Donald Trump has now backed Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal once again just weeks after attacking it.
The UK government announced last year that it was going to pay Mauritius £9 billion over the next 99 years so the UK-US military base at Diego Garcia will continue to operate as it does at the moment.
At the height of his row with Europe over control of Greenland last month, the US president accused the UK of giving away the site of “vital US military base” for “NO REASON WHATSOEVER” – despite appearing to be content with the deal at the end of 2025.
But, after a phone call with the prime minister on Thursday, Trump U-turned again, and now seems much more at ease with the plan.
In a post on TruthSocial, he wrote: “I understand that the deal prime minister Starmer has made, according to many, the best he could make.
“However, if the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart of anyone threatens or endangers US operations and forces at our base, I retain the right to militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia.
“Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a base as important as this to ever be undermined or threatened by fake claims or environmental nonsense.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The prime minister reportedly spoke to Trump about the “importance of the deal to secure the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which remains vital to shared security interests”.
The two leaders agreed that the UK and US “will continue to work closely on the implementation of the deal”, according to Downing Street’s readout of the call.
No.10 will be breathing a huge sigh of relief at the president’s latest change of heart, considering Trump had condemned Starmer’s decision to give up the islands as “an act of great stupidity” in January.
The president said: “There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.”
He added: “The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired. Denmark and its European Allies have to DO THE RIGHT THING.”
The outburst stunned the Westminster at the time and there were concerns about the future of the so-called “special relationship” between the US and UK.
But, unlike the European Union, Starmer ruled out imposing retaliatory tariffs on America, even if Trump went ahead with his threat to slap 10% import charges on British goods from February 1.
And, once Trump had supposedly worked up a “framework of a future deal” with Nato over Greenland, he dropped the tariff threat.
Nancy Guthrie update: Police confirm ransom demand but admit they have no suspects in hunt for missing grandmother
The FBI is investigating a ransom letter connected to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today”show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
Police believe Nancy was abducted from her Arizona home, where she was last seen Saturday evening. Now, as the search enters its fifth day, investigators have revealed new details about a ransom letter sent to multiple media outlets earlier this week.
The ransom note listed an initial deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday and a second deadline next Monday, FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said at a Thursday press conference. The family has not been contacted and has not received “proof of life,” Janke said. Police have yet to identify a suspect or person of interest.
Investigators also arrested one person in connection with an “imposter” ransom demand, Janke said. Derrick Callella of California is accused of sending texts to two Guthrie family members about the Bitcoin requested in a ransom letter sent to an Arizona news outlet, according to a complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Arizona.
These messages “have not been linked to the February 2, 2026, ransom demand,” the complaint said. Callella allegedly told officials he had been following the case on TV and “was trying to see if the family would respond,” according to the complaint.
This comes after Savannah and her siblings shared a video late Wednesday asking for proof that their mother is still alive.
What we know about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
“Today” show star Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, was last seen at her Arizona home Saturday night.
The 84-year-old is “limited in mobility” but of “great sound mind,” according to local authorities. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Monday that he believes Nancy was abducted.
Police are investigating a ransom letter sent to news outlets earlier this week. The letter lists a deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday, along with a second deadline next Monday, according to Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix office.
The family has not received “proof of life,” and there has been “no contact” since the note was sent, Janke said.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday night he spoke with Savannah and is “deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”
Katie Hawkinson5 February 2026 19:33
Man arrested and accused of sending ransom-related texts to family
Derrick Callella of California is accused of sending texts to Nancy Guthrie’s family members asking about the Bitcoin that was demanded in a ransom letter sent to media outlets.
This comes after an FBI agent announced officials had arrested one person in connection with an “imposter” ransom demand.
Callella allegedly told officials he had been following the case on TV and “was trying to see if the family would respond,” according to the complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Arizona. These messages “have not been linked to the February 2, 2026, ransom demand,” the complaint said.
It’s unclear if Callella has retained an attorney. The Independent was unable to identify his attorney for comment.
Katie Hawkinson5 February 2026 21:49
FBI offering $50,000 reward
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for “information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
The #FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
She was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on the… pic.twitter.com/4GsKV7zFxo
Terrain near Nancy Guthrie’s home makes obtaining security footage difficult, sheriff says
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CNN the terrain near Nancy Guthrie’s home has made it difficult to obtain security footage.
She lives in Catalina Foothills, an affluent community near Tucson, Arizona.
Nanos said Nancy lives in an area that’s “not well lit.” He described it as a “very suburban, rural area of the Tucson area, in a very mountainous side of town where vegetation is extremely thick.”
“We are still canvassing that neighborhood and other neighborhoods and still drawing down from cameras on our streets, at our intersections, with hopes that maybe we’ll find something,” Nanos told CNN.
Katie Hawkinson5 February 2026 21:15
Recap: New timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has revealed an updated timeline of the events leading up to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Saturday, 5:32 p.m.: Nancy travels to a local family member’s home for dinner.
Saturday, 9:48 p.m.: Family members drop Nancy off at her home, and her garage door opens.
Saturday, 9:50 p.m.: Nancy’s garage door closes.
Sunday, 1:47 a.m.: Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnects.
Sunday, 2:12 a.m.: Software detects a person on the camera (authorities have said there is no video available).
Sunday, 2:28 a.m.: Nancy’s pacemaker app shows it disconnected from her phone.
Sunday, 11:56 a.m.: The family checks on Nancy after hearing she did not attend church.
Sunday, 12:03 p.m.: 911 call made to Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Sunday, 12:15 p.m.: Patrol car arrives at Nancy’s home.
Katie Hawkinson5 February 2026 21:05
Watch: Police confirm ransom demand but admit they have no suspects in hunt for Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie update: Police confirm ransom demand but admit they have no suspects in hunt for missing grandmother
Katie Hawkinson5 February 2026 20:55
Investigators interviewed Uber driver who took Nancy Guthrie to a family member’s home
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators have interviewed the Uber driver who took Nancy Guthrie to a family member’s house for dinner on Saturday.
“We did speak to a driver, because Nancy, we learned, had been taken by Uber to the family residence, the daughter’s, for dinner. And we located that driver and spoke with them and got that information,” Nanos said.
Family members brought Nancy back home shortly after 9:45 p.m., he said.
Katie Hawkinson5 February 2026 20:35
‘We believe Nancy is still out there’: Fresh details about kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s mom revealed by sheriff
Andrea Cavallier5 February 2026 20:15
Trump watched press conference on Nancy Guthrie disappearance
President Donald Trump watched today’s press conference about the search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
“The president, as you all know, spoke directly with Savannah yesterday and told her that the federal government is here to help. Any requests that are made by state and local officials in the search of Mrs. Guthrie will absolutely be accommodated,” Leavitt said.
“I spoke with the FBI directly about that today as well, and our hearts and our prayers are with Savannah and her entire family as they search for her dear mother,” she continued.
Katie Hawkinson5 February 2026 19:55
Recap: Here’s what investigators revealed at today’s press conference
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke hosted a press conference today to update the public on the search for Nancy Guthrie.
Here’s what we learned:
Investigators believe “Nancy is still out there,” according to Nanos.
Police have not identified any suspects or persons of interest.
Investigators are looking into a ransom note that was sent to media outlets. The note listed an initial deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday, along with a second deadline next Monday, Janke said.
There has been ”no contact” since the letter was sent, and “no proof of life,” according to Janke.
Blood previously found on Nancy’s porch was identified as hers, Nanos said.
Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnected Sunday morning around 1:47 a.m, and at 2:12 a.m., “software detected a person on camera,” Nanos said. Less than 20 minutes later, Nancy’s pacemaker app disconnected from her phone.
Alphabet’s shares closed largely flat on Thursday after the company beat Wall Street’s expectations on earnings and revenue, with artificial intelligence spending projected to increase hugely this year.
The Google parent closed nearly 2% lower on Wednesday. After the bell, Alphabet reported fourth-quarter revenue of $113.83 billion, above the $111.43 billion estimate from analysts polled by LSEG.
Its Google Cloud division had $17.66 billion in revenue versus a forecast of $16.18 billion, according to StreetAccount. YouTube Advertising posted $11.38 billion in revenue versus the estimated $11.84 billion.
The tech giant said it would significantly increase its 2026 capital expenditure to between $175 billion and $185 billion — more than double its 2025 spend. A significant portion of capex spending would go toward investing in AI compute capacity for Google DeepMind.
What analysts are saying
Barclays analysts said in a note Thursday that Infrastructure, DeepMind and Waymo costs “weighed on overall Alphabet profitability,” and will continue to do so in 2026.
“Cloud’s growth is astonishing, measured by any metric: revenue, backlog, API tokens inferenced, enterprise adoption of Gemini. These metrics combined with DeepMind’s progress on the model side, starts to justify the 100% increase in capex in ’26,” they said.
“The AI story is getting better while Search is accelerating – that’s the most important take for GOOG,” they added.
Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note Thursday that Alphabet has “stunned the world” with its huge capex spending plan. “With tech in a current state of flux, it’s not clear whether that’s a good or a bad thing,” they wrote.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct that Alphabet shares were down on Thursday.
Editor’s note: These capsules highlight the Olympians with Colorado ties. In determining who counted as a Coloradan, we included athletes who attended a Colorado high school or college, as well as those who currently live or train primarily in the state. Think we missed someone? Email sports@denverpost.com with your addition.
Alpine skiing
United States’ Kyle Negomir speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men’s World Cup super-G, in Wengen, Switzerland, Friday Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)
Kyle Negomir
Specialty: Downhill, super-G
Colorado connection: Born and raised in Littleton, “Nego” grew up ski racing at Copper Mountain
What to know: A specialist in the speed disciplines of downhill and super-G, Negomir scored his first World Cup points in 2023. His best career result came in Italy — he was 11th in a World Cup downhill in Val Gardena in December.
Competing: Feb. 7 (downhill), 11 (super-G)
Results: None yet
United States’ River Radamus speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men’s World Cup giant slalom, in Adelboden, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)
River Radamus
Specialty: Super-G, giant slalom
Colorado connection: The son of two decorated ski coaches, Radamus grew up in Edwards
What to know: Radamus was just 0.24 seconds from claiming a medal in giant slalom at the Beijing Winter Olympics, finishing fourth. This World Cup season, he’s finished sixth twice and seventh twice in his best event.
Competing: Feb. 11 (super-G), 14 (giant slalom)
Results: None yet
Mikaela Shiffrin on course during a World Cup giant slalom, in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Mikaela Shiffrin
Specialty: Giant slalom, slalom, combined
Colorado connection: Born in Vail, Shiffrin calls Edwards home
What to know: A ski-racing prodigy who won her first World Cup race at 17, Shiffrin is already the GOAT of Alpine — blowing past Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup wins in 2023 and becoming the first and only skier to hit 100 wins in Feb. 2025. After a disappointing 0-for-5 showing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she looks primed to rebound on a familiar track in Italy, where she’s won four World Championships medals, including one gold, and landed on three World Cup podiums across five disciplines.
Lindsey Vonn sprays sparkling wine as she celebrates on the podium after winning a World Cup downhill in Zauchensee, Austria, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Lindsey Vonn
Specialty: Downhill, super-G, combined
Colorado connection: Born in Minnesota, Vonn moved to Vail at 12 to train with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
What to know: Vonn’s riveting comeback story veered way off course on Jan. 30 after she crashed in a World Cup downhill in Switzerland. She announced that she still intends to compete with a brace after completely rupturing the ACL in her left knee, as well as sustaining meniscus damage and bone bruising.
Katie Hensien speeds down the course during a women’s World Cup giant slalom, in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Pier Marco Tacca)
Katie Hensien
Colorado connection: Attended the University of Denver, where she juggled academics and skiing
What to know: Hensien competed for the Pioneers while racing on the World Cup and Europa Cup circuits with the U.S. Ski Team. A tech specialist, her best World Cup result is a fourth in slalom in Oct. 2024.
Competing: Feb. 15 (giant slalom), 18 (slalom)
Results: None yet
Bobsled
Frank Del Duca, Joshua Williamson, Boone Niederhofer and Hunter Powell of the United States compete in heat 3 of the 4-man-bobsleigh on day six of the 2025 IBSF World Championships at Mt Van Hoevenberg on March 15, 2025 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
Hunter Powell
Specialty: Four-man bobsled
Colorado connection: Fort Collins native. He won the conference championship in indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon at CSU.
What to know: Powell, 29, made the transition from track and field to bobsledding in 2024. His four-man team finished seventh at the 2025 IBSF World Championships.
Competing: Feb. 21-22
Results: None yet
Freestyle skiing
Alex Ferreira of Aspen competes in the men’s ski superpipe on day 3 of the X Games Aspen 2024 on Jan. 28, 2024 in Aspen. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
Alex Ferreira
Specialty: Halfpipe
Colorado connection: Aspen native
What to know: This will be the third Olympic Games for Ferreira, 31. He captured the bronze in 2022 and silver in 2018.
Competing: Feb. 19-20
Results: None yet
Jackson Harvey of Team Australia in action during the Men’s Moguls Practice Session of the FIS Snowboard & Freestyle and Freeski World Championships 2025 on March 17, 2025 in Corviglia, St. Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Jackson Harvey (Australia)
Specialty: Moguls
Colorado connection: Born in Winter Park.
What to know: Harvey, 23, moved to Australia in 2022. His mother is originally from Melbourne.
Competing: Feb. 10, 12, 15
Results: None yet
Birk Irving of the United States competes in the Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Final during the Toyota US Grand Prix 2025 at Copper Mountain on Dec. 20, 2025 in Copper Mountain. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Birk Irving
Specialty: Halfpipe
Colorado connection: Englewood native who grew up skiing at Winter Park.
What to know: Irving, 26, will be competing in his second Winter Olympics. He finished fifth in the halfpipe in 2022.
Competing: Feb. 19-20
Results: None yet
Svea Irving of the United States competes in the Women’s Ski SuperPipe on day one of the X Games Aspen 2026 at Buttermilk Ski Resort on Jan. 23, 2026 in Aspen. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Svea Irving
Specialty: Halfpipe
Colorado connection: Irving
What to know: Irving, 23, is the younger sister of fellow Olympian Birk. She punched her ticket to the Games after finishing third at the Calgary Snow Rodeo World Cup. Fun fact: Their grandfather is John Irving, the author of “The Cider House Rules” and “The World According to Garp.”
Competing: Feb. 19, 21
Results: None yet
Riley Jacobs of the United States competes in the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Final during the Toyota US Grand Prix 2025 at Copper Mountain on Dec. 20, 2025 in Copper Mountain. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Riley Jacobs
Specialty: Halfpipe
Colorado connection: From Oak Creek
What to know: The 23-year-old Jacobs suffered a torn ACL in November 2024 but returned to competition for the 2025-26 season.
Competing: Feb. 19, 21
Results: None yet
U.S. Olympian Tess Johnson attends the Team USA Welcome Experience at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on Feb. 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Tess Johnson
Specialty: Moguls
Colorado connection: Vail native
What to know: Johnson, 25, was the youngest-ever moguls skier to be named to the national team when she was 14. She has two world championship dual moguls medals: a bronze in 2019 and a silver in 2025.
Competing: Feb. 10, 11, 14
Results: None yet
Elizabeth Lemley competes during the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships Men’s and Women’s Moguls on Feb. 25, 2023 in Bakuriani, Georgia. (Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
Elizabeth Lemley
Specialty: Moguls
Colorado connection: Vail native.
What to know: The 20-year-old was named the FIS World Cup rookie of the year in 2022. She also has a pilot’s license to fly four-seaters and prop planes.
Competing: Feb. 10, 11, 14
Results: None yet
U.S. Olympian Charlie Mickel attends the Team USA Welcome Experience at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on Feb. 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Charlie Mickel
Specialty: Moguls
Colorado connection: From Durango
What to know: Mickel, 21, is a two-time national champion.
Competing: Feb. 10, 12, 15
Results: None yet
U.S. Olympians Nick Page and Landon Wendler attend the Team USA Welcome Experience at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on Feb. 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Landon Wendler
Specialty: Moguls
Colorado connection: From Steamboat Springs.
What to know: The 25-year-old Wendler is making his first Olympic Games.
Competing: Feb. 10, 12, 15
Results: None yet
Hockey
Joel Kiviranta (94) of the Colorado Avalanche prepares for a face off against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Joel Kiviranta (Finland)
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: Depth winger for the Colorado Avalanche.
What to know: He was part of the Finnish team that won the 2019 Ice Hockey World Championships.
Competing: vs. Slovakia, Feb. 11; vs. Sweden, Feb. 13; vs. Italy, Feb. 14.
Results: None yet
Artturi Lehkonen (62) of the Colorado Avalanche prepares for a face off against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Ball Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Artturi Lehkonen (Finland)
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: No. 1 left wing for the Colorado Avalanche.
What to know: Lehkonen, 30, is on pace for career-highs in points and assists for the Avs this season. This is his second stint with the Finnish senior national team, following last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
Competing: vs. Slovakia, Feb. 11; vs. Sweden, Feb. 13; vs. Italy, Feb. 14.
Results: None yet
Gabe Landeskog, captain of Colorado Avalanche, poses for a portrait at the locker room of Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Gabe Landeskog (Sweden)
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: Captain of the Colorado Avalanche
What to know: Landeskog, 33, didn’t play with the Avs from the end of the 2021-22 season (when Colorado won the Stanley Cup) until the 2024-25 playoffs due to a knee injury. He’s been Colorado’s captain since the 2012-13 season, when he was just 19, and is the third-longest tenured captain behind just Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin.
Competing: vs. Italy, Feb. 11; vs. Finland, Feb. 13; vs. Slovakia, Feb. 14.
Results: None yet
DENVER , CO – DECEMBER 29: Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche speaks to an official during the third period of the Avs’ 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena on Monday, December 29, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nathan MacKinnon (Canada)
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: No. 1 center for the Colorado Avalanche
What to know: MacKinnon, 30, is the NHL’s leading goal scorer (40) this season and is second to Oilers’ Connor McDavid in points (91). The No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft is high among the franchise’s scorers, ranking third in goals (407), second in assists (699) and second in points (1,106).
Competing: vs. Czechia, Feb. 12; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 13; vs. France, Feb. 15.
Results: None yet
Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche handles the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Cale Makar (Canada)
Specialty: Defenseman
Colorado connection: Defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche
What to know: Makar, 27, has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice in his career for being the NHL’s top defenseman. NHL Network named him the fourth-best player in the league entering this season, two spots behind teammate Nathan MacKinnon. And a fun fact: He was the cover athlete for the NHL 24 video game.
Competing: vs. Czechia, Feb. 12; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 13; vs. France, Feb. 15.
Results: None yet.
Martin Necas (88) of the Colorado Avalanche controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Ball Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Martin Necas (Czechia)
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: No. 1 right wing for the Colorado Avalanche.
What to know: Necas, 27, will be making his third stint with the Czech national team. He scored seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) to help the team win the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He’s on pace for career highs in goals, assists and points this season for the Avs.
Competing: vs. Canada, Feb. 12; vs. France, Feb. 13; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 15.
Results: None yet
More coverage:
Brock Nelson (11) of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Ball Arena on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Brock Nelson
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: No. 2 center for the Colorado Avalanche
What to know: Nelson, 34, has played 44 games for the U.S. national team, tallying 19 goals and 16 assists.
Competing: vs. Latvia, Feb. 12; vs. Denmark, Feb. 13; vs. Germany, Feb. 15.
Results: None yet
Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Florida Panthers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 24, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes 6-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Jaccob Slavin
Specialty: Defenseman
Colorado connection: Erie native and a star at Colorado College
What to know: Slavin, 31, joins Nick Shore (2022), Troy Terry (2018) and John Grahame (2006) as Colorado natives named to the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team in the 21st century. He has twice won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2021 and 2024), which is the NHL’s sportsmanship award.
Competing: vs. Latvia, Feb. 12; vs. Denmark, Feb. 13; vs. Germany, Feb. 15.
Results: None yet
Devon Toews (7) of the Colorado Avalanche rips as James van Riemsdyk (21) of the Detroit Red Wings defends during the first period at Ball Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Devon Toews (Canada)
Specialty: Defenseman
Colorado connection: Defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche
What to know: Toews, 31, was part of the Canadian team that won the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last year. Since joining Colorado in 2020, he’s been paired with Cale Makar as the team’s top defensive line. They’re projected to stay together in the Olympics.
Competing: vs. Czechia, Feb. 12; vs. Switzerland, Feb. 13; vs. France, Feb. 15.
Results: None yet
Figure skating
Danny O’Shea and Ellie Kam of Team United States train at Milano Ice Skating Arena ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 01, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Ellie Kam
Specialty: Pairs with Daniel O’Shea
Colorado connection: Grew up in Colorado Springs, currently attends the University of Colorado — Colorado Springs.
What to know: Kam, 21, teamed with her pairs partner, Danny O’Shea, in 2022. Together, they’ve captured two bronzes, a silver and a gold over the last four U.S. Championships.
Competing: Team event pairs, Feb. 6 and 8; Pairs short program, Feb. 15; Pairs free skating, Feb. 16.
Results: None yet
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea perfrom during a Making the Team event of the 2026 United States Figure Skating Championships at Enterprise Center on Jan. 11, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Daniel O’Shea
Specialty: Pairs with Ellie Kam.
Colorado connection: Colorado Springs resident. Graduated from the University of Colorado — Colorado Springs.
What to know: O’Shea, 34, is a veteran of the sport. This will be his first Olympic Games after missing out in 2018 when he and his partner, Tarah Kayne, finished runner-up in the U.S. Championships. They were given an alternate spot for the Games as the U.S. only had one pairs spot that year.
Competing: Team event pairs, Feb. 6 and 8; Pairs short program, Feb. 15; Pairs free skating, Feb. 16.
Results: None yet.
Nordic skiing
Lauren Jortberg
Specialty: Cross-country skiing
Colorado connection: Boulder native
What to know: Jortberg, 28, was a three-time NCAA All-American at Dartmouth College.
Competing:
Results: None yet
Niklas Malacinski of the United States competes in the Nordic Combined Mixed Team Normal Hill HS102/4x5km, Ski Jumping Round, at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Niklas Malacinski
Specialty: Nordic combined
Colorado connection: Grew up in Steamboat Springs
What to know: The 22-year-old was a gold medalist at the 2024 U.S. National Championships and won gold and silver at the 2023 World University Games. His father was a ski instructor and his mother was nearly an Olympic swimmer.
Competing:
Results: Nothing yet
Hailey Swirbul, of the United States, center, competes in the Women’s Cross Country 4 X 5 KM Relay Classic event at the Nordic World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Hailey Swirbul
Specialty: Cross-country skiing
Colorado connection: Born and raised in El Jebel.
What to know: Swirbul, 27, retired in 2023 but came back in 2025. She competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Competing:
Results: None yet.
Ski jumping
Annika Belshaw, of the United States, soars through the air during her first round jump of the ski jumping women’s large hill individual competition at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Annika Belshaw
Specialty: Ski jump
Colorado connection: Born and raised in Steamboat Springs.
What to know: Belshaw, 23, has won nine gold medals at the U.S. National Championships. She isn’t the only ski jumper in her family. Her younger brother Erik also competes professionally.
Competing: Feb. 7
Results: None yet
Jason Colby
Specialty: Ski jump
Colorado connection: From Steamboat Springs.
What to know: Colby, 19, was the highest-ranked American ski jumper in 2024.
Competing:
Results: None yet
Ski mountaineering
Anna Gibson, left, and her partner Cam Smith compete during a World Cup ski mountaineering mixed team relay at Solitude Mountain in Utah, Dec. 6, 2025. (Ron Winsett/ISMF via AP)
Cam Smith
Specialty: Ski mountaineering
Colorado connection: Lives in Crested Butte. Graduated from Western Colorado University.
What to know: The 30-year-old is an 11-time U.S. Ski Mountaineering national champion and five-time North American Ski Mountaineering champion.
Competing: Feb. 19 and 21
Results: None yet
More coverage:
Sled hockey
Brett Bolton
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: Attends CU-Boulder.
What to know: Bolton, 19, was part of the Team USA roster that won the Para Hockey Cup in December. He scored his first career hat trick (three goals in a game) in the semifinal and followed it up with the game-winning goal in the championship.
Competing: vs. Italy, March 7; vs. Germany, March 9; vs. China, March 10.
Results: None yet
Sled hockey player Declan Farmer of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 19, 2025 in Sun Valley, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Declan Farmer
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: Lives in Boulder.
What to know: Won gold medals with Team USA in 2014, 2018 and 2022. He is the U.S. all-time leader in career goals, assists and points.
Competing: vs. Italy, March 7; vs. Germany, March 9; vs. China, March 10.
Results: None yet
Sled hockey player Malik Jones of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 19, 2025 in Sun Valley, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Malik Jones
Specialty: Forward
Colorado connection: Born and raised in Aurora.
What to know: He was part of the gold-medal-winning team in the 2022 Beijing Games.
Competing: vs. Italy, March 7; vs. Germany, March 9; vs. China, March 10.
Results: None yet
Snowboarding
Chase Blackwell soars in the halfpipe for the World Cup held in Chongli county near Zhangjiakou in northern China’s Hebei province on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Chase Blackwell
Specialty: Halfpipe
Colorado connection: Blackwell hails from Longmont and considers Copper Mountain his home mountain.
What to know: As a young boy, Blackwell wanted to be like Shaun White after he saw the Olympic legend compete at the X Games at Buttermilk. He wound up facing White in 2021 at the U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen, where he captured the U.S. National Championship as the top American finisher on the World Cup circuit.
Competing: Feb. 11, 13
Results: None yet
Jake Canter competes in big air qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Jake Canter
Specialty: Slopestyle, big air
Colorado connection: Calls Silverthorne home
What to know: Canter overcame a life-threatening traumatic brain injury in 2016 while training on a trampoline at Woodward Copper. Doctors gave him only a 20 percent chance of living. He recovered and returned to nowboarding in 2017, though the injury left him permanently deaf in his right ear.
Competing: Feb. 5, 7, 16, 18
Results: None yet
Lily Dhawornvej
Specialty: Slopestyle, big air
Colorado connection: Lily and her brother, Caleb, also a competitive snowboarder, grew up riding at Copper Mountain
What to know: Dhawornvej’s uncle, a snowboard instructor at Copper, taught her and her brother how to ride. She’s a human joystick — adept at riding switch and spinning in all four directions.
Competing: Feb. 8, 9, 16, 17
Results: None yet
Stacy Gaskill reacts after competing in the women’s the boardercross qualification round at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Stacy Gaskill
Specialty: Boardercross
Colorado connection: The University of Colorado student hails from Golden.
What to know: At the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, Gaskill finished seventh in women’s boardercross and ninth in the mixed team event. Outside of snowboarding, she’s a three-time World Ultimate Frisbee champion as a member of the University of Colorado Women’s Ultimate A Team.
Competing: Feb. 13, 15
Results: None yet
Red Gerard, poses for a photo at Team USA Media Summit, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
Red Gerard
Specialty: Slopestyle, big air
Colorado connection: Gerard lives in Silverthorne.
What to know: Gerard, 25, the gold medalist in slopestyle at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, will be competing in his third Olympics — and plans to roll deep with some 40 family members and friends in tow to watch him compete. He has seven siblings — five brothers and two sisters.
Competing: Feb. 5, 7, 16, 18
Results: None yet
Oliver Martin practices during a snowboard big air training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Ollie Martin
Specialty: Slopestyle, Big Air
Colorado connection: Martin’s hometown is Vail.
What to know: Just 17, Martin enters his first Olympics as the youngest male snowboarder in history to win a World Cup slopestyle event. The two-time world championship bronze medalist also holds the distinction of being the youngest snowboarder ever to land a 2160-degree spin and the first rider in the world to stomp both a frontside and backside 2160.
Competing: Feb. 5, 7, 16, 18
Results: None yet
Jake Pates jumps during the men’s halfpipe finals at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Jake Pates
Specialty: Halfpipe
Colorado connection: Pates hails from Eagle.
What to know: After finishing eighth in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games’ halfpipe final, Pates stepped away from competitive snowboarding in 2019 as a result of repeated head injuries. In March 2020, he founded the Happy Healthy Brain Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about concussion protocols and advancing brain health for athletes through baseline brain scanning.
Competing: Feb. 11, 13
Results: None yet
Madeline Schaffrick
Specialty: Halfpipe
Colorado connection: Schaffrick’s hometown is Steamboat Springs.
What to know: A teenage prodigy who first made her professional debut in 2008 at just 14 years old, Schaffrick stepped away from competitive snowboarding at 20 and found a career as a plumber. She returned to competition in 2024 after a nearly decade-long hiatus spent coaching and will compete in her first Olympics at 31.
Competing: Feb. 11, 12
Results: None yet
Cody Winters competes during the men’s parallel giant slalom qualification run at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Cody Winters
Specialty: Boardercross, parallel giant slalom
Colorado connection: Steamboat Springs is his hometown
What to know: Winters finished 29th in parallel giant slalom at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. In January 2025, he captured third place in parallel slalom at Bad Gastein, Austria—Team USA’s first Alpine snowboard world cup podium since 2015. He is the first rider to compete in World Cup events across both parallel and snowboard cross disciplines since 2009, managing one of the most demanding competition schedules in snowboarding.
If you saw sportcaster Pete James somewhere in London, Ont., something was happening.
You may not have known what that was, as he was likely the only one who knew about it, and he was in the process of getting the story.
If you saw James, all you had to do was wait a little while and there he would be on the radio or TV telling whatever story he had found to everyone.
James was a presence.
That’s probably why he felt so noticeable when he was outside the walls of the studio or away from the TV desk.
For his entire career, sports information in southwestern Ontario — and often beyond —went through James.
In the mid 1960s, James became the first person outside of a hotel conference room to know that the London Nationals were becoming the London Knights.
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James discovered this because he was literally outside that conference room with his ear pressed to the keyhole. He heard the words, ran to the nearest payphone and informed London.
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Because that’s what he did so well. James informed everyone.
After beginning his career in St. Catharines, James worked at CFPL-TV and CFPL Radio in London right through to the late 1990s, when he left television for radio and a spot opposite Steve Garrison.
James also took on the role of radio analyst on London Knights games and travelled with the team up until the 2011/12 season, when he switched to a post-game analyst role with Rogers TV, working with host Ryan Robinson.
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James’ work covering the Western Mustangs was legendary. He made you feel purple and proud whether you were a Western alumnus or not.
He was the master of ceremonies for the opening of London’s downtown arena, which is now known as Canada Life Place.
He would later be in the broadcast booth in March of 2004 when the Knights clinched their first-ever Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions in the Ontario Hockey League.
The look on his face that night, having covered the Knights for 39 years, was unforgettable.
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The pride he felt for the organization was indisguisable.
A year later, James was the first radio reporter on the ice as celebrations went on around him after the Knights captured their very first Memorial Cup Championship.
James was a member of the London Sports Hall of Fame and also received an RTNDA Lifetime Achievement Award for his excellent work as a reporter.
RCMP say a Quebec City-area teenager is facing a terrorism charge for allegedly using social media to promote the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division.
The force says the accused, who cannot be named due to his age, is believed to have produced and distributed online material with the aim of inspiring and recruiting others.
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The teen is expected to appear in court in Quebec City on Feb. 6 to face a charge of participation in the activity of a terrorist group.
The federal government describes Atomwaffen Division as a militant neo-Nazi terror group that calls for acts of violence against racial, religious and ethnic groups.
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It was founded in the United States in 2015 and has since expanded, and has been listed as a terrorist entity in Canada since 2021.
An Ottawa man was sentenced in September to 10 years in prison for the promotion of hate propaganda against Jewish people that was produced for the group.
Eight months after the Fredericton Police Force admitted that errors they made led to a stay of proceedings in two deaths, the police chief says all 19 recommendations by an independent investigator are now in progress.
Chief Gary Forward told a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Thursday that all recommendations should be completed by summer 2027.
“It’s critically important that the police force demonstrate through action that not only do we have accountability for this, but that we are prepared to do the hard work to make sure that it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
The Crown stayed five murder charges in June 2025 related to the homicides of Corey Markey and Brandon Patrick Donelan due to an “unsurmountable evidentiary issue” that was reported by Forward.
Fredericton police ‘error’ forced homicide cases to be stayed, report can’t disclose why
The issue has not been made public, but the chief issued an apology at the time and promised the independent review.
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In December 2025, Ian D. Scott, a lawyer and former director of Ontario’s police watchdog, released the findings of his review.
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Scott said the report did not find any substantial criminal or disciplinary misconduct by any of the officers involved in the cases. However, it did find “limitations” in how the force deals with complex cases.
The report made 19 recommendations to improve oversight, training, file prioritization and staffing. It called for the creation of an oversight committee, more up-to-date training and reduced workload for investigative teams.
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“Public trust with the community is certainly our priority moving forward,” Forward said Thursday.
“This is why we have the subject matter experts coming in to act as that oversight to make sure that we’re proceeding with these recommendations, so that in a very short period of time, we can feel more comfortable about the fact that the issue won’t repeat itself.”
Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers told Global News she’s pleased with the force’s response and progress.
“My hope is that the public appreciates that there has been accountability taken and that the issue has been taken seriously and that due diligence has been employed,” she said.
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Ottawa bringing back electric vehicle rebates: Carney
Ottawa is bringing back the federal rebate for electric vehicles as part of the Liberals’ proposed national automotive strategy. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the program would see a $5,000 rebate for buying battery electric and fuel cell EVs, and up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrids. The rebates would run until 2031.
Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, told us he’s very happy with the deal “because it’s complex.”
“It addresses the demand side and the supply side, keeps us on a strong path against carbon emissions, but allows for all the manufacturers to choose their technology path,” he said.
Volpe acknowledged that Canadians who want EVs are looking for competitively priced vehicles — but said those who haven’t transitioned to electrification might be hesitant to do so because of infrastructure concerns.
“‘Where do I plug in? Can I rely that it’s there? Is it along my path? How do I get away from the ease of driving an internal combustion engine vehicle? There’s a gas station at the corner,'” he said, listing off drivers’ possible considerations.
He said many of today’s announcements “are going to make that charging density competitive so that people can contemplate the change without anxiety.”
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Manitoba RCMP have issued a dangerous person alert for Joshua Paupanekis, 39, after the abduction of Raeanne Thomas, 20, in Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
Around 5:40 a.m. on Thursday Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a residence in the community about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
Paupanekis went into a home and hit a 24-year-old resident with a hammer, police alleged in a news release on Thursday.
Paupanekis, who police say also had a knife, then allegedly abducted Thomas from the residence.
RCMP said Paupanekis was last seen fleeing on foot with Thomas.
RCMP are looking for Raeanne Thomas, 20, and say she’s in immediate danger after she was abducted in Pimicikamak Cree Nation. (Submitted by Manitoba RCMP)
Multiple police units are now searching the community for Thomas. Police believe she is in immediate danger.
Police ask the public not to approach Paupanekis. He is considered armed and dangerous, they said.
Mounties issued a dangerous person alert for Paupanekis through the Alert Ready system just after 11 a.m. Thursday.
Anyone with information on his or Thomas’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Cross Lake RCMP detachment at 204-676-2600.
Eight in 10 English local authorities will be in effect bankrupted by rising special educational needs spending unless the government introduces significant reforms to the system, council leaders have said.
Councils have called on ministers to write off special educational needs and disability (Send) deficits accumulated by local authorities over the past few years. These are projected to reach £14bn in two years’ time.
The government is expected to publish a long-awaited education white paper in the coming weeks setting out its proposals to overhaul the Send system, which is regarded as broken by parents and schools and financially unsustainable by councils.
The Send reforms are regarded as politically fraught, with ministers anxious to slow the growth in spending while avoiding a backbench rebellion and a damaging clash with parents and charities over concerns that existing children’s rights will be diluted.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said 95% of top-tier councils were operating Send deficits, with four-fifths saying they were having to cut council services or take out loans to meet the day to day cost of financing Send overspends.
One council has asked ministers for special permission to raise council tax by above permitted limits to cover the £10m-a-year costs of financing loans needed to cover its Send deficit.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council has proposed raising council tax by 7.5% from April, breaking the 4.99% limit. Its accumulated Send deficit stands at £184m and it anticipates will rise to £380m by the end of March 2028.
BCP council said it had been technically insolvent since April 2025 when its Send deficit became larger than its available financial reserves. It will borrow £95m over the next 12 months to bridge a shortfall between what it receives from the government for Send services and the amount it is legally required to spend on them.
At the end of March 2028, an accounting “override” that allows councils to keep Send spending deficits off balance sheet will come to an end. The LGA survey suggests that if the deficit is not cleared at that point, 79% of councils will become in effect insolvent overnight.
Even if the accumulated debts were cleared in 2028, the LGA says failure to reform the system would result in ongoing spending exceeding budgets in 95% of council areas. The Office for Budgetary Responsibility has estimated this funding gap at £6bn in 2028-29.
Guardian analysis of recent council papers reveals the huge scale of some Send deficits. Hampshire county council, for example, projects an accumulated deficit of £706m by the end of March 2028. West Sussex county council expects a corresponding deficit of £414m, and Suffolk county council £250m.
The LGA said that despite record levels of investment and a high rate of assessment and identification of needs, “there was no clear evidence that outcomes for children with Send have been improving”.
It is unclear whether government would wipe historical Send debts without guarantees from councils that they will cut ongoing costs partly by shifting a greater proportion of Send provision into local mainstream schools and reducing reliance on more expensive private specialist schools.
There are concerns that a no-strings-attached debt write-off would raise fairness issues. A Guardian investigation last year found that of the 32 councils with accumulated Send deficits of more than £50m, 24 were in the wealthiest areas of England.
Much of the increase in spending relates to the rapid growth over the past decade in children and young people having education, health and care plans (EHCPs), which in theory guarantee support for pupils. Numbers have risen from 240,000 in 2014 to about 640,000.
Amanda Hopgood, the chair of the LGA’s children, young people and families committee, said: “Councils are committed to supporting every child and young person to achieve their potential and clearly what is important is that children and young people get the support they need. But under the current system, the rise in support need has left many councils buckling under the strain.”
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