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Cornell Reaches $60 Million Deal with Trump Administration to Restore Federal Research Funding
Cornell University has agreed to a $60 million settlement with the Trump administration, joining several other Ivy League institutions that have struck deals to restore federal research funding by accepting the administration’s interpretation of U.S. civil rights laws.
The agreement, announced Friday by Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff, ends ongoing federal investigations into alleged civil rights violations at the university and unlocks more than $250 million in previously frozen research funds.
Kotlikoff described the deal as a “critical step” toward resuming the university’s research operations, which he said had been severely disrupted by the funding freeze. “The suspension of research support has affected faculty, delayed projects, and placed long-term academic programs at risk,” he said in a statement.
Under the terms of the settlement, Cornell will pay $30 million directly to the federal government and another $30 million toward research benefiting American farmers. The agreement also commits the university to comply with the administration’s interpretation of federal civil rights laws covering antisemitism, racial discrimination, and transgender issues.
Cornell’s deal follows similar agreements reached by Columbia, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania in recent months. The Trump administration has accused several top universities of allowing antisemitism and promoting what it describes as “divisive” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
The Justice Department will now use a memo banning DEI and transgender-inclusive programs as a required training resource for Cornell faculty and staff. The university must also provide detailed admissions data to ensure that race is no longer considered in student selection, in line with the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the deal, calling it a “transformative commitment” that prioritizes merit and academic rigor. “These reforms are a huge win in the fight to restore excellence to American higher education,” she said in a post on X.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also welcomed the agreement, saying it demonstrates that universities accepting federal funds must adhere strictly to civil rights laws and eliminate discriminatory DEI programs.
The Cornell chapter of the American Association of University Professors expressed mixed reactions, noting that while the agreement avoids some of the more stringent provisions found in similar university settlements, it still poses potential threats to academic freedom. “If you make a deal with someone who’s extorting you, that only encourages future extortion,” said chapter president David Bateman.
Cornell President Kotlikoff maintained that the agreement preserves the university’s “academic freedom, independence, and institutional autonomy” while rebuilding its partnership with the federal government.
The deal, which spans through 2028, requires the university president to personally certify compliance with the agreement on a quarterly basis.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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