Over the past few weeks, there has been much debate about academic freedom in the United States. It was sparked by the decision of Hamline University not to renew the contract of an adjunct professor who showed a famous 14th-century Persian painting of the Prophet Muhammad and Angel Gabriel in her art history class. The decision was made following the complaint of a Muslim student who felt offended. “We now find ourselves at the heart of a purported standoff between academic freedom and equity.” These words by Hamline University President Fayneese Miller succinctly summarise what appears to be a false dichotomy thrust…
Author: National Tone
Leeds were held to a 0-0 draw by resilient Brentford in a lively game at Elland Road as neither side were able to make inroads in their contrasting Premier League bids. Jesse Marsch’s Leeds team were hoping to put distance between themselves and the bottom three, while the Bees missed the opportunity to climb into the league’s coveted top six. The stalemate will suit Brentford better as they have now reached the 30-point mark in record time (the quickest in their top-flight history), while Leeds continue to sit precariously above the relegation zone – one point ahead of Bournemouth in…
MELBOURNE, Australia — Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka made it back to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2016 by coming back to beat Zhu Lin 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a match that began late Sunday night and ended at nearly 2:20 a.m. on Monday. The third set began with six consecutive breaks of serve, before Zhu finally was the first to hold, taking a 4-3 lead. But the 24th-seeded Azarenka grabbed the final three games. She held, then broke to go up 5-4 when Zhu put a forehand into the net. Azarenka faced two…
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – On Saturday, Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party, held its first public rally in more than six years in the northwestern city of Mwanza just three weeks after President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted a ban on political gatherings imposed in 2016. There was a jubilant reception of party leaders in the city by hundreds of supporters in uniforms with Chadema colours – red, blue and white. There were also poetry performances and contortionists on hand to entertain the supporters who thronged the Furahisha stadium, the rally venue. In June 2016, Hassan’s predecessor John Magufuli prohibited elected…
Victor Perez posted a final-round 66 in Abu Dhabi to become the first French winner of a Rolex Series event and put him inside the projected Ryder Cup qualification standings; Min Woo Lee and Sebastian Soderberg share second as Padraig Harrington takes fourth spot Last Updated: 22/01/23 1:17pm Victor Perez secured a thrilling victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Victor Perez secured the biggest win of his career and boosted his Ryder Cup qualification hopes after surviving a late scare to claim a dramatic Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship victory. Perez posted a six-under 66 during a thrilling final round…
EXPLAINERSome 100,000 protesters turned up on Saturday in Tel Aviv, the largest demonstration so far since Netanyahu’s return to power.Some 100,000 protesters turned out in central Tel Aviv, demonstrating against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government to change the judicial system that protesters say will threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts. Saturday’s demonstration was the biggest since Netanyahu returned to power last month at the head of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. Why are Israelis protesting? The plans, which the government claims are needed to curb overreach by activist judges, have drawn…
Sweden’s bid for NATO membership faces a dead end after a rally by the far right burns the Quran in front of Turkey’s embassy in Stockholm.Sweden’s bid for NATO membership is up in the air amid strained ties with Turkey over Ankara’s demands to hand over Kurdish activists and prevent rallies attacking its leadership. Tensions climaxed on Saturday when the leader of a Danish far-right political party burned the Quran while protesting in front of Turkey’s embassy in Stockholm. Ahead of the rally, Ankara said it was cancelling a visit by Sweden’s defence minister aimed at overcoming Turkey’s objections to…
Iga Swiatek (left) won the French Open and US Open last yearVenue: Melbourne Park Dates: 16-29 JanuaryCoverage: Commentary every day from 07:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra ‘Tennis Breakfast’ live from Melbourne, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the BBC Sport website & appTop seed Iga Swiatek is out of the Australian Open after losing to Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round.Rybakina, seeded 22nd, had struggled to replicate the displays which saw her win at the All England Club in July.But against Swiatek the Kazakh showed again how she thrives on the big…
Thousands of Chadema party supporters gather in the lakeside city of Mwanza after government lifts a ban on the party.Tanzania’s main opposition party has held its first mass rally since the lifting of a 2016 ban, raising hopes of greater political freedom in the East African nation. President Samia Suluhu Hassan this month lifted the ban on Chadema imposed by her hardline predecessor John Magufuli, who was nicknamed “Bulldozer” for his pugnacious style. Hassan, in power for 22 months, is seeking to break with some of Magufuli’s policies and has made overtures to the opposition. “Thank God that the day…
MELBOURNE, Australia — Shingo Kunieda, the most successful player in the history of wheelchair tennis, announced his retirement from the sport on Sunday at the age of 38. The top-ranked Kunieda won 28 Grand Slam singles titles and completed the career Grand Slam of all four majors when he won Wimbledon in 2022. “I have been thinking about the retirement since my dream came true at Tokyo Paralympics,” the Japan player said on social media. “Last year Wimbledon singles title for the first time made me feel that my energy was little left to compete. “By capturing the 10th time…