funding cuts

Harvard University will reinstate merit-based salary increases for the 2026-27 fiscal year across several key schools, signaling a partial financial recovery. This move follows last year's federal funding cuts and subsequent austerity measures, including a hiring freeze and program reviews. While some schools are resuming raises, others are still assessing their financial situations amidst ongoing restructuring and legal challenges.

The US President's dismissal of the National Science Board and other scientific bodies has sparked concerns about the erosion of scientific norms. This move, alongside funding cuts and grant cancellations, is prompting foreign-origin scientists to consider leaving the US, with India actively recruiting talent.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav announced the party has ended its association with political consultancy I-PAC, citing financial constraints rather than electoral performance. Yadav clarified that the decision was due to limited resources, not recent election outcomes, and that the party had engaged I-PAC for early preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Oracle faces a significant bank-debt challenge due to its massive data centre expansion for OpenAI, reportedly requiring $300 billion. Lenders struggle with exposure limits, impacting their ability to finance these projects. This comes as Oracle also plans substantial job cuts, highlighting financial pressures despite efforts to secure funding.

AIIMS Guwahati proudly unveils its newly enhanced neurosurgery theatre, a result of a generous Rs 6.5 crore CSR contribution from Power Grid Corporation of India. This facility is a game-changer, outfitted with the latest technology designed to elevate precision in complex brain and spine operations, ultimately offering improved outcomes and hope for countless patients across the northeast.

A newly constructed public restroom in Bhopal's Aishbagh, intended for traders and residents, has become unusable. The Railways has enclosed the facility within a boundary wall, rendering it inaccessible. Locals had warned officials about the land ownership, but their concerns were ignored.

Meta reported a loss of 20 million daily active users across its apps, attributing the decline to geopolitical factors in Iran and Russia. Despite this user dip, the company is significantly increasing its AI investment to between $125 billion and $145 billion for 2026, while also undergoing workforce reductions and facing legal challenges regarding youth safety.

London Zoo is set to transform with a massive, anonymous £20 million donation. This gift will fund a state-of-the-art wildlife health centre, allowing the public to witness critical medical procedures. This initiative marks a new era in conservation, merging tradition with modern medicine to foster global responsibility and inspire future scientists by demystifying wildlife healthcare.

A Serbian bird society successfully crowdfunded 8,000 euros to purchase and protect a two-hectare woodland, preventing its likely deforestation. This initiative highlights growing public concern for environmental protection in Serbia, a nation grappling with pollution and development threats. The society aims to preserve the 'Nightingale's Forest' and inspire similar local conservation efforts.

Bengaluru-based JuliaHub secured $65 million in funding. The company also launched Dyad 3.0, its updated AI platform. Dyad brings agentic AI to hardware engineering. It designs, simulates, and optimizes complex industrial systems. This platform aims to significantly reduce development timelines. Engineers can now develop systems faster than ever before.

Pakistan's economy faces sustained pressure with double-digit inflation likely to persist due to surging global oil prices amid the Middle East crisis. Rising energy costs and regional instability are projected to slow GDP growth and widen the current account deficit, impacting the stock market and currency.