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Articles by Christopher Dorrell
Banking industry worries AI agents 'could cause run on banks'
In the banking sector, some analysts have warned that AI agents plugged into a user's bank accounts could drain deposits from the mainstream banking sector. If AI agents are able to move money on behalf of their users, then they could move a significant amount of money from low-interest accounts into the highest yielding accounts.AP American tech giants have been locked in a race to build effective artificial intelligence agents, digital assistants that can help users with a wide array of tasks.
This seaside town is home to some of Britain’s strangest attractions
Christopher Dorrell Sat, January 17, 2026 at 12:17 p.m. UTC 6 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The town has been described as ‘Satan’s mini-break’ (Getty Images / iStockPhoto) Whitby Abbey was once one of England’s most important Christian sites, so I was surprised to see a few witches and a man wearing demon’s horns exploring the ruins alongside me. But then again, Whitby takes its darker side seriously.
This seaside town is home to some of Britain's strangest attractions
Christopher Dorrell Whitby Abbey was once one of England 's most important Christian sites, so I was surprised to see a few witches and a man wearing demon's horns exploring the ruins alongside me. But then again, Whitby takes its darker side seriously. One poster I saw in the back of a pub claimed the town as “Satan's mini-break”. That spookiness clearly played on Bram Stoker's mind when he came here on holiday in 1890.
Westminster set to adopt ‘benchmark’ retrofit-first policy and new affordable development requirements
Social rent to increase from 40% to 70% of the affordable housing split at new developments Source: Shutterstock The importance of retrofit in Westminster has been a focus of a major public debate since the controversy around the proposed demolition of Marks & Spencer’s building on Oxford Street Westminster council is set to formally adopt a ‘retrofit-first’ policy alongside more stringent requirements for the development of affordable homes as part of its City Plan Partial Review.
Hastings council poised to wind up wholly-owned housing company
Councillors set to vote this week after recommendation to bring business in-house Hastings Borough Council (HBC) will vote on the future of its wholly owned housing business this Wednesday, following a recommendation from the cabinet that the company should be wound up. Councillors raised concerns about Hastings Housing Company’s (HHC) poor management and substantial debts.
An atheist goes on pilgrimage
Wooden posts of an old pier, with Lindisfarne Castle beyond. Credit: Alamy Mons Gaudium, the mountain of joy, was the name given by pilgrims to the hill from which they could spot Jerusalem for the first time. It marked the final stage of a dangerous journey, which would have taken months, if not years, to complete. Every major medieval pilgrimage route had its version of Mons Gaudium.
I found the most beautiful walking route in England while searching for Constable’s Suffolk
Walking through the Stour Valley in Suffolk on a sunny autumn day, it is difficult not to appreciate the gentle beauty of England’s countryside. The neat fields beside the river are separated by ordered hedgerows. A light breeze blows, pushing great white clouds across the blue sky. A herd of cows run across the pasture to greet a farmer. To top it all off, there’s a National Trust tea room within a half hour walk. It is an English idyll.
David Hockney exhibition to open at the Fitzwilliam
The exhibition combines Hockney’s work, some of which has never been seen publicly, with the historic collection of the Fitzwilliam A self-portrait of David Hockney from November 2021 is to go on display in the UK for the first time © David Hockney. by Christopher Dorrell The Fitzwilliam museum and the Heong Gallery at Downing are hosting an exhibition of David Hockney’s work from March 15th to August 29th.
Exclusive: Museum receives formal claim for return of Benin bronzes
Months after Jesus returned the Okukor, the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology has received a formal claim for the repatriation of artefacts in its collections Benin Bronzes on display at the British MuseumJoyofmuseums by Christopher Dorrell The Museum of Archeology and Anthropology (MAA) has received a formal claim from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments for the repatriation of artefacts taken in the 1897 looting of Benin City.
Students can earn £100s from humorous poetry, living in Devon or reading in chapel
Organ Scholars bag the best prizes: at Jesus they receive £450 per year, free college feasts and reduced room rent Students can win £960 for 'light verse' poetryRebecca Tyson by Christopher Dorrell, Rosie Smart-Knight, Lily Isaacs, Katie Wright & Oscar de Wit The number of different funds available to students at Cambridge can be bewildering. This was Varsity’s experience as we tried to establish which colleges provided bursaries for disadvantaged students.
The Turing Scheme: ‘I spent 3 months in France without any funding’
Varsity investigates the transition from the Erasmus+ scheme to the Turing scheme The Turing Scheme was established in January 2021 to replace Erasmus+GUILLAUME PÉRIGOIS/UNSPLASH by Christopher Dorrell It has been just over a year since the government’s departure from Erasmus+ and the establishment of the replacement Turing Scheme.
The Mormon farm in Cambridgeshire
Varsity investigates the several thousand acre farm based in Woodwalton, Cambridgeshire Mormon commerical activities are spreading worldwideGeorge Clerk by Christopher Dorrell Woodwalton, a small village in Cambridgeshire, is a surprising place to find the headquarters of a large farming company. It is even more surprising that this farming company, Farmland Reserve UK Ltd, is a subsidiary of AgReserves, a multinational farming company effectively run by the Mormon Church.
Discontent directed towards physics department for the quality of its teaching
Many supervisors were only assigned to students over halfway through the term Students from the physics department have drawn attention to the administrative failures of the Cavendish LaboratoryWikimedia Commons by Christopher Dorrell & Mingshau Liu Students from the Department of Physics have written an open letter raising concerns around the quality of the teaching they are receiving.
Cambridge-led study reveals scale of pangolin trafficking
Seizures of pangolin scales have often been accompanied by thousands of kilos of ivory pointing to established smuggling connections Experts suggest that detected wildlife seizures are from 30% to just 2% of the global illegal tradeWikimedia Commons by Christopher Dorrell A team of conservationists, led by the University of Cambridge, has produced the first data-driven study quantifying Nigeria-linked seizures of pangolin products.
Oxford-Cambridge Arc scheme criticised by local figures
Environmental issues have been at the forefront of discussion about the scheme The consultation process, which finished on Tuesday 12th October, highlighted the environment as the most popular issue for residentsGetty Images by Christopher Dorrell The Oxford-Cambridge Arc scheme has been criticised by local figures and environmental groups as the first period of consultation comes to an end.
Jesus College set to return Benin bronze
The Okukur will be returned to Nigeria on the 27th October after years of pressure and research The Okukur was forcibly removed from Benin in 1897 and will be the first Bronze to be returnedChris Loades by Christopher Dorrell Jesus College is set to become the first British institution to return a Benin Bronze as it prepares to hand over the sculpture later this month.
Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics criticised over plans to host ‘known denier’ of the Rwandan Genocide
The panel discussion seeks to answer ‘what geopolitical dynamics are driving conflict in the (Democratic Republic of the Congo), why peace is so elusive, and how the Responsibility to Protect can be enforced in this volatile world region.’ The panel is being hosted over Zoom by the Centre for Geopolitics, located at the Alison Richard BuildingVysotsky/Wikimedia Commons by Christopher Dorrell An open letter addressed to Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope and signed by 160 academics, journalists and...
Cambridge University attempts to navigate new era of China relations
The University had hosted at least three researchers from the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) since 2014 In 2019 the University received a “generous gift” from Tencent for the funding of the Dowling FellowshipJoe Cook by Christopher Dorrell A Telegraph article published earlier this month developed claims made in a controversial CIVITAS report, published last month, that the University had hosted at least three researchers from the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP)...
Churchill College panel discusses the ‘racial consequences’ of Winston Churchill
The panel of academics discussed Churchill’s views of ‘white supremacy’ and his ‘mythic status’ in British public life Professor Kehinde Andrews described Churchill as 'a saintly figure who's beyond reproach'Kristina G by Georgia Goble & Christopher Dorrell A panel held last week (11/02) by Churchill College critically discussed Winston Churchill and the legacy of his racial views.
Cambridge University deny accusations of inadvertently furthering Chinese military capabilities
The accusations, published in a report on Monday, were described as ‘disingenuous misinformation’ by the University Fifteen universities are accused of "unintentionally generating research" that "may be of use to China's military conglomerates" in the reportLucus Maddalena by Christopher Dorrell The University of Cambridge is one of several universities accused of inadvertently furthering Chinese military capabilities in a controversial new report published by CIVITAS on Monday.
Cambridge responds to UK’s exit from Erasmus Programme
Students lamented the loss of Erasmus while some question marks were raised about its replacement, the Turing Scheme The UK has left the Erasmus Programme after the end of the Brexit transition period on 31st December 2020Louis Ashworth by Christopher Dorrell On 1st January 2021, the UK officially left the Erasmus Programme after negotiations between the UK and EU failed to reach an agreement as to any form of British participation post-Brexit.
University launches UK’s first Master’s degree in responsible use of artificial intelligence
The new course hopes to find how AI can be used in a way “that broadly benefits society” The first cohort for the new degree will start in October 2021Pikist by Christopher Dorrell The University of Cambridge is launching the UK’s first Master’s degree in the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). The programme will be led by the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI), an interdisciplinary research centre based at the University of Cambridge.
Colleges Celebrate Trans Awareness Week
Colleges across Cambridge this week have been marking Trans Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance by flying flags and holding services by Wiliam Hunter & Christopher Dorrell As last Friday (20/11) marked Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) and the culmination of Transgender Awareness week the University has come together to show solidarity with its transgender students and staff in a variety of ways.
UKRI advises PhD students to adjust their research proposals
The announcement has caused a huge amount of concern among PhD students both in Cambridge and across the country Students have been forced to reformulate research proposals as a result of UKRI's funding announcementGetty Images by Christopher Dorrell UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the largest provider of PhD funding in the UK, announced last week that it was advising doctoral students to adjust their research projects so it is possible to complete them within the existing funded period...
Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race to be held in Ely
The decision to move next year’s race was made due to the difficulties in running a high-profile event with continuing Covid restrictions Cambridge winning one of their 84 Boat Race victoriessheffdave by Christopher Dorrell This year’s Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race will be held on the Great Ouse at Ely rather than its normal location in London.
St Catharine’s publish new ethical investment policy
Divestment The policy commits the College to limited investment in a range of industries including fossil fuels and arms The new policy comes after the University and a number of different colleges have made commitments to divestRept0n1x by Christopher Dorrell St Catharine’s College published their new investment policy on Wednesday (18/11) committing the College to limiting their investment in a range of industries.
Statue of slave trade investor may be moved from Old Schools site
Tobias Rustat, who gave the first endowment to the University Library, is celebrated in a small 19th Century statue Tobias Rustat donated extensively to institutions across the county while receiving dividends from the Royal Africa CompanyAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) by Christopher Dorrell The University is considering removing a small statue of Tobias Rustat after the Legacies of Enslavement enquiry found links between him and the slave trade.
How is Cambridge reacting to the second lockdown?
Open letters, open meetings, and ancient rules Unlike the first nationwide lockdown, Universities, including Cambridge, are now remaining openLucas Maddalena by Christopher Dorrell The country has now been in lockdown for a week after the Government’s new rules were imposed last Thursday (5/11). Unlike the previous lockdown, universities and other educational institutions have been permitted to stay open.
Students in England will have a six-day “travel window” to return home before the winter holiday
Mass testing will be carried out across universities before students return home between the 3rd and 9th of December Students departure from universities will be staggered between the 3rd and 9th of DecemberLucas Maddalena by Gaby Vides & Christopher Dorrell Students in England will be given a “travel window” to return home for the winter holiday next month, with testing carried out across universities before students are permitted to leave.
University’s Covid-19 cases fall for the second week in a row
The news comes after a study was released suggesting regular testing could limit the spread of Covid-19 by 50% The total number of cases detected in the University, from asymptomatic and symptomatic testing, equalled 70 Lucas Maddalena by Christopher Dorrell The University’s asymptomatic screening programme has detected 23 asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 from 21 different households in its fifth week of operation (02/11-08/11).
Students raise concerns to Vice-Chancellor in open meeting
Coronavirus The open meeting revealed that there will be no ‘safety net’ for this year’s exams while the Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed that “Cambridge is an in person experience” Vice Chancellor held an open meeting this afternoon (09/11) alongside four other panelists from across the Collegiate UniversityLouis ashworth by Gaby Vides & Christopher Dorrell In an online open meeting held this afternoon (09/11), Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope and Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor of Education Graham Virgo,...
Jesus propose relocation of Rustat memorial following recommendations of legacies of slavery enquiry
The move of the Rustat memorial was accepted in a College council meeting on Monday A memorial of Rustat "dominates the wall as you enter" the College chapelRobert Edwards by Christopher Dorrell Jesus College has proposed relocating Tobias Rustat’s memorial from the College chapel into an “educational, exhibition space.” The move, proposed by Jesus College’s Legacy of Slavery Working Party (LSWP), was accepted in a College council meeting on 2nd November.
Students asked to stay at University as international students express concerns in an open letter
The news comes as positive Covid tests fall by half in the fourth week of the University’s asymptomatic testing scheme The University's announcement comes after Michelle Donelan, Minister of State for Universities, wrote a letter addressed to students around the country Louis Ashworth by Christopher Dorrell In an email sent to students today (03/11), Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope confirmed that “all students are required to remain in residence for the remainder of the term.” He clarified that...
Clare elects Loretta Minghella as new College master
Loretta Minghella will become the first women to hold the position of Clare master, taking up the role from October 2021 Loretta Minghella will start in her role as Clare's master from October 2021Louis ashworth by Gaby Vides & Christopher Dorrell Loretta Minghella has been elected as the new master of Clare. She will succeed Baron Anthony Grabiner in October 2021.
Breaking: Cambridge University to remain open as the government announces month long lockdown
Unlike the last lockdown, educational institutions will remain open The national lockdown will be introduced from Thursday (5/11)Lucas Maddalena by Christopher Dorrell, Alexander Shtyrov & Gaby Vides The government announced a month long national lockdown this evening (31/10) as cases across the country continue to rise, surpassing even the projected worst case scenarios.
Two Cambridge University institutions advertise jobs supporting the Hostile Environment policy
Cambridge Centre for Data Driven Discovery and Cambridge Neuroscience both posted adverts for the Border Vision Advisory Group Unis Resist Border Controls accuse the University of 'migrant washing' their complicity in the Hostile EnvironmentGlobal Justice Now by Christopher Dorrell Two Cambridge departments, Cambridge Centre for Data Driven Discovery (C2D3) and Cambridge Neuroscience, advertised jobs at the Border Vision Advisory Group, which describes itself as an “operational command of the...
Extinction Rebellion challenge oil, gas and arms companies at careers event hosted by the University
Extinction Rebellion Cambridge Universities disrupted the virtual careers event held on Wednesday afternoon Schulmberger, one of the companies targeted at the careers event by Extinction Rebellion, has a research centre in CambridgeMat Fascione by Gaby Vides & Christopher Dorrell Extinction Rebellion Cambridge Universities (XRCU) disrupted an online University careers event on Wednesday (28/10) afternoon which included companies from the oil, gas and arms industry.
Asymptomatic screening programme detects 38 cases of Covid-19 in its third week
Coronavirus The total number of cases in the University, including from symptomatic testing, increased by only two cases from the previous week to 156 The asymptomatic screening programme has faced operational difficulties and will remain at half capacityLucas Maddalena by Christopher Dorrell The University’s asymptomatic screening programme has detected 38 asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 from 38 different households in its third week of operation (19/10-25/10).
Students gather to protest against Poland’s new abortion law
The new law, issued last week, bans abortion in nearly all cases and has prompted protests across Europe Protestors were socially distanced and wore masks at all times Linda Arroyo by Linda Arroyo & Christopher Dorrell Approximately 50 protestors, a majority of whom were Cambridge students, gathered at Parker’s Piece yesterday (25/10) to protest against the Polish government’s ban on abortion, issued on the 22nd October.
Cambridge approaches ‘trigger point’ for Tier 2 lockdown
Much of the increase in case numbers comes from the University’s asymptomatic screening programme, which the Tab has revealed will cost £1.3 million Cambridge, which is currently in the lowest level of lockdown, has experienced a sharp rise in casesLouis Ashworth by Christopher Dorrell Central Cambridge has, over the four most recent days for which statistics are available (17-20/10), recorded 130.6 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 according to Cambridge News.
14 May Balls sign up to ‘The 25 Drive’ to improve May Ball sustainability
The 25 Drive seeks to set 8 broad sustainability policy goals to be achieved by the Summer of 2025 May Balls are the highlight of the year for many students but many come at a high environmental costEd g2s by Christopher Dorrell 14 May Balls have signed up to Sustain-a-Ball’s ‘25 Drive’ scheme, which encourages long-term sustainability in Cambridge May Balls and June Events. In the past May Balls have been criticised for their exclusivity as well as their wastefulness.
223 students in Homerton West House accommodation told to isolate following 18 positive-cases
Coronavirus All students living in West House accommodation were told to self-isolate for 14 days after 18 students across 11 households tested positive for Covid-19 223 students will isolate in Homerton's West House accommodationN Chadwick by Gaby Vides & Christopher Dorrell 223 students in Homerton were told to self-isolate last night (16/10) by the Collegiate University’s Incident Management Team following 18 positive Covid-19 cases across 11 households in the College’s West House...
Cambridge Police urge young people to continue to follow Covid-19 guidelines
Coronavirus Senior Tutors across the University were asked to advise students that police patrols would be increasing There will be an increased police presence throughout Cambridge as young people break current Covid-19 social gathering guidelinesLouis ashworth by Christopher Dorrell Young people in Cambridge were urged last Friday (09/10) to continue to follow the current Covid-19 guidelines.
University’s latest figures confirm 11 positive Covid-19 cases
Coronavirus The news comes during the first week of the University’s screening programme Cases have been reported in a number of different collegesLucas Maddalena by Christopher Dorrell A University spokesperson confirmed yesterday (09/10) to Varsity that “there are 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the University of Cambridge, according to the most recently available figures.” The spokesperson continued: “All students required to isolate are being supported by their College”.
Cambridge Union release their Michaelmas termcard, featuring Gemma Collins and Ex-Prime Minister Theresa May
The Union’s speakers and debates this term will be a mixture of virtual and in-person events Attendance at in-person Union events will be determined via a balloting system due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictionsLouis Ashworth by Gaby Vides & Christopher Dorrell The Cambridge Union released its’ Michaelmas termcard this morning (03/10), with events this term featuring reality TV star Gemma Collins, former Prime Minister Theresa May and Senator Ted Cruz, who came second in the...
Queens’ responds to two cases of Covid-19
One of the positive cases was discovered on the College’s main site The College has had two students test positive for Covid-19, one on the main college site and one on off-site accommodationLouis ashworth by Christopher Dorrell Two students at Queens’ have tested positive for Covid-19. One of the students who tested positive for the virus is living on main-site Queens’ accommodation.
Cambridge UCU issue ‘Keep Cambridge Safe’ open letter amid Covid-19 outbreaks in other university towns
The open letter has been issued in collaboration with the ‘Keep Cambridge Safe’ initiative which demands that all non-practical teaching be moved online CUCU draw attention to where the University differs from Government adviceLouis Ashworth by Christopher Dorrell Cambridge UCU (CUCU) have launched an open letter, addressed to Vice Chancellor Stephen Toope, demanding that the University ‘Keep Cambridge Safe’ as students begin to return to Cambridge.
Varsity investigates the differences between college regulations
Colleges have been forced to develop innovative ways to allow safe socialising to continue An artist's impression of what Downing Amphitheatre will look likeStephen Bennett by Christopher Dorrell As the start of term begins and students return to drastically changed colleges, Varsity investigates the differences in regulations between colleges, and colleges’ attempts to keep things as normal as possible.
University urged to make Covid-19 vaccine accessible for all
An open letter by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines argues that “access to healthcare and health technologies should not be a luxury”. by Christopher Dorrell Any medicine developed at Cambridge for tackling COVID-19 should be made “accessible to everyone worldwide,” a recently released open letter by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) demands.
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