News in brief – February 11

Warwick RAG are attempting to set a new world record for the most number of people tandem skydiving in one day in one location. The current record was set at 281 by Skydive UK in 2014. RAG are taking part in the challenge to raise money for Dementia UK.

Eighty percent of UK universities have restricted free speech, either through official policies or active censorship according to research by magazine Spiked. Meanwhile, 88 percent of Russell Group universities have such restrictions. In a bid to cut racism, universities such as Birmingham have banned items such as sombreros on campus. Last year, Warwick students forwarded a similar motion at the All Student Meeting, which suggested that culturally insensitive fancy dress, such as sombreros, should be banned. The motion did not pass. However, Warwick does currently have an injunction which bans occupation-style protests at the University.

Warwick researchers have been awarded £12 million to develop a new centre for researching advanced technologies for synthetic biology. The centre will be used for research including pharmaceuticals, disease treatment and food security. The funding was announced by Vince Cable as part of a £40 million UK wide investment in synthetic biology. Mr Cable said that the project will help develop technologies which will allow bacteria to be used to manufacture commodities such as toothbrushes and credit cards.

Princess Anne opened a new £6.2 million expansion at Leamington Spa Hospital last week. The new ward is specialised for the rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain injuries. This unit is one of ten specialist brain trauma wards in the country and the only one in the Midlands.

A landslide on the Chiltern main line has resulted in trains being cancelled between Leamington Spa and Banbury. A replacement bus service is currently in operation, but Chiltern has warned customers that this could add 90 minutes to journeys towards London Marylebone. The line is expected to be closed for several weeks.