A massive scheme inflating Saudi Arabian university rankings through the fraudulent use of highly cited researchers has largely collapsed. The number of researchers falsely claiming Saudi affiliations plummeted by 76% following an EL PAÍS investigation, revealing payments of up to €70,000 annually to falsify employment data. This deception, involving hundreds of scientists globally, was largely successful for years until tighter scrutiny by Clarivate, the ranking compiler, and increased media attention exposed the practice. The resulting drop significantly impacts Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious goals for Saudi universities, and the implicated institutions have seen their highly cited researcher numbers drastically reduced. This outcome highlights the growing international effort to combat academic misconduct and manipulate academic rankings.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is vying for the top Democratic position on the House Oversight Committee, challenging incumbent Representative Gerry Connolly. This race highlights a conflict between seniority and generational change within the Democratic caucus. The Oversight Committee’s importance in scrutinizing a potential Trump administration underscores the stakes of this leadership contest. The eventual decision will be made by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and then voted upon by the full Democratic caucus.
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To combat Japan’s record-low fertility rate and support working parents, Tokyo will implement a four-day workweek for government employees starting in April, offering increased flexibility. Additionally, a new policy allows parents of elementary school children to leave work early in exchange for a reduced salary. These initiatives aim to alleviate the pressures of work-life balance, a significant factor contributing to Japan’s declining birthrate. The measures follow other national efforts to encourage family formation and address Japan’s challenging work culture.
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In the final days of the 2024 election, a newly formed conservative Super PAC, RBG PAC, launched a $20 million disinformation campaign supporting Donald Trump. The campaign deceptively claimed Trump shared Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s views on abortion, a falsehood designed to sway voters. Funding for this operation was concealed until after the election, ultimately revealed to be a $20.5 million contribution from Elon Musk’s Revocable Trust. This deceptive campaign, expertly timed to avoid pre-election disclosure requirements, highlights the increasing use of shadowy tactics in modern political advertising.
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Sierra Leone launched a nationwide single-dose Ebola vaccine campaign, targeting 20,000 frontline workers. This initiative, a collaboration between the government, Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF, marks the first such campaign in West Africa, following the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak that killed nearly 4,000 Sierra Leoneans. The vaccine offers protection against a disease that previously claimed a significant portion of the country’s healthcare workforce and left lasting trauma on survivors. The campaign is seen as a crucial investment in public health and a step toward preventing future outbreaks.
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During this week’s martial law operation, Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun refused an order from then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly. The General deemed this order illegal and chose to disobey it, citing his own judgment. He also prohibited the distribution of live ammunition to his troops due to concerns over excessive force. This act of insubordination was undertaken despite the General’s awareness of potential consequences.
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Following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, state abortion bans have led to preventable maternal deaths, with at least five documented cases in Texas and Georgia. Texas’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee is refusing to investigate deaths potentially linked to the abortion ban, citing a backlog, effectively concealing the impact of these restrictions. Similarly, Georgia dismissed its entire Maternal Mortality Review Committee after reports of preventable deaths emerged, hindering future investigations. These actions, coupled with misleading narratives from anti-abortion groups, obstruct a full understanding of the harm caused by abortion bans and threaten further endangerment of pregnant women.
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A firebomb attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue injured one and caused extensive damage after worshippers were forced to flee. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident as an act of hate aimed at creating fear within the community, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. Police are investigating the arson, with witnesses reporting masked individuals throwing accelerant and firebombs. Community leaders expressed concern that this attack represents an escalation of antisemitic incidents in Australia.
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In 1994, Ukraine relinquished its substantial nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., U.K., and Russia under the Budapest Memorandum. Russia’s subsequent invasion of Ukraine demonstrates a blatant disregard for these guarantees, leaving Ukraine vulnerable and highlighting the agreement’s failure to provide promised security. Experts debate the wisdom of Ukraine’s disarmament, with some arguing that retaining nuclear weapons would have served as a stronger deterrent, while others emphasize the practical and political challenges of such a path. The Budapest Memorandum’s failure continues to shape Ukrainian security policy and fuels ongoing discussions about the country’s future relationship with nuclear weapons and international alliances.
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Paraguay expelled a Chinese diplomat, Xu Wei, for interfering in its internal affairs and urging the severing of ties with Taiwan. Xu, a senior envoy to Latin America, violated diplomatic protocol by lobbying Paraguayan Congress members to abandon its recognition of Taiwan in favor of China. This action follows a trend of Latin American countries switching diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China, driven by Beijing’s “one-China” policy and economic incentives. Paraguay remains one of only twelve countries worldwide that recognize Taiwan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker