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Australia vs India: Annabel Sutherland hits record fourth Test century as hosts close in on victory

Ellyse Perry scored 76 to become the leading runscorer for Australia in women’s Tests, going past Karen Rolton’s mark of 1,002. Perry now has 1,006 runs.

Australia resumed on 96-3, trailing by 102, with Sutherland and Perry’s stand of 133 putting the hosts into a strong position before the latter was dismissed lbw by Deepti Sharma.

Wicketkeeper Beth Mooney ground out 19 off 53 balls to help Australia move into the lead and provide support to Sutherland, who played superbly on an increasingly challenging surface.

She was unbeaten on 93 at tea and quickly moved to her landmark century before holing out off Deepti.

Alana King and Lucy Hamilton put on 34 together to give Australia a significant lead and a weary India then wilted under the lights in the final session.

The visitors slipped to 10-2 and Sutherland then claimed the key wickets of Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur to leave India 64-4.

Left-arm fast bowler Hamilton, on her Test debut, removed Deepti and Richa Ghosh in the space of three balls to have India reeling on 82-6 and in danger of losing the match inside two days.

However, Pratika Rawal’s defiant 43 not out and Sneh Rana’s unbeaten 14 ensured the Test will go to a third day.

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T20 World Cup: Harry Brook leads England into semi-finals with stunning century in win over Pakistan

‘Clocked’ by a bouncer in Wellington, as culpable as anyone in the dismal Ashes defeat in Australia, pictured drinking in Noosa and found to have lied when apologising in Sydney.

Brook has had quite the winter.

This, though, was everything good about England’s white-ball captain. He batted at his destructive best.

Surprise greeted the sight of Brook walking down the steps rather than Bethell after Salt nicked off to Shaheen but the thinking was smart.

It kept the right-hander away from Pakistan’s five spinners on a turning pitch at the start of his innings and allowed him to take advantage of the powerplay fielding restrictions.

Brook faced three dots in his first five balls but then took left-armer Salman Mirza for a four and six in the second over.

He muscled a brutal straight six over long-on off while hitting spinner Mohammad Nawaz for 17 in the sixth, before nudging singles after Banton nicked off to Usman Tariq. The mystery spinner was Pakistan’s major threat.

At halfway, Brook kicked on again, crashing leg-spinner Shadab Khan for a perfect straight six. He scored all around the ground but those straight hits and his drives through the covers were particularly eye-catching.

He reached three figures with two more hits over mid-off – one for six and another a one-bounce four.

It made him the third man to score centuries in all three formats for England, after Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan, but more importantly it keeps them on course for a third T20 title.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao announce September rematch

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao made boxing history in 2015. More than a decade later, the two legends are hoping to do it again.

The aging greats will have their rematch Sept. 19 live on Netflix in the first boxing match held at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Mayweather defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision on May 2, 2015 in the “Fight of the Century” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That fight generated 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and a live gate of $72 million, both of which are records.

It was a long-awaited matchup between two of the biggest names in the boxing world that ultimately earned Mayweather the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Assn. and World Boxing Organization welterweight titles.

“I already fought and beat Manny once,” Mayweather said in a statement released by Netflix. “This time will be the same result.”

The backdrop to this bout is a bit different. Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) will be 49 on Tuesday. He has retired and unretired multiple times but has not fought in a bout that counts since his 10-round technical knockout of UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017.

Although he still has an exhibition against Mike Tyson coming up this spring, Mayweather announced last week he is resuming his professional career.

Pacquiao, 47, is 62-9-2 (39 KOs) and fought for a belt last July, losing by majority draw to then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in an attempt to break his own record for oldest welterweight champion. Pacquiao was 40 when he defeated Keith Thurman for the title in 2019.

Pacquiao recently announced a a 10-round welterweight exhibition against former junior welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history,” Pacquiao said in a statement by Netflix. “The fans have waited long enough — they deserve this rematch, and it will be even bigger now that it will be streamed live globally on Netflix. I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”

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I stayed at the 17th century hotel with its own on-site pub

The Stables Pub at Weetwood Hall, with outdoor seating under blue umbrellas on a cobblestone patio.

With its own onsite pub and nine acres of land, Weetwood Hall Hotel is a proper Northern retreat.

Even though parts date back to the Tudor period, all mod-cons are taken care of – so here’s everything you need to know.

Weetwood Hall Hotel is a former Jacobean manor houseCredit: Supplied

Where is Weetwood Hall Hotel?

Weetwood Hall Hotel is just five miles from Leeds city centre and on a direct bus route to all the main attractions.  

The hotel’s large car park, free for residence, lends itself to road trip adventures.

If you’re in town for one of the many sporting events Leeds plays host to, Weetwood is well placed being 2 miles from Headingley Stadium and 6 miles from Elland Road.

What is the hotel like?

This four-star hotel gives you a proper Yorkshire welcome, and the friendly staff are on hand for all your needs.

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It is built around a gorgeous 17th-century Jacobean manor house, set in nine acres of peaceful woodlands with its own traditional pub.

Parts date back to 1540, so it has real history – but it’s been thoughtfully updated into a modern hotel with quirky style.

It’s a nice balance of historic charm and modern convenience.

What are the rooms like?

You’ve got solid options. Signature rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, or upgrade to one of the king rooms, which really deliver on atmosphere with four-poster beds and period features.

Fast WiFi, proper amenities, and comfortable beds make for a good night’s sleep

Standard rooms cost from £31.05pp based on two sharing. See weetwood.co.uk.

What is there to do?

Weetwood’s Stables Pub has real character – it’s housed in the original horse stables and makes for atmospheric evening drinks.

It’s a cosy drinking hole serving traditional English beers and Yorkshire gin, plus there are big screens for watching sports.

For sunny days, there’s also outdoor seating in a lovely large courtyard. 

Once you’ve unpacked, why not take a ride on the little yellow water taxi (£3 per person per trip) to the free Royal Armouries Museum where Henry VIII’s and an elephant’s armour is on display.

Harewood House, one of the Treasure Houses of England, is an 18 minute drive away.

The breakfast has a very popular pancake stationCredit: Supplied by Ryan Venables

What is there to eat and drink?

The breakfast was delightful, with hot and cold options plus a very popular pancake station.

Convive Restaurant handles dinner with classic British dishes and cocktails, while afternoon tea costs £32.50 per person. 

At the onsite Stables pub, sample some of the many varieties of Yorkshire gin that are on offer.

Is the hotel family friendly?

For a family getaway, book one of the Weetwood’s family rooms with space for up to 4 people.

Make sure to ring ahead to organise a travel cot for the little ones.

Furry friends are welcome for a service charge of £25 per stay.

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

Fully accessible rooms are available and equipped with an adjustable electric bed, wet room and orthopaedic raised seating.

Rooms start from £31 eachCredit: Supplied

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T20 World Cup: Canada’s Yuvraj Samra becomes first associate player to make century and youngest in history as New Zealand win to reach Super 8s

Canada’s Yuvraj Samra became the first player from an associate nation to make a T20 World Cup century but it was not enough to stop them sliding to an eight-wicket defeat byt New Zealand, who confirmed their place in the Super 8 phase.

Samra made 110 off 65 balls in a knock which featured 11 fours and six sixes as his stunning innings helped Canada post 173-4.

The teenager had brought up his hundred off 58 balls as he eclipsed the previous top score by an associate player – 94 not out by the USA’s Aaron Jones against Canada at the last World Cup.

At 19 years and 141 days, he also became the youngest-ever T20 World Cup centurion, beating Pakistan Ahmed Shehzad’s (22 years and 127 days) against Bangladesh in 2014.

Samra was eventually dismissed by Jacob Duffy – caught in the deep behind square by Glenn Phillips – and left to a standing ovation at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai

“I manifested this moment ever since we qualified for the World Cup. Every single day, I dreamed about scoring a hundred on this stage,” said Samra, who is named after ex-India batter Yuvraj Singh.

“To do it here, in my first appearance [in Chennai], and as the youngest player in this World Cup – it’s truly a dream come true.”

Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa, who shared a 116-run stand with Samra for the first wicket, added: “Hats off to Yuvraj, he finished with a hundred in this match and it’s a proud moment for him and all Canadians.”

Kiwi seamers Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham and Duffy all claimed one wicket apiece.

New Zealand had a brief wobble early in the chase when they lost openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen in quick succession and slipped to 30-2.

However, Canada’s bowlers were unable to press home the advantage and an unbroken 146-run stand for the third wicket between Rachin Ravindra and Phillips got them home with 29 balls to spare.

Phillips top-scored with a brutal 76 not out of 36 balls while Ravindra finished unbeaten with 59 off 39 deliveries.

New Zealand’s victory sent them through and eliminated Canada in addition to the UAE and Afghanistan.

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Marco Rubio wants to build a ‘new Western century’. Will Europe join? | Politics News

Speaking at the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European countries to collaborate with the US to build a “new Western century”, describing US-Europe ties as “civilisational”.

“We are part of one civilisation – Western civilisation,” he said.

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His rallying speech comes after more than a year of President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about mass immigration in Europe and his administration’s latest National Security Strategy, which warns of “civilisational erasure” in Europe.

Last year, US Vice President JD Vance also lambasted European “liberal values” in his first address at the security conference.

As European leaders grapple with the rise of far-right political parties, how will they respond to this new demand from the US, and what does it mean for the future of transatlantic relations?

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, centre, arrives for the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on February 13, 2026.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, centre, arrives for the Munich Security Conference in Germany, February 13, 2026 [Michael Probst/AP Photo]

What did Rubio say?

The top US diplomat focused on several key areas he views as imperative for Europe to address, which included ending “liberalist” policies the Trump administration views as responsible for Europe’s “post-war decline”, creating new supply chains to reduce reliance on countries such as China, and ending mass migration, which he said is leading to the erasure of Western “civilisation”.

“The work of this new alliance,” Rubio said, “should not be focused just on military cooperation and reclaiming the industries of the past. It should also be focused on, together, advancing our mutual interests and new frontiers, unshackling our ingenuity, our creativity, and the dynamic spirit to build a new Western century.”

Liberalism and mass migration

Rubio argued that the “euphoria” of the Western victory in the Cold War had led to a “dangerous delusion that we had entered ‘the end of history’”, where every nation would be a liberal democracy and “live in a world without borders, where everyone became a citizen of the world”.

He used this as a plank to lash out against opening “doors to an unprecedented wave of mass migration that threatens the cohesion of our societies, the continuity of our culture, and the future of our people”.

“Mass migration is not, was not, isn’t some fringe concern of little consequence. It was and continues to be a crisis which is transforming and destabilising societies all across the West,” he said.

Taking aim at liberalist policies, he added that, to “appease a climate cult, we have imposed energy policies on ourselves that are impoverishing our people”.

New supply chains

Rubio said the US and its allies should bring more industry and jobs back home, not just to build weapons but to lead in new, high‑tech fields.

He added that the West should control key minerals and supply chains, invest in space travel and artificial intelligence, and work together to win markets in the Global South.

In particular, he said, is the need for a “Western supply chain for critical minerals not vulnerable to extortion from other powers”.

Earlier this month, Trump hosted ministers from dozens of countries for a critical minerals conference in Washington. The meeting was the first of a new Critical Minerals Ministerial, a US initiative to build alliances aimed at countering China’s control over critical mineral supply chains around the world.

What does a ‘new Western century’ mean?

While the overarching message of Rubio’s speech was that the US still seeks a partnership with Europe, said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of think tank Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, his remarks revealed, “The US will entirely set the parameters of that partnership and that it will be based on ideas Europe long has abandoned: An embrace of empire and colonisation.”

Rubio’s remarks at the conference suggest that the US under Trump wants Europe to accept “a civilisational divide of the world in which the ‘West’ must restore its dominance over other civilisations”, Parsi told Al Jazeera.

“In essence, Rubio listed the criteria for how Europe can become well-behaved vassals of the United States,” he said.

How did European leaders react to Rubio’s speech?

European leaders appeared to welcome Rubio’s speech at the conference; it was followed by a standing ovation. However, while lauding his call for stronger ties with the US, they notably did not address his comments about migration and liberal values.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference: “We know that in the [Trump] administration, some have a harsher tone on these topics. But the secretary of state was very clear. He said, ‘We want [a] strong Europe in the alliance’, and this is what we are working for intensively in the European Union.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot responded to Rubio’s speech: “Referring to [our] common legacy can only be welcomed with applause in Europe.”

“We will deliver a strong and independent Europe,” he said. “Independent, of course, irrespective of the speeches that we hear at the Munich Security Conference, however right they may be.”

Calling Rubio a “true partner”, German Foreign Minister John Wadephul said: “[It was] a very clear message from Secretary Rubio that we have … to stay and stick to our international rules-based order, which is, of course, in [the] first line the United Nations. This is our Board of Peace. We have to make it more effective, as Rubio said this morning.”

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said she was “very satisfied with the tone” and the content of Rubio’s speech.

What does this mean for Europe?

European leaders have been facing a dilemma – particularly over migration and defence – for some time, for a number of reasons. The mass migration crisis prompted by unrest in other parts of the world has already caused far-right parties to surge in popularity. Now, the Trump administration has voiced support for many of these parties and is also urging Europe to take stronger action on migration and defence.

Therefore, many European leaders have already started taking action in these areas.

For instance, most European countries are already working on boosting their defences and cracking down on migration.

Last year, the United Kingdom announced plans for a big boost in defence spending in advance of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with Trump early last year amid fears the US would withdraw support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Notably, Rubio skipped a meeting about Ukraine with European leaders at the Munich conference.

Many countries have also tightened controls over immigration. Denmark has led the way in implementing increasingly restrictive policies in its immigration and asylum system, with top leaders aiming for “zero asylum seekers” arriving in the country. Recently, the UK said it was studying the Danish model as well.

Europe is also working to make its energy and technology supply chains more sovereign, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly in the face of Trump’s trade war, which has seen him impose reciprocal trade tariffs on many countries around the world.

Many European leaders have come under increasing pressure from the rise in popularity of far-right parties calling for greater restrictions on immigration, as well.

In recent years, far-right, anti-immigration sentiment has been increasing in countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France. In 2023, the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, won the election in the Netherlands. France’s National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, won the snap election in 2024. The same year, Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party made significant inroads in the general elections and, last year, a YouGov poll placed Reform as the UK’s most popular political party.

Besides this, ideas which were once far-right fringe notions, such as remigration – the notion of forcibly expelling non-white European citizens – are gaining traction among far-right conservatives in Europe. The idea has been promoted by Herbert Kickl, the leader of Austria’s far-right anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPO) and Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD in Germany.

While some European leaders have geared up to resist the rise of far-right politics – partly by appeasing them with new, more restrictive migration policies – Trump has, however, embraced it.

What does this mean for US-Europe relations?

All this ultimately means that “Europe has a choice to make”, said Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the think tank Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. “It can pursue strategic autonomy and seek to find a balance between the great powers, and within that seek a dignified partnership with America in which it is not subjugated into vassalage.”

“[Or] Europe can continue on its current path in which it subordinates itself slowly but surely fully to Washington’s interests, priorities, impulses, and ideas about civilisational empire,” he told Al Jazeera.

Parsi pointed to the standing ovation at the conference that followed Rubio’s speech, simply for offering to remain partners with Europe.

“Whether they disregarded Rubio’s parameters, did not understand them, or simply found it unimportant because Europe desires to be a junior partner to the United States regardless of the parameters, remains to be seen,” he said.

For their part, European leaders appeared to place the greatest importance on repairing US-Europe relations above all else at the Munich Security Conference.

During his address at the conference on Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the US and Europe to “repair and revive transatlantic trust together”. “Let me begin with the uncomfortable truth: A rift, a deep divide has opened between Europe and the United States,” he said.

“Vice President JD Vance said this a year ago here in Munich. He was right in his description,” Merz said, as he called for a “new transatlantic partnership”.

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