Mubeen Blogs

Luanne James said as a librarian she had an obligation to protect the public’s right to access information Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox A Tennessee library director has been fired after she refused to relocate more than 100 LGBTQ+-themed children’s titles to the library system’s adult section. The Rutherford county library board on Monday voted to fire Luanne James following a heated emergency meeting that involved supporters of hers chanting “We stand with Luanne!” while wearing shirts that read “Protect the freedom to read.” Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/9EDkPHF

Saturday’s protests drew millions of people across the US and around the world. The Guardian spoke with some of them to see why they were there and what’s next So you went to a No Kings protest. Now what? Saturday saw the greatest number of protests in US history, when more than 8 million people at 3,300 No Kings events took to the streets to oppose the policies of Donald Trump . In the past few months, the Trump administration has sent more than 3,000 federal immigration agents into Minnesota’s Twin Cities , causing fear and havoc that was only furthered when agents killed two residents. Trump has also launched strikes on Venezuela and waged a war in Iran that has so far cost the US about $30bn to $40bn. That is on top of the US continuing to fund Israel’s war in Gaza; the ongoing immigration raids in other US cities, towns and rural regions; and the threats to trans rights, voting rights and more. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/PKBbvLe

Veteran returns to club 44 years after being sacked ‘It boils down to two words: energy and enthusiasm’ Roy Hodgson insists he does not require “a crutch” after making a shock return to Bristol City aged 78 and believes he is healthier than when last coaching two years ago, when he was taken ill at Crystal Palace. The former England manager, who took training at the Championship club for the first time on Monday, has taken interim charge for the final seven games of the season. Hodgson left Palace in February 2024 , four days after collapsing at training, but was tempted out of retirement by Richard Scudamore, the former Premier League chief executive who joined City’s board last October. Hodgson was at home in Richmond, west London, when he received a message out of the blue from Scudamore, a lifelong City fan, asking if he could pick his brains. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/lMpTJNj

The first British woman to win an Olympic athletics gold medal with her long jump victory at the 1964 Tokyo Games One of the true “golden girls” of the swinging 60s, Mary Rand , who has died aged 86, emerged as the brightest British sporting star of her era when she became her nation’s first female gold medallist in Olympic athletics, taking long jump victory with a world record leap in the Tokyo games of 1964. She also won silver in the pentathlon and bronze in the sprint relay at the event, making her the first British athlete to have claimed three medals in one Olympic Games. Her life was transformed after she broke the previous record on a wet day with a leap of 6.76 metres. On a cinder track, running into a headwind, her performance was spectacular. Always photogenic, Rand’s face became one of the most instantly recognisable as her every move was celebrated in newspapers and on television. Almost inevitably, she was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 1964 and was m...

Marsupial escaped from enclosure at Wisconsin’s Sunshine Farm on Wednesday after he was spooked by stray dogs How does a kangaroo escape a petting zoo? It’s not the opening line to a dad joke. If you’re Chesney the kangaroo, you scale an 8ft (2.5-meter) fence and go on the lam for three days, giving your keeper sleepless nights and sending residents of a small Wisconsin town on a search that would end happily on Saturday. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/aLV7J3I

More than 850 public demonstrations of support held since start of war and at least 1,400 arrests, research reveals Parents of Iran school bombing victims describe their worst day Iran’s regime has organised more than 850 public demonstrations of support of the government since the beginning of the war and launched a continuing crackdown on unrest that has led to at least 1,400 detentions, research reveals. The high number of pro-regime gatherings and the increasing number of detentions underlines the resilience of the Islamic Republic despite a month-long campaign of intensive airstrikes by the US and Israel, experts said. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/0WFadsX

Updated prices of PlayStation 5 consoles to go into effect on 2 April as electronics makers face rising cost pressures Sony is raising global prices of its PlayStation 5 consoles, including a $100 increase in the US, marking its second hike in less than a year as the entertainment giant grapples with rising costs of key components such as memory chips. The tech industry’s race to build out artificial intelligence infrastructure has pushed memory makers to favor higher-margin datacenter chips, tightening supply for consumer devices like the ones Sony sells. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2OwH5VW

The decision follows activist pressure as Palantir faces growing scrutiny over NHS and UK government deals Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox New York City ’s public hospital system announced that it would not be renewing its contract with Palantir as controversy mounts in the UK over the data analytics and AI firm’s government contract. The president of the US’ largest municipal public health care system, Dr Mitchell Katz, testified last week before the New York City Council that the agreement with Palantir would expire in October. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/CVae9yx

Cuts to family planning aid are linked to an 11% increase in deaths during pregnancy and childbirth in some countries When Republican presidents win power in the US there is a stark consequence for many pregnant woman around the world – a significant rise in maternal mortality as aid is withdrawn, a new study has found. Global family planning aid typically drops under Republican presidents and then rises again by 48% once Democratic presidents are elected, the research, published in BMJ Global Health , finds. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/FjnubIH

The sari has gone through many changes over its 5,000-year history. The Offbeat Sari , a new exhibition running at Bunjil Place gallery in Melbourne until 30 August, celebrates the garment in its contemporary form. Featuring more than 50 ensembles, it showcases contemporary sari design’s materials, silhouettes and styling Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/tErfeSn

Solange Tremblay was ejected over 100 metres from the plane after collision at LaGuardia airport, her daughter says Two pilots killed after Air Canada jet collision at LaGuardia in New York Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email A flight attendant on the Air Canada Jazz flight that collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia airport on Sunday survived in what her daughter called a “complete miracle”, when she was ejected more than 100 metres from the plane while still strapped to her seat. The CRJ-900 jet, operated by Jazz Aviation, collided with a fire truck as it landed, killing both the pilot and co-pilot. Nine people were sent to the hospital with injuries, including Solange Tremblay, a flight attendant. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/IHKnwRf

Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/JYc1oNj

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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...