NYU faces student pushback over Haidt commencement plan, sparking campus debate amid ongoing debates on campus speech and mental health. Founded 1832, non-denominational private research university in NYC.
The Biden administration advances its health and education agendas, with new initiatives in medical training and school choice. These moves aim to reshape medical curricula and expand private school funding, sparking debate over their implications for public health and education equity. Today's date is Thu, 05 Mar 2026.
The 2026 World Happiness Report reveals a significant decline in life satisfaction among under-25s in Western countries, especially in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, linked to heavy social media use. Finland remains the happiest nation for the ninth year, while Costa Rica rises to fourth place. The report highlights social media's harmful effects on youth mental health, particularly among teenage girls.
A mix of developments in education tech coverage shows parents and teachers weighing AI and device policies, from New York City's DOE AI plan feedback to classroom device bans and AI tool adoption in schools; reports contrast parental concerns with educators’ perceived benefits, while researchers assess effects of ability grouping in maths.
Since April and into May 2026, multiple US universities have faced commencement and campus controversies over invited speakers and events related to Israel, free speech and protest. NYU is keeping Jonathan Haidt as its Yankee Stadium commencement speaker despite student government opposition; Rutgers has rescinded an invitation to alumnus Rami Elghandour; Georgetown Law replaced Morton Schapiro after student objections; and campus groups are clashing over guest appearances and platforming.
NYU has launched NYU IRL to encourage real-world social interaction. More than 200 students recently joined an expansive dinner across a city block to connect with strangers, reflecting colleges’ attempts to combat online-first college culture.
Multiple incidents of antisemitic vandalism have been reported across Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan in recent days. Swastikas and other hate symbols have appeared on synagogues, homes, a park, and a university flag, prompting police investigations and public condemnation from city officials.
The balikbayan program, launched by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1973, has evolved from shipping canned meat to including skincare, clothing, and American entertainment. It has been a profitable tool for the regime and a cultural mainstay for the Philippine diaspora, reinforcing economic links and soft power.
Colossal Biosciences has demonstrated a silicone artificial eggshell that supports chick development in a membrane-based culture system. The company has used this platform to hatch 26 chicks and says the approach could be scaled to explore de-extinction ideas, including moa revival, though independent scientists remain cautious about the broader feasibility and ethical implications.
Older dancers, including the Rodeo City Wreckettes in Tucson, are shown benefiting from regular movement to music. Health professionals say dancing supports balance, mobility and brain health, while groups perform for memory-care patients and charity events.
Edgar Morin, the globally influential French thinker known for cinema verité and a transdisciplinary approach, has died at 104. Macron has praised him as a defender of humanity and humanism personified. Morin’s work spanned autobiography, sociology, philosophy, ecology, and more, shaping debates on globalization and the climate and influencing generations of scholars.