England
Team GB’s Brookes narrowly misses record, finishes fourth
Team GB’s day in the snowboard big air final came to a close with Mia Brookes securing a fourth-place finish, a result that fell short of the team’s initial expectations.
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Mia Brookes fell just short of securing a medal for Great Britain in the snowboarding big air event.
Monday's events had the potential to be a memorable day for Team GB, but ultimately ended on a subdued note.
The day began with a disappointing fourth-place finish for Kirsty Muir in the slopestyle skiing final, and concluded with Mia Brookes also finishing fourth in the snowboard big air event, with a missed chance at a guaranteed curling medal for Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds in the mixed doubles in between.
Brookes came agonizingly close to achieving success, successfully landing a complex backside 1620 trick that included four and a half rotations, before losing control and catching her heel edge in the snow, resulting in an over-rotation.
BBC Sport commentator Ed Leigh declared, "That was a gold," as the moment unfolded.
The commentator noted that the athlete came incredibly close to achieving a historic feat, one that would have marked a first in competitive history.
The 19-year-old ultimately fell just short of the podium, earning a combined score of 159.50 after her first two runs.
Japan's Kokomo Murase, the reigning world champion, secured her first Olympic gold medal with a total of 179 points, while New Zealand's Zoi Sadowski Synnott and South Korea's Yu Seungeun claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
In an interview with BBC Sport, the athlete reflected on the experience, saying, "It was insane," and expressed disappointment at not being able to successfully land the final trick, which she had never attempted on snow before.
The attempt was marred by excessive spin, an unexpected outcome. In hindsight, opting for an 1800 might have been a better approach.
Brookes has established herself as a prominent figure in her sport, boasting an impressive array of medals despite being relatively young.
A notable achievement came in 2023 when she won slopestyle gold in Georgia, becoming the sport's youngest senior world champion after successfully landing a Cab 1440 double grab, a first for a women's event.
Her accolades also include two gold medals at the X Games, a prestigious invitation-only event regarded as the pinnacle of action sports.
Throughout the Games, Brookes has presented a relaxed demeanor, distinguishing herself as one of the most laid-back athletes on Team GB.
The prospect of winning an Olympic medal has not been a long-held ambition for her, but she is now looking forward to competing in the slopestyle event, which begins with qualifying on 16 February, and is enthusiastic about the opportunity to claim a medal.
With a positive mindset, she is eager to participate in the slopestyle competition, stating that a strong performance can yield favorable outcomes, and she feels mentally prepared.
Mia Brookes will be making her first Olympic appearance in 2026, marking a significant milestone in her career.
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The British curling team, consisting of Dodds and Mouat, experienced a setback in the semi-finals, as Sweden secured a spot in the final, advancing ahead of GB.
A semi-final loss in mixed doubles curling has delayed Team GB's quest for a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with Dodds and Mouat falling 9-3 to Sweden, a defeat that revives memories of their disappointment four years prior.
By winning, the British duo could have secured a minimum of a silver medal in Cortina, capitalizing on their dominant performance in the round-robin stage, where they finished atop the standings.
However, their loss means they will now compete against Italy, the host nation and reigning world and Olympic champions, for the bronze medal on Tuesday at 13:05 GMT, in a match broadcast live on the BBC, aiming to avoid a repeat of their 2022 outcome.
Mouat expressed his dismay to BBC Sport, stating, "We're really gutted," and acknowledged that the team had a strong week leading up to the semi-final, making their underwhelming performance all the more disappointing.
Mouat struggled to put his feelings into words, admitting that Sweden outperformed them, saying, "They were the better team today," as he reflected on the defeat that denied them a guaranteed medal.
A daily breakdown of the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date on the events.
A comprehensive schedule has been released, detailing the timing of all medal events throughout the competition.
The current medal standings for the Winter Olympics 2026 are also being tracked and updated.
During the Beijing Games, the team of Dodds and Mouat experienced a setback in the semi-finals, losing their lead to Norway, and ultimately fell to the Swedish team in the bronze-medal match.
Despite their previous loss serving as motivation, Dodds and Mouat faced a similar outcome against a different Swedish duo this time around.
On Friday, the British pair had handily defeated Rasmus and Isabella Wranaa, but the Swedish siblings rebounded with a strong performance, delivering a flawless display that only improved as the game progressed.
In the opening end, the British duo was limited to a single point, while the Swedish team took two points in the second end and added another stolen point in the third end.
The British pair, comprising Dodds and Mouat, struggled to find their rhythm, with their shots not quite hitting the mark, and the margins not going in their favor. In contrast, the Swedish team maintained a high level of accuracy, capitalizing on the British pair's mistakes.
By the fourth end, the British team had only managed to score one point, trailing 3-2 at the midpoint. However, Dodds, who had been the standout women's player throughout the week, eventually found her form.
In a crucial moment, the 34-year-old Dodds identified an opportunity to remove two Swedish stones from play. Although Mouat and coach Greg Drummond expressed caution, Dodds was confident in her ability to execute the shot, and she successfully followed through.
Although Sweden had an opportunity to gain an advantage, Isabella Wranaa's rare mistake allowed Great Britain to steal a point and even the score.
However, this brief moment of optimism was short-lived. In the sixth end, subpar throws from Dodds and Mouat put them at a disadvantage, which their opponents capitalized on by scoring five points, a turning point in the game.
With a significant lead, Sweden was unlikely to relinquish their advantage in the remaining ends, and the outcome was as expected. In the seventh end, the British duo, in pursuit of a substantial score, were unable to mount a comeback, conceded another point, and conceded the game with an end to spare.
According to Dodds, in a post-game interview with BBC Sport, the team plans to discuss and rectify their mistakes to ensure this loss does not impact their medal chances the following day, stating, "We don't want this to affect our chances of a medal tomorrow so we'll speak about the things that need to be spoken about and corrected and we'll come out firing tomorrow."
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Muir falls short of podium in slopestyle event
Britain's hopes for a medal were dashed earlier in the day when freestyle skier Muir came up just short, finishing fourth in the women's slopestyle competition.
In Livigno, Muir earned 76.05 points on her third and final run, a mere 0.41 points behind Canadian Megan Oldham, who took the bronze medal.
After a disappointing start, which saw her fall on the second-to-last jump of her initial run, Muir found herself in sixth place following her second attempt, despite having qualified in third position.
Although Muir significantly improved her performance on her final run, she was left with a sense of disappointment, having narrowly missed out on a medal at the highest level of competition.
The 21-year-old athlete shared her approach with BBC Sport, stating that she gives it her all on every run.
After achieving a notable milestone, the athlete expressed pride and acknowledged the narrow margin, while also recognizing her potential for further improvement.
The women's freestyle skiing final showcased the sport's depth of talent, with Mathilde Gremaud ultimately retaining her Olympic title by a slim 0.38-point margin.
Eileen Gu of China, ranked as the world's fourth highest-paid female athlete in 2025 and a prominent figure in modelling and brand endorsements, secured the silver medal, although a crash on her final run allowed Gremaud to claim victory.
As Gremaud basked in the glory of her win, she wore a Switzerland flag draped around her neck, which flowed in the wind as she made her way down the course.
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British athlete Muir reflected on her narrow miss, stating, "I found it difficult to come to terms with just how close I was to achieving a medal."
As a prominent medal contender for Team GB at the Milan-Cortina Games, Muir will have another opportunity to claim a spot on the podium when she participates in the big air event, scheduled to commence on Saturday.
Muir expressed her need for time to reflect, saying, "I need a moment to think about what happened, but I don't want to focus on it for too long."
With a brief period before the big air competition, Muir plans to acknowledge her emotions, identify any positive takeaways, and then shift her focus entirely to the upcoming event, recognizing that it will be a distinctly different challenge.
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Mathilde Gremaud has taken the top spot, surpassing Eileen Gu to claim her second consecutive Olympic title.
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Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are sitting in a comfortable fourth place following the initial ice dance competition.
Capping off a disappointing day for Team GB, ice dancers Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson did not replicate their team event performance as they embarked on their journey to potentially become the first British Olympic figure skating medallists since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's achievement in 1994.
With a rhythm dance score of 84.57, they fell short of their season's best, achieved in Milan on Friday. As a result, they are currently in fourth place, trailing the podium by 0.71 points, ahead of the free dance on Wednesday, which will determine the medal winners.
During their Spice Girls medley performance, Fear, 26, experienced a brief loss of balance on the sequential twizzles, but the pair regained momentum with a strong rhythm sequence and concluding rotational lift, keeping their podium aspirations alive. For the free dance on Wednesday, they will perform a Scottish-inspired routine, dressed in tartan.
France's Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron are currently in the lead, having set a new season best with a score of 90.18. Cizeron, an Olympic champion from four years ago, paired up with Fournier Beaudry in November, after his previous partnership with Gabriela Papadakis ended.
Fournier Beaudry had also found herself in need of a new partner after her previous partner, Nikolaj Sorensen, was suspended due to allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. Despite the controversy surrounding her former partner, Fournier Beaudry has publicly expressed support for Sorensen.
Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron have been performing well, winning gold at the European Championships and positioning themselves as contenders for the Olympic title. Although they were ranked 25th in the world and performed sixth, their technically flawless routine to Madonna's Vogue kept them in the top spot for over two hours.
With a score of 89.72, American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates, a husband-and-wife team and three-time world champions, have secured the silver position after the final performance of the evening, building on their earlier gold medal win in the team event.
Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are currently in third place with a score of 86.18, posing a significant challenge to Britain's medal aspirations.
Italian duo Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri, who are based in Milan, received an enthusiastic response from the home crowd, but their performance yielded a score of 84.28, placing them fifth overall.
Meanwhile, James Hernandez and Phebe Bekker, compatriots of Fear and Gibson, delivered a season-best performance, guaranteeing their spot in the upcoming final on Wednesday.
On their Olympic debut, the pair earned a score of 72.46, thanks to a flawless rhythm dance set to the music of George Michael, ensuring their participation in the free skate segment of the competition.
Bekker, 20, and Hernandez, 24, are building on their recent success, which includes an 11th place finish at the European Championship in January.
Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are seeking to end Britain's 32-year wait for an Olympic figure skating medal.
England
Therapy dog Dan brings joy to care home residents
At the age of 84, John Weller found it challenging to settle into his new surroundings at a care home, but his situation improved upon meeting Dan, a golden retriever.
At the age of 84, John Weller faced difficulties adjusting to his new life in a residential home, but his outlook changed with the introduction of Dan, a friendly canine companion.
Having recently relocated to a care home in Chorley, Lancashire, Weller deeply missed his beloved pets, Rocky the miniature schnauzer and Jovi the whippet, which he had left behind.
It was observed by the care home staff that regular interactions with Dan, a golden retriever, had a profoundly positive impact on Weller's mood.
According to Weller, spending time with Dan brings him joy, and he appreciates the opportunity to stroke and feed Dan, which reminds him of his own dogs.
Weller keeps photographs of his former pets in his bedroom and often looks at them, but he also eagerly anticipates Dan's visits.
Upon his arrival at Gillibrand Hall Care Home, staff noted that Weller was experiencing a period of low mood, having had to leave behind his familiar routines and previous home.
However, as Weller formed a close bond with Dan, his confidence began to grow, and the care home staff observed that these interactions also brought back fond memories of his time with his own pets.
Dan's owner, Fiona Hill, described the dog as gentle, although occasionally lively, and noted that Dan seems to have an innate ability to respond to the needs of each resident.
The presence of Dan often evokes strong emotional responses from the residents, with some becoming tearful with joy upon his arrival, and he facilitates the sharing of stories about their own pets, which can initially be emotional but often lead to happy conversations and laughter.
As Dan's owner, Hill expressed pride in the comfort and companionship the dog provides, helping residents to open up and form connections.
The care home manager, Kathy Spencer, revealed that Dan had recently been recognized as employee of the month due to the significant positive impact he has had on residents, including Weller.
Spencer noted that Weller's mood and confidence have shown significant improvement since meeting Dan.
For Weller, the experience of pet therapy with Dan extends beyond anxiety reduction, as it allows him to reconnect with his passion for dogs and reminisce about happy memories.
The strong bond between Weller and Dan provides comfort and calm, highlighting the benefits of pet therapy in care home settings.
England
Woman sentenced to prison for murdering and dismembering partner
Anna Podedworna has received a life sentence following her conviction for the murder of Izabela Zablocka.
A woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering her partner and dismembering her body, which was then buried in a garden over 15 years ago.
It was in 2025 that Anna Podedworna contacted Derbyshire Police, providing them with information that led to the discovery of Izabela Zablocka's remains in a house on Princes Street, Derby.
Podedworna, a 40-year-old resident of Boyer Street in Derby, had a background as a skilled butcher, but her profession did not prepare her for the severity of the crime she committed; she was found guilty of murder by a jury.
On Wednesday, at Derby Crown Court, Podedworna received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years for her role in Izabela Zablocka's murder.
During sentencing, Mrs Justice Williams KC noted that the evidence presented in the trial highlighted the strong family bonds Izabela shared, particularly with her mother, grandmother, and daughter Kasia.
Izabela maintained regular contact with her family in Poland, but her disappearance was marked by an uncharacteristic silence, particularly when she failed to call her daughter on her 10th birthday, 4 September 2010.
The judge emphasized that Podedworna's actions had a profound impact on Kasia, who was left without a mother and struggled to understand her sudden disappearance.
The judge acknowledged the perseverance of Izabela's family, who never gave up hope of uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, and noted that without their efforts, Podedworna's crimes may have gone undetected.
Podedworna showed no remorse for her actions, and the judge rejected the idea that she deserved credit for eventually contacting the police in 2025, as this was seen as an attempt to manipulate the investigation.
Readers are warned that this article contains distressing details.
The two women had moved to the UK from Poland in search of work and lived together in the Normanton area of Derby.
The last known contact with Izabela was a phone call to her mother in Poland on 28 August 2010, after which she was never heard from again.
According to prosecutor Gordon Aspden KC, shortly after this call, Podedworna murdered Izabela, dismembering her body with a large knife.
Investigators discovered that Podedworna had previously worked as a skilled butcher, a job that involved using large knives to debone and portion turkey carcasses.
The body was then buried in the garden, and a layer of concrete was laid over the grave.
In 2025, Kasia, now an adult, approached Polish TV journalist Rafal Zalewski and asked for his help in investigating her mother's disappearance.
Zalewski confronted Podedworna at her home in Boyer Street, Derby, but she initially denied any knowledge of Izabela's whereabouts.
However, under mounting pressure, Podedworna eventually contacted Derbyshire Police and provided them with the location of the body.
A thorough search of the Princes Street property led to the discovery of Izabela's remains.
In a statement read out in court, Kasia described the traumatic impact of her mother's disappearance on her life.
Kasia recalled being extremely close to her mother and feeling devastated by her sudden and unexplained disappearance.
The experience left a deep emotional scar, and Kasia struggled to cope with the uncertainty surrounding her mother's disappearance.
For years, she wondered why her mother had stopped contacting her, feeling abandoned and unsure of what had happened.
Instead of enjoying her childhood, Kasia was preoccupied with thoughts of her mother and the reasons behind her disappearance.
Despite the uncertainty, Kasia always believed that her mother would not have left her without a reason.
Podedworna claimed to have acted in self-defence, but this was rejected by both the jury and the judge.
Clive Stockwell KC, representing Podedworna, suggested that some unknown event must have triggered her actions, given her previously good character.
Stockwell also highlighted the impact of the sentence on Podedworna's children, who would have to spend a significant part of their lives without their mother.
However, Mrs Justice Williams emphasized that Podedworna's brutal treatment of Izabela's body was consistent with a killing motivated by anger and a deep-seated dislike for her partner.
The judge noted that Podedworna had continued to deceive those around her, including Izabela's mother, her own mother, and the police, about the circumstances of Izabela's disappearance.
This pattern of deception continued over the years, with Podedworna showing no remorse for her actions.
England
Reform leader resigns amid council investigation into racism allegations
Councillor Chris Large has stepped down from his position as leader of the Staffordshire Reform group, a move that comes shortly after his initial appointment.
An investigation is underway into allegations of racism against a former Reform councillor in Staffordshire, who recently resigned from their position as group leader just days after being appointed.
Documents obtained by the BBC reveal that the council has referred a complaint regarding councillor Chris Large, a former cabinet member, who allegedly made or endorsed racist comments on his TikTok account, as evidenced by confidential emails.
Due to the complexity and severity of the allegations, the council has assigned an Independent Investigating Officer to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Councillor Large has denied any involvement in the comments, attributing them to a hacked account, and stated that there were unauthorized logins, resulting in the account's deletion.
Large's resignation as leader and cabinet member for finance was announced last week, citing a family bereavement as the reason for his decision to step down.
This resignation occurred shortly after he oversaw the approval of Staffordshire County Council's £840.8m budget for 2026-27.
Large was slated to succeed councillor Ian Cooper, who had previously resigned amidst allegations of racism, which Cooper has not publicly denied.
At the time of Large's appointment, his party highlighted his extensive experience as a chief executive in the finance and banking industry, spanning over 30 years, as well as his 35-year residency in the county.
According to records from Companies House, Large has been listed as the director of 12 companies over the past 20 years, all of which are currently dissolved.
These companies also list France as Large's country of residence.
Large explained to the BBC that his involvement with the dissolved companies was related to his role in transforming and turning around businesses.
He stated that the closure of some businesses led to the creation of new ones, highlighting the positive outcomes of his work.
In response to Large's resignation, Philip White, the Conservative leader of the opposition, expressed sympathy for Large's family situation while also criticizing his appointment as leader.
White stated that Large's involvement in the racism scandal that led to Ian Cooper's resignation made him an unsuitable candidate for the leadership position.
White emphasized the need for stability in Staffordshire, given the recent turnover of leaders, and hoped that the Reform party could find a suitable replacement from their ranks.
Martin Murray, the acting leader of the county council, had previously thanked Large for his contributions and expressed support for his decision to resign, citing the importance of prioritizing family.
Murray's statement reflected the council's understanding of the personal circumstances that led to Large's resignation.
The Reform UK party has stated that it will not be taking any action against Large regarding the complaints about his social media activity.
The positions of cabinet member for finance and elected leader of the Reform group remain vacant, awaiting new appointments.
A council spokesperson explained that the authority takes all concerns about the conduct of elected members seriously and will address them in accordance with the council's Standards Complaints process and Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, council members are scheduled to meet and vote on the proposed budget, which includes a 3.99% council tax increase, on February 12.
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