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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘You can't believe how bad it is': UK peer demands ‘Minister for Porn' to regulate online content
Baroness Gabby Bertin knew the images would be disturbing. But she also knew it was necessary. During a recent meeting with Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, she presented a selection of extreme pornographic screenshots that have become all too accessible to British children. One image in particular showed a grown man grabbing a young girl's throat. 'They were screengrabs showing little girls… and massive, grown men grabbing little girls' throats,' Bertin said, as per The Guardian. 'Unless you see it, you can't believe how bad it is.' Kyle, appearing shocked and upset, turned away. This, Bertin says, is the reaction she often gets. But turning away, she argues, won't solve anything. Since December 2023, the Conservative peer has been leading an independent review of online pornography—commissioned by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak—and has emerged as one of the most vocal figures demanding urgent regulation of what children can see online. In February, Bertin released her report, recommending 32 actions to address the deluge of violent and degrading content online. Among them: a ban on strangulation in pornographic content, which the government has now accepted. But she wants more than policy tweaks—she wants a structural shift. The government needs to appoint a minister for porn, she recommends. 'You can't leave the pitch on this stuff… because you're worried about being accused of being too strait-laced.' Her call has resonated with others, including Labour MPs. Despite political differences, there's growing consensus that the internet cannot remain a lawless domain when it comes to harmful sexual content. Under current British law, pornography shown in cinemas or sold on DVD faces strict content rules. Online platforms, however, remain loosely governed. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) recently urged the government to extend its monitoring role to include online platforms. Though Ofcom has secured commitments from several adult websites to improve age verification under the Online Safety Act, serious concerns remain about content that promotes abuse, degradation, and misogyny. Bertin makes it clear that her concern is not about policing adult sexual freedom. 'Consenting adults should be able to do what they want. But restricting people from seeing a woman being choked, called a whore, and having several men stamp on her… is not ending someone's sexual freedom.' (With inputs from The Guardian, The Independent)
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan seeks to end living expenses aid to foreign doctoral students
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's education ministry plans to restrict living expenses support for doctoral students to Japanese nationals only, a panel proposal showed Thursday after parliamentary debate over foreign students accounting for over a third of recipients of the public grants. The plan to abolish foreigners' access to living subsidies of 1.8 million yen ($12,400) to 2.4 million yen per annum is expected to take effect in fiscal 2027, pending approval from a committee. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 10,564 people received the subsidies in fiscal 2024, of whom 4,125, around 39 percent, were from overseas. Chinese nationals made up 76% of the non-Japanese cohort at 3,151 people. In March, the findings were raised during a parliamentary session by a lawmaker who called for the funds to be limited to Japanese nationals in principle. The government launched a support program in fiscal 2021 to boost the number of doctoral students by supporting their living and research expenses. The proposal presented at a meeting of panel members says that the changes "reflect the program's aims to ease Japanese students' worries about their financial situations to enable them to advance to doctoral study," adding that many foreign students fund their education privately. Foreign students will remain eligible for research support of up to 1.1 million yen under the program.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan seeks to end living expenses aid to foreign doctoral students
Japan's education ministry plans to restrict living expenses support for doctoral students to Japanese nationals only, a panel proposal showed Thursday after parliamentary debate over foreign students accounting for over a third of recipients of the public grants. The plan to abolish foreigners' access to living subsidies of 1.8 million yen to 2.4 million yen per annum is expected to take effect in fiscal 2027, pending approval from a committee. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 10,564 people received the subsidies in fiscal 2024, of whom 4,125, around 39 percent, were from overseas. Chinese nationals made up 76% of the non-Japanese cohort at 3,151 people. In March, the findings were raised during a parliamentary session by a lawmaker who called for the funds to be limited to Japanese nationals in principle. The government launched a support program in fiscal 2021 to boost the number of doctoral students by supporting their living and research expenses. The proposal presented at a meeting of panel members says that the changes "reflect the program's aims to ease Japanese students' worries about their financial situations to enable them to advance to doctoral study," adding that many foreign students fund their education privately. Foreign students will remain eligible for research support of up to 1.1 million yen under the program. © KYODO
Kyodo News
6 days ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Japan seeks to end living expenses aid to foreign doctoral students
KYODO NEWS - 2 minutes ago - 20:45 | All, Japan Japan's education ministry plans to restrict living expenses support for doctoral students to Japanese nationals only, a panel proposal showed Thursday after parliamentary debate over foreign students accounting for over a third of recipients of the public grants. The plan to abolish foreigners' access to living subsidies of 1.8 million yen ($12,400) to 2.4 million yen per annum is expected to take effect in fiscal 2027, pending approval from a committee. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 10,564 people received the subsidies in fiscal 2024, of whom 4,125, around 39 percent, were from overseas. Chinese nationals made up 76% of the non-Japanese cohort at 3,151 people. In March, the findings were raised during a parliamentary session by a lawmaker who called for the funds to be limited to Japanese nationals in principle. The government launched a support program in fiscal 2021 to boost the number of doctoral students by supporting their living and research expenses. The proposal presented at a meeting of panel members says that the changes "reflect the program's aims to ease Japanese students' worries about their financial situations to enable them to advance to doctoral study," adding that many foreign students fund their education privately. Foreign students will remain eligible for research support of up to 1.1 million yen under the program. Related coverage: U.S. to resume issuing int'l student visas, add tougher online checks Japan draws up 100 bil. yen policy to attract foreign researchers
Hans India
6 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Karnataka bets big on quantum future
Bengaluru: Karnataka is positioning itself as the frontrunner in India's quantum technology landscape, with state leadership reaffirming its commitment to building a robust ecosystem for innovation in the sector. On Tuesday, Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology, NS Boseraju visited QpiAI's facility at Karle Town SEZ, Bengaluru, where he witnessed a live demonstration of QpiAI Indus—touted as India's first and most powerful indigenously developed quantum computer. The visit signals Karnataka's intent to not only harness next-generation computing capabilities but also emerge as a national anchor for strategic applications of quantum technologies in areas such as cybersecurity, healthcare, defence, and financial modelling. Speaking at the event, Minister Boseraju said the state was laying the groundwork for a future built on quantum innovation. 'Under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, we are committed to establishing Karnataka as India's hub for quantum technologies,' he said. 'Quantum computing is only one part of the story—quantum-secure cybersecurity, quantum imaging, and quantum communication networks will define the future digital economy.' The Minister added that Bengaluru, as the country's de facto innovation capital, is well placed to take the lead. 'With its top-tier academic institutions, technology-driven industries, and a skilled talent base, Karnataka has all the building blocks for a thriving quantum ecosystem. We are also planning to host the Quantum India Bangalore Conference to accelerate collaborative innovation and policy convergence in this space,' he said. QpiAI officials provided an overview of the company's quantum roadmap and reiterated their commitment to driving R&D, talent development, and strategic partnerships from within Karnataka. Founded by technologist Nagendra, QpiAI is among a handful of Indian startups at the forefront of quantum computing, combining software, hardware, and AI-based optimisation to create scalable quantum solutions. The Minister's visit was also attended by Sadashiva Prabhu, Director, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (K-STeP), senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology, and members of the quantum technology startup ecosystem.
