Harvard University's president has resigned after facing allegations of plagiarism and criticism over her comments about antisemitism on campus.
Claudine Gay has faced mounting pressure to step down in recent weeks.
In a letter announcing her resignation, she said it was in the "best interests" of the university to step down.
"It has been distressing to have doubt cast on my commitments to confronting hate and to upholding scholarly rigour," she said.
"This is not a decision I came to easily. Indeed, it has been difficult beyond words," Dr Gay wrote, adding that her resignation would allow Harvard to "focus on the institution rather than any individual".
Dr Gay served in the role for six months and was the first black person, and only the second woman, to be appointed to lead the Ivy League university.
During a tense congressional hearing last month, Dr Gay said calls for the killing of Jews were abhorrent. She added, however, that it would depend on the context whether such comments would constitute a violation of Harvard's code of conduct regarding bullying and harassment.
That comment prompted a widespread backlash and she later apologised in an interview with the university's student newspaper. "When words amplify distress and pain, I don't know how you could feel anything but regret." Dr Gay said.
Since then US media outlets have unearthed several instances of alleged plagiarism in her academic record.
Harvard's board investigated the allegations last month, and found two published papers that required additional citation.
The board, however, said that she did not violate "standards for research misconduct".
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana and Seychelles strengthen bilateral ties with focus on key sectors
30 mins -
National Elections Security Taskforce meets political party heads ahead of December elections
33 mins -
Samsung’s AI-powered innovations honored by Consumer Technology Association
53 mins -
Fugitive Zambian MP arrested in Zimbabwe – minister
1 hour -
Town council in Canada at standstill over refusal to take King’s oath
1 hour -
Trump picks Pam Bondi as attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdraws
2 hours -
Providing quality seeds to farmers is first step towards achieving food security in Ghana
2 hours -
Thousands of PayPal customers report brief outage
2 hours -
Gary Gensler to leave role as SEC chairman
2 hours -
Contraceptive pills recalled in South Africa after mix-up
2 hours -
Patient sues Algerian author over claims he used her in novel
2 hours -
Kenya’s president cancels major deals with Adani Group
3 hours -
COP29: Africa urged to invest in youth to lead fight against climate change
3 hours -
How Kenya’s evangelical president has fallen out with churches
3 hours -
‘Restoring forests or ravaging Ghana’s green heritage?’ – Coalition questions Akufo-Addo’s COP 29 claims
3 hours