Additionally, Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, said Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will uphold the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and will work to rebuild its image, during a press conference inside the Chinese embassy in London Wednesday. The chief superintendent said the police that they had names of around 300 people under the age of 18 who had left the university. He added that while 700 protesters had been arrested, there was still a small group which was refusing to come out. He said efforts are being made to clear obstructions and police are keeping maintaining communication with the leaders of different groups. He noted ambulances and first-aid staff are allowed to do their work, and police are now waiting for the remaining protesters to leave the campus voluntarily. Watch: US House passes Hong Kong rights bill ''Apart from peaceful means, we also adopt a feasible approach to solve the problem. In this regard, we made a special arrangement for underage people. As long as they give up their weapons and leave the campus in a peaceful manner, we do our best in this regard, but we'll record their personal details and then let them go. But, of course, we will reserve the rights to pursue a case later," said Ho. The protesters gathered at the PolyU campus on November 11, committing violent acts such as hurling gasoline bombs and shooting arrows at police and government supporters. "Increasing violence in Hong Kong has continuously affected our core values and the international community's confidence in Hong Kong. This impacts Hong Kong's rule of law. Only through fortifying the implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle by ourselves and rebuild our home, can we see the Hong Kong that we know once again," said Cheng. Initially, the protests were triggered by a controversial bill that would have allowed extradition to China, but eventually morphed into a full-fledged movement asking for democracy in Hong Kong. (With inputs from Reuters)

Give up weapons and leave campus peacefully, Hong Kong police chief appeals to students

The last band of anti-government protesters trapped inside a besieged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-senate-passes-bill-supporting-human-rights-in-hong-kong-263243">Hong Kong</a> university were weighing a narrowing range of options early on Wednesday as police outside appeared ready to simply wait them out.

Reuters witnesses said fewer than 100 protesters remained inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University after more than 1,000 were arrested since late on Monday.

Some simply surrendered, while others were nabbed in escape attempts that included trying to clamber down ropes onto waiting motorbikes or sneak through sewer pipes.

Police searched for potential escapees overnight with spotlights rather than using the tear gas and rubber bullets that had marked clashes in recent days, heeding calls from Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for a humane end to a siege that saw the most intense clashes since the protests escalated more than five months ago. [L3N27Z0UY]

They also tightened barricades in the streets surrounding the university, making them secure enough to be visited late on Tuesday night by the force's new commissioner, Chris Tang, at the end of his first day on the job.

Tang earlier urged the support of all citizens to end the unrest triggered by fears that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/a-dangerous-new-phase-for-the-hong-kong-protests-263210">China's central government</a> is stifling the former British colony's freedoms and extensive autonomy guaranteed in its handover to Chinese rule in 1997.

Chinese leaders say they are committed to the "one country, two systems" formula and have accused foreign countries, including Britain and the United States, of stirring up trouble.

Watch: Hong Kong police storm university

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The unrest marks the most serious popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

Some protesters emerged as the sun rose above the campus after a night spent sleeping on yoga mats to express a range of feelings, from defiance to uncertainty.

Others mulled hiding in the maze of campus buildings, as they said a teacher had advised them to do.

"I already know where I will hide," a 19-year-old student, who gave his name only as Paul, said as he emerged in a hoodie, shorts and slippers to ask about breakfast in the canteen.

"I have enough food for at least a week and then will see what happens," he said.

Two protesters in full body armour, wielding metal rods, were going to get some sleep in the library after their night shift watching police movements outside.

"We need some energy to get ready for the big fight. Now that there's not many of us left they may want to come in," said a former student named Marc, 26.

"We know this place, it's our home and it is a maze. And we have weapons. We're not going to give up now, it's too late for that," he said.

Protesters still have stocks of petrol bombs, bows and arrows and other makeshift weapons after a weekend of fiery clashes.

One protester practised firing arrows at a campus tower shortly after dawn.

The university on the Kowloon peninsula is the last of five that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/desperate-hong-kong-protesters-explore-sewers-in-campus-escape-bid-263209">protesters had occupied to use as bases</a> from which to disrupt the city over the past 10 days, blocking the central Cross-Harbour Tunnel outside and other arteries.

"It's still incredible we defended it for such a long time," said a 21-year-old student named Ricky. "Since the police have taken control, many started to feel afraid and left and now many of us feel desperate and unhappy because we lost some support."

The last band of anti-government protesters trapped inside a besieged Hong Kong university were weighing a narrowing range of options early on Wednesday as police outside appeared ready to simply wait them out.

The last band of anti-government protesters trapped inside a besieged Hong Kong university were weighing a narrowing range of options early on Wednesday as police outside appeared ready to simply wait them out. Reuters witnesses said fewer than 100 protesters remained inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University after more than 1,000 were arrested since late on Monday. Some simply surrendered, while others were nabbed in escape attempts that included trying to clamber down ropes onto waiting motorbikes or sneak through sewer pipes. Police searched for potential escapees overnight with spotlights rather than using the tear gas and rubber bullets that had marked clashes in recent days, heeding calls from Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for a humane end to a siege that saw the most intense clashes since the protests escalated more than five months ago. [L3N27Z0UY] They also tightened barricades in the streets surrounding the university, making them secure enough to be visited late on Tuesday night by the force's new commissioner, Chris Tang, at the end of his first day on the job. Tang earlier urged the support of all citizens to end the unrest triggered by fears that China's central government is stifling the former British colony's freedoms and extensive autonomy guaranteed in its handover to Chinese rule in 1997. Chinese leaders say they are committed to the "one country, two systems" formula and have accused foreign countries, including Britain and the United States, of stirring up trouble. Watch: Hong Kong police storm university The unrest marks the most serious popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Some protesters emerged as the sun rose above the campus after a night spent sleeping on yoga mats to express a range of feelings, from defiance to uncertainty. Others mulled hiding in the maze of campus buildings, as they said a teacher had advised them to do. "I already know where I will hide," a 19-year-old student, who gave his name only as Paul, said as he emerged in a hoodie, shorts and slippers to ask about breakfast in the canteen. "I have enough food for at least a week and then will see what happens," he said. Two protesters in full body armour, wielding metal rods, were going to get some sleep in the library after their night shift watching police movements outside. "We need some energy to get ready for the big fight. Now that there's not many of us left they may want to come in," said a former student named Marc, 26. "We know this place, it's our home and it is a maze. And we have weapons. We're not going to give up now, it's too late for that," he said. Protesters still have stocks of petrol bombs, bows and arrows and other makeshift weapons after a weekend of fiery clashes. One protester practised firing arrows at a campus tower shortly after dawn. The university on the Kowloon peninsula is the last of five that protesters had occupied to use as bases from which to disrupt the city over the past 10 days, blocking the central Cross-Harbour Tunnel outside and other arteries. "It's still incredible we defended it for such a long time," said a 21-year-old student named Ricky. "Since the police have taken control, many started to feel afraid and left and now many of us feel desperate and unhappy because we lost some support."

Hong Kong university protest fizzling out as over 1,000 arrested by authorities

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-court-overreached-only-we-can-rule-on-constitution-china-263023">Hong Kong</a>'s chief executive said Tuesday that protesters occupying a city-centre university had to surrender if the three-day stand-off was to be resolved peacefully.

In her first public comments on the siege at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Carrie Lam said she believed around 100 people remained at the campus, surrounded by police who were trying to quell the unrest.

"This objective could only be achieved with the full cooperation of the protesters, including of course the rioters that they have to stop violence, give up the weapons and come out peacefully and take the instructions from the police," she told a press conference.

Watch: Gravitas - Unprecedented violence in Hong Kong

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Hundreds of mainly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-will-not-sit-back-if-hong-kong-demonstrations-get-uncontrollable-envoy-263010">young protesters</a> took over the campus at the weekend, holding off police assaults with a barrage of Molotov cocktails, bricks and arrows, in the most extreme expression of a popular protest movement that is now in its sixth month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-will-not-sit-back-if-hong-kong-demonstrations-get-uncontrollable-envoy-263010">China insisted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;it held the sole authority to rule on constitutional matters in Hong Kong, as it condemned a decision by the city's high court to overturn a ban on face masks worn by pro-democracy protesters.

The statement could further fan the flames in Hong Kong after months of violent protests over concerns that Beijing is chipping away at the autonomy of the financial hub.

Hong Kong's chief executive said Tuesday that protesters occupying a city-centre university had to surrender if the three-day stand-off was to be resolved peacefully.

Hong Kong's chief executive said Tuesday that protesters occupying a city-centre university had to surrender if the three-day stand-off was to be resolved peacefully. In her first public comments on the siege at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Carrie Lam said she believed around 100 people remained at the campus, surrounded by police who were trying to quell the unrest. "This objective could only be achieved with the full cooperation of the protesters, including of course the rioters that they have to stop violence, give up the weapons and come out peacefully and take the instructions from the police," she told a press conference. Watch: Gravitas - Unprecedented violence in Hong Kong Hundreds of mainly young protesters took over the campus at the weekend, holding off police assaults with a barrage of Molotov cocktails, bricks and arrows, in the most extreme expression of a popular protest movement that is now in its sixth month. China insisted Tuesday it held the sole authority to rule on constitutional matters in Hong Kong, as it condemned a decision by the city's high court to overturn a ban on face masks worn by pro-democracy protesters. The statement could further fan the flames in Hong Kong after months of violent protests over concerns that Beijing is chipping away at the autonomy of the financial hub.

University protesters in Hong Kong must surrender to resolve stand-off peacefully: Carrie Lam

Hong Kong Police threaten to use live bullets. To know more watch the video.

Fineprint: Hong Kong Police storm University

On Saturday, Delhi Police registered an FIR for ''defacement of public property'' at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) amid the recent protests that erupted in the aftermath of fee hike. This is the first FIR to be registered in connection with the anti-hike protests.

According to many students, the administration has only partially fulfilled their demands, and more protests are planned until the demands are completely met.&nbsp;

Posters and slogans have surfaced around the campus, especially in the administration block of JNU asking for a complete roll-back of the hike provisions. Slogans along the lines of ''Reject IHA manual'', ''JNU is not your estate'' could be seen around the campus.

The key concerns of protesters include not only the recent hike in hostel and tuition fee but also their strained relationship with the university Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar. The protestors also have issues with the draft hostel manual which underlines a dress code and curfew timings.

On Saturday, the university administration had filed a complaint against the alleged vandalism and defacement of Swami Vivekananda's statue. The statue, which was yet to be unveiled, was found defaced on November 14. &nbsp;The students have denied any role in the incident and referred to it as a miscreant's act to dilute the movement of JNU students' union against the university.

On Friday, the JNU Vice-Chancellor (VC) had appealed to the agitating students to stop their protests. "The administration has taken an extremely grim view of this condemnable and reprehensible behaviour of the agitating students and their mentors. Let us all appeal to the agitating students, once again, to stop their protests, which have been hampering studies of thousands of students on the campus who are preparing for their end-semester examinations and trying to write their term papers," the VC had said in a statement.

On Saturday, Delhi Police registered an FIR for ''defacement of public property'' at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) amid the recent protests that erupted in the aftermath of fee hike.

On Saturday, Delhi Police registered an FIR for ''defacement of public property'' at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) amid the recent protests that erupted in the aftermath of fee hike. This is the first FIR to be registered in connection with the anti-hike protests. According to many students, the administration has only partially fulfilled their demands, and more protests are planned until the demands are completely met. Posters and slogans have surfaced around the campus, especially in the administration block of JNU asking for a complete roll-back of the hike provisions. Slogans along the lines of ''Reject IHA manual'', ''JNU is not your estate'' could be seen around the campus. The key concerns of protesters include not only the recent hike in hostel and tuition fee but also their strained relationship with the university Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar. The protestors also have issues with the draft hostel manual which underlines a dress code and curfew timings. On Saturday, the university administration had filed a complaint against the alleged vandalism and defacement of Swami Vivekananda's statue. The statue, which was yet to be unveiled, was found defaced on November 14. The students have denied any role in the incident and referred to it as a miscreant's act to dilute the movement of JNU students' union against the university. On Friday, the JNU Vice-Chancellor (VC) had appealed to the agitating students to stop their protests. "The administration has taken an extremely grim view of this condemnable and reprehensible behaviour of the agitating students and their mentors. Let us all appeal to the agitating students, once again, to stop their protests, which have been hampering studies of thousands of students on the campus who are preparing for their end-semester examinations and trying to write their term papers," the VC had said in a statement.

Jawaharlal Nehru University row: Delhi Police register FIR over 'defacement of public property'

Cochin University of Science and Technology which had earlier denied permission to its students for conducting 'Saraswati Puja' in the college premises has finally allowed the students for undertaking the puja in a "peaceful manner".

News agency ANI reported, "Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus."

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Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Pooja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus." <a href="https://t.co/oqoyT4372c">https://t.co/oqoyT4372c</a>
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The Vice-chancellor had earlier declined the request by North Indian students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus.

Citing the campus as "secular", the Joint Registrar, Cochin University of Science and Technology had said they can not permit functions of any particular religion in the university.

Meanwhile, the students had alleged that the restriction had come into place only this year and a similar puja was conducted in the campus in 2018.

(With inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

Cochin University of Science and Technology which had earlier denied permission to its students for conducting 'Saraswati Puja' in the college premises has finally allowed the students for undertaking the puja in a "peaceful manner".

Cochin University of Science and Technology which had earlier denied permission to its students for conducting 'Saraswati Puja' in the college premises has finally allowed the students for undertaking the puja in a "peaceful manner". News agency ANI reported, "Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus." Vice Chancellor of CUSAT has allowed the students to conduct ‘Saraswati Pooja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus in "peaceful manner without affecting classes and on the date of 'Visarjan', no procession shall enter the campus." https://t.co/oqoyT4372c — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019 × The Vice-chancellor had earlier declined the request by North Indian students to conduct ‘Saraswati Puja’ in Cochin University College of Engineering, Kuttanad campus. Citing the campus as "secular", the Joint Registrar, Cochin University of Science and Technology had said they can not permit functions of any particular religion in the university. Meanwhile, the students had alleged that the restriction had come into place only this year and a similar puja was conducted in the campus in 2018. (With inputs from ANI)

Cochin University finally allows students to perform 'Saraswati Puja'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu region has four universities besides an IIT and an IIMC, while the Kashmir Valley has three universities and a National Institute of Technology (NIT).

After the inauguration, Modi said Lakhah now has first cluster university comprising degree colleges of Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass and Khaltsi.

The university will have administrative offices in Leh and Kargil, he said.

On December 15, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had approved the establishment of the first university in the Ladakh region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu region has four universities besides an IIT and an IIMC, while the Kashmir Valley has three universities and a National Institute of Technology (NIT).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the University of Ladakh, the first-ever varsity in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu region has four universities besides an IIT and an IIMC, while the Kashmir Valley has three universities and a National Institute of Technology (NIT). After the inauguration, Modi said Lakhah now has first cluster university comprising degree colleges of Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Drass and Khaltsi. The university will have administrative offices in Leh and Kargil, he said. On December 15, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had approved the establishment of the first university in the Ladakh region.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates first-ever university in Ladakh

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons.&nbsp;

The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the BA LLB (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata.

The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum.

"This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview.

"In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said.

Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance.

Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said.

"I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said.&nbsp;

Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios.

According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions.

In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law.

Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation.

In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda.

The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse.

Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published.

"I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law.

Classes for the course are due to start this December.

This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest.

Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012.

The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI.

"I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said.

Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester.

Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad.&nbsp;

The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called&nbsp; 
"Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series.&nbsp;

Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series.

For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures.

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons.

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons. The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the BA LLB (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata. The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum. "This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview. "In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said. Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance. Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said. "I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said. Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios. According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions. In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law. Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation. In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda. The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse. Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published. "I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law. Classes for the course are due to start this December. This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest. Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012. The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI. "I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said. Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester. Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad. The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called "Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series. Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series. For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures.

University in Kolkata offers law course based on Harry Potter 

A place of education, like a university, is often revered for both the space it provides to develop&nbsp;newer ideas&nbsp;and to let existing ones to thrive. Many students say the spaces outside the classroom is&nbsp;what really impacts&nbsp;their lives, where they&nbsp;indulge in meaningful non-academic interactions.&nbsp;

In search of these open spaces, I&nbsp;explored&nbsp;the famous canteens at one of India&#39;s most prestigious universities, Jamia Millia Islamia.&nbsp;

A prominent women-only canteen, Dastarkhwan, is where you get everything from biryani (a rice and meat preparation) to savoury snacks to feed on. The word Dastarkhwan&nbsp;in Urdu means a table spread where a variety of food is served.&nbsp;The canteen is run exclusively by women and is operated by Ekta Self Help Group with a mission to provide employment to underprivileged women of the neighbourhood who can support their families with their&nbsp;earnings. It was started in 2015.

<h3>Inside Dastarkhwan:</h3>

&nbsp;

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When it began there were problems. Apart from difficulties&nbsp;procuring funds and finding employees who fit mission&#39;s criteria, the&nbsp;female employees&nbsp;faced&nbsp;the&nbsp;&quot;explicit disapproval of the society&quot;. Boys who came to order food would&nbsp;abuse and threaten them. They would belittle the girls and make them feel guilty for coming out to earn. Also women working here would be tortured day in, day out by their husbands for stepping outside the homes, coming late from work, not taking care of the kids among many other things.

Dastarkhwan was started with a promise to build a synergy between the university and its surroundings.&nbsp;Two years later, have these open spaces changed?

Anjum, a final year master&#39;s student at Jamia, discusses the changing power equations here. She says, &ldquo;Many things that were not okay a few years back are now easily seeping into the social system. Although issues like sexual harassment are at the fore, men are also equally participating in dialogues centred around women. They want to be a part of the change now more than ever.&rdquo;

Now when around 40 women&nbsp;are seen walking into the campus to work--the society does not flinch. These women are accepted--they don&#39;t&nbsp;seem odd or out of place and are easily absorbed within the social fabric.&nbsp;

Shabana, who heads the Dastarkwhan, believes&nbsp;things have changed for the better.&nbsp;&ldquo;Now when people come to order food, the idea of a girl working does not perturb them. They are more accepting. Even the families of these women have become more open, more accommodating than before. The women are not tortured by the families too. Thus, this open space is the epicentre of changing social dynamics.&rdquo;

Dastarkhwan is&nbsp;opening up dialogue between men and women&nbsp;to&nbsp;break&nbsp;stereotypical Indian social narratives, but another canteen on campus&nbsp;has an interesting tale to tell.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Castro Cafe is&nbsp;named after&nbsp;Fidel Castro, one of the most famous&nbsp;anti-imperialist leaders of modern times.&nbsp;Castro Cafe not only has the best tea in the campus but promises&nbsp;a good, long talk while feeding on snacks.

Part liberal and part conservative, the canteen has grown to play an important part in the lives of the students: Students from different religions and cultural backgrounds may&nbsp;get exposed to concepts and ideas that are&nbsp;hard&nbsp;or sensitive to discuss&nbsp;in a classroom, but aren&#39;t&nbsp;in an informal setting like a canteen.&nbsp;

The commitee tasked with supervising the renovation at the canteen&nbsp;affirms that they consciously created a space like Castro Cafe with certain values in mind.

&ldquo;By creating a modern eating facility with a sleek look, we wanted to project a progressive image of Jamia,&rdquo; a committee member said.&nbsp;He adds, &ldquo;Jamia was built out of the anti-colonial movement and Castro Cafe reminds us of the anti-imperialist cause.&rdquo;&nbsp;

With indoor and outdoor seating, students come to these &ldquo;open spaces&rdquo; to let down, share memories and opinions and hope to make a difference while exploring themselves in the process.&nbsp;

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Both Dastarkhwan and Castro Cafe complement each other in offering a space for a &ldquo;different kind of a dialogue&rdquo;, one that we must cherish and encourage.

After all, what is a university campus without a healthy exchange of ideas over a cup of tea and samosas?&nbsp;

(WION)

It is in these 'open spaces' that students indulge in meaningful interactions outside of the regular classroom work ?

A place of education, like a university, is often revered for both the space it provides to develop newer ideas and to let existing ones to thrive. Many students say the spaces outside the classroom is what really impacts their lives, where they indulge in meaningful non-academic interactions. In search of these open spaces, I explored the famous canteens at one of India's most prestigious universities, Jamia Millia Islamia. A prominent women-only canteen, Dastarkhwan, is where you get everything from biryani (a rice and meat preparation) to savoury snacks to feed on. The word Dastarkhwan in Urdu means a table spread where a variety of food is served. The canteen is run exclusively by women and is operated by Ekta Self Help Group with a mission to provide employment to underprivileged women of the neighbourhood who can support their families with their earnings. It was started in 2015. Inside Dastarkhwan: When it began there were problems. Apart from difficulties procuring funds and finding employees who fit mission's criteria, the female employees faced the "explicit disapproval of the society". Boys who came to order food would abuse and threaten them. They would belittle the girls and make them feel guilty for coming out to earn. Also women working here would be tortured day in, day out by their husbands for stepping outside the homes, coming late from work, not taking care of the kids among many other things. Dastarkhwan was started with a promise to build a synergy between the university and its surroundings. Two years later, have these open spaces changed? Anjum, a final year master's student at Jamia, discusses the changing power equations here. She says, “Many things that were not okay a few years back are now easily seeping into the social system. Although issues like sexual harassment are at the fore, men are also equally participating in dialogues centred around women. They want to be a part of the change now more than ever.” Now when around 40 women are seen walking into the campus to work--the society does not flinch. These women are accepted--they don't seem odd or out of place and are easily absorbed within the social fabric. Shabana, who heads the Dastarkwhan, believes things have changed for the better. “Now when people come to order food, the idea of a girl working does not perturb them. They are more accepting. Even the families of these women have become more open, more accommodating than before. The women are not tortured by the families too. Thus, this open space is the epicentre of changing social dynamics.” Dastarkhwan is opening up dialogue between men and women to break stereotypical Indian social narratives, but another canteen on campus has an interesting tale to tell. The Castro Cafe is named after Fidel Castro, one of the most famous anti-imperialist leaders of modern times. Castro Cafe not only has the best tea in the campus but promises a good, long talk while feeding on snacks. Part liberal and part conservative, the canteen has grown to play an important part in the lives of the students: Students from different religions and cultural backgrounds may get exposed to concepts and ideas that are hard or sensitive to discuss in a classroom, but aren't in an informal setting like a canteen. The commitee tasked with supervising the renovation at the canteen affirms that they consciously created a space like Castro Cafe with certain values in mind. “By creating a modern eating facility with a sleek look, we wanted to project a progressive image of Jamia,” a committee member said. He adds, “Jamia was built out of the anti-colonial movement and Castro Cafe reminds us of the anti-imperialist cause.” With indoor and outdoor seating, students come to these “open spaces” to let down, share memories and opinions and hope to make a difference while exploring themselves in the process. Students come to these 'open spaces' to let down, share memories and opinions and hope to make a difference while exploring themselves in the process. × Both Dastarkhwan and Castro Cafe complement each other in offering a space for a “different kind of a dialogue”, one that we must cherish and encourage. After all, what is a university campus without a healthy exchange of ideas over a cup of tea and samosas? (WION)

Redefining 'open spaces' in university campuses

The Justice (retd) AK Roopanwal Commission, which was constituted by India&#39;s HRD Ministry to look into the circumstances leading to the death of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad Central University, has in its report said that the research scholar did not belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. 
 
There is, however, no official confirmation on the reports being submitted to the country&#39;s University Grants Commission (UGC) so far. 
 
Top officials in the HRD Ministry did not comment on the development. 
 
HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the report had not reached him yet. 
 
The 26-year-old had committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of a hostel room in the university based in the southern Indian state of Telangana. Vemula&#39;s suicide had triggered a huge political storm with opposition parties launching a massive attack on the Union Government over the issue. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The 26-year-old, believed to be a part of India's lowest Dalit social caste, had committed suicide in his hostel room

The Justice (retd) AK Roopanwal Commission, which was constituted by India's HRD Ministry to look into the circumstances leading to the death of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad Central University, has in its report said that the research scholar did not belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. There is, however, no official confirmation on the reports being submitted to the country's University Grants Commission (UGC) so far. Top officials in the HRD Ministry did not comment on the development. HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the report had not reached him yet. The 26-year-old had committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of a hostel room in the university based in the southern Indian state of Telangana. Vemula's suicide had triggered a huge political storm with opposition parties launching a massive attack on the Union Government over the issue. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian student's suicide: Judicial commission report says he was not Dalit

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