SOMERVILLE College, Oxford, is set to begin construction on a new building named in honour of Ratan Tata, the late chairman emeritus of the Tata Group.
The project, made possible by a significant donation from the Tata Group, will be located in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. Construction will start in spring 2025.
The new four-storey building will provide seminar rooms, offices, and shared study spaces. It will also serve as a permanent home for the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD).
Somerville College’s principal, Baroness Royall, said, “This building is the fruit of many conversations, hopes, and dreams over the past decade. It will stand as a permanent legacy to a remarkable man and a dear friend of Somerville.”
The building marks a new phase in the college’s long-standing association with Ratan Tata and represents the largest single donation in Somerville’s history.
N Chandrasekaran, chairman of the Tata Group, stated, “This partnership with Somerville College is a tribute to Mr Tata’s values. The building in his name will be a home to research that is necessary and urgent for India.”
Designed by Morris+Company, the building aims to foster inclusivity and collaboration in line with the college's academic vision.
Joe Morris, CEO of Morris+Co, said, “Our approach was to create a multi-purpose construction that meets the evolving needs of modern academia while advancing Somerville’s vision for a forward-thinking future.”
This project is seen as a tribute to Ratan Tata’s legacy as one of India’s leading philanthropists and a supporter of global academic initiatives.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)