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Showing posts from March, 2026

Josh Kerr surges to 3,000m gold for Britain at world indoor championships

Kerr wins final in a time of 7min 35.56sec Scot holds off Hocker and Schrub to regain title After the injuries and the trash talk, Britain’s Josh Kerr delivered where it mattered most on Saturday night by winning a thrilling 3,000m world indoor title with a last-lap surge. It had been billed as the race of the championships, with all three 1500m medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympics going mano a mano once more. On that occasion Kerr had been pipped to the line by the American Cole Hocker, who took a shock gold medal , with Yared Nuguse taking bronze. This time, though, Kerr was not to be denied. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/bItReuQ

The week around the world in 20 pictures

Crisis in the Middle East, a sandstorm in Gaza, a blackout in Havana and the Oscars – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalists Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/jI8uROq

It’s a knockout: why are there so many goals in the Champions League? | Jonathan Wilson

Theories range from obvious mismatches to Premier League clubs not being able to defend from open play There were 68 goals in the last 16 of the Champions League, which is not only a lot but goes against the trend of the previous four seasons. What’s going on? Has football suddenly become more attacking again? This surely can’t all be down to Premier League sides struggling to defend against teams who don’t just rely on corners but actually attack from open play, can it? An average of 4.25 goals a game is highly unusual, particularly given the recent context. Before 2008-09 there was only one season when the knockout phase of the Champions League yielded more than three goals a game; between 2008-09 and 2019-20 there was only one season when goals per game dipped below three. There then followed four campaigns in which the average did not climb above 2.72 (and in 2022-23, it was as low as 2.34), before bouncing back to 3.29 last season (including the playoff round). The playoff round...

What is the £1.3bn MFS mortgage scandal and what is private credit?

A worldwide freezing order has been imposed on Paresh Raja, the owner of a UK mortgage provider A £1.3bn worldwide asset freezing order has been granted against the tycoon accused of fraud after his UK mortgage lending business collapsed. Paresh Raja, the founder and chief executive of Market Financial Solutions (MFS), is now barred from dissipating assets worth up to the suspected value of funds allegedly missing from his mortgage and buy-to-let lending company, after orders from courts in London and Dubai. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/f2VTFRk

Colombian president accuses Ecuador after ‘27 charred bodies’ found near border

Relations deteriorate as Gustavo Petro claims government of Trump ally Daniel Noboa bombing targets in Colombia President Gustavo Petro has accused Ecuador of bombing targets inside Colombian territory, saying later that the burned remains of nearly 30 people had been found near the border, in a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighbouring countries. The Colombian leader said on Tuesday that an attack which had left “27 charred bodies” did not appear to have been carried out by Colombia’s own forces or any illegal armed groups which he said do not have armed planes. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/jMx06vC

Bank of America settles Epstein survivors’ lawsuit

Lawyer for women who accused bank of facilitating their sexual abuse calls settlement ‘one more step’ to justice Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Bank of America has settled a civil lawsuit brought by women who accused the bank of facilitating their sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein , court records showed on Monday. Lawyers for the bank and the women told Manhattan-based US district judge Jed Rakoff in a 12 March telephone call that they had reached a “settlement in principle”, a court filing said. The terms of the settlement were not immediately clear. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/t48IzLH

Salman Rushdie says he is tired of being ‘free speech Barbie’ after 2022 attack

Author says he doesn’t ‘feel symbolic’ and hopes to steer narrative to his books after surviving assassination attempt Salman Rushdie said he’s tired of being everyone’s “free speech Barbie” four years after the author survived an assassination attempt that left him blinded in his right eye. “It’s a subject I’m anxious to change,” Rushdie said Friday during a talk with the Atlantic’s George Packer at Tulane University’s New Orleans book festival . “I don’t feel symbolic. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/Y7emfFZ

Paris paradox: did Borthwick liberate England or was it down to player power? | Gerard Meagher

Despite a huge upswing in performance against France, the head coach still has a case to answer for what went wrong in the Six Nations Did England play like that because of Steve Borthwick or in spite of him? For all that the Rugby Football Union will deep dive, look under the bonnet, get into the weeds – pick your own favourite bit of corporate speak – it is the fundamental question that Bill Sweeney and his review panel must ask in the coming weeks. Did Borthwick liberate his players against France , or did they take matters into their own hands? As usual, the panel will include input from Sweeney and Conor O’Shea as well as those from outside the building who insist on anonymity. It is said that despite the huge upswing in performance in defeat against France, the RFU is still determined to establish what went wrong during this Six Nations. That is a positive sign because when the dust settles, this still goes down as their worst-ever championship. The noises coming from the RFU s...

Quick on the draw: the worldwide appeal of sketching 100 people in a week

Liz Steel and Marc Taro Holmes live on opposite sides of the globe, but connected through a sketching challenge. Now it’s a phenomenon If you’re lucky, you may spot Liz Steel tucked into the corner of a sun-dappled Sydney cafe, water-soluble pencils and markers in hand. Half a world away, Marc Taro Holmes is led by his sketchbook on to the thawing streets of Montreal, “like a bear coming out of hibernation”. The duo are co-founders of #OneWeek100People challenge, an informal global initiative that asks artists to sketch 100 people in seven days. The challenge, now in its 10th year, took place this week, but Steel and Holmes stress it is entirely for enjoyment and anyone can take it up and post with the hashtag at any time. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/jtv81d3

The week around the world in 20 pictures

Crisis in the Middle East, Ramadan in Gaza, the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics and Paris fashion week – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalists Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/NViozZ4

Blistering early-season heatwave threatens California and other western states

Records could be smashed in southern California as experts warn weather set to be ‘exceptional – and not in a good way’ States across the US west are bracing for a brutal early-season heatwave threatening to cook several cities through the weekend and into next week. Forecasters warned temperatures will spike 20-30F above normal for several days. Daily records could be shattered in southern California this week, the National Weather Service said, with a possibility that all-time records for March will be broken as well. Following the warmest winter on record across most of the region, the intense conditions are expected to eat into low snowpack levels, deepening drought concerns. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/ycHQn1a

Dances With Wolves actor to be sentenced in Nevada after sexual abuse conviction

Nathan Chasing Horse found guilty on 13 of 21 charges in case that affected Indigenous communities across US Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor known for his role in Dances With Wolves, is scheduled to be sentenced next Wednesday after being convicted of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls, bringing to an end a case that deeply affected Native American communities across the country. The sentencing comes about a month after a Nevada jury found him guilty on 13 of the 21 charges brought against him. Many of the convictions stemmed from allegations involving a victim who was 14 years old when the abuse began. The jury cleared him of several other sexual assault counts. Chasing Horse has denied all accusations. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/oaKbxZD

Haiti president’s assassination driven by greed and power, US prosecutors say

Opening statements begin in Miami trial of four men accused in the 2021 killing of Jovenel Moïse Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Greed, arrogance and power were the driving forces behind four men charged in the US for the 2021 assassination of Haiti’s last elected president, Jovenel Moïse , prosecutors told a court on Tuesday during opening statements. Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys began presenting opening statements in the trial in Miami for Arcangel Pretel Ortíz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla and James Solages. They are charged with conspiring in South Florida to kidnap or kill Haiti’s former leader. Moïse’s assassination led to unprecedented turmoil in the Caribbean nation, where gang leaders have grown increasingly violent and empowered. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/XnYM8d3

‘We thought we were doomed’: Canadian fishers in dramatic rescue after ice shelf floats away

Anglers describe harrowing phone calls to loved ones once ice detached from shores of Georgian Bay in Ontario Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Kevin Fox thought the spring-like temperatures that had temporarily pushed the cold away from south-eastern Ontario meant a good day on for ice fishing, a popular winter pastime in the region. After shifting location because the wind and ice “didn’t feel right” and the fish weren’t biting close to shore, he and a friend joined nearly two dozen others far out on a sheet of ice in Lake Huron. They followed the familiar routine of anyone who spends a day on the ice: they drilled holes, dropped their lines and waited. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/i258cn1

Ella Baron on Trump and Netanyahu’s war on Iran – cartoon

Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/oRjKi81

Rory McIlroy to defend Players title despite withdrawal from Invitational

Northern Irishman pulled out before third round ‘I felt a twinge in my back, it became muscle spasms’ Rory McIlroy is confident of defending his Players Championship title from Thursday despite withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 35 minutes before his third round. McIlroy suffered back spasms, with the Northern Irishman unwilling to potentially put appearances at the Players and next month’s Masters at risk by taking to the course at Bay Hill. McIlroy will also be defending the crown at Augusta National. “While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back,” McIlroy said. “As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back. Unfortunately, I’m not able to continue and have to withdraw. I was excited to compete this weekend. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/zQ...

The week around the world in 20 pictures

Crisis in the Middle East, Ramadan in Gaza, a blackout in Havana and Stella McCartney at Paris fashion week – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalists Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/wgAv0Vo

UK’s private dentistry market faces review after price jumps of more than 23%

CMA says it wants to ensure market ‘working well for consumers’ as more Britons forced to seek private care The UK’s competition watchdog has launched a review into the £8bn private dentistry market after the price of a consultation increased by nearly 25% over a two-year period. One in five people in Great Britain sought private dental care in 2024 in part because they could not access NHS treatment. Announcing its investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it wanted to make sure the market was “working well for UK consumers”. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/OX8Uovy

Intercontinental World Cup playoffs in doubt as Iraq squad face travel chaos

Iraq team due in Mexico for playoff final on 31 March Middle East crisis has made travel plans uncertain The intercontinental World Cup playoffs are in doubt with officials from the Iraq Football Association (IFA) in crisis talks with Fifa over concerns they may be unable to take part in the final scheduled for Mexico later this month. The Guardian has learned that the IFA received a letter from Iraq’s national airline, Iraqi Airways, and the Ministry of Transportation earlier today informing them that the country’s airspace will remain closed for “at least four weeks”, which would leave around 40% of the squad unable to travel. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/GSItkv3

Father of Georgia school shooting suspect found guilty of murder and manslaughter

Prosecutors argued Colin Gray gave 14-year-old son, who is accused of killing four in 2024 shooting, access to firearm Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox The father of a teenage boy accused of killing two students and two teachers in a mass shooting at a Georgia high school in 2024 was found guilty on Tuesday of second-degree murder and other charges. After roughly two weeks of testimony , jurors deliberated for just a few hours before convicting 54-year-old Colin Gray on more than two dozen charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, related to the 4 September fatal shooting at Apalachee high school in Georgia. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/0rMvIqQ

Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna propose bill to impose wealth tax on billionaires

Make billionaires pay their fair share act would apply to those with a net worth of $1bn or more Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Senator Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna, a representative, on Monday introduced legislation that would impose a 5% annual wealth tax on America’s billionaires. The proposal, titled the make billionaires pay their fair share act , would apply to individuals in the US with a net worth of $1bn or more, of which Sanders’s office estimates there are 938 people who meet that threshold. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/RDPkOml

Tottenham lacking in attack, midfield, defence and ‘brain’, says Igor Tudor

2-1 defeat at Fulham was Spurs’ fourth league loss in a row ‘We are always late on everything. That’s the problem.’ Igor Tudor described the situation Tottenham find themselves in as “amazing” and suggested they have just three major problems as they fight relegation: the attack, the midfield and the defence. Spurs’ 2-1 defeat at Fulham was their fourth in a row in the league and leaves them just four points above the relegation zone. “I cannot tell you anything new,” said a downbeat Tudor. “We need to find the forces inside each of us. I said to the players: ‘It’s always what you’re going to do, what you want to do with yourself,’ you know? More personality, more wish to do before reacting, plenty of things … We are lacking when we attack, we lack the quality to score the goal. We are lacking in the middle to run and we are lacking behind to stay there to suffer and not concede the goal. So, an amazing situation. Amazing.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift...