International News - Around the World in Higher Education and Research, by News Tank Academic - Nr.16

International students “worried and concerned” as they navigate the Middle East conflict; Cuban university students stage rare protest amid energy and internet shortages; Ontario students demonstrate against cuts to financial aid; Türkiye aligns universities with the COP31 agenda, Japan eases cap on foreign student enrolment at its top universities…

Welcome to the new edition of News Tank Academic's roundup of international news. Every week, we will bring you a selection of some of the most important developments in higher education from around the world.

Headline news

Cuban students hold rare protest amid worsening energy and internet shortages

Over 20 students staged a rare protest on 09/03/2026 on the steps of the University of Havana, expressing frustration over severe disruptions to their studies caused by Cuba’s deepening energy and connectivity crisis. Prolonged power cuts, fuel shortages and unreliable internet - linked in part to tighter US sanctions and the blocking of Venezuelan oil shipments - have forced universities to rely on distance learning, which many students…