35 h. ago Harvard shows resistance is possible. But universities must join forces | Jan

Far too many academics are repeating propaganda about a ‘free speech crisis’. It’s time for a shared strategyHarvard is refusing the plainly illegal demands by the Trump administration. That sends an important signal: resistance is possible.But universities must realize that the government is adopting a divide-and-rule tactic: they should collaborate on a shared litigation strategy, take a common approach in getting the public on their side, and do everything possible to have Congress push back against Trump treating money allocated by the legislature as if it were a private slush fund to be used for political blackmail. Some faculty have already begun to unite. In principle, not just progressives, but self-respecting conservatives – if any remain – should be responsive to such a three-pronged strategy. Continue reading...

Culture

3 d. ago Harvard draws a line against Donald Trump while Democrats figure out Resistance 2.0

ANALYSIS: America’s oldest university stands up to Donald Trump while Democrats figure out how they can too, writes John Bowden

Politics

4 d. ago Obama backs Harvard as Yale faculty members support standing up to Trump

Harvard faces funding freeze as Yale faculty asks leadership ‘to resist and legally challenge any unlawful demands’US politics live – latest updatesBarack Obama has come out in support of Harvard after the Trump administration elected to cut $2bn of its federal grants after the Ivy League school in Massachusetts rejected what it said was an attempt at “government regulation” of the university.Meanwhile, faculty at Yale University – another prominent Ivy League institution – has asked its leadership “to resist and legally challenge any unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and self-governance”. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago US college students detained in Denmark after alleged Uber driver dispute

Two students traveling on spring break were arrested and charged with assault in Copenhagen, police sayTwo American college students traveling for spring break were arrested in Copenhagen, charged with assault, and held in a Danish prison for two weeks following an alleged dispute with an Uber driver, Danish police said.The family of Owen Ray, a 19-year-old studying at Miami University in Ohio, said he and an unnamed friend have been forced to forfeit their passports and remain in the country. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Did hedge fund 'masters of the universe' force Trump into tariffs U

Donald Trump executed an extraordinary U-turn by pausing the bulk of his 'Liberation Day' levies on trading partners for three months.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump administration issues demands on Harvard as conditions for billions in federal money

Some alumni want Harvard to resist Trump administration demands the university must meet to receive $9 billion in federal grants and contracts being threatened during an investigation into campus antisemitism

Politics

2 w. ago Major DWP Universal Credit rule change will come into force next week affecting 1.2 million families 

The amount of money taken from Universal Credit payments to repay debts is reducing this month

Politics

2 w. ago Family on PIP and Universal Credit forced to sleep rough outside town hall after being evicted

The couple have said they shouldn't have to be "a druggie, an alcoholic, or an asylum seeker to be a priority and get help"

Politics

2 w. ago DWP forced to change 'entirely misleading' Universal Credit detail after being urged to fix it

The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) told the Department for Work and Pensions to correct an 'entirely misleading claim' about the number of people considered too sick to look for work

Politics

4 w. ago Who is Ronen Bar, the sacked chief of Israel’s Shin Bet security service?

Former special forces soldier made enemies after disagreements with far-right factions in Netanyahu governmentIsrael supreme court freezes firing of Shin Bet chiefMiddle East crisis – live updatesRonen Bar, the head of Israel’s powerful internal security service, the Shin Bet, may seem an unlikely rebel.A former special forces soldier who holds degrees from Tel Aviv and Harvard universities, Bar has devoted three decades of his working life to the service of the state. His frame is lean, greying hair close shaved, features gaunt, manner reserved and speech moderate. Continue reading...

Politics

last month US universities face choice to surrender or fight back against Trump’s takeover

‘Extraordinary fear’ takes hold at universities as Trump campaign threatens investigations or loss of federal fundsThe Trump administration’s unprecedented pressure campaign on American higher education – which is forcing major universities to bow to its demands or risk investigations and the loss of millions of dollars in federal money – is so far facing little pushback from the schools affected.That campaign escalated earlier this month, when the US government cancelled $400m in federal contracts and grants to Columbia University. In a subsequent letter, representatives of three federal agencies said they would reconsider that freeze only if Columbia agreed to conditions including more aggressively disciplining students who engage in pro-Palestinian disruptions, planning “comprehensive” reform of the school’s admissions policies, and placing one of school’s area studies departments under “academic receivership” – meaning under the control of an outside chair. Continue reading...

Politics

last month What a dark energy discovery means for the fate of the universe – podcast

Dark energy, the mysterious force powering the expansion of the universe, appears to be weakening over time, according to a major cosmological survey that has thrown the laws of modern physics into doubt. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay how this new finding could shed light on the ultimate fate of the cosmos, and Saul Perlmutter, who won a Nobel prize for his work proving the universe is expanding, describes how the new development could upend assumptions about how this mysterious force operatesSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

Politics