Another devastating blow to the European art world was unveiled after thieves broke into a private Italian museum, making off with three masterpieces in a heist last week that lasted only three minutes, officials said on Monday.
The robbery took place the night of March 22 at the Magnani Rocca Foundation in the Italian countryside near the city of Parma. The three stolen artworks by renowned French artists are worth roughly $10 million: “Les Poissons” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “Still Life with Cherries” by Paul Cézanne, and “Odalisque on the Terrace” by Henri Matisse. A fourth piece was abandoned at the scene, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/world/europe/parma-art-heist-renoir-matisse-cezanne-italy.html#:~:text=Paintings%20Worth%20Millions%20of%20Dollars,to%20the%20Italian%20news%20media.">according</a> to the New York Times.
Four hooded thieves reportedly entered the museum through the front door, where they snagged the art from the French Gallery on the first floor. After they were interrupted by the museum&#8217;s security system, the group then escaped across the gardens and climbed over a fence to freedom.
From start to finish, the entire theft took just three minutes.
“Still Life with Cherries” by Paul Cézanne
<div style="width: 725px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="css-r3fift" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma4/30xp-parma4-articleLarge-v2.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale" sizes=" ((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw" srcset="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma4/30xp-parma4-articleLarge-v2.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 600w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma4/30xp-parma4-jumbo-v2.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 1024w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma4/30xp-parma4-superJumbo-v2.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 2048w" alt="A painting of a plate of cherries and a mug on a table. " width="715" height="522" />Magnani Rocca Foundation, via Reuters</div>
“Odalisque on the Terrace” by Henri Matisse
<div style="width: 729px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="css-1m50asq" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma3/30xp-parma-01-jbmt-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale" sizes=" ((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw" srcset="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma3/30xp-parma-01-jbmt-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 600w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma3/30xp-parma-01-jbmt-jumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 1024w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/03/30/multimedia/30xp-parma3/30xp-parma-01-jbmt-superJumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 2048w" alt="A print of a person lying on a stool and a woman naked from the waist up sitting and holding a violin. " width="719" height="489" />Magnani Rocca Foundation/Reuters</div>
The museum <a href="https://time.com/article/2026/03/30/italy-museum-art-heist-renoir-cezanne-matisse/">believes</a> a &#8220;structured and organized&#8221; gang was responsible, though the heist was “not completed” because of the quick response from local authorities. There have been no arrests in the days since, and the museum has continued operating as usual.
A police spokesman told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/30/style/magnani-rocca-art-heist-italy-scli-intl">CNN</a> the officials kept the heist a secret in hopes of catching the thieves if they returned.
It has been less than six months since the infamous Louvre heist transpired in Paris, France, where thieves stole $102 million worth of jewels and other items in the middle of the day. A lawyer for the foundation told CNN that the latest theft may have been inspired by the apparent &#8220;ease&#8221; of the previous crime.

“Boccioni 1900-1910 Rome Venice Milan” Exhibition

Three Minutes. Three Masterpieces. How Thieves Pulled Off A $10M Art Grab.

Italy

Museum

Robbery

In a society that loves to “blur the line” between man and woman, the result can be a strenuous casting process that might almost postpone production.
Take FX’s &#8220;Love Story.&#8221;
In the new show, viewers embark on the romantic yet tragic story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, America&#8217;s most beloved couple in the 1990s. Ever known for their iconic fashion and good looks, choosing the right actors was indeed going to be a high task at hand.
Executive producers Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson shared with <a href="https://people.com/how-love-story-cast-newcomer-paul-anthony-kelly-exclusive-11906585#:~:text=NEED%20TO%20KNOW,agreed%20there%20was%20something%20special.">People</a> that selecting Sarah Pidgeon to play Bessette was a swift and easy choice: she “jumped out and stole the role” and immediately “won our hearts.”
But the same could not be said for Kennedy.
“We were three weeks away from shooting and we still [had] not cast him,&#8221; Simpson said. &#8220;We&#8217;d seen every male actor between the age of 25 and 38.”
“We were about to shut down production and pause because we couldn&#8217;t find him,” he added.
The show’s creator, Connor Hines, admitted he even sought out people on the street and at the gym to come read for the role. 
But the problem wasn’t that they didn’t like their interviewees, Simpson said. There was something else missing.
“Part of it was just that sort of &#8217;80s, old school masculinity — a man with hair on his chest, sort of Richard Gere, Tom Selleck — the classic chiseled looks,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;We&#8217;re not making those guys anymore, for some reason, and he really needed to have that.&#8221;
In a GQ <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/how-love-storys-paul-anthony-kelly-became-jfk-jr">article</a>, Simpson elaborated further: &#8220;It’s these men with broad shoulders and they are in shape, but they’re in shape because they’ve been throwing a football around, not because they’ve been working on every muscle in their body for a Marvel movie.&#8221;
&#8220;We live in a world of electrolysis men, and it was a real challenge to find that sort of guy — a guy that women and gay men are attracted to, but also guys want to hang out and have a beer with.&#8221;
Something needs to be said if even Hollywood starts admitting there&#8217;s a masculinity problem.
The producers retraced their steps and considered the self-tapes they had already received, pulling out 13 new guys to come in and read. To their luck, Paul Anthony Kelly was among that group.
&#8220;You&#8217;re crazy if you don&#8217;t cast him,&#8221; Simpson recalled a makeup artist saying as she walked past.
Beyond his similar look to JFK Jr. — tall height, handsome, and yes, even chest hair — Simpson said Kelly had an &#8220;ease and charm&#8221; about him that was immediate. After a chemistry read with Pidgeon, there was no doubt the producers had found their Kennedy.
Now, Kelly is marking his first major debut and <a href="https://www.insidehook.com/style/actor-paul-anthony-kelly-oscars-best-dressed">becoming</a> his own American heartthrob.

FX’s “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” Red Carpet Premiere

The Difficult Task Of Casting JFK Jr. For ‘Love Story’ In The 21st Century

Entertainment

Hulu

John F. Kennedy Jr.

Masculinity

U.S.

In 2019, a journalist asked Iranian Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif why people are executed in Iran for being gay. His <a href="https://www.iranhr.net/media/files/Rapport_iran_2024-WEB.pdf">response</a>: “Our society has moral principles. And we live according to these principles … That means that the law is respected, and the law is obeyed.”
Under Islamic law, homosexuality is a crime punishable by imprisonment or execution for those who violate it. One could assume the conservative Islamic regime would produce similar consequences for transgenderism. But it is, in fact, legal and religiously permissible.
In the Western world, LGBT advancements are seen as a form of liberation. But in Iran, a complex dichotomy remains — where homosexuality can lead to death, yet transgenderism is given the green light. However, the practice is not celebrated so much as it is utilized as a cure for homosexuality. And in some cases, it is involuntary.
Transgenderism in Iran first surfaced in the 1980s. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, issued a fatwa — a religious decree — to legalize transgenderism, with the requirement that they are diagnosed with gender dysphoria and undergo surgery for sex changes. <a href="https://iranwire.com/en/women/124596-influential-iranian-women-maryam-khatoonpour-molkara-1950-2012/">Maryam Khatoon Molkara</a>, an Iranian transgender activist, is credited as the driving force of the movement. After years of writing letters and persisting with Khomeini, even visiting his home to plead his case, Molkara convinced the supreme leader to authorize transgender surgery in 1987.
Khomeini determined there was nothing in religious law that condemned transgenderism; rather, it could medically serve as a correction for the mental disorder.
A religious cleric, Hojatolislam Muhammad Mehdi Kariminia, famously <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7259057.stm">said</a> an operation is no more a sin than &#8220;changing wheat to flour to bread.&#8221;
He said, &#8220;Islam has a cure for people suffering from this problem. If they want to change their gender, the path is open.&#8221;
But Kariminia clarified his stance on homosexuality. &#8220;The discussion is fundamentally separate &#8230; Absolutely not related. Homosexuals are doing something unnatural and against religion,&#8221; Kariminia added.
However, ongoing reports suggest transgenderism in Iran may at times be exploited. Put plainly, some may be forced to transition.
A New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/world/middleeast/iran-transgender-surgery.html">article</a> published in October 2025 highlights the paradox: “For 40 years Iran has performed more gender transition surgeries than many other nations, largely a result of pressuring gay and gender-nonconforming citizens to undergo unwanted operations or risk the death penalty.”
The United Nations also expressed its concerns in a 2023 <a href="https://docs.un.org/en/CCPR/C/IRN/CO/4">report</a> that gay and lesbian Iranians are being &#8220;pressured into undergoing gender reassignment surgery without their free consent.”
An Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/a66b2167bb1744e6b12ba8ff1ef97c21">article</a> from 2018 stated that transgender surgery in Iran aims to cure the &#8220;disease,&#8221; and that those who &#8220;choose not to undergo surgery and get new documents can face arrest by police for dressing in a way that contradicts their government-recognized gender.”
As one of the few Muslim countries that offer these surgeries, Iran seems to be capitalizing on the endeavor: &#8220;Now, faced with an economy crippled by war and sanctions, the Islamic Republic is promoting its expertise to a global audience, hoping to attract transgender foreigners with the promise of inexpensive surgeries packaged with luxury hotel stays and sightseeing tours,&#8221; the Times noted.
According to the website of the medical company IranMedTour, compared to the cost of a transgender procedure in the United States (which can be $45,000), transgender surgery in Iran is much lower, with prices less than $12,000. &#8220;Other companies advertise procedures at government hospitals for as low as $4,500.”
The goal, according to the outlet citing Iranian media, is to raise over $7 billion annually in medical tourism.
What started as a plea for &#8220;transgender rights&#8221; from Molkara has turned into a compulsory crackdown on homosexuality and a vending machine bringing in cash from the rest of the world.

Trans_Gay_Fate_Iran

You Can Be Trans In Iran, But Being Gay Might Get You Killed

Global Politics

Iran

Islam

LGBTQ

Sharia Law

Transgender

transgender surgery

World

The Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, came to a sensational close on Sunday after the United States men’s hockey team defeated Canada, capturing the twelfth and final gold medal for Team USA.
But it was after America&#8217;s victory in the mixed team aerials freestyle skiing event on Saturday that officially marked the country’s most gold medals in Winter Olympics history. The previous record of ten gold medals was won in the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
This year, the U.S. placed second overall with thirty-three medals — twelve gold, twelve silver, and nine bronze. As predicted, Norway reigned with forty-four medals (eighteen gold), and the host country slightly trailed behind the U.S. with thirty total medals (ten gold).
The most notable wins came from the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/usa-wins-olympic-hockey-gold-in-ot-thriller-over-canada?author=Andie+Valdes&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=12&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=USA+Wins+Olympic+Hockey+Gold+In+OT+Thriller+Over+Canada">men&#8217;s</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/revenge-served-cold-team-usa-takes-gold-over-canada-in-olympic-sudden-death-overtime?author=Andie+Valdes&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Revenge+Served+Cold%3A+Team+USA+Takes+Gold+Over+Canada+In+Olympic+Sudden-Death+Overtime">women&#8217;s</a> hockey teams, which both secured first place after suspenseful overtime games against rival Canada.
Two gold medals were won in figure skating this season, one in the team event and one by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/american-figure-skaters-father-narrowly-escaped-china-she-just-won-olympic-gold?author=Andie+Valdes&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Alysa+Liu%E2%80%99s+Father+Escaped+China.+She+Just+Won+Olympic+Gold+For+The+United+States.">Alysa Liu</a>, the twenty-year-old who returned to the sport after a two-year break and became the first American woman to win a medal in figure skating in two decades.
Other significant wins came in alpine skiing with Breezy Johnson in the women’s downhill and Mikaela Shiffrin in women&#8217;s slalom.
In freestyle skiing, Elizabeth Lemley took first in women&#8217;s moguls and Alex Ferreira in the men’s freeski halfpipe. Jordan Stolz won two gold medals in speed skating, as well as a silver. In cross-country skiing, Ben Ogden won silver in the men’s sprint classic.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/meet-elana-meyers-taylor-the-american-bobsledder-who-finally-won-her-first-gold-medal?author=Andie+Valdes&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Meet+Elana+Meyers+Taylor%3A+The+American+Bobsledder+Who+Finally+Won+Her+First+Gold+Medal">Elana Meyers Taylor</a> finally won her first gold medal in the women’s monobob at her fifth Olympic Games, with teammate Kallie Humphries behind her in bronze. The 41-year-old also became the oldest athlete to win an individual event in the Winter Games.
There were some major disappointments, namely <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/olympic-heartbreak-quad-god-ilia-malinin-breaks-under-pressure-fails-to-medal-in-milan?author=Amanda+Harding&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Olympic+Heartbreak%3A+%E2%80%98Quad+God%E2%80%99+Ilia+Malinin+Breaks+Under+Pressure%2C+Fails+To+Medal+In+Milan">Ilia Malinin</a>, the &#8220;Quad God,&#8221; who delivered a devastating routine in the free skate and finished eighth, despite being heavily favored for gold. Amber Glenn was aiming for the podium as well, but missed a key jump in the short program, which crushed her opportunity for a medal. Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates just slightly missed first in their event, finishing with the silver. Chock, Bates, and Malinin did, however, play a major role in solidifying the gold for the team event.
Snowboarder <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/snowboarder-chloe-kim-falls-short-of-historic-gold-medal-threepeat?author=Andie+Valdes&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=American+Snowboarder+Chloe+Kim+Falls+Short+Of+Historic+Gold+Medal+Threepeat">Chloe Kim</a> was also hoping to earn her third consecutive gold medal in the women’s halfpipe, but was edged out by Korea’s 17-year-old Choi Ga-on and finished with the silver.

Closing Ceremony – Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 16

Team USA Breaks American Record For Most Gold Medals Ever At Winter Olympics

General

Sports

United States

Winter Olympics

It’s been exactly forty-six years since the men’s United States hockey team last won Olympic gold. On Sunday, that streak was snapped in a tense, overtime victory against Canada.
For most of the game, it wasn’t clear that the United States would prevail after the team spent much of the game in the defensive zone — even after American Matt Boldy scored the first goal six minutes into the first period.
But despite holding a 1-0 lead, the U.S. couldn&#8217;t seem to get a grip on the game and seize control, relying on key saves from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. With two minutes left in the second period, Canada’s Cale Makar managed to get one past Hellebuyck, tying the game 1-1.
The third period followed a similar script, and the game was sent into overtime.
But less than two minutes in a thrilling 3-on-3 sudden-death round, American Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal and captured the gold medal.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
For the first time in 46 years. USA MEN’S HOCKEY HAS WON GOLD!! JACK HUGHES WITH THE GOLDEN GOAL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Olympics2026</a> <a href="https://t.co/dfN5ZJ2U6e">pic.twitter.com/dfN5ZJ2U6e</a>
— The Main Event Hub (@MainEventHub) <a href="https://twitter.com/MainEventHub/status/2025601317687726446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Olympic tournament seemed almost predestined for Team USA until the quarterfinal matchup, where the U.S. went into an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-mens-olympic-hockey-team-snags-win-in-overtime-thriller?author=Andie+Valdes&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=U.S.+Men%E2%80%99s+Olympic+Hockey+Team+Snags+Win+In+Overtime+Thriller">overtime</a> nail-biter against Sweden. They eventually defeated them by a slim 2-1 when two-time all-star Quinn Hughes came through with the game-winner. The team went on to swiftly defeat Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals.
Adding icing to the cake, the win took place on the anniversary of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ — where Team USA defeated the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War — which has gone down as one of the greatest wins in sports history. It was the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, when a team of American college players upset the heavily-favored and defending gold medalists in a 4-3 victory. The broadcaster Al Michaels famously asked, &#8220;Do you believe in miracles? YES!&#8221; as the game ended.
Nearly half a century later, another generation of Americans has carved its own place in history, and the legacy of Olympic hockey for Team USA endures.
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate the team, saying, &#8220;Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW! President DONALD J. TRUMP.&#8221;
Jack Hughes had nothing but high praise for the country and his teammates.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
&#8220;This is all about our country right now. I love the USA&#8230; We&#8217;re so proud to be Americans.&#8221;
— Jack Hughes, <a href="https://twitter.com/usahockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usahockey</a> 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/XI9tcdKein">pic.twitter.com/XI9tcdKein</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2025607656031842794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;This is all about our country. I love the USA. I love my teammates. So proud to be an American today. Just a ballsy, gutsy win,&#8221; he said.

Ice Hockey – Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 16

USA Wins Olympic Hockey Gold In OT Thriller Over Canada

Hockey

Team USA women&#8217;s figure skater Alysa Liu defied the odds to become the first American woman to win Olympic gold in twenty years. As the California native took to the Olympic podium before the entire world, her breathtaking comeback was also paved by her father&#8217;s patriotic story of grit and heroism against seemingly greater odds. 
After ranking third in the women&#8217;s short program on Tuesday, Liu — cool, calm, and collected as usual — showed up to the rink smiling, waving to the crowd, and ready to skate. She performed her routine to Donna Summer&#8217;s &#8220;MacArthur Park Suite&#8221; with the infectious energy that is a trademark of the 20-year-old. After the near-perfect skate earned her a career-best 226.79 points, she was placed in first with just two skaters left — Japan’s three-time World Champion Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai.
When both skaters just slightly missed the mark —Sakamoto scored 224.90 points and Ami five points behind her — Liu officially captured the gold medal and a much-needed win for Team USA.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
ALYSA LIU&#8217;S GOLD-WINNING FREE SKATE ROUTINE! ⭐️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/mH8tZkFCdK">pic.twitter.com/mH8tZkFCdK</a>
— NBC Olympics &amp; Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/2024686012966879376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
What separates Liu from the rest of her team — and brings extra sweetness to her win — is the fact that she actually walked away from the sport for more than two years.
When Liu was thirteen, she became the youngest national champion, only to win again the following year. The teen prodigy dominated the sport, fueling hope for her family to become the next Michelle Kwan. In 2019, she even <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/alysa-liu-2026-winter-olympics-gold-medal/">became</a> the first American female to complete a quadruple jump in an international competition. But all that changed after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when at age 16, Liu <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/alysa-liu-wins-gold-figure-skater-come-back/88766880007/">announced</a> in an Instagram post that she was retiring from the sport, “&#8230; i feel so satisfied with how my skating career has gone. now that i’m finally done with my goals in skating i’m going to be moving on with my life.” 
In hopes of living a &#8220;normal&#8221; life, Liu used her freedom from the ice to hang out with friends, visit Nepal, hike to Everest Base Camp, and go on road trips. That was, until a skiing trip with her family ignited an old spark — and the desire to compete again.
Liu emerged from the two-year <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7058382/2026/02/19/alysa-liu-figure-skating-winter-olympics-gold/?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur">break</a> in 2024, punctuating her comeback with a first-place win at the World Championships the following year. It is almost unheard of to return to the sport after so much time away. But Liu proved she was just that good. 
&#8220;That has been my dream,&#8221; she <a href="https://x.com/RohanNadkarni/status/2024619866074796177?s=20">told</a> NBC after the win. &#8220;I&#8217;m just over the moon, I&#8217;m the luckiest girl ever. I&#8217;m really grateful.&#8221;
Liu isn&#8217;t just a talented athlete. She carries with her the precious roots of what it means to be American, and having to fight for it.
Arthur Liu, her father, was born and raised in China. He was a university student during the infamous 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, where student-led protests and demonstrations turned deadly, and hundreds, if not thousands, were arrested, killed, or went missing in the brutal government crackdown. Liu said he was &#8220;outraged&#8221; by the massacre and went on to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1047273&amp;action=edit">organize</a> more protests. After learning he was on the government&#8217;s &#8220;most wanted&#8221; list, he worried future imprisonment was inevitable. At age 25, he fled from China to Hong Kong and eventually made his way to America.
Three months before his daughter was supposed to represent the United States in the Beijing Olympics, a man who claimed to be a U.S. Official called Liu, asking for passport information. &#8220;I felt something fishy was going on,&#8221; he <a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-sports-crime-figure-skating-beijing-3cd135005bb769b507199012cd5a0d22">told</a> the Associated Press at the time. &#8220;I’m not going to let them stop her from going and I’ll do whatever I can to make sure she’s safe and I’m willing to make sacrifices so she can enjoy the moment. I’m not going to let them win — to stop me — to silence me from expressing my opinions anywhere.”
Prosecutors alleged that the family was a target of a Chinese spying operation, and that the man was hired to perform surveillance on them.
But foreign harassment didn&#8217;t stop the teenager, and Liu still made her Olympic debut that year — just with heightened security from the State Department.
True to her light-hearted nature, Liu called the experience &#8220;a little bit freaky and exciting,&#8221; and wondered what her life would look like as a movie. &#8220;They got to make me look like a super cool hero or something. I can&#8217;t just be the kid that got spied on and did nothing about it.&#8221;
&#8220;I would just have the main focus be my dad&#8217;s story, because his story is so cool &#8230; everything that only happened because of what he did, so, I feel like we got to start with the roots.&#8221;

Figure Skating – Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympicl: Day 13

Alysa Liu’s Father Escaped China. She Just Won Olympic Gold For The United States.

Figure Skater Alysa Liu Delivers Gold For the U.S With An Unthinkable Comeback

Alysa Liu

Figure skating

Team USA

In another overtime nail-biter for the United States, the women&#8217;s hockey team defeated Canada to capture their third Olympic gold medal.
Since women&#8217;s hockey made its Olympic debut in 1998, only Canada and the United States have won gold in the event, and this year was no exception. The rivalry was on full display in the arena Thursday when the teams competed in the finals for the seventh time — with Canada having won five of them. But this year, it was America’s turn.
After a scoreless opening period, Kristin O&#8217;Neill broke the deadlock for Canada and they took the 1-0 lead into the third. The gold was just within reach.
The arena then erupted when Hilary Knight tied the game 1-1 — adding to her own <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/2026-winter-olympics-hilary-knight-usa-womens-hockey-scoring-record-canada/">Olympic resume</a> — with just two minutes remaining in regulation. When the third period ended, the teams headed to 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime, a 20-minute period played until the first goal.
But overtime didn’t last long. Just four minutes into the extra frame, Megan Keller danced around Claire Thompson and flipped the puck past goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens for the game-winner.
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TEAM USA TAKES GOLD 🥇
Megan Keller wins it in overtime, helping the U.S. to a 2-1 victory over Canada.
🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCOlympics</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a><a href="https://t.co/1xXQvOnNII">pic.twitter.com/1xXQvOnNII</a>
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/2024590684347679030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Team USA dominated throughout the tournament until Canada pushed them into a tightly contested championship &#8212; but it just wasn&#8217;t enough to derail the Americans.
&#8220;It was a hard-fought game. Canada gave us their best and they&#8217;re an incredible team. Their goaltending was outstanding. A lot of offense, a lot of great defense, so it was hard,&#8221; Keller <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/usa-vs-canada-live-score-womens-hockey-gold-medal-winter-olympics/2oxlnbLTdsUN/">said</a> after the game. &#8220;But really proud of the way our group stuck together. We fought to get into OT and just happy to finish it off.&#8221;
The rival win must feel extra sweet this year, since the last Winter Games in 2022 resulted in a silver medal against Canada. But for six of Team USA&#8217;s players, including Knight, who has said these Olympic games will be her last, this is their second gold medal.
As for the men’s hockey team, they will compete against Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday. If they win, they have a shot at competing — possibly against Canada — to win their first Olympic gold since 1980.

Revenge Served Cold: Team USA Takes Gold Over Canada In Olympic Sudden-Death Overtime

Women's Hockey

After a thrilling quarterfinal round, the U.S. men&#8217;s hockey team is now only two games away from capturing Olympic gold — something they have only done twice — and not since 1980.
The team secured the win over Sweden in an overtime nail-biter, eventually defeating them by a slim 2-1 when two-time all-star Quinn Hughes came through with the winning shot.
Despite a scoreless first period, it seemed like the Americans seized control when Dylan Larkin scored in the second period with the assists of Hughes and his brother Jack — coupled with unstoppable goaltending by Connor Hellebuyck. But with just 91 seconds left on the clock, Sweden&#8217;s Mika Zibanejad beat Hellebuyck to tie the game.
The teams then went to 3-on-3 sudden death overtime, where only ten minutes are given to score before moving to a shootout. Three and a half minutes into overtime, Hughes took a pass from his teammate Matt Boldy, ripped home the game-winner, and became Team USA&#8217;s hero. It marked his second point of the game, and sixth in the tournament.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Quinn Hughes sends the USA Men&#8217;s Olympic Hockey Team to the semi-finals against Slovakia with this OT winner!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAHockey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAHockey</a> <a href="https://t.co/KkvvAYFejQ">pic.twitter.com/KkvvAYFejQ</a>
— Grand Canyon State Sports (@GCStateSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/GCStateSports/status/2024259726524248412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The U.S.-Sweden match was just one of three quarterfinals that required overtime today, as Canada barely overtook the Czech Republic, and Finland also almost lost to Switzerland.
Team USA will compete against Slovakia, coming off a 6-2 win over Germany, in the semifinals on Friday afternoon. Canada will play the reigning Olympic gold champions, Finland. If the United States and Canada can both deliver in the semifinals, what a competitive rival match it will be on Sunday.
On the women&#8217;s side, the U.S. team — who last won gold in the 2018 Winter Games — has had sweeping wins over its competition throughout the entire Olympic tournament and is set to take on Canada for another gold on Thursday.

Ice Hockey – Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 12

U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team Snags Win In Overtime Thriller

American Elana Meyers Taylor has many titles: professional bobsledder, wife, devoted mother of two, proud patriot, and now — finally — Olympic gold medalist.
The 41-year-old also became the oldest athlete to win an individual event in the winter games, and is tied for the most decorated female Winter Olympian for Team USA. Before the Milan Cortina Games, Meyers Taylor has been overwhelmingly close to gold with five previous medals &#8212; three silver and two bronze. But after several years and Olympic appearances, this Monday, she finally secured first.
Her win took place in the women’s monobob competition. Meyers Taylor was to go second to last, and delivered an impressive time of 3:57.93, beating her teammate Kaillie Humphries for the top spot. Only one person stood between her and the gold medal — Germany&#8217;s Laura Nolte, who was the gold medalist in the women&#8217;s bobsled from the Beijing games in 2022. She anxiously awaited as Nolte sped down the track neck-and-neck with her times, but finished a mere 0.04 seconds behind Meyers Taylor.
Once she realized her victory, Meyers Taylor jumped and shouted with joy before falling to her knees, hands to her face and clutching the American flag.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Elana Meyers Taylor&#8217;s GOLDEN reaction says it all. 💛🥇 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/5gU3MItPN5">pic.twitter.com/5gU3MItPN5</a>
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSports/status/2023593152083374455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
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But Meyers Taylor isn&#8217;t just an elite competitor. She is a proud wife, mother, and American.
Meyers Taylor <a href="https://cbn.com/news/world/god-has-plan-bobsledding-olympian-elana-meyers-taylor-wins-silver-medal">met</a> her husband, Nic, who was also a bobsledder, in a Bible study near the U.S. Olympic Training Center in New York in 2011. Their two sons are both deaf, and one has Down syndrome. In a post before the games, she <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUk-75oDXd7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">wrote</a>: “I am a first generation American- a proud Jamaican Panamanian Italian American. I am the daughter of an immigrant and the proud mother of two disabled sons and my story isn’t possible in most other places in the world. I am proud to represent the US and I love my country dearly.”
She is also an outspoken Christian and shared <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DU3CAerjX3a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">this</a> on Tuesday: &#8220;The moment we prayed for. Glory to God. Forever an Olympic Champion.&#8221;
Meyers Taylor has had her eyes set on Olympic gold for a long time, but she believes there is more to it than just the game. In a 2016 interview, she <a href="https://cbn.com/news/world/god-has-plan-bobsledding-olympian-elana-meyers-taylor-wins-silver-medal">said,</a> ​​&#8221;We&#8217;re talking about the Olympics. We&#8217;re talking about trying to win the gold medal. All of these things can be overwhelming. But regardless of whether I win a gold medal or never compete again, I just have to trust that God has a plan for my life and I’m called to be his representative through the sport and outside of the sport.”
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<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUdW9XhkYe6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Elana Meyers Taylor OLY (@elanameyerstaylor)</a>
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BOBSLEIGH-OLY-2026-MILANO CORTINA

Meet Elana Meyers Taylor: The American Bobsledder Who Finally Won Her First Gold Medal

Christian

Family Values

There are lots of emotions surrounding the Winter Olympics this year, and not all of them are tied to the actual competition. Several American Olympians have voiced their “mixed emotions” about representing their country, with one choosing to compete for an entirely different nation.
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess, for example, is one competitor who has gained significant attention, even from President Donald Trump. The president <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7031234/2026/02/08/president-trump-hunter-hess-2026-winter-olympics/">called</a> the athlete a “real loser” over comments Hess made in a pre-Olympics press conference last week.
When asked what it means to represent America, Hess <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JvQ_IxWVbM">said</a> it &#8220;brings up mixed emotions&#8221; and that it&#8217;s “a little hard.”
“There&#8217;s obviously a lot going on that I&#8217;m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren&#8217;t. &#8230; If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I&#8217;m representing it. Just because I&#8217;m wearing the flag doesn&#8217;t mean I represent everything that&#8217;s going on in the U.S. I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here.&#8221;
A few days after the internet backlash, Hess took to social media to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUip9fYjEv1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">expand</a>: “I love my country,” he wrote.
“There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out. The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided, we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete.”
Another freestyle skier, Chris Lillis, feels similarly. In the same press conference, Lillis <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JvQ_IxWVbM">said</a> he is “heartbroken” over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Minnesota. &#8220;As a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody&#8217;s rights and making sure that we&#8217;re treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that that&#8217;s the America that we&#8217;re trying to represent.&#8221;
Lillis did, however, post this on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUiEq81DGPe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">social media</a>: “Love, dignity and respect to everyone, even those who disagree with us. I love my country and am proud to represent the USA.”
Figure skater Amber Glenn is another Olympian who hit the headlines of many prominent outlets for her controversial comments. Last week, she said the queer community is having a “hard time” under the Trump administration, leaving them to “fight for [their] human rights.” Glenn said a “scary amount of hate” trailed her in a now-expired Instagram story: “When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel.”
After the internet backlash, she announced a break from social media before <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-figure-skater-amber-glenn-fires-back-after-controversial-comments">firing back</a> at her haters, &#8220;They hate to see two woke b*tches winning.”
Conversely, before the games began, snowboarder Chloe Kim delivered a heartfelt tribute to America in a social media <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUYjinFidqC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">post</a>: “I can’t believe I’ve arrived in Milan to represent my country at the Olympic Games for the third time.”
“My parents left South Korea in search of a better future for their family. They left behind everything they knew so that my sisters and I could have the chance to one day live the American dream. Their sacrifice is one I will never take for granted. So when I stand at the top of the halfpipe, competing on the biggest stage in sport, I do so with immense pride. I am representing my country but I am also representing those who took a leap of faith, who came to this beautiful nation carrying hopes, dreams, and courage.”
“I am proud of my heritage. I am proud of my journey. And I am proud to represent a country that is strongest when it embraces diversity, dignity, and hope. GO TEAM USA!!” she added.
When <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/snowboarder-chloe-kim-falls-short-of-historic-gold-medal-threepeat?author=Andie+Valdes&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=American+Snowboarder+Chloe+Kim+Falls+Short+Of+Historic+Gold+Medal+Threepeat">asked</a> by a reporter for a response to Trump calling Hess a “real loser,” Kim said she hopes to lead with love and compassion. “Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one definitely hits pretty close to home. I think in moments like these, it is important to unite and stand up for one another, for all that’s going on.”
“I’m really proud to represent the United States,” she said. “The U.S. has given my family and I so much opportunity, but I also think we are allowed to voice our opinions on what is going on, and I think we need to lead with love and compassion. I would love to see some more of that.”
Along the same lines, Kim&#8217;s teammate Maddie Mastro <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUa32PqDO16/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">posted</a> something similar, “I am truly honored and proud to wear Team USA on my back. Being an American athlete means representing a country built on diversity, strength, and resilience … When I drop in, I’m riding for an America that leads with kindness, love, and compassion; one that supports one another and rises together.”
One of the most <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/eileen-gu-garners-backlash-commenting-trumps-statement-while-representing-china">controversial</a> Olympians is American Eileen Gu, who has chosen to compete for China, where her mother is from, since 2019. She recently <a href="https://time.com/7355691/eileen-gu-interview-2026-olympics/">said</a> in an interview with TIME, “The U.S. already has the representation. I like building my own pond.”
Critics have pointed out that Gu makes millions a year from Chinese brands, but she has denied that it was a factor: “I’m glad that there’s enough money in the sport now for people to think that’s a consideration.”
On the other hand, Jasmine Jones is a first-time Olympian competing in bobsled who also served in the Air Force. In an interview with Fox, she said, “Being able to represent my country, as well as being an athlete for my country, it definitely brings a different meaning.”
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to do both.”

Cross-Country Skiing – Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 8

How Do Olympians Feel About Representing The U.S. At Winter Games?

American snowboarder Chloe Kim was poised to make Olympic history this Thursday by becoming the first snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals, despite a torn labrum in her shoulder.
Kim&#8217;s reign was cut short, however, as 17-year-old Choi Gaon from Korea swooped in and beat her by two points in her Olympic debut. In an ironic twist, Kim first gained global recognition when she was the same age, when she won gold in the women’s halfpipe in the 2018 Winter Olympics. She has continued to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/chloe-kim-winter-olympics-snowboarding-gold-rcna258703">reign</a> in the sport as a three-time world champion, 12-time World Cup winner, and eight-time Winter X Champion.
For most of the night, it seemed like the 25-year-old California native had it in the bag.
Kim started off in the number one slot after a strong first run that earned her 88 points, but crashed in her second run. Gaon, however, had two rocky runs, the first of which left her sitting in the middle of the course with medical assistance for several minutes. At first, it was unclear if she&#8217;d even be able to keep competing. Then, in her last run, Gaon shocked the crowd by delivering an impressive 90.25 points and knocking Kim from her perch in first place.
As the snow pummeled down in Livigno, Italy, Kim&#8217;s last chance at the new title was wiped out when she fell again, solidifying the silver medal for herself and the gold for Gaon.
Regardless of the disappointment, Kim said she is happy about how far she&#8217;s come, &#8220;A month ago I wasn’t even sure I would be here &#8230; this medal means so much to me.&#8221;
Though Kim could only train for two weeks leading up to the Olympics because of the previous injury to her shoulder, she wasn’t worried about competing: “I might be better at snowboarding than I am at walking,” she <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7038240/2026/02/11/chloe-kim-womens-snowboard-halfpipe-qualification-2026-winter-olympics/">said</a> Wednesday morning after landing the top score in the qualifying round. However, Kim did announce that her shoulder would require surgery.
Unlike several other American Olympians, Kim has always said that she is proud to represent her country. When asked by a reporter for a response to President Donald Trump calling fellow Olympian Hunter Hess a &#8220;loser,&#8221; Kim would rather lead with love and compassion. “Obviously, my parents being immigrants, this one definitely hits pretty close to home. I think in moments like these, it is important to unite and stand up for one another, for all that’s going on.”
“I’m really proud to represent the United States,” she <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/video/snowboarder-chloe-kim-responds-after-trump-rips-teammate-257408069845">said</a>. “The U.S. has given my family and I so much opportunity, but I also think we are allowed to voice our opinions on what is going on, and I think we need to love and compassion. I would love to see some more of that.”

Snowboard – Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 6

American Snowboarder Chloe Kim Falls Short Of Historic Gold Medal Threepeat

American figure skater Amber Glenn has faced almost as much criticism from social media as she has from the Olympic judges in the past week — and she has a few choice words for her haters.
Glenn, an outspoken LGBT activist, is a 26-year-old from Texas representing Team USA at the Winter Games in her first Olympic appearance.
In a TikTok post Tuesday, Glenn shared photos with fellow U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu and the caption, &#8220;They hate to see two woke b*tches winning,&#8221; referencing the gold medal won by America in the team event on Sunday, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/08/amber-glenn-team-event-2026-winter-olympics/88578695007/">despite</a> the fact that it was her third-place free skate routine that almost jeopardized the title.
&#8220;If ‘Woke’ means people who use their platforms to advocate for marginalized communities in the country that they are actively representing …&#8230;. Then yeah sure?&#8221; she wrote.
The post comes after online backlash over comments Glenn made in a pre-Olympics press conference last week, where she said the queer community is having a “hard time” under the Trump administration, leaving them to “fight for [their] human rights.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
U.S. Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn goes overseas and smears America, melting down over President Trump.
These people do not deserve to be on the team. 
<a href="https://t.co/tMPvxLbSX2">pic.twitter.com/tMPvxLbSX2</a>
— Jack (@jackunheard) <a href="https://twitter.com/jackunheard/status/2020185440612159964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I hope I can use my platform and my voice throughout these games to try and encourage people to stay strong in these hard times,” she said, adding that she was not going to be quiet about it.
According to Glenn, a &#8220;scary amount of hate&#8221; trailed her in a now-expired Instagram <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/american-olympic-medalist-fires-direct-message-critics-they-hate-see-two-woke-b-es-winning">story</a>: “When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans, I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel.”
She said the backlash was &#8220;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7031453/2026/02/08/amber-glenn-figure-skating-olympics-politics-lgbtq-donald-trump/">outlandish</a>&#8221; and <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/american-olympian-taking-social-media-breather-over-hate-after-trump-criticism">announced</a> she was taking a break from social media. &#8220;I did anticipate this but I am disappointed by it. I will be limiting my time on social media for my own wellbeing for now but I will never stop using my voice for what I believe in.&#8221;
But the controversy didn&#8217;t stop there. On Sunday night, Canadian artist Seb McKinnon took to <a href="https://x.com/SebMcKinnon/status/2020604630657302841?s=20">X</a> after hearing his music playing without his permission in the background of Glenn&#8217;s free skate routine for the team event, adding to her already heated online presence. The issue now seems to be <a href="https://x.com/SebMcKinnon/status/2021206847059853361">resolved</a>.

2026 Winter Olympics – Milan-Cortina

U.S. Figure Skater Amber Glenn Fires Back After Controversial Comments

Olympics

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Andie Valdes