MILAN (AP) — U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn says she has smoothed out copyright concerns with the artist behind one of the pieces of her free skate music, and that the Olympic team gold medalist may have struck up a new friendship with him because of it.

Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, who produces music under the name CLANN, had taken to social media after Glenn performed her free skate to conclude the team event Sunday and expressed surprise that his song, “The Return,” was used as part of the program.

“So just found out an Olympic figure skater used one of my songs without permission for their routine. It aired all over the world … what? Is that usual practice for the Olympics?” McKinnon posted to X, before eventually congratulating Glenn on her medal.

Figure skaters are required to obtain copyright permission for the music they use. But the process is confusing and prone to mistakes, and several skaters at the Milan Cortina Games have had to change programs at the last minute because of it.

“The issue of music rights can be complex and confusing,” Glenn said in a statement. “Seems like there was a hiccup in that whole process. I’m glad we cleared things up with Seb and I look forward to collaborating with him.”

It was not clear where the hiccup occurred. Glenn has been performing to “The Return” for the past two years without any issues.

“It was a dream come true to perform at the Olympic Games and to have Seb acknowledge my performance and congratulate me afterward made the moment even more special,” Glenn said. “It’s my sincere hope that I was able to help create new fans of both figure skating and Seb. We will move forward and continue supporting both artists and the skating community.”

McKinnon, whose debut feature film will be released soon, said he was not trying to cause a controversy with his social media post.

“There’s absolutely no hate on my side,” he said. “At the same time I just want to make sure the artist rights are respected.”

The issue of copyright is a relatively new problem in figure skating, because for generations the only music that could be used was mostly part of the public domain. But when the International Skating Union relaxed its regulations in 2014 and athletes began using more modern music reflective of their own personality, some artists began to demand compensation for their work.

The ISU has been working to help skaters avoid copyright problems, but several still have popped up during the Winter Games.

Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate had to work feverishly to obtain approval for the music to his short program, set to a medley from the animated film “Minions.” Sabate had been performing the popular program all season, only to learn Universal Studios was poised to reject its use during the Winter Games. He got the final approval he needed last Friday.

Russian skater Petr Gumennik did have to change his short program two days before the start of competition Tuesday night because he did not have the proper permission for music from “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer,” a psychological thriller. He pivoted to “Waltz 1805” by Edgar Hakobyan, for which Gumennik was able to get permission.

As for Glenn, the three-time U.S. champion has become an unintentional lightning rod during the Olympics.

An outspoken LGBTQ+ rights activist, Glenn said she has been receiving threats following a pre-Olympics press conference in which she said that the queer community is going through a “hard time” amid the political climate under President Donald Trump.

“I was disappointed because I’ve never had so many people wish me harm before, just for being me and speaking ‍about being decent — human rights and decency,” Glenn said Sunday night, wearing an LGBTQ+ pin on her team jacket during the team medal ceremony.

“So that was really disappointing,” Glenn added, “and I do think it kind of lowered that excitement for this.”

Glenn spent most of Monday making the TV rounds with several of her teammates to celebrate their gold medals, the second straight for the Americans in the Olympic team event. Then she planned to head to a training camp outside of Milan to prepare for the women’s individual competition, which begins with the short program on Feb. 17.

“For all of us first-time Olympians, you saw our nerves, and (it was good) just getting them out,” Glenn said following the team event. “So I’m really grateful that I was able to have this opportunity ahead of the individual.”

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

“It’s a beautiful top. Very versatile for so many occasions.”

Next shoppers are raving about a top that’s the ideal addition to your spring and summer collections. It can be worn as a layering piece during the day, or on its own for an evening look.

The Ruched Mesh Long Sleeve Top is selling for £24-£32. Available in sizes 6 to 26, it comes in black polka dot, chocolate brown/blue polka dot, chocolate brown/pink polka dot, ecru/black polka dot, floral and Lindsey Cherek Waller floral.

The top is designed in a regular fit, and features a slash neckline. Ruched side detailing and long sleeves complete the look.

For a simple outfit, you can pair it with the £35 High Rise Stretch Wide Leg Jeans from Next. The top has a 4.5 rating out of 94 reviews, reports Essex Live.

A pleased shopper wrote: “Very nice top, it’s [true] to size and the shape is flattering. I had many compliments, recommended”

Another added: “It’s a beautiful top. Very versatile for so many occasions.”

A third said: “It’s a versatile top for day or evening wear with jeans, smart trousers or skirts. I love the ruched side as it hides any tummy.”

But some customers complained about the material quality: “Poor quality, the top constantly rides up. I’m very disappointed, it’s not worth it.”

Elsewhere, there’s the Checked Mesh Top from Marks and Spencer. Priced at £20, it’s available in black mix and grey mix.

It boasts a 4.5 rating based off 13 reviews. “It’s very easy to wear, stylish, slimming and can be dressed up or down,” one shopper said.

There’s also the £12.50 Mesh Long Sleeve Top from Tu. Featuring a crew neckline, it’s available in black abstract print and brown spot print.

It only has six reviews so far, but boasts a five-star rating: “A lovely top which has an underlayer so reduces any fear of transparency. The ruched effect is great and stylish.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our Be lifestyle newsletter for all the latest showbiz, fashion, beauty, family features and more.

After viewing the un-redacted documents, Massie and Khanna, who co-sponsored the law which compelled the release of the Epstein files last year, told reporters they had a list of about 20 people in which every name was redacted except for Epstein’s and his convicted sex trafficker associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

The free festival, coming back to the city centre on Friday, February 27 and Saturday 28 is set to transform the streets of Durham with colourful light displays and ice carvings.

Visitors will have the opportunity to follow a themed trail of hand-crafted ice sculptures, witness live carving demonstrations, and see the city come alive with engaging and interactive experiences.

The displays will span a broad variety of themes.

Fire and Ice 2025. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Last year’s displays included a Beatles drum kit installation and an Elvis Presley tribute.

Families can also anticipate interactive installations and fiery performances.

The event traditionally brightens up the end of February with live street entertainment and a lively, colourful atmosphere.

Officers were on foot patrol around the Halliwell Road area last night, February 9, after complaints of antisocial behaviour and drug misuse.

They reportedly saw two men “removing items from the boot of this car” and “handing them over to someone”.

When they saw officers approaching them, they ran off.

Police seized nitrous oxide canisters from this car (Image: GMP)

Upon searching the car, police found four boxes of nitrous oxide canisters, seizing them and the car.

A spokesperson for Bolton GMP said: “Officers from the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team have been on foot patrol around the Halliwell Road area yesterday evening, following complaints of anti-social behaviour and drug misuse.

“Officers saw two men removing items from the boot of this car and handing them over to someone. When the men saw officers approaching them, they ran off.

“A search of the car revealed four boxes full of nitrous oxide canisters. The car has been seized and enquiries are on going to identify the men.”

Russia’s crucial oil and gas revenues, which have sustained its war against Ukraine, have suddenly dwindled to multi-year lows as the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches.

This sharp decline is the result of new punitive measures from the US and the European Union, tariff pressure from US President Donald Trump against India, and a tightening crackdown on the fleet of sanctions-dodging tankers carrying Russian oil.

The resulting revenue drop is forcing President Vladimir Putin to borrow from Russian banks and raise taxes.

While these measures are currently keeping state finances “on an even keel”, they only increase strains in a war economy now plagued by slowing growth and stubborn inflation.

In January, Russian state revenues from taxing the oil and gas industries fell to 393 billion rubles (US$5.1 billion). This is down from 587 billion rubles ($7.6 billion) in December and from 1.12 trillion ($14.5 billion) in January 2025.

Janis Kluge, an expert on the Russian economy at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, says this is the lowest level since the Covid-19 pandemic.

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In January, Russian state revenues from taxing the oil and gas industries fell to 393 billion rubles ($5.1 billion).

That’s down from 587 billion ($7.6 billion) in December and from 1.12 trillion ($14.5 billion) in January 2025. That’s the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, says Janis Kluge, an expert on the Russian economy at German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

A new approach to sanctions

To pressure the Kremlin to halt fighting in Ukraine, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, from 21 November. That means anyone buying or shipping their oil runs the risk of being cut off from the U.S banking system — a serious concern for any multinational business.

On top of that, on 21 January, the EU began banning fuel made from Russia crude — meaning it could no longer be refined somewhere else and shipped to Europe in the form of gasoline or diesel fuel.

The head of the EU’s executive commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Friday proposed a full ban on shipping services for Russian oil, saying sanctions offered leverage to push Russia to halt the fighting. “We must be clear-eyed: Russia will only come to the table with genuine intent if it is pressured to do so,” she said.

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The latest sanctions are a step beyond the oil price cap imposed by the Group of Seven democracies under the Biden administration. The $60 per barrel cap, enforced through insurers and shippers based in G-7 countries, was aimed at reducing Russia’s profits, not banning imports, out of concern over higher energy prices.

The cap did reduce government oil revenues temporarily, especially after an EU ban on most Russian seaborne oil forced Russia to shift sales to China and India.

But Russia built a “shadow fleet” of aging tankers operating beyond the reach of the cap, and revenues rose again.

Pressure on India to stop Russian oil imports

Trump on 3 February agreed to lower tariffs to 18 per cent from 25 per cent, saying Indian President Narendra Modi agreed to halt Russian crude imports, and on Friday removed an additional 25 per cent tariff imposed over continued imports of Russian oil.

Modi hasn’t commented. Foreign affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India’s strategy was “diversifying our energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow was monitoring the statements and remains committed to our “advanced strategic partnership” with New Delhi.

In any case, Russian oil shipments to India have declined in recent weeks, from 2 million barrels per day in October to 1.3 million per day in December, according to figures from the Kyiv School of Economics and the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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Data firm Kpler says “India is unlikely to fully disengage in the near term” from cheap Russian energy.

Ukraine’s allies increasingly have sanctioned individual shadow tankers to deter customers from taking their oil — raising the number to 640 among the U.S., U.K. and EU. U.S. forces have seized vessels linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil, including one sailing under a Russian flag, while France briefly intercepted a suspected shadow fleet vessel. Ukrainian strikes have hit Russian refineries, pipelines, export terminals and tankers.

Russian oil is trading at a steep discount

Buyers are now demanding bigger discounts on Russian oil to compensate for the risk of running afoul of U.S. sanctions and the hassle of finding payment workarounds that skirt banks reluctant to touch the transactions.

The discount widened to about $25 per barrel in December, as Russia’s primary crude export, Urals blend, fell below $38 per barrel, compared with about $62.50 per barrel for international benchmark Brent crude.

Since Russia’s taxes on oil production are based on the price of oil, that cuts into state revenues.

“It’s a cascading or domino effect,” said Mark Esposito, a senior analyst focused on seaborne crude at S&P Global Energy.

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Including diesel and gasoline created “a really a dynamic sanctions package, a one-two punch that are impacting not only the crude flow, but the refined product flow off of those barrels. … A universal way of saying, if it’s coming from Russian crude, it’s out.”

Reluctance to take delivery has meant an inordinate amount — about 125 million barrels — has built up in tankers at sea. That has driven up costs for scarce capacity, with rates for very large oil tankers reaching $125,000 per day “and that’s directly correlated with the ramifications of the sanctions,” said Esposito.

Slowing growth strains Russia’s budget

On top of that, economic growth has stalled as the boost from war-related spending reaches its limits and as labor shortages put a cap on potential business expansion. And lower growth means less tax revenue. Gross domestic product increased only 0.1 per cent in the third quarter.

Forecasts for this year range between 0.6 per cent and 0.9 per cent, down from over 4 per cent in 2023 and 2024.

“I think the Kremlin is worried about the overall balance of the budget, because it coincides with the economic downturn,” said Kluge. “And at the same time the costs of the war are not decreasing.”

The Kremlin responds by raising taxes and borrowing

The Kremlin has resorted to higher taxes and borrowing to fill the gap left by dwindling oil revenues and by slower economic growth.

The Kremlin-controlled parliament, the Duma, raised value-added tax paid on consumer purchases at the cash register to 22 per cent from 20 per cent and increased levies on car imports, cigarettes and alcohol.

The government has increased its borrowing from compliant domestic banks and a national wealth fund still has reserves to patch budget holes.

So the Kremlin has money — for now. But raising taxes can slow growth even more. And borrowing risks worsening inflation, brought down to 5.6 per cent through interest rates of 16 per cent from the central bank, down from a peak of 21 per cent.

“Give it six months or a year, and it could also affect their thinking about the war,” said Kluge. “I don’t think they will seek a peace deal because of this, but they might want to lower the intensity of the fighting, focus on certain areas of the front and slow the war down. This would be the response if it’s getting too expensive.”

Plenty of regions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had a very wet start to the year.

January and early February have seen rain fall for most days in some parts of these countries, with the Met Office sharing that several observing sites recorded runs of 37 or more successive days with measurable rainfall.

As a result, it has got people questioning when the weather will improve.

It’s been another wet start to this week, but our weather pattern will slowly start to change to allow colder air to move in by the end of the week, meaning there is an increasing risk of snow across northern areas.

Find out more in the Week Ahead forecast with Annie. pic.twitter.com/HCf8pyoMdS

— Met Office (@metoffice) February 9, 2026

When will it stop raining in the UK?

BBC Weather explains that the weather has been in a “blocked pattern” for weeks, which has been causing the current level of rainfall.

High pressure to the east has been diverting a series of rain-bearing weather fronts across the UK.

This will need to change to reduce the level of rainfall, and higher pressure is set to build across the UK later in the week.

It is expected that Thursday and Friday (February 12 and 13) will see drier and brighter conditions.

However, this is set to only be a brief reprieve as milder westerly winds from the Atlantic will likely deliver more wind and rain in the third week of the month.

Steven Keates, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office , explained: “In the near term, the unsettled theme is expected to continue, with further showers or longer spells of rain for most.

“We are likely to see the transition from wet and windy weather to colder, more settled conditions towards the end of the week, with Saturday (February 14) looking a fine day for many.

“But, this reprieve doesn’t last long, as the next set of Atlantic weather fronts looks set to move in from the west at the end of the weekend.” 

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The Met Office has also shared that provision figures for the meteorological winter (December, January and February) show the UK has already had a significant proportion of its seasonal rainfall.

It says: “The UK has already reached 89% of its average winter rainfall, while England has already exceeded its seasonal average at 111%.”

Alongside that, Wales has had 94%, Northern Ireland has had 101%, and Scotland has had 69%.

Stacey Solomon recently showcased her genius gadget that easily removes stains, even the darkest stains left on a white rug, and shoppers are desperate to know where to buy their own

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Stacey Solomon knows how difficult it can be trying to keep her perfect home mess-free, with an array of animals and five children to keep on top of. Stains and scuffs on white walls and light flooring are going to be hard to avoid. That’s why fans are going wild over Stacey’s innovative solution for tackling even the toughest stains, as she demonstrated its power by tackling a bright red mess on a pristine white rug.

Fans began bombarding her with messages about the contraption she used to clean the white rug in seconds. Stacey revealed that it’s the Shark StainForce Cordless Spot Cleaner that she swears by for tackling emergencies like spilt drinks, muddy footprints, paint, coloured crayons, and more.

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Boasting a cordless stain-destroying system, this Shark cleaner lets users tackle everyday spills and stains the moment they occur, so no trace is left behind. Designed for powerful, tough household messes, this cleaner easily erases pet stains, permanent marker, coffee, wine, oil, dirt, and more on carpets, area rugs, stairs, upholstery, and car interiors, making it the ideal gadget for every room in the house.

It comes with 2x Full-Size Cleaning Solution, Shark’s most powerful stain-fighting formula, which mixes and activates on contact to break down tough stains.

This device ensures easy use anytime, anywhere, offering cordless convenience so you can reach for it the second a stain appears, whether inside or outside the house. Plus, when armed with Rinse & Go, the Stain Force can be quickly set to clean itself between uses, so it’s always ready for the next job.

From pet pandemonium to kid spills, this Shark device is sure to be a lifesaver for tackling everything from fresh accidents to set-in stains, as Stacey demonstrated on Instagram this week.

The Shark StainForce Cordless Spot Cleaner is currently up for grabs on Amazon for £169.99 for the Shark tool and two bottles of cleaner. For those who don’t mind skipping out on a deal, you can pick up the device and one bottle of cleaner for £169. It’s also available for the same price from Argos.

If you’re looking for alternative gadgets on a smaller budget, The Range has this Beldray 15-in-1 Steam Cleaner on sale for £44.99, down from £69.99. Meanwhile, if you don’t mind a slightly bulkier device, there’s this VAX SpotWash Spot Cleaner on offer for £89.99, down from £129.99.

Back to Stacey’s Shark gadget, the mum-of-five isn’t the only one singing its praises. Plenty of shoppers on Amazon have bestowed glowing 5-star reviews.

One buyer beams: “This is great. So easy to use, took a before and after of a mark/ stain on the arm of the sofa, which it effortlessly removed! Need to use it on the whole sofa as there’s now just a really clean patch! Quick and easy to use due to being so lightweight and also self-cleaning too! The suction is quite powerful for such a small thing. The spray is amazing too, almost does all the work itself! Would recommend getting this too if you have pets – if they like to throw up their food from eating too quickly or wee on the carpet! Makes cleaning a headache of a mess so easy!“

Another reviewer raves: “Great product! I love this. Love how convenient the cordless element is and how lightweight it is. Great for those spills that you need to clean quickly. Highly recommend.”

Though one shopper shares a balanced argument, pointing out their gripe with the gadget: “Fantastic little thing, very simple and straightforward to use. We used it on old pet stains on a light carpet, and it got rid of them on the first go. The battery does run out very quickly, but as this is only a spot cleaner and very high-powered suction, it’s not surprising. It removed the stain very easily and has removed other stains too, leaving no trace they were ever there. I’ve added the before and after photos of the worst stain to this review.”

But the praise keeps coming as this shopper shares: “Wow, this worked on old stains and brought my cushions up like new. It gets used a lot with the children and the dog. Bought it when it was on offer, so a great price for it.”

And another customer comments: “Have used this a few times now and have been really impressed. Easy to use and has brought up stains instantly. Got it at a great price too, so glad I waited as it’s definitely worth it!”

He burgled several properties within a matter of days

A prolific burglar has been locked up again after being convicted for his latest crime spree. Lee Edwards, 40, targeted a number of properties, taking belongings between April 29 and June 5 last year.

He started by burgling a home in Felsted Road, Woodston, Peterborough, at around 2am on April 29. He got in through a back door and stole a Hyundai i30 from the driveway and a handbag containing bank cards, a laptop, and glasses. The victim later found her car parked in Burystead, Stanground.

Edwards struck again at a house in Brewster Avenue, Woodston, on May 9 when he stole a Honda motorbike. He broke into a building site in London Road, Woodston, at about 5am on May 13, stealing copper piping, tools, and cabling.

He then burgled a garage at a house in Clement Drive, Woodston, on May 29, stealing a Carrera bike, before stealing another bike on June 5. He was identified and linked to the burglaries and thefts through a combination of CCTV images and forensics before being arrested in Orchard Street, Fletton, on June 13.

On Friday (February 6), at Peterborough Crown Court, Edwards, of Queen’s Walk, Fletton, Peterborough, was jailed for three years and four months, having pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a pedal cycle, and a further burglary, for which he received no separate penalty.

PC Luke Blakey, who investigated, said: “Edwards is a prolific thief and burglar who causes misery for people and businesses in Peterborough and clearly hasn’t learnt his lesson from his previous convictions.”

England have made one change for the match against West Indies with all-rounder Jamie Overton replacing left-arm quick Luke Wood.

The Windies, who beat Scotland in their opening match, are expected to provide England a different challenge compared to Nepal with their trademark six-hitting.

Sunday’s match was England’s first meeting with Nepal in any format. In contrast, England have played four T20 series against West Indies since the start of 2022.

They were comfortable winners of the past two – a 3-0 victory at home last year and a 3-1 win in the Caribbean the previous winter.

Wednesday’s match will also be played on a fresh pitch and, crucially, later in the evening.

That should help run-scoring and dew could have a significant impact, giving an advantage to the chasing side.

England XI to play West Indies: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid