分类： society

In a groundbreaking move, the University of Cambridge has announced its decision to divest from companies involved in the production of ‘controversial weapons.’ This decision follows the publication of a landmark report that scrutinized the university’s ties to the arms industry. The report, unanimously approved by the University Council, calls for the divestment of the university’s £4.2 billion ($5.62 billion) endowment fund from any company manufacturing weapons deemed illegal under UK law, regardless of their legality elsewhere. This includes chemical and biological weapons, as well as cluster munitions. The council has adopted this as policy and is set to vote on November 20 on whether to extend this divestment to all arms manufacturers. The announcement comes after years of student-led pro-Palestine protests and follows King’s College’s decision to divest from the arms industry and companies complicit in the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories. The report highlighted the challenges posed by the secrecy surrounding Cambridge’s investments, noting that the lack of transparency has fueled suspicions about the extent of the university’s investments in arms manufacturers. The report presented three options: complete divestment, maintaining the status quo, or capping investments in conventional weapons at one percent. Cambridge for Palestine (C4P), a group that has organized protests and encampments, hailed the development as a ‘forced reckoning,’ emphasizing that the university has been compelled to consider complete divestment as a legitimate option. The Cambridge Students’ Union has also backed full divestment from the arms industry. Professor Graham Virgo, chair of the working group that conducted the review, acknowledged the thorough and thoughtful process that led to the report, thanking all contributors. Cambridge University, composed of 31 self-governing colleges, operates autonomously in its financial investments. King’s College, founded in 1441, announced in May that it would exclude companies involved in illegal activities or the production of military and nuclear weapons from its investments by the end of 2025. As of March 2023, the college had £2.2 million ($2.94 million) invested in arms companies, including Lockheed Martin, Korea Aerospace, and BAE Systems. Trinity College, the university’s wealthiest, faced protests over its investments in Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms company. Despite student reports of divestment, the college has refused to comment on its investments, and freedom of information requests revealed continued investments in arms companies.

China’s domestic tourism industry has witnessed a remarkable surge in 2025, with nearly 5 billion visits recorded across various tourist destinations in the first three quarters. This represents an impressive 18% year-on-year increase, signaling a robust recovery and growing enthusiasm for domestic travel. The data underscores the resilience of China’s tourism sector, which has been steadily rebounding from the challenges posed by global uncertainties in recent years. The rise in domestic tourism is attributed to several factors, including improved infrastructure, government initiatives to promote local travel, and a renewed interest in exploring the country’s diverse cultural and natural attractions. Popular destinations such as Changchun Park, with its vibrant autumn colors, and educational exhibitions like Shanghai’s first event for elderly learning, have drawn significant attention. This upward trend not only boosts local economies but also highlights the importance of sustainable tourism practices to preserve China’s rich heritage and natural beauty.

As October unfolds, the Jingyuetan National Scenic Area in Changchun, Jilin province, has transformed into a breathtaking canvas of autumn hues. The park, renowned for its 96% forest coverage, now boasts a stunning array of colors, from lush greens to radiant golds, bold oranges, and deep reds. This natural spectacle has drawn a surge of visitors, both locals and tourists, eager to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the season. The gentle breeze has painted the mountains with vibrant foliage, creating a pastel paradise that offers a perfect escape for those seeking tranquility and a connection with nature. The scenic area has become a must-visit destination for autumn enthusiasts, providing an idyllic setting to relax and appreciate the gentle allure of the season.

From October 18 to 20, the Shanghai Exhibition Center hosted the inaugural Shanghai Exhibition of Courses for Seniors, marking a significant milestone in China’s commitment to lifelong learning and educational innovation for the elderly. This groundbreaking event, the first of its kind in the country, drew participation from over 120 institutions, presenting more than 500 high-quality courses tailored to the needs and interests of older adults. Among the standout offerings were courses in AI-driven short video production, coffee culture, and geriatric general medicine, which quickly became the most sought-after options. Additionally, the exhibition introduced a ‘one-stop learning’ mobile platform, seamlessly integrating online and offline educational resources to enhance accessibility and convenience for senior learners. This initiative underscores Shanghai’s leadership in addressing the educational aspirations of its aging population and sets a precedent for other regions to follow.

In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv has opted not to sell tickets to its supporters for the upcoming match against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6. This decision follows a contentious ban imposed by West Midlands Police, which British government ministers labeled as antisemitic and vowed to overturn. The situation escalated when Israeli police canceled a local derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, citing ‘public disorder and violent riots.’

According to Jewish News, the club’s decision was heavily influenced by the involvement of Tommy Robinson, a controversial pro-Israel activist and convicted criminal. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, urged his followers to protest against ‘Islamist activists’ at the match and posted a photo of himself in a Maccabi Tel Aviv shirt. His presence in Israel, at the invitation of Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, has further complicated the situation.

A source within the club revealed that the risk posed by anti-Israel protesters was significant, but the intervention of Robinson added another layer of danger. The club feared that their supporters could be wrongly associated with Robinson’s far-right activities, making the situation untenable for innocent fans.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s fans have a history of causing violence and disruption in European cities. In November, Amsterdam City Council banned the club from the Dutch capital after their fans caused chaos before and after a Europa League match against Ajax. Initially, Western media and politicians were sympathetic to the Maccabi fans, even describing the counterviolence as a pogrom. However, when footage and local reports contradicted this narrative, the focus on the events diminished.

In an official statement, Maccabi Tel Aviv expressed concern over ‘divisive figures’ who do not represent the club’s values and accused various groups of exploiting isolated incidents for their own agendas. A UK government spokesperson emphasized the importance of allowing football fans to enjoy games without fear of intimidation or violence, while condemning the weaponization of the match to stoke division.

In the UK Parliament, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy criticized the police ban, claiming it ‘chooses exclusion’ of Jews. However, it was revealed that West Midlands Police had previously banned fans of Legia Warsaw from attending a match due to violent behavior. The police classified the Maccabi Tel Aviv match as high risk based on ‘current intelligence and previous incidents,’ including violent clashes during the Ajax match in Amsterdam.

Before the Amsterdam match, Maccabi supporters were filmed arming themselves with weapons and chanting racist slogans, further exacerbating tensions. The violent incidents that followed the game highlighted the ongoing challenges of managing fan behavior in high-stakes matches.

In a newly released memoir, Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s primary accusers, has brought renewed attention to the disgraced financier’s network and its alleged ties to prominent figures, including Britain’s Prince Andrew. The book, titled ‘Nobody’s Girl,’ details Giuffre’s harrowing experiences, claiming she was forced into three sexual encounters with Prince Andrew, one of which she describes as an orgy involving Epstein, the prince, and ‘eight other young girls.’ These allegations have further tarnished Andrew’s reputation, leading him to renounce his royal title under pressure from King Charles III. Giuffre, who tragically took her own life in April at the age of 41, also sheds light on her interactions with former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom she admired for his promise to release the Epstein files. The memoir recounts how Giuffre was recruited into Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking network at the age of 17 while working at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, where she feared she would ‘die a sex slave.’ The book also highlights her encounters with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice, who was later imprisoned for her role in the abuse. Despite Trump’s minimal presence in the memoir, his past association with Epstein has reignited discussions about their relationship. The publication of a controversial photo showing Prince Andrew with Giuffre has further fueled the scandal, leading to Andrew’s financial settlement with Giuffre in 2022. The memoir, written with the help of ghostwriter Amy Wallace, aims to provide a comprehensive account of Giuffre’s ordeal and her fight for justice.