Mali have booked their place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after a strong 97–74 win over South Sudan in Wuhan on Tuesday.
The team, known as the Aigles Dames, put in a calm and confident display on the final day of the qualifiers, showing their steady rise in international women’s basketball.
Their ticket to the tournament was also confirmed after Belgium defeated the Czech Republic, a result that ensured Mali’s qualification.
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Mali played five matches in total and won two of them, showing improvement and determination throughout the competition. While their performance highlighted their quality, it also showed areas they need to work on, especially in tactics and fitness, as they prepare to face top teams in the world.
With qualification secured, Mali will now turn their focus to getting ready for the tournament in Berlin, where they hope to make a strong impact.
Polytec Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 3 NRL game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with South Sydney Rabbitohs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.
South Sydney look to continue building momentum after showing promising attacking signs through the first two rounds. The Rabbitohs’ spine remains one of the most dangerous in the competition when given time and space. The Tigers have been competitive early in the season but continue to struggle with defensive consistency, particularly against structured attacking sides. South Sydney’s ability to generate repeat sets through their kicking game could put the Tigers under sustained pressure. If the Rabbitohs control territory they should create enough opportunities to score. From a betting perspective South Sydney appear the stronger side on paper, but the Tigers’ unpredictability means handicaps may need careful consideration.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers Teams
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Euan Aitken 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jayden Sullivan 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Latrell Siegwalt 22. Liam Le Blanc
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Jeral Skelton 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Jock Madden 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tristan Hope 19. Patrick Herbert 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Faaletino Tavana 22. Tony Sukkar
NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill delivered a powerful message after being named the winner of the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for 2025, underlining the weight of expectations that come with representing one of the world’s top sides.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after receiving the honour at the BCCI’s Naman Awards, Gill highlighted the collective effort behind India’s rise as a dominant force, while stressing that their reputation as favourites has been hard-earned.“It’s efforts by everyone — whether it’s Gauti bhai, the batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach; they all work tirelessly to make this group what it is today. That’s why we are recognised as one of the most fearless teams in the world, and wherever we go, we are looked upon as favourites. That tag doesn’t come easy,” Gill said.
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Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period
The 26-year-old also reflected on the significance of joining an elite list of past winners, calling the recognition deeply special.“Obviously, it feels quite amazing to be recognised among cricketers, among the legends and idols that have won this award before me. It’s truly a great honour every time you step on the field to represent your country… and to do well in that sport and be recognised by the BCCI is an immense honour,” he added.Shubman Gill credits Gambhir and support staffGill credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and the wider support staff, including the Centre of Excellence, for shaping the team’s fearless approach.Reflecting on the past year, Gill termed it an “amazing journey,” pointing to India’s resilience during the England series. “Going into the England series and coming back to draw the series from where we were after the first Test match… it’s been a truly great year,” he said, also referencing strong outings in the West Indies and the Asia Cup.Looking ahead, Gill acknowledged the importance of the upcoming Test calendar, with crucial series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia set to define India’s World Test Championship hopes.“We’ve got some really crucial Test series coming up. Hopefully we are able to win most of our matches and qualify for the finals,” he said.Despite the accolades, Gill downplayed discussions around legacy, focusing instead on team identity. “We want to be looked upon… as a team that doesn’t give up easily. We want to instil that kind of character,” he noted.
In an unusual turn of events at the 2026 Miami Open, Czech tennis player Katerina Siniakova was seen executing unsportsmanlike behaviour following her loss to Colombian player Camila Osorio. They both locked heads during the first round on March 18, 2026.
Siniakova made her appearance at the 2026 Miami Open after having last competed at the Indian Wells Masters, where she retired halfway. While facing Elina Svitolina in the round of 16, Siniakova was trailing 6-1, 1-1. However, following the first game point in the second set, the Czech tennis player retired, citing a right hip injury.
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Osorio’s last appearance was also at the Indian Wells, where she concluded her run following the loss against the Japanese star Naomi Osaka in the third round. Both competed against each other in the first round at the Miami Open, where the Colombian bested the Czech player 6-1, 6-4. However, the most striking moment came when Katerina Siniakova brushed off Osorio and ignored her after the match concluded.
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While Siniakova was seen lying on the court, expressing her discontent, Osorio walked on the opponent’s side of the court and initiated a handshake. However, Siniakova ignored the winner even though the latter followed her till the end of the court, leaving her standing awkwardly and in confusion.
Watch the bizarre handshake drama between Siniakova and Osorio:
Before the 2026 Miami Open, Osorio and Siniakova competed against each other at the 2026 WTA Doha, Qatar – Round of 32 on February 10, in which the Colombian won. She will next compete against Karolina Muchova at the Miami Open.
Mirra Andreeva expresses frustration after her defeat against Katerina Siniakova at the Indian Wells Masters
Katerina Siniakova and Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Source: Getty Images
Fans witnessed a similar spectacle as Katerina Siniakova vs Camila Osorio faceoff during the Czech’s match against defending champion Mirra Andreeva at the 2026 Indian Wells Masters tournament. Siniakova and Andreeva vied against each other in the round of 32, which the Czech dominated with 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.
While Andreva entered the tournament as the eighth seed and the defending champion, Siniakova competed as an unseeded player. Andreeva’s discontent throughout the faceoff was unmissable, with the defending champion smashing her racket several times. She threw her racket after after losing the second set tiebreaker, which resulted in a code violation. Andreva repeated the same gesture after the match point. She was seen leaving the court by gesturing and shouting at the spectators.
The Senegal Football Federation has confirmed it will challenge CAF’s decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
In a statement, the federation described the ruling as unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable, insisting it undermines the credibility of African football.
CAF had earlier ruled that Senegal breached competition regulations in the final and awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory following an appeal by the Moroccan football federation.
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However, Senegal have strongly rejected the decision and are now seeking legal redress at CAS, as they aim to defend their rights and overturn the ruling.
The federation said it remains committed to justice and will keep the public informed as the case progresses.
The 2026 NIT began Tuesday from various home sites across the country, and the theme of the first round was upsets. Liberty eliminated No. 3 seed George Mason 77-71 behind 23 points from Josh Smith. Liberty will face the winner of No. 2 seed Nevada and Murray State in the second round this weekend.
And the shocking results didn’t stop there. UNC-Wilmington defeated No. 3 seed Yale 68-67 on the road and will face No. 2 seed Dayton or Bradley in the second round. No. 1 seed Auburn trailed at halftime by six to South Alabama at home. However, the Tigers flipped the switch in the second half and avoided an upset scare with a 78-67 win over the Jaguars.
Auburn will face No. 4 seed Seattle U next.
The first round continues on Wednesday with eight more first-round matchups. One of the games to keep an eye on is No. 1 seed New Mexico facing Sam Houston. No. 1 seed Wake Forest will also be in action when it faces Navy at home.
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Only four power conference teams are competing in the NIT this year: Auburn, Cal, Wake Forest and Oklahoma State. Multiple programs — such as Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Belmont and San Diego State declined an invitation to the NIT after missing out on the NCAA Tournament.
Here is a look at the full bracket.
2026 NIT key dates
First Round: March 17-18 Second round: March 21-22 Quarterfinals: March 24-25 Semifinals: April 2 (Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis) Championship: April 5 (Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis)
All times Eastern
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2026 NIT First Round schedule
Games in the first three rounds to be played at the higher-seeded team’s home arena
As a writer who traverses the globe covering golf, travel and all things food and beverage — and who racked up 110,000 frequent-flyer miles in 2025 — GOLF contributor Shaun Tolson has visited some of the world’s most famous golf clubs, resorts and best-kept secrets. Below, in Clubhouse Eats, he shares some of his favorite bites and sips from his recent travels.
In less than two months, a marquee-worthy lineup of all-star Texas chefs and Food Network stars will take over Omni PGA Frisco for the resort’s second annual Savor event. Billed as a celebration of food, drink, golf, and music, Savor is authentically all of those things, which I learned firsthand last May when I attended the inaugural event.
Savor successfully melds together all of those aforementioned experiences in a way that distinguishes it from so many of the other food-and-wine festivals that occupy the calendar each year. The participating chefs noticed the distinction, too.
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“There was an intimate feeling of community that doesn’t always happen at some of the other festivals,” last year’s headlining chef Antonia Lofaso told me afterward. “What did it for me was the live music. That was the through-line that made it feel very Texas.”
Even so, the fare remains Savor’s crown jewel; and I find myself still salivating when I think of several bites from last year’s event. Fortunately, four of the five chefs who created those dishes are returning to the event at the end of April, which means equally delectable (and memorable) bites are all but guaranteed this time around, too. Best of all, tickets are still available.
Antonia Lofaso’s Braised Short Rib Cavatelli
While awaiting Chef Lofaso’s entrée course during the opening Masters of Taste dinner, I formulated a few expectations. For starters, I was certain the meat would be succulent and tender. I also expected unctuous flavors. What I was served delivered on all of those things and so much more.
Yes, the meat practically melted in my mouth, but the cavatelli was light — not something I expected from the pasta — and that allowed the short rib to take center stage. The burrata and mushrooms that accompanied the dish, along with the subtle presence of horseradish, produced layers of nuanced flavor. My wife declared the dish “one of the best things I have ever eaten!” And we’ve collected our fair share of Michelin-starred dining experiences over the years, so that gives you an idea of just how amazing this dish was.
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The glazed sticky ribs were a massive hit.
Shaun Tolson
Kevin Lee’s Gochujang Glazed Sticky Ribs
There was no shortage of delicious bites and sips at Savor’s outdoor Fork & Fire grand tasting, which attracted about 600 guests, but Chef Kevin Lee made the boldest statement of the night with his gochujang-glazed sticky ribs. Yes, they were meaty and toothsome, but the ribs also boasted a rich and robust flavor. They had a kick, for sure — that’s to be expected with gochujang, a slightly sweet, fermented Korean chili paste — but it was a rounded spiciness. There were no sharp intrusions, which often mar foods that highlight the character of spicy chili peppers. Even if Fork & Fire was nothing more than a long communal table piled high with Chef Lee’s baby-back ribs, it would’ve been a raging success.
Fire-roasted beef tenderloin with tomato agrodolce and giardiniera.
Shaun Tolson
Kevin Sbraga’s Beef Tenderloin
The Best of Texas grand tasting on Savor’s third night last year could have been renamed An Ode to Beef. From brisket pastrami and pho beef carpaccio to smoked beef ribs and beef cheek tacos, the Best of Texas was a carnivore’s delight. As the event’s host, Chef Beau MacMillan, told me later, many of those dishes shined for their “sophistication in the simplicity.”
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That said, Chef Kevin Sbraga, winner of the seventh season of Top Chef, served one of the evening’s best bites. His fire-roasted tenderloin with tomato agrodolce and giardiniera was a love letter to beef, one that allowed the meat’s delicate flavor and tenderness to sing. Texas may be best known for its barbecue, where meat often serves as a canvas to spice rubs and sauces, but Chef Sbraga reminded everyone that the state’s best cooks know how to celebrate a high-end cut of beef, too.
The scallops were perfectly seared.
Shaun Tolson
Beau MacMillan’s Seared Dayboat Scallops
Chef MacMillan finally got his chance to cook during Savor’s final event, an al fresco Margaritas & Mariachis brunch, and he unofficially won the morning, serving a seared dayboat scallop with banana, mango aguachile, toasted peanut salsa, and pearls made of matcha and passionfruit. The scallop was perfectly seared, which was no small accomplishment given the heat of the Texas sun, but the matcha and passionfruit pearls were the dish’s unheralded star. Visually, they mimicked roe, but from a flavor standpoint they provided a surprising pop of flavor that kept the dish light and refreshing. It was a dynamic bite with bright flavors that showcased the shellfish in an unusual but elegant way.
Everything by Chef Leen Nunn
It might sound like a cop out, but everything that Omni PGA Frisco’s resident pastry chef, Leen Nunn, created was stunning. Some dishes were whimsical, others were culinary works of art, but all were delicious and memorable. (This came as no surprise to me, only because I had previously tried, and subsequently wrote about, her Ranch House Cookies, which may be the perfect cookie — dark chocolate juxtaposed by coconut, soft baked oaks contrasted by chopped pecans, and a touch of finishing salt to temper the sweetness.)
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Chef Nunn’s deconstructed strawberry rhubarb pie during the Masters of Taste dinner last year was spectacular. It was bright, sweet, balanced, and texturally varied. Her “Lonestar Ember & Frost” (created with Chef Ryan Stipp) was a masterclass in restraint, as grilled peaches and semolina pound cake were accented by subtly smoked vanilla bean ice cream. But her chocolate cake trifle, created with Chef Gelyn Widelski, captivated everyone. Served in a Dr. Pepper can (its top removed), the trifle was comprised of Dr. Pepper jelly, Bada Bing cherries, Cherry Cola Pop Rocks, and vanilla ice cream, all of which was topped with an edible bubble cloud. It was as delicious as it was eye-catching, and it had all the other chefs talking.
“There was this drama and theater to it,” Lofaso told me, “which I thought was really cool.”
Manchester City exited the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid on Tuesday night but Abdukodir Khusanov delivered an excellent showing
07:00, 18 Mar 2026
On a night of Etihad chaos Abdukodir Khusanov was calmness personified.
In the white hot heat of battle against a side who raise themselves like no other in the Champions League, against a player among the best in the world, against a side with a commanding match advantage and a man advantage, he stood strong.
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The 22-year-old delivered an exceptional showing, largely shackling Vinicius Jr despite the Brazilian ending the night with two goals as Real Madrid won 2-1 to complete a 5-1 aggregate success and end City’s Champions League campaign for another year.
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Despite the defeat, there was plenty to like about City’s performance in defeat. The Blues started the game well and were on top until the contest turned on Bernardo Silva’s red card and Vinicius converting from the resultant penalty.
City showed enough to suggest they are capable of challenging for silverware at the highest level and Khusanov showed he belonged on the highest stage.
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Slotting in at centre back, having been utilised on the right in the first leg, he produced an exceptional and error-free performance. His pace is a huge asset, his positional sense was superb and his decision making spot on.
In the early stages when Real countered with intent, it was Khusanov who stopped them in their tracks. He earned a rapturous reception from an impressed Etihad crowd and it set the tone for a coming of age performance from the youngster.
If this City side are to grow and improve together, then Khusanov can be a part of it for years to come.
City’s European campaign might be over for another season, but Khusanov’s journey is only just beginning.
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There are different episodes of the pre-NFL Draft hype and discussion every year. The two that eventually become the biggest ones (although not always the most telling) are the pre-combine predictions and the post-combine/free agent predictions. For some Notre Dame players this season there is quite a bit of difference.
Although wide receiver Malachi Fields had a phenomenal Senior Bowl which launched him upwards in the mock drafts toward the first round, his 40 time at the combine did some damage. While he can still help himself at the Notre Dame Pro Day, Fields still likely won’t be one of the players selected in the first round.
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But there are two Irish players that are still very much in contention.
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The first is the most obvious; running back Jeremiyah Love. He very well may be the best player in the draft and is definitely the best running back. He had been slotted in a number of places in the top 10 before the combine and free agent signings, but after several teams made some moves to solidify their running back room, Love is now projected to be picked by the Tennessee Titans with the 4th pick overall by Daniel Jeremiah.
Daniel Jeremiah also has Notre Dame running back, Jadarian Price, being selected in the first round as well. Price is projected to be picked by the Seattle Seahawks who just saw the departure of Kenneth Walker to the Kansas City Chiefs (which slightly affects Jeremiyah Love, but it seemed less and less likely he would have fell to the Chiefs).
Notre Dame has not been known as a big producer of first round running back talent, so if two players do get selected, it would be a phenomenal turn of events. Regardless of where they go, both players are likely ready to contribute in a big way as rookies.
Former India batter Aakash Chopra has flagged potential concerns for Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of IPL 2026, pointing to their youthful and relatively inexperienced batting unit as a key challenge. The Royals made a major call before the auction by trading Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), bringing in Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja in return. The Royals also traded Nitish Rana to Delhi Capitals and acquired Donovan Ferreira via a trade.
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Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag watches West Ham vs Man City in London
Young batting core under the spotlight In a video on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra’, he noted that RR’s batting core heavily features young names such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel. “You can call it weaknesses or challenges. The batting lineup is extremely young. Yashasvi Jaiswal is experienced, but he is still young. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is hitting a lot, but he is a young kid. Dhruv Jurel has immense potential, but he is still unproven in the IPL because he hasn’t scored runs there,” he said. Experience gap a growing concern Chopra also pointed out that while Riyan Parag has shown promise, he is yet to establish himself at the international level. He added that Shimron Hetmyer’s role could be compromised, as RR may not be able to utilise him in his preferred batting position. Notably, Parag is set to captain the Royals in the IPL 2026 season. “Riyan Parag has shown a lot of promise and potential, but he is not an established international star. Shimron Hetmyer is there for sure, but the number at which he batted for the West Indies isn’t available. No matter what you do, you won’t be able to play him there. Donovan Ferreira has limited international experience,” he elaborated. Summing up the batting concerns, Chopra stressed that while there is plenty of promise, the lack of international exposure across the top order could prove tricky. “When I look at the top six, a lot of potential is seen, but international experience is very, very limited, except for Shimron Hetmyer, for whom they will not be able to give the number at which he has been successful. So that is a bit of a challenge,” Chopra observed. Hetmyer, notably, was one of the standout performers for West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2026, scoring 248 runs at a strike rate of 186.46 in seven innings while batting at No. 3 — a role he is unlikely to reprise for RR. Spin attack faces form concerns Chopra also identified spin bowling as another area of concern, citing the recent form of key players. “The spin bowling stocks have gone up for sure, but the current form is a slight issue, and that is a bit of a concern. It might not be a concern, but I am looking at it as a challenge. Ravi Bishnoi’s last year was extremely cold. That’s why he was released. A great addition, but recent form is not great,” he said. He further added that Jadeja, despite his pedigree, has not been at his best in terms of wicket-taking in the T20 format over the past couple of seasons. “Ravindra Jadeja, again a great addition, but his current form in T20 cricket, from a wicket-taking ability perspective, is not great if you look at his bowling for CSK for the last two years. So you have two good spinners for sure, but their current form is not their friend. You can see that as a challenge,” Chopra observed. Bishnoi managed nine wickets in 11 innings during IPL 2025, conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.83. Jadeja, meanwhile, picked up 10 wickets in 14 matches, with an economy rate of 8.56 last season.
I like to explain golf swing mechanics using a simple analogy inspired by one of my coaching influences, the legendary Craig Shankland. About 30 years ago, when I was a young instructor, I attended a teaching seminar taught by Craig, and he explained a concept that still sticks with me to this day.
Craig, who worked with the legendary Moe Norman, liked to explain the wrist and body conditions using the terms “nun” and “sum” as you would see on a Chinese food menu.
“Nun” is the basic motion of the swing, driven by your large muscles. This is the foundational movement of the golf swing, with minimal wrist involvement. It’s a simple body-driven action that gets the ball moving without unnecessary complexity. It’s the basic starting point that helps build clean contact and sets the stage for everything that follows.
“Sum” is the hinging of the wrists, which adds a bit of leverage to the swing. Think of this as your secret power source, which gives your swing a bit of “oomph.”
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Now that we have the two terms defined, we can mix and blend them together for a variety of shots.
For the simplest shots — like a bump-and-run — you should think “nun, nun, nun,” for the backswing, downswing and follow-through. From there, we move to “sum, nun, nun,” which I think of as the first course. This is where we begin to add something.
The “sum” introduces a subtle wrist set, adding a bit of leverage while maintaining structure in the arms. Then we return to the familiar “nun, nun” feel in the downswing and follow-through. This progression allows you to build power and consistency without overcomplicating the motion.
Finally, there’s “nun, sum, nun.” This variation flips the sequence: you start and finish with minimal wrist and arm action, but introduce the “sum” — aka the wrist hinge — in the downswing. In my experience, this is a bit of a hidden gem. It can help create effortless speed, improve compression and produce that “through impact” feel that so many players are searching for.
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What I’ve always appreciated about this way of thinking — with all credit to Craig — is how memorable it is. These simple phrases stick, and more importantly, they translate into feels that players can actually use on the course.
The bigger idea here is that a great golf swing isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about building things in the right sequence. Start simple, layer in complexity gradually and then learn to access that more advanced movement when you’re ready.
We’re all the sum of our experiences — and sometimes, a little “nun” is exactly what you need to play better golf.
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