Universities call in consultants to stave off collapse
Universities are drafting in management consultants to help them cut jobs, sell land and merge amid fears some could be heading for collapse. The UK’s largest accounting firms and consultancies have seen a slowdown in other corporate contracts and are increasingly offering their services to help universities get their finances in order. EY has been hired to advise on financial sustainability for universities including Kent and Middlesex. Its “big four” rival PwC, the UK’s largest professional services firm, has been brought in to draw up cost-cutting initiatives at the University of Dundee, which proposed shedding more than 600 jobs last month after revealing a £35 million deficit. Meanwhile, ministers and regulators are drawing up plans for the first ever insolvency regime for universities that
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 17:41 UTC
A retrial of Sarah Palin's case against 'New York Times' begins Monday
A retrial of Sarah Palin's case against 'New York Times' begins Mondaytoggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images North AmericaAs another New York City institution once said , it's déjà vu all over again for The New York Times and former Alaska Republican Gov. Palin has the rare opportunity to retry her defamation case against the Times even though she lost it twice in a 24-hour period in early 2022. Sponsor MessageConservative allies had hoped to use the case to upend protections for the press stemming from a six-decades-old U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a defamation case that also involved the Times. Sponsor MessageThe judge's misstepThe editorial in question in the Palin case was posted late in the evening of June 14, 2017. The New York Times declined to comment ahead of the case.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 16:32 UTC
Maidenhead MP makes the annual Sunday Times Young Power List
Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds has been revealed as one of the 30 most inspiring people under 30 – alongside Molly Mae Hague and F1 driver Lando Norris. The annual Sunday Times Young Power List was revealed this month and features a mixture of entrepreneurs, politicians, and individuals from the world of entertainment and sport. Mr Reynolds was elected as Maidenhead’s new Liberal Democrat MP in July last year. The 26-year-old, who grew up in Maidenhead, is the youngest Liberal Democrat MP in the Commons and says it is an ‘honour’ to have been recognised on the list. He said: “It’s wonderful, it’s an honour that I represent the area that I grew up in.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 14:38 UTC
How Brexit, a Startling Act of Economic Self-Harm, Foreshadowed Trump’s Tariffs
Britain has watched President Trump’s tariffs with a mix of shock, fascination and queasy recognition. The country, after all, embarked on a similar experiment in economic isolationism when it voted to leave the European Union in 2016. The lessons of that experience are suddenly relevant again as Mr. Trump uses a similar playbook to erect walls around the United States. Critics once described Brexit as the greatest act of economic self-harm by a Western country in the post-World War II era. Britain, he said, now faces a hard choice between rebuilding trade ties with Europe or preserving them with Mr. Trump’s America.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 14:31 UTC
UK passes emergency law to save China-owned British Steel plant from closure
PHOTO: AFPLONDON - The UK passed an emergency law on April 12 to stop the last British factory that can make steel from scratch shutting down, allowing the government to take control of the struggling Chinese-owned British Steel plant. The Times newspaper said British Steel workers had seen off a “delegation of Chinese executives” trying to enter critical parts of the works. The British Steel plant - the last UK factory that can make steel from scratch - produces steel crucial for UK industries, including construction and rail transport. British Steel has said US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the sector were partly to blame for the Scunthorpe plant’s difficulties. British Steel has its roots as far back as the Industrial Revolution but took shape in 1967 when the Labour government nationalised the industry, which at the time employed nearly 270,000 people.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 14:05 UTC
Masters Final Day tee times as Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau duel for green jacket
Rory McIlroy is on the brink of history as he heads into the final round of The Masters with a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau. Stay in my own little world. He added, "I have to put myself in my own world and concentrate on myself and set myself a score. "He [DeChambeau] will do what he does - I have to stay firm and stay in my own little bubble. 6.50pm - Justin Rose and Zach Johnson.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 13:09 UTC
Great white sharks could migrate to UK waters soon
The animal is synonymous with the 'duh duh, duh duh' sound, but in actual reality, British beachgoers have nothing to worry about. Been out cage diving for great white sharks today in south Australia numbers aren’t quite as reliable as past years but we did see a huge bronze whaler. However, marine biologist Gregory Skomal disagrees with Ocearch’s theory, sharing that there have been zero great white shark spottings around Cornwall. Great white sharks are most commonly found around the coastlines of California, Hawaii, and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in Australia and South Africa. Experts believe the species, previously rarely seen in British waters, are making UK shores their full-time home.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 13:05 UTC
Mystery surrounds site of former Poundland in Trowbridge
In February, the Times reported that The Shires Shopping Centre in Trowbridge is preparing to welcome a ‘national retailer’ to a vacant unit. The unit in The Shires Shopping Centre that was most recently Poundland is set to welcome a reportedly 'high-profile shop' to the site. Recommended readingAt the time, centre manager Sarah Moore confirmed that site is set to be taken over by a “national retailer”, however added that no more information about the retailer was available at this time. In November last year, the Wiltshire Times reported that the site had come under offer from a mystery buyer. The space had reportedly been vacant since Saturday, July 20, when Poundland closed its flagship store in the centre after deciding not to renew its lease on the unit.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 12:42 UTC
Sunday Times letters: Trump tariffs and death of globalisation
Write to letters@sunday-times.co.ukI disagree with the prime minister’s view that “globalisation has failed” (news, Apr 6). While the US has decided to look inwards, I believe the present panic will be resolved as countries begin to work together without the US. In my opinion Donald Trump’s main target is China but, if you target one country, goods are redirected via other nations to bypass tariffs. Chinese companies have been building factories in countries such as Vietnam to try to avoid US tariffs. While I don’t support Trump’s methods, I believe he has a bigger plan and these tariffs, like
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 11:04 UTC
Royal Navy on alert to escort essential fuel cargo to Scunthorpe after MPs vote to seize control of British Steel from Chinese owners
The Royal Navy could be deployed to deliver an essential fuel shipment to Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces after MPs voted to seize control of British Steel from Chinese owners. While the new law stopped short of nationalisation, Mr Reynolds said full state ownership 'remains on the table' and may be the 'likely option' for British Steel. He also accused the plant's owner of trying to shut down Britain's steel industry, saying Jingye, which bought British Steel in 2020, has 'irrevocably and unilaterally closed down primary steel making'. The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act gives the Government the power to instruct steel companies in England to keep the plant open, with criminal penalties for executives if they fail to comply. But opposition MPs accused ministers of a 'botched nationalisation', with Conservative MP Alex Burghart saying the Government had made a 'total pig's breakfast' of saving British Steel.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 10:41 UTC
Masters star punished for breaking rules as officials issue statement
Min Woo Lee of Australia reacts on the fourth tee during the third round of the 2025 MastersAustralian golfer Min Woo Lee was handed a one-stroke penalty by Masters officials during the third round, capping off a challenging day for the PGA Tour star. The event boasts a substantial prize purse, with Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson set to earn significant amounts despite missing the cut. After assessing the situation, officials determined that Lee's actions had indeed caused the ball to move, resulting in a one-stroke penalty and ultimately leading to a bogey six on the hole. 13, Min Woo Lee asked for assistance after his ball moved on the fairway. "It was determined his actions near the ball did cause it to move and one penalty stroke was added to his score under Rule 9.4b."
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 09:31 UTC
MPs demand explanation as colleague refused entry to Hong Kong
Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse told The Times newspaper she had arrived at Hong Kong airport on Thursday, where she was detained by security, questioned and then put on a flight back to the UK. Ms Hobhouse, a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) that criticises Beijing’s handling of human rights, said she had been given no explanation for being refused entry to Hong Kong. Labour MP and Foreign Affairs Committee member Phil Brickell said: “That a British MP was barred from entry without any justification is unacceptable. Ms Hobhouse said: “I am the first MP to be refused entry on arrival to Hong Kong since 1997. “I hope the Foreign Secretary will recognise that this is an insult to all parliamentarians and seek answers from the Chinese ambassador.”
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 09:05 UTC
What time is Rory McIlroy playing today? Masters final day tee times and pairings
A memorable Sunday at the 2025 Masters is in store, with Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau set to go head-to-head in their battle for victory. Both players are chasing a maiden green jacket, with the Northern Irishman two clear of his rival after moving to 12 under par on Saturday. Corey Connors is four off the lead on eight under par, with the likes of Patrick Reed and Ludvig Abgerg, both six under, still in contention. It’s set to be a night of tension and drama at Augusta National, with the support from the patrons likely to be divided between McIlroy and his LIV Golf rival. The final day will get underway shortly before 3pm, and you can follow it all live with Express Sport….
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 09:02 UTC
Manchester United transfer news: Ruben Amorim's side lead chase for Lyon forward Rayan Cherki - Paper Talk
The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...SUNDAY MIRRORManchester United are leading the chase for exciting Lyon forward Rayan Cherki. Image: Rayan Cherki (left) scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Lyon against Man Utd this weekChelsea are ready to do a £50m cash-plus-player deal to recapture Marc Guehi this summer. Cesc Fabregas has issued a hands-off warning to Manchester United over in-form 19-year-old Como winger Assane Diao. Image: Andre Onana's errors contributed to both of Lyon's goals against Man Utd earlier this weekSUN ON SUNDAYChelsea's owners have lost £1bn over the last two seasons despite the club posting profits. MAIL ON SUNDAYNewcastle will make a £62.5m move for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha this summer.
Source:The Times
April 13, 2025 08:18 UTC