The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists

From front-page news to powerful moments you may have missed, this gallery showcases today’s top photos chosen by Associated Press photo editors.

A hiker is silhouetted against the sky at sunset while visiting Papago park in Phoenix on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Artists performs during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Verona, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Jessie Buckley, left, and Maggie Gyllenhaal pose for photographers upon arrival at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA's, in London, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

United States' Jack Hughes (86), who scored the winning overtime goal, celebrates after defeating Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tottenham's Joao Palhinha, left, and Arsenal's Leandro Trossard challenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in London, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Ian Walton)

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller attends the National Governors Association dinner at the White House in Washington, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

A man takes photos on a destroyed road after heavy rain triggered flooding in Arequipa, Peru, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Sotomayor)

Nick Reiner pleads not guilty today to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, with public defense attorney, Kimberly Green, during his arraignment on murder charges for the deaths of his parents, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Chris Torres/Pool Photo via AP)

A journalist wears a 3D visor projecting scenes from the life of St. Francis during the first public display of the saint’s bones inside the Basilica of St. Francis, marking the 800th anniversary of his death, in Assisi, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, center, along with other members of the imperial family, wave to well-wishers from a balcony during a public appearance marking the emperor's 66th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

A worker with the Times Square Alliance sanitation crew shovels snow in Times Square, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire, in Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, following the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho." (AP Photo/Armando Solis)

Anti-discrimination campaigners bemoaned an “appalling weekend” in the Premier League after four players were targeted with racial abuse on their social media accounts following games.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shared images of racist messages they were sent privately over Instagram following their teams’ match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that finished 1-1.

Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare showed racially aggravated messages he received on Instagram after a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday, during which he had a penalty saved.

Sunderland said its winger, Romaine Mundle, was also subjected to “vile online racist abuse” after his substitute appearance in a 3-1 home loss to Fulham.

Kick It Out, a British-based anti-discrimination charity, repeated its calls for platforms to do more to address the problem.

“This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly,” the organization said.

“The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behavior, and nor should anyone else.”

The UK Football Policing Unit said Monday it received four separate reports of abuse toward top-flight players over the last three days.

“There is absolutely no place for racial abuse, either online or in person, and anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again,” said chief constable Mark Roberts, who heads the unit.

“The UKFPU condemns this abhorrent behavior and we will ensure that, through our dedicated team of officers, we do everything possible to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

The Premier League also condemned the abuse of the players.

“There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty of discrimination and we will offer our full support with their investigations,” the competition said. “Football is for everyone — there is no room for racism.”

The 22-year-old Mundle has since deleted his Instagram account, the Sunderland Echo newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, Rangers said players Djeidi Gassama and Emmanuel Fernandez received racial abuse on their Instagram accounts after the 2-2 draw with Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

“For any player, opening a phone and seeing abuse tied to the color of their skin is simply unacceptable,” Rangers said on its website on Monday. “The content has been reported to (Instagram owner) Meta and will be reported to Police Scotland.”

The incidents came days after UEFA began an investigation into claims by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior that he was racially abused on the field by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.

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

Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri, left, and Mansfield Town's Luke Bolton during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match between Burnley and Mansfield Town in Burnley, England, Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)