60m

Nov. 7 (UPI) — Cornell University on Friday reached an agreement with the Trump administration to allocate $60 million that would end government investigations and restore several hundred million dollars in research funding for the private school.

Cornell has now joined four other elite universities in making deals.

The allegations stem from accusations of anti-Semitism and admissions discrimination. Cornell, located in Ithaca, N.Y., settled after Brown University, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia.

Cornell reached the deal with the Department of Justice, Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services that “will protect Cornell’s students from violations of federal civil rights laws, including from discrimination based on race, sex, or national origin, and promote America’s hardworking farming and rural communities,” according to a DOJ news release.

The Ivy League school agreed to pay a $30 million fine and to invest another $30 million for programs to improve efficiency and lower costs in agriculture and farming. Cornell is a land-grant school that conducts agricultural research. The money will be spread out over three years.

The Trump administration froze more than $1 billion in research funding at the school.

Cornell’s president, Michael Kotlikoff, during his State of the University address in September, said officials didn’t know how the government reached that figure.

He said Cornell had accounted for “nearly $250 million in canceled or unpaid research funds.”

Kotlikoff had said he didn’t want the government to “dictate our institution’s policies.”

“The months of stop-work orders, grant terminations and funding freezes have stalled cutting-edge research, upended lives and careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell,” he said in a statement to the Cornell community.

“With this resolution. Cornell looks forward to resuming the long and fruitful partnership with the federal government that has yielded, for so many years, so much progress and well-being for our nation and our world.”

The five-page document reads: “This agreement is not an admission in whole or in part by either party. Cornell denies liability with respect to the subject matter of the Investigations.” The deal goes through Dec. 31, 2028.

“Both parties affirm the importance of and their support for academic freedom,” the agreement said. “The United States does not aim to dictate the content of academic speech or curricula, and no provision of this agreement, individually or taken together, shall be construed as giving the United States authority to dictate the content of academic speech or curricula.”

In the agreement, the school and government “affirm the importance of and their support for civil rights, and Cornell has a “commitment to complying with federal civil rights laws and agrees to include the Department of Justice’s ‘Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination.”

Cornell agreed to provide discrimination training to faculty and staff members.

“The Trump administration has secured another transformative commitment from an Ivy League institution to end divisive DEl policies,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said.

“Thanks to this deal with Cornell and the ongoing work of DOJ, HHS, and the team at ED, U.S. universities are refocusing their attention on merit, rigor, and truth seeking — not ideology. These reforms are a huge win in the fight to restore excellence to American higher education and make our schools the greatest in the world.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi also praised the deal, saying, “Recipients of federal funding must fully adhere to federal civil rights laws and ensure that harmful DEI policies [diversity, equity and inclusion] do not discriminate against students.

“Today’s deal is a positive outcome that illustrates the value of universities working with this administration — we are grateful to Cornell for working toward this agreement.”

“The Trump Administration is actively dismantling the ability of elite universities to discriminate based on race or religion,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. “The DOJ’s agreement with Cornell strengthens protections for students against anti-Semitism and all other forms of discrimination.”

The investigations into Cornell centered on campus demonstrations against Israel in the war with Hamas that began on Oct. 7, 2023, and demands to diversify from weapons manufacturers that supplied the Israeli military.

McMahon had said the protests “severely disrupted campus life” and Jewish students were fearful on campus.

Despite a nearly $12 billion endowment, university officials warned about layoffs and “a comprehensive review of programs and head count across the university.”

In the other deals, Penn and Virginia had no financial penalties, while Columbia agreed to a $200 million fine and Brown committed to spend $50 million on workforce development programs.

Harvard hasn’t reached a deal and individually sued in April. The federal government said it would freeze more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts after Harvard refused to agree to demands, including eliminating DEI programs.

Also, another $1 billion in federal health research contracts to Harvard could be withheld. The IRS is considering rescinding the tax-exempt status of the university. And the administration has threatened Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students.

A Justice Department lawyer told a federal judge Thursday that the University of California system wasn’t close to reaching an agreement. The schools include UCLA.

WASHINGTON — Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws in order to restore federal funding and end investigations into the Ivy League school.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced the agreement on Friday, saying it upholds the university’s academic freedom while restoring more than $250 million in research funding that the government withheld amid investigations into alleged civil rights violations.

The university agreed to pay $30 million directly to the U.S. government along with another $30 million toward research that will support U.S. farmers.

Kotlikoff said the agreement revives the campus’ partnership with the federal government “while affirming the university’s commitment to the principles of academic freedom, independence, and institutional autonomy that, from our founding, have been integral to our excellence.”

The six-page agreement is similar to one signed by the University of Virginia last month. It’s shorter and less prescriptive than others signed by Columbia University and Brown University.

It requires Cornell to comply with the government’s interpretation of civil rights laws on issues involving antisemitism, racial discrimination and transgender issues. A Justice Department memo that orders colleges to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion programs and transgender-friendly policies will be used as a training resource for faculty and staff at Cornell.

The campus must also provide a wealth of admissions data that the government has separately sought from campuses to ensure race is no longer being considered as a factor in admissions decisions. President Trump has suggested some campuses are ignoring a 2023 Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action in admissions.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon called it a “transformative commitment” that puts a focus on “merit, rigor, and truth-seeking.”

“These reforms are a huge win in the fight to restore excellence to American higher education and make our schools the greatest in the world,” McMahon said on X.

Cornell’s president must personally certify compliance with the agreement each quarter. The deal is effective through the end of 2028.

It appears to split the difference on a contentious issue colleges have grappled with as they negotiate an exit from federal scrutiny: payments made directly to the government. Columbia agreed to pay $200 million directly to the government, while Brown University reached an agreement to pay $50 million to state workforce organizations. Virginia’s deal included no payment at all.

Binkley writes for the Associated Press.

EBERECHI EZE’S transfer from Crystal Palace is NOT expected to happen before the Eagles’ Conference League tie on Thursday.

Tottenham are pushing to land the England attacker and there were doubts over whether he would play in yesterday’s goalless draw at Chelsea.

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But boss Oliver Glasner never doubted Eze, who had a stunning free-kick ruled out at Stamford Bridge, would be available despite uncertainty over his future.

Glasner said: “He was picked because he’s a Crystal Palace player, and he’s a very good

“He trained the whole week, so there was no reason not to pick him.

“He will come to the Crystal Palace training ground today, Tuesday off, we take Wednesday and I expect him to be back playing for us against Fredrikstad.”

Eze, 27, wants to join Spurs, who over the weekend are understood to have made an opening offer in the region of £60m.

His potential departure will also depend on whether or not Palace can land a replacement before the window closes.

They are chasing Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss and Club Brugge midfielder Christos Tzolis.

Glasner added: “The players are giving the answer week by week, it was the same last week against the Community Shield, winning against Liverpool on penalties.

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“Then starting here against the Club World Cup champions.

“It just shows that this group is such a great group of characters.

“We have no influence on all the noise and all the rumours around us, but we know what we want to do, we know how we want to play, and this is what we want to show every single game.

“The players did great.

“They didn’t just show they are great footballers, but they are great people and that’s what I expected.”

Eze previously had a £60m release clause, including a further £8m in add-ons, but Glasner confirmed that has now expired and said his star man’s future was in the hands of club bosses.

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Glasner added: “I’m quite calm.

“I also know, we have two weeks to go and I know Ebs’ clause is gone.

“So it’s the club’s decision, and we will see what happens.”

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TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW

Manchester United have submitted an improved bid of more than £60m for Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo.

This month United had a bid rejected for the 25-year-old of £45m plus up to £10m in add-ons.

Talks over the Cameroon forward, who would become the club’s second signing of the summer, are due to continue this week.

Following the £62.5m capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, United are keen to further strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad before they return for pre-season training on 7 July.

New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was keen to be reunited with Mbeumo, while there has also been interest in the forward from other Champions League clubs.

Sources have suggested Brentford would want at least the same fee as Wolves have received for Cunha before they agree to the sale of a player who still has a year left on his contract.

As with Cunha, Mbeumo’s Premier League experience is viewed as a major positive as Amorim needs players who can hit the ground running as United look to make a more positive start to the season than their three sluggish efforts under Erik ten Hag.

Mbeumo scored a career-best 20 goals for Brentford last season, while he also contributed nine assists to the Bees’ cause.

An international colleague of United goalkeeper Andre Onana, Mbeumo is likely to miss four weeks of the 2025-26 campaign because of Cameroon’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Cameroon play Gabon in their opening group game on 24 December.

The renewed move for Mbeumo comes as the future of Alejandro Garnacho is once again the subject of intense debate after he posted an image of himself wearing an Aston Villa shirt with the name ‘Rashford’ on his social media channels.

Fellow United outcast Marcus Rashford responded to the post with a ‘my brother’ message to the Argentina forward, who has been valued at £60m after being told by Amorim to find another club this summer.

With Brits still grieving the loss of a huge Butlin’s resort some 41 years later, one rundown UK seaside town has revealed its £60 million plans to transform itself back to its former glory

Ambitious plans to transform one of the UK’s ‘worst’ seaside towns are well underway, as it stitches up the Butlin’s-size hole that epitomises its downfall. In the post-war holiday boom, Clacton-on-Sea was in its heyday, attracting swathes of travellers from up and down the nation.

Lured in by an award-winning pier, funfair rides, and a golden sand beach touted as a jewel in the crown of the ‘Essex Sunshine Coast’, this bustling resort was the perfect place to escape the city and relax. Clacton was also revered for homing one of the first Billy Butlin’s sites – which opened its doors in 1937.

Boasting a huge outdoor pool, funfair rides, a ballroom dancing hall, bowling green, and unbeatable entertainment – the resort cemented Clacton as the place to go for affordable family fun. However, when cheap package holidays to Spain infiltrated the travel market – Butlin’s profits plummeted, resulting in the site closing its doors in 1983.

READ MORE: UK seaside town abandoned by theme park and row over £65m holiday park boost

More than four decades later, and locals are still grieving the once insatiably popular resort. The Facebook page Butlin’s Clacton Holiday Camp has 2,700 members – and members are still frequently sharing their memories of the site.

Earlier this month, user Danny posted a series of pictures of his mum, who worked at the Butlin’s resort from 1977. “I went there many times – I loved it,” he wrote. “They should never have taken Butlins away from Clacton.”

In the comments section, dozens of users agreed the site should never have closed. “Butlin’s was a truly British institution that was used by many if not all working-class folk in its day,” one person reflected. “We took the kids there several times because we could just about afford it. This would be the late 70s through 80s. The kids still talk of it now.”

Another user added: “They are the best memories I could ever wish for and I think it’s the one Butlin’s they should have never closed!” while a fourth penned: “I went there as a kid. My brother used to love making the models whilst me and my sister did 3D paintings. The man in charge was lovely. I painted a gold rose with a black background. I was so proud of myself. My favourite holiday. You’re so right, they should never have got rid of it.”

Since Butlin’s closure, things have continued to go downhill for Clacton. In fact, earlier this year, it came joint fourth-last with Skegness in Which?’s league tables of the best UK seaside towns. Harshly marked with a 48 per cent overall destination score, survey participants gave Clacton just two stars for its seafront/ pier, and one star for its scenery. Clacton’s beach and parking availability boosted its rating up slightly, but shows its reputation is struggling.

However, the town is certain it can turn things around with a £60 million regeneration project funded by the government. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of Tendring District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Tourism is absolutely vital to Clacton’s economy, and while there are no active conversations with private sector investors to bring back a Butlin’s-style resort, we’re focused on building a vibrant, year-round destination that celebrates our seaside heritage while looking to the future.”

The politician said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of events like the Clacton Airshow, which draws in around 25,000 visitors and shows demand for the seaside town is present. “It’s not just about one weekend or just the summer holidays though – following on from millions of pounds of private sector investment over recent years and a £36 million pound coastal defence scheme completed in 2019 – we’re investing in our town’s future with exciting projects like transforming a historic Martello Tower into a cultural venue, creating a new seafront arts space, and improving the town centre to encourage people to stay longer and explore more,” he added.

“I’ve been pleased to work with the Clacton Coastal Tourism Group, whose passion and ideas are helping shape a bright future for the town as well as the Clacton Town Board, which has been set up as part of the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, which alone will see £20million invested in Clacton over ten years. We’re making real progress – and we’re inviting residents, businesses and visitors to be part of that journey.”

With millions of people still visiting Clacton and the Essex Sunshine Coast every year, Cllr Henderson believes it is still a wonderful place to visit. In his words, it is a town with a ‘proud past and even more exciting future’.

While holidaymakers won’t be able to spend a weekend with the iconic Red Coat staff, there remain more than 20 holiday parks across the Tendring district. This includes two Parkdean Resorts, and a Haven Holiday Park.

Does Clacton-on-Sea actually deserve to be called the UK’s ‘worst’ seaside town? Have your say in the comments section below

Government says funding freeze is due to the university’s alleged failure to address anti-Semitism on campus.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has said it is terminating $60m in federal grants to Harvard University, further escalating an ongoing feud between the Ivy Leave institute and President Donald Trump’s administration over alleged anti-Semitism, presidential control and the limits of academic freedom.

“Due to Harvard University’s continued failure to address anti-Semitic harassment and race discrimination, HHS is terminating multiple multi-year grant awards – totalling approximately $60 million over their full duration,” the department said on X on Monday.

It said discrimination will “not be tolerated” on campus, adding that “federal funds must support institutions that protect all students.”

HHS is taking decisive action to uphold civil rights in higher education. Due to Harvard University’s continued failure to address anti-Semitic harassment and race discrimination, HHS is terminating multiple multi-year grant awards—totaling approximately $60 million over their… pic.twitter.com/99aUd4ZVYF

— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) May 20, 2025

The Trump administration has already frozen more than $2.2bn in federal grants to Harvard.

Education Department Secretary Linda McMahon also announced earlier this month that the university would no longer be receiving public funding for research as it had made a “mockery” of higher education, in a letter addressed to Harvard.

“Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution, and can instead operate as a privately-funded institution, drawing on its colossal endowment, and raising money from its large base of wealthy alumni,” McMahon wrote in the letter.

Harvard has sued the administration in response, alleging that the funding freeze violates the First Amendment and federal law, which bars the president from directly or indirectly ordering the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to conduct or terminate an audit or investigation.

Harvard President Alan Garber announced last week that the university will use $250m of its own funds to support research.

The feud between the president and Harvard – a prestigious Ivy League campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts – began in March, when Trump sought to impose new rules and regulations on top schools across the country that had played host to pro-Palestinian protests over the past year.

Trump has called such protests “illegal” and accused participants of anti-Semitism. But student protest leaders have described their actions as a peaceful response to Israel’s war in Gaza, which has elicited concerns about human rights abuses, including genocide.

The Trump administration announced the first funding freeze in April. Harvard had rejected the administration’s series of demands to tackle alleged anti-Semitism, saying they would subject it to undue government control. The demands had included revamping its disciplinary system, eliminating its diversity initiatives and agreeing to an external audit of programmes deemed anti-Semitic by the administration.

Trump and prominent conservatives in the US have also long accused Harvard and other universities of propagating extreme left-wing views and stifling right-wing perspectives.