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Thursday, February 26, 2026

South Africa fields against West Indies in heavyweight clash at T20 World Cup

February 26, 2026
South Africa fields against West Indies in heavyweight clash at T20 World Cup

AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — South Africa chose to field first against the West Indies in a heavyweight Super Eights clash at theT20 World Cupon Thursday.

Associated Press

One of them will lose for the first time in six matches at the tournament.

Ahmedabad's red-soil pitch is expected to give some extra bounce to fast bowlers but both sides are packed with explosive hitters.

South Africa named the same squad that trounced co-host India on Sunday.

With plenty of left-handers in the Proteas batting lineup, West Indies included spin allrounder Roston Chase in place of Akeal Hosein.

Later Thursday, India takes on Zimbabwe in Chennai in a must-win game for both.

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West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

AP cricket:https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

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Before March Madness, February was frenzied. Catching up on college basketball

February 26, 2026
Before March Madness, February was frenzied. Catching up on college basketball

Just when it felt like three months is enough time to get a sense of thecollege basketball season, the penultimate month ends up shifting it just before the madness begins.

USA TODAY Sports

While world-class athletes in Milan and Cortina grabbed the spotlight in the2026 Winter Olympics, college basketball chugged along, and plenty happened. Fromlate-season surges to some perplexing stumbles, it had it all. Even though February is the shortest month of the year, there was enough time for seasons to change heading into the all-important March.

Selection Sunday is less than three weeks away. Here are college basketball's biggest swings that happened while I was half a world away in northern Italy.

Hoosier daddy?Make no mistake, Indiana is a football school. It's not even close

Are No. 1 seeds locked up?

No spots are secure until the bracket is revealed, but it feels safe to say three of the No. 1 seeds are spoken for.

Duke, Michigan and Arizona have separated themselves as the top title contenders with stunning resumes. They are the only three teams with at least 10 Quad 1 wins. They are the only Power conference teams with under three losses.

The Blue Devils and Wolverines just played a thrilling marquee matchup that Duke won, and a rematch could be in store in the Final Four.

A Florida repeat?

Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) reacts during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.

When Florida won the title in 2006, it followed it up with a repeat championship. A perfect February start has the Gators thinking deja vu is in store.

The Gators are 6-0 this month and have won 12 of their past 13 games to surge to the top of theSEC, forgetting shaky start to the season. Not only are they winning, but they're doing it in dominant fashion. On a seven-game win streak — with four Quad 1 victories — they have won by an average of 21.6 points, with the offense really flourishing.

It took time, but Florida looks exactly how many expected them to ahead of the season, and once again, this doesn't look like a team you want to play in the tournament.

SEC weirdness

Florida is a proven contender, but everyone else in the SEC is making it hard to figure out if they belong. One moment they're on a win streak, the next the losses keep piling up.

Alabama has used a six-game win streak to jump to second place, with Arkansas and Tennessee right behind. Then there's Texas A&M, a contender before a four-game skid dropped it out of the picture. Texas started winning to get in the tournament frame, Vanderbilt's early magic has worn off andKentucky keeps flip flopping. It's become a mystery, and it's not worth trying to understand.

St. John's is here for good

The concrete jungle magic is back with St. John's riding to the top of Big East with a 13-game win streak that included a Feb. 6 victory over Connecticut. That win streak was snapped Wednesday — by UConn, but the Red Storm are still formidable.

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The defense has really stepped up, capturing its identity after is was a major concern earlier in the season.

The resurgence has completely flipped the outlook of where St. John's could be in the tournament. When the month began, it was a No. 5 seed with an outside shot of being in the overall top 16. Now, the Red Storm have asserted themselves as a top-four seed and are making the case to be able to play close to home, not leaving the Northeast.

What happened to BYU?

At the end of January, Brigham Young was in the conversation for a top-three seed in what was shaping up to best the season in Cougars history. Now, it's looking like it could end in "what if?"

After a 17-2 start, BYU is 3-5 since, losing to the Big 12's elite teams that puts into question if the Cougars can contend among the top title contenders. A much needed win over Iowa State on Feb. 21 was followed by a home blowout by UCF. A rough time for the Cougars has dropped them all the way down to a projected No. 6 seed.

AJ Dybantsa can do it all, but he needs help, and plenty more fell on his shoulders whenRichie Saunders was lost for the season. With a tougher draw on the horizon, BYU will have to work harder to complete its dream campaign.

Injuries

Speaking of injuries, they've really hit some tournament hopefuls, drastically changing team outlooks. Saunders is a major one at BYU, and so isJT Toppin, who is out for the season, severely hurting Texas Tech's legit title hopes.

North Carolina has felt the effect ofstar freshman Caleb Wilson's injury, and Kansas continues tonavigate the enigma of Darryn Peterson. All injuries impact the resume, but given the high profile ones happening, how much weight will they carry with the selection committee in terms of seeding?

Bracket shifts

Several teams saw their projected seed lines change in the past four weeks, good and bad.

Florida and St. John's headline the positive movement, along with Purdue. UCF, NC State, Texas and Miami have done work to feel more comfortable with their tournament hopes while TCU and Santa Clara have put themselves in the conversation.

On the opposite end, Clemson, SMU, Georgia, Auburn and Indiana are headed in the wrong direction.

How the bubble changed

Miami is a near tournament lock with a 5-1 mark, the only blemish a close loss to Virginia. Joining the fold are TCU and Santa Clara, picking up steam to be in the "Last Four" in territory. Not quite in the field but now in the conversation are VCU and California, picking up steam.

Then there's those falling rapidly. That starts with Southern California and San Diego State, each going on losing skids that has taken them out of the projected bracket. Teams on the fringe like Seton Hall, Missouri and Virginia Tech are starting to see their hopes fade away thanks to inconsistent play.

Now isn't the time to have hot and cold streaks. It's stay hot, or see your NCAA Tournament hopes freeze up.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March Madness outlook completely changed in frenzied February

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Nottingham Forest and Stuttgart take 3-goal leads into return playoffs in the Europa League

February 26, 2026
Nottingham Forest and Stuttgart take 3-goal leads into return playoffs in the Europa League

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Nottingham Forest and Stuttgart looked in control of their Europa League playoffs and close to reaching the round of 16 on Thursday.

Associated Press

Both sides took home a three-goal advantage from the first legs last week.

Vítor Pereira made an impact in his first game in charge, leading Nottingham to a 3-0 victory at Fenerbahçe.

While the English club is struggling at 17th place in the Premier League, it will be favored to advance at the City Ground. Nottingham returned to Europe after three decades this season and has not conceded a goal in its last three home games in the European second-tier.

Fenerbahçe has managed to win only one of its last 10 games in England.

Stuttgart beat Celtic 4-1 in front of packed Celtic Park on a night to forget for caretaker boss Martin O'Neill, who didn't have much to celebrate in his 1,000th career game as a manager. O'Neill said Celtic was not ready to give up.

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"We want to go there and compete," he said. "You don't want to throw things away, so we'll go and compete and have a look at it."

Host Genk has its sights on the next round after leading Dinamo Zagreb 3-1, and so does Bologna, which plays at home and is 1-0 up against Norwegian side Brann.

Celta holds a 2-1 lead over PAOK and Lille is trailing Red Star 1-0 ahead of their game in Belgrade.

In the third-tier Conference League, Crystal Palace has work to do at home after it was held to 1-1 by Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Step Out Together at World Central Kitchen on Final Day in Jordan

February 26, 2026
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Step Out Together at World Central Kitchen on Final Day in Jordan

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Amman on the final day of their two-day humanitarian trip to Jordan

People Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on day two of their visit to JordanCredit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • The nonprofit's Jordan office coordinates food relief across the region, including aid operations into Gaza

  • World Central Kitchen was the first philanthropic partner of the couple's Archewell Philanthropies, which they founded after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020

Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryspent the second day of their Jordan visit spotlighting a cause long close to their hearts.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Jordan Country Office of World Central Kitchen in Amman, marking their first stop on the final day of their two-day humanitarian trip.

Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, stepped out together at the nonprofit's regional headquarters, where World Central Kitchen coordinates food relief and humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in JordanCredit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

The visit carried personal significance for the couple. World Central Kitchen was the first philanthropic partner of their charitable organization,Archewell Philanthropies, which they founded after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020.

World Central Kitchen was founded by chef José Andrés to provide fresh meals in the immediate aftermath of crises, and Prince Harry and Meghan remain active supporters of the organization.

As deadly wildfires swept through Los Angeles in January 2025, theDuke and Duchess of Sussex stepped in to help— pitching in to serve meals, donate supplies and meet with those affected at World Central Kitchen's hub in Pasadena. The disaster struck close to home for the couple, who live about 90 miles north of the L.A. area with their children,Prince Archie, 6, andPrincess Lilibet, 4.

Exclusively speaking to PEOPLE, Andrés said that he was "just glad that they show up like so many others."

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"I consider them friends," the restaurateur said about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. "I know they are in the spotlight — not just in America, but in Britain — and what I can tell you from what I know is that they don't have to, but they decide to do it."

On Thursday, Prince Harry and Meghan met with World Central Kitchen teams coordinating regional food operations from Amman, getting a firsthand look at the organization's frontline work.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in JordanCredit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

The California-based couple's charitable organization, Archewell Philanthropies — originally launched as the Archewell Foundation before being rebranded in late 2025 —partnered with World Central Kitchen in 2020to build a series of community relief centers in disaster-prone regions. The collaboration focused on strengthening food security, with centers established in Dominica and Puerto Rico.

Continuing this collaboration, Archewell Philanthropies has also supported the development of four community relief centers around the world and the globe, andWorld Central Kitchen's food aid in Ukraine.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in JordanCredit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Jordan trip was announced just aftermidnight on Feb. 25, local time. Their office said the couple would join Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), for a two-day visit focused on humanitarian health response, mental health and support for vulnerable communities affected by conflict and displacement.

On Wednesday, Harry and Meghan attended a World Health Organization roundtable hosted by Dr. Tedros, toured a youth center at Za'atari Refugee Camp, and visited Amman's Specialty Hospital to meet medical evacuees recently transferred from Gaza.

Read the original article onPeople

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Wary of US investors, Greenland lawmakers push to pass foreign investment screening law

February 26, 2026
Wary of US investors, Greenland lawmakers push to pass foreign investment screening law

COPENHAGEN, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A surge in property interest from U.S. buyers in Nuuk early last year prompted lawmakers to rush through curbs on foreign purchases and shifted the focus of Greenland's upcoming foreign-investment screening law, lawmakers and other people familiar with the matter said.

Reuters A drone view of Nuuk, Greenland, January 25, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica A view of Nuuk, Greenland, January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica Construction workers stand on a terrace of a residential building in Nuuk, Greenland, January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A drone view of Nuuk

In January 2025, around the time U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his efforts to assert greater ‌control over Greenland, lawyers and real estate firms in the capital began receiving multiple inquiries from U.S. buyers, six people familiar with the matter said.

Until then, foreigners had shown little interest in ‌property in the town of 20,000 people.

"The most aggressive ones wanted to buy everything available on the market," said a Nuuk-based lawyer, who requested anonymity.

BALANCING NEEDS OF ECONOMY WITH POLITICS

Trump's interest in the Arctic island has left its lawmakers in a dilemma, as they balance ​the need to attract capital to boost its stagnating economy with a wish to block out U.S. investors they suspect may carry hidden political motives.

It was not clear who the investors were or whether they were linked to Trump's push for Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

But the sudden interest alarmed lawmakers, who feared outside buyers could push residents out of Nuuk's already tight housing market, three of the sources said. By February 2025, Greenland's government had tightened controls on foreign property purchases.

The housing scare fed into the broader push to give authorities tools to vet who is behind incoming capital.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT BILL SUBMITTED IN OCTOBER

A foreign investment screening bill, long ‌in the works and formally submitted to parliament in October, was initially conceived ⁠partly as a safeguard against any unwanted Chinese investment. But three of the sources said the focus had shifted following Trump's revived Greenland ambitions.

"We are very interested in working with American investors, but not in a way where they try to push certain political goals," said MP Aqqalu Jerimiassen from the Atassut party, part of Greenland's governing ⁠coalition.

Greenland has long sought to diversify its economy, primarily by courting investments in its mining sector. However, limited infrastructure, including a lack of roads connecting the region's 72 towns, extreme climatic conditions, and labour shortages, have hampered progress in attracting meaningful foreign capital.

Denmark has allocated extra money for infrastructure and other development initiatives, and the EU has proposed more than doubling its funding. Still, the Arctic nation's economy remains stagnant, with growth at just 0.2% in 2025 and a significant deficit ​in ​public finances.

SOME SECTORS WILL NEED MANDATORY SCREENING

First debated in November, the screening bill is set for further discussion in April ​and is expected to be passed that month. The draft requires foreign investors to ‌disclose the origin of their funds and enables authorities to reject deals if the political affiliations or intentions of the investors raise concerns.

"If someone is working for Trump, we will find out with this screening law. This is about our own security," Jerimiassen added.

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The proposed bill does not single out specific countries but urges cooperation with allies, indicating that American and European investors may face less scrutiny compared to Chinese counterparts. However, it grants Greenland the authority to review foreign investments considered a threat to security.

"The purpose of the law is to prevent foreign investments from posing a threat to Greenland's security or public order," the legislation states. In addition, its goal is to enhance the security of "Greenland and its allies, including NATO member states".

Foreign investments in critical infrastructure, IT and classified data systems, raw materials and mining, hydropower, and government-owned companies will require mandatory screening under the ‌proposed law.

The legislation is limited to areas under Greenland's jurisdiction and does not extend to U.S. military activities on the ​island, which remain under Denmark's control.

China has said it has no intention of competing for influence in Greenland.

GREENLAND STILL WANTS AMERICAN CAPITAL, ​MP SAYS

Last month, Drew Horn, a former senior aide in Trump's first administration, announced plans for ​a multi‑billion‑dollar data centre in Greenland - the kind of project some lawmakers view as underscoring the need for clearer screening rules.

Greenland's government said it has not received any applications ‌or formal requests related to the proposal.

Horn, who now leads an investment and advisory ​firm, told Reuters the project had no political ties ​and that he had no concerns about passing any screening requirements in Greenland.

"Greenland wants American capital, but we fear hidden political motives behind certain U.S. private investors," said one member of parliament, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Negotiations between Greenland and the U.S. over access and presence on the island are ongoing, with Trump still insisting on "total access" to the island.

Business Minister Naaja Nathanielsen ​told Reuters the foreign investment screening law was not drafted in response to ‌U.S. interest and that she continued to welcome American investment.

However, if negotiations between the U.S. and Greenland broke down, she said, "then of course we would need to reevaluate our position. ​But we are not there yet".

Greenland's housing ministry said property restrictions imposed last year were a precautionary measure not linked to specific data but intended to maintain control over Nuuk's housing ​availability.

($1 = 6.3449 Danish crowns)

($1 = 0.8494 euros)

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Additional reporting by Pete McKenzie; Editing by Alison Williams)

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US commerce secretary, India minister discuss trade days after Trump's tariffs are struck down

February 26, 2026
US commerce secretary, India minister discuss trade days after Trump's tariffs are struck down

NEW DELHI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal discussed trade and economic partnership ‌with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over lunch ‌in New Delhi on Thursday, Goyal said in a post on ​X, days after President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs were invalidated.

Reuters

Earlier this week, Goyal said two-way trade talks would resume once there was more clarity, signaling India's ‌intent to pursue ⁠a deal with Washington despite Trump's weakened legal authority on tariffs.

"A highly productive ⁠lunch ... so many areas of cooperation for our two nations!", the U.S. envoy to India Sergio Gor said ​in a ​separate post on X, ​with a picture of ‌himself with Lutnick and Goyal.

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Lutnick is on a personal visit to India, an Indian trade ministry official said.

Since the Supreme Court order, Trump has announced a temporary 10% duty on all nations, including India, ‌and promised to raise it ​to 15% - the maximum allowed ​under the statute ​he has resorted to.

Prior to the ruling, ‌both countries had agreed on ​a framework ​for Washington to cut tariffs on India to 18% from 50% - a rate that previously included ​a 25% punitive ‌tariff for New Delhi's Russian oil purchases.

(Reporting ​by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Manoj Kumar and Shivangi Acharya; ​Editing by YP Rajesh)

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Bangladesh court orders authorities to request Interpol red notice for arrest of British MP

February 26, 2026
Bangladesh court orders authorities to request Interpol red notice for arrest of British MP

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A court inBangladesh'scapital on Thursday ordered authorities to request that Interpol issue a red notice for the arrest of a British lawmaker on charges of corruption in a private real estate project.

Associated Press

Tulip Siddiq, a former British minister and an MP from Hampstead and Highgate in London, faces charges of corruption in Bangladesh as the country's Anti-corruption Commission pursues a case against her.

Siddiq has already been sentenced to six years in jail in Bangladesh in three other corruption cases all involving her powerful aunt, the country's former Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina. Hasina was ousted in 2024 ina student-led mass uprisingthat ended her 15-year rule, and has been in exile in India since Aug. 5, 2024.

Siddiq earlier rejected allallegationsagainst her, termed the verdicts as a "complete farce," and said she is a British citizen, not a Bangladeshi national.

The commission said that Siddiq, using her connection with Hasina, influenced a process to award land to a private company in Dhaka's upscale Gulshan area. Siddiq is the daughter of Hasina's younger sister Sheikh Rehana.

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Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammed Sabbir Faiz issued the order Thursday upon a petition by the corruption watchdog.

The order came after the commission's Assistant Director A.K.M. Mortuza Ali Sagar sought the order for a red notice through Interpol to facilitate her arrest.

There was no immediate reaction from Siddiq on Thursday.

In January last year, Siddiqresignedas a British government minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure because of her ties to Hasina. Siddiq had said she had been cleared of wrongdoing but was quitting as economic secretary to the Treasury because the issue was becoming "a distraction from the work of the government."

Three days after Hasina's ouster, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as interim leader and eventually oversaw an election on Feb. 12. The new government ofPrime Minister Tarique Rahman, the son of Hasina's main political rival and formerPrime Minister Khaleda Zia, has taken over.

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