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The women's college basketball landscape has witnessed a remarkable phenomenon: for the second consecutive year, the same four teams have secured their spots in the Final Four. UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina are set to battle it out for the championship, marking a historic repeat. This achievement is a testament to the dominance of these programs, with UConn being the reigning national champion. The Huskies, led by coach Geno Auriemma, have established themselves as a standard in women's college basketball, boasting 12 national championships and 25 Final Four appearances. Under Auriemma's leadership, UConn has won an impressive 1,288 games in 41 seasons. The Huskies (38-0) have been nearly unbeatable this season, with a 54-game winning streak and an average margin of victory of 37.8 points. They are led by first-team All-Americans Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, with eight players averaging at least 6.8 points per game. Strong emphasized the team's depth, stating, "I feel like no other team has a bench like us. We can have kind of anyone off the bench step up and change the whole pace of the game." UConn will face a familiar opponent in South Carolina, which they defeated in last year's title game. The Gamecocks (35-3) have reached the Final Four seven times in the past nine seasons under coach Dawn Staley, winning three national championships. They are led by second-team All-American Joyce Edwards, who averages 19.6 points per game. Meanwhile, UCLA (35-1) is seeking its first national championship under coach Cori Close. The Bruins are led by two-time All-American Lauren Betts, who averages 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 60.1% from the field. They will face Texas (36-3), which steamrolled its first four NCAA Tournament opponents by an average of 35.5 points per game. The Longhorns are led by fifth-year guard Rori Harmon and All-American forward Madison Booker.

The 2026 International Booker Prize shortlist has been unveiled, marking the award's 10th anniversary. Daniel Kehlmann, Marie NDiaye, and Yáng Shuāng-zǐ are among the six authors competing for the top honor.The annual prize celebrates the best works of fiction translated into English, with the winning author-translator pair receiving £50,000, split equally.The shortlisted authors and their works are:Daniel Kehlmann - 'The Director', translated by Ross BenjaminMarie NDiaye - 'The Witch', translated by Jordan StumpYáng Shuāng-zǐ - 'Taiwan Travelogue', translated by Lin KingRene Karabash - 'She Who Remains', translated by Izidora AngelShida Bazyar - 'The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran', translated by Ruth MartinAna Paula Maia - 'On Earth As It Is Beneath', translated by Padma ViswanathanThe judging panel, chaired by author Natasha Brown, praised the shortlisted books for capturing moments from across the past century, saying they 'reverberate with history' and offer 'hope, insight and burning humanity.'The winner will be announced on May 19, with each shortlisted title receiving £5,000.

Kenyan marathon runner Albert Korir, the 2021 New York City Marathon champion, has been handed a five-year doping ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Korir admitted to using a banned performance-enhancing drug, specifically the synthetic form of erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell production.The ban, which runs from January 8 until January 7, 2031, was reduced from six years due to Korir's early admission and acceptance of the sanction. The 32-year-old athlete tested positive during out-of-competition tests in Kenya in October.Korir has had a notable career, winning the 2021 New York marathon in a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 22 seconds. He also came third in the 2023 New York marathon with a personal best time of 2:06:57. Additionally, he won the Ottawa Marathon in 2019 and 2025.This sanction comes as part of Kenya's ongoing efforts to clean up its image in athletics, following a string of doping scandals. Over 140 Kenyan runners, mainly long-distance athletes, have been sanctioned for drugs offences since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Recently, Kenya handed out its first lifetime ban to marathon runner Beatrice Toroitich and a six-year ban to 10km record holder Rhonex Kipruto in June 2024.

Japan's national football team is gearing up to face England at Wembley Stadium, following a 1-0 win against Scotland in Glasgow. The team, led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, is looking to build on their recent successes and gain valuable experience ahead of the World Cup.The Japanese team has come a long way since their last-16 exit in the 2022 World Cup. With a focus on developing their skills and teamwork, they have won six and drawn one of their seven European tests under Moriyasu's leadership. A win against England would be a significant boost to their confidence and preparation for the World Cup.Kaoru Mitoma, a Brighton player, emphasized the team's ambitions, stating that they aim to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The team's victory against Scotland was a comfortable one, with Junya Ito scoring the winning goal. Mitoma expressed his excitement about playing against England, saying, 'Against England I want us to be even more aggressive in our defending and see how much we can win the ball back.'The team faces some challenges, including injuries to key players such as Wataru Endo and Takefusa Kubo. However, with a strong squad and a desire to prove themselves, Japan is determined to make a statement against England.

UConn's shock win over No 1 seed Duke on Sunday night to advance to the Final Four connected two disparate eras of college basketball. The game produced one of the greatest endings in NCAA Tournament history, with freshman Braylon Mullins's three-point heave from well beyond the arc sealing the 73-72 victory.The final 10 seconds of Sunday night's game evoked some of the greatest endings in tournament history, with Mullins and Silas Demary Jr's swarming of Cayden Boozer conjuring memories of UCLA's stunning 2006 comeback against Gonzaga and Villanova's 2016 national title win.UConn coach Dan Hurley praised his team's resilience, saying, 'We fought, we clawed, put ourselves in position to take advantage of a mistake that they made.' Mullins's game-winning shot will forever torment Duke fans, as the Blue Devils had led by 19 points in the first-half and No 1 seeds had been 134-0 when leading by 15 or more points in NCAA Tournament history.The win proved that recruiting and continuity still dictate success in college basketball, with UConn's senior Tarris Reed Jr. named the game's Most Outstanding Player after finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. Reed's performance reminded fans of the era of dominant post players like Patrick Ewing and Dwight Howard.UConn's victory, coupled with their previous wins over Michigan State and St John's, showed that traditional powers can still thrive in an era of unlimited transfers and Name, Image and Likeness deals. Hurley's adaptability and UConn's roster, which included transfers Malachi Smith and Silas Demary Jr, demonstrated that an old-school approach can still yield success in modern college basketball.

Gary Woodland has emerged victorious at the Houston Open, a triumph that seemed improbable just 30 months ago when he underwent brain surgery. His journey to this moment was further complicated by his recent struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Woodland's win, secured with a closing three-under 67, was a dominant performance that saw him finish five shots ahead of Nicolai Hojgaard. This victory is not only his fifth career win but also his first since the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach, making it a significant milestone in his career. The emotional weight of Woodland's journey was palpable as he described the moment of victory. The gallery's chant of his name fell silent as he prepared to roll in the winning putt, a moment he described as 'a good day' after a long and challenging period. Woodland's struggles began in 2023 when he discovered a lesion on his brain that caused unfounded fears about his mortality. Surgery in September 2023 removed much of the lesion, but he continued to face challenges with PTSD. Just two weeks ago, he opened up about his struggles in a Golf Channel interview, sharing that he often felt like he was 'living a lie' and that he was 'dying' inside. His decision to go public with his struggles has had a profoundly positive impact, allowing him to feel '1,000lbs lighter'. Despite ongoing challenges, Woodland expressed hope and gratitude for the support of his loved ones, particularly his wife, Gabby Granado, who was instrumental in his recovery. This victory not only marks a personal triumph for Woodland but also a professional one, as it secures his eligibility for the Masters in two weeks and moves him up to No 51 in the world ranking, his highest in five years. The win also underscores his standing on the PGA Tour, with Hojgaard and Min Woo Lee choosing to let him have the moment to himself on the 18th green. Woodland's resilience and determination serve as a powerful reminder to anyone struggling with their own challenges, as he poignantly noted, 'We play an individual sport out here, but I wasn’t alone today.'

Dua Lipa, the Brit award-winning pop star, has been announced as the curator of this year's London literature festival at the Southbank Centre. The festival, now in its 19th year, will run from October 21 to November 1.Lipa will shape the programme of events across the opening weekend and beyond in collaboration with her Service95 book club, which she launched in 2023. This initiative is part of the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary programme and during the UK's National Year of Reading.Lipa has established herself as a prominent advocate for reading through her book club, where she spotlights established writers and emerging voices. She has interviewed notable authors such as Margaret Atwood, George Saunders, and Olga Tokarczuk.“Reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life,” Lipa said. “Curating the Southbank Centre’s London literature festival is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to indulge one of my greatest obsessions: books and the brilliant minds behind them.”Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, praised Lipa's passion for literature, stating, “Dua Lipa is a global cultural force with millions of fans around the world, and her passion for the written and spoken word has inspired a new generation of readers.”The 2026 edition will feature a mix of ticketed and free events, highlighting both Lipa's favourite writers and new literary voices. The full programme is expected to be announced over the summer.

Mercedes' dominant performance in the Formula One world championship has led to a unique situation where teammates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are free to race each other without team orders. Team principal Toto Wolff confirmed that the two drivers are 'absolutely off the leash' to compete against one another, with the goal of continuing to provide them with a competitive car.Antonelli, 19, has taken the lead in the championship after winning the Japanese Grand Prix, his second consecutive victory. He now leads Russell by nine points, with Russell managing only fourth place in the recent race. Despite this, Wolff emphasized that there is no plan to implement team orders unless necessary towards the end of the season.Wolff explained, 'We're three races in, the car is good so we need to continue to do our job and give them a tool that they can continue to win or fight for the positions.' He added that the team will reassess the situation towards the end of the season to determine if any action needs to be taken.Russell, who won the opening round in Australia, has faced some challenges in the subsequent races. He cited mechanical issues and bad luck, including a safety car timing that didn't favor him. However, he remains optimistic about bouncing back stronger in the next race in Miami.Russell stated, 'At the moment, it is just one thing after the other. Racing can go for you, but it can also go against you too.' He expressed confidence in his abilities, saying, 'I know I have got what it takes to bounce back. I won't dwell on it.'

Australia secured a commanding 90-run victory over West Indies in the second ODI at St Kitts’ Warner Park, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Beth Mooney top-scored for the visitors with 65 runs off 104 balls as Australia posted a total of 269-7 after winning the toss.The Australian spinners played a crucial role in the match, with Georgia Wareham taking 3-29 and Ash Gardner taking 3-34. Their performance led to a collapse of 7-34 for West Indies on the turning deck. The hosts were all out for 179 after 46 overs.West Indies had started strong with Hayley Matthews scoring 45 off 73 balls, but a dramatic collapse saw them lose 7 wickets for 34 runs. Australia's Tahlia McGrath contributed 2-15 with the ball and took the final wicket, ending the game and securing the win.Having already swept the three-match Twenty20 series, Australia will face West Indies in the final ODI on Friday, aiming to claim six consecutive wins on tour.