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Sociology professor to stand down after university announces investigation into his qualifications and career• Playbooks, plagiarism and a pig’s head: new claims surrounding a star Cambridge professorJason Arday, the Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism and embellishment, has resigned after the university announced he was to face a new investigation into his qualifications and career.Arday, who had been dogged by a growing series of questions over his academic work and credentials, issued a statement on Wednesday night, saying the “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love”. Continue reading...

• An unnamed veteran 80s metal band has announced its first U.K. tour in over a decade as part of a final farewell run before officially disbanding. • Following the U.K. dates, the tour will expand across Europe starting March 21, with scheduled stops in 12 countries including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. • This tour marks a significant milestone for fans, providing a last opportunity to see the metal icons perform live before their permanent retirement.

• US stock markets reached a record high following optimism that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open for commercial shipping. • US Central Command announced on Tuesday that the waterway is "free and open," noting that US forces have assisted over 1,000 vessels in transiting the area over the last three months. • The news led to a drop in oil prices as investors reacted to progress in talks and the mitigation of risks associated with Iranian aggression.

Federal lawsuit alleges kids are being repatriated despite many of them qualifying to remain in the US legallyThe Trump administration is deliberately targeting children who came to the US unaccompanied by a parent or guardian as it pushes to quickly return them to the countries they fled – amid “drastic policy changes” in immigration courts, according to allegations in a federal lawsuit shared with the Guardian.The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are trying to prevent imminent deportation to the places from where they escaped danger or harm. Continue reading...

• The Parliament monsoon session is facing significant disruptions as the Opposition demands answers from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding a security crackdown on CJP protests. • AAP MP Sanjay Singh submitted a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss public outrage and consumer rights concerns over the mandatory implementation of E20 petrol. • This legislative move follows a march led by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday to protest the fuel policy.

• Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, driven by a surge in tech stocks following strong second-quarter results and an increased revenue forecast from Palantir. • The market rally occurred as investors reacted to easing concerns regarding artificial intelligence trends and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. • Global financial focus shifted toward central bank policy decisions, specifically those from the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan.

Jake Richard acknowledges ‘unimaginable pain’ of Harper’s family but says government faces an ‘unenviable position’Good morning and welcome to the UK politics blog.Ministers continue to defend the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers as part of the government’s early prisoner release scheme, despite a potential legal challenge from the Police Federation.Well, look, we understand that people are angry. The Harper family are, of course, angry. The police are angry too.We’re angry that we’re in this situation where we face the unenviable position of having to make sure that we have a sustainable prison system, which is so vital to a functioning law and order system in our country, but also that we do right by victims as far as possible.Because without a functioning prison system, it means it’s difficult for police to make arrests, it’s difficult for our courts to try cases, and it could mean to the collapse of law and order in this country.We cannot be in that situation, so that is the challenge that we face as government ministers and the prime minister faces ultimately.I feel sick to my stomach, if I’m really honest with you. I’ve had a gut wrenching feeling in my stomach the past couple of weeks with this, and it doesn’t go away.And arguably, I would say that many of my members across Thames Valley also have this gut wrenching feeling, even at the prospect of these two killers being released in the space of weeks, potentially.Ministers will scrap the requirement for companies to prove their green and progressive values before they are awarded government contracts, and instead ask firms to prove they will help young people back into work.Women should not feel pressurised into experiencing an “ideal birth”, the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals.An official investigation has been launched into charities in England and Wales donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.Andy Burnham has inherited a Labour membership that is sceptical about increased welfare spending, supportive of higher defence spending, and ranks the climate crisis as one of the country’s biggest challenges, according to new polling.BP’s chief executive has urged Andy Burnham to make use of the UK’s oil and gas resources even as the oil company prepares to sell its North Sea business after 60 years in the ageing basin.The Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has defended the selection of a former neo-Nazi activist as a candidate for a local election in Somerset despite him being jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment of the former Labour MP Luciana Berger.Pupils in Scotland’s schools received their exam results this morning, with exam pass rates at all levels having risen this year, including a record number of National 5 passes. Continue reading...