Red light for Cambridge South

The opening of Cambridge South station has been delayed again after one of its sub-contractors entered administration. The station, originally due to open this December and then rescheduled to early 2026, is now expected to open in June 2026. Network Rail told stakeholders that the collapse of a sub-contractor working on electrical and mechanical systems – alongside further design and construction requirements – delayed the project. The station will be Cambridge’s third and is located beside the Biomedical Campus, which has around 23,000 employees. Network Rail said it is working to reduce delays. Local city councillor Olaf Hauk called the news “really disappointing” for residents.

US lawyer comes to Jesus

James D. Zirin, a US lawyer, talk-show host, and author, will speak at Jesus College’s Frankopan Hall for a public event this Wednesday (12/11). The talk, titled “Autocracy in America: Law and Politics in the Second Trump Administration,” will examine developments in US law and democracy since Donald Trump’s inauguration, putting recent upheavals in a wider context. Zirin, a former federal prosecutor and host of Conversations with Jim Zirin, has written extensively on Trump, including Plaintiff in Chief: A Portrait of Donald Trump in 3,500 Lawsuits. A reception will follow the event. 

Cambridge trials baby brain-monitoring cap

A Cambridge research team is trialling a new brain-monitoring cap for newborns that could speed up diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The device, developed through the Fusion study at the Rosie Maternity Hospital, combines optical imaging and functional ultrasound to assess oxygenation and blood flow in the brain. Researchers say the portable technology allows repeated cot-side monitoring in the crucial early weeks, offering a clearer picture of brain activity than MRI or cranial ultrasound scans. Professor Topun Austin, of Cambridge University Hospitals, said the trial will now focus on infants at higher risk of brain injury, with NHS use possible within five years.

Stagecoach staff ballot on strike

Stagecoach drivers and engineers across Cambridgeshire are balloting on potential strike action after rejecting a two-year pay offer. Around 350 staff in Cambridge, Peterborough and Fenstanton turned down a proposed rise of 4% in the first year and 3% in the second, with Unite arguing that it fails to match living costs or reflect the demands of the job. Drivers currently earn £15.60 per hour, and the ballot closes on 19 November. Unite said workers deserve a “fair pay rise,”highlighting Stagecoach’s strong recent profits. Stagecoach said talks with the union continue. If the strike goes ahead, some have warned it could disrupt services in the lead-up to Christmas.