World
Who is Samantha Fulnecky? University of Oklahoma Fires Instructor After Religious Bias Row Over Student Essay on Gender Roles
The University of Oklahoma has permanently terminated an instructor following a controversy over grading a student’s essay on biblical gender roles. The decision came after an internal investigation found violations of academic neutrality and raised concerns about potential First Amendment litigation.
After weeks of an academic firestorm, which was precipitated by the grading of a student’s essay on biblical gender roles, the University of Oklahoma (OU) has permanently terminated the instructor, Mel Curth.
The latest action followed an exhaustive internal investigation that found that the instructor had not adhered to the institution’s guidelines on religious neutrality and academic freedom.
The decision was also influenced by the risk of litigation linked to the First Amendment rights of Samantha Fulnecky, the student at the center of the controversy who alleged that she was a victim of her religious beliefs.
A statement from the University of Oklahoma: pic.twitter.com/FzcjByOjpp
— University of Oklahoma (@UofOklahoma) December 22, 2025
University of Oklahoma Fires Samantha Fulnecky
The genesis of the whole controversy can be linked to an assignment that was submitted by Samantha Fulnecky titled ‘Lifespan Development.’ It was a psychology course that used religious references against modern gender theory. According to an official complaint that was filed by the student, the instructor gave her zero marks out of 25, stating that it lacked pragmatic proof.
Samantha Fulnecky also stated that the instructor Mel Curth’s reaction was more personal than academic, and he had also labelled her worldview as offensive on the digital grading portal.
Samantha Fulnecky also went public with her grievance and shared bits of the correspondence on social media through the OU chapter of Turning Point USA. The posts raked in millions of views.
The University of Oklahoma (OU) in the beginning defended the instructor and stated that she had to ensure academic standards. However, things turned more serious after Governor Kevin Stitt and other state officials contended the grading was castigatory.
Attorneys also drew attention to the university’s own student handbook, which clearly outlines that there should not be any discrimination based on creed. Many experts also cited this as the basis for a grade reversal and disciplinary action.
The university also felt the pressure from advocacy groups, which contended that the actions violated the principle of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Legal groups also pointed out that that student was getting ready to seek damages higher than £76,000 ($100,000) for emotional anguish and academic disruption.
The University of Oklahoma in its press release agreed that instructors are within their rights to give grades based upon adherence to principles but cannot belittle the fundamental religious identity of a student.
The university also found the use of words such as “demonic” to describe gender fluidity as highly inappropriate.
The episode has divided the campus, with student groups labelling the action by the university as disgusting and caving into external pressure.
The faculty members also organized a protest in South Oval on Dec. 5, 2025, and stated that the action will have a debilitating effect on the capacity of educators to implement scientific and secular standards.
World
Did Galgotias University Pass Off a Unitree Robot as Its Own? AI Summit ‘Orion’ Demo Sparks Political Row After Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks
A controversy erupted at the AI Impact Summit after a viral video showed a Galgotias University professor presenting a robot dog named “Orion” as an in-house creation. Online users later identified the machine as a Unitree Robotics quadruped robot. The university issued a clarification following widespread backlash.
A huge controversy erupted after a video at the ongoing AI Impact Summit went viral on social media.
A Galgotias University professor, Neha Singh, claimed that the robot dog, named “Orion”, was created in-house by the institution’s Centre of Excellence.
However, netizens quickly found out that it was a Chinese robot dog that the university was claiming as its own.
In the video, Professor Neha Singh claimed that the robot dog was created by the university and was deployed to conduct surveillance and monitoring duties across the university campus.
Robot dog row at AI Summit | Galgotias University’s booth barricaded, officials say don’t want ‘controversial agency’ misleading public
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) February 18, 2026
After #GalgotiasUniversity was asked to vacate its booth at the ongoing India AI Expo, co-located within the AI Impact Summit in Bharat… pic.twitter.com/buhQ8RdbbR
However, the machine closely resembled a commercially accessible quadruped robot mass-produced by Unitree Robotics.
Online users severely criticised the university for falsification.
Later, after the backlash, Galgotias University issued a clarification and stated that it had never claimed that the robot dog on display was created in-house.
— Galgotias University (@GalgotiasGU) February 17, 2026
The university also added that it regularly obtained advanced technologies from different locations, including China, Singapore, and the United States, to give its students firsthand exposure to AI technologies.
The university also claimed that the robot was a tool that facilitated students to experiment, learn about its capabilities, and give them a better understanding of robotics and artificial intelligence.
Unitree Robotics mass produces four-limbed robots, which have been nicknamed “robodogs” and can mimic animal movements and are employed for a wide range of applications, such as hurdle navigation, industrial inspection, research applications, and entertainment.
The robodogs manufactured by the company are very popular across the world because they are reasonably priced and rub shoulders with Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robot, Spot.
The episode has also caused a political storm, with the leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, labelling the AI summit a “disorganised PR spectacle”.
Gandhi also alleged that Chinese products have been showcased while the Indian data has been compromised and put on sale.
He also added that the present Modi government has made India a laughing stock globally.
Also Read: HMVs Banned on Western Express Highway on February 17 for PM Modi and Macron’s Visit
World
Beech Grove Officer Brian Elliott Killed in Line of Duty While Responding to Domestic Disturbance; Suspect in Custody
Beech Grove police officer Brian Elliott was fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance near Indianapolis. The suspect, Kenneth Terrell Johnson, was later taken into custody by IMPD SWAT. Another officer injured in the incident is reported to be in stable condition.
A 33-year-old Beech Grove police officer, Brian Elliott, lost his life after he was shot when he was in the midst of a domestic disturbance that happened near Indianapolis.
The suspect involved in the shooting, Kenneth Terrell Johnson, fled the scene but was later apprehended by IMPD SWAT.
The ISP confirmed on Monday that the suspect who shot Officer Brian Elliot is now in custody.
According to media outlet WISH-TV, Brian Elliot was responding to a domestic disturbance at around 6:05 p.m. on Monday along with other police officers when he was shot by the suspect.
Look at how much the memorial to fallen Officer Brian Elliott has grown since his patrol car was placed in front of the police department around noon today.
— Max Lewis (@MaxLewisTV) February 18, 2026
This community is already honoring him in a number of other ways as well. Story tonight at 11 PM on FOX 59 and CBS 4. pic.twitter.com/b1QbgrVJqj
Another police officer whose name has not been revealed was also injured in the shooting. Both the police officers were rushed to the Eskenazi Hospital for emergency treatment, where Officer Elliot succumbed to his injuries.
The other police officer who was also injured in the shooting is reported to be in a stable condition and is expected to survive.
According to police officials, Officer Elliot had graduated from Beech Grove High School and had been serving with the Beech Grove Police since September 2024. He had earlier served for four years in the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended later. The demise of the police officer was confirmed by Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice in a Facebook post.
The police chief stated,
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that today we lost one of our very own, Officer Brian Elliott.”
Expressing his deep condolences to Brian Elliot’s family, the police chief stated,
“My heart goes out to Brian’s wife, Erin, his parents, and all of his family, friends, and loved ones. At this time, I am asking that we lean on one another to get through this.”
The Chief also lauded the medical personnel at Eskenazi Hospital and said,
“We are grateful to the team at Eskenazi Hospital and our law enforcement and community partners for their extraordinary response and support.”
World
Billboard Targeting James Charles Over Past Grooming Allegations Appears in Los Angeles
A billboard targeting YouTuber James Charles has appeared in Los Angeles, referencing past grooming allegations from 2021. Funded by Ethan Klein, the display highlights previous accusations and a BBC report, reigniting debate as Charles attempts to rebuild his career.
YouTuber James Charles has been troubled by sexual impropriety and grooming allegations since 2021, and the episode has once again come to haunt him with a new billboard, which appeared on Saturday morning at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Colby Avenue.
The billboard read,
“SAY, JAMES, I HEAR YOU TEXT EM YOUNG*,”
Along with the caption was featured a picture of the influencer.
It is reported that the billboard was funded by Ted Entertainment, which is co-owned by Ethan Klein, a comedian and podcaster.
James Charles is finally being called out! Look at this new billboard In Los Angeles, CA!
The billboard reads “say James I hear you Text’em young”
James Charles has found himself at the center of several grooming scandals that involved teen boys… pic.twitter.com/n987Yezb7o— Clerpatriot (@clerpatriot) February 15, 2026Advertisement
For the unversed, Klein has been a vehement critic of Charles, who is trying to rebuild his career after the fallout of the bisexual impropriety and grooming allegations, for which he had also apologized.
Klein, in an Instagram post, had accepted that he was behind the billboard and also stated that it cost him $10,000.
However, what was worse is that the billboard also featured a search bar titled “James Charles Allegations” and quotes a BBC article titled “James Charles: YouTube star admits messaging 16-year-old boys,” dated April 2021.
James Charles had apologized for his actions in a Youtube video which has since been deleted.
Klein posted a video on his Instagram handle on Saturday and said,
“ThisYouTube video, is the only good idea I’ve had to try to do something. With somebody with resources and reach, I feel like it’s the least I can do to try to remind the people of Los Angeles and the world that this is what James Charles gets up to. It’s time we start calling him out, so I hope you’ll enjoy it—except you, James.”
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James Charles was embroiled in a huge controversy in 2021 when two sixteen-year-old social media users, Isaiyah and Robert, alleged that Charles, who was 21 then, was involved in grooming and engaging in inappropriate and sexually explicit messaging.
Claims also started floating on social media platform TikTok about explicit Snapchat conversations and the exchange of sexually suggestive photos.
The influencer initially negated all the rumors and stated that he was under the assumption that the boys were above 18.
However, he subsequently released a 14-minute video in which he apologized for his actions and termed them as reckless.
He also acknowledged that he had engaged in sexually oriented conversation with the two minors.
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