More fighting for Sioux

Officials at St Cloud State college want the University of North Dakota to leave their "Fighting Sioux" logos at home when their men's hockey teams play there next week.

"We don't tolerate hate speech," said Sudie Hofmann, associate professor and chairwoman of St Cloud State's human relations and multicultural education department, who considers the nickname insulting to American Indians. In March, St Cloud State president Roy Saigo submitted a resolution to the National Collegiate Athletic Association asking for the elimination of all American-Indian nicknames. Last year a wealthy North Dakota alumnus threatened to pull a $100 million donation if officials changed the university's nickname.

Japan in class struggle

Shiki City in Japan has announced it will reduce the number of students in first- and second-grade primary school classes to 25 from April, making it the first Japanese municipality to introduce compulsory small classes. The city cited a recent national study on the benefits of small classes.

The plan is subject to approval by the Saitama prefectural government; its decision, scheduled for December, will be closely watched.

Harry scholar is a wiz

A thesis on Harry Potter, which helped Michele Fry to a 2:1 in English and History from Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, is to be published in the New Review of Children's Literature and Librarianship. "Most critics argue Hermione is an accessory, but I would say she is the real power behind Harry Potter," Fry says.