California college cancels graduation ceremony as protests after Israel's war in Gaza continue A leading California university has cancelled its graduation ceremony as protests over Gaza continue to spread on college campuses across the US. The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles cited "new safety measures" in disbanding the event. Hundreds of people have been arrested on dozens of campuses where protests and encampments have sprung up in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Universities have brought in police to force students to leave. But some are also negotiating. At Columbia University in New York City , where the protests began last week, a Thursday night deadline for an end to the encampment was dropped. Talks were showing progress and would continue, the university said. At Atlanta's Emory University, 28 demonstrators were arrested on Thursday after refusing to leave. ab c USC tense after valedictorian speech cancelled Where are the Gaza pro...
Jeremy Hunt defends civil service job cuts to increase defence spending Jeremy Hunt has defended plans to slash civil service jobs to increase defence spending and Ukraine aid, during a surprise trip to Kyiv. The chancellor said cutting public services will cost "a great deal less" compared to allowing Russia to succeed. The government has pledged to increase UK military spending to 2.5% of national income by 2030. Mr Hunt confirmed the increase will cost an extra £20bn, which unions claim will be funded by cutting 70,000 jobs. Downing Street said the plans would be funded through existing commitments to reduce the civil service headcount to pre-Covid levels, and giving the ministry of defence (MoD) a share of an already-announced increase in government research spending. The Public and Commercial Services Union said cutting civil servants' jobs to pay for higher defence spending would lead to longer waiting lists for new passports, driving tests and driving licence. ...