Thursday 18th June 2026

News

Oxford Union holds “This House Believes the West is Right to be Suspicious of Islam” Debate

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, otherwise known as Tommy Robinson, is due to speak at the Oxford Union at 8.30 pm this evening at a debate on the motion “This House Believes the West is Right to be Suspicious of Islam”. The event has drawn condemnation from University societies, local politicians, and local faith leaders.

Home Office proposes doubling of Campsfield capacity

The Home Office has proposed a second phase of development to the Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), increasing its capacity from 160 to 400 beds.

New Oxford campaign seeks to demystify genetic and neurological conditions using animations

A new educational campaign developed by the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford aims to make neurodevelopmental disorders easier to understand through a series of animated videos. 

Twelve Oxford Scientists receive prestigious Royal Society Fellowship

Twelve University of Oxford researchers have been elected as fellows to the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences. They join a cohort of 90 scientific researchers elected this year from around the world who specialise in fields ranging from “astronomy and cancer research to mathematics and biotechnology”.

The Christ Church Papers: Judge’s leaked decision says tribunal ‘disproportionate’

Despite this judgement’s clear conclusions, the Dean continues to face suspension pending a separate college inquiry. The full report can be read on the website cherwell.org. Cherwell has redacted the report to ensure that any details which could identify the defendant have been removed. 

OULGBTQ+ secretarial election plagued by misinformation

The current candidate for Secretary for the Oxford University has suffered from the spread of alleged misinformation surrounding her campaign, with both messages and posts on public forums describing her as an “evangelical Christian” and “right wing (American) Republican.” 

Hertford cat defies Exeter Library ban

There appear to be no signs of a détente between Simpkin IV of Hertford College and Walter of Exeter, as Simpkin has been spotted in the Exeter College Library two weeks after he was banned from the premises.

COVID cases double among young people in Oxford following students’ return

COVID cases among those aged 20–24 in Oxford have doubled in the last week, according to new data reported by the government, in what may be the first indication of the impact of students returning to the city for Hilary Term. 

Hundreds protest local river pollution at the hands of Thames Water

On Sunday, January 23rd, approximately 350 people gathered in Port Meadow to protest Thames Water’s dumping of sewage into local rivers and waterways.

Blackwell’s removes antisemitic conspiracy book

Blackwell’s has removed an antisemitic conspiracy document from shops after the book’s promotion as “interesting” was met with outrage by the Jewish community.

Dean of Christ Church indicates support for resignation deal as protests rage

The Very Rev Martyn Percy, the embattled Dean of Christ Church college, has indicated that he is willing to step down as part of a deal in which he will gain a £1.5mn payoff and see the settlement of a sexual harassment claim against him, the Financial Times reported.

SU stages demonstration against Nationality and Borders Bill

The Oxford SU organised a protest against the proposed Nationality and Borders Bill this past Sunday.

Highly prized Austen collection donated to the Bodleian

A highly-prized collection of manuscripts including some written by Jane Austen has been donated to the Bodleian Library and Jane Austen’s House following a UK-wide campaign to purchase it.

Timothée Chalamet’s ‘Wonka’ to resume filming in Oxford

Oxfordshire County Council have issued notices confirming that filming of the upcoming film Wonka staring Timothée Chalamet will resume in Oxford this February.

Rhodes Scholar withdraws after ‘false’ claims of poverty

A Rhodes Scholar who claimed that she had grown up in the foster system has lost her scholarship after an investigation revealed that she grew up in a middle-class family and attended a $30,000-per-annum private school. 

OULC invites MP with links to Chinese spy

The release of the Oxford University Labour Club term card has revealed the inclusion of Barry Gardiner, an MP with close connections to Chinese spy Christine Ching Kui Lee.

Campaigners question potential government sale of £200m Oxford vaccine centre

A vaccine centre in Harwell, near Oxford, has been put up for sale by the government, prompting questions from MPs and observers about the implications of such a sale. The Vaccine Manufacturing Innovation Centre (VMIC) was at the heart of the government’s efforts to respond to future pandemics.

EU watchdog claims possible link between AstraZeneca and rare spinal condition

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) recommended adding a rare spinal inflammation called transverse myelitis (TM) as a possible, but very rare side effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Balliol names building after first Oxford DPhil student

Balliol College has named a new building after Dr Lakshman Sarup (1894–1946), the first student at Oxford to submit for a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree. Sarup was awarded the degree by Balliol in 1919 on the topic of Yaska’s Nirukta, the oldest Sanskrit treatise on etymology. Oxford began offering the DPhil degree in 1917, taking inspiration from research degrees in Germany, and Dr Sarup was one of two students to enrol for a doctoral degree in its inaugural year, the other being New Zealander James Gatenby.

Oxford research finds sharp reduction in children’s hospital admissions

Research conducted at Oxford University has revealed that as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a dramatic reduction in hospital admissions for children. 

Swimmers complain of delay in sewage release notification

A group of outdoor swimmers called Brrrr! Have complained about an unknown sewage release in advance of their Christmas Day swim.

New scheme ‘twins’ Oxford colleges with city schools

A new scheme led by Oxford Hub, a charity ‘working to build a more equal, resilient and connected Oxford,’ sees Oxford University colleges twinning...

Oxford Vaccine Group Director advises against widespread fourth jabs

Upcoming COVID-19 vaccine shots should target the most vulnerable in the UK and low-income countries worldwide, instead of becoming a regular occurrence for the general population once every few months, says Professor Sir Andrew Pollard.

Paxlovid: How a new oral drug against COVID-19 was designed

Despite progress with vaccinations, the highly contagious Omicron variant has caused cases to surge. Along with other UK approved drugs such as Merck’s Molnupiravir, Pfizer’s oral treatment, Paxlovid, could be a useful tool for doctors to treat patients.

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