The high-flying academic at the centre of a Cambridge University plagiarism row has been found dead.

Professor Jason Arday was found unresponsive at a London address shortly after 3pm on Friday.

It comes after a tumultuous few weeks in which fellow dons had questioned if the 41-year-old academic’s work was original.

It had also prompted an examination of his previous academic posts.

As questions mounted from academics, journalists and broadcasters, Arday resigned his prestigious role.

He had been Cambridge University’s youngest ever black professor, having been appointed a professor of sociology of education in March 2023.

But after a succession of questions about his past achievements, he quit on August 5.

Cambridge University announced it had ‘begun an investigation following new information about Mr Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments’. Jesus College, where he was a fellow, also launched an investigation.

The high-flying academic father-of-two was ‘unresponsive’ at a London address 

When Arday resigned from his professorship and his fellowship, he said that this should not be ‘mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me’. He cited the ‘personal cost’ of the furore which he said had been ‘too great’. He also cancelled a series of events to promote his new memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, which was released in the US this week.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 3.12pm on Friday, August 14, following a report that a man had been found unresponsive inside a property.

‘Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

‘At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.’

The statement added: ‘The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner.’

Prof Arday, a married father-of-two, seemingly had the world at his feet in 2023 when he was appointed Cambridge University’s youngest ever black professor, with the appointment celebrated by the world’s media in which he was the subject of glowing profiles.

His rise was meteoric, given the childhood he has described.

Diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay, Prof Arday said he could not speak until he was 11 and could not read or write until he was 18.

In recent weeks, doubts were cast on his claims but the then-professor denied the accusations against him and disputed claims made about his past.

Many of the claims were connected to Arday’s work for good causes during which said he had raised £5million for charity through long distance running, including running 30 marathons in 35 days.

When he quit, Prof Arday said it was ‘with profound sadness’. He said his appointment had been ‘without question, the greatest professional privilege of my life’, adding: ‘To become the youngest Black professor in the University’s history was something I could scarcely have imagined as a child growing up with a diagnosis of autism, unable to speak until I was 11 years old.’

After days of questions from all quarters, he said: ‘There comes a point when the personal cost becomes too great. I have a family. I want to be present for them. I want to reclaim some peace, some privacy and some semblance of an ordinary life. I no longer wish to feel as though I am living under a constant spotlight, where every aspect of my life is subject to public examination and judgment.

‘For my own wellbeing, for my family, and for those who have stood by me throughout this difficult period, I have concluded that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away.’

Prof Arday said: ‘This decision should not be interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship or in the values that first brought me to Cambridge. Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me. It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.’

Amid the mounting questions over the truth, Cambridge University announced an inquiry. This week the university’s vice-chancellor said she understood the concerns raised by the appointment and shared them too.

In a letter to staff, Prof Deborah Prentice acknowledged the ‘anger and anxiety around this damaging and difficult case’.

The university head also announced Cambridge’s investigation would be independent and carried out by senior academics from within and beyond Cambridge and will begin ‘as soon as possible’.

Hammersmith and Fulham, which owns the Grade II* listed bridge, had hoped to secure £300 million to fully restore the bridge, but a report by council officers said the Department for Transport (DfT) had instead recommended it apply for a “phased repair” to keep the bridge open for pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic.

The hospital will see three new arrivals introduced

Two popular food outlets are being closed at a Cambridge hospital as it looks to introduce new “healthier options”. The Burger King and Starbucks at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge will close to make way for new food services.

The changes were announced by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) on Thursday, August 13. The hospital will see three new arrivals to deliver a “wide range of options for patients, visitors and staff”, according to the trust.

A new Peabody’s Coffee, Baked Potato Co and Tortilla are set to open. The trust confirmed Burger King will close on Sunday, August 16 meanwhile Starbucks will close on Sunday, October 4.

It has also revealed the opening dates for the three new arrivals. Tortilla will open on Monday, September 28, Peabody’s Coffee will open in November and Baked Potato Co will open later in January 2027.

A spokesperson for CUH Trust said: “Following feedback, we are introducing new food outlets with greater choice, healthier options and new services, including digital ordering where available.”

Food and drink options will be available across the hospital during the changes. Some outlets will be temporarily closed while the works take place. Signage will help direct people to alternative outlets where needed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Faced with an increasingly bellicose Iran as talks to end the war have stalled, the Trump administration appears to be reaching out to a broader swath of countries that might be able to help pressure Tehran or ease its hardline position where traditional mediators have not succeeded so far.

While discussions between Iran and Oman, as well as between Iran and Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar, persist at an uneven and unpredictable pace, the U.S. administration quietly has expanded its outreach to include perhaps unlikely interlocutors in Europe.

Just this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in person in Washington with the foreign minister of Austria on Tuesday and held a call with the foreign minister of Greece on Wednesday.

Those interactions were not notable beyond the normal course of relations between the U.S. and two close European allies. The official State Department readouts of the discussions were bland and vague and did not mention Iran by name as a topic of conversation.

But it then emerged that both foreign ministers — almost immediately after their talks with Rubio — spoke Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The apparent new tack to break the negotiation logjam comes as the U.S. and Iran are both pushing for control of the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial oil shipping corridor. President Donald Trump faces little wiggle room in his next steps as the economic fallout from the war and dwindling stockpiles of key weapons pose political problems for Republicans ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections.

A desperate push is on to break the diplomatic logjam between the US and Iran

The entry by Austria and Greece is likely less of a formal mediation attempt, analysts say, and more reflective of a desperate push to halt the conflict because of the impact it has on an increasing number of countries, beyond those in the Middle East.

“Everyone is just urging both sides to stop this reckless game of chicken,” said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group.

It also shows how much Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced countries, which otherwise were neutral bystanders to the larger conflict, to exercise any diplomatic sway they may have on their Iranian and American counterparts to kick-start a lasting resolution.

Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that any efforts by Greece, Austria or any other non-mediating country could prove to be futile.

“While the calls to both sides may entail encouraging both Iran and the U.S. back to the negotiating table, such efforts fall short of mediation, which is a very complex endeavor and requires trust to be built by the mediator with both sides,” Yacoubian said.

She added that it’s not something that any country can “just jump into.”

Rubio discussed Iran with his Austrian and Greek counterparts

The State Department said Friday that it could not comment on the timing of calls by other countries’ foreign ministers and maintained that Rubio had made no requests of either to get in touch with Iran or pass messages to Araghchi.

One European diplomat, who was briefed on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive diplomatic conversations, said the timing of the calls was not an accident.

The State Department did allow, however, that Iran had been a topic of conversation in Rubio’s discussions, which occurred as Trump is facing serious political headwinds over a war for which he has offered shifting objectives.

No longer purely about making Iran incapable of producing a nuclear weapon, the immediate goal has become reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil usually passes through and which was open before the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

“That’s goal number one: keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country,” Vice President JD Vance said in an interview Thursday on Fox News Channel. But he did not say anything about the strait being open and toll-free for transiting ships, as he had in the past.

The second goal, Vance said, is to ensure that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon.

The two European countries have key connections to the war’s fallout

Austria and Greece may not be obvious choices to assist on the Iran portfolio, but Vienna is home to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which will play a key role in any resolution to the Iran’s nuclear program, and hosted the final negotiations that resulted in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Greece is a major maritime nation in the Mediterranean and has significant shipping interests in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

In statements from the Austrian, Greek and Iranian foreign ministries, it was clear that Iran had been a top topic in all of the conversations this week.

The Greek foreign ministry said Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis had been briefed by Araghchi on “regional developments, and in particular on the ongoing talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz.” It said Gerapetritis “underlined the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security.”

The Austrian foreign ministry offered Austria’s services as a venue for further potential talks with Iran and said Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger had stressed to Araghchi “the urgency of restoring stability in the region through serious diplomatic efforts.”

“There can be no military solution,” it said. “A diplomatic solution remains possible. Our priority is to safeguard freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iran’s foreign ministry, expectedly, took a different tack in explaining the calls.

It said Friday that in Araghchi’s calls with his European counterparts they discussed “mechanisms for the future management of the Strait of Hormuz,” which he said had been disrupted by the “unlawful aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.”

In both calls, he accused the U.S. of violating the interim deal signed by both sides in June to end the immediate hostilities and begin broader talks to end the war.

___

Amiri reported from New York. Associated Press writers Derek Gatopolous in Athens and Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.

Shoppers could save close to £200 on an autumn/winter 2026 coat or jacket in end of summer sales

It may be hard to imagine buying a new coat or jacket as temperatures reach well above 30 °C in some parts of the country this week. Despite this, now could actually be the perfect time to prepare your wardrobe for autumn and winter since many pieces that are out of season are facing significant price drops.

In some cases, you could end up saving close to £200 on a jacket, with plenty of opportunities to revitalise your outfits ahead of the chillier season. Despite this, there are a wide variety of jackets out there that are currently on sale, making it difficult to actually make a decision on what’s best for you.

Fortunately, we’ve broken down 15 jackets from a wide variety of retailers, including Tog24, Regatta and Mountain Warehouse, that will be perfect for keeping you warm once summer ends. Better yet, many of the jackets are also versatile, being capable of protecting you from the inevitable rain many parts of the country will no doubt face.

READ MORE: ‘Perfect’ £17.50 Peak District campsite on the doorstep of one of UK’s most popular walks

READ MORE: Parents say ‘I don’t worry’ after grabbing Argos GPS kids smart watch for £5

Read below for a full breakdown of the top 15 men’s jackets currently on sale right now…

Pakka Mens Waterproof Jacket – Was £44.99, now £29.99

The Pakka Men’s Waterproof Jacket is designed to fully protect wearers from the rain while also being breathable thanks to its built-in membrane. It also comes equipped with a pack-away hood that allows the jacket to be adjusted for a variety of weather conditions.

It helps to achieve this with its IsoDry technology, which also allows it to be waterproof for up to 1,500mm, making it suitable for light and moderate rain. The taped seams of the coat also help bolster its waterproofing.

Seasons Men’s Fur-Lined Jacket – Was £109.99, now £39.99

The Seasons Men’s Fur-Lined Padded Jacket is intended to help keep wearers warm while also protected from light rain conditions. It helps to achieve this with its microfiber insulation and faux fur lining.

Wearers also have access to side pockets for easy storage, making it suitable for everyday wear. It also comes with a two-year warranty for added peace of mind and longevity.

Galactic III Extreme Waterproof Mens Ski Jacket – Was £249.99, now £84.99

The Mountain Warehouse Galactic III Extreme is a men’s ski jacket constructed with synthetic insulation. It features a fully taped seam design with a 10,000mm waterproof rating, a 5,000g breathability rating, and thermal testing down to -35°C.

It also includes a detachable snow skirt, and a dedicated sleeve pocket for a variety of items along with additional general storage pockets. The jacket is backed by a three-year warranty for extra longevity and peace of mind..

Frost Men’s Extreme Down Jacket – Was £219.99, now £69.99

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The Mountain Warehouse Frost Men’s Extreme Down Jacket is a heavy-duty winter coat insulated with 600 fill power RDS-certified duck down and feathers. Its outer shell uses ripstop polyamide fabric treated with a durable water-repellent finish to shed light rain and snow while maintaining downproof durability.

Thermal tested down to -40°C, the coat features a fleece-lined detachable hood, zipped security pockets, and an internal media pocket.

Antarctic Extreme Waterproof Mens Down Jacket – Was £299.99, now £109.99

The Mountain Warehouse Antarctic Extreme Waterproof Men’s Down Jacket combines 600 fill power duck down insulation with a 5,000mm waterproof rating and taped seams. It features a durable, breathable outer shell rated at 5,000g and is laboratory tested to handle low temperatures down to -40°C.

Practical design details include an adjustable hood with faux-fur trim, an inner snow skirt, and multiple interior and exterior pockets for storage.

Deaks Mens Water Resistant Padded Jacket – Was £59.99, now £14.99

The Mountain Warehouse Deaks Men’s Water Resistant Padded Jacket is made with a a 100% polyester lining. It is insulated with fibres and treated with a durable water repellent coating for protection in light rain.

The jacket also includes a two-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Alaskan Mens 3-in-1 Waterproof Jacket – Was £219.99, now £99.99

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The Alaskan Men’s 3-in-1 Waterproof Jacket is capable of providing versatile protection for when travelling outside. It combines a waterproof outer shell with a removable padded inner layer for extra warmth.

Its taped seams on the exterior help with this waterproofing, with Mountain Warehouse itself stating it’s perfect for year-round adventures.

Men’s Andreson Hybrid Jacket | Black Marl Burnt Henna – Was £60, now £30

The Regatta Men’s Andreson Hybrid Jacket features a lightweight 20D polyamide main body treated with a durable water-repellent finish. It is insulated with 100% Warmloft insulation, which is designed to be easily compressible for travel.

For flexibility, the jacket incorporates Extol Stretch panel inserts made from a polyester blend. Additional features listed include a grown-on hood, an inner zip guard, two zipped lower pockets, and stretch binding at the hood opening, cuffs, and hem.

Men’s Cera V Softshell Jacket | Ash Marl – Was £50, now £35

The Regatta Men’s Cera V Softshell Jacket is intended to help protect wearers form the wind and cold. It stands as a more lightweight jacket equipped with a stretch fabric that allows you to move more freely when compared to heavier jackets.

Men’s Birchdale II Waterproof Jacket | Burnt Henna Black – Was £100, now £70

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The Regatta Men’s Birchdale II Waterproof Jacket includes a durable water-repellent finish and includes a grown-on technical hood with adjusters, articulated sleeves for movement, and an adjustable shock-cord hem with adjustable cuffs. For storage and protection, the shell features a water-repellent main zip, a zipped chest pocket, two lower zipped pockets, and an internal zipped security pocket.

Gibson Mens Insulated Padded Jacket – Was £60, now £42

The Gibson Men’s Insulated Padded Jacket from Tog24 is designed to provide warmth and protection against the wind while standing as a lightweight jacket option. The puffa-style jacket is equipped with insulated filling for comfort with elasticated bindings at the cuffs and hem to help prevent draughts.

Feizor Mens Shower Resistant Softshell Hooded Jacket – Was £85, now £42.50

The Feizor Mens Shower Resistant Jacket is boasted by Tog24 as being smart enough or work yet casual enough for everyday wear. It comes equipped with a water-resistant fabric with microfleece backing to enhance its waterproofing.

It also comes with an integrated hood to help keep you protected from showers, with the inside of the jacket being intended to keep wearers warm and comfortable.

Anick Mens Lightweight Insulated Jacket – Was £70, now £49

The Anick Mens Lightweight Jacket is designed to act as a hybrid jacket for a variety of outdoor situations. It comes with an insulated front body with heat-sealed baffles for extra heat.

It also includes a soft and stretchy fleece attached to the back and sleeves for better manoeuvrability and comfort.

Flynn Mens Waterproof Jacket – Was £130, now £65

The Flynn Men’s Waterproof Jacket comes equipped with a three-layer fabric to help with extra durability and breathability. This includes 10K waterproofing and a DWR coating to help protect wearers against the rain, wind and cold.

Kinsey Mens Quilted Fl

The Kinsey Flannel Shacket has been designed to look good while feeling comfy. Its brushed flannel fabric helps to ensure that you stay warm without overheating.

It also features tarn dyed check on both the body and sleeves alongside square quilting.

A multi-agency air and ground search was launched after the aircraft failed to arrive at Caernarfon airport

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Two individuals have lost their lives following a light aircraft crash in Gwynedd, north Wales, on Friday.

North Wales Police were alerted after a light aircraft departing from an airfield in England failed to reach Caernarfon airport at its expected time.

A multi-agency air and ground search operation was initiated and the aircraft was located on Friday afternoon in a remote location close to Trawsfynydd, near Porthmadog.

The two occupants on board were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have confirmed the Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) has been notified of the incident and has dispatched a team of investigators, reports Wales Online.

Chief Superintendent Owain Llewellyn said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved in this tragic incident.

“We will support the AAIB with their investigation to ensure the circumstances leading to this incident are fully understood.

“This has been a challenging search operation and I am grateful to all of the agencies involved for their professionalism and dedication.”

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Health walks are free, easy local walks, lasting no longer than an hour.

A recruitment campaign is currently underway to find more walk leaders to assist friendly walking groups across Lanarkshire.

Get Walking Lanarkshire is looking for volunteers who enjoy walking and would like to help others become more active.

Health walks are free, easy local walks, lasting no longer than an hour. No previous experience is needed, just a friendly nature and the availability to lead a walk on a regular basis. Free training will be provided.

Get in touch for more details by emailing getwalkinglanarkshire@northlan.gov.uk or phoning 07903 358424.

More info is available on South Lanarkshire Souncil’s Get Walking Lanarkshire page. The health walks programme can also be found on www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/getwalking

Get Walking Lanarkshire is a partnership project between NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council and Walking Scotland, which is the umbrella organisation for health walks in Scotland.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

Afghanistan is currently the only country in the world where girls are officially banned from secondary and higher education.

Shakiba recounted that “15 August, when the government fell, was the worst and most painful day of my life.

“Every year when this date comes I feel as if an old wound opens again and a new feeling of defeat fills my heart.

“That day I felt that many of the dreams I had carried inside me for years were suddenly taken away.”

Though Shakiba has managed to finish her secondary education online – “a very important victory” – she says her life-long goal of becoming a pilot feels impossible.

“Whenever I looked at the sky I imagined myself flying an airplane and seeing the world from above. I wanted to fly freely and experience a world without limits,” she said.

The Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, was asked by the BBC about education for girls in Afghanistan, specifically referencing a Unicef report stating that around 2.6 million girls in the country are now unable to attend school beyond Grade 6.

Amir Khan Muttaqi replied that “it is not correct to say everything is banned for women”, adding that “right now, three million girls are going to schools and madrassas [religious centres focused on Islamic teachings]”.

When asked how religious schools can produce doctors in the country, Muttaqi said: “Women are not totally restricted on all walks of life… Only one small part (of their affairs) is restricted until further notice.”

By ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER

Published: 17:34 BST, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 19:29 BST, 14 August 2026

Set your alarms bright and early on Sunday morning – a travel expert has advised it’s the best time book a holiday and save some money while doing it.

With the August bank holiday weekend around the corner, families across the UK may be hoping to lock in a spontaneous getaway that won’t blow the budget.

A travel expert has analysed booking trends to pinpoint the predicted best moment to buy for travellers still looking for a great last-minute deal.

Chris Bradshaw, who has worked in the travel bookings industry for over 30 years, is both a director and travel bookings expert at AttractionTickets.com. 

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The estimated best days to book your last-minute August bank holiday break for maximum savings are Sunday 16 and August 23 at 6am. 

He explained: ‘By the time August rolls around, you might think there’s no point in booking a holiday because everything is too expensive. 

When is the best day – and time – to book an August bank holiday break? An expert reveals all…

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Top tips from a pro

• Best day to book: Sunday 16 and 23 August
• Best time to book: Around 6am
• Avoid: Fridays, when fares tend to spike due to demand

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‘There’s a misconception that all prices are astronomical this month, but this isn’t always the case if you know where and how to book. 

‘Despite many people thinking airline prices simply go up and up, they actually continually update fares and availability based on public demand. 

‘This means there are still plenty of opportunities for a good deal out there – and I know of a few tips for the August bank holiday deals specifically.’

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Sundays consistently stand out as one of the best days, value-wise, to make a booking. 

This is likely due to airlines refreshing inventory over the weekend, Chris said. 

Booking on a Sunday can save 23 per cent in comparison to Friday bookings – which is a lot of money, especially if you’re holidaying as a family.

The timing of your booking is important too. 

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While it’s not guaranteed, many flight providers release fresh fares early in the morning. 

‘If I wanted a good deal, I’d be online at around 6am to find the best ones before booking activity increases,’ Chris said. ‘This is likely going to give you the best chance for finding a good offer.’

There’s also a booking window for travellers seeking the best fares for upcoming holidays

Lastly, there is a secret last-minute travel window that gets great deals. 

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Between eight and 23 days before departure is when you are likely to find the most competitive fares.

This applies to long-haul destinations specifically.

Chris says: ‘With all of these insights in mind, my prediction would be that both Sunday 16 and 23 August sit in the perfect timeframe for a deal in the run-up to the August bank holiday. 

‘Whilst I have to stress that nothing is ever guaranteed, they are the dates I’d be utilising myself if I wanted to seize the opportunity for a cheaper last-minute bank holiday break.’

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