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‘Don’t be afraid of being different, it’s your superpower’

Bruce Mouat had to settle for Olympic curling silver in 2022. This month, in Italy, he will attempt to upgrade that in the mixed and men’s events, with his Team Mouat rink strong favourites to triumph in the latter.

Life has not always been easy for the 31-year-old from Edinburgh, who came out as gay in 2013 after a life-changing conversation with a sports psychologist. He says telling his team-mates “was possibly the best thing I ever did for my career”.

Dear Bruce,

When you were 10, you wrote a school project called “Future Me”. Well, here I am, your future self, finally replying.

Let me start by saying how proud I am of you. You’ve always been a dreamer and that’s one of your greatest strengths. The future you imagined was big, bold and full of life.

But it might not turn out quite as simply as you first thought. You wrote about having six kids, eight dogs and 10 cats. Spoiler alert, that doesn’t quite happen.

Here’s the important part, though: you’re happy. You made it. And you’re living the part of your dream that really mattered, building a life that you’re proud of and sharing it with special people.

You’re competitive and you want to be the best at everything you do.

That’s fine, it’ll get you far, but you don’t have to compare yourself to others. Especially when you’re at school. Academics are not your strong suit – your strengths lie elsewhere.

However, that does not give you permission to stop trying at school. Sport might be your passion but please try to stop falling asleep in Mr Simpson’s English class, pretending to read your book. You’re fooling no one.

You’re so lucky to have two incredible parents, Marie and Bob (or better known as Mum and Dad), who understand you more than you realise.

They’ve always let you try every sport you were curious about, and they supported you even when what you were saying sounded completely unrealistic. They could see it wasn’t just a phase, it was your passion.

When you watched Kelly Holmes win her two gold medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004, something inside you sparked. Let that feeling grow. Let it push you to dream bigger than you ever thought you could.

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Some of your favourite family memories will come from playing together in the Christmas bonspiels. Dressing up in ridiculous costumes and playing curling competitions with Mum and Dad and your brother, Colin.

Those moments are special. They show you the incredible community behind curling, and that’s a huge part of why you fall in love with the sport.

One memory that will always stand out is when your whole family went dressed as the cast of Shrek, and you as Puss in Boots.

And if you feel like “practising” in Mum’s boots for the week leading up to the event, go for it. Those boots are fabulous.

Curling will give you so much and the people at Curl Edinburgh will support you endlessly.

Remember to be grateful for the opportunities that come your way and remember to thank the people that give you those chances – they might not be around as long as you expect.

Let me tell you, the journey is incredible. The results come, but it’s never a straight line. There are highs and there are lows.

Some of those lows will make you question whether elite sport is really for you. I know you doubt yourself at times, but you’re far stronger than you think.

You’ll worry about what others think of you – that’s human, and it’s completely natural. But one day you’ll realise what truly matters is what you think of yourself.

So be proud of who you are. Don’t be afraid to show the world. And by sharing your story you’ll inspire others – that is what really matters.

Some of the toughest moments in your career will end up teaching you more about yourself – and about the sport – than any training session ever could.

The tough moments will hurt, but lean on the friends and family around you, they will help you through it.

One last thing… you’re different to the other kids in your class.

I know you want more than anything to just fit in, but there will come a time in your life when you must make a tough decision, one that you think could change everything for you.

It does change everything. But you become a better curler, a better friend and a better person for it. Don’t be afraid of being different, it’s your superpower.

Winter Olympics 2026

Milan-Cortina, February 6-22

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What might happen on WSL transfer deadline day?

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The Women’s Super League transfer window shuts on Tuesday – so what might we expect to happen on the final day?

Clubs have been doing business since 2 January and have until 23:00 GMT to complete any last-minute deals.

Among some of the biggest moves to have gone through are USA international Sam Coffey’s switch from Portland Thorns to Manchester City for £600,000, and Aston Villa’s £450,000 deal for Chelsea midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois.

Bottom side Liverpool also broke their record signing to bring in Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan for £300,000 from North Carolina Courage.

    • 5 January

Could Arsenal spring another surprise?

Arsenal are already lining up huge signings for the summer, with England international Georgia Stanway close to signing a pre-contract agreement to join when her Bayern Munich contract expires.

They are also in advanced discussions with Barcelona full-back Ona Batlle to bring her in on a free deal in the summer.

The Gunners have been known to pounce late in the window and want more midfielders. Will they make a surprise move on deadline day?

Chelsea have had a bid for Nigeria midfielder Jennifer Echegini turned down by Paris St-Germain but might make another attempt. But with the French window already shut, PSG cannot replace her so it is unlikely they will budge.

There could be a departure from the Blues with USA striker Catarina Macario attracting interest from National Women’s Super League (NWSL) clubs.

Germany midfielder Sjoeke Nusken‘s future has also been questioned but it looks like she is set to stay at Chelsea unless anything rapidly changes. The Blues are yet to make any signings in this window and manager Sonia Bompastor has hinted at frustration over a lack of squad depth.

Elsewhere, Manchester City defender Codie Thomas, 19, has a loan deal in principle agreed with Glasgow City.

London City Lionesses are hoping to add one more before the deadline but still have work to do, while Aston Villa have looked at attacking options all winter.

Everton might still do some business, with Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar on the verge of joining on loan with an obligation-to-buy clause. A medical is planned for Tuesday.

France forward Kelly Gago has requested to leave the Toffees but nobody has met the £500,000 release clause in her contract.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines

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Pollock out to ruffle Six Nations feathers

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It was the final round of the Six Nations and England were wreaking havoc inside the Principality Stadium cauldron when Henry Pollock got the nod.

As settings go for an international debut, the young back row could not have wished for better.

“As I ran on Ellis Genge said, ‘Do your thing, this is your time’, that gave me extra confidence to go out there and be myself,” said Pollock.

It was all the invitation the 20-year-old needed. Even with England already in command, Pollock lit up the match with a swagger and self-belief that belied his young age.

He ran in two of 10 tries against the old enemy and became England men’s youngest ever try-scorer in the process.

“I remember putting the ball down and thinking ‘wow, I’ve just scored on my debut’. It was one of those moments that you’ll never forget.”

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Given his staggeringly fast rise, it is easy to forget Pollock has only 30 minutes of Six Nations experience and is yet to start a Test.

That could explain why he has again been named on the replacements bench for the opener at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

But having been a late addition to Borthwick’s squad last year, his excitement at being involved from the start of the campaign is clear.

“I grew up watching the tournament, it’s one of the best tournaments in the world, everything around it is so much fun,” said Pollock.

“I’m excited to have a full tournament under my belt. If I told my 10-year-old self that I’m about to go into a Six Nations, he would have bit your hand off.

‘An idiot, but our idiot’

Pollock has managed every significant step up in his career with youthful abandon.

A try against Leinster helped Northampton Saints to another European final, a crucial score against Australia helped steer England to victory – one of 11 successive Test wins in 2025. Even on the Lions tour he was undaunted.

“For me it was going into that environment and learning as much as I could from world class coaches and players,” he said.

“I was in awe of everyone around me but I definitely didn’t feel out of my depth.”

While his talent is obvious, his character has and will divide opinion in a sport which has traditionally been about the collective.

England and Lions captain Maro Itoje branded him a “pest”, Courtney Lawes called him “cocky” and Jamie George warmly described him as “an idiot, but he’s our idiot”.

Pollock admits he revels in getting under the skin of opponents.

“That part of the game I find fun. How can I make them annoyed at me? Then you never know what happens on the back of that,” he said.

Pollock recalled the moment he faced the New Zealand haka at the Allianz Stadium in November.

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Pollock thrives on the love-hate relationship with fans and his Saints head coach Phil Dowson believes boos aimed at the flanker are a mark of respect for a worthy opponent.

“I remember watching rugby and seeing no one wanted to get out of their comfort zone,” said TikTok fan Pollock.

“I’m quite outgoing, I want to show who I am in games and off the pitch. My confidence definitely comes from believing in myself.

“You never know who is in the crowd, that one person who has never seen you before, you’ve got to show them and everyone else that you are the real deal.”

And just like he brushes off opponents, Pollock is quick to brush off negativity.

“Fans can do what they want, if they want to boo me, then boo me, if they want to cheer for me, then cheer for me. It doesn’t really affect me,” he said.

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    • 19 hours ago
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Moscow confirms Russian forces helped repel ISIL attack on Niger airport

Russian soldiers helped repel an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group on Niger’s main airport in the capital, Niamey, last week, according to Moscow’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The attack was repelled through the joint efforts of the Russian Ministry of Defence’s African Corps and the Nigerien armed forces,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

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Niger’s governing military earlier said that “Russian partners” had helped to fend off the rare assault on the capital, which saw 20 attackers, including a French national, killed and four army soldiers wounded.

At least 11 fighters were also captured, Niger’s state television reported.

“Moscow strongly condemns this latest extremist attack,” the Foreign Ministry added in the statement, according to Russia’s state TASS news agency.

“A similar attack took place in September 2024 on the international airport in the capital of Mali. According to available information, external forces providing instructor and technical support are involved,” the ministry said, according to TASS.

Niger’s military chief, Abdourahamane Tchiani, visited the Russian military base in Niamey to express “personal gratitude for a high-level of professionalism” by Russian forces in defending the airport, the ministry added.

ISIL claimed responsibility for the “surprise and coordinated attack” on the airbase at the Diori Hamani international airport near Niamey on the night of January 28.

A video published online through the ISIL-affiliated media Amaq showed several dozen attackers with assault rifles firing near an aircraft hangar and setting ablaze one plane before leaving on motorbikes.

Ulf Laessing, the head of the Sahel programme at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told The Associated Press news agency that the sophistication and boldness of the attack, including the possible use of drones by the attackers, suggest that the assailants may have had inside help.

Previous successful attacks in the region appear to have increased the group’s confidence, leading them to target more sensitive and strategically important sites, Laessing said.

Niger’s military had initially accused Benin, France and the Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack on the airport, which also houses a military base. The military, however, did not provide evidence to substantiate its claim.

Ivory Coast’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegation and summoned Niger’s ambassador to relay its protest. Benin also denied the claim, describing it as “not very credible”.

France has yet to comment.

Niger is a former colony of France, which maintained a military presence in the country until 2023.

Russia rarely comments on its military activity in the Sahel region, where Moscow has been increasing its influence in recent years.

Facing isolation since its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has tried to build new military and political partnerships across Africa.

Apart from Niger, Russian troops or military instructors have been reported to be deployed in Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic and Libya.

Russia’s African Corps has taken over from the Wagner mercenary force across the continent. According to Moscow, the corps helps ” fighting terrorists” and is “strengthening regional stability” in the Sahel.

Bad Bunny will perform ‘great’ Super Bowl half-time show, says NFL boss

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he expects “a great performance” from Bad Bunny during the half-time show at Super Bowl 60.

The Puerto Rican pop star is this year’s headliner for the set, with the championship game in Santa Clara, California, this weekend expected to be watched by more than 120 million in the US alone.

The 31-year-old will be the first solo male Latin artist to perform the half-time show and is expected to be the first artist to perform the set entirely in Spanish.

The decision to choose Bad Bunny for the NFL half-time show has divided opinion among the US public, partly because of Bad Bunny’s political comments.

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“This platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talent, and to be able to use this moment to do that. I think artists in the past have done that.

“I think Bad Bunny understands that and I think he’ll have a great performance.”

The singer, who was Spotify’s most streamed artist in four of the past six years, said he avoided the US on his current world tour because of concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would conduct raids on fans at his concerts.

Speaking at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, he defended immigrants and said “ICE out”.

Asked if there would be any ICE enforcement operations around the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend, Goodell said: “Security’s obviously one of the things we focus on the most.

“It’s a tier-one level event. That involves unique assets at a federal level, state level and local level all working together.

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Cuba in contact with US, diplomat says, as Trump issues threat to block oil

Cuba and the United States are in communication, but the exchanges have not yet evolved into a formal “dialogue”, a Cuban diplomat has said, as US President Donald Trump stepped up pressure on Havana.

Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, told the Reuters news agency on Monday that the US government was aware that Cuba was “ready to have a serious, meaningful and responsible dialogue”.

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De Cossio’s statement represents the first hint from Havana that it is in contact with Washington, even if in a limited fashion, as tensions flared in recent weeks amid Trump’s threats against the Cuban government in the aftermath of the US military’s abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Cuba’s longstanding ally.

“We have had exchange of messages, we have embassies, we have had communications, but we cannot say we have had a table of dialogue,” de Cossio said.

In a separate interview with The Associated Press news agency, De Cossio said, “If we can have a dialogue, maybe that can lead to negotiation.”

The deputy minister also stressed that certain issues are off the table for Cuba, including the country’s constitution, economy, and its socialist system of government.

On Sunday, Trump indicated that the US had begun talks with “the highest people in Cuba”.

“I think we’re going to make a deal with Cuba,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Days earlier, Trump had referred to Cuba in an executive order as “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security, and warned other countries he would impose more tariffs on them if they supplied oil to Cuba.

On Monday, Trump reverted to issuing threats to Havana, announcing at the White House that Mexico “is going to cease” sending oil to Cuba, a move that could starve the country of its energy needs.

Mexico, which has yet to comment on Trump’s latest statement, is the largest supplier of oil to Cuba.

Mexico had repeatedly said that it would not stop shipping oil to Cuba for humanitarian reasons, but also expressed concern that it could face reprisals from Trump over its policy.

In recent weeks, the US has moved to block all oil from reaching Cuba, including from Cuba’s ally Venezuela, pushing up prices for food and transportation and prompting severe fuel shortages and hours of blackouts, even in the capital, Havana.

Responding to Trump’s threat regarding oil supplies, Cuba’s De Cossio said that the move would eventually backfire.

“The US… is attempting to force every country in the world not to provide fuel to Cuba. Can that be sustained in the long run?” de Cossio said to Reuters.

The US has imposed decades of crushing sanctions on Cuba, but a crippling economic crisis on the island and stepped-up pressure from the Trump administration have recently brought the conflict to a head.