Cambridge University Seeks Deal with Saudi Defence Ministry Despite Rights Concerns
Cambridge University’s Judge Business School is pursuing a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry to deliver leadership development and innovation management training. The proposal, approved by the university’s benefactions committee, has drawn sharp criticism from senior academics who call it a betrayal of the university’s commitment to freedom of expression and human rights. While the MoU is framed as civilian‑only, contracts could run into millions of pounds (≈ $2‑3 million) and align with the school’s high‑priced executive MBA programmes, which cost over $125,000. The university declined comment, referring inquiries to the business school.
Professors Sue Atlanta’s Emory University over Handling of Israel-Gaza Protests
Emory University is being sued by three tenured professors who say the school’s decision to call Atlanta police onto campus in April 2024 led to wrongful arrests and breached its own open‑expression policy. The lawsuit stems from a rapid police...
Office for Students’ University of Sussex Humiliation Is a Symptom of Deeper Failings
The Office for Students (OfS) saw its £585,000 (£≈$743,000) fine against the University of Sussex overturned by the High Court, which found the regulator lacked jurisdiction in the Kathleen Stock free‑speech case. The ruling highlights a pattern of delayed or...
‘I’m Spending My House Deposit Savings to Pay Off My Postgrad Student Loan’
Britain’s government announced a 6% interest‑rate cap for Plan 2 undergraduate and Plan 3 postgraduate student loans effective September 2026, aiming to curb soaring debt. Despite the cap, most Plan 2 borrowers will see rates rise to between 4.1% and 6% as they...
Red Hair Gene Favoured by Natural Selection over Last 10,000 Years, Study Finds
A new study of roughly 16,000 ancient European remains and 6,000 modern genomes shows that the gene for red hair and fair skin has been under strong positive selection for more than 10,000 years. Researchers identified 479 variants that rose...
Bard College President Tells Staff He Will Soon Be Cleared in Inquiry over Epstein Ties
Bard College President Leon Botstein told staff he expects to be cleared by an independent WilmerHale review of his communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The board hired the law firm in February to examine emails, donations, and any...
Brian Cox Says UK Physics Funding Cuts Are ‘Destruction of the Future’
Senior UK physicists, led by Brian Cox, warn that government cuts to theoretical particle physics grants amounting to nearly 70% for 2026‑2030 threaten the sector’s future. The reductions will leave fewer than 20 postdoctoral researchers in the field nationwide, with...
Professor Sues Texas University that Terminated Contract After Palestine Talk
Idris Robinson, a tenure‑track philosophy professor at Texas State University, sued the school after it placed him on administrative leave and announced termination of his contract for a 2024 off‑campus talk on the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. The university cited multiple complaints...
Student Debt Eats Away Home Deposit Savings to Tune of £2,000 a Year, Says Barclays
Barclays’ latest study finds that UK borrowers with student loans save roughly £2,000 less per year for a house deposit than peers without debt, with a monthly gap of £163.70. The report shows 44% of loan‑holders say repayments undermine long‑term...
Efforts to Shut Down Pro-Palestinian Speech Face Series of Setbacks in Court
Pro‑Israel groups have filed dozens of lawsuits since 2023 aiming to curb pro‑Palestinian speech on campuses, but recent federal rulings have consistently upheld such slogans as First Amendment‑protected. Courts have dismissed most Title VI claims that allege universities foster a hostile...
Office for Students Faces Judicial Review over Public Funding for Bible Colleges
The National Secular Society is preparing a judicial review against England’s Office for Students (OfS) for allegedly allowing twelve bible colleges to receive more than £80 million in public student‑loan funding and £1 million in direct grants despite restrictions on academic freedom....