'McCarthyism' Universities condemn bill in Knesset to limit academic freedom
The Guardian|July 22, 2024
Israel's education minister and the country's national union of students are backing a draft law to limit academic speech in the country, which the heads of leading universities have attacked as "McCarthyite" and fundamentally undemocratic.
Emma Graham-Harrison Matan Cohen
'McCarthyism' Universities condemn bill in Knesset to limit academic freedom

The legislation being debated in the Knesset would give a government-appointed committee the power to order the firing of academic staffit decides have expressed "support for terror". If the universities refuse, their funding would be cut.

Critics say the legislation is undemocratic and would undermine Israeli academia because it restricts free speech and allows politicians to weaponise accusations that should be handled by the legal system.

UriSivan, the president of the prestigious Technion Israel Institute of Technology, known for links to the country's hi-tech and defence industries, said the law was "McCarthyite".

He said: "It is a form of McCarthyism, a very violent form, because it is meant to threaten people not to express their mind, in a system that should be free of any intimidation, encouraging free speech, encouraging criticism.

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"There is a racial element' -  Hamilton upset as FIA chief tells drivers not to swear 'like rappers'
The Guardian

"There is a racial element' - Hamilton upset as FIA chief tells drivers not to swear 'like rappers'

Lewis Hamilton has expressed disquiet at comments made by the president of Formula One's governing body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, that F1 drivers should not swear like rap artists, stating that he was unhappy at the \"racial element\" implied by Ben Sulayem's choice of words.

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1 min  |
September 20, 2024
Blunted City could yet sharpen Arteta's focus on victory at Etihad
The Guardian

Blunted City could yet sharpen Arteta's focus on victory at Etihad

The manner in which Inter's lowblock stifled the Premier League champions should give visitors hope on Sunday

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3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Super Raya rescues point for Arsenal with stunning two-part penalty save
The Guardian

Super Raya rescues point for Arsenal with stunning two-part penalty save

Mikel Arteta had promised that this week would be the acid test of how much Arsenal have improved this season and, on the evidence of this scrappy performance, they still have plenty to work on.

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3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Head hits new heights to blow away England's attack
The Guardian

Head hits new heights to blow away England's attack

At the ground where England conjured up two record one-day international totals in the past came a seven-wicket defeat to Australia and a reminder of the task they face in bringing back those halcyon days.

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3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Stats suggest Bath can step up and grab glory
The Guardian

Stats suggest Bath can step up and grab glory

Tough start will test mettle of last season's runners-up in a competitive field while return of relegation adds intrigue

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3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Interest rates held at 5% but 'on path down', says Bank chief
The Guardian

Interest rates held at 5% but 'on path down', says Bank chief

The governor of the Bank of England has signalled readiness to resume interest rate cuts despite keeping borrowing costs unchanged yesterday at 5%, amid concerns over lingering high inflation.

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2 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Persecuted by Putin Indigenous Sámi people live in fear, say leaders
The Guardian

Persecuted by Putin Indigenous Sámi people live in fear, say leaders

Sámi people in Russia are being forced to hide their identity and live \"outside the law\" for fear of imprisonment and persecution, figures from the community have warned, after the government labelled dozens of Indigenous organisations terrorists and extremists.

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3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Georgian trans model'stabbed to death' after anti-LGBTQ+ law approved
The Guardian

Georgian trans model'stabbed to death' after anti-LGBTQ+ law approved

A well-known Georgian transgender model has been murdered just a day after the government passed legislation that will impose sweeping curbs on LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

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1 min  |
September 20, 2024
Russian military predicted Kursk incursion, seized papers show
The Guardian

Russian military predicted Kursk incursion, seized papers show

Russia's military command anticipated Ukraine's incursion into its Kursk region and had been making plans to prevent it for several months, according to a cache of documents that the Ukrainian army said it had seized from abandoned Russian positions in the region.

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4 mins  |
September 20, 2024
'Big hill to climb' for Labour to win again in Scotland, says Murray
The Guardian

'Big hill to climb' for Labour to win again in Scotland, says Murray

Labour faces big challenges to win the next Scottish election because of the \"dire\" economic situation and the country's volatile electorate, the Scotland secretary has said.

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2 mins  |
September 20, 2024