NewsBytes
Pope Leo XIV appeals for 'no more war' in first Sunday message
Pope Leo XIV appealed to the world's major powers for "no more war" in his first Sunday message to crowds in St. Peter's Square since his election as pontiff. The new pope, elected on May 8, called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages. Leo also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the "miracle of peace." "No more war!" the pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which killed some 60 million people. Leo said today's world was living through "the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal," again repeating a phrase coined by Francis.
US, China begin tariff talks
The US and China on Sunday resumed crucial tariff talks that have put the global economy on edge, but appeared to have diverging views of where the negotiations presently stand. US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that “great progress” was being made and even suggested a “total reset” was a possibility as the sides took their seats for the second and final scheduled day of discussions in Geneva. Beijing has yet to comment directly, but its official news agency took a tough approach, saying China will “firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity”. Still, Trump wrote Sunday on social media that “great progress” was being made. He gave no further details, and officials at the White House also offered little information during and after the opening day of discussions.
Cannes, the global Colosseum of film, readies for 78th edition
Nowhere is the border-crossing nature of cinema more evident than the Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off on Tuesday in the wake of US President Donald Trump's vow to enact tariffs on international films. Cannes, where filmmakers, sales agents and journalists gather from around the world, is the Olympics of the big screen, with its own golden prize, the Palme d'Or, to give out at the end. Filmmakers come from nearly every corner of the globe to showcase their films while dealmakers work through the night to sell finished films or packaged productions to various territories. In the run-up to the festival, three filmmakers from different corners of the world spoke about their roads to the Cannes competition lineup. For many directors, reaching the Cannes competition — this year, that's 22 movies vying for the Palme d'Or — is career milestone.
New book explores collapse of empires and global struggle for new order
Hot on the heels of the 80th anniversary of World War II's end, best-selling author Phil Craig's new book offers a powerful and original retelling of how the war's closing chapters reshaped the future of Britain, its colonies, and dominions. Published by Hachette India, "1945: The Reckoning – War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World" delves into the collapse of the British, Dutch and French empires as global power dynamics shifted. It focuses on India, where a generation on the cusp of independence faces a tough choice between loyalty to the British Raj and supporting Subhas Chandra Bose's Japanese-backed Indian National Army (INA). Through the story of a family torn apart by these opposing paths, the book highlights the deep questions of loyalty, identity and the future of a free India.
