44 h. ago Two leaders of Harvard’s Middle Eastern studies center to step down

Departures of Cemal Kafadar and Rosie Bsheer are seen by critics as ‘shameful attempt’ by school to appease TrumpThe leaders of Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies are leaving their positions after the center faced accusations of anti-Israel bias.The departures come as the Trump administration scrutinizes institutions who have had pro-Palestine protests over the last year. Earlier this week, Columbia’s president announced she will step down after Trump targeted the university for protests on campus last year. Continue reading...

Events

50 h. ago ‘Canary in the coalmine of totalitarianism’: how Columbia went from a home for Edward Said to a punching bag for Trump

The university had a history of being a home for cutting-edge discourse on Palestine – until it capitulated to the administration’s demands Last week, Columbia University announced that it would cave to demands by the Trump administration and adopt sweeping measures against pro-Palestinian activity on campus, including new restrictions on protest and the takeover of an academic department from faculty control.The news sent shock waves across higher education institutions nationwide for what appeared a stunning capitulation to attacks on academic freedom and the independence of the department of Middle Eastern, south Asian and African studies, or Mesaas, which became a scapegoat for what the administration viewed as a pro-Palestinian climate on campus. It was also a remarkable turn of events for a university that had for years been a home for cutting-edge academic discourse on Palestine, beginning with the scholarship of Edward Said, a leading Palestinian intellectual. Continue readi...

Politics

69 h. ago Rebels agree to a ceasefire with African coalition troops departing from eastern Congo

M23 rebels in control of key areas of eastern Congo have agreed to a ceasefire with African coalition peacekeepers who announced their withdrawal even as the conflict between the insurgents and Congo’s government continues

Events

9 d. ago Under threat from Trump, Columbia University agrees to policy changes

Columbia University agreed to implement a suite of policy changes, including overhauling its rules for protests and conducting an immediate review of its Middle Eastern studies department

Events

1 week ago The US government has sent Columbia University a ransom note | Sheldon Pollock

Like a mob boss, the government threatens to cut off two of the university’s fingers: academic freedom and faculty governanceOn 15 March, Columbia University received what can only be described as the most dangerous letter in the history of higher education in America. The sender was the United States government. Like a ransom note, the government letter insists that Columbia comply with a list of Trump administration demands in order to even have a chance at recovering the $400m in federal funding for scientific research that the government canceled on 7 March.Oddly, one of the specific targets identified in the letter was Columbia’s Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (Mesaas), a small humanities department devoted to studying the languages, cultures and history of those regions. The government demanded the Mesaas department be put into “receivership” – basically, be taken over by the University – as a precondition to further negotiations. Continue readi...

Politics

2 w. ago 10,000 troops and minehunters to form part of PM's 'coalition of the willing' peacekeeping force in Ukraine

The Prime Minister held a virtual meeting with other world leaders on Saturday following which he announced proposals would move into an 'operational phase'.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump administration demands Columbia overhaul academic courses in extraordinary ultimatum

The Trump administration has delivered an extraordinary ultimatum to Columbia University, threatening to permanently end federal funding to the school unless it cedes control of an international studies department and implements sweeping changes to other policies

Politics

2 w. ago ‘They turned our home into a cemetery’: the high price of El Salvador’s Bitcoin City dream

Mangroves are being destroyed and residents displaced to make way for an airport to serve president Nayib Bukele’s vision of a tax-free economic hubWhen Nayib Bukele launched his presidential campaign in the eastern department of La Unión in 2018, the new outsider politician stood in a street packed with supporters and promised a new airport. La Unión and the rest of El Salvador’s eastern region have historically been neglected by governments, with few infrastructure projects and widespread poverty.Just a month later, Bukele travelled to Germany to lobby for his project. “Munich airport is interested in operating our new airport that we will build in La Unión,” he said. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer to host second 'Coalition of Willing' summit on sending UK, French and more troops to Ukraine

The British action comes as Ukraine and the US are set to hold talks on ending Vladimir Putin’s three-year war

Politics

3 w. ago JD Vance dismisses Keir Starmer's 'coalition of the willing' to secure Ukraine as '20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years'

JD Vance jibed that a force with UK and French boots on the ground amounted to '20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years'.

Events

4 w. ago How WOULD Keir Starmer's 'coalition of the willing' enforce a peace deal in Ukraine? European troops on the ground and RAF planes in the skies could stop Russia breaking a ceasefire

RAF Typhoons might be deployed to help patrol Ukrainian skies, while Royal Navy ships could be sent to the Black Sea to deter another Russian assault.

Economics

4 w. ago Starmer commits British troops and planes for ‘Coalition of Willing” to stop new Putin attack on Ukraine if war ends

Prime Minister warns West is at ‘historic crossroads’ as he commits to ‘Coalition of Willing’ to defend Ukraine under peace deal

Events