Saturday 16th May 2026

News

St Catz reopens dining hall following RAAC renovations

St Catherine’s College has reopened its dining hall, following more than two years of disruption caused by the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in parts of its estate.

Violent clash outside Oxford Union during visit of Sudanese prime minister

A violent altercation broke out between the entourage of Prime Minister Kamil Idris of Sudan and protesters during Idris’ visit to the Oxford Union on Wednesday, 13th May. The incident occurred as Idris was exiting the Union after participating in a speaker event.

Oxford and UN launch peace and security fellowship

The University of Oxford and the United Nations have launched a new Peace and Security Fellowship.

Change to Rowing Clubs’ Rules of Racing for transgender athletes sparks backlash

A change to Oxford University Rowing Clubs’ (OURCs) Rules of Racing means that only...

‘Rugby moves in trends. Right now, England are behind the times’

As rugby players go, they don’t come more controversial than Austin Healey. Despite 51 caps for England and two for the British and Irish...

Taking stock

It has been an eventful long vacation. Whether you were stuck in an office in the city, sunning yourself in exotic climes or living...

So what are you doing with your life?

Oxford careers literature proudly proclaims that this university has educated twenty-five Prime Ministers, six kings, and three saints. This alone might go some way...

Obituary of the broadsheet

OBSERVANT NEWSPAPER readers may have noticed, over the last year and a half, papers have been getting a lot smaller. However, unlike the scandalous...

Passe Notes

So, you’re at Oxford now. You must be pretty clever then. But then again you’re probably pretty ugly too. And a virgin. And that’s...

He’s coming to get you

In the cult novel American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis describes, necessitating frequent book closing and book reopening for the faint of heart, the axe...

Figs, Figures and Figureheads

FIGS, “SAID my father to me once, emphatically, “are not fruit.”“Are not fruit.”“Are not vegetables… they are inverted flowers.”“Inverted flowers?” was my puzzled answer.“Inverted…...

Stage Exposed

Emma JenkinsonMagdalen College, 3rd YearActressEmma last starred in the Edinburgh Fringe’s critically acclaimed How I Learned To Drive, and played Titania in Merton’s Trinity...

Doctor Faustus

Doctor Faustusdir Andrea Ferran11 to 15 OctoberOld Fire StationDoctor Faustus is getting dangerously close to becoming an unstageable play. Perhaps that makes it even...

It’s all Greek to us

Orestesdir Pippa Needs11 to 15 OctoberOxford PlayhouseThis term’s staging of Orestes marks the 125th anniversary of the first Greek play to be put on...

Comedy

Puppetry of the Penisdir Simon Morley27 SeptemberNew TheatreEngland’s Ashes victory is under discussion. British Woman: “Loser!”. Australian Man: “Thank you, madam, but you’re the...

Edinburgh cuts the finest Fringe

Thank the Lord for Scottish opening hours. As the body clock slowly begins to get back to normal and daylight hours once more become...

Singled out

I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)Rachel Stevensout now« « « « «You’d be forgiven for thinking this sex-with-your-ex ditty is the comeback...

Alice in Ultraland

Alice In UltralandThe Amorphous Androgynousout now« « « « «The Amorphous Androgynous may not be a band that many people have heard of. This...

Size does matter

Taller in More WaysSugababesout 10 October« « « « «Perhaps what is most striking about the new Sugababes record is its schizophrenic stance. What...

Mud, mirth and beyond

Ever wondered what goes on in those bits of the festival that are rarely shown on TV? Months ago you were up at three...

The porter reporter

The job has changed in the six years that I’ve been doing it, in terms of the college being much busier. I think financial...

Small screen

The Secret of DrawingBBC28 October, 8.10pm« « « « «Love SoupBBC111 October, 9pm« « « « «Drawing is everywhere, proclaims presenter Andrew Graham Dixon...

Polanski with a twist

Oliver Twist. Cinema has already been there, done that. Many times, in fact. You’ve probably already got the t-shirt. Yet the last cinematic attempt...

Miss England finalist

Pip Stewart, an historian of Queens College, is the first Oxford student to get through to the Miss England finals. The competition is an...

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