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Atkin wins halfpipe bronze for Team GB’s fifth medal

Katie Falkingham

BBC Sport senior journalist in Livigno

Freestyle skier Zoe Atkin won bronze in the women’s halfpipe to secure Great Britain’s fifth medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, equalling the team’s record-best haul.

The 23-year-old had already secured a medal when she jumped into the pipe for her final run and, with the pressure off, improved her score to 92.50 – just half a point shy of silver medal position.

China’s global superstar Eileen Gu won gold, her first of these Games after two silvers, with 94.75, while compatriot Li Fanghui took silver.

    • 2 hours ago

Winter Olympics 2026

6-22 February

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  • Winter Olympics
  • Freestyle Skiing

Somaliland minister says US may access its minerals, military bases: Report

Somaliland is prepared to grant the United States access to its mineral resources and military bases, a senior minister says, as the breakaway Somali region pursues international recognition.

“We are willing to give exclusive [access to our minerals] to the United States. Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States,” Khadar Hussein Abdi, minister of the presidency, told the AFP news agency in an interview on Saturday.

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“We believe that we will agree on something with the United States.”

Israel became the only country in the world to recognise Somaliland’s independence in December, something the territory has been seeking since declaring its autonomy from Somalia in 1991.

The region seceded from Somalia during a civil war that followed the more than two-decade hardline rule of President Siad Barre, whose forces devastated the north.

While large parts of Somalia descended into chaos, Somaliland stabilised by the late 1990s.

The US has yet to signal a major shift on the question of Somaliland.

But in August, US President Donald Trump, who had previously lobbed insults at Somalia and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, suggested he was preparing to move on the issue when asked about Somaliland during a White House news conference.

Somalia has denounced Israel’s recognition as an attack on its territorial integrity and unity, a position backed by most African and Arab leaders, and has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw the recognition.

But Somaliland’s leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, has welcomed Israel’s diplomatic move, praising Netanyahu for his “leadership and commitment to promoting stability and peace” in the region.

Cirro in recent weeks had already suggested granting Israel privileged access to its mineral resources. Meanwhile, Hussein Abdi said he could not rule out the possibility of also allowing Israel to set up a military presence.

Somaliland lies across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, where Houthi rebels have often attacked Israeli assets to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Muir wins Scottish cross-country gold again, 14 years later

Laura Muir enjoyed a winning return to the Scottish cross-country championships, 14 years after her last appearance at the event.

The 32-year-old Olympic medallist finished 13 seconds clear in the 10km race at Callendar Park, Falkirk.

“It was a long race for me,” said Muir who picked up the Under-20 gold medal at the same venue in 2012.

“It was a wee bit of a step back into the unknown in terms of cross-country. But I knew I was very fit at the moment and I am pleased to have shown that.

“Scout Adkin and Naomi Lang [second and third] are world-class hill runners and Scout ran a brilliant race – she really pushed it on. Any technical bit, or uphill, I was losing ground so I had to dig in at times.

“Thankfully I did that and then used my speed over the closing stages to get clear and win.”

Talking to Scottish Athletics, Muir added: “When I stood here 14 years ago after winning the U20 title I had no idea what was to follow in my career. I don’t think I could have envisaged the medal success.

“It seems to have flashed by and so much has happened on and off the track. I’ve won medals at all six championships [indoor and out, European, World, Olympic and Commonwealth] which has been wonderful, but not something you really foresee.

“It has been so nice to come back here and win a Scottish title and enjoy such a warm reception.”

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The aftermath of Pakistan’s air strikes in Afghanistan

Pakistan says it has launched strikes on armed groups in Afghanistan after blaming recent suicide bombings, including attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on fighters it says are operating from its neighbour’s territory.

Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing armed groups to use Afghan territory to stage attacks in Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence on Sunday said “dozens of innocent civilians, including women and children, were martyred and wounded” when strikes hit a school and homes in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika.

Nangarhar police told the AFP news agency the bombardment started about midnight (19:30 GMT on Saturday) and hit three districts.

“Civilians were killed. In one house, there were 23 family members. Five wounded people were taken out,” police spokesperson Sayed Tayeeb Hammad said.

The Afghan Defence Ministry said it will “deliver an appropriate and calculated response” to the Pakistani strikes.

The two countries have been locked in an increasingly bitter dispute since the Taliban authorities retook control of Afghanistan in 2021.

Pakistani military action killed 70 Afghan civilians from October to December, according to the United Nations mission in Afghanistan.

Several rounds of negotiations followed an initial ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkiye, but they have failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Saudi Arabia intervened this month, mediating the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October.

The deteriorating relationship has had repercussions for people in both countries with the land border largely closed for months.

Ryan Garcia defeats Mario Barrios to win WBC welterweight title

Ryan Garcia has won the WBC welterweight title with a dominant unanimous decision over Mario Barrios.

Garcia dropped Barrios in the opening seconds on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, and controlled the fight with sharp combinations. The 27-year-old stayed patient after the early knockdown and turned more conservative late with a big lead.

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The judges scored the fight 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109 for Garcia (25-2, 20 knockouts) of Victorville, California. The Associated Press news agency had it 119-109.

“It feels good to finally be a world champion,” Garcia said. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I was seven years old.”

Garcia already has begun to turn to his future, looking at WBO super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and saying he wanted him next.

This was the second underwhelming bout in a row for Barrios (29-3-2, 18 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas, after he was fortunate to escape with a majority draw victory over Manny Pacquiao in July.

The win capped a turbulent stretch for Garcia, including a suspension, fines and other controversies.

In the co-main event, Gary Antuanne Russell kept his title against Andy Hiraoka.

Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios in action.
Ryan Garcia, right, fights Mario Barrios in their WBC welterweight title boxing match [Lucas Peltier/AP]