World watch

Copenhagen
Denmark's ministry of taxation has accused Århus University of illegal involvement in gambling through an internet-based book run by its institute of economy on the next general election. As well as gambling on the outcome, punters can stake money on the date of the election, which will take place on March 11 next year at the latest.

Singapore
The National University of Singapore is to set up a college in California's Silicon Valley where undergraduates will be able to study science, engineering and computing in an area that has spawned many technology start-ups.

San Jose
Dmitri Sklyarov, a Russian graduate student at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, has been released on bail after three weeks in custody accused of breaching United States digital copyright law. Although Adobe Systems, at whose products the software was aimed, has withdrawn its support from the action, the decision on a criminal prosecution lies with federal prosecutors.

Abuja
Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has approved plans for a postgraduate university to ensure the supply of academics for the country's struggling higher education system.
 
Baku
Elections to the Azerbaijani Academy of Sciences were rigged by the state authorities to favour the humanities over science and technology, some leading members have claimed.

Tunis
More than 400 lecturers at Tunisia University are supporting a campaign by human rights organisations to persuade the Tunisian parliament to abolish capital punishment.

Voronezh
A United States Fulbright scholar jailed for drugs offences in Russia has been released on parole. John Tobin, who was studying at Voronezh State University, was serving a one-year sentence for possessing cannabis. The Russian security service had alleged he was a trainee spy.

Grozny
Unprecedented competition for places at the Chechen State University means only one in three applicants will gain a place. About 1,000 places are available at the university this year.