Latest UK news

Threat to OU/BBC partnership denied

The Open University has denied reports that its relationship with the BBC is in danger. “With the growth of cable and digital television and the internet, we are going to be looking at other forms of delivery but in collaboration with the BBC,” said a spokesman. He said the BBC was not seeking to offer academic qualifications from other universities.

Floods the norm, say stalagmites

Newcastle University researchers have discovered from cave stalagmite measurements that rainfall trends over the last 1,000 years indicate the current severe weather may not be unusual. They have warned, however, that global warming may exaggerate natural variations in weather patterns, creating even more severe bouts of flooding.

Scots minister "appalled" by SQA failure

Jack McConnell, Scotland's new education minister, says he is "appalled" by the scale of the Scottish Qualifications Authority's organisational failure, outlined in a report by consultants Deloitte and Touche, after this year's exams fiasco. Mr McConnell has promised to set up an early warning system.

Final-year art shows to go on the web

A website has been launched which will save art students' final-year degree shows for posterity, making it easier for future agents, employers and buyers to view the work. It is being implemented by the Visual Arts Data Service, part of the Arts and Humanities Data Service.
http:///vads.ahds.ac.uk/search.html